[Complete Field Notes SECTION 10-22 plus some recordings of the important Lomax "Southern Recording Trip" made in 1939. I'm adding commentary in brackets [ ] to the songs. The field notes containing important song texts are edited for mistakes and better organized- showing verses/choruses. The same text and recordings may be found in the Library of Congress- unedited.
Richard Matteson 2011]
SOUTHERN RECORDING TRIP (March 31 - June 14, 1939) For the Folk Song Archive of the Library of Congress; by John A. Lomax and Ruby T. Lomax
Section 10: Comanche County, Texas; May 7-9
Section 11: Taylor, Texas; May 10
Section 12: Huntsville, Texas and vicinity; May 11-14
Section 13: Merryville, Louisiana and vicinity; May 15-19
Section 14: Cummins State Farm, near Varner, Arkansas; May 20-21
Section 15: State Farm, Camp #9, near Arkansas City, Arkansas; May 22
Section 16: State Farms, Parchman, Mississippi; May 23-25
Section 17: Livingston, Alabama and vicinity; May 26-30
Section 18: Newberry, Florida; June 1
Section 19: State Penitentiary, Raiford, Florida; June 2-5
Section 20: Murrells Inlet, South Carolina; June 6-9
Section 21: Clemson, South Carolina and vicinity; June 9-12
Section 22: Galax, Virginia; June 13-14
Section 10: Comanche County, Texas; May 7-9
Comanche (and Lubbock) Texas May 1939
Mrs. Shirley Lomax Mansell (Mrs. C. C. Mansell) of Lubbock, Texas, made recordings in the home of Judge and Mrs. Oscar Callaway, at the Callaway Ranch, Comanche Co., Texas, of children's songs and lullabies which she learned in her childhood from the singing of her mother, Mrs. Bess Brown Lomax. Mrs. Lomax learned many of these songs from her mother who came to Texas from Virginia. Mrs. Mansell sings these songs to her own two little girls. She is the daughter of John A. Lomax, who made the recordings.
Mrs. Mansell's songs are scattered over several different discs: 2590, 2591, 2631, 2633, 2636, 2638, 2642, 3796, 3800
Titles: All the pretty little horses
Go tell Aunt Nancy
Little kitty (once there was a-) (Long time ago)
There was a piggy (Tale of a little pig)
Old woman and the little pig
I love little willie
Billy Boy
I hardly think I will
Paper of pins
Crows in the garden
No, sir, no sir (?)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALL THE PRETTY LITTLE HORSES
Shirley Lomax Mansell, who writes the following note, not only speaks for herself here, but for practically every other Southern girl who has ever been rocked to sleep or who has ever sung to her own babies. For "All the Pretty Little Horses" can be found in the repertoire of every southern family, Negro and white; it is the classic of southern lullabies. It is sung in a thousand different ways by as many singers; the "pretty little horses" may be "blacks and bays" or "dapples and greys" but, whatever their color, they have carried almost every southern child off to sleep at one time or another. Here is what Shirley says about the way the song was sung in our family:
All the Pretty Little Horses is a family song. There is not a time when I do not remember it. I am sure it was Grandmother Brown's song; from our mother it now belongs to her four children. Grandmother did not often sing anything but hymns, and those mostly on Sunday afternoons when she rocked back and forth in her little straight, cane-bottomed rocker, alone in her room. Grandmother did not believe that on Sunday people should do anything but attend Sunday School, then church, then read the Bible until time to go to evening services. Her disapproval of our Sunday afternoon walks, when the children from all the neighborhood gathered to explore the woods, or "walk through to the Dam", caused her to shut herself into her room and rock and sing, and I am sure, pray for forgiveness for us all. Her lips would shut into a thin line, and her eyes fill with tears.
But Grandmother Brown loved babies, and she sang to us all, and rocked us, hours and hours, in that same little chair. All the Pretty Little Horses is a wonderful lullaby. The phrases can be changed, a line or two of hums can be put in at will instead of the words, at will, and the baby drifts off into sleep, floating with the little horses the song blends with the squeak of the rocker and the pat of the foot on the rug. The horrible verse about the "bees and the butterflies" was not sung in our house, and should never be used--what baby could sleep with such a pitiful and ghastly picture stamped into his dreamy little soul? I still sing it to my girls when they are ill, but they always request that that verse not be sung. And I don't blame them."
Dorothy Scarborough in her book On the Trail of Negro Folk-Songs says that this is one of the lullabies Negro Mammies sang to their little white charges.
ALL THE PRETTY LITTLE HORSES
http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/263/2638b1.mp3
Hushaby,
Don't you cry,
Go to sleepy, little baby,
When you wake,
You shall have
All the pretty little horses--
Blacks and bays,
Dapples and grays,
Coach and six-a little horses.
Hushaby,
Don't you cry,
Go to sleepy, little baby.
Hushaby,
Don't you cry,
Go to sleepy, little baby.
Way down yonder
In de medder
There's a po' lil lambie;
De bees an' de butterflies
Peckin' out its eyes,
De po' lil thing cried, "Mammy:"
Hushaby,
Don't you cry,
Go to sleepy, little baby.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Austin, Texas; May 9, 1939
No recordings were made in Austin. The machine was tested by an electrician and radio man. Alex Moore, cowboy singer, and members of the Gant Family, mountain ballad singers, could not be found.
Mrs. Clark, matron of a boys' dormitory at the Texas School for the Blind, was not at home when we called. She talked with Mr. Lomax by telephone and promised to send him the titles and texts of some folk songs handed down in her family. Her name was suggested to us by her brother, Professor Bass, of the Texas College of Arts and Industries, Kingsville, Texas. From the School for the Blind we drove on to Taylor, Texas in search of "Clear Rock".
Section 11: Taylor, Texas; May 10
Taylor, Texas. Mose Platt ("Clear Rock") May, 1939.
About "fust dark" of a May evening Mr. Lomax stopped his car on the outskirts of Taylor, Texas and enquired of some Negores, who were sitting on their cabin stoop, whether they knew "Clear Rock," a singin' Negro who had been released recently from the state penitentiary. They did not know "Clear Rock," but Mr. Lomax's description fitted a fellow called "Wyandotte" (pronounced "Winedot") who usually hung around a barber shop on the other side of the railroad. An eat-shop Negro confirmed the belief that Clear Rock and Winedot were one and the same Negro, namely Mose Platt. Now Clear Rock on earlier recording trips had been one of the most fruitful sources of Negro stories and songs, especially work-songs and other secular songs. And so the search was on: on the promise of a dime a boy conducted us to Clear Rock's home, only to hear from neighors that Clear Rock and his wife had been seen going up the tracks towards town just ten minutes ago; twenty-five cents was to be the reward for bringing him to our hotel. No word had come by breakfast time, and so Mr. Lomax started out afoot in earch. When he returned to the hotel two hours later, there he found Clear Rock, sitting on the running board of the Lomax automobile; with him was his two-hundred-fifty pound wife, his "seventeen wife," as he told Mrs. Lomax later. They had been waiting at the car from six o'clock. The wife, looming too large for our small hotel room, was dismissed with breakfast money.
Clear Rock himself was ready and willing to do anything the "boss" asked, except to stop talking. To unwind him somewhat, Mr. Lomax let him record some stories first. The two had met previously at Central State Farm, wherein John A. and Alan Lomax made some recordings. But Mr. Lomax wished to re-record some of the Negro's best songs with the improved machine. At first Clear Rock was slow at entering into the spirit of the old work-songs, "disremembering" the words of some of them, because perhaps of two circumstances: Clear Rock was now "The Reverend Mose Platt," devoted to hymns and spirituals, and what secular songs he indulged in were mostly modern jazz, sung for the entertainment of his white friends. But Mr. Lomax's cajoling words and a substantial contribution to the next Sabbath's collection helped Clear Rock to overcome his handicaps, and he was off. For four hours he told stories and sang and preached and prayed.
Clear Rock's "off the record" stories are rich in themselves. He is on relief, but occasionally gets an extra tip for services around the county Court House and the Post Office. He complains that "relief hardly dont give us nothin' to eat except grape-fruit." And his pastorate does not pay much, though he has added four women to his board of deacons "to take keer o' de money, 'cause de mens mought take de collections and lose 'em all at playin' craps." He claims to be well and strong physically; "de doctor health man says I aint got a sickness nowhere; he says my whole body is as clean as de pa'm o' your hand." Asked about his release from the penitentiary, he explained: "One day some o' my white friends in Taylor heard dat Miss Ferguson (Gov. Miriam Ferguson) was goin' to be down at Central a-visitin; and they sont a car down there wid a letter signed by thirty thousand peoples; they was de names o' all de promnent layers an' officers an' all the other whichocrats around Taylor, and Miss Ferguson let me go free."
When Clear Rock first returned to Taylor after his release he solicited contributions from his white friends, presenting the following plea; evidently dictated by him.
"We certifies that we knows Mose Platt and that he has been up to this time a good hardly working man. He is sick and his wife is sick, he is unemployed and aint got no job, and not able to demand no job whatever and his doctor is Mr. Doaks and Doaks, and the judge of Williamson County, which he is worked for is Mr. Judge Burnap and his boss lawyer Mr. Lawhon and also Captain Boss Mr. Booth of the bank, also Mr. Richards and Judge Davis, also Mr. Challener, also Mr. Connolly, also Mr. Speegle, also Mr. M. B. Connolly, also Mr. Howard Bland, also Mr. Prewitts, in fact all Prewitts, also Mr. Lloyd Payne, also Mr. Hewitt, the drugstore man also Mr. Brunner the postmaster, also Mr. Lawyer Fox, also Mr. Wolford, the lawyer, also Mr. Judge Black, and so he has been sociable with his fellowman, this Mose Platt and also trustworthy. Also Mr. Judge Governor Allred, and also Governor Ferguson. We wish you would hereby contribute to him and we thank you very much, also Mr. Judge Roach.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taylor, Texas; March 8, 1939.
We certifies that we knows Mose Platt and that he has been up to this time a good hardly working man. He is sick and his wife is sick, he is unemployed and ain't got no job, and not able to demand no job whatever, and his doctor is Mr. Doak and Doaks, and the judge of Williamson County, which he is worked for is Mr. Judge Burnap, and his boss lawyer Mr. Lawhon, and also Captain boss Mr. Booth of the bank, also Mr. Richards and Judge Davis, also Mr. Challener, also Mr. Connolly, also Mr. Speegle, also Mr. M. B. Connolly, also Mr. Howard Bland, also Mr. Prewitts, in fact all Prewitts, also Mr. Lloyd Payne, also Mr. Hewitt, the drug storeman, also Mr. Brunner the postmaster, also Mr. lawyer Fox, also Mr. Wofford, the lawyer, also Mr. Judge Black, and so he has been sociable with his fellowman, this Mose Platt, and also trustworthy. Also Mr. Judge Governor Allred, and also Governor Ferguson and also Mrs. Ferguson. We hereby wish you would contribute to him, and we thank you very much, also Mr. Judge Roach.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taylor, Texas; May 10, 1939; Mose Platt ("Clear Rock"); Clear Rock's songs are scattered over the following discs: 2643, 2644, 2645, 3801, 3802, 3805
Titles: Go Down Ole Hannah
Pick a bale
No Mo' Cane on de Brazis
Jesus bosom is yo' pillow
Wild Geese
Long John
Bad Management (story)
Cat Story
Ghost Story
Old Rattler
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2643, 3805; TEMPORARY NOS. 53 & 54; Taylor, Texas--May 10, 1939 May 10, 1939
53 A records four of Clear Rock's stories, poorly told
B. Old Rattler sung by Clear Rock in a hotel room in Taylor, Texas
54 A. 1. GO DOWN, OLE HANNAH
LISTEN: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/264/2643a1.mp3
Well, go down, ole Hannah, Hannah don't be so slow
I'm goin' git dat ole mean Capt'n 'less he help me on my row
Well if I beat you to Big Muddy, an' happen to cross de line
I'll be sel'len seen an' mighty hard to find
I'm goin' stop dat big ole nigger fum walkin' de floor
I'm gonna turn him over to Capt'n, man where you'll never know.
Well, you better not be monkeyin', oh Lawdy, wid my Blood Red Rose
Well, you better not be monkeyin' wid my Blood Red Rose
Well, I'm goin' down de river, Oh capt'n, place where you never go
I'm goin' down de river, down on dat bottom, you know
Well, if you're lookin' for bright heaven, you better stop an' try
Well, if you're lookin' for heaven, man, you better pass on by.
Well, I got a good capt'n, got a squabblin' boss,
It's might near worryin' my pore self away.
Well, well, blow, blow
Well, while I'm gettin' dis tree down, don't come here no more.
A 2. PICK A BALE by "Clear Rock", Mose Platt; Usual text, with this additional: (See: American Ballads and Folk Songs)
Oh, will I, will I pick a bale o' cotton
Nigger fum Shiloh pick a bale a day
B 1. AIN'T NO MORE CANE ON DE BRAZOS sung by Mose Platt, "Clear Rock"
LISTEN: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/264/2643b1.mp3
Tain't no mo' cane on de Brazed (Brazos), oh-ho-ho
Dey done ground it all up in molasses, oh-ho-ho
Load up an' carry and break all down, oh-ho-ho.
Come on, bullies, let's make another round, oh-ho-ho.
Dead man caint move, done put away
Down by...
Nigger jumped in de Brazos an' he's bound to drown, oh-ho-ho.
He left de lead row right off de ground, oh-ho-ho.
You ought to been here in nineteen four
Seen a dead man at evey turn row
You ought to been here in nineteen ten
Drivin de women like dey drive de men
B 2. BLACK BETTY (a tree-cutting song) Clear Rock says "Black Betty was a old nigger woman right outa Goree" (state farm for women) LISTEN: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/264/2643b2.mp3
CHORUS: Oh Black Betty, bam-ba-lam
Oh, Black Betty, bam-ba-lam.
Black Betty's in de bottom, bam-ba-lam (2X)
Jez' hewin' on de timber, bam-ba-lam (2X)
Black Betty had a baby, (2X)
The thing went crazy, bam-ba-lam
Jes' drinkin' river water bam-ba-lam
CHORUS
Jes' jumpin' to a number, bam-ba-lam (2X)
CHORUS
Jes' hewin' in de bottom, bam-ba-lam (2X)
CHORUS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2644
WILD GEESE - sung by Mose Platt, "Clear Rock" Taylor TX; May 10, 1939.
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/264/2644b1.mp3
Lord, Lord, Lord,
Well, Wild Geese flyin' all over;
Oh Lawdy, it's goin' be cold,
It's bound to be cold.
Oh, Lordy, Lordy, Blow, blow
I'm goin' to the nation, man where you can't go.
Well the wild geese flyin' all over
Oh, Sargeant, it's goin to be cold.
Well I'm never comin' in this bottom
Man, down here, no more.
Well, come here somebody, oh Lawdy man, come help this row
Gettin' be cold weather, freezin' weather you know.
Well, I woke up this mornin', oh Sargeant an' it looked like rain
Well along dat curve, spied a gravel train.
Well, Some of em come here crippled, Oh Lawdy, don' come here soon
If they hear 'bout hard labor, being every man's doom
Oh Lawdy, Lord, Lord, Lord, hard labor this doom, Don' come here no more.
I'm goin' stop that bully nigger
Cap'n from walking de floor
I'm goin' stop that old nigger
I'm goin' stop keep him off o' my the row.
Wild Geese flyin' over
Lawdy goin to be cold
Time to be flyin all over
Better not be my and my Wild Blood Red Rose
If I went down to de Brazos, hopin to cross de line
I'll be seein' -- man, mighty hard to find
---------------------------------------------------
LONG JOHN sung by Mose Platt, "Clear Rock"
LISTEN: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/264/2644b2.mp3
Like to take it through the corn,
It's long John,
I'm gone again.
Waintin' right there with the long clothes on.
Long clothes on, I'll be gone agin
Long John,
Long John I'm gone agin.
Long John.
Waitin' on the farm till I catch my wind,
Catch my wind, I'm gone agin
Long John, Long John.
Long John.
Use it on the tree,
Tree would fall,
Big foot tall wouldn't fall at all.
It's Long John, Long John.
Long John.
------------------------------------------------------------
[lyrics below not titled]
Well Oh I b'lieve to my soul, Oh Captin it's jedgment day
Well, I'll worry, man, my poor self away.
Well, come here some old body, Oh Captin, want you to tell me so -
Well, I want you to send me somebody, Cap'n, to help me on my row.
Well, some come here crippled, Oh Lawd, while others some come here lame
Well, some come here walkin in de boss man's name
Well I got a mighty good old Captin, O and a squabblin boss.
Well it might mean run all the niggers all clean off.
Well if I beat you to do nation, happen to cross de line
I'll be be mighty hard to find, "sellon" (seldom) seen
If I live to be next month, I'll be fifty-one
which I suppose is fine
My wife says I'm seventy-one.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2645
OLD RATTLER sung by Mose Platt, "Clear Rock"
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/264/2645b2.mp3
Here, Rattler, Here Rattler, here.
Here Lord Rattler, Here Rattler, here.
Oh b'lieve to my soul that's a nigger gone
Here Rattler, here.
B'lieve to my soul that's a nigger gone
Here Rattler, here.
Went right down through the corn
Here Rattler, here.
I think I heard a horn blow
Here Rattler, here.
Tryin to find which way that a nigger must go
Here Rattler, here.
If he trip this time, an' he'll trip no more
Here Rattler, here.
I'm gonna take 'im to the nigger ball,
Here Rattler, here
He's gone where de good niggers go
Here Rattler, here.
I heard de horn blow- ooh,
Here Rattler, here
I think I heard de horn blow
Here Rattler, here.
I heard dat horn blow- ooh.
Here Rattler, here
Rattler here's a beef bone
Here Rattler, here.
You can't eat it- you can leave it alone
Here Rattler, here.
You can come, an' say you're gone,
Here Rattler, here.
What is de matter with de nigger today?
Here Rattler, here.
Everyone is a-runnin' away
Here Rattler, here
Rattler here's a beef-bone
Here Rattler, here.
You can't eat it you can leave it alone
Here Rattler, here [Lomax interrupts]
Think I heard de hounds comin'
Here Rattler, here
Hear your boys up de hall
Here Rattler, here
I heard old rattler comin' along
Here Rattler, here
Oo, Oo, Oo, [barks]
Here Rattler, here
Oo, Oo, Oo, Oo [barks]
Here Rattler, here
Oo, Oo, Oo, [barks]
Here Rattler, here
Den put that nigger right up de tree,
Here Rattler, here
Run so far he died from heat,
Here Rattler, here
Run so far he died from heat,
Here Rattler, here
Massa say he blowed his horn
Here Rattler, here
You can tell dat day the nigger is gone
Here Rattler, here
Oo, Oo, Oo, [barks]
Section 12: Huntsville, Texas and vicinity; May 11-14
Bryan and College Station, Texas; May 10, 11, 1939
As we drove through Texas we were on the lookout for rural and village Negro schools, where we might record game songs. These are nearly all short-term schools and they had closed for the summer. The Dean of the Prairie View College, state college for Negroes, had referred us to the county supervisor of Negro schools with headquarters at Bryan, Texas. We stopped at Bryan to confer with her. She conducted us to a rural school still in session, with only seven pupils in attendance that day, the school being scheduled to close the next day with a community gathering. The pupils played and sang "Little Sallie Walker" and "Seed tick's a-bitin' me", but most of their games were copies of the white children's. We did not set up our machine.
