Cottonmouth (c2001)

File:
lyoncott.nwcAugust 20012.18 kB00:01:40
Composer:Lyon, Bradford Franklin (1963-), USA
Lyricist:Franklin Lyon
First Line:I had a girl long time ago, she's the purtiest in all Hilo
Genre:folk
Instruments:fiddle, upright bass (I'm using a soundfont for it)
Submitter:Lyon, Bradford Franklin
Email:franklinlyon (e-mail)
Website:http://www.soundclick.com/member.....ber=franklinlyon
Arranger:Lyon, Bradford Franklin USA
This is a rural/folksy piece, written to be performed by the fictitious "Pine Prairie Boys". Pine Prairie is where my late grandfather's deer camp is, in southeast Arkansas. There are a couple of probably too obscure references here:
* Hilo=Hilo, Arkansas, which is the closest "town" to Pine Prairie. It is located close to the Arkansas/Louisiana border
* RunWay flat = flat of land near Pine Prairie (it's located in the Y of the forked gravel road in the image referenced above).
Less obscure, but worth noting:
- "Cottonmouth" is a type of poisonous snake, its name given due to its the bright white color of the inside of its mouth. I've never known anyone personally who has been bitten by one, but I heard stories growing up. You're always on the lookout for these guys when you're walking through the woods or turning over john boats on the bank
- "Muscadine" refers to a type of fruit/berry that grows naturally in this area (and elsewhere in the South). It is curiously sweet in a smooth, sublime way. There's nothin like muscadine jelly on home-made biscuits. Of course, muscadine wine is pretty good, too.
- "Fat pine" refers to pine tree knots that have naturally collected a turpentine-like liquid. This is used for kindling, and burns VERY hot and fast (they light easily with a match).
It is intended to be very simple - guitar, upright bass, maybe a fiddle, and two-part harmony (lead is the lower of the two).