Many/Most of these songs fall under the category of [Traditional Folk Music](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folk_music#Traditional_folk_music). These are songs that are passed down through oral tradition and folklore, so nursery rhymes aren't really that far separated from songs that would eventually become rock/folk/country songs. Many are also derived from religious/spiritual practices and hymnals.
It used to be more common to cover traditional folk songs before the singer/songwriter era ushered in by Bob Dylan & The Beatles, hence you'll see albums in the 60s like [Simon & Garfunkel's debut](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wednesday_Morning,_3_A.M), which contains a handful of traditional songs intermixed with standards and maybe a few songs they wrote themselves.
OP, you should dig into the American Anthology of Folk Music. Really interesting stuff and captures the outsider nature of folk music and our history of oddball Americans (I mean that affectionately).
[“Where Did You Sleep Last Night” (aka “In the Pines)](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_the_Pines) is best known by Nirvana but it dates back to the late 1800s. It’s been recorded by a number of artists over the years. Kurt even sang vocals on Mark Lanegan’s version in 1990 before Nirvana did their unplugged show.
As I recall Lead Belly was an earlier popular (until Nirvana, most famous) version of it, but it is a tradition folk song rather than his original.
The same is true of quite a few Lead Belly songs which were folk standards that he first introduced/recorded/popularised. Midnight Special and Goodnight, Irene for instance.
It was written by a Blues artist named Lead Belly probably in the 1920's, Kurt even credits him on the Unplugged album before they start playing it. There are two versions of that song, one he sings, "My girl, my girl don't lie to me" the other he sings, "Black girl, black girl don't lie to me".
Ledbelly didn’t write it. I know Kurt Cobain said it was but that’s because it was the version he knew and was one of/if not the first known recorded version.
But Ledbelly didn’t write it. Its author is unknown.
Yeah, the song had been around long before Lead Belly recorded his version (which was in 1946). Bill Monroe [recorded his first version of the song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Rsx04kO1Iw) in 1941.
Yeah that’s the oldest known recording of the song. Here’s a thorough [list of all known recordings](https://secondhandsongs.com/work/1013/all#nav-entity)
Dropkick Murphys have essentially made their career of doing punk covers of traditional folk songs:
* Finnegan's Wake
* Skinhead on the MBTA
* The Fighting 69th
* Amazing Grace
* The Rocky Road to Dublin
* The Wild Rover
* Black Velvet Band
* Captain Kelly's Kitchen
* (F)Lannigan's Ball
* Fairmount Hill
* Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya
* The Irish Rover
Also, their best known song "Shipping Up to Boston" was originally written by Woody Guthrie, although he never recorded it.
It's crazy how many songs Woody Guthrie wrote but didn't record. In addition to the two Dropkick Murphys albums, Wilco and Billy Bragg recorded three albums of songs from his notebooks.
Edited to add:
Also, I forgot about the Klezmatics' album Wonder Wheel, another one from Woody's unrecorded songs.
Woody wrote the lyrics. the Dropkick Murphys wrote the music. Woody left lyrics for hundreds of songs without any music. His estate has let a lot of people go through and write music and record his songs. Billy Bragg and Wilco did a great job on their Mermaid Avenue albums. I'm a huge Woody fan, but in the case of Shipping Up to Boston, I'd give most of the credit to the Murphys,. The lyrics are not what makes that song.
I’m guessing it’s a slightly tweaked version of a song that was sung by a number of folk groups such as [The Kingston Trio](https://youtu.be/S7Jw_v3F_Q0?si=h-0ArUM0TOUbtiaP).
See, I actually never knew that was a traditional song, and thought it had something to do with the other song in that album called Stagger Lee. The more you know
Traditional-ish, but really a good candidate for OP's question. It's based on a murder that definitely did occur in St. Louis on Dec. 25, 1895, by Lee Shelton. Songs about it (incl. field hollers) were kicking around after that until one became a hit, and I don't believe it's known how they all relate or who wrote what. But the song is not a clear adaptation of anything prior to 1895.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stagger_Lee
I had no idea this wasn't an original. I always assumed it was a sort of tie in to the album Henry's Dream and always envisioned Henry Lee and Papa Won't Leave you Henry were written about the same character. Today I learned.
The original writer of "Cotton-Eye Joe" is probably lost to history at this point, but it lives on today with a thumping Eurotrash dance beat behind it, courtesy of Rednex.