We spent the night at "Aggieland", an inn maintained by the Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College (Texas Aggies). Our machine needed adjustment, for which we called on an Aggie instructor, William Owens, who has had much experience with recording machine while collecting folk materials in the South with a machine furnished by the University of Iowa, in which institution he is pursuing graduate. Mr. Owens is also an enthusiastic member of the Texas Folk Lore Society. He corrected the trouble, with the aid of a college student who was specializing in radio engineering. From College Station we drove to Huntsville.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Huntsville, Texas; May 11--14, 1939
May 12 - J.A.L. visited State Penitentiary to arrange for recordings. Conferences with director of broadcast program, "Thirty minutes behind the Wa Walls".. Several visits to "Walls" but very little recording. Assisted by Wm. Longino of the Sam Houston Teachers College faculty. Inmates recorded the following:
2646; 2649; 3804A; 2603 Temporary No. 55 B
1. Ride on King Jesus
2. Field Holler-Roosevelt Hudson
61 A. Long Freight Train Blues
B 1. Great Day
2. When the gates swing open
3. Cat and Dog Fight
62 A 1 Inspiration
2 Tom and Jerry
3804: Brazos Bottom Blues- R. L. Lewis
Mrs. Wm. Longino Grace recorded several songs which she learned in her childhood. Her parents and their large group of children delighted in gathering at night and on Sunday afternoon to sing. They also sang at their family chores. One brother became a cowboy and on his trips home he brought them the songs of the range and trail. She sang the following:
2647 No. 47 Roly Poly
The Filly
I like to live in the country
2649 62 A 3. Little bunch of Roses
B 1. Green grass growing all around
2. Be sure you're right
No, sir, no sir, no
Goree State Farm, for women, is a few miles out from Huntsville. There J.A.L. recorded on May 14:
2639 58 B. Cap'n don't 'low no truckin'
2. It's a blessing just to call his precious name (spiritual)
(3997) 2650 63 A 1. Desert Blues--Hattie Ellis
2. Mournin' Song (group) My Lord, What a Mournin'
B 1. I ain't got nobody--Hattie Ellis
2648 64 B 1. This little light o' mine..Group 1
2. Shine on...--McMurray Spirituals
Hattie Ellis is a blues singer who is very popular on the radio program sent out from the Texas State Penitentoary. She claims to have composed "Desert Blues". The Captain Heath told us that in one week Hattie received 3,000 "fan" letters. She is in for thirty years for killing a man. Another Dallas, Texas Negro girl who "come visitin' in Arkansas and got took up for somethin' I didn't do", told us that Hattie wouldn't have got such a long term if she hadn't sassed the judge when he brought her boot-legging activities into the murder case. Hattie's singing is fast becoming "throaty" as she strives to imitate the professional "blues" singers.
Later-Fall 1940: Officials of the Old Fiddlers Contest, held annually at Athens, Texas, announced that Hattie Ellis would not keep her engagement to sing with the group of musicians from the State Penitentiary, because she had recently been paroled and was back at home in Dallas.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Huntsville, Texas; May 11--14, 1939; State Penitentiary and Goree Farm--additional notes:
THIS LITTLE LIGHT O' MINE, led by on, sung by Doris MaMurray, Negro convict. Learned from grandmother in Waco, Texas. Her arms are covered with scars.
LISTEN: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/264/2648b1.mp3
This little light o' mine, I'm goin' let it shine (repeat)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
Evrywhere I go I'm goin' let it shine (repeat)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
In my neighbor's home, I'm goin' let it shine (repeat)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
This little light o' mine, I'm goin' let it shine (repeat)
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
SHINE ON --Learned from grandmother in Waco--Doris McMurray
LISTEN: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/264/2648b2.mp3
CHORUS: Shine on me-e-e, shine on me-e-e,
Let yo' light from yo' light-house
Shine on me.
Shine on me-e-e, shine on me-e-e,
Let yo' light from yo' light-house
Shine on me.
Where is mother, oh, where is mother,
There is trouble on the deep blue sea,
Where is mother, oh, where is mother?
There is trouble on the deep blue sea.
Where is father, etc.
CHORUS:
CAP'N DON' 'LOW NO TRUCKIN' --Group from Goree Farm: Hattie Ellis, Lavena Austin, Mozelle Stewart, Ella May Fitzpatrick, Gene Raymond, Jimmie Lee Hart, Doris McMurray. [Version of "Mama, Don't 'Low" dates back to 1800s WC Handy]
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/263/2639b1.mp3
Cap'n don' 'low no truckin' 'em down in here (repeat)
Well, we don' care what de Cap'n don't 'low,
We're goin' truck 'em down anyhow,
Cap'n don' 'low no truckin' 'em down in here.
Cap'n don' 'low no Charlestonin' in here, etc.
Cap'n don' 'low no Suzy-quein' in here, etc.
Cap'n don' 'low no fish-tailin' in here, etc.
It's a Blessing Just to Call his Precious Name: spiritual by group [text incomplete]
LISTEN: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/263/2639b2.mp3
I don't worry, I don't fear, and I don't want to forget,
It's a blessing just to call my Saviour's name.
If it's mornin', noon or night
I can serve him, serve Him right,
It's a blessing just to call my Saviour's name.
CHORUS: It's a blessing just to call my Saviour's name.
Makes no diff'rence where I am, I'm not ashamed,
If it's mornin', noon or night, I can serve Him, serve Him right,
It's a blessing just to call my Saviour's name.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Huntsville and Goree Farm cont'd--
MY LORD, WHAT A MORNIN', sung by group of Negro girls, Goree State Farm
LISTEN: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/265/2650a2.mp3
My Lord, what a mornin' (repeat 2X)
When the stars begins to fall
You can hear a sinner mourn (repeat 2X)
When the stars begins to fall.
My Lord, what a mornin' (repeat 2X)
When the stars begins to fall
I AIN'T GOT NOBODY (partial text): adapted from old popular song and recorded by Hattie Ellis as a blues.
LISTEN: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/265/2650b1.mp3
[guitar]
CHORUS: I ain't got nobody and there's nobody cares for me
'Cause I am sad and lonely, won't somebody come on and take a chance with me
I sing sweet songs all the time, won't you come be a pal o' mine
'Cause I ain't got nobody and there's nobody cares for me.
There's a place goin' around this town, and I began to think of you
It's mighty hard to love some one and that some one don't love you,
Once I had a lovin' man, the sweetest man in town,
But now he's gone and left me, he has thrown me down.
CHORUS:
DESERT BLUES sung by Hattie Ellis, claimed to have been composed by her; popular on the radio program: "Thirty Minutes Behind the Walls" (Text probably incomplete)
LISTEN- http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/265/2650a1.mp3
[guitar]
Crossin' the desert, on my way back home again (repeat)
Well, I'm ragged and I'm dirty, Ooh Lord; I'm even cold in hand.
Well, well, my baby's gone, people, and all night long I've cried (Repeat)
Out of everything I do, well I jes' can't be satisfied.
Ooh-hoo, Baby, wonder where can my baby be (repeat)
I wonder if he'll stay away or if he'll come back to me.
I'm goin' walk, I'm goin' rise, until I reach that deep blue sea (Repeat)
Then I'm goin' throw 'way my troubles, Ooh Lord, and all my misery.
Ooh-hoo, Goodbye, you may never see me no more (repeat)
But if you see my Baby, Ooh Lord, jus' tell him I had to go.
Both of these Blues, sung by Hattie Ellis, were accompanied by Jack Ramsey with guitar. Ramsey is a white convict from the "Walls".
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2647 A3- baby's game
ROLY BOLY- Mrs. Grace Lungino; Huntsville, Tex., April, 1939
LISTEN: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/264/2647a3.mp3
I rollie boolie, I rollie, boolie;
An' dere I trumpet de horn.
I drag him down to de waters edge
An' dere I tuck him in,
An' dere I tuck him in
An' dere I tuck him in.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2647 B2 I LIKE TO LIVE IN THE COUNTRY- Mrs Grace Lungino Huntsville Texas, May 1939
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/264/2647b2.mp3
Well, I likes for live in de country,
An' I likes for to dwell on a farm.
An' I likes for to wander where de green grass grows
For de outdoor life has a charm.
I likes for to wander in de garden,
Down by de ole haystack.
Where de pretty lil chickens go cick- kack, cackle
And de pretty lil ducks go quack quack quack
Quack, quack, de pretty little ducks
An a cick- kack cackle in de mawning.
De rooster crows an every body knows
Dat dere'll be eggs for you breakfast in de mawning.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2649 A3. Little Bunch of Roses- Mrs. Grace Lungino, Huntsville, Texas, May 1939
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/264/2649a3.mp3
Darling, we must part forever
Hold me closer to your heart.
At the dawning of the morning
You and I will have to part.
Take this little bunch of roses
That you gave me years ago
I have kissed them and caressed them
But I'll never kiss them more.
When the shades of night are falling
on this dark and lonely lea
and the whipperwill is singing
Won't you then remember me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2649 B2. Be Sure You are Right- Mrs. Grace Lungino, Huntsville, Texas, May, 1939
Some will tell you tis all right.
While others say tis wrong
Now listen to what I have to say
My motto is my song.
Be sure you're right, then go ahead
Don't mind what people say
You have a row that you must hoe
So hoe it your best way.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2591 B. 1 "No, Sir, No" Mrs. Grace Lungino; Huntsville, Texas, May, 1939
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/259/2591b1.mp3
Tell me one thing, tell me truly
Tell me why you scorn me so
Tell me why when I ask a question
You always answer, "No."
No sir, no sir, no sir, no
No sir, no sir, no sir, no sir.
My father was a Spanish merchant
and before he went to sea
He told me to be sure and say, "No."
To all you asked of me.
No sir, no sir, no sir, no
No sir, no sir, no sir, no sir.
If we should walk into the garden
And pluck flowers white as snow.
If I should ask you if you loved me
Would you then say, "No?"
No sir, no sir, no sir, no
No sir, no sir, no sir, no sir.
Section 13: Merryville, Louisiana and vicinity; May 15-19
Merryville, La. Rev. J. R. Gipson; May 15, 1939
Reverend J. R. Gipson, "Blind Gipson", was introduced by H. R. Weaver. He is a well-known Negro Baptist evangelist who supplements his sermons with the singing of "jazzed" spirituals, playing his own accompaniment on the piano. His loud chords topped by loud, husky singing, made an interesting combination, but one difficult to record. Some spirituals he sang without piano accompaniment. His wife and two neighbor children came with him to the Weaver home, where the recordings were made. They assisted him with some of the spirituals, and the children sang two game songs. Though Rev. Gipson makes his home in Louisiana he is pastor of the Antioch Baptist Church at Buna, Texas.
IT'S COOL DOWN HERE AT THE RIVER JORDAN- Rev. Gipson
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/265/2651a1.mp3
CHORUS: It's cool down here at the River Jordan (Jurdan)
Oh, it's cool down here at the River Jordan,
It's cool down here at the River Jordan
But my Lord says come on anyhow.
Well I went down in the valley,
And I did not go to stay.
And my soul got happy,
And I could not stay all day.
CHORUS:
I would not be a sinner,
And I tell you the reason why.
I fear my Lord might call on me,
And I wouldn't be ready to die.
CHORUS: (2X)
OLD SHIP O' ZION- Rev. Gipson
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/265/2651a2.mp3
It is that old, old, old Ship o' Zion (3 times)
Git on board, oh-oh, git on board.
Didn't you promise, to go to mother (3 times)
Git on board, oh-oh, git on board.
She is movin' very slowly, etc
My old mother is waitin' for me, etc.
I'm so glad I got my ticket, etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merryville, La.
"I'm Lookin' for That Man that Don't Know Jesus"- Rev. Gipson
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/265/2651b2.mp3
CHORUS: I'm lookin' for that man, that man, that don't know Jesus (3 times)
I want him to sign his name.
Well, I would not be a sinner
I'll tell you the reason why,
I'm 'feared the Lord might call on me
And I wouldn't be ready to die.
CHORUS:
I wouldn't be a gambler, etc. (same as 1st stanza)
CHORUS:
I would not be a drunkard,
I'll tell you the reason why;
Some sudden pain might strike-a my heart
And I wouldn't be ready to die.
CHORUS:
CHRIST IS COMING ON THE CLOUD- Rev. Gipson
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/265/2652a3.mp3
CHORUS: Christ is coming, Christ is coming on the cloud (repeat)
Oh, spread the tidings round wherever man is found,
Christ is comin', Christ is comin' on the cloud.
Oh, they tell me every knee must bow, (repeat)
Oh, spread the tidings round whever man if found,
Christ is comin', Christ is comin' on the cloud.
Oh, they tell me every tongue shall confess, (repeat)
Oh, spread the tidings round whever man if found,
Christ is comin', Christ is comin' on the cloud.
Oh, they tell me every eye shall behold, (repeat)
Oh, spread the tidings round whever man if found,
Christ is comin', Christ is comin' on the cloud.
DO, LORD, REMEMBER ME (Titled: When my blood runs chilly and cold) (Assisted by his wife)
http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/265/2652b1.mp3
CHORUS: Do, Lord, do Lord, do remember me (3 times)
Do Lord, remember me.
When my blood runs chiller and cold, do remember me (3 times)
Do, Lord remember me.
I've got a home in Beaulah Land, outshine de sun
Outshine de sun, outshine de sun.
I've got a home in Beaulah Land, outshine de sun
Way beyond de sky.
Oh, de shoes that my God give me, outshine de sun
Outshine de sun, outshine de sun.
Oh, de shoes that my God give me, outshine de sun
Way beyond de sky.
Oh, de robe that my God give me outshine de sun, etc.
Ef you don't wear no crosses, you can't wear no crown, etc.
Oh, de crown that my God give me outshine de sun (3 times) etc.
CHORUS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merryville, La.
Fisher children,-Geraldine and Wilford Jerome--May 15, 1939
These neighbor children of Rev. Gipson sang two ring game songs:
GREEN OLD TREE, O ROCKY ROW -- ring game
Green old tree, O rocky row (repeat)
Hug and kiss her 'fore she go,
Don't give her a chance, O yes, I know.
Note: The schoolmates of the Fisher children later sang this song, but gave as the last line: Don't give a chance for her to go.
LITTLE SALLIE WALKER (a favorite game song among Southern Negroes)
Little Sallie Walker, sittin' in a saucer
A-cryin' out her eyes over half a glass o' water.
Rise, Sallie, rise, wipe yo' weepin' eyes,
Put yo' hands on yo' hips,
Let yo' backbone slip,
Shake it to the East, shake it to the West,
Shake it to the one that you love the best.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newton and Wiergate, Texas; May 15--19, 1939
Alan Lomax had urged us to go back to see Henry Truvillion and get all he had this time. We found that an order impossible to fill, so versatile is he and so varied his experiences. It was Henry Truvillion, then, and Mr. H. R. Weaver of Merryville, La., across the Texas line, that took us to East Texas.
We made Newton our headquarters for sleeping. We found Henry Truvillion's farm home on the main highway between Newton and Burkeville, closer to Burkeville though Newton, R. F. D., is his postoffice.
A few miles our from Newton we saw a neat white schoolhouse with Negro children playing in the yard. Several little girls were singing a ring game. We stopped and watched, looked up the principal and asked to interview the children about songs. The principal quickly understood our mission and soon had the entire school assembled in the largest of three classrooms. of this Liberty High School. The children responded well and sang and recorded for about an hour.
List of Liberty High School (Negro) songs. Mail address: Newton, Texas
Old Speckled Lady- Leaders: Bessie Helen Hunter, Doris Henson, Allene Simmons, group of girls
Julie Leader: Willie Mae Jones, assisted by boys and girls
Suzann Leaders: Bessie H. Hunter, Leroy McBride, Sevilla Holm Holmes
A-tisket, a-tasket-- Ella McBrise with group of girls
Billy Boy-- Bessie Hunter, Fred Hunter
Lullaby--Sweet Babe of Mine: Margie Mattox
I got to go to Judgment (Spiritual) led by Hattie McGuire
The sun didn't shine on beyanders mountain--(spiritual)-Quartet of girls
Hard Times: Rowena Knight, Mary Anne Knight, Thelma Hawthorne, Jerusha Hawthorne
Lost my han'kerchief
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newton, Texas; May 16, 1939; Liberty High School--Song Texts
OLD SPECKLED--(incomplete)
Old Speckled Lady--Too-de-loo
Fresh from the kitchen--too-de-loo
With a panful of biscuits--too-de-loo
JULIE--(Text written out by singers--)
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/265/2657a2.mp3
Hey, Julie, (hey),
Julie what the matter now (hey),
All night long through summer day (hey),
Julie run away the other day(hey),
Reckon where I found her way down yonder (hey),
A crowd of buzzards around her (hey),
Some had a knife, others had a gun(hey),
Last time I seen her Julie broke and run
I went to the river, I couldn't get across
I steaped on a aliagator and thought it was a log.
I went to the river bob (hop?0 the sue (?)
Breakfast on the table doodle-do-do.
SUZANN--
Oh Rose (Suzann)
you stole my pardner (Suzann)
Goin' git me another (Suzann)
jes' like that other (Suzann)
You Dixie devil (Suzann)
you got a foot (Suzann)
Jes' like a shevil* (Suzann)
*Shevil--shovel
A-TISKET, A-TASKET (a drop-the-handkerchief game)
A-tisket, a-tasket, a green and yellow basket
I wrote a letter to my love and on the way I dropped it;
I dropped it, I dropped it, yes, on my way I dropped it,
Sure one of you have picked it up and put it in your pocket.
It's you,- it's you,- it's you, it's you-- (Chase begins)
BILLY BOY--sung by Bessie and Fred Hunter, sister and brother, who learned this from their mother. Text varies little from the usual versions except for the addition of the following, which gives some local flavor to the song.
Can she wash a white shirt? etc.
Yes, she can wash a white shirt without leavin' a speck o' dirt.
SWEET BABE OF MINE--Lullaby: Mr. Lomax offered a quarter to any pupil who would sing a lullaby that he would record. Finally a tall awkward girl whispered that she knew a lullaby. She wouldn't sing before the crowd, but consented to go into the coat-closet where she sang the following:
Lullaby, lullaby, sweet babe of mine
Hushaby, hushaby, eat ways be thine
She must have need the quarter badly, for she was covered with confusion. She could not explain what "eat ways be thine"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newton, Texas ; Liberty High School -- cont'd. May 16, 1939
Texts of songs--
I GOT TO GO TO JUDGEMENT
I got to go to judgment to stand my trial (repeat)
I can't stay, (4 times)
THE SUN DIDN'T SHINE-Liberty High School Quartet: Knight, Rowena; Knight, Mary Anne; Hawthorne, Thelma; Hawthorne, Jerusha. Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/265/2653b2.mp3
The sun didn't shine on be-yonders mountain
Oh, the sun etc.
