Music Appreciation

Nittersing

(8,504 posts) Sat May 9, 2026, 09:29 AM May 9

Today I learned that Elizabeth Cotton wrote Freight Train

I believe she was 92 in this recording

5 replies

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Today I learned that Elizabeth Cotton wrote Freight Train (Original Post) Nittersing May 9 OP

Great tune... GiqueCee May 9 #1

Yes! I read a brief bit by a musician who remarked about the different sound Nittersing May 9 #2

I first heard Libba Cott perform at UNC Jubilee 1969 unc70 May 9 #3

Jerry Garcia & David Grisham's version of Freight Train is quite nice. nt AnotherMother4Peace May 9 #4

My son just told me that the Cotton-Pickin' style was named after Elizabeth Cotton. The two finger style. AnotherMother4Peace May 9 #5

GiqueCee

(4,736 posts)

1. Great tune...

Reply to Nittersing (Original post)

Sat May 9, 2026, 10:38 AM

May 9

... and even though she's left-handed (so am I, but I played right-handed), Ms. Cotton never reversed her strings, so all her chord fingering is reversed instead!

Thanks, Nittersing!

Nittersing

(8,504 posts)

2. Yes! I read a brief bit by a musician who remarked about the different sound

Reply to GiqueCee (Reply #1)

Sat May 9, 2026, 11:20 AM

May 9

she was able to create because of that stringing. Very cool to learn.

I grew up with the Peter, Paul and Mary version.

unc70

(6,514 posts)

3. I first heard Libba Cott perform at UNC Jubilee 1969

Reply to Nittersing (Original post)

Sat May 9, 2026, 11:25 AM

May 9

She was born nearby in what is now part of Carrboro, NC.

That same day at Jubilee also featured Babe Stovall, the Bar-Kays, and Blood, Sweat, & Tears.

AnotherMother4Peace

(5,191 posts)

4. Jerry Garcia & David Grisham's version of Freight Train is quite nice. nt

Reply to Nittersing (Original post)

Sat May 9, 2026, 11:55 AM

May 9

AnotherMother4Peace

(5,191 posts)

5. My son just told me that the Cotton-Pickin' style was named after Elizabeth Cotton. The two finger style.

Reply to Nittersing (Original post)

Sat May 9, 2026, 12:05 PM

May 9

And that that she worked for Pete Seeger as a housekeeper, when Seeger heard her play.

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