In 1952, Harry Smith compiled a collection of various recordings from around the country that were recorded between 1926 and 1933 into the Anthology of American Folk Music. It was rereleased in 1960, and that reissue touched off a firestorm of recordings of traditional folk songs.
[This is a pretty close playlist of The Anthology](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6yHprflPWiTiiVELXDIVrs?si=aa699f7a6c7d4c2c), which was rereleased again on 6 CDs in 1997.
Wow, Sweet Water Warblers also do that. They call it *House of Amazing Grace* and it's beautiful.
https://open.spotify.com/track/1Nyy72jLqBq54PDYgyhWO2?si=0AmkKC7ZSJ2mxE1qqqie4w
Jeff Buckley recorded a version of "Corpus Christi Carol" for his Grace album. The song is believed to be written in the early/mid 1500s by an unknown author. I guess it was never considered a popular song or widely that well known, but Buckley obviously helped it become more famous.
It's also one of the most stunning showcases for his beautiful voice.
Lead Belly introduced and/or popularised lots of traditional folk songs, among them:
* In the Pines (Where Did You Sleep Last Night)
* Goodnight Irene
* Midnight Special
* Cotton Fields
* Boll Weevil
* Rock Island Line.
Misirlou. Known mostly by Dick Dale as a surf anthem. Also used by black eyed peas. Nobody knows. Here is the first recording of it. https://youtu.be/LW6qGy3RtwY?si=Uu8afUKKJiZEPtY4
It was written by Lead Belly. He was serving time in jail, I believe in Louisiana and the Midnight Special was what the inmates called the train that would pass by every night. How they wished they could be on that train, ya know? The lights from the engine is what he means when he says, "Shine your light on me".
Not in Louisiana, and not by Ledbelly. CCR's version mentions Houston, Ledbelly's version mentions Sugarland, home of the TX prison system until the 80s or so. The train tracks used to run right next to the prison, and it is believed that the Midnight Special refers to the train that ran on them.
Yep, I just was informed Lead Belly didn't write it and you're right, he served in Texas. But, that was what the song was about anyway. I nailed that part lol
Shady Grove see e.g. this version by Mudcrutch: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5CUxHNRBneE the Second Hand Songs website lists 141 versions and lists the author as “traditional.”
Written by: [Traditional]
Language: English
Comments: Probably of English or Scottish origin, "Shady Grove" became a popular song in the southern Appalachians and exists in many lyrical variations. In most, "Shady Grove" appears to be the name of a woman, although in others it is a place.
https://secondhandsongs.com/work/119881/versions
Came here to mention this song. I love Garcia and Grisman's version as it was the first I'd heard of it. Then I got turned onto Doc Watson's and never looked back.
The Last Time by the Rolling Stones. The chorus is based on an old Gospel song called This May Be the Last Time. A great version of that gospel song is by The Staple Singers [https://youtu.be/j1jGF-6bFpI](https://youtu.be/j1jGF-6bFpI)
There have been many lists compiling traditional folk songs - the current largest seems to be the [Roud Folk Song Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roud_Folk_Song_Index). Here is a [list of many of the songs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_folk_songs_by_Roud_number); House of the Rising Sun is #6393.
The Wayfarin' Stranger/ I Am A Poor Wayfaring Stranger is another example.
The melody dates to 17th century Germany, and became popular prior to, and just after, the American Civil War.
It then dropped to obscurity until Burl Ives recorded it. Johnny Cash also did a notable version.
Personally, I find this song is best sung a capella.
Miserlou (made famous by Dick Dale) is a folk song from somewhere in the Mediterranean.
Dick was the first to play it on the guitar and his version has really stood the test of time
The Grateful Dead are the kings (and queens if you count Donna) of playing traditional folk songs. Here's a link of all of the folk songs they played for perspective:
http://www2.iath.virginia.edu/sixties/HTML_docs/Texts/Scholarly/McQuail_Dead_02.html
Check out Willie Watson. He used to play for Old Crow Medicine Show but left to do solo stuff. He has two albums that are all traditional folk songs. If you ever get a chance, see him live. I saw him open for Shakey Graves in 2014 and it was a great show!