When my Lord was dyin' on the cross
Oh, Pilot's wife she had a dream
'Bout an innocent man she'd never seen
Bring me a bowl and let me wash my hand
I won't be guilty 'bout an innocent man.
HARD TIMES
Hard times, hard times got ev'ybody strugglin';
Not only got you, got me, O Lord
Got de rich de rich, got de pore
Got de high and low an' I don't know what to do
You can read your Bible, better not read too slow
It saw in de Bible things you need to know
You read the Revelation, chapter six and ten
You can find it in de Bible all about God and men.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newton, Texas; Liberty High School-- further notes-- May 16, 1939 ; Faculty-- Principal- S. D. Ramsey, who lives next door at teacherage. Teachers: C. W. Simmons Lida Bennett R. Coleman Hattie McGuire
Julie : Notes on.
Children arrange themselves in two lines. Clap as they sing. At Julie skip to meet partners and swing them.
OLD SPECKLED LADY
Old Speckled Lady--Shoo-lay-
Fresh (Jes') from de kitchen-Shoo-lay
Handful o' biscuits--Shoo-lay
And thimble too--Shoo-lay
Old Miss Simmons, jes' take my place.
(Jes' take my place--change partners)
LOST MY HANDKERCHIEF- a drop-the-handkerchief game
Lost my han'kerchief yestiddy
I found it today, I found it today
All muddied up and I dashed it away,
Dishma, dashma, dishma, dashma, dishma, dashma
(Begin running)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wiergate, Texas; Wiergate High School (Negro); May 16, 1939
Wiergate is the headquarters of the Wier Lumber Company, which employs many Negro workmen. While we were waiting to see some the Wier officials, we drove over to "the quarters", or Negro settlement; on the school grounds we saw a group of small girls circling around and singing. We could not catch the words. Recess was soon over. As the children were marching in, Mrs. Lomax asked one of the girls what they were playing. "Seed-tick", she replied. With the permission of the principal and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Mack, an assembly was called. The same group of little girls sang and played Seed-tick into the microphone. This was followed by others in rapid succession before the buses came to take the children to their home:
Here comes Uncle Jesse (Shake it:)--a ring game Ottie Brails Ford, leader
All around the green apple tree--Group
Ring around a rosey
Seed tick
Lost my hankerchief yestiday
London Bridge (tug o' war)--revised version
Little gal, little gal--chanted duet
Texts:
UNCLE JESSE:
Here comes Uncle Jesse a-ridin' thoo the field
And with his horse an' buggy and buckles on his heel
O come on, gal, shake it, shake it
Come on gal, shake it, shake it.
If you want a feller, I tell you what you do,
Jes' git some salt an' pepper an' put it in yo' shoe.
O come on, gal, etc.
Ring game with "gal" in center; circle marches or skips around, stopping at "come on"; and "gal" in center proceeds to "shake it".
P. S. Frank Gallaway, a ten-years old, told us he knew a lullaby that his grandmother taught him. He gave us the text, but we had to wait till 1940 to get the tune from him:
Go to sleep, got to sleep, go to sleepy, little baby
When you wake up, give you patter-cake, and roast you a sweet-pertater
See dem cows upon dat hill? Belongs to de little baby
Etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wiergate, Texas; Wiergate High School
Texts:
All 'ROUND THE GREEN APPLE TREE
All round the green apple tree
Where the grass grows so sweet
(Miss Margaret) please turn back your back
He wrote you a letter to turn back your back
So all round the green apple tree
Where the grass grows so sweet
Miss Gracie Lee, etc.
RING AROUND A ROSEY
Ring around a Rosey, pocketful o' posies
Light bread, sweet bread, squat!
Guess who she told me, tralalalala
Mr. Red was her lover, tralalalala
If you love him, hug him!
If you hate him, stomp!
SEED TICK
Seed tick's a-bitin' me ("it" in center)
Don't care, can't git outa here (players in ring)
My mamma callin' me
Don't care, etc.
Bumble bee's a-stangin' me etc.
(Player in center tries to break through ring. When he breaks through, he is chased)
Lost my han'kerchief -- a drop-the-handkerchief game.
I lost my han'kerchief yestiddy
I found it today
An' it's all full o'mud
All full o' muddy water
An' I th'owed it away, I th'owed it away.
LONDON BRIDGE
Open the gates as high as the sky
Let Saint George's horses pass by
This is the hatchet, chop (?) her over the head,
Chip, chop, cho! (victim held)
Break her neck and send her away
Send her away, send her away
Break her neck and send her away
So early in the mornin'.
Victim has chosen side, takes place-- When all players have taken sides, tug o' war follows
LITTLE GAL, LITTLE GAL -- Chanted with response. A duet
Little gal, little gal-Yes ma'am, Want to go with me?- Yes, ma'am
To Tennessee?-Yes, ma'am, Get a piece o' pie- Yes, ma'am
Did mamma whup you? Yes, Ma'am What she whup you about?
Cow got on de crossin' an' laid down an' died
Did de buzzard come? Yes, ma'am
How did he come?
(Together) To-de-flock- to-de-flu, to-de-flock to-de-flu
To-de-flock-flu
(Both players imitate flapping of wings)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merryville, La.; May 16--19, 1939; Herman R. Weaver
Mrs. Alan Lomax had told us that her uncle Herman Weaver knew many old songs and that he also knew all the old Negroes in that part of the country, ha ing been a representative for many years of lumber companies that had flourished there at the height of their prosperity. We therefore presented ourselves to Mr. Weaver, who offered us the hospitality of his home and helped us in every possible way to find singers. We used his home as our "studio". Mr. Weaver himself recorded two songs: one of special interest is the ox-driving song which he had heard his father sing. He could not recall all the stanzas for the recording, but later he sent into the Library of Congress the full text as it appears in Our Singing Country (John A. and Alan Lomax).
Ox-Driving Song: for text see: Our Singing Country
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/264/2648a2.mp3
OX-DRIVING SONG from Our Singing Country
d. No. 2648. Herman R. Weaver, Merryville, La., 1939. See Be, p. 300.
The contrast between this quietly bloodthirsty song and the others in this section typifies the contrast between Northern and Southern folk music as a whole. It has a quality of dark brooding imagination that can be found nowhere in the candidly cheerful or blatantly doleful songs of the Northern pioneer. Mr. Herman Weaver of Merryville, Louisiana, says:
"I am enclosing farts of the Ox-Driving Song as remembered by me, but it is still very incomplete. My sister thinks the town of Saludio is in Missouri or Kentucky, probably where it originated [the song). My father knew it, I thinks when he came to Texas in 1888"
1. I pop my whip, I bring the blood,
I make my leaders take the mud,
We grab the wheels and turn them round,
One long, long pull, we're on hard ground.
2 On the fourteenth day of October-o,
I hitched my team in order-o,
To drive the hills of Salud-i-o,
To my rol, to my rol, to my rideo.
Chorus: To my rol, to rol, to my rideo,
To my rol, to rol, to my rideo.
To my rideo, to my rudeo,
To my rol, to my rol, to my rideo.
3 When I got there the hills were steep,
'Twould make any tender-hearted person weep
To hear me cuss and pop my whip,
To see my oxen pull and slip. We go to church in early morn - (Text incomplete)-Learned from father.
4 When I get home I'll have revenge,
I'll land my family among my friends,
I'll bid adieu to the whip and line
And drive no more in the wintertime.
--------------------------------------------------
We go to church in early morn
When birds are singing in the trees
All day we work in de cotton
Oh, --
But our hearts are warm with gospel songs (?)
Hear dem bells, Oh, don't you hear dem gospel bells
Dey's ringing ou de glory of de Lamb.
All day we work in de cotton
Oh, see dem chariots comin' dis way
I know dey's comin' fer me.
The land I'm gwine to see.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1939 Library Report; Newton, Texas
Henry Truvillion R#1, Newton, Texas--May 16, 18, 1939
"Yessir, I knows you", said Henry Truvillion as he greeted Mr. Lomax on the porch of his East Texas farmhouse. "You come here once with your son. Yessir, I got your letter, but I didn't see no use to answer, 'cause everything's changed now; I done took to preachin'. I don't sing none o' them songs like you want no more."
"Don't you work at Wiergate any more?" "Oh, yessir, I works on a week days and I preaches on Sundays, first an' third Sundays." "And you quit singing those pretty work songs and calls?" "Oh, no, sir, they's part o' my business. I has to call de track an' all dat to git de work done. But them others, them old-fashioned plantation melods, I done had a complete change an' I don't sing dat kind no more. Us sings spirituals now, an' church hymns,- short meter, yessir, common meter an' long meter, mostly long meter."
It was late afternoon, almost dusk, "fust dark". Henry was exhausted. He and his family had just returned from the funeral of his wife's sister-in-law, her brother's wife who had left a tiny baby girl for the Truvillions to "tend". There had been sleepless nights of sitting up, with the sick woman and then with her lifeless body, and everybody was exhausted further by the long exciting funeral service.
And so Mr. Lomax did not press Henry Truvillion to promise him "worl'ly" songs, but let him relax in the cool of the front porch and ramble quietly from snatches of spirituals to comment and miniature sermon.
"'When de roll be's called in Heaven', dat's one o' my favorites," he began. "Dat's come a long way down in our family. Dat's one o' old Colonel Steppin's (Stephen?), my great grandfather on my mother's side. He used to sing it, and also my grandfather independent back in Mississippi. Did you ever hear it? It goes
'When de roll be's called in de Heaven
I'll answer to my name'.
You see, God's got a sec'etary dat keeps a list de way folks has got to go. I don't care how far down de (the) list my name is. In fact, I ain't homesick yet, an' he can jes' skip my name when he comes to it."
There was no writing down the words of the song without dispelling his mood and only a phrase here and there was caught:
"'Well, he set so high and he was so low'", and Henry commented, "He knows what he gwine do 'fore he starts." Two other spirituals he sang before we left, Ride on, Mighty Rider, and Shout on, Israelites. These songs he promised to try to sing into our microphone if we would return some evening later in the week after he had caught up with sleep and farm-work.
Henry informed Mr. Lomax that he had not spelled his name correctly on the recent letter. "It's Truvillion, not Trevillion. My father and mother couldn't read or write and they didn't know how to spell their name, but I looked it up in some kind o' dictionary and found it spelled T-r-u-v-i-double l-i-o-n,- maybe a French name, somebody told me. But I reckin I ain't no sure 'nough Frenchman, ha! ha!"
Henry Truvillion is foreman of a work gang for Wier Lumber Company, whose headquarters are at Wiergate, Texas. He was born in Mississippi where some of his family still live. He has been twice married. His only living child by his first wife is a man grown who lives in Mississippi. His present wife, a young woman who calls him "Mr. Henry", and five children, from eleven years down to one in 1939, help make his home on his farm on the highway between Newton and Burkeville, Texas, some eight miles from his work which he reaches in his substantial-looking green Ford car. Henry thinks that East Texas lumber may play out some day, and so he has "bought a little place to work and lay something by." He has a neat white house of four rooms, comfortably furnished, and he and the children cultivate vegetable garden, flowers in the front yard and an orchard. Cotton, corn and peanuts are his best crops. He keeps a good cow and raises pigs and chickens. His mules look well-fed.
And now, to supplement his regular Wier job and his farm, he has taken to preaching. Some Sundays he gets as much as seven dollars from the collection plate. When we bade him goodbye at the end of the week he requested us to send him a "Breeze-case, to carry my Bible in to church and to Conference". His wife, Oneal, is a faithful helpmeet in the church as well as at home. She is better educated than "Mr. Henry", and she and the children, as they get old enough to go to school, are fast ridding Henry's vocabulary of many of his most picturesque phrases and pronunciations. The children's names are: Jim Henry, Ruby Lee, Garfield, Dora Ruth and Modistine.
One evening later in the week we returned and set up our machine with batteries in the Truvillion living-room. We tried to persuade Henry to go with us to our hotel in Newton, where we could hitch on to electricity, but he refused. He said frankly that he was afraid, -afraid that such a visit to a white people's hotel might cause trouble for him after we were gone.
Henry gave us his spirituals very readily. We found that his wife served as a second line of defense for his conscience in the matter of singing "worl'ly songs". But after she heard the spirituals played back, she made no objections to Henry's recording his everyday work songs. Then she could see no harm in his singing the inoffensive children's songs, especially when he took Ruby Lee into his lap to help with "Mary had a red dress." Hadn't he sung her to sleep with it many a night? "From then on out" Henry relaxed and let his mind slip back, "way back yander", to his childhood days in Mississippi on through his varied experiences of work and amusement, prompted now and then by a discreetly quiet but leading question from Mr. Lomax. Some of his explanations and comments which we tried to record are as interesting as the songs. There had been some battery trouble, calling for a trip to Wiergate for a mechanic, and midnight overtook us with Henry still recalling fresh songs and fresh stories.
In his early childhood Henry followes the plow, cut and hauled wood, chopped and picked cotton. But for forty years, since he was thirteen, he has worked mainly on the railroad. The first railroad that he worked for "regular" was "the I.C. mainline". His first boss on the I.C. was W.L. Renfrew; "For I-couldn't-hardly count-the-years, I stayed bent down with a white man over me." He has done all kinds of railroad work in his time, and he can tell them off on his fingers: "first, gradin' in the levee camp, now called gradin' camp; then up an' down the river on a cotton boat, cuttin' willow an' makin' mats for holes in the levee an' placin' 'em. Made a dollar a day cuttin' willow, a mean, tedjous job." After that he did "river world, a little too killin'", he said. Then s ome work around town. "Spent twelve years, 'bout, wid de shevil (shovel)". When he quit the mainline, he "went on the Northfield Lumber Company."
For the past twenty-four years, he estimated, "or a little wusser", he has worked in East Texas and Western Louisiana. He has worked for the Wier Lumber Company nineteen years, "track-layin', steel-layin', (spikin'), track-linin' (straightenin')". He became lead-spiker and later boss. He and his gang spend most of their time building temporary track for timber-cutting gangs and timber-hauling trains.
Henry Truvillion's mind is stored with facts about his experiences, his work- and play- mates, his bosses, from which he draws the many details of fact and incident that come out in his songs. For a half hour at a time he can reel off names and characterstics of bosses, engineers and other railroad and company officials of present and past decades. He did not make it clear just when he helped load cotton on river-boats, but details of the work show up in his songs that only a roustabout would know.
Texts of his songs and calls, as well as his recorded conversation, are very scrappy and incomplete; first, because the vocabulary of gang work songs is foreign to the uninitiated, and, again, because Henry's amazing performance fascinated his listeners and made them forget the mundane task of writing down words.
Like many another Southern Negro Henry claimed to have "Made up" John Henry. "You made it up yourself?" questioned Mr. Lomax. "Well, no, sir, not 'xactly by myself. Some other boys holp me put it together."
Henry Truvillion; List of songs recorded in 1939, May 15-18
Spirituals
I'll answer to my name (When the roll bes called in Heaven)
The Mighty Rider
Shout on, Israelites
I'm goin' lay down my life for my Lord
Work Songs
Track-lining
Tie-tamping
Steamboat-loading
Pick Song (Gravel picking)
Cornfield Song- (When you go to Memphis)
Good morning, young lady (railroad song)
Cotton picking (and hauling)
Hero or Bad Man
Riley Miller
Children's and Play Party Songs
Mary was a red bird
Shortnin' Bread
Come on, girls, and let's go a-huntin'
Walk down, Sugar Tree
Other songs
Good morning, young lady (marry a railroad man)
Crawfish song (some o' these mornin's)
Who been here since I been gone (cornfield song?)
Newton, Texas; Henry Truvillion-- Fragments of Texts
Ride on, Mighty Rider- Henry Truvillion May 16, 1939
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/265/2655a2.mp3
CHORUS: Ride on, Mighty Rider, you got de reins in yo' hands,
Well a-ride on, Mighty Rider, you got yo' reins in yo' hands.
Ride on over de mountain top with the reins in His hands,
See an', ride on over de mountain top with the reins in His hands,
CHORUS:
See an', ride on over 'bout de dancin' hall with the reins in His hands,
See an', ride on over 'bout de dancin' hall with the reins in His hands.
CHORUS:
See an', ride on down about de gamblin' shack with the reins in His hands,
See an', ride on down about de gamblin' shack with the reins in His hands.
CHORUS:
Shout on, Israelites- [Israelites, Shoutin' in the Heavens] Henry Truvillion May 16, 1939
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/265/2655b1.mp3
CHORUS: Shout on, Israelites, (dey) shoutin' in de Heaven
Shout on, Israelites, dey shoutin' in de Heaven
Dis day, de Israelites dey shoutin' in Heaven
Somewhere, de Israelites dey shoutin' in Heaven
I know, de Israelites dey shoutin' in de Heaven.
Well Moses led dem children, on down by de Red Sea side,
When de children cried Moses, did you bring us down here to die?
CHORUS: Both times, de Israelites, dey shoutin' in de Heaven
Both times, de Israelites, dey shoutin' in de Heaven
Somewhere, de Israelites dey shoutin' in Heaven
Somewhere, de Israelites dey shoutin' in Heaven.
Well Moses led dem children, down by the Red Sea shore,
Den de angels come shoutin' on de water, cryin' yonder down children go.
CHORUS: Go on, de Israelites, dey shoutin' in de Heaven
Go on, de Israelites, dey shoutin' in de Heaven
Well, was one December mornin', was about dat twenty-fifth day,
Two angels come from Heaven down and they went back singing dis song.
CHORUS: He done born, de Israelites, dey shoutin' in de Heaven
Done born, de Israelites, dey shoutin' in de Heaven
I know, de Israelites dey shoutin' in Heaven
Dis day, de Israelites dey shoutin' in....
Well, was on the twenty-fifth day of December, when Christ my Saviour was born,
Dey wrap him up in swaddlin' clothes, and den dey hold up an' kept Him warm.
CHORUS: All night, de Israelites, dey shoutin' in de Heaven
Somewhere, de Israelites, dey shoutin' in de Heaven
Dis day, de Israelites dey shoutin' in de....
Somewhere, de Israelites dey shoutin' in de Heaven.
Well just as, we was marchin', around dat wicked town
When the Son stood up and shouted, den de walls come down.
CHORUS: I shout, de Israelites, dey shoutin' in de Heaven
Shout now, de Israelites, dey shoutin' in de Heaven
Somewhere, de Israelites dey shoutin' in de Heaven
Somewhere, de Israelites dey shoutin' in de Heaven.
Well, don't you be like Pharoah's daughter, all dressed in rubies and gold
She had a diamond ring on her finger, but she died and she lost her soul.
CHORUS: Wouldn't bow, de Israelites, dey shoutin' in de Heaven
Wouldn't bow, de Israelites, dey shoutin' in de Heaven
Dis day, de Israelites dey shoutin' in de Heaven
-----------------------------------------------------
I'M GONNA LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR MY LORD-Henry Truvillion May 16, 1939
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/265/2655b2.mp3
CHORUS: I'm goin' lay down my life for my Lord
For my Lord, Lord, Lord, for my Lord, Lord, Lord,
I'm goin' lay down my life for my Lord.
