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Don Quixote · 03-31-2005, 09:36 AM

The racist blackfaced "minstrel shows" of the 19th and early 20th centuries are not the only manifestations of minstrelsy. Despite the allusion in the song to "Steppin Fetchit" and the influence of Stephen Foster, who wrote many of his most famous songs for minstrel show, on Lightfoot, the minstrel tradition goes back at least to medieval European times, and possibly before. The minstrels were wandering entertainers who sang a variety of songs, from love ballads to national/historical and epic songs to religious music. I think that pretty much sums up Gord's body of work, don't you? For a beginning understanding of what the minstrels were, try this link: http://www.theatrehistory.com/mediev...strels.001.htm

03-31-2005, 09:36 AM	#6
Don Quixote Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Springfield, MA 01109 Posts: 309	The racist blackfaced "minstrel shows" of the 19th and early 20th centuries are not the only manifestations of minstrelsy. Despite the allusion in the song to "Steppin Fetchit" and the influence of Stephen Foster, who wrote many of his most famous songs for minstrel show, on Lightfoot, the minstrel tradition goes back at least to medieval European times, and possibly before. The minstrels were wandering entertainers who sang a variety of songs, from love ballads to national/historical and epic songs to religious music. I think that pretty much sums up Gord's body of work, don't you? For a beginning understanding of what the minstrels were, try this link: http://www.theatrehistory.com/mediev...strels.001.htm