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.
To understand the song, you must understand Cotten’s unique style, often called Shake Sugaree
: 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 Unlike many of Cotten's other hits like "Freight
: Some see it simply as a set of nonsense riddles meant for children. : Being left-handed, Cotten played a right-handed guitar
: 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.
: 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?