Every song tells a story, and in today’s Appalachian Moments second of a short series we discover the surprising inspiration and true meaning of Old Time and Bluegrass standards including Cripple Creek.
A meandering or serpentine stream is often referred to as a Cripple Creek, but there have been some famous Cripple Creeks that have made their way into our musical lexicon.
Although areas in Georgia and Colorado lay claim to having “the” Cripple Creek, the most likely geographical source for the song is a Cripple Creek just over the state line from North Carolina in Wythe County, Virginia. It feeds into the New River in lands settled in the late 1700s. The song title features a creek, but the song is really more about who lives there.
I got a girl at the head of the creek
Goin’ up to see her about 2 times a week
Kiss her on the mouth, sweet as any wine
Wrap herself around me like a sweet potato vine
Um, well, I think you get the picture, we’re not just reeling in trout on Cripple Creek!
A more modern adaptation, “Up on Cripple Creek” you might recall was written by The Band in 1969. The song cannily combined their three favorite themes: Southern folk music, women and alcohol!
Up on Cripple Creek, she sends me
If I spring a leak, she mends me
I don’t have to speak, she defends me
A drunkard’s dream if I ever did see one
Today, the Cripple Creek area of Virginia is known more for its trout fishing and as the original song goes maybe that’s what it’s all about (?):
Cripple Creek’s wide and Cripple Creek’s deep
I’ll wade old Cripple Creek before I sleep
Roll my breeches to my knees
I’ll wade ol’ Cripple Creek when I please
Next time you find yourself on a meandering or cripple creek, we bet you’ll have these songs flowing through your mind! Thanks again for liking, commenting and sharing these posts!