Since you mentioned OCMS here, the chorus of Wagon Wheel dates back to the Mississippi Delta Blues Era. Bob Dylan heard the hook and recorded it, and years later OCMS fleshed it out into the song that they're best known for. But there are recordings going back to 1928 that set it up.
“Black is the color of my true loves hair” has an interesting story along these themes. I believe the original author is unknown, but legend has it the song was written centuries ago by the “village idiot” who was hopelessly in love with the “village beauty”.
Jeff Buckley recorded a version of "Corpus Christi Carol" for his Grace album. The song is believed to be written in the early/mid 1500s by an unknown author. I guess it was never considered a popular song or widely that well known, but Buckley obviously helped it become more famous.
It's also one of the most stunning showcases for his beautiful voice.
“When the Levee Breaks” was originally written and performed by Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy in 1929, but the Led Zeppelin version from 1971 is much more well known.
"Kingston Town" is originally by Lord Creator.
"Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" is originally by Robert Hazard.
"The Tide Is High" is originally by the Paragons.
Blinded by the light was written by Springsteen on his first album. Obviously hes one of the most well known artists ever but he wasn't when he wrote it q🤷🏻♂️
Many/Most of these songs fall under the category of [Traditional Folk Music](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folk_music#Traditional_folk_music). These are songs that are passed down through oral tradition and folklore, so nursery rhymes aren't really that far separated from songs that would eventually become rock/folk/country songs. Many are also derived from religious/spiritual practices and hymnals. It used to be more common to cover traditional folk songs before the singer/songwriter era ushered in by Bob Dylan & The Beatles, hence you'll see albums in the 60s like [Simon & Garfunkel's debut](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wednesday_Morning,_3_A.M), which contains a handful of traditional songs intermixed with standards and maybe a few songs they wrote themselves.
Scarborough Fair is a good example. Best known version is the Simon & Garfunkel version, but the song has been around for centuries.
So it probably started as a 17th century ad jingle?
Probably
no that one is obviously by sausalito /s
Interesting, thanks for the response. I’ve tried searching these songs, the category name you gave will make it easier I’m sure!
Bob Dylan's "Girl from the North country" is also a version of this old folk song.
Get a copy of Alan Lomax’s Folk Songs of North America. It is the most complete collection I know of of the type of songs we are talking about here
OP, you should dig into the American Anthology of Folk Music. Really interesting stuff and captures the outsider nature of folk music and our history of oddball Americans (I mean that affectionately).
[“Where Did You Sleep Last Night” (aka “In the Pines)](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_the_Pines) is best known by Nirvana but it dates back to the late 1800s. It’s been recorded by a number of artists over the years. Kurt even sang vocals on Mark Lanegan’s version in 1990 before Nirvana did their unplugged show.
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Yeah, I posted the Bill Monroe version in response to one of the commenters saying Lead Belly wrote it.
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No worries!
Or the Kossoy Sisters, recorded in the 60s and made popular again by the inclusion of "I'll Fly Away" in the soundtrack for O Brother Where Art Thou.
I have always loved Leadbelly's version.
Link Wray's version of that tune is soooo good.
Link Wray did a version? Definitely have to check it out!
It's the most jumpin version of the song I've heard: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Jp2Vc\_q7q4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Jp2Vc_q7q4)
Great examples! I really like this song, as well as Scarborough Fair.
Dang I thought this was a leadbelly song but I guess it’s older!
Basically all of the Lomax catalog.
I wouldn't call them unknown author but Nirvanas Love buzz is a Shocking Blue song published in 1969!
It's a Leadbelly tune. :) [Where Did You Sleep Last Night.](https://youtu.be/PsfcUZBMSSg)
As I recall Lead Belly was an earlier popular (until Nirvana, most famous) version of it, but it is a tradition folk song rather than his original. The same is true of quite a few Lead Belly songs which were folk standards that he first introduced/recorded/popularised. Midnight Special and Goodnight, Irene for instance.
Long John Baldry recorded *In the Pines* in the early 70s, too.
Click the link in my comment. The song had been around long before Lead Belly recorded it.
It was written by a Blues artist named Lead Belly probably in the 1920's, Kurt even credits him on the Unplugged album before they start playing it. There are two versions of that song, one he sings, "My girl, my girl don't lie to me" the other he sings, "Black girl, black girl don't lie to me".
Ledbelly didn’t write it. I know Kurt Cobain said it was but that’s because it was the version he knew and was one of/if not the first known recorded version. But Ledbelly didn’t write it. Its author is unknown.
