The Lead Belly Songbook - Lead Belly, no stranger to the blues

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Green Corn

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This song is supposedly one of the first ones that Huddie learned how to play. This is obviously a dance tune that was suited for audiences and dancers who wanted a lively number. The phrase "green corn" can be thought of as new corn liquor or as roasted ears of unripe corn, prepared for a party. The phrase can mean different things at different times. Lead Belly loved songs that had repeated phrases like this.

Huddie played this song in a fast strumming pattern which does not make for a good keyboard arrangement. Keyboard players may find that striking the chords less times per measure will make for a better sound.