Black Girl, Where Did You Sleep Last Night, (In The Pines)

[Admin]

"Where Did You Sleep Last Night", also known as "Black Girl" and "In the Pines", is a traditional American folk song which dates back to at least the 1870s, and is believed to be Southern Appalachian in origin. The identity of the song's author is unknown, but it has been recorded by many artists in numerous genres. Traditionally, it is most often associated with the American folk and blues musician Lead Belly, who recorded several versions in the 1940s, as well as the American bluegrass musician Bill Monroe, who helped popularize the song (in a different variant, featuring lyrics about a train) among bluegrass and country audiences with his versions recorded in the 1940s and 1950s.

[Admin]

“In the Pines” is an old American folk song found in both black and white tradition. Cecil Sharp collected it in the Appalachians in 1917. Over time the verses about the train and a decapitation were added, making it a railroad song...

continue reading

[phil]

Lonnie Donegan made a fine recording of the song back in the 1950s. Unfortunately, Donegan seems to be remembered in the US for his comedy song, 'Does Your Chewing Gum lose its Flavor,' but before he turned to vaudeville and around the time he was with the Chris Barber Jazz Band, Donegan made many good recordings of spirituals and work songs including, 'Go Down Old Hannah,' Ain't No More Cane on the Brazos and Muleskinner Blues.

[alanbalfour]

There was a British pop group in who reached No.20 in the UK charts with "Black Girl" in 28 November 1964. The song managed to stay in the top 50 for 12 weeks. There's pointless trivia if ever I saw it! 

[phil]

The UK group that did the song was The Four Pennies.