Bessie Jones - "Johnny Brown"

peglegsam | March 07, 2007

Song Lyrics:

Little Johnny Brown, spread your comfort down (2x),
Fold one corner, Johnny Brown,
Fold another corner, Johnny Brown (3x),
Take it to your lover, Johnny Brown (2x),
Show her your motion, Johnny Brown (2x),
Lope like a buzzard, Johnny Brown (2x),
Give it to your lover, Johnny Brown (2x).

Rainbow Quest with Pete Seeger (Episode 7)

-snip-
I believe that "comfort" = "blanket" ("comforter"). Perhaps the meaning of the dance is that if the "lover" accepted a folded up "comfort" (blanket) from the individual, that meant that he or she accepted being "courted" by that individual.