<P> One discography lists 134 recorded versions released since 1950 . In more recent decades, the song has waned in popularity in most regions except some parts of the American South where it is still a popular folk song . </P> <P> A list of the possible meanings of the term "cotton - eyed" that have been proposed includes: to be drunk on moonshine, or to have been blinded by drinking wood alcohol, turning the eyes milky white; a black person with very light blue eyes; someone whose eyes were milky white from bacterial infections of Trachoma or syphilis, cataracts or glaucoma; or the contrast of dark skin tone around white eyeballs in black people . </P> <P> Bob Wills and Adolph Hofner and His San Antonians both recorded the song, and Hofner's version (Columbia 37658), issued in 1941, apparently being the one that did the most to popularize the song . </P> <P> A 1967 instrumental version of the song (KIKR k202) by Al Dean, who recalled the song called "The Gingerbread Man" in South Texas, inspired a new round dance polka for couples . This dance was adapted into a simplified version as a nonpartner waist - hold, spoke line routine . Heel and toe polka steps were replaced with a cross-lift followed by a kick with two - steps . The lift and kick are sometimes accompanied by shouts of "whoops, whoops," or the barn yard term "bull shit", mimicking the act of kicking off barnyard muck . The practice continues to this day . The Kickin ′ album included "Cotton - Eyed Joe" by Dean . (KIK - R: 10012) </P>

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