Shake Sugaree -

To understand the song, you must understand Cotten’s unique style, often called

Unlike many of Cotten's other hits like "Freight Train," which she wrote as a child, "Shake Sugaree" (1967) was a collaborative effort born from her role as a great-grandmother. Shake Sugaree

: The definitive version features Cotten’s 12-year-old great-granddaughter, Brenda Evans , on lead vocals, while Cotten provides her signature "upside-down" guitar accompaniment. What Does "Shake Sugaree" Actually Mean? To understand the song, you must understand Cotten’s

: Entirely self-taught, she didn't perform publicly until her 60s, after being "discovered" while working as a housekeeper for the musical Seeger family. A Lasting Legacy To understand the song

"Shake Sugaree" hasn't stayed in the past; it has been kept alive by generations of artists: