The Martins and the Coys
"The Martins and the Coys" is a 1936 American novelty song created by Ted Weems and Al Cameron.[1][2] The lyrics are based on folklore about two feuding families, the Hatfields and the McCoys.[3][4]
Versions and adaptations[edit]
According to The Daily News Leader, the song was believed to be a traditional American mountain ballad, but the song was originally recorded and released in 1936 as a comedy song.[5]
Elizabeth Lyttleton and Alan Lomax wrote and arranged a radio ballad opera based on the song for the BBC, which was broadcast in 1944. The radio programme was created in New York and released during World War II as part of the New Deal's music and theater projects. The drama's plot followed the feuding families as they resolved their differences and went off together to fight against Hitler. A CD of the radio program was later released.[6][7][8]
The song was adapted into a 1946 animated anthology produced by Walt Disney, titled Make Mine Music. The film's first segment is based on the song, with the Disney version performed by The King's Men quartet.[2][9] The animation drew general criticism, with The Martins and the Coys segment receiving the most criticism due to its stereotypical depiction of hillbillies.[10]
William Crouch testified he used the song to make what was the first "soundie" film in 1935.[11]
In 1938, Tex Morton recorded the song.
The song was recorded by Gene Autry. The Union Boys recorded a World War II themed version of the song titled New Martins and Coys in 1996.
The Library of Congress has a recording of The Martins and the Coys in its collection, sung with guitar accompaniment by Pick Temple,[12] and a papier mache and wood sculpture scene depicting the song by Homer Tate of Safford, Arizona.[13]
References[edit]
- ^ "Sheet music: The Martins and The Coys They were reckless mountain boys". Google Arts & Culture. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ a b Hollis, Tim (27 July 2010). Ain't That a Knee-Slapper: Rural Comedy in the Twentieth Century. University Press of Mississippi. ISBN 978-1-62846-726-0. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ Haven, Lisa Stein (2012). "Review of Hatfields & McCoys". Journal of Appalachian Studies. 18 (1/2): 325–326. doi:10.2307/23337728. ISSN 1082-7161. JSTOR 23337728. S2CID 254478898. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ Filene, Benjamin (2000). "Searching for Florence". Minnesota History. 57 (3): 138. ISSN 0026-5497. JSTOR 20188216. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ "Make Mine Music". The Daily News Leader. 29 December 1946. p. 5. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ Gammon, Vic (2002). "Review of The Martins and the Coys". Folk Music Journal. 8 (2): 248. ISSN 0531-9684. JSTOR 4522678. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ Filene, Benjamin (2000). Romancing the Folk: Public Memory & American Roots Music. University of North Carolina Press. p. 158. ISBN 978-0-8078-2550-1. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ Winter, Eric (January 1, 2000). "Folk Music on Disc: The Alan Lomax Collection: The Martins and the Coys". Reference Reviews. 14 (8): 40. doi:10.1108/rr.2000.14.8.40.423 – via Emerald Insight.
- ^ "MAKE MINE MUSIC". Library of Congress.
- ^ Harkins, Anthony (2004). Hillbilly: A Cultural History of an American Icon. Oxford University Press. pp. 164–165. ISBN 978-0-19-514631-8. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ Appeals, New York (State) Court of (September 18, 1945). "New York Court of Appeals. Records and Briefs" – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Martins and the Coys". Library of Congress.
- ^ "Ballad of the Martins and the Coys interpreted in papier mache and wood sculpture by Homer Tate. Safford, Arizona". Library of Congress.