Sidney Stripling facts for kids
Sidney Stripling was an amazing African American musician. He played old-time and blues music. Sidney was from Kathleen, Georgia. He was likely born in the 1800s. He passed away sometime between 1941 and 1945.
In 1941, a man named Alan Lomax asked for his songs to be recorded. Alan worked for the Library of Congress. This library keeps many important American songs. John Wesley Work III from Fisk University recorded Sidney. He recorded ten of Sidney's songs. This happened at the Fort Valley State College Folk Festival. The festival was in Fort Valley, Georgia. These are the only recordings we have of Sidney Stripling.
His songs include different types of music. He played ballads, which are story songs. He also played spirituals, blues, and dance tunes. Some of his songs were even for children. Sidney sang and played what might have been a four-string banjo. His playing style was common around the year 1900.
Sidney Stripling's Recorded Songs
Sidney Stripling's recordings are kept safe. They are in The Archive of Folk Culture. This archive is part of the Library of Congress. Here are some of the songs he recorded:
- "Standin' on the Corner Smokin' a Cheap Cigar"
- "Hammering in My Soul"
- "Whoa, Mule Whoa"
- "Alabama Red"
- "Coon Gi'nt"
- "Breakaway"
- "Sevassafool"
- "Where You Been So Long" (He played this with Gus Gibson on guitar)
- "Lookin' For the Bully in This Town"
- "Sally Walker"
Songs on CD and in Movies
Some of Sidney Stripling's songs have been released on a music CD. The CD is called Deep River of Song: Georgia. It came out in 2001. This CD features songs from the Allan Lomax Collection.
The songs on the CD include:
- "Sally Walker" (This is a children's song)
- "Coon Gi'nt" (Also known as "Coonjine")
- "Breakaway"
- "Sevassafool" (Also known as "Sebastopol")
The song "Breakaway" was even used in a movie! It was featured in the soundtrack for the Martin Scorsese film Gangs of New York. That movie came out in 2002.
Fun Facts About Sidney Stripling
- Sidney Stripling is the great-grandfather of an American socialite named David Stripling. David is his great-grandson from his father's side of the family.
