Parchman Farm (song)
| "Parchman Farm Blues" | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Single by Bukka White | |
| B-side | "District Attorney Blues" |
| Released | 1940 |
| Format | Ten-inch 78rpm record |
| Recorded | Chicago, March 7, 1940 |
| Genre | Blues |
| Length | 2:38 |
| Label | Okeh |
| Writer(s) | Bukka White |
| Producer(s) | Lester Melrose |
"Parchman Farm" or "Parchman Farm Blues" is a blues song first recorded by American Delta blues musician Bukka White in 1940. It is an autobiographical piece, in which White sings of his experience at the infamous Mississippi State Penitentiary, known as Parchman Farm. Jazz pianist-vocalist Mose Allison adapted it for his own "Parchman Farm" and "New Parchman", which are among his most popular songs. Numerous artists have recorded their own renditions, usually based on Allison's songs.
Early in his recording career in 1937, Bukka White was arrested and convicted for a shooting incident and was sentenced to Parchman Farm prison in rural Sunflower County, Mississippi. The institution was operated as a hard-time prison labor work farm, which was notorious for its harsh conditions and use of the trusty system. His recording of "Shake 'Em On Down" became a hit while he was there and as a result White became somewhat of a celebrity at the prison. While incarcerated, he recorded two songs for John Lomax, who was conducting field recordings for the Archive of Folk Culture at the U.S. Library of Congress. When White was released two and one-half years later in 1940 (the circumstances of his early release have been questioned), he resumed his recording career with producer Lester Melrose in Chicago.
In March 1940, White arrived at the recording studio prepared to record with several songs. When Melrose saw that they were mostly reworkings of current popular blues numbers, he encouraged White to take a couple of days and prepare some new material. White later recalled, "I got down to it" and returned on March 7 with twelve new songs. One was "Parchman Farm Blues", which he recorded that day (all twelve were recorded over two days, May 7 and 8, 1940). The song has the elements of Delta blues, including a one-chord modal arrangement and a slide guitar break. However, the melody line is distinctive and relies less on blue notes. White delivers the vocal in his characteristic grainy, guttural style accompanied by his acoustic guitar, with Washboard Sam on washboard percussion. His lyrics allude to his time at Parchman:
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