Artist Biography

Will Mclean (1919-1990)

Will McLean was born near Chipley, Florida, and was  known there as "The Black Hat Troubadour." After he returned from World War II, he made it his life's work to capture the lore and legend of his native Florida in song. It is claimed that he wrote over 300 songs. The editors of Broadside considered McLean to be a true American folk singer, much like Woody Guthrie, and heartily supported his music in their pages. He performed at Carnegie Hall, and the annual folk festival in White Springs, Florida, now bears his name. "Lord, Hold Back the Waters," along with his "Tate's Hell" and "Osceola's Last Words," were favorites of the Broadside editors.

Broadside track featuring Will McLean

The Best of Broadside: 29. "Lord Hold Back the Waters"

A number of historic floods occurred in the South during the late 1920s. From September 12-17, 1928, Lake Okeechobee, a large lake in central Florida, overflowed its banks, killing 4,000 people. Most of the homes flooded were those of migrant workers. The words and music to "Lord, Hold Back the Waters" were written by McLean and Dash Moore.

Text extracted from the notes by Jeff Place accompanying The Best of Broadside.

Smithsonian Folkways recordings featuring Will McLean: Broadside Ballads, Volume 4 - Folkways 05306;  Broadside Ballads, Volume 6 - Folkways 05315