Despite the gender-bending aspect of this performance, with Vernon singing a tune obviously meant for a female voice, this is a mesmerizing performance that actually works quite well. It was recorded at Edison Labs on July 17,
1925, and was also released on a cylinder. It was probably an answer to Kelly Harrell's recording for Victor six months earlier that had proven to be a good seller. Vernon doesn't camp this one up, thank goodness, but delivers the
song simply and directly. This was apparently a traditional folk tune, as there was no author credited, and has been covered by the likes of Peter Paul and Mary as well as Roscoe Holcomb (in the 1970 movie "Zabriskie Point"). The
disc itself was in very nice shape, needing some rumble reduced and the occasional click taken out.
