“Steamboat Bill”
Description
The Whippoorwill, steered by Steamboat Bill, is ordered "to try to beat the record of the Robert E. Lee." Provoked by a gambler, Bill drives the boat so hard that the boiler explodes. Bill's wife says that her next husband will be a railroad man.
Long description
The Whippoorwill, steered by Steamboat Bill, is ordered "to try to beat the record of the Robert E. Lee." Provoked by a gambler, Bill drives the boat so hard that the boiler explodes, with Bill betting he will fly higher than the gambler. People all along the river mourn. Bill's wife says that her next husband will be a railroad man.
Cross references
- cf. "Casey Jones (I)" [Laws G1] (tune)
Recordings
- Al Bernard, "Steamboat Bill" (Brunswick 178, 1927/Supertone S-2044, 1930)
- Smilie Burnett, "Steamboat Bill" (Decca 5685, 1939; rec. 1938)
- Fiddlin' John Carson, "Steamboat Bill" (OKeh 40306, 1925; rec. 1924)
- Arthur Collins, "Steamboat Bill" (Columbia A-1005, 1911) (Victor 16867, 1911)
- Dixon's Clod Hoppers, "Steamboat Bill" (Vocalion 15862, 1931; rec. 1930)
- Jack Kaufman, "Steamboat Bill" (Columbia A2809, 1919; Diva 2480-G [as Jack Wilson], 1927)
- Beatrice Kay, "Steamboat Bill" (Columbia 36941, 1946; rec. 1945)
- Kessinger Brothers, "Steamboat Bill" (Brunswick 563, rec. 1930)
- Edward Meeker, "Steamboat Bill" (Edison 50886, 1921)
- Riley Puckett, "Steamboat Bill" (Columbia 113-D [as George Riley Puckett], 1924)
- Bob Roberts, "Steamboat Bill" (Phono-Cut 5112, c. 1914)
- Ernest Rogers, "Steamboat Bill" (Victor 20798, 1927)
- Paul Tremaine & his Orch. "Steamboat Bill" (Columbia 2229-D, 1930)
- Varsity Eight, "Steamboat Bill" (Cameo 1266/Romeo 500, 1927)
- Fred Wilson [probably a pseud. for Jack Kaufman, but I don't know for sure], "Steamboat Bill" (Harmony 5118-H, 1930)
References
- MHenry-Appalachians, pp. 100-101, "Steamboat Bill" (1 text)
- Fife-Cowboy/West 16, "Steamboat Bill" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Silber-FSWB, p. 206, "Steamboat Bill" (1 text)
- Fuld-WFM, pp. 535-536, "Steamboat Bill"
- Roud #11218
- BI, FCW016