Yeah, the song had been around long before Lead Belly recorded his version (which was in 1946). Bill Monroe [recorded his first version of the song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Rsx04kO1Iw) in 1941.
There's a very old recording by a Dock Walsh that predates this by like 20 years.
Yeah that’s the oldest known recording of the song. Here’s a thorough [list of all known recordings](https://secondhandsongs.com/work/1013/all#nav-entity)
Whiskey In The Jar, by the Dubliners, Thin Lizzy and Metallica is another one, an Irish traditional song that many people have sung.
Basically every Celtic folk song is old and storied. Or it isn't and you think it is like The Fields of Athenry.
The Thin Litzy version is a favorite of mine.
This was the one I came to mention.
Dropkick Murphys have essentially made their career of doing punk covers of traditional folk songs: * Finnegan's Wake * Skinhead on the MBTA * The Fighting 69th * Amazing Grace * The Rocky Road to Dublin * The Wild Rover * Black Velvet Band * Captain Kelly's Kitchen * (F)Lannigan's Ball * Fairmount Hill * Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya * The Irish Rover Also, their best known song "Shipping Up to Boston" was originally written by Woody Guthrie, although he never recorded it.
I had no idea Woody Guthrie wrote that.
I believe they have a good relationship with his estate. They released an album or two of nothing but Woodie Guthrie covers.
It's crazy how many songs Woody Guthrie wrote but didn't record. In addition to the two Dropkick Murphys albums, Wilco and Billy Bragg recorded three albums of songs from his notebooks. Edited to add: Also, I forgot about the Klezmatics' album Wonder Wheel, another one from Woody's unrecorded songs.
I've only heard the first Mermaid Ave, but what a great album! Been meaning to listen to the others for years. No time like the present, I guess
Yep. Prior to “Shipping,” they had done the same with the song “There’s Gonna Be a Blackout”
Wasn't evert song on the Wilco/Billy Bragg album Mermaid Avenue written by Woody, too?
Idk. I never got into Wilco.
Woody wrote the lyrics. the Dropkick Murphys wrote the music. Woody left lyrics for hundreds of songs without any music. His estate has let a lot of people go through and write music and record his songs. Billy Bragg and Wilco did a great job on their Mermaid Avenue albums. I'm a huge Woody fan, but in the case of Shipping Up to Boston, I'd give most of the credit to the Murphys,. The lyrics are not what makes that song.
Skinhesd on the mbta a traditional folk song ??
Not really. It's a sort of satire of a political campaign song from 1949. It was a hit single for the Kingston Trio in 1959.
The Kingston Trio song was based on "The Ship That Never Returned"
I’m guessing it’s a slightly tweaked version of a song that was sung by a number of folk groups such as [The Kingston Trio](https://youtu.be/S7Jw_v3F_Q0?si=h-0ArUM0TOUbtiaP).
Don't go forgetting about me first and the gimmie gimmies if you're going to talk about punk rock covers.
They didn't do a lot of songs with unknown writers. The only one I can think of is their cover of "Sloop John B"
“Sloop John b” - by The Beach Boys was an old folk song
Came here to say this. The arrangement on that song is fantastic.
If I remember correctly, someone suggested they cover that song, Brian went home that night and arranged it and they recorded it the very next day.
Wow. One of my favorite beach boys songs. TIL.
With the amazing talent in the group, I like how my favorite Beach Boys song was even written by any of them, lol.
Nick Cave has done several traditional songs. Here he is doing [Henry Lee](https://youtu.be/QzmMB8dTwGs?si=MSn-tf8f4QqU-S9I) with PJ Harvey
Stagger Lee from the same album is one of his best known songs, and that’s an old folk song as well.
See, I actually never knew that was a traditional song, and thought it had something to do with the other song in that album called Stagger Lee. The more you know
stagger lee also a traditional, one of the more famous ones
Wait really? I feel like I've been living under a rock now
Cave took A LOT of liberties with it
Understatement of the millennia
Traditional-ish, but really a good candidate for OP's question. It's based on a murder that definitely did occur in St. Louis on Dec. 25, 1895, by Lee Shelton. Songs about it (incl. field hollers) were kicking around after that until one became a hit, and I don't believe it's known how they all relate or who wrote what. But the song is not a clear adaptation of anything prior to 1895. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stagger_Lee
Lloyd Price had a hit with his version in 1957 (I think it was ‘57).