Oh Satan is mad an' I am glad,
Cause he missed dat soul dat he thought he had.
CHORUS
Oh Satan is like a snake in de grass
He's always in some Christian's path.
CHORUS
Satan, is wearin' de liar's shoes,
An' if you don't mind, he's goin' slip them on you.
CHORUS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Henry Truvillion-- Texts--fragments
Steamboat Loading- Roustabout- Henry Truvillion [lyrics hard to understand- See Lomax (below)]
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/379/3799b1.mp3
Oh, oh, oh, oh, wake up sleepin' and tell your dream
I want to make you 'quainted wid two blue seams*
Oh, oh, oh oh, midnight was my cry, 'fore day was my creep
I got a pretty little girl in big New Orleans, she lives on Perdita Street.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, if your shoulder bone you know is sore, give you little sody an' turpentine,
Oh oh, poor roustabout don't have no home, make his livin' on his shoulder bone.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, I left my home in eighty-four, and I ain't never been there no mo'.
Woah, oh, I know my sweetie goin' open the door, as soon as she hear the Natchez blow.
Oh, oh, oh de Natchez up the Bayou and she done broke down,
She got her head for Memphis but she's New Orleans bound.
Oh oh oh, didn't you hear Daniel in the lion's den? Lord have mercy hear me now,
Oh, poor roustabout don't have no home, here today an' tomorrow gone.
Oh, oh, oh oh, 'fore day was my cry, midnight was my creep,
I got a sweet little girl in New Orleans, I do all I can do to see,
Oh oh oh oh, take these sacks back boys, an' leave me go,
Down the river further till there ain't no more.
* Sacks of cottonseed had two blue stripes running from bottom to top.
-------------------------
ROUSTABOUT HOLLER (see above) From Our Singing Country c. No. 2658. Henry Truvillion, Newton, Texas, 1939. Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/379/3799b1.mp3
Chanting: Now boys, we're on the steamer Natchez,
And we got to load this here cotton and cottonseed here
Before anybody can shut his eyes like he's asleep;
So we might just as well tear around
Get us a gobo apiece.
Let's go on and load this stuff, what do you say?
We're up here and got it to do.
Where you at there, you old nub-fingered nappy?
Let's hear from you, blow your horn, let's load some cotton.
1.* Oh-h-h-h, Po' roustabout don't have no home,
Makes his livin' on his shoulder bone.
2. Oh-h-h-h, Wake up, sleepy, and tell your dream,
I want to make you acquainted with the two blue seams.**
3. Oh-h-h-h, Midnight was my cry, 'fo' day was my creep,
I got a pretty little girl in big New Orleans, lives on Perdida Street.
4. Oh-h-h-h, If yo' shoulder bone gets sore this time.
Git you a little sody an' turpentine.
5. Oh-h-h-h, 1 left my home in '84,
And I ain't never been dere no more.
6. Oh-h-h-h, I know my sweetie goin' open the do',
As soon as she hear the Natchez blow.
7. Oh-h-h-h, The Natchez up the bayou an' she done broke down,
She got her head toward Memphis, but she's New-Orleans-boun'.
8. Oh-h-h-h, Did you hear Daniel in the lion den?
Lord, have mercy, hear me now.
9. Oh-h-h-h, Po' roustabout don't have no home,
Here today and tomorrow gone.
10. Oh-h-h-h, 'Fo' day was my cry, midnight was my creep,
I got a sweet little gal in big New Orleans, I does all I can to please.
11. Oh-h-h-h, Catch this here sack, boys, and leave it go,
Take her down the river further, 'cause they ain't no mo'.
** Sacks of cottonseed had two blue stripes running from bottom to top.
* This is the tune of stanza 1. Most of the remaining stanzas can be fitted to it with slight altera, tions; several must be sung as free variants on the basic pattern.
--------------------------------------------
Tie-tamping [Titled "January, February"] Henry Truvillion
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/265/2658b2.mp3
January, February, March, April an' May,
June, July, August, dem long hot summer days.
January, February, March, April an' May,
June, July, an' August, have run all dem farmers away.
O raise yo' dampers, up above yo' knees,
And have me to hold on, oh partner if you please.
O raise yo' dampers, above yo' knees,
O hitch 'em up solid, that'll keep yo' Cap'n pleased.
Oh, tamp 'em up solid, up under the rails
Oh, tamp 'em up solid an' make 'em hold dat midnight mail
Make 'em hold dat midnight mail
O Mattie, Mattie, Mattie, what yo' husband name
Ain't got no husband, I got a solid railroad man.
And his names John Henry, his names John Henry
Names John Henry, and he works out on that far plank road.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Henry Truvillion- Text fragments
Pick Song- in the gravel pit (Cap'n I'll Hide You) [Version of Take This Hammer]
http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/266/2664a2.mp3
Cap'n I'll hide you (huh!), pick I guide you (huh!)
Cap'n I'll hide-a you (huh!), pick I guide you (huh!)
In de groun' (huh), in de groun' (huh)
Cap'n a-squallin' (huh) an' dere heads a-fallin' (huh)
Cap'n a-squallin' (huh) an' dere heads a-fallin' (huh)
All roun' me (huh!) all 'roun' me (huh!)
Boys, I b'lieve I'll [go] (huh!) back to de shanty (huh!) (2x)
An' lie down (huh!), an' lie down (huh!).
If he ask you (huh) what thats de matter (huh)
You don't know, buddy (huh), you don't know (huh).
If he ask you (huh), was I runnin' (huh)
You don't know, (huh) you don't know (huh).
If he ask you (huh) where's I going to (huh)
You don't know, buddy, (huh)you don't know (huh).
I b'lieve I'll go back (huh) North Alabama (huh)
That's my home (huh), that's my home (huh)
Boys I'm a-goin' back (huh) to North Alabama (huh)
Boys I'm a-goin' back (huh) to North Alabama (huh)
That's my home (huh), that's my home (huh).
Take this hammer (huh), to the cool kind Capt'in (huh),
Tell him I'm gone (huh), tell him I'm gone (huh).
Tell 'im I'm goin' back (huh) to cool water country(huh)
That's my home (huh), that's my home (huh).
Tell 'im I'm goin' back (huh!) to my shanty (huh!) (2x)
An' lie down (huh!), an' lie down (huh!).
*If he ask you (huh) where's I going to (huh),
Tell 'im I'm gone (huh) tell 'im I'm gone (huh).
[this may be last part: *An' if he ask you (huh) what's de matter (huh)
Tell him I got too warm (huh), got too warm (huh).]
----------------------------------------------------------------
Field Song-- WHO BEEN HERE SINCE I'VE BEEN GONE [version of Sugar Babe]
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/266/2664b1.mp3
"Singin' an old song"
*Who been here since I been gone, honey,
Who been here since I been gone,
Great big nigger with his derby on, Lord.
Who's been here since I been gone, hmmm,
Who's been here since I been gone,
Pretty little girl with a red dress on, hmmm.
Jumped on the dummy didn't have no fare, babe
Jumped on the dummy didn't have no fare, sugar babe
Jumped on the dummy didn't have no fare,
Conductor asked me what I was doin' on there.
Walked uptown with my hat in my hand
Walked uptown with my hat in my hand, baby
Jumped on the dummy didn't have no fare,
"Good mornin' judge, I done killed a man."
[That's] all right if you call dat gone
That's all right if you call dat gone
That's all right if you call dat gone
All right, if you call that gone.
Jumped on the dummy didn't have no fare, Lawd
Jumped on the dummy didn't have no fare, Lordy.
Jumped on the dummy didn't have no fare,
Conductor grabbed me by my hair, Lawd.
Got up in the mornin' with my hat in my hand
Got up in the mornin' my hat in my hand, baby
Got up this mornin' my hat in my hand,
"Good mornin' judge, done killed a man."
That's all right if you call dat gone
That's all right if you call dat gone
That's all right if you call dat gone
Some o' these mornin's I'll be gone, Lord
Talkin' 'bout women on de I.C. road, boys,
Talkin' 'bout women on de I.C. road, boys.
Talkin' 'bout women on de I.C. road,
Hope to goodness you pay my toll, Lord.
Talkin 'bout the women on de I.C. road, boys,
Talkin' 'bout the women on de I.C. road, boys,
Talk about the women on de I.C. road, boys,
I've got one that's dressed in gold.
*First two stanzas are missing the repeated first line.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Come on, Girls, And Let's Go to Huntin'-- children's song; "Dat's back yander!" laughed Henry when he heard this song of his childhood played back to him. (sung to fiddle tune Sally Goodin)
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/266/2662a2.mp3
Come on, girls, and let's go to huntin' (repeat 2X)
Dog in the woods an' he done see somethin'. (repeat 2X)
Your dog bark he don't see nothin' (repeat 2X)
My dog bark an' he done treed somethin'. (repeat 2X)
Come on, girls, and let's go to huntin' (repeat 1X)
Dog in the woods an' he done see somethin' (repeat 1X)
Raccoon up a gumstump, 'possum in a holler (repeat 2X)
Rabbit give a *back-back, stole a half a dollar (repeat 2X)
Woods is wet, roads is muddy, (repeat 1X)
I'm so drunk dat I can't stand steady (repeat 2X)
*buck-back
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Henry Truvillion-- Text fragments
Cornfield Song- Have you ever been to Memphis?
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/266/2662a1.mp3
When you go to Memphis, don't hang around,
* Put you in de work-huse, give you 'leven an' twenty-nine, 'leven an' twenty-nine, 'leven an' twenty-nine.
Have you ever-oh- in yo' life
Took a bad woman for yo' wife, for yo' wife, for yo' wife.
Oh, my daddy's oh- settin' in de grass
'Long come a elephant an' made him laugh, made him laugh, made him laugh.
Me an' my pardner an' two or three mo'
Jumped in de river an' stopped de boat, stopped de boat, stopped de boat.
Have you ever, oh, in yo' life
Went to Memphis an' stayed all night, stayed all night, stayed all night?
Boys, have you ever, oh, in yo' life
Went to New Orleans an' stayed all night, stayed all night, stayed all night?
(*'Leven months an' twenty-nine days is what dey used to give you for dead-headin' through Memphis")
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Additional lyrics for last song- not on recording:
Long-hai red Ada an' curly-haired Rose,
Prettiest two women in de worl' I knows.
Jes' keep a-griemin' an' jes' keep a-cryin'
Makes me think 'bout the 'leven-twenty-nine.*
*(See note above)
-------------------------------------------------------------
MARY WAS A RED BIRD- Sung by Henry and Ruby Lee Truvillion, Newton, Texas, May, 1939. A song for children. Henry took his little girl Ruby Lee, into his knee to help him sing this song. He made this remark: "This was sung in slavery times, 1845, by my great grandfather, Colonel Steppin (?) on down through my grandfather and mother, on down to Henry Truvillion and Ruby Lee Truvillion.
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/266/2662b1.mp3
Mary wore her red dress, red dress, red dress
Mary wore her red dress all day long.
Mary wore her red hat, red hat, red hat,
Mary wore her red hat all day long.
Mary wore her red shoes, etc....
Mary wore her red gloves, etc....
Mary made a red cake, etc....
Where'd you git yo' shoes f'um, etc....
Got 'em f'um de dry goods, etc....
Where'd you git yo' butter f'um, etc....
Got it f'um de groc'y, etc....
Where'd you git yo' gloves f'um, etc....
Got 'em f'um de dry goods, etc....
Mary was a red bird, etc....
("If the baby don't go to sleep, you can jes' keep on through, all the ingreements of the cake").
The climax comes in the stanza:
Mary was a red bird
also continue: Mary had a little lamb etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Henry Truvillion- Texts-fragments
Crawfish Pond- Henry Truvillion [Version of "Crawdad" "Sugar Babe"]
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/266/2662b2.mp3
*When I leave dis crawfish pond, baby,
When I leave de crawfish pond, sugar,
When I leave de crawfish pond, all dem crawfish will be gone,
**Mindy.
When I leave de crawfish pond, baby,
When I leave de crawfish pond, Mindy
When I leave de crawfish pond, all dem crawfish will be gone,
Mindy.
Git up in de mornin' wid a basket on my arm, honey
Git up in de mornin' wid a basket on my arm, honey
Git up in de mornin' wid a basket on my arm, on my way to be crawfish pond,
Baby.
If I live to see dis fall, honey
If I live to see dis fall, Mindy, Mindy
If I live to see this fall, goin' take a trip on de Cannon Ball,
Mindy.
If I live to see dis fall, Mindy,
If I live to see this fall, Mindy.
If I live to see this fall, ain't got to pick no cotton at all,
Mindy.
* first line not on recording
**Mindy; Lindy; Baby; Honey; Sugar-Babe (take your pick-haha)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Cotton Picking (and hauling) Song
Boys, de wagon's comin' down
To haul de cotton home
Come, cotton, come
I'm pickin' it by de pound.
Took old Billy up to de rack
An' beat him 'cross de head till de Cap'n got back.
Led old Billy to de water trough;
He wouldn't drink an' he wouldn't back off.
I couldn't pick cotton, I wouldn't pull (?) hay (?)
I wouldn't do nothin' dat old Marster would say.
------------------------------------------------------------------
MARRY A RAILROAD MAN- (Also titled "Good morning, young lady"): "A railroad song, 'bout marryin' a railroad man. It broke out in de country an' made de girls turn back on de country boys."
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/266/2666a2.mp3
Good mornin', young lady, come give me yo' hand,
Said she's goin to the levee Capt'in, to see her levee man.
Good mornin', young lady, where in the world you been?
Been out on the levee, with the levee man.
Young lady, when you marry, marry a railroad man,
Every day will be Sunday, Sunday with a dollar in yo' hand.
Young lady, when you marry, don't marry no farmin' man,
Every day will be Monday, Monday with a hoe handle in yo' hand
[stops singing]
Young lady, when you marry, young lady when you marry,
Young lady, when you marry, marry, don't marry no farmin' man,
Every day will be Monday, every day will be Monday,
Every day will be Monday, Monday, with a hoe handle in yo' hand.
Young lady, don't you know me, John Henry is my name,
I used to ride the local, local, but I'm jumping on the passenger train
Young lady, don't you know me, don't you know me by my name,
I used to be a water boy when they used to run the 415 train.
When you go to Vicksburg don't you hang around,
Put you in the wurkhouse, and let the train come down.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Henry Truvillion- Texts- fragments
WALK DOWN, SUGAR TREE- a playparty song- Henry Truvillion
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/266/2666b1.mp3
Walk down, walk down,
Walk down Miss Ollie, winding chain.
Can you sugar tree, I know it.
Any up an' down, sugar tree,
Any up an' down, candy,
Swing all yo' love, sugar tree
Swing all yo' love, candy.
Swing yo' love, sugar tree
Swing yo' love, candy.
Swing yo' darlin' sugar tree,
Swing yo' darlin' candy.
Swing yo' papa sugar tree,
Swing yo' papa, candy.
Swing yo' booty, sugar tree,
Swing yo' booty, candy.
All night long, sugar tree,
All night long, candy.
------------------------------------------------------------
Track-linin'- calls. A few phrases
Ev'y man like one man
Ev'y bar talkin' de same language. tuckalucka, tuckalucka
An' if you wanta have a good time on the L an' N,
G it de Thirty-nine.
Somebody ain't got no hold,
I'm goin' talk 'bout him directly.
Somebody-ooh, boys,- ain't got no hold,
Goin' call yo' name directly.
Jack Rabbit had a habit,
In de garden pickin' cabbage.
OOh, bys, somebody ain't got no hold,
An' I'll put my han' on him d'rectly.
Riley Miller (Bad Man or Hero?): Henry says that Riley Miller was not really a bad man or a bully. Men liked him pretty well, some even loved him. They wanted to make up a song about him to remember him by. This was the result. It seems to follow the "Cap'n was a bully" pattern".) Text is very fragmentary, difficult to catch. Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/266/2666b2.mp3
Mr. Riley Miller was a bully, goin' through de land
It was up in Rudolph Louisiana, and de boys called his hand.
Mr. Riley Miller was a bully in those past days,
In Rudolph, Loisiana you'll find Mr. Miller's grave.
Mr. Riley Miller was a bully with a pistol in his hand,
But old Dillwin Decker called his hand.
Mr. Riley Miller was a bully, didn't bar no man,
When he struck him with a bullet, put him in the sand.
Mr. Riley Miller was a hookin' [his] cow
But the Wouldrow brothers broke his plow.
If you don't b'lieve Mr. Riley Miller is dead,
Come, look what a hole's in Mr. Riley Miller's head.
Mr. Riley Miller is gone,.
Mr. Miller was a good man I sure did love, [him],
But, oh now he's gone home somewhere.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merryville, La.
New Zion Baptist Church, near De Ridder, La. (P.O. Knight, La.)--May 17
Mr. Weaver arranged with the deacons for a special prayer-meeting service with a view to recording some of their favorite spirituals. New Zion Baptist Church is about thirteen miles from Merryville, off the highway to De Ridder. It was a jet-black night. When we arrived at the church house, Mr. Weaver's family accompanying us, we were received in silence by the congregation, a group of about forty persons, gathered in a small building dimly lighted by a lantern and one kerosene lamp. With the help of flashlights, car lights and the strong arms of some Negro youths. we set up the machinery, including two heavy batteries and a convertor. During a half hour's delay, due to machine trouble, the crowd waited patiently; all heaved a highly audible sigh of relief, along with the Lomaxes, when the combination of machinery gave forth a satisfactory purr..
The outstanding song of the evening was Sylvester Johnson's Samson, the revised text of which is quoted on separate sheet. For complete text see:Our Singing Country-(John A. and Alan Lomax and Ruth Crawford Seeger).
Why don't you shout like youn know you bound for Glory? sung by 4 men (not an organized quartet)
Why don't you shout like you know you're bound for Glory (3times)
Got to lay down and die some day.
Why don't you sing like you know you bound for Glory (3 times)
Got to lay down and die some day.
Why don't you shout,--talk,--cry--,preach--etc.,
Ring them ding, dong bells, sung by for young girls, probably "book" song
Gonna ring them ding, dong bells of Heaven
Gonna ring them ding, dong bells of Heaven's door
I used to have a mother who used to walk and talk with me
But now she's gone to Heaven to ring them ding, dong beels of Hea / Heaven's door
I used to have a sister, etc
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEMPORARY NO.; MERRYVILLE
For full text of Samson, see Our Singing Country
Samson spiritual sung by Sylvester Johnson, leader
New Zion Baptist Church (Negro) near Merryville, La. May 17, 1939
Introduced by H.R. Weaver
New Zion Baptist Church is about thirteen miles from Merryville, La., off the highway to De Ridder. When we arrived, Mr. Weaver's family accompanying us, we were received in silence by the congregation, a group of about forty, gathered in a small building dimly lighted by a lantern and one kerosene lamp. During a half hour's delay due to machine trouble the crowd waited patiently; all heaved a sigh of relief along with the recorder when the machine gave forth a satisfact purr from the batteries.
