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Cotton-Eyed Joe Song Origins

The song "Cotton-Eyed Joe" has its earliest known printed appearance in 1882 by Harper & Brothers, with various versions and adaptations emerging over time, including changes in lyrics and melody.

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Jan 26, 2026
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What are the earliest printed versions of 'Cotton-Eyed Joe' and what do their lyrics show?

The earliest known printed appearance of "" is a dialect transcription published by in 1882, a version that was later reprinted in 1910 and survives in many folklorists' collections . Those earliest p...