Annotation:Jaybird Settin' on a Limb

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JAYBIRD SETTIN' ON A LIMB. Old-Time, Breakdown. USA, Arkansas. Probably the same tune as "Jaybird." The title appears in a list of traditional Ozark Mountain fiddle tunes compiled by musicologist/folklorist Vance Randolph, published in 1954. Wade Thurman (2011) writes: this lyric "hails from Sonora (Hardin County) KY. My dad, William B. (Chuck) Thurman (1918-1998) gave me this one, but didn't sing it... he used as a spoken rhyme bouncing his kids on his knee. However, he likely learned it from fiddle tunes - he played guitar in a local string band when young."

Jay bird, jay bird, sittin' on a limb
He winked at me, and I at him
I cocked my bow and split his shin
Left my arrow stickin' in

Snake made a hole-cake and set the frog to mind it
Frog fell asleep and the lizard came to find it
Weasel went to visit with the polecat's wife
Phew! -- Never saw such a row in all my life!

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