Thoughts on Old Dan Tucker for my students

[Valerie Diaz Leroy]

Each year we have an Arts festival at school. The theme I've chosen this year is, you guessed it, the banjo. I am going to take my students through the evolution of the the banjo with the songs that they sing. My third graders are going to sing "Old Dan Tucker." 

I am looking for more information on the song. Many of the accounts I have ready contradict each other, and I am okay with sharing different points of view with my students. I would love your input on the history of the song.

Thanks, again, for helping me share banjo truths with my students.

[Wes Merchant]

They may be interested to see some of the modern versions on youtube, I know Bruce Springsteen has a version as well as the Wiggles.