Sylvester Johnson sang. Deli Samson, the words coming too fast for writing. He afterwards sent in a copy of the text which is typed below in his own spelling. His copy, however, runs the lines together in prose form.
Sylvester's sung version has some additional words-including some stanzas about a lion.
Deridder, La. Star R 1
5-23-39
Samson...
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/265/2659b1.mp3
Delilah was a women fine and fair
Very pleasent looking with cold black hair.
Deliiah she gained old Samson mind
When he saw the women and she look so fine.
Weather he went to Timothy I can't tell
But the daughters of Timothy pleased him well.
He replied to Father go and see
Can you get the beautiful women for me?
CHORUS: He said "And if I had my way,
He said, "And if I had my way,
He said, "And if I had my way,
I'd tear the building down."
He cried "O Lord, O Lord, Oh Lor, Lordy, Lordy Oh Lord
He cried "O Lord, O Lord, Oh Lor, Lordy, Lordy Oh Lord
CHORUS:
Stop let me tell what Sampson done
He broke in the lion's and the lion's run
It's written that Delilah killed men with the bow
But Sampson had his hands in the lion's jaw.
CHORUS:
Samson burned up a field of corn,
They looked for him but he was gone.
So many thousand had form a plot
Was not many days before he was caught.
They bond him with rope and while walking along
He looked on the ground and saw a old jaw-bone.
He moved his arms the rope poped like threads
When he got through killing three thousand were dead.
CHORUS:
Samson's mother replied to him,
"Can't you find a wife among our kin."
Samson's father said, "It'll grieve your Mother's mind
To see you marry a women of Phillistines."
CHORUS
The writer adds the following personal note to Mr. Lomax: See Over
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sir now Mr John I beg you please excuse the sheets of paper they was not any tablets at the little store where I trads but I hope you can understand this poor writing I did all a poor negro could do so now one request I ask of you would you pleas the old negro something remember you and the night you was with us I have not a good Bible its old and frail so I asking you to pleas send the old Negro one good night Sylvester Johnson (The Bible was sent at once, and a "Thankyou" note received in due time.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merryville, La.; May 17
Carry Me, Good Lord-- Text incomplete, sung by Rufus Spencer(?)
Carry me, Good Lordy, bury (bear-y?) me
Oh, yes, coming the day I arrive
'At's comin' the day I arrive, O Lordy on the day I arrive.
I'm so glad I got my religion in time
In the sound of the trumpet you may look for me
Comin' the day I arrive.
Oh, my mother, my mother,--don't grieve after me
Cause (Course?) you know--I was born to die
Oh, Lordy, Lordy, I'm so glad I got my religion in time
In the sound of the trumpet you may looke for me
Lord, comin 'the day I arrive.
Mother, Mother, don't grieve after me
Cause you know I was born to die
In the sound of the trumpet you may look for me
Comin' the day I arrive.
Oh father, father, don't etc.
Sister, sister, etc.
Home in the Rock--sung by . There was some question as to whether the singer said "Laz' rus pulled his eye" (poor as I). Everybody listened for the phrase when the song was played back. There was a moment of silence, then a man venture "Dat machine sho' bear witness to yo' position. Hit's got him jes' like he said hit!"
I got a home in dat Rock, don't you see (repeat)
I got a home in dat Rock jes' beyond de mountain top
I got a home in dat Rock, don't you see.
Old La'zus pulled his eye (poor as I), don't you see
When he's dyin' a home on high
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, don't you see
All those prophets dead an' gone, etc.
What dat yonder looks so black, Must be de children turnin' back
God showed Noah by de rainbow sign, No more water but fire next time, etc.
Bound for the Promised Land (lined hymn)-usual text except for interjection
"So glad!" and "When I can read my title clear
No mention in the skies."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2652; Merryville, La.; Merryville High School, Negro; May 18, 1939
Professor N. J. Cross, principal of the Negro high school, introduced to Mr. Lomax by H.R. Weaver, assembled his pupils in a large upstairs auditorium. Other teachers were: Georgia Gross, Ivery Lee, Herma Gilbert.. Volunteer singers were mostly boys and girls twelve to fourteen years old They probably could have given us more but lunch time interfered.
Green old tree, O rocky row-- Ring game sung by a group
Green old tree, O rocky row (repeat)
Hug and kiss her before she go,
Don't give a chance for her to go.
Di-de-oh -- playparty song with partners. "handed down in Merryville"
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/266/2665b1.mp3
Oh Miss Viola-- di-de-oh
When you goin' marry?--di-de-od
When you marry--di-de-oh
Write me a letter--di-de-oh
Seal dat letter- di-de-oh
With that letter--di-de-oh
(Break up and swing partners)
Goin' to the house, pull of yo' (My?) shoes
Goin' bless the Lord and Glory Due.
Ding-ding -- a chant -Text incomplete
I know you owe me,- ding-ding, fifteen dollars- dong ding
Rattle like silver,- ding-ding,- in yo' pocket,-ding ding
I heard it rattling,- ding-ding, silver in glory-ding-ding
May be money,- ding-ding,- I don't know,-ding-ding
Outside ????????
Old Speckled Lady- ring game- text incomplete
Old speckled, Julie, jes' from de kitchen, Julie
Panful o' biscuits, Julie, old thimble and --, Julie
Oh Miss Jewl Lee, take my place
(And game starts again)
Come on, Willie -- in-and-out-the-window ring game
Come on, Willie, sometime
Come skippin' through the window, sometime
Don't miss my window, sometime
(other motions may be played to this tune)
Goin' wind de ball, sometime, goin' wind it tight, sometime,
Goin' loose de ball, sometime, goin' loose it loose, sometime,
Goin' bounce de ball, sometime, goin' bounce it nowsometime
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merryville, La.; Merryville High School (Negro); May 18, 1939
Molly Coddle -- "funny song"-- by group of girls
Oh, Molly, Molly, you need not get spunky
To be kicked in the eye by a wicked old donkey
Wicked old donkey lived down by the mill
He ate and he ate till he kicked up his heels
He kicked up his heels when the cattle (?) ran dry
Kicked the old molly-coddle ight in the eye
Text incomplete.
Ti-yi-ya-ho -- "funny song" Geraldine and Wilford Jerome Fisher
Ti-yi-ya-ho, ti-yi-yippy, yippy-ya ???
Buster in the country eatin' collard greens,
Miss Georgia in the city eatin' cold ice-cream
Well, it's ti-yi-ya-ho, etc.
Had an old mule, his name was Jane
Took her to the trough to get a --?
Wouldn't drink water an' wouldn't back off
Ti-yi-ya-ya-ho, Ti-yi-yippy, yippy ya (repeat)
(Text incomplete and imperfect)
OLD SHIP O' ZION sung by Gentty Young Bennett, a Negro woman past middle age to whom Mr. Lomax had promised a quarter if she would come to the schoolhouse to make a recording.
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/266/2665a2.mp3
This is the old ship o' Zion
This is the old ship o' Zion
This is the old ship o' Zion
Git on board, git on board.
It have landed many a thousand, etc
It have landed my old mother, etc.
Ain't no danger in dis vessel, etc.
It have landed many a thousand, etc
It have landed my old father, etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merryville, La.
Will Lee-- "John the Baptist"; May 18, 1939
Mr. Weaver brought Will Lee into Merryville from his farm home near Rose Pine, La. Will Lee is old and worn and toothless, formerly a successful preacher, hence his nickname "John the Baptist". In his phrases and quaint manner of singing he is as primitive as Uncle Rich Brown of Alabama. When he heard his first song played back to him, he looked doubtful and mystified at first, then pleased, and he exclaimed: "I called dat:" Later: "Dat machine got better voice than me. Lost all my teef outa my mouf." When his prayer was played back to him he commented: "It act jes' like me." Two of his phrases are especially interesting: "Land of purple day", equally as desirable to in prospect as "land of perfect day"; and, from his prayer, "yo' handmade servant", perhaps for "your handmaiden and servant(?)"
Prodigal Son, or I believe I'll go back home- Text incomplete
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/266/2660a2.mp3
I b'lieve I'll go back home (repeat)
Eat like a hired hand.
Oh, in the foreign land, way in de forest land
I kep' eatin', eatin' o' de hus' o' swine
Once lost, now I'm found I b'lieve etc.
In my father's house are many children
My son once lost, now found
Go git a diamond ring,
Go kill dat fatted calf
Go git a diamond ring on yo' finger
He was lost but now was found.
I b'lieve I'll go back home.
Purple Day (Bye and Bye or Land o' Purple Day) - Text incomplete
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/266/2660b1.mp3
Bye an' bye, Lord, when de mornin' come
All dem saints gwine to gather home,
We will tell the story how we overcome
We will understand it better, bye an' bye.
In dat land o' purple day
We will roll de stone away
We will understand it better bye an' bye.
Bye an' bye, Lord, when de mornin' come, etc.
Prayer- No text. "Do you pray in public?" "Yessir, I can pray at any time."
Excerpt: "Lord, we come before you dis ev'ning as a empty pitcher
before de founting."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merryville, La.; Sarah Whitman; May 18
Mrs. Whitman was a member of a WPA sewing group with headquarters in the same building with Mr. Weaver's office. She recorded this Fox Hunting song at her noon recess. She heard her father and grandfather sing it:
Fox-Hunting Song
Come, all you jolly hunters who wish to hunt a fox
Who wish to hunt Boll Riner amongst the hills and rocks,
With a high tan-tiffie and a tooting o roogle-doodle-die-o
Through the woods we go, my boys, through the woods we go.
When we come to find her we chased her all around
With a high tan tiffie and a roogle doodle doodle
Through the woods we go, my boys, through the woods we go.
We chased the fox around and a round
And the hounds went Rah Rah BowBow
With a tan tan diffie and a roogle die-o doodle
Through the woods we go,
Little Gal Ma'am--sung by Mrs. Whitman. No text at hand.
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/266/2667b2.mp3
Little gal ma'am
Did you wash them dishes? yes ma'am
Section 14: Cummins State Farm, near Varner, Arkansas; May 20-21
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Varner, Arkansas; Cummins State Farm; May 20--21, 1939
Superintendent Reed of the Cummins State Farm was busy receiving new inmates,-white men who crawled out of the "bus" under guard just as we drove up to the office. Mr. Lomax's conference with the office was only long enough to explain his mission, and present his letter of introduction from the Governor of Texas, get permission to proceed and get necessary information about the location of camps and the names of some of the captains. Captain Acklin, who, it seems was in general charge of the Negro farm workers, offered us a bed for the night and breakfast. We went at once to Camp #6, where Mr. Lomax had previously found some songs. There we found Captain Allen in charge, who came riding up from his inspection of the fields and recognized Mr. Lomax at once. Cap'n Allen had formerly been in charge of a camp near Little Rock where Mr. Lomax had recorded previously. It was he whose wife complained that she was kept busy repairing the right armhole of his shirts, which tore loose when he flogged the boys in the field when they slackened work. On this occasion Captain Allen seemed glad to see somebody from Texas and his family also seemed glad of a diversion. After a bountiful supper we, the Lomaxes, the Allens and some guests adjourned to the Negro barracks. By the aid of kerosene lamps and flash-lights we set up the machine. Through the bars, Mr Lomax explained to the boys the purpose of his trip and what kind of songs he wished to record. He asked for volunteers. After several rejections, big fellow timidly offered a children's song, which proved good enough to start on anyway: Mary Mack. This Mary Mack proved to be was entirely different from other Mary Macks, at least after "buttons up and down her back.", and even there she had only "three or four" instead of 24.
At any rate "Mary Mack" had opened the bars of the barracks for Willie Williams, and we saw that he was doing his best to think up other songs that might delay his recommitment to the barracks. "Yes, he knew other songs, but couldn't git 'em togather just then." Mr. Lomax appealed to the other boys, "What have you boys heard him sing? Help him out here." "Sing Jody Grand, Garmouth", one of the boys called. He grinned, nodded his head opened his "garmouth" and sang: "Oh-oh, dey calls me Jody Grand",-a first-class mule-driving song which Garmouth uses in the field, though it was-perhaps originated on the levee. Garmouth said he was brought up on a farm, has a wife and one child, was given three years and seven months for shooting a boy.
After the songs of Willie "Garmouth" Williams were played back with the announcement of his name, other boys crowded up to the bars to offer their songs.. Blues were particularly popular, "sorrow songs", as one of the boys called them,- Milk Cow Blues, Corn Field Blues, Osceola Blues, Levee Cap Hollers,, even Po' Laz'us and Boll Weevil, and & spirituals The Captain had been generous in letting us stay past nine o'clock. It was Saturday night and the boys could catch up with their sleep the next day, but the kerosene lamps were burning low and we were packing up to go when a big fellow, one of the quartet who had sung a lined hymn, offered to sing John Henry hesitatingly "I don't reckon you'd want John Henry, would you? I guess you already got that."/Mr. Lomax asked for a sample of his version; this head-rider, Arthur Bell, had sung only threelines:
Well, every Monday morning when the blue birds begin to sing,
You can hear those hammers a mile or more
You can hear John Henry's hammer ring--
when Mr. Lomax called excitedly, "Wait there! Get you a hammer ready, and start back at the beginning." Obediently and quietly, Arthur picked up a "billy", which as a "trusty" head-rider he was allowed to use in the field, tried it out on the barrack bars, nodded, and at Mr. Lomax's "Ready", started in agains"
"Every Monday Morning when the blue birds began to sing"--and on through an interesting version of John Henry, which appears in full in Our Singing Country. The closing stanza sings:
JOHN HENRY- Arthur Bell [text incomplete]
http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/266/2668b1.mp3
Well, every Monday morning when the bluebirds begin to sing,
You can hear those hammers a mile or more
You can hear John Henry's hammer ring, oh Lordy
Hear John Henry's hammer ring.
They taken him to Washington and they buried him in the sand
People from the East and people from the West
Come to see that steel-driving man, oh Lordy
See that steel-driving man.
Some say he come from England, some say he come from Spain,
But I say he wann't nothin' but a Louisiana Nigger
Just a leader of a steel-driving gang, oh Lordy,
Leader of a steel-driving gang.
Just a week or so after we made these recordings a storm blew down the barracks of Camp #65. We read in a newspaper that two of the boys who tried to get away in the darkness were overtaken by the hounds and were shot when they refused to surrender. Others were captured. We hadn't the heart to enquire whether Arthur Bell and "Garmouth", the are among the dead or the missing, or are still singing their JohnrHenry and shouting their "Git up, Red" and "Gee, Bill" in the fields.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cummins State Farm, Camp #65; Texts of songs -incomplete.
MARY MACK, MARY MACK sung by Willie Williams "Garmouth"
http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/267/2670a1.mp3
Mary Mack, dressed in black
Three or four buttons up an' down her back
Tip-hi-toe, high an' low,
Give her a kick an' away she go.
Mamma said pick dat cotton,
Papa said de bolls all rotten;
I love coffee, I love tea,
I love de pretty boys an' de boys love me.
See dat elephant jump de fence,
Jumped so high he hit de sky,
Didn't come back till de Fo'th o' July.
Joe de Grinder-
Jody of World War II
the man who got your
woman while you were in the army.
JOE DE GRINDER (Field Song) Mule-driving by "Garmouth"
http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/267/2670b1.mp3
Oh-oh, dey calls me Joe de Grinder, Oh-Oh
Oh, baby, now man
Roll on a few days longer, man, an' I'm goin' home, Baby-Git up, Red.
Oh-oh-dey calls me Joe De Grinder
Baby I aint no--neither no beggar
Jes' a pore boy, jes' a long way from home
Babe, I have nowhere to go, I have no where to go, Man,
Oh-oh-oh, my babe she quit me, quit me for some other boy (?)
Oh,, I might (don't?) want she gone
An' I hope she come back soon
Oh-oh-oh, I ask my nex' do' neighbor
Say where my woman gone
Law, don't nobody know my woman, either know her name.
MILK COW BLUES sung by Clarence Green
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/267/2670a2.mp3
As I waked up dis mornin', looked out de door
I knew my Mamma's milk-cow, baby, by the way she low.
If you see my Mamma's milk-cow, I say, ple-ease drive her home,
We don't have no milk an' butter, please, since my cow done gone.
Ef you don't quit yo' sinnin', quit yo' low-down ways.
You can preach out de Bible, you can preach out de hymn-book
Better you fall down on yo' knees an' ask de Good Lord help you,
Cause you goin' need my help some day.
I saw the woman I was lovin', she was lovin' some one else,
I know you didn't want me, when you lay down cross my bed,
Drinkin' yo' moonshine whiskey, ooh, talkin' all outa yo' head.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cummins State Farm, Camp #65
CORNFIELD HOLLER (BLUES)- "a sorrow song to make yo' heart feel sorry" sung by Abraham Powell
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/266/2663a3.mp3
I'm gwine, some day I'll be free,
You go tell my uncle to be here
I don't want to be buried in old--
I started to write a letter but I lied my pencil down
My soul struck sorrow and the tears come rollin' down
I got, one long summer to wake up
I'm tired, o' eatin' breakfast by de lantern light.
You go tell my uncle to get my mother word
I don't want to be buried--
Dey calle me Long Chain Charley but dat ain't my name
I got one long summer to wake up soon
I'm tired o' eatin' my breakfast by de light o' de moon
My heart struck sorrow and de tears come rollin' down
I started to write a letter but I lied it down
My heart struck sorrow an' de tears come rollin' down.
MILK COW BLUES--sung by Abraham Powell, learned from graphophone but modified
I know my milkcow
Ef you see my milkcow, baby,
Plee-ase drive her home to me
Put a ticket on that heifer a
And ship her COD
Say, she ain't no high yellar
She's just a little old black
She's got dat sweet milk an' butter
Dat stuff I sure do lack
???
I'm comin 'in yo' back yard, Mamma, hee-ee, one more time tonight
If you don't sicc yo' puppies on me, baby, don' let yo' bulldog bie bite
You pull down yo' window, baby, pull down yo' window blind
So yo' next do' neighbor won't hear you when you whine.
(Jailhouse Blues) OSCEOLA BLUES- Sung by Walter JR. Jones "Snow"
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/267/2670a3.mp3
Well, that town of Osceola, well, well
It's the meanest old town I know (repeat)
Boys if you ain't never been there, I neg you not to go
Well that town of Osceola it don't mean a po' man no good
Well, well, it don't mean a po' man no good.
Boy, they think you 61 Highway and they a V--8 Ford
Well, that town o' Osceola, I got it down on my list
Well, well I got it down on my list
Well, well, boys, you listen to my song
'Case I tell you how I got it fixed
Mr. C. B. Wood, he's mighty hard; Mr. Herman Spicer he got me barred
Mr. Walter Love He's a ache an' pain
An' when he arrests you, boys, it's a dirty shame.
