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Tune History

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The Stories Behind Your Favorite Tunes

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Buck Eyed Rabbit

Rabbit Skips And The Rabbit Hops

Buck Eyed Rabbit is a catchy 2 part tune played in the key of G. Buck-eyed is slang for having eyes considered out of the ordinary, cross-eyed, squinting, protruding, speckled, etc. It is one of several Old Time tunes with rabbit's eyes in the title, such as “Big Eyed Rabbit,” and "Brown Eyed Rabbit.” 


According to the liner notes on Mike Bryant and Paul Brown’s self titled album, “Buck Eyed Rabbit” is “An old minstrel-era song recorded by Al Hopkins & His Buckle Busters in 1926. Mike was inspired to learn it years ago after hearing Paul Brown fiddling it.” The lyrics are appropriately minstrel-like. 


Al Hopkins & His Buckle Busters recorded “Buck Eyed Rabbits” on October 22, 1926 in New York, NY. for the Brunswick label. The B side of the record was “Bristol Tennessee Blues.” East Tennessee fiddler Charlie Bowman played banjo on this recording, and the fiddler was Tony Alderman.  Alderman was the original fiddler for Al Hopkins when the band was known as the "Hill Billies." “Bristol Tennessee Blues” is provided in the mp3 player below.


Buck eyed rabbit behind that pine

Buck eyed rabbit, you are mine

Rabbit skips and the rabbit hops

Rabbit ate my turnip tops


Cocked my gun and the hammer flew

Tore that rabbit square in two

Yes, O lord, I’m a gettin’ there now

Yes, O lord, I’m a gettin’ there now


Way down yonder on Cedar Creek

All them gals grow eleven feet

Jump into bed but it ain’t no use

Feet stick out like a chicken roost


Yes, O lord, I’m a gettin’ there now

Yes, O lord, I’m a gettin’ there now



Buck Eyed Rabbits

Al Hopkins & His Buckle Busters

1926


Buck Eyed Rabbit

Mike Bryant & Paul Brown


Buck Eyed Rabbits

Paul Brown

Bristol Tennessee BluesAl Hopkins & His Buckle Busters
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