Shake Sugaree Apr 2026

: The definitive version features Cotten’s 12-year-old great-granddaughter, Brenda Evans , on lead vocals, while Cotten provides her signature "upside-down" guitar accompaniment. What Does "Shake Sugaree" Actually Mean?

The lyrics—"Oh, lordy me / Didn't I shake sugaree? / Everything I got is done and pawned"—have puzzled listeners for decades. Even Cotten herself once admitted, "To tell the truth, I don't know what got it started". Interpretations vary widely:

: The song was originally intended as a way to engage her grandchildren. Cotten would sing the chorus, and then encourage the children to make up their own verses. Shake Sugaree

: Some see it simply as a set of nonsense riddles meant for children.

: Being left-handed, Cotten played a right-handed guitar held upside-down without restringing it. This meant she picked the bass lines with her fingers and the melody with her thumb. / Everything I got is done and pawned"—have

Unlike many of Cotten's other hits like "Freight Train," which she wrote as a child, "Shake Sugaree" (1967) was a collaborative effort born from her role as a great-grandmother.

The Magic of "Shake Sugaree": A Song of Mystery and Legacy "Shake Sugaree" is more than just a folk song; it is a quintessential piece of American music history that bridges the gap between simple family lullabies and the complex evolution of the folk-blues tradition. Written and performed by the legendary , this track remains one of her most beloved and debated works. The Origins: A Family Affair Cotten would sing the chorus, and then encourage

: Theories range from references to African-American dances involving sugar on the floor to variations of Native American words. The Musical Genius of Elizabeth Cotten