The Highwaymen were a 1960s "collegiate folk" group. They originated at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut and had a Billboard #1 hit in 1961 with "Michael Row the Boat Ashore", a version of the African-American work song, and another Top 20 hit in 1962 with "Cotton Fields". "Michael Row the Boat Ashore" sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold record.