Elizabeth Cotten's Freight Train - copyrighted?

[Steve Comeau]

Hi Folks,

I'm trying to determine if Elizabeth Cotten's "Freight Train" is copyrighted
or in the public domain.

So far, I've searched the US Copyright office web page and the Harry Fox
Agency web page but I don't find a specific copyright for "Freight Train".

Does anyone know if this song is now in the Public Domain?

All the best,

Steve Comeau

(remove anti-spam word "not" to reply)

[Harold Groot]

On Sun, 18 Apr 2004 12:36:23 -0400, "Steve Comeau"

Post by Steve Comeau
Hi Folks,
I'm trying to determine if Elizabeth Cotten's "Freight Train" is copyrighted
or in the public domain.
So far, I've searched the US Copyright office web page and the Harry Fox
Agency web page but I don't find a specific copyright for "Freight Train".
Does anyone know if this song is now in the Public Domain?
All the best,
Steve Comeau

A quick web search indicates that EC got a copyright on this in 1957,
so unless you have evidence to the contrary you'd best assume that it
is still in copyright. Perhaps this info could help track it down:

The lyrics from the linernotes of Elizabeth Cotten Vol.3
(Folkways Records Album No. FA 3537
(c)1979 by Folkways Records & Service Corp.,41 West 61st.,NYC USA
10023)

FREIGHT TRAIN
(c) 1957 by Elizabeth Cotten. Sanga Music

[MKAldin]

Sanga Music/Stormking Music in New York City.

[Steve Comeau]

Hey Folks,

Thanks for the quick response. I had a feeling that someone still had the
copyright on this song. I'll give your suggestions a try.

All the best,

Steve

Post by Steve Comeau
Hi Folks,
I'm trying to determine if Elizabeth Cotten's "Freight Train" is copyrighted
or in the public domain.
So far, I've searched the US Copyright office web page and the Harry Fox
Agency web page but I don't find a specific copyright for "Freight Train".
Does anyone know if this song is now in the Public Domain?
All the best,
Steve Comeau
(remove anti-spam word "not" to reply)

[ChGeor9]

I once had a book about fingerpicking on the guitar with the song. I am not
sure whether the book is still available, since I would like a copy. I think it
is by Happy Traum.

[Steve Comeau]

Post by ChGeor9
I once had a book about fingerpicking on the guitar with the song. I am not
sure whether the book is still available, since I would like a copy. I think it
is by Happy Traum.

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

Happy might have a performance copyright, but Elizabeth Cotten wrote the
tune. These days Sanga Music owns and manages the copyright.

Apparently, a lot of folks think "Freight Train" is traditional or in the
Public Domain. Libba Cotten probably lost some royalties due her, but I've
heard that she was simply pleased that people liked her song enough to
record it.

All the best,

Steve Comeau

[12-stringer]

Post by ChGeor9
I once had a book about fingerpicking on the guitar with the song. I am not
sure whether the book is still available, since I would like a copy. I think it
is by Happy Traum.

Probably "Finger-Picking Styles for Guitar" by Happy Traum (Oak, 1966).
Sorry, I don't know if it's still in print. You might try Amazon. (Most of
those Oak books were $1.95 when I bought them. Those days will probably
never come again.)


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[Abby Sale]

On Tue, 27 Apr 2004 02:06:12 GMT, "12-stringer"

Post by ChGeor9

Post by ChGeor9
I once had a book about fingerpicking on the guitar with the song. I am

not

Post by ChGeor9
sure whether the book is still available, since I would like a copy. I

think it

Post by ChGeor9
is by Happy Traum.

Probably "Finger-Picking Styles for Guitar" by Happy Traum (Oak, 1966).
Sorry, I don't know if it's still in print. You might try Amazon. (Most of
those Oak books were $1.95 when I bought them. Those days will probably
never come again.)

Or try him. Homespun Tapes - is http://www.homespuntapes.com


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I am Abby Sale - in Orlando, Florida
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