Who was the first to sing.?

Who was the first to sing?{Prison Blues}

Robert Johnson?

Well the slaves.

What do you mean by Prison blues? Songs sung by black prisoners?

They traditionally sang work songs to provide a rhythm for various activities such as chopping wood, sawing logs, breaking rock, laying track, etc. These songs predate the blues.

Several great records are available that feature prison/work songs. I have a couple that the Lomaxes (John and Alan) recorded, one that Mike Seeger recorded, and a couple of others. Sorry I can't give you the titles, I don't have access to my records at the moment.

Try Smithsonian Folkways' web site. Also. Rounder records.

GOOD LUCK :)

Hi,do you mean FOLSOM PRISON BLUES?if so Johhny Cash wrote and sang it in the early 50's.Hope this helps.

I think Johhny Cash sung that particular song.

Well, let's see ....

Bukka White sung Parchman Farm in 1940
Leadbelly sung Midnight special in .... was it 1935?
Blind Blake sung Rope Stretching blues in around 1928 (also he did You Gonna Quit Me, Baby ... and other tunes about going to prison.)

I suppose it would have actually been the prisoners. Although in the case of Folsom Prison Blues, Johnny Cash hadn't been in prison when he wrote and sang it.