Search results
John and Alan Lomax, in their book, Best Loved American Folk Songs, told a credible story identifying the Midnight Special as a train from Houston shining its light into a cell in the Sugar Land Prison.
A traditional folk song, Leadbelly popularized it upon his release from Sugar Land prison in Texas, where he could hear the Midnight Special come through. In the song, the light of the train gives the inmates hope: if it shines on them they take it as a sign they will soon go free.
The song “Midnight Special” by Lead Belly has long been considered a classic in the folk and blues genre. Its origins can be traced back to the early 20th century, with various versions and interpretations over the years.
May 8, 2024 · “The Midnight Special” is a traditional folk song that has been around for over a century. The exact origins of the song are not known, but it is believed to have been written by black prisoners in the American South during the late 19th century.
The song “The Midnight Special” is a traditional folk song that is believed to have originated among prisoners in the American South. The lyrics of the song were first recorded in print by Howard Odum in 1905.
Midnight Special is a traditional folk song thought to have originated among prisoners in the American South. Lyrics appearing in the song were first recorded in print by Howard Odum in 1905.
People also ask
Where did the song 'The Midnight Special' come from?
Was the Midnight Special a folk song?
Who sang Big Midnight Special?
Why did Leadbelly sing Midnight Special?
Aug 31, 2021 · By the time the iconic songster Huddie Leadbetter – aka “Leadbelly” – was recorded singing The Midnight Special in prison in 1934, it had been bouncing around in many communities for well over a decade.
