If Jimmy cracked corn and no-one cared - why write a song?

Answer 1

G'day Hyamavanka,

Thank you for your question.

Jimmy Crack Corn is a reference to slaves celebrating the death of a master. Gimcrack corn is probably a reference to cheap corn whiskey

"Blue Tail Fly", "De Blue Tail Fly", or "Jimmy Crack Corn" is a blackface minstrel song, first performed in the United States in the 1840s, which remains a popular children's song today.

Over the years, many variants of text have appeared, but the basic narrative remains intact. On the surface, the song is a black slave's lament over his master's death. The song, however, has a subtext of rejoicing over that death, and possibly having caused it by deliberate negligence. Most versions at least nod to idiomatic African American English, though sanitized, grammatically "correct" versions predominate today.

The blue-tail fly of the song is probably a Southern variant of the horsefly, which feeds on the blood of animals such as horses and cattle, as well as humans, and thus constitute a prevalent pest in agricultural regions. Some horseflies have a blue-black abdomen, hence the name.

Differing sources date it from 1844 or 1846 and differ as to who wrote it; one early printing attributed it to Dan Emmett. At the time, though, it was commonplace for the recorder of a folk song to take credit. It has also been conjectured that it might not have been originally a blackface minstrel song, and might have genuine African American origins. Unlike many minstrel songs, "Blue Tail Fly" was long popular among African Americans, and was recorded by, among others, Big Bill Broonzy. A celebrated live version was recorded by Burl Ives. Another popularizer was the folk singer Pete Seeger. The song was also repeated almost in its entirety by Bugs Bunny in the Warner Bros. cartoon short Lumber Jack-Rabbit, though it is done in Bugs' trademark Brooklyn/Bronx accent.

There has been much conjecture over the meaning of "Jimmy Crack Corn and I don't care". One possibility is "gimcrack corn", cheap corn whiskey; another related theory is that it refers to "cracking" open a jug of corn whisky; another is that "crack-corn" is related to the (still-current) slang "cracker" for a rural Southern white. Another, and possibly the most popular, is that the chorus refers to an overseer who, without the master, has only his bullwhip to keep the slaves in line. Most etymologists support the first interpretation, as the term "cracker" appears to predate "corncracking", and "whipcracker" has no historical backing. This suggests that the chorus means the slaves are making whiskey and celebrating.

I have attached sources for your reference.

Regards

Answer 2

maximum human beings songs by no skill make experience. basically like that "Turkey in the Straw" music. Or "John Jacob Jinglehemier Schmidt (l. a. l. a. l. a. l. a. l. a. l. a. l. a.)". Our ancestors have been unusual human beings. And had way too lots time on their palms. i'm curious if the Amish easily sing any of those songs.

Answer 3

Jimmy cracked corn and I don't care
My master's gone away.
There is a message there somewhere.

Answer 4

Slow-paced town. Jimmy was a wild one.

Answer 5

I dunno, but I'm sure it won't be long before some cnut like DJ Sammi gets their hands on it.

There is a recent updated version knocking round, it's called "Petey Shoots Up and I Don't Care", all about Pete Doherty. It'll be a hit, no doubt about it.

Answer 6

because the person didnt care enough to write a better song

Answer 7

Just to make lovely music.

Answer 8

truly one of the earliest examples of passive aggressive behavior

Answer 9

Just for fun.

Answer 10

to make beautiful music!