The Reverend Mr. Black
# The Reverend Mr. Black

"The Reverend Mr. Black" (also, "The Lonesome Valley") is a 1963 song by Billy Edd Wheeler, Mike Stoller, and Jerry Leiber.

## Background

The chorus came from the 1931 folk song, "The Lonesome Valley," recorded by the Carter Family.

## Kingston Trio recording

* "The Reverend Mr. Black" was recorded and released by The Kingston Trio in 1963 for their album The Kingston Trio No. 16 and became a top-ten hit for them on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number eight. On the Hot R&B Singles chart, it went to number fifteen.

## Other recordings

* In 1963, Bill Anderson included it on Still.
* Johnny Cash covered the song in 1981 for his album The Baron.
* The Fairfield Four recorded a version for the film O Brother, Where Art Thou?
