Sam Baxter feat. Jenna Macrory (JenMac) - Prodigal Son

Learnt from a recording of singer ‘Aunt’ Dora Harmon of West Virginia. The recording is from a Smithsonian Folkways LP called ‘American Folk Song Festival’. Dora Harmon was born in Mingo, West Virgina in 1870 and performed at the festival at the age of 83. The age and origin of this song are unclear, it’s earliest appearance being in 1926, in the Journal of American Folklore. However I am inclined to believe its somewhat older than this. I have added a few verses from other versions of this song, mainly from the versions sung by Doc Boggs.