The night I stayed in Osceola, I got up-reachin' for my shoes,
Well, well I got up-reachin' for my shoes,
Oh, baby, baby, baby, what can a po' man do?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cummins State Farm, Camp #6 5
LEVEE CAMP HOLLERS by Willie Henry Washington--Text incomplete and mixed
IF YOUR HOUSE CATCH ON FIRE Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/266/2663b1.mp3
Oh-oh-oh, if yo' house catch afire, Oh- ain't no water round,
Th'ow yo' trunk out de windo' and let her burn on down.
[Samson burned up a field o' corn
When I make one more round, Captin, you can't get 'em to go 'long
neither the walkin' boss
You can't always tell, Captin, when yo' boys goin' lay off]
I've been workin' for Mr. Charley, worked for Mr. Blair,
I wouldn't leave you, brother, for to go nowhere--Ho Jim!
Oh, don't see no fire but I'm burnin' down,
Oh-oh-oh, oh, you can always tell, Captin,
when yo' lady don't want you 'round.
I'm goin' leave my lady, give her another chance,
You can't always tell, baby, when she don't want you 'round
PO' LAZ'US sung by Charles Thomas, "Texas"; Usual text, but closes with these three stanzas:
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/267/2672a1.mp3
Laz'us' sister, well, she coma a-scremin' an' a-hollerin'
Said, my brother dead, Lord, Lordy, my brother dead.
Lazuus' mother, she never stopped her sewin'
She hung her head an' cried, O Lord, hung her head an' cried.
An' a great big engine standin' at the L and N crossin'
Headin' North, Oh Lord, headin' North.
Boll Weevil sung by Irwin Lowry and "Garmouth"; Usual text with the addition of the following:
Boll weevil taken a circle way 'round de moon
Says, Mr. Farmer, I'll be back to see you the Twenty-fifth o' June.
Says, I'll be back to see you, Mr. Farmer, the twenty-fifth o' June.
Jesus my God I know his name- spiritual, sung by quartet; Willie Henry Washington (leader), Arthur Bell, Robert Lee Robertson; Abraham Powell--Lined off first and then "Played on"
Jesus my God I know his name
His name is all my trust
He will not put my soul ashame
Or let my hope be lost.
John Henry sung by Arthur Bell-- for text see: Our Singing Country
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO NASHVILLE (Down in Alabama)- Blues sung by Arthur Bell
http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/266/2669a1.mp3
Down in Alabama,
Down in Alabama,
Down in Alabama,
Oh Lordy, I was borned and raised.
Acted a fool and come to Memphis,
Act a fool and come to Memphis
Act a fool and come to Memphis,
O Lordy, got put in jail
Is you ever been to Nashville,
O Lordy, Nashville pen,
If you don't be careful, (repeat 2x)
O Lordy, you goin' back again.
O wasn't I lucky, (repeat 2x)
O Lordy, when I got my time?
My buddy got a hunderd, (repeat 2x)
O Lordy, I got ninety nine.
Now come Corrina, (repeat 2x)
O Lordy, tryin to git me free.
She asked the Judge, (repeat 2x)
O Lordy, let my man be.
The Judge said "Go 'way, girl,"
Oh Lordy your man in de world.
She lef' away cryin',
O Lordy, 'bout her man.
I'm goin back to Memphis,
O Lordy, goin' do my time
Did you hear 'bout Buddy Rogers,
O Lordy, he got a hunderd years?
-------------------------------------------------------------
John Saw Dat Number -spiritual sung by Robert Lee Robertson, leader; Henry McKain, Willie Henry Washington, Abraham Powell; Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/266/2669b1.mp3
John he saw dat number, no man could number
John he saw dat number, no man could number
John he saw dat number, no man could number
He was walkin' up, talkin' up, comin' up before God.
My mother was in dat number, no man could number, (repeat as before)
She was walkin' up, talkin' up, comin' up before God.
My father, etc.
King Jesus, etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Varner, Ark.; Cummins State Farm, Camp #1; May 21, 1939
After we had packed up our machinery in the barracks of Camp #6, we drove to the home of Captain Acklin, about four or five miles away. There we spent the night. After breakfast the next morning, Sunday, we talked to Captain Miller who had charge of the Negro barracks of Camp #1 nearby. Trusties sat on guard with guns ready in case of a break. Other trusties helped get the men together. One trusty took our car to the farm garage to repair a tire. The convicts were very poorly dressed; in fact, proceedings had to wait until some of the men could get on more clothes when they saw a woman in the car. The Captain said that some of them had better clothes; "but", said he," Sunday is the day when the trusties in charge of clothing go around among the groups and pass out cleaner or better garments to those who appear to need them most. Some of the fellows try to look their worst. No, they don't have stripes or any other kind of uniform." Later Superintendent Reed boasted about the large balance that he had built up for the state prison system. We heard no complaint from the boys about food, and we made no comment to Supt. Reed, but we thought privately that some of that surplus might well be used for soap and for clothes to replace the rags that the boys were wearing that Sunday morning. The boys seemed fond of their immediate supervisor, Captain Miller, and requested that we let him have a six-inch record of their songs of his choosing The sons of Capt. Acklin and of Capt. Miller were interested spectators.
"Father", a big fellow who had been on the farm for several, a favorite among the boys, helped line up the singers, a bunch of whom claimed to know Rock Island Line. After several experiments with shovels and picks in an effort to get the right sound effects, a group finally recorded Rock Island Line in the mess hall where the machine was set up. For text and list of singers see later pages.
Laroy Martin, a cripple, volunteered to sing Crawdad, with a small group of assistants. When Mr. Lomax asked for game songs or children's songs, Virgil Lamb offered Long-tailed Rat, amid great guffaws of his fellows. Then Willie Johnson tried to recall a version of the Ram of Darby, though he called his version Didn't he Ramble? which he used to hear his grandfather sing. Willie, known as "Little Life" because of his sluggish movements, could not "get together" many of the stanzas. Three or four field hollers and other work songs were recorded and a quartetled by Joe Green sang some spirituals arranged by C. W. Smith, a "Reverend", who when he saw that I was writin down the names of the singers whispered to me privately: "If you goin' write down our names, write mine down' Nathaniel Hawkins! That other name, 'C. W. Smith' is jes' my hideous while I'm servin' my time out here." The quartet gate an interesting performance with the bass running up and down the whole scalewith a line while the rest "worked it over" more slowly and in greater detail. The only Bad Man Ballad was offered by Willie Rayford.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cummins State Farm, Arkansas
I DON'T DO NOBODY NOTHING- Nathaniel Hawkins
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/267/2671b1.mp3
I tries to stay out of bad company
You no I tries to save my name.
But some how in the other
the people bukes me just the same.
CHORUS: I dont do nobody nothing, Jesus,
But thay hates me just the same:
I dont do nobody nothing Jesus
But they hats me just the same.
Its among the christen family
thay that cause my hart to pain
the sinnes he dont no nothing about me
and he dont carri my name.
Yond(er) stand Sister lizer
And yond stand Sister Jone
They cant hold a holy conversation
Without them 'buking my name.
I dont do nobody nothing Jesus
and I cant tell why it is
But some how in the other
thay makes me shead thoes Brining tears.
Just let them keep on talking
this is all I have to say
I am going to put my trust in Jesus
He will give me rest some day.
I DON'T DO NOBODY NOTHIN', (see lyrics from Hawkins above) a sort of cross between a spiritual and a blues. Sung by a quartet led by C. W. Smith, called "Preacher". He it was who said that name was just his "hideous" in Arkansas, his real name being Nathaniel Hawkins.
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/267/2671b1.mp3
I don't do nobody nothin', Jesus
But they hates me just the same (repeat these two lines,) as refrain
Oh, well, well, it's among that Christian family
They (that?) cause my heart to pain
The sinner he don't know nothin' 'bout me
He don't carry my name;
Oh, well, I tries to stay outa bad company,
You knows I try to save my name;
But somehow or other, O Lord, they' bukes me jes' the same.
Oh, well, yonder stands Sister Liza and yonder stands Sister Jane,
Weel they can't hold all they conversation, 'thout they 'bukin' my name.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cummins State Farm, Camp #1 Texts
Rock Island Line, sung by C. A. Story, Joe Battle (leader), Willie Johnson, John Denny, George Jones, Joe Green; Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/267/2671a1.mp3
Text as usual with the following couplet inserted:
Oh, we got engineers and firemen too,
Oh, we got pullman porter and brakemen too.
Joe Green's laugh, special recording was made of Joe's hearty laugh.
CRAWDAD sung by group, led by Leroy Martin
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/267/2671a2.mp3
What you goin do when de lake gones dry, Honey? Lawd, Lawd
What you goin do when de lake gones dry, Babe?
What you goin do when de lake gones dry, sit on de bank an' watch de crawdads die,
Honey, Oh babe, Oh mine.
What did the hen-duck say to the drake, etc
Ain't no crawdad in that lake
Sell my crawdads three for a dime, etc.
Would sell more but they ain't none o' mine.
Long-tailed Rat -- ring game song, by Virgil Lamb
Long-tailed rat an' short-tailed mouse,
Aint very fer to de white folks house
Little piece o' lean, a little piece o' fat
White folks grumble whrn you eat all o' that.
DIDN'T HE RAMBLE? sung by Willie Johnson "Little Life" learned from grandfather
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/267/2671b2.mp3
Sheep upon the hillside traveling very slow
I put my dog on top o' him and finally made him go.
CHORUS: Well, didn't he ramble,
Will he ramble till them butchers cut him down
De wool upon dat sheepes back rech down to de groun';
De devil stole a stran of it to make his wife a gown.
CHORUS:
Wool upon the sheepses back reach towards de moon
Man went up in Ginuary (January) an' he never come back till June
CHORUS:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cummins State Farm, Camp#1 --Texts cont'd.
Field Hollers-Yonder comes dat ole evil Sergeant (Serpent) by Frank Brown
Listen (Alexander williams) : http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/267/2677a1.mp3
Listen: Frank Brown: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/267/2671b3.mp3
Yon comes dat ole evil Sergeant (serpent), gonna number us all
Ev'y day dat I roll, pardner, sick enough to die
Go 'way, Sergeant, an' leave me 'lone
I'm gonna do better from dis day.
I'm gonna roll so studdy an' roll so long
Lookout boys I go to go.
Boys, I'm gonna write to dat ole Gov'ner and tell him cut-a my time
(Look out, Oh Sir)--
The way I'm feelin' gonna lose my mind.
Field Hollers- I got twenty-one summers by Jose Smith
I got a wife an' baby waitin' fer me
Tell her I got twenty-one summers, I won't never go free
(Note: in practicing before recording he gave: "she can't depend on me")
I got twenty-one summers most too long
Got me rollin' down an' I can't go home.
Spoken: (I'm gone, man; which way, boys? Down through there)
I got twenty-one summers, I won't ever go free
Spoken: (Where? right down there on that--)
I got a woman in Louisiana lookin' out for me.
Field Hollers- Cap'n keep on hollerin' by Lonnie Stegall "Stick Horse"
Oh, Oh, Captin keep on hollerin', Hurry
Goin' take my time
Spoken: (Godamighty, yonder he comes? Where? Right there.)
Captin say, Hurry, Boss say, Run;
Got two or three notions can't do nary one.
Oh, if you see Vandella, tell her this for me,
Got a long holdover and never go free.
Spoken: (Old Two-spotrgone away from here now. We got to go, pardner)
Jes' rock the baby, rock him on yo' knee,
Ev'y time he cries, Good Godamighty, won't you think o' me
Don't nobody has trouble like a convict-man
Trouble when I lays down, trouble when I rise, Oh pardner.
Field Holler- by Roosevelt Hudson "Giant" Text very incom plete
Hip (?) up, joe Green, I'm waitin' on you
Oh Lordy--
Oh, Lordy, at night I try to take my rest
I take a notion to travel out West
If I had it I would eat it raw
Wouldn't have to cook it, I take it all so.
Field Holler and blues- by Eugene Shelton- Text fragmentary -Stole good business
Hannah, Hannah, won't you open this do'
I got you some mo' dresses--
Stick 'em up--
I stole dat jewels, silks an' satin
Standin' hollerin' cryin' Let go
I stole good business 'cause I got to work for you.
If I hada knowed like I do, I would not been here a-workin' for yo
Because you believe in workin'
Boys, I'm sorry that I done wrong I stole that rooster 'cause he's away from home
'Cause he stole, good business
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cummins State Farm, Camp #1- Texts cont'd
Field Hollers- The way I'm lookin' is the way I'm goin 'by R. C. Haines; Text very fragmentary
I said, the way I'm lookin', boys, is the way I'm goin'
Boys, I got a few more days, boys (repeat)
I done wore (Work?) down my time away
(There's de Cap'n. Where? There on a iron-grey horse mare)
There's de Captin on a iron-grey mare
The ways I'm lookin' is de way I'm goin'.
My mind don't lead me, boys, the way I'm goin'
(The re. Where's de Cap'n--
Look out, Shaw, dat truck --up there
I used to weigh two hunderd, boys, down to skin an' bones
She used to be my woman, look who's got her now.
MAKES A LONG TIME MAN FEEL BAD-Prison Blues- sung by
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/264/2641b2.mp3
[Listen: VERSION 2 (not theese lyrics) http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/267/2679b1.mp3
It makes a long-time man feel bad (repeat twice)
It's de worst old feelin' that I ever had
My mother she won't write to me
She won't write no letter, she won't send no word
It makes a long-time man feel bad,
Jes' workin' my way back home.
Alberta she won't write to me
She won't write nor neither send me word
That makes a long-time man feel bad
Lord I had a fine gal one time
Workin' my way back home
Most sho'ly my mother must be dead.
She won't write me no letter, she won't send me no word
Lord, it makes a long-time man feel bad.
Well, I had five gals at one time,
I wrote till I wrote myself down.
Rattle, section- group led by "Father" Howard
Rattle, rattle, section
Oh, rattle, rattle, crew
Oh, the Captin gettin' rattly rattly,
You know I goin' rat some too.
Work song- Went up on the mountain, by group
Went up on the mountain, Oh Lordy, Lord
Looked at the risin' sun, hey, hey, hey
She was makin' her way back, O Lordy, Lord, to Western Arizone, hey, hey, hey
Oh, well, the streets so muddy, it's still pourin' down rain
My easy rider tryin' to quit me, I love her jes' the same.
Oh, well, I telephon ed to Heaven, see were my rider there,
She got three gold teeth and long balck curly hair.
Well, hit ain't yo' prospect, hit ain't yo' teeth an' ways,
Hit's jes' the way you treat yo' daddy, just a wife for a day, hey hey
Just a while befo the break o' day, hey, hey
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cummins State Farm, Camp #1-Texts cont'd
Bad Man Ballad-- Wille Payford- Cf. Mississippi Bad Man Ballad, recorded in 1933. [related "Little Sadie"]
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/259/2591b2.mp3
Late last night when I was on my round,
I overtook a woman an' I knocked her down.
I knocked her down and I went to bed
With my gun under my po' head.
Begin to think what I had done,
Shot the po' woman an' away I run.
Made a good run but I run too slow,
Overtaken me in Jericho
I was standin' on a corner, readin' a bill,
Up come a man from Thompson Hill,
Say, young man, ain't yo' name Lee Brown,
Ain't you the guy that shot the po' woman down?
Oh yes, Oh yes, my name is Lee,
If you have a warrant, please read it to me.
When Imwas arrested I was dressed in black
Put me on the train and they brought me back
Kansas City Southern and the Concord rail?
Bound me over in the Paris jail,?
I had no one to go my bail.?
See the old judge when he moved around
See the old judge when he picked up his pen,
Forty-four years in the lonesome pen
That's forty-four years that I got to spend.
Say, young man, take my advice,
Don't you ne ver take a po' woman's life.
Lord, don't turn your child away- hymn, sung by Jubilee Quartet: Joe Green, leader, George Jones, bass, Chester Williams, Leroy Martin; Rev. "Preacher' Nathaniel Hawkins assisted in arranging.
Lord, don't turn your child away
Lord don't drive me away
Because I'm meek and lowdown in my heart
(Lord, I'm sorry in my heart)
Father, I stretch my hand to Thee
No other help I know
And if Thou withdraw Thyself from me
O whither shall I go?
Lord, don't turn, etc.
Sometimes I stand with folded arms
And tears come stream ing down,
But this is how I get my conscience free,
My knee-bones smote the ground.
Now, Lord, don't turn yo' child away, etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cummins State Farm- Negro Women's Camp; May 21, 1939
After lunch in the home of Captain Miller, where the cook and waiter, as in other captains' homes, wre trusties, we returned to Camp #1 to finish up our recording. Midafternoon we packed up to move on; finding Supt. Reed at home, we received his permission to interview the Negro women who were housed in the rear of the superintendent's residence under the supervision of Mrs. Reed. The girls who were interested or curious gathered into a large room which serves as a sewing room and a laundry. At first nobody knew anything. Then Mr. Lomax told them about the girls of Goree Farm in Texas. One of these Arkansas girls, who "lived in Texas but got into trouble in Arkansas for something didn' do', knew Hattie Ellis and her singing. Then the girls began to "tell on' each other. There were volunteers, too. There was not much time, for the girls had to be in their dormitory when the five o'clock bell rang, and the recorders had to hunt up lodging for the night. Some of the songs offered, we felt sure, came from the radio or from the phonograph, but in most cases these girls had changed them and improvised them to suit their own fancy and to make them their own.
Greyhound Blues sung by Lilly May Marshall
Ah, cme dat ole Greyhound reelin' an' rockin' across de road
Ah, my baby's at de station, I hate to see dat Greyhound go.
But as sho', baby, as mornin' I'll want to see you
Some day I'll have money--
Well, you used to be sugar, habe, but you ain't sweet no mo'
Did my baby stop by here, yes, he kept on by my do'
Well, I rolled an' tumbled, Babe, I cried the whole night long
When I woke this mornin' I didn't know right from wrong.
Way out on the mountains -- sung by Text incomplete
Oh, the shepherds dead and buried (repeat)
Way out on the mountains
Wonder where those shepherds gone
Oh, the shepherds laid my mother dead
Away out on the mountains, Wonder where, etc.
Can't you hear those wolves a-howlin' etc.
The shepherds laid my mother dead, etc.
Can't you see the lightnin' flashin', etc.;--hear the thunder roll
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cummins State Farm-Negro Women's Camp-- Texts cont'd
Goin' away to leave you -Blues sung by Lilly May Marshall
Goin' away to leave you, I won't be back no more (repeat)
When I come back, baby, be so long, so long.
Late last night, baby, everything was still (repeat)
Oh, I thought about my baby, tried to sneak down the hill
Oh, baby, baby, b'lieve I'm goin lose my mind
Oh, you can't fool me, ain't no need o' tryin'
Goin' 'way to leave you, baby, etc.
Oh, I goin 8 pack my suitcase and move back to the wood;
I want more lovin' so the man I love don't do em no good.
Oh well, Oh well, Oh well, oh well,
My mamma told me before I left her do',
Any time, my child, leavin' an' won't be back no mo'.
Levee Camp Blues- sung by Frances Anderson
I ain't goin' worry 'bout you no more, ain't goin' worry 'bout you
Go 'way, devil, an' leave me alone
I'm goin' do better from this day on-oh-ha-a-ha
What you goin' do, babe, hen the lake goes dry?
