Poor Gal: The Cultural History of Little Liza Jane

Poor Gal: The Cultural History of Little Liza Jane explores the origins and evolution of a folk tune beloved by millions worldwide, tracing its trajectory from enslaved people on southern plantations to its adoption by Civil War soldiers and minstrel troupes, and its subsequent popularization through sheet music and new genres. The book features famous renditions by performers such as Harry Belafonte, Fats Domino, Bing Crosby, Nina Simone, Mississippi John Hurt, and Pete Seeger, as well as lesser-known characters integral to its history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2023
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi

Poor Gal: The Cultural History of Little Liza Jane

Chronicles the origins and evolution of a folk tune beloved by millions worldwide. Dan Gutstein delves into the trajectory of the Liza Jane family of songs, including the most popular variant Lil Liza Jane. Likely originating among enslaved people on southern plantations, the songs are still performed and recorded centuries later.

Evidence for these tunes as part of the repertoire of enslaved people comes from the Works Progress Administration ex-slave narratives that detail a range of lyrics and performance rituals related to Liza Jane. Civil War soldiers and minstrel troupes eventually adopted certain variants, including Goodbye Liza Jane. This version of the song prospered in the racist environment of burnt cork minstrelsy.

Other familiar variants, such as Little Liza Jane, likely remained fixed in folk tradition until early twentieth-century sheet music popularized the melody. New genres and a slate of stellar performers broadly adopted these folk songs, bringing the tunes to far-reaching listeners.

In 1960, to an audience of more than thirty million viewers, Harry Belafonte performed Little Liza Jane on CBS. The song was featured on such popular radio shows as Fibber McGee & Molly; films such as Coquette; and a Mickey Mouse animation. Hundreds of recognizable performers—including Fats Domino, Bing Crosby, Nina Simone, Mississippi John Hurt, and Pete Seeger—embraced the Liza Jane family. David Bowie even released Liza Jane as his first single.

Gutstein documents these famous renditions, as well as lesser-known characters integral to the songs history. Drawing upon a host of cultural insights from experts—including Eileen Southern, Carl Sandburg, Thomas Talley, LeRoi Jones/Amiri Baraka, Charles Wolfe, Langston Hughes, and Amiri Baraka—Gutstein explores the enduring legacy of Little Liza Jane and its role in shaping American culture.

Weight: 498g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496849359