“Little Fight in Mexico”

Description

"They had a little fight in Mexico, It wasn't for the boys but the gals, you may know, Sing fa la la, sing fa la la, sing fa la la la day." Boys and girls "came to the place where the blood was shed," where (girls/boys) turned back but the dance continues

Notes

Based on the content of this song, I would guess that it is not related to the Mexican War (Hudson states otherwise, but this is based only on the date; he knew people who claimed to have heard it c. 1860). - RBW

There is a town called Mexico in Missouri, although it's in the northern part of the state, not in the Ozarks. - PJS

References

1. Randolph 549, "Little Fight in Mexico" (2 texts, 1 tune, although the texts do not really look related)
2. BrownIII 79, "Little Fight in Mexico" (1 fragment)
3. Hudson 141, pp. 288-289, "Had a Big Fight in Mexico" (1 text)
4. Fife-Cowboy/West 9, "Johnny Cake" (4 texts, 1 tune, but the "B" text, entitled "Had a Little Fight in Mexico," is clearly this piece)
5. Roud #736
6. BI, R549