Goin' stay on the bank an' watch the crawdads die.
Way down in the evenin' (?)
Go 'way, devil, and Leave me 'lone,
I'm goin' do better from this day on.
Black Mare- "funny song', sung by Angie May Williams
I got a real black mare, Oh, how dat horse do run,
Oh, well she travel all night long but I can't see how it can be done.
I started to ride in the evening and I rode that horse till late
Oh, well, she traveled all night an' she never gave 'way
I bought her one gold tooth, I put a ring on her hand,
Said, Boss, that may seem funny, ues, but that stuff is here
I put streamlined shoes on her feet, I finger-waved her hair,
Oh well, boys, that may seem funny, but that gal's she's sweet.
Hush, little baby- a "pat-the-baby' song, sung by
Hush, little baby, don't you cry
Mamma's goin' give you a diamond ring
If dat diamond ring don't fit
Mamma's goin' whip yo' diddle-de-dit (spanks the baby gently)
Hush, little baby, don't you cry,
Mamma's goin' buy you a mockin'-bird
If dat mockin' bird don't sing,
Mamma's goin' whip yo' bom-bom-bing- (spanks the baby gently)
Sun gone down- Blues sung by Willie Outlaw
Sun gone down, I ain't seen my baby today
Here comes my baby, wonder what he goin' to say
Here comes my baby, he looks like he drunk again
When he gets sober, goin' ask him where he been.
Get yo' clothes, baby, 'cause you can't live here no more
Got me 'nother man an' you have to go.
Byebye, baby,
Oh, I hates to leave you but I ain't goin' even cry.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cummins State Farm, Arkansas- May, 1939.
We consider that we had rather a lucky excape from the Cummins State Farm in Arkansas; the night after we left a storm blew one of the stockades down, such as the ones in which we set up our machine to work. We are not sure whether it one of the three in which we worked. Twelve convicts escaped in the confusion and two, at latest account that we saw in the papers, were killed in trying to escape. We made some pretty good records, but even in the past two years the death rate of old songs has risen. Two or three "blues' that we recorded from Negro girls at Cummins are better than those of the farfamed Hattie of the Texas "Thirty Minutes behind the Walls' program. At Parchman we found the superintendent harrassed by personal and political problems, so that we did not tarry very long after working with two camps. Fortunately for us, rain kept the boys out of the fields so that we were able to do our work by day instead of at night.
--Letter of R.T.L. to family
Section 15: State Farm, Camp #9, near Arkansas City, Arkansas; May 22
Arkansas City, Arkansas; State Farm, Camp #9; May 22, 1939
We left the headquarters of the Arkansas state farm as soon as the women convicts had been ca led to their dormitory and we had told Supt. Reed goodbye. He gave us directions for finding a new camp, Number 9, out from Arkansas City. We bought some supper at the nearby town of Varner, but we could find no place to sleep. We followed the rough and winding highway to McGehee, Arkansas, where we found a comfortable hotel. Early next morning we started out for Camp #9. At Arkansas City we stopped for further directions. This formerly prosperous town is all bu but dead now. Newly made red-clay roads led to Camp #9 and we were thankful that it had not rained recently. Captain Burt Clayton, in charge of the camp and his wife were very gracious, inviting us to dinner and extending the noon rest period so that the boys might sing for Mr. Lomax. This camp was at that time only three months old; it was surprising how much land had been cleared and what good crops were on the way. The men were betterdressed than the men at Camp #1. They gathered under the large trees in the dormitory yard and sang and joked. One of the boys busied himself making a list of nicknames in which this camp especially seemed to abound. At a penny per nickname he earned a considerable tip. The boys were willing but no significant songs were contributed.
A partial list of nicknames current at Camp #9:
Sawmill, Big Windy, Railhead, Longbones, Little Man, Black Rider, Helena, Cool Goose (fromcrap game), Hop-an'-bow (crippled), Scasehound ("dat's his nitname"), Tang (cross-eyed, "Look Easttryin' to see West), Step-in-de-mouth (Mule stepped in hsi mouth and made it "that way"), Scabow (scabow de cotton means get along wid it right fast"), Colorado Red, Salty Dog, Garmouth, Dad, Blue, Wild Mna, Chicken, Slack Britches, Cheatem, Rooster. "Mattie" is their "pet name for an automatic"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arkansas State Farm, Camp #9, near Arkansas City-- Texts very incomplete
GOT A HOME IN YONDER CITY (I'm A Pilgrim)- spiritual led by "Helena" - Text fragments
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/267/2675a2.mp3
My God got a home up in yonder city
Where dey 'low no sinner men
My God Knows I'm--
Travelin' through this barber land (barbarous)
He have a home--
Don't you walk untrary (contrary) to God's commandments
He will see you with a constant--eye, He will save you when you come to die
God knows I'm a pillum (pilgrim) an' a stranger
Don't you walk untrary to God's commandments
Yes, Thou art a Father who live in Heaven
Hollowed be Th Holy City
My old mother got a home, etc.; my sister, brother, etc.
Some Christian woman pray for me
My God got a home up in yonder city
Where dey 'low no sinner men
God knows I'm a pillum an' a stranger
Travelin' through this barber land
Don't you walk untrary to God's commandments
He will save you when you come to die
He will you constant eye
He holds you at the Union Station
until the train arrive
TIME HAS MADE A CHANGE- spiritual by group led by "Helena"
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/267/2675b1.mp3
CHORUS: Time has made a change,
Time has made a change,
Time has made a change,
Time has made a change since I been born.
Songs we used to sing, we don't sing no more
Songs we used to sing, we don't sing no more
Songs we used to sing, we don't sing no more
Time has made a change since I been born.
Prayer we used to pray, we don't pray no more
Songs we used to pray, we don't pray no more
Songs we used to pray, we don't pray no more
Time has made a change since I been born.
CHORUS
RED ROSEY BLUES- (titled- "Rosie") sung by Hosea Smith "Blue". Learned at Parchman Miss. Pen.
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/267/2674a2.mp3 [text incomplete]
Where was you kneelin', no I, thought (I) was lost,
Around the corner, (re)member, old walking boss.
Capt'in, capt'in don't you, know my name, said that,
Since I 'rived who stole your diamond ring
O Lord, I wonder, will I ever, get back home
Lordy, get back home.
Then the Blue Ridge Mountain woulda been my home
I crawled all over the on my hands and knees
Oh, Red Rosey, Rosey, Red Rosey
Already sleepy but I won't lay down
Oh Rosey, Lord, gal (repeat)
Stick to de promise, Rosey, you made me, sayin'
Wasn't goin' marry till I got free
Go 'head marry, don't wait on me, there's a,
Lifetime sentence an' I never goin' free
Well O Lord, I wonder will I ever get back home, get back home.
O Rosey, Lord, gal, O Rosey, Lord, gal.
Do you b'lieve dat de Devil dead? (repeat)
Lay down an' die an' don't you never pray
Two or three minutes jes' before you dead
You start de Devil 'round de head o' yo' bed
Well, I wonder if I ever get back home.
Lordy, get back home
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Farm, near Arkansas City, Camp #9-- Texts cont'd
I'M STANDIN' ON THE ROCK-PILE- sung by Thos. "Rooster" Monroe, who learned in from the Florida Chain Gang; he has served sentences also in Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma.
I'm a-standin' on de rock pile wid de heavy ball an' chain
I'm a beatin' on de rock pile wid de hammer in my hand
If I hadn't been shckled down, I'd a-caught the southbound train
I'm a workin' on de railroad wid a heavy ball an' chain
If I hadn't been shackled down I'd a caught a Georgia mule.
OLE LAZ'US -- sung by Henry Dobey Text as usual except for following variations:
Oh, if I had my mattie (automatic), I'd be a desperado,
I'd be a robber too.
High Sheriff was a ranchman, he was a desperado
Deputy was a bad man, pulled dat forty-five mattie, was a robber too
Laz'us was a ranchman (?) etc.
GOT TO LAY DOWN- spiritual sung by group, led by Charles Clark and Henry Wesley
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/267/2674a1.mp3
God knows you got to, lay down,
Lay down, in some cold watery grave,
You got to, lay down,
Lay down, lay down an' die some day.
My mother got to, lay down,
Lay down in some cold watery grave,
She got to, lay down,
Lay down, lay down an' die some day.
I got to, lay down,
Lay down in some cold watery grave,
I got to, lay down,
Lay down, lay down an' die some day.
ELLA GREEN- (recording titled "Alabama Bound"- i.e. Elder Green) sung by Alf "Dad" Valentine
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/267/2673a1.mp3 [Valentine claimed to have know the song for "Forty years" dating it to the late 1890s]
Ella [Elder] Green's in town, Ella Green's in town
My sister and them caught her singin'
Alabama Bound.
Don't you leave her here, don't you leave her here,
If you miss de train an' de steamboat too
She's got a mule to ride.
Got a mule to ride, Got a mule to ride
If you miss de train an' de steamboat too
She's got a mule to ride.
Ella Green's in town, turnin' round an' round.
My sister and them caught her singin'
Alabama Bound.
GOING TO RAMBLE (My Mind Don't Change)- sung by Lewis Grigsby
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/267/2673a2.mp3
My mind don't change,
My mind don't change,
................
I'm goin' down in Old Louisiana
...............
(Hurry Gov'nor won't you cut my time)
Oh, it may be de devil, I don't know who
It may be de devil,...............
I'm goin' down in de bottom but I won't stay long.
To be a desperado when I leave from here,
Goin' down in old Louisiana where I was raised an' born,
I go a hundered, my buddy got de chair.
I'm goin' 'way, Captin, ain't you(?)
Goin' to ramble
I'm g in' down in old Louisiana and I won't stay long,
Longtime Liver goin' be my name.
Boll Weevil- sung by "Chicken Dad". Usual text with this variation:
Boll weevil, how did you grow so strong?
I been through yo' cotton, 'way back-side in (o') yo' corn.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Farm, Camp #9 -Texts cont'd
I used to have a great big woman- sung by "Cheatem"
I used to have a great big woman
She ain't nothin' but skin an' bones
The first time I win a hundred dollars
To Hot Springs she's goin' (repeat)
Dat's my woman, doctor, I want you to get her well
If you don't get my easy Doney well, doctor
I'm gonna raise some hell.
I'm goin to Newport
I'm goin' to Newport to see old Ca'line Die (?)
She's a fortune-teller an' never told a lie.
I got up this mornin', went through the hall
I peeped over the transom, saw another jack in yo' stall.
I wish to Gos I had my baby back
I'm goin' away, babe, an' it won't be long
She pack my suitcase, sot my trunk outdoors
I got up this mornin' feelin' so bad
I went down to the river, wring my hands an' cry
She didn't say nothin' but she waved her hand goodbye(?)
I went to Kneeland(?)
I went to kneeland (?), thought I was lost
I went to right hand the corner, old walkin' Boss
O Captin, O Captin, don't you know my name
Sayshe, Some old rascal stole your diamond ring(?)
O Lord, I wonder when I ever get back home, Lordy,
I lef' my home nineteen an' fo', says,
I don't know if I'm dead or no.
O Lord, I wonder what got de amtter at my home, lordy., at my home,
If I'd a-knowed I'se gonna get so long
Blue Ridge Mountains woulda been my home.
Jump in de bushes, make me break my leg,
Lord, I wonder will Iever get back home.
I got up in the mornin -Levee Camp Blues--sung by
I git up in the mornin' feelin' like I did today
I'm gonna pack my suitcase, Captin, an' make my long gitaway.
Tell me whichaway, Sergeant, the Red River run
Oh, Lord, to New York City and Louisiana Line, Louisiana line
I'm goin' down to the river before the sunshine's gone(?)
Oh. I used to work for Mr. Chamby, worked fo Mr. Rhine,
I wouldn't leave Mr. Clayton to go nowhere.
I got up this mornin' with my bad habits on
Got a letter from New York City that my best girl gone
B'lieve I got to go back to Louisiana
I wish I was a desperado
I'm one here rollin'
I know my bad woman don't think o' me
My buddy got a hunderd summers an' I got ninety-nine
I started down jes' to beat her with a forty-five mattie in my hand.
Section 16: State Farms, Parchman, Mississippi; May 23-25
2675; 2678; 2681; 2676; 2679; 2677; 2680; 3557;
Parchman, Miss. - State Farms, Camps #10 and #1. May 23, 24, 1939
We left Camp #9 of the Arkansas state farm about 2 o'clock and spent the night at Greenville, Mississippi, across the Mississippi River. It wasma stormy night; much damage was done by the wind and rain, but the next morning we had clear weather for our drive to Parchman. Mr. Lomax had made his first recording visit to Parchman in 1933. We could not see the Superintendent when we first arrived, but his assistant gave permission for us to visit Camp #10. Rain had set in and the boys could not work. We set up the machine in the wide hall of the barracks, that separates the white dormitory from the Negroes. (A high barbed wire fence surrounds the barracks.) Singers were not plentiful or enthusiastic, but we recorded a few tunes before the rain subsided enough for the boys to chop wood and do other light jobs around the barracks. In the evening we tried again with fair results. We discovered that one barrier was the idea that we were there to make money out of the boys without "divvying-up". This they were told by one of the boys who had made some commercial records. After Mr. Lomax made it clear to them the prupose of the recording and the use to-which their songs would serve, they were more generous, and helpful.
The next day, Sunday, after lunch we visited Camp #1. Several of the there remembered Mr. Lomax, among them Big Charlie Butler the gateman. They were all more willing, but they had very few interesting songs of which we did not already have more interesting versions. Monday morning we kept an engagement at the women's camp, but the women were at their laundry work and we made no recordings. After bidding Parchman officials goodbye, we set out for Livingston, Alabama. While working at Parchman, we made our headquarters at a small hotel in Drew, a few miles down the highway.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parchman,-Mississippi State Farms
Camp #10 -The light in the barracks hallway, where the recordings were mad made, was very poor; texts, therefore, are fragmentary. The words of such songs are difficult to catch as they are sung, and there was no opportunity to consult the singers later.
Early in the morning- an ax-cutting song, by a group of boys, who imitated the sounds of their work.
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/267/2679a1.mp3
Early in the mornin', Janie, oh, when I rise
Early in the mornin', Janie, oh, when I rise
I have a worry, oh, in my right side
I have a worry, oh, in my right side
Ain't no doctor, doctor, oh, in dat land
Ain't no doctor, doctor, oh, in dat land
...............
................
Raise 'em right,--oh, drop 'em down
Raise 'em right,--oh, drop 'em down
You, won't be worried when de sun goes down,
You, won't be worried when de sun goes down,
Already sleepin', but can't lay down.
DOLLAR MAMIE - Hoeing song, by Judge (Bootmouth) Tucker and Alex (Neighborhood) Williams -No text
http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/267/2679a2.mp3
IT MAKES A LONG-TIME MAN FEEL BAD by Johnny Smith and group
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/267/2679b1.mp3
Alberta, what have I done?
Alberta, what have I done?
Alberta, what have I done, Lawd, Lawd?
When I can't, get a letter, from home.
I ain't killed nobody, I ain't robbed no train
I ain't done no hangin' crime, Alberta, what have I done
Alberta, what have I done, Lawd, Lawd?
Alberta, what have I done
It makes a long-time man feel bad,
It makes a long-time man feel bad.
It makes a long-time man feel bad, Lawd, Lawd,
When he can't, get a letter, from home.
If you cry, about a nickel, you will die, about a dime
Alberta, what have I done? Alberta, what have I done?
Alberta, what have I done, Lawd, Lawd?
Alberta, what have I done.
It makes a long-time man feel bad,
It makes a long-time man feel bad.
It makes a long-time man feel bad, Lawd, Lawd,
When he can't, get a letter, from home.
EATON CLAN, a feud ballad, Birmingham Jail, and Lighthouse Blues were sung by Roger ("Burndown") Garrett (Garnett?)
"Burndown" gets his nickname from the charge on which he was convicted. According to his and Sergeant Connor's story, he was working for a white man who ordered him to lay kindling and spread oil around an outhouse which was insured for $250.00. Neighbors discovered the fire from the smoke. Burndown and his employer set to work to help put out the fire. Burndown was convicted of arson; his white employer's trial was postponed on an insanity plea. Burndown said he knew he oughtn't to do it, but he thought he had to obey his boss.
Po' Boy and Sick 'em dogs on were sung and played by Washington (Barrel House White, with guitar. Barrel Houses were his hangout inthe "free world". Barrel House has made some commercial records.
Yon' comes the sergeant - a field holler by Alexander (Neighborhood) Williams.
Ain't that Berta and Have you ever been to Nashville? are work songs sung by a group: Norman (Blue Steel) Smith, John Henry Jackson, Alexander (Neighborhood) Williams. Judge (Bootmouth) Tucker.
Be so glad when de sun goes down- field song by John Henry Jackson and Norman Smith.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parchman Camp 10 Camp #10
THAT PRETTY LITTLE GAL OF OLE BLACK JOE'S -not recorded; Words contributed by Sergeant Connor, one of the white wardens of Camp 10, State Farm at Parchman, Miss. He would not sing, claiming that he had no voice for singing; "music quick, like Turkey in the Straw, or more like The Little Brown Jug". "Reproduced from memory as I remember it sang by old ex-slaves during the Eighties". J. T. Connor, Parchman, Miss.
By 'n' by yo all shall see
That pretty little gal beside o' me
I went to see 'er at hite folks house
Saw a long-tail rat eating bowl o'souse
Hit 'im wid a stick, killed Sim dead
I broke dat blame-rat's blame old head
Went to de circus de show to see
Carried dat gal long side o'me
Ole Black Joe was at de circus gate
Brown eyes big as a pewter plate
It made him mad, as mad could be
To see dat gal beside o'me
We go back home by new-cut road
Dar we met wid Yankee and toad
Ever time dat toad would jump
Dat Yankee got behine a stump
By an' by you, all shall see
Ole Joe's gal beside o'me
I carried dat gal back to white folks house
We ate what's left of de bowl o' souse
Kissed dat lil gal and fixed to go
But dar at de gate stood ole Black Joe
In he hnads was a grubbin' hoe
I turned to a side, jumped de fence
An' I've not seen ole or dat gal since
I wish I had a thousand nickles an' so' hunderd dimes,
I'd give 'em all frsely if dat gal was mine
By an' by yo, all shall see
Ole Joe's gal beside o'me
"An old slave song, commonly heard just after Civil War.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2676; 2680; 3557; 2681 Parchman Mississippi- State Farm, Camp #1
ROXY sung by group of convicts with ax-cutting -Text incomplete
Roxy in Greenville but she got my mind
My own pardner tryin' to roll my time
Well,y u better come git me 'fore dey carry me home
Oh, Roxy, Roxy leave me 'lone
Well, if I call you Annie
Would come to see but you want a man too bad
'bout de good time
EARLY IN THE MORNING--sung by Hollis (Fat Head) Washington Explaining his request for practice times "I ain't ready to holler till I gits dat voice out." Text incomplete
Early in de mornin'-oh-oh- when I
Oh, marchin' to de table I find de same ole thing.
