“Lulu Walls”

Description

The singer describes "that aggravating beauty, Lulu Walls." She has stolen his heart and left him in "sad misery." He plans to offer to wed, but knows she will turn him down. If she were his, he would surround her with walls so no one else would see her

Notes

Recorded by the Carter Family, and credited to A. P. Carter -- but given that the song was in circulation in the Ozarks in 1928 (Randolph), and in the Appalachians in 1933 (Henry), it seems a fair bet that the song predates the Carters. Though it is quite likely that the Carters rewrote it. - RBW

The Ozark folks may well have learned the song from the Morris recording. - PJS

And ditto Frank W. Anderson, who was Henry's informant, and so on. I wonder if Morris wrote it? It doesn't sound very traditional to me. - RBW

Recordings

• Carter Family, "Lulu Walls" (Victor V-40126, 1929; Montgomery Ward M-4437, 1934) (Romeo 06-05-53, 1936)
• A'nt Idy Harper & the Coon Creek Girls, "Lulu Wall" (Conqueror 9065 [as Coon Creek Girls]/Vocalion 04203, 1938)
• Bascom Lamar Lunsford, "Lulu Wall" (Brunswick 229/Vocalion 5252, 1928)
• Walter Morris, "Lulu Walsh" (Columbia 15115-D, 1927)
• Marvin Williams, "Lula Wall" (OKeh 45467, 1930)

References

1. Randolph 383, "Lulu Walls" (1 text, 1 tune)
2. MHenry-Appalachians, pp. 37-38, "Lula Wall" (1 text)
3. DT, LULUWALL*
4. Roud #3338
5. BI, R383