Musica Canis Avem

Jazz Age: Homage to Sharecroppers

by William Chandler

About Jazz Age

A song about coming of age in the American South during the time of Jump Jim Crow. This solo for classical guitar was written by William Chandler and was arranged for solo guitar by Chandler and Matt Palmer. William Kenlon edited the score. Lyrics to the song version follow below.

The recording was performed by Chandler on the guitar. HandymanIT provided sound engineering.

The cover art features the painting "Cotton Field" by North Carolina artist Micah Mullen. Visit his web site to view more of his art. Cover design was provided by Laura McConnell of Fun With Type in Baltimore.

The score is available from our retail partner, Strings by Mail.

Jazz Age

Homage to Sharecroppers

William Chandler

© 1985, 2018

I was not born a master.
You were not born a slave.

Born like you on a southern back road
Raised like you on the brick red clay
Left like you for the cool blue city
Away
Away
From the Jump Jim Crow day-to-day
Of the Jazz Age.

Out of time on a southern hillside
Out of reach of the top
They'd all say.
Nothing to do but to move your babies
Away
Before day
Before the man blows your oldest away