Camptown Races
'De Camptown Races' or 'Gwine to Run All Night' (nowadays popularly known as 'Camptown Races') is a minstrel song by American Romantic composer Stephen Foster. It was published in February 1850 by F. D. Benteen and was introduced to the American mainstream by Christy's Minstrels, eventually becoming one of the most popular folk/Americana tunes of the nineteenth century.[1] [2] It is Roud Folk Song Index no. 11768.[3]
"Camptown Races"
Recordings and uses[edit]
As one of the most popular folk tunes, 'Camptown Races' has been reference repeatedly in cinema, television and other means of media. Like many of Foster's songs, it was originally recorded on the phonograph in the early twentieth century;[21] 1911 saw its first recording, by Bill Murray.[22] The 1939 biopic about Foster Swanee River prominently features a performance of the tune by Al Jolson. A favourite in twentieth century cartoons,[23] the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies character Foghorn Leghorn frequently hums the tune to himself in most of the 28 cartoons he appears in, produced between 1946 and 1963. [24] The Bugs Bunny shorts Mississippi Hare and Southern Fried Rabbit relate to the song's Southern heritage to portray stereotypes of African Americans. [25] Many Western films such as Riding High, Blazing Saddles and Sweet Savage, feature brief singing performances of 'Camptown Races'. [26] The tune is additionally featured in certain episodes of modern television series, including Disney's Recess (in Season 4, Episode 23), Toy Story Toons (Episode 2), South Park (Season 17, Episode 10), The Office (Season 5, Episode 9) and Supernatural (Season 13, Episode 21).
The song was revived on a number of occasions in the twentieth century with recordings by Bing Crosby (recorded December 9, 1940),[27] Johnny Mercer (1945),[28] Al Jolson (recorded July 17, 1950),[29] Julie London (included in her album Swing Me an Old Song, 1959), and Frankie Laine (included in his album Deuces Wild, 1961).[30] Country music singer Kenny Rogers recorded the song in 1970 with his group, The First Edition, on their album Tell It All Brother under the title of 'Camptown Ladies'. The football song 'Two World Wars and One World Cup' is set the tune of 'Camptown Races', chanted as part of the England–Germany football rivalry.[31]