Little Liza Jane

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Description

Little Liza Jane is an American folk song likely from the early or middle 19th century. This rendition of the song is about places in the U.S. “I’ve got a friend in Tennessee, who plays the fiddle just like thee” is actually accurate for LittleJohn Duo because they have a friend in Tennessee who plays the fiddle. Hampton town is a reference to Hampton, New Hampshire—not far from the hometown of another of Mark’s friends. Wellington, Ohio is mentioned in the lyrics along with Baltimore, Maryland. These references reflect the feeling that the song is deeply American. It has a “love of America” in its roots - in our opinion. The references to love, the banjo, and the fiddle are Mark’s added lyrics. This song was recorded using only the fiddle, mandolin, and the 2 voices. The mandolin is tuned to an open D chord—something quite uncommon for a mandolin. The fiddle's E string is tuned down to a D as well, giving the style of this song a more old-time American sound.