Leadbelly (Courtesy of Smithsonian Folkways)

Silver Level
A peer a pedal
The truth is severed
For rage is better
Goodnight Irene, Irene Goodnight
I’ve shot to kill

I’ve Stabbed to Kill
I’m Huddie Leadbetter

The first time I heard about Leadbelly was back in about 2004 or 2006 my Granny bought me collectors stamps with notable African Americans. There was Ethel Waters, Louis Armstrong, Charles…