The Little Old Log Cabin In The Lane

"The Little Old Log Cabin In The Lane" is a popular song written by Will S. Hays in 1871 for the minstrel trade. Written in dialect, the song tells of an elderly man, presumably a slave or former slave, passing his latter years in a broken-down old log cabin. The title is from a refrain:


 * ... de little old log cabin in de lane.

The song itself was popular, resulting in several answer songs, but the melody was even more widely used, finding itself adapted to a variety of other songs: Western songs such as "The Little Old Sod Shanty On The Claim" and "Little Joe, The Wrangler";[1]  railroad songs, "Little Red Caboose Behind The Train"; and even hymns, "The Lily Of The Valley".

Fiddlin' John Carson's recording of "The Little Old Log Cabin In The Lane" was one of the first commercial recordings by a rural white musician.[2]  Its popularity ensured that the industry would continue recording rural folk songs.

The song has since become a Bluegrass standard. ==Lyrics[ edit] == Oh I'm gettin' old and feeble and I cannot work no more The children no more gather 'round my door And old masters and old mrs they are sleepin' side by side Near the little old log cabin in the lane

Oh the chimney's fallen down and the roof's all caved in Lettin' in the sunshine and the rain And the only friend I've got now is that good old dog of mine And the little old log cabin in the lane

Oh the trees have all growed up that lead around the hill The fences have all gone to decay And the creeks have all dried up where we used to go to mill And things have changed their course another way

Oh I ain't got long to stay here what little time I've got I want to rest content while I remain 'Til death shall call this dog and me to find a better home And a little old log cabin in the lane