The 1930s and ‘40s saw the development of a polished and highly urbanized version of country and, as the trades referred to it, hillbilly music. Today this urbanized musical variant, one that often incorporates folk tunes and cowboy melodies, is referred to as “citibilly.” While “citibilly” does not always reflect its rural origins, this does not necessarily make it any less valuable or enjoyable. This Soundie by Carson Robison and his Buckaroos proves the point well.
The Soundies publicity department was thrilled to have four Soundies by the group in 1941, and they proclaimed, “Widely and affectionately known as veterans of radio…. they have performed at the White House and Hyde Park… and they played a command performance for the King and Queen of England.”
While Carson Robeson had been very active in the 1920s as both a performer and songwriter, his fame began to spread nationwide with the formation in 1932 of his Buckaroos. With Pearl, John, and Bill Mitchell, he had three musicians who could complement and support his music. The Buckaroos were eclectic, and they performed and recorded country, cowboy, railroad, sentimental ballads, and novelty songs with equal success. Robeson was a talented composer, and among his best-known songs are “Barnacle Bill the Sailor” and “Carry Me Back to the Long Prairie.”
“Take Me Back to My Boots and Saddle” was written by Teddy Powell, Leonard Whitcup, and Walter Samuels. The tune was introduced by Gene Autry in the 1937 Republic feature Boots and Saddle and became a staple of the “cowboy songs” sub-genre within the Great American Songbook.
Take Me Back to My Boots and Saddle is a deceptively simple, yet extremely successful, Soundie. With the group sitting around the campfire, and no other distractions offered on screen, we are allowed to clearly hear the wonderful vocal harmony of the group, with Robeson singing lead whistling throughout.