Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss- Frank Blevins (NC) 1927
[From the Columbia recording 15210-D made by Frank Blevins and His Tar Heel Rattlers on November 8, 1927. The floating stanzas from Blevins version are taken from play-party songs, "Shady Grove" and "Old Joe Clark." This version is similar to the Hillbillies recording. The following notes are by Stewie,
R. Matteson 2018]
An early recording of "Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss" was a version by the Ashe County, North Carolina, string band Frank Blevins and His Tar Heel Rattlers, a name made up on the spot at the Columbia recording session in Atlanta for 16 year old fiddler Frank Blevins, his older brother and guitarist Ed Blevins and banjo player Fred Miller .
Blevins led the band with spirited fiddling and singing that belied his age. Inspired by a few shots of Georgia corn liquor, they first recorded the traditional mountain dance tune Sally Ann, a rendition with such verve and passion that it rivals any other. Next they performed I've Got No Honey Babe Now, a song that shares some lyrics with the old banjo piece Honey Babe, but with a different melody. Old Aunt Betsy was a Frank Blevins original, combining a simple theme with exuberant delivery. The session ended with a second traditional dance tune, Fly Around my Pretty Little Miss. Here are Blevins lyrics:
R. Matteson 2018]
Fly Around my Pretty Little Miss
[Instrumental]
Fly around my pretty little miss,
Fly around my daisy;
Fly around my pretty little miss,
You like to drive me crazy.
[Instrumental]
I went round to see my gal,
She was standing at the door.
Shoes and stockings in her hand,
Barefeet on the floor.
Fly around my pretty little miss,
Fly around my daisy;
Fly around my pretty little miss,
You like to drive me crazy.
[Instrumental]
When I was a little boy,
Sixteen inches high,
Up’n kissed that pretty little gal
Apple of my eye.
[Instrumental]
Fly around my pretty little miss,
Fly around my daisy;
Fly around my pretty little miss,
You like to drive me crazy.