Key Hole in the Door

The Key Hole in the Door
(Holland Puckett on Silvertone label [n.d. 1920's] 255065-A)

She left the party early I think it scarce was nine.
And by some nice good fortune her room was next to mine.
And I like old Columbus new regions to explore
I took up the position by the key hole in the door.

While I waited there in silence upon my bended knee
I waited there impatiently to see what I could see
She first pull off her collar it fell upon the floor
I saw her stoup to get it through the key hole that door.

She then proceeded father -- took off her pretty dress
And her undergarments a bit more or less
To tell the truth sincerely, I think it was a score
I could not count correctly through the key hole in the door.

She sat down on the carpet, she rested gracefully
She pulled a spotless linen above her snow white knees
And she stopped [?] to tie her garter a navel [?] way [?] she wore
It was a lovely picture through the key hole in the door

You mighty men of science who strain your eager eyes
In viewing the planets decking [?] the skies
You search the wide world over ten thousand times or more
But telescopes are nothing to the key hole in the door.

Give Name: Holland Puckett
Date of Birth: July 15, 1899
Place of Birth: The Hollow, Patrick County, Virginia
Date of Death: July 28, 1934
Musical Syle: Old-Time Country

Holland "Si" Puckett recorded many Old-Time numbers for Gennett in 1927-1928. A Virginian by birth, Puckett spent much of his adult life in the vicinity of Mount Airy, North Carolina, where he worked as a bookkeeper at a tobacco warehouse. He often picked and sang with the numerous musicians in Patrick and Surry counties. Along with the Texas music pioneer, Prince Albert Hunt, Puckett was one of the first recording artists to become a homicide victim. As various Old-Time musicians from southwestern Virginia and North Carolina such as Al Hopkins, Charlie Poole, and Ernest Stoneman began to journey to recording studios, others became inspired to emulate them. Among them were Puckett and the string band known as DaCosta Woltz's Southern Broadcasters, who journeyed together to Richmond, Indiana, for their first session. He cut seven numbers including what became his most popular song, The Dying Cowboy. A month later, he returned to Indiana to cut seven more songs for Gennett. Some of his recordings came out under the name "Si Puckett" and others used the pseudonym "Harvey Watson." Holland returned for his third and last recording session in May 1928. Like many other pioneers, his recording career ended with the Great Depression. Five years later, Puckett died from a knife wound, apparently inflicted in a fight over a card game. Although a fine Old-Time vocalist who recorded more than enough material to fill an album, somewhat surprisingly, none of it has been re-issued.

            Record Numbers--Song Titles--Grading:

            9253-A The Dying Cowboy V+
            9253-B Come And Kiss Me, Baby Darling V+

            9254-A The Keyhole In The Door E-
            9254-B The Bright Sherman Valley E-