I'm goin' jump in de bushes, make 'em
Oh, I'm goin' see Willie if you kill me dead.
Yonder comes Serge ant, Lordy, they're comin' after me,
I told Alberta for to cable me.
Well. Arkansas City gonna be her train
Ain't got no home, ain't got no home but a murderer's home.
GOT A WOMAN ON THE BAYOU - sung by Ross (Po' Chance) Williams-field holler
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/267/2676b1.mp3
I got a woman up on de Bayou
She's restin' on my mind
I can't keep from dreamin', I can't keep from cryin'
I done died worryin'
Oh, she wouldn't 'low me to die,
she won't telephone
Oh, I got a woman up de Bayou, she hollerin' an' cryin'.
Oh, she workin' (makin' ?)
Oh, better come an' git me--
I got a woman on de Bayou, she hollerin' an' cryin
Oh, I love dat baby
Oh, take her down in
She don't love you, she don't love you
If I had my money an' my forty-five
big enough to die
Oh, anyway, time I start, turn me 'round
Oh, anyway, time I start, I drop on down
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parchman, Miss. State Farm- Camp #1 -Texts cont'd May 1939
IF SHE dON"T COME DE BIG BOAT by W.D. (Alabama) Stewart-Field Holler; Text incomplete
Hey, baby, I'm lookin' for a woman called Kathleen,
If she don't come on de big boat, she better not come
I'm goin' find dat baby an' cut her nappin' (?)
I want you to look at
You done packed up yo suitcase an' gone
Hey, well, O Cap'n, you mighty mean to be so green
I'm goin' an' die.
If I call dat baby, she don't come
Oh, Lord have mercy, dat won't help her none
Stayed in de Delta bottom one day too long.
DIAMOND JOE-field holler--by "Big Charlie" Butler- Texts of two recordings combined.
REFRAIN: Diamond Joe,c ome an' git-a me;
Diamond Joe, come an' git-a me,
Diamond Joe come an' git-a me,
Diamond Joe.
Ain't goin' work in de country, (nor) neither on Forest's farm
Iom gonna stay till Maybelle comes, an' she gonna call-a me home.
Went up on de ('Blieve I'll go onde) mountin to give my horn a blow,
Thought I heard Miss Maybelle say, Yonder comes-a my beau
Diamond Joe, where'd you find him, etc.
De woman I'm lovin' took de train an' gone
(Oh, my heart is lovin')
I jes' can't help it, Cap'n, can't stand it long,
I can't be contented, pardner, my doney done gone.
IT'S BETTER TO BE BORB LUCKY- holler-sung by "Big" Charlie Butler-Text incomplete
Oh, wasn't I lucky when I got my time
Babe, I didn't git a hundred, got-a ninety-nine
Ninety-nine years ain't no time at all
Oh, there's many a rollin' Captain dat('s got more.
I,- wasn't I lucky when I got ninety-nine?
BORNED AGAIN- field holler- by Charlie Butler - Text incomplete
They said I would be borned agin
I look for my baby on de first down train
I git thinkin' 'bout her--
Oh, Lordy, trouble in mind, oh-oh, Lordy, trouble in mind
Jes' a-thinkin' 'bout her, trouble in mind
can't keep from cryin'.
BIG LEG ROSEY- sung by Frank (Gulfport) Mixon -Text very fragmentary
Oh, Rosey, hey, hey, Oh, Rosey, Big-leg Rosey
She's got so I got
Alabama Rosey gal, I seen yo' name (repeat)
Way down de river where de boat don't land
If dat aint a long time, I'd like to know,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Parchman, Miss.Camp #1 -- Texts cont'd
ROSEY--work song-by group of convicts- Text very incomplete
Oh, Rosey, Oh, gal, Lord, I wonder will I ever git back home
Better come carry me home
Lie down, devil(?), day long, leave me 'lone
Stuck his finger in
Crawfish backed back
Berta
Dollar Mamie told 'em, Dollar a yard, dollar a yard
Didn't say nothin'
Big-leg Rosey, gal, seen yo' man (repeat)
Way down de river
where de boat don't land
Boat won't round Cower Lake (?)
Golden Gate
I'm goin' home on de mornin' train
You don't see me 'gain, goin' hear me sing(?)
Everybody's down on me- sung and played by Black Eagle (9 cornet), Angie Byrd (fiddle), Ross (Po'Chance) Williams, Snowball (bass viol)
STEWBALL- sung by Ollie (Thirty Cents) Giles, W. D. (Alabama) Stewart Ross (Po' Chance) Williams, Leroy (Burnt Billy) Russell (Text not complete)
Stewball he was a race-horse an' they painted him red,
Jes' because he win dat fortune jes' before he fell daed
Fell dead, man, fell dead.
Well, ole Stewball, he was climbin' dat high hill
Dat ole Jockey looked behind him can' he spied Wild Bill
Hello, mister had a million ,gad a master apid
An dut ole Stewball eat dat blackman (?)
MOLLIE'S GONE
Mister an' marster, I am riskin' my life
I'm goin' miss this great fortune
you an' yo' wife
Down Stewball, Mollie's gone
They're a eat
Don't you wish you was there
You could-a win you a million dollars on dat ole gray mare
Dat was a great day in old Atlanta
D on't you wish you was there
You could-a win you a thousand diamonds on that diamond gray mare.
Dat ole raceptrack so dusty when wind so high
Yo' eye, man, yo' eye.
Section 17: Livingston, Alabama and vicinity; May 26-30
Livingston, Ala. May 25--30, 1939
This was our second visit to Livingston, Alabama. Hard as we had worked ourselves and Mrs. Tartt on our previous visit, we realized that we had barely scratched the surface, so far as recording the songs of the region was concerned, though Mrs. Tartt had reams of Texts written down. Mrs. Ruby Pickens Tartt was again our chief assistant, guide and ramrod. In the few days that we were working around Livingston she drove her car nearly two hundred miles, looking up singers, and bringing them to the microphone, from far and near, over hill, over dale, through mud and stream. She has the confidence of the community including the Negroes whom she has never refused help, and this was an opportunity for them to show her their appreciation. Doc Reed and Vera Hall, cousins who havesung together for many years, are her most dependables. They are good singers of the old style spirituals, are perfect in "seconding"- "following after" they call it,- and they know many songs. Not having book-learning they store in the back of their heads innumerable tunes and stanzas. Vera Hall is especially quick to "catch up" a new tune. And if they do not understand completely the text, they are ingenious in supplying substitutes, either from other spirituals or from their own feelings of the moment. These two, however, unlike old Uncle Rich Brown, do not substitute jargon; their texts mean something, if not always what the original words meant.
We missed some of the singers who had recorded for us before. Some had moved away; Richard Amerson, the unexstinguishable, was in Mississippi working in strawberry beds; Blind Jesse had "gone to his reward",--wherever he is we hope he is allowed a new "macordium" to replace his old wheezy one. Somehow a golden harp would hardly give the right background for Blind Jesse's favorite songs. Uncle Rich Brown could not be reached, out in the clay hills.
But Mrs. Tartt's new "finds", the McDonalds, Jeff Horton and the Sims Tartt group from Boys, together with our old acquaintances who were available, kept us busy for the six days.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From letter of R.T.L. to family; Livingston, Ala. - May, 1939.
Our objective in Alabama was Livingston, where we found our singers of spirituals still going strong and where our friend Mrs. Tartt, though just recovering from a siege of streptococci-throat, had rallied some new "songsters" with new songs or new versions. This time we recorded a gratifying number of play-party songs and lullabies. We could not reach the Negro church to which we started, but found another closer in, where we found the preacher holding forth on Moses. I don't know how long he had been preaching, but after about fifteen minutes he said, "I can't fool around with Moses all day, I must pass on to Jesus." About two-thirty he stopped, and then we set up our machine and caught some "mournin" songs." Next day we got a dandy record from Aunt Florida, who after singin' spirituals started on a "reel", but, breaking off in the middle, began to explain how she could not go on in sech sin. "I told de Lord that I wouldn't sin no more. Course de Lord he know I gwine sin some mo', I jes' couldn't hep sinning a little, but He know too I aint 'bleeged to sin by singin' no reels. See dem clouds? Dey's jes' a-gatherin' this minute to send fo'th de Lord's light'nin' an' strike me down. An' Miss Ruby (Mrs. Tartt) you done sin agin de Lord, too, for 'suadin' me into singin' dis reel". In reality it was no more than a ring-game song. The machine was going and as a result we have a dandy introduction to a chapter on Negro secular songs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Livingston, Alabama; Doc Reed and Vera Hall - Texts -May 26--30, 1939
Job, Job Doc Reed and Vera Hall for full text see: Our Singing Country
http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/355/3555b1.mp3
TEXT FROM OUR SINGING COUNTRY (text is slightly differnt than recording)
1. O Job, Job, (uh-huh)
Oh, what you reckin? (uh-huh)
Your children's dead. (uh-huh)
O Job, Job, {uh-huh)
Oh, what you reckin? (uh-huh)
Your servant's dead, (uh-huh)
O Job, Job, (uh-huh)
Oh, what you reckin? (uh-huh)
Your daughter's dead, (uh-huh)
Just listen at Job, (uh-huh)
What Job said, (uh-huh)
"Oh, blessed be (uh-huh)
The name of the Lord, (uh-huh)
The Lord he giveth, (uh-huh)
And the Lord take away, (uh-huh)
An' blessed be (uh-huh)
The name of the Lord. (uh-huh)
Chorus: Oh, run Mount Zion,
Run Mount Zion,
Oh, run Mount Zion in the mornin'.
2. Oh, Joshu-ay, (uh-huh)
He prayed to God (uh-huh)
To stop the sun (uh-huh)
Right on the line, (uh-huh)
An' the battle was foughten (uh-huh)
Ten seven times, (uh-huh)
Choruses:
An' the sun stop steady,
Sun stop steady,
Sun stop steady in the mornin'.
Oh, swing low, chariot,
Swing low, chariot,
Oh, swing low, chariot, in the mornin*.
I want to go to heaven,
Want to go to heaven,
Want to go to heaven in that mornin.
3 Well, Methuselah Was the oldest man,
The oldest man Ever lived on earth,
He lived nine hundred And sixty-nine,
And died and went to Heaven,
Well, in due time.
4 Joshu-ay
Was the son of Nun,
And God was with him
Until his work was done.
God opened the window
And began to look out,
The ram horn blowed
And the children did shout,
The children did shout
Till the hour of seven.
Till the walls fell down
AnJ God heard it in Heaven.
Choruses:
Ah, weep on, Mary,
Weep on, Mary,
Oh, weep on, Mary, in the mornin'
Oh, mourn on, Marthy,
Mourn on, Marthy,
Oh, mourn on, Marthy, in the mornin'.
JOHN DONE SAW THAT NUMBER- Doc Reed and Vera Hall --for full text see: Our Singing Country
http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/268/2685b1.mp3
John done saw that number.
Way in the middle of the air,
John done saw that number,
Way in the middle of the air.
CHORUS: Cry'n', "Holy, Lord,"
Cry'n', "Holy, Lord,"
Cry'n', "Holy, my Lord,"
Cry'n', "Holy." [REPEAT BOTH]
[see below, text]
TEXT: Our Singing Country [different than the recording here]
SUNG:
1. John done saw that number.
Way in the middle of the air,
John done saw that number,
Way in the middle of the air.
2. John couldn't read it, Lord,
John couldn't read it, Lord,
John couldn't read it, my Lord,
John couldn't read it.
CHANTED:
3. See, see, see, man, read,
Read the Revelation,
Third chapter, third verse,
And there you'll find it there;
There was a man of the Pharisees,
Named Nicodemus, ruler the Jews,
Same came to him by night,
Says, "No man can do these mi'acles
Except God be with him there."
SUNG:
4. Cry'n', "Holy, Lord,"
Cry'n', "Holy, Lord,"
Cry'n', "Holy, my Lord,"
Cry'n', "Holy."
5. John couldn't read it, Lord,
John couldn't read it, Lord,
John couldn't read it, my Lord,
John couldn't read it.
Chanted:
6. There was a beast came out of the sea
Havin' ten horns and ten crowns,
On his horns was a-written blaspheme—
Sung:
7. Weep like a willow, mourn like a dove,
You can't get to heaven 'thout you go by love.
8. John saw that number.
Way in the middle of the air,
John saw that number,
Way in the middle of the air.
9. John couldn't read it, Lord,
John couldn't read it, Lord,
John couldn't read it, my Lord,
John couldn't read it.
10. Cry'n', "Holy, Lord,"
Cry'n', "Holy, Lord,"
Cry'n', "Holy, my Lord,"
Cry'n', "Holy."
Chanted:
11. God told the angel,
"Go down, see 'bout old John."
Angel flew from the bottom of the pit,
Gathered the sun all in her fist
Gathered the moon all 'round her wrist;
Gathered the stars all under her feet;
Gathered the wind all 'round her waist.
Sung:
12. Cry'n', "Holy, Lord,"
Cry'n', "Holy, Lord,"
Cry'n', "Holy, my Lord,"
Cry'n', "Holy."
13. John couldn't read it, Lord,
John couldn't read it, Lord,
John couldn't read it, my Lord,
John couldn't read it.
ONE MORNING SOON (Heard De Angels Singin')sung by Doc Reed, Vera Hall and Albert Allison
http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/268/2685a2.mp3
One morning soon, one mornin' soon, one mornin' soon I heard de angels singin'
Singin' good news, etc
Down on my knees, etc
All 'round my room, etc.
Jes' befo' day, etc.
JESUS, THE MAN I LONG TO KNOW- lined hymn, Doc Reed and Vera Hall
http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/268/2686a1.mp3
Jesus, the man I long to know (repeat each line with vocal ad libs)
Pray, tell me where he dwell
Go down search among de flowers
Perhaps you find him there
Oh, if I see him how will I know him?
He has a wounded side.
WHEN I CAN READ MY TITLE CLEAR- long meter hymn, -lined. Usual text
Variation: When I can read my title clear, no mention in the sky.
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/268/2686a2.mp3
PO' SINNER, FARE YOU WELL -- a baptizing song
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/268/2686b1.mp3
Take po' mourners by de hand, (3 times)
Po' sinner, fare you well.
Gwine down to de waters, fare you well etc.
A starry crown, I'm bound to wear
Long white robe, I am bound to wear
Dem golden slippers, I am bound to wear
A gold waistband, I am bound to wear
Gwine down to de waters, fare you well
Hosiana fan(?) I'm bound to fan (?)
HE BELIEVE THAT HAVE AN EVERLASTIN' HOME- Text incomplete
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/268/2686b2.mp3
CHORUS: He that believe have an everlasting home
He that believe on the Father an' the son, have an everlastin' home.
*Listen, no other help I know--have an everlasting home
Oh let the One in Heaven know, have an everlastin' home.
CHORUS:
I'm sometimes up an' I'm sometimes down, have an everlasting home
I'm sometimes almost level with the ground, have an everlasting home.
CHORUS:
Oh I here by give myself away, have an everlastin' home,
Oh this is all that I can do have an everlastin' home.
CHORUS:
*unclear
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Livingston, Ala.; Doc Reed and Vera Hall- Texts cont'
JESUS BLOOD DONE MADE ME WHOLE- "mournin' song"
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/268/2687a1.mp3
Jesus' blood done made me whole
I jes' touched de hem o' his garment
God knows His blood done made me whole
I was a mourner jes' like you
I jes' touched de hem o' His garment
God knows His blood done made me whole
I was sick, Lord, couldn't get well
One Tuesday evenin' made me whole, etc.
I was a gambler jes' like you
One Wednesday evenin' made me whole, etc.
MOTHERLESS CHILD SEES A HARD TIME
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/268/2687a2.mp3
Motherless children sees a hard time
Mother is dead, mother is dead
Motherless children sees a hard time
Mother is dead, mother is dead
Father ain't goin' be yo' friend
Talk 'bout you on every hand
Motherless children sees a hard time
Mother is dead, mother is dead
Father won't treat you like yo' mother did
Mother is dead, mother is dead
Father won't treat you like yo' mother did
Mother is dead, mother is dead
Father won't treat you like yo' mother did
Talk 'bout you on every hand
Motherless children sees a hard time
Mother is dead, mother is dead
Sister won't treat you like yo' mother did, etc.
CLIMBIN' UP THE HILL O' MOUNT ZIONEE
http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/268/2687b1.mp3
Lord, I'm climbing up the hill of Mount Zion*, my Lord,
With the glory in my soul.
Prayin' at the hills of Mount Zion,
Mournin' at the hills of Mount Zion,
Cryin' at the hills of Mount Zion,
Groanin' at the hills of Mount Zion,
Shoutin' at the hills of Mount Zion,
Prayin' at the hills of Mount Zion,
Lord, I'm travelin up the hills of Mount Zion, my Lord,
With the glory in-a my soul.
Oh dat red, (dat red, dat red,)
Oh dat red, (dat red, dat red,)
Dat purple,
Dat white,
Dat green,
Dat red,**
Oh, Lord, I'm travelin' up the hills of Mount Zion, my Lord,
With the glory in my soul.
*Zi-on. In the section on Dock Reed and Vera Hall in the field notes, the spellings Zionee and Ziponee occur. She actually sings Zi-on or Zi-yon -just stretching it out. Nowhere does she sing Zionee. Although the Lomaxes also recorded the Tartts, their version of this song was not mentioned, but the Tartts seem to be the ones who used this pronunciation.
**Dock Reed starts "Oh dat red" and Hall echoes; Reed starts another color, Hall echoes and "Oh dat red."
HOME IN THE ROCK- sung by Vera Hall
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/267/2679b2.mp3
I got a home in that rock, don't you see,
I got a home in that rock, don't you see, don't you see?
'Way up 'tween Heaven an' earth
Thought I heard my Saviour say,
I got a home in the rock, don't you see.
King Jesus is that solid rock, don't you see, etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Livingston, Ala.; Doc Reed and Vera Hall; May 25--29
Jesus blood done made me whole- "mournin' song"
Down on Me, sung by Vera Hall
Down on me, down on me
Look like everybody in the whole round world
Down on me.
If I could, I surely would
Stand on the rock where Moses stood
Oh, Mary, Marthy, Luke an' John
All God's prophets is dead an' gone.
When I get to Heaven, goin' talk an' tell
How I shunned the gates of Hell.
When I get to Heaven goin' jump an' shout
Nobody there to turn me out.
Go down, angel, in the North,
All God's children goin' be lost.
Go down, angel, in the South,
All God's angels goin' jump an' shout.
Jordan deep an' Jordan wide (Gwine home on de mornin' train)-Baptizing Song
Sung by Doc Reed, Jesse Allison, Hettie Godfrey
(Chorus): Jordan deep an' Jordan wide (3 times)
Chill my body but not my soul
I been to de pool an' been baptized
Had-a been there, You'd a-shouted
All my sins been taken away.
All my sins been taken away (3 Times)
Oh, Glory Hallelujah- all my sins