This is the first recording of this famous song by someone other than the writer, Stan Jones working in Gene Autry's band, who recorded it in 1948. In February 1949, Burl Ives, famous as a folk singer for years before he became an actor, recorded this. Vaughn Monroe's big baritone and orchestra version became a number one hit a month later, but it's great to listen to Burl sing this much simpler version, just his clear tenor voice and strumming on a single instrument, which is either a banjo or a steel stringed guitar. Years later, Ives recorded a faster and fancier version, which I don't like nearly as much as I like this one. Over 5,000,000 views and lots of positive comments and likes. I'm very glad i put this here and gave so many people a chance to hear it. I do not own the copyright.

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