Dance at Windy's Place
Ragtime Annie

DANCE AT WINDY'S PLACE/RAGTIME ANNIE (Copyright: Nonnie Presson/traditional) Side 1, Band 4. Cathy: banjo Dave: guitar Ed: hammered dulcimer This song was written by the late Tennessee musician Nonnie Presson, who with her brother, Bulow Smith, comprised the Perry County Music Makers, who recorded a few sides and performed in the years before World War II. (One song is included on a New World Records anthology titled Going Down the Valley - NW 236.) Nonnie played a large zither and wrote and sang songs all her life. In the mid 1970's, Nonnie, Bulow, and their niece, Virginia, recorded two albums for Davis Unlimited Records and appeared at the National Folklife Festival Folklorist Charles Wolfe has called Nonnie the most creative old-time musician he ever met, with an ability to write a song in the 1970's that sounded like it came from the 1890's. Steve Davis told us that Nonnie said she wrote this song about the dances she remembered from years ago in Perry County. With the exception of roasted rabbit and some stills we've not located, the song reminds us very much of the dances we've attended in Stone County, Arkansas. (DP) The sun is sinking and the work's all done, Everyone's busy and we're all on the run, Getting ready for the dance at Windy's place. Ma's cooking supper and it smells so good, Roasting rabbit on a hickory wood. Everybody's happy when we go to the dance at Windy's place. Old Grandad and Grandma, too, Dance to the rhythm of the Shoo Fly Shoo While Uncle Ben and wood-legged Bill Tell tall tales about the homemade still. The fiddle will scream and the banjo ring All night long until the bluebirds sing. Everybody's happy when we go to the dance at Windy's place. Two little girls with their skirts in a whirl Dancing around like humming birds, Leaning on the arms of the boys that they love best. All the little babies have gone to sleep, Dreaming of drums and Little Bo Peep. Everybody's happy when we go to the dance at Windy's place.