We have a collection of 2 arrangements for Lead Belly – Bring Me Little Water, Silvy
How did a 1940s work song become a staple of modern folk revivals? Learn!
"Bring Me Little Water, Silvy" is a traditional African American work song that has been covered by various artists, including the a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock. However, the specific term "Misc tunes" doesn't refer to a well-known artist or version in this context.
The song itself is believed to have originated in the American South, particularly among African American workers. It was traditionally sung by laborers while they worked, and its call-and-response structure made it well-suited for group singing.
Alan Lomax, a folklorist and musicologist, documented the song during his field recordings in the 1930s and 1940s, contributing to its preservation and popularity. Over the years, "Bring Me Little Water, Silvy" has become a folk and blues standard, and its enduring appeal lies in its simplicity, rhythmic energy, and historical significance in the African American musical tradition.