[Alternately: “Going Ober De Mountain,” “Gwine Ober De Mountain,” “Gwoin Ober De Mountains,” “I’m Going Ober De Mountains,” “I’m Gwine Ober De Mountain”]

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This song is of some interest with regard to both its inspiration as well as its location in Emmett’s canon. As Nathan has demonstrated, the English song “The Spinning Wheel” provided the model for the initial phrase of “I’m Going Ober De Mountains” (182), while the opening lyrics of this song “Away down south in de Kentuck brake,” (taken from the 1843 edition) served as the basis for the opening line of Emmett’s later song, “The Picayune Butler” (1847): “away down souf where I was born” (260). By way of comparison, the transcription of the lyrics that accompanies this description begins with the variant “A bery long time in a snug ole brake” suggesting the speed with which this song was adapted into the repertoire. Indeed, Mahar reproduces the lyrics of two editions published at Boston in 1843 with not insignificant differences, suggesting the pliability of the song (17).

While the song appears to have been popular during the period in question, its popularity has not endured into the twentieth century. At present, there appear to be two recorded versions of the song, the information for which is provided below.

Select Recording History:

The Rufus Crisp Experience. “Going Over the Mountain.” Chickens Are A-Crowing. Fellside Recordings Ltd / IODA, 2005.

2nd South Carolina String Band. “I’m Gwine Ober De Mountains.” In High Cotton. Palmetto Productions, 2002.

Works Cited:

Nathan, Hans. Dan Emmett and the Rise of Early Negro Minstrelsy. Norman: Oklahoma UP, 1962.

Mahar, William J. Behind the Burnt Cork Mask: Early Blackface Minstrelsy and Antebellum American Popular Culture. Chicago: Illinois UP, 1999.

Mark Turner