Tar River

[Tim Twiss]

Man, I would give anything to know what that sounded like when Joe Sweeney did it. Today, several ways seem "right".  Not the point...just, what the heck was it????

[Wes Merchant]

Lomax recorded a version of this in the Geogia Sea Islands I believe it was from the 1950's. Whether it came from 19th century popular music to the rural African American community or vise versa would be pure speculation, but I think these connection are interesting .

[Al Smitley]

I utilized a couple of slang books.  I suspect the name merely comes from the river's makeup/appearance, such as "swamp water", "tar water".  The southern boys can probably tell us if that's the case.

[James Pentecost]

Since the early 1700s North Carolina has been this nations largest producer (95%) of naval stores (tar, pitch, turpentine) that was vital to the construction and maintenance of wooden ships.  http://www.northcarolinahistory.org/encyclopedia/103/entry/

The Tar River, which begins in my home county, and eventually flows into Pamlico Sound may have received this name because of its use in the transportation of naval stores. It has also been suggested that it was named by early British settlers after the River Taw in England.  Joe Sweeny would have crossed the Tar River numerous times during his traveling days as a circus performer in the 1830s.

[Wes Merchant]

http://research.culturalequity.org/rc-b2/get-audio-detailed-recordi... ... of course it may be related in name only.

[Paul Draper]

Cool site, Wes!