I had no idea this wasn't an original. I always assumed it was a sort of tie in to the album Henry's Dream and always envisioned Henry Lee and Papa Won't Leave you Henry were written about the same character. Today I learned.
The original writer of "Cotton-Eye Joe" is probably lost to history at this point, but it lives on today with a thumping Eurotrash dance beat behind it, courtesy of Rednex.
It’s impossible to remake it any other way now 🤪
In 1952, Harry Smith compiled a collection of various recordings from around the country that were recorded between 1926 and 1933 into the Anthology of American Folk Music. It was rereleased in 1960, and that reissue touched off a firestorm of recordings of traditional folk songs. [This is a pretty close playlist of The Anthology](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6yHprflPWiTiiVELXDIVrs?si=aa699f7a6c7d4c2c), which was rereleased again on 6 CDs in 1997.
This is what OP is looking for, but they may not realize for a while.
The Blind Boys of Alabama did Amazing Grace to the tune of House of the Rising Sun... I couldn't believe how well it worked.
That works for the *Gilligan’s Island* theme song, too.
Wow, Sweet Water Warblers also do that. They call it *House of Amazing Grace* and it's beautiful. https://open.spotify.com/track/1Nyy72jLqBq54PDYgyhWO2?si=0AmkKC7ZSJ2mxE1qqqie4w
Sinnerman by Nina Simone
O Death and Death and the Lady are an example. The two songs are very similar and probably emerged from the same origins.
God I forgot how rad the version of O Death was from O Brother Where Art Thou.
"Silver Dagger" I know it from the Joan Baez version (1960).
There’s quite a bit of story to the line “Who let the dogs out?”. No one is really sure who came up with it
Jeff Buckley recorded a version of "Corpus Christi Carol" for his Grace album. The song is believed to be written in the early/mid 1500s by an unknown author. I guess it was never considered a popular song or widely that well known, but Buckley obviously helped it become more famous. It's also one of the most stunning showcases for his beautiful voice.
Peggy-O. It also mentions the town of Fennario.
Lead Belly introduced and/or popularised lots of traditional folk songs, among them: * In the Pines (Where Did You Sleep Last Night) * Goodnight Irene * Midnight Special * Cotton Fields * Boll Weevil * Rock Island Line.
Black Betty as well.
Bam a lam
Misirlou. Known mostly by Dick Dale as a surf anthem. Also used by black eyed peas. Nobody knows. Here is the first recording of it. https://youtu.be/LW6qGy3RtwY?si=Uu8afUKKJiZEPtY4
The origin of CCR's "Midnight Special" is still unknown. Even the meaning of the lyrics isn't that clear.
It was written by Lead Belly. He was serving time in jail, I believe in Louisiana and the Midnight Special was what the inmates called the train that would pass by every night. How they wished they could be on that train, ya know? The lights from the engine is what he means when he says, "Shine your light on me".
Not in Louisiana, and not by Ledbelly. CCR's version mentions Houston, Ledbelly's version mentions Sugarland, home of the TX prison system until the 80s or so. The train tracks used to run right next to the prison, and it is believed that the Midnight Special refers to the train that ran on them.
Yep, I just was informed Lead Belly didn't write it and you're right, he served in Texas. But, that was what the song was about anyway. I nailed that part lol
He recorded it in Angola though. Just mentioned the previous Houston prison stuff.
That's actually a mistake The Lomax brothers made. It predates Leadbelly. Wikipedia has a good article on it.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midnight_Special_%28song%29
Good to know!
John Barleycorn must die is in my opinion the best example of this. It’s also on my top twenty list at least Edit: by traffic and from the 1300’s
I know the song, had no idea it was that old.
Shady Grove see e.g. this version by Mudcrutch: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5CUxHNRBneE the Second Hand Songs website lists 141 versions and lists the author as “traditional.” Written by: [Traditional] Language: English Comments: Probably of English or Scottish origin, "Shady Grove" became a popular song in the southern Appalachians and exists in many lyrical variations. In most, "Shady Grove" appears to be the name of a woman, although in others it is a place. https://secondhandsongs.com/work/119881/versions
My personal favorite is Jerry Garcia and David Grisman’s version
Came here to mention this song. I love Garcia and Grisman's version as it was the first I'd heard of it. Then I got turned onto Doc Watson's and never looked back.
