COFFEE GROWS ON WHITE OAK TREES
(FOUR IN THE MIDDLE)
Sung by: W.P. Detherow
Recorded in Batesville, AR, 6/25/52

Click here to listen to the original recording
(Mr. Detherow: "They ring up as they did in the other play, four in the center, and choose in, and they do-si in the middle. After it's repeated several times, then they sing all in the middle and they all swing on the outside. They change partners and swing while they do-si in the middle.")

Coffee grows on white oak trees;
The river flows with brandy.
Choose a one as we go around,
Sweet as 'lasses candy.

Four in the middle and you better get around,
Four in the middle and swing.
Four in the middle and you better get around;
I love Miss Susie Brown.
(Complete stanza repeated)

All in the middle and you better get around;
All in the middle and swing.
All in the middle and you better get around;
I love Miss Susie Brown.
(Complete stanza repeated)

Also found in Randolph, Vol. III, #524, "Four in the Middle"; Brown, Vol. III, #78, "Coffee Grows on White Oak Trees."

All Songs Recorded by John Quincy Wolf, Jr., unless otherwise noted

The John Quincy Wolf Folklore Collection
Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas
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