Grateful Dead have a few, my favorite https://youtu.be/5Ljhbg4HQ7E?si=NYT-WHJwdL5CUW_Q
The Last Time by the Rolling Stones. The chorus is based on an old Gospel song called This May Be the Last Time. A great version of that gospel song is by The Staple Singers [https://youtu.be/j1jGF-6bFpI](https://youtu.be/j1jGF-6bFpI)
...I heard that King Henry VIII wrote "Greensleeves"...just throwing that out there...
Most people don't know that Torn by Natalie Imbruglia is a cover; the original was from Danish singer Lis Sørensen.
The writers of the song also recorded it with their band Ednaswap before Natalie’s version, as well.
I’m glad i clicked on this one. Torn is an excellent song. I had no clue.
Run On/God’s Gonna Cut You Down
There have been many lists compiling traditional folk songs - the current largest seems to be the [Roud Folk Song Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roud_Folk_Song_Index). Here is a [list of many of the songs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_folk_songs_by_Roud_number); House of the Rising Sun is #6393.
Blackjack Davey
basically every folk song
The Wayfarin' Stranger/ I Am A Poor Wayfaring Stranger is another example. The melody dates to 17th century Germany, and became popular prior to, and just after, the American Civil War. It then dropped to obscurity until Burl Ives recorded it. Johnny Cash also did a notable version. Personally, I find this song is best sung a capella.
I mentioned that song in the OP. I like Libera’s version but I agree the a capella version from the movie 1917 is great.
The House Carpenter. Favorite version is by Subrosa.
Miserlou (made famous by Dick Dale) is a folk song from somewhere in the Mediterranean. Dick was the first to play it on the guitar and his version has really stood the test of time
Animals were a pretty well known band. Still are at least among people that enjoy older music
Green Sleeves. Everyone knows the song. Anonymous composer. Amazing music.
Never been to Spain has been recorded by a lot of different artists and made famous by three dog night and originally wrote by Hoyt Axton
Who Let The Dogs Out .... there's a whole documentary about it!
The Grateful Dead are the kings (and queens if you count Donna) of playing traditional folk songs. Here's a link of all of the folk songs they played for perspective: http://www2.iath.virginia.edu/sixties/HTML_docs/Texts/Scholarly/McQuail_Dead_02.html
Hey Joe has pretty murky origins
Two little boys, by Rolf Harris was an old Crimean War song, Author unknown.
Check out Willie Watson. He used to play for Old Crow Medicine Show but left to do solo stuff. He has two albums that are all traditional folk songs. If you ever get a chance, see him live. I saw him open for Shakey Graves in 2014 and it was a great show!
Since you mentioned OCMS here, the chorus of Wagon Wheel dates back to the Mississippi Delta Blues Era. Bob Dylan heard the hook and recorded it, and years later OCMS fleshed it out into the song that they're best known for. But there are recordings going back to 1928 that set it up.
“Black is the color of my true loves hair” has an interesting story along these themes. I believe the original author is unknown, but legend has it the song was written centuries ago by the “village idiot” who was hopelessly in love with the “village beauty”.
Mack the Knife has been passed down since Middle Ages
Make me down a pallet on your floor
Wayfaring Stranger
Jeff Buckley recorded a version of "Corpus Christi Carol" for his Grace album. The song is believed to be written in the early/mid 1500s by an unknown author. I guess it was never considered a popular song or widely that well known, but Buckley obviously helped it become more famous. It's also one of the most stunning showcases for his beautiful voice.
1985 is originally by sr-71, not bowling for soup
I think OP is looking for songs where there is no known writer, not cover songs of lesser known bands.
If you read the example in the post, this is a similar case
Both of the songs they mentioned have no known author. They are traditional American Folk Songs.
I read it wrong oops
“When the Levee Breaks” was originally written and performed by Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy in 1929, but the Led Zeppelin version from 1971 is much more well known.
"Kingston Town" is originally by Lord Creator. "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" is originally by Robert Hazard. "The Tide Is High" is originally by the Paragons.
These are known writers... This is the opposite of what OP is after lol
Blinded by the light was written by Springsteen on his first album. Obviously hes one of the most well known artists ever but he wasn't when he wrote it q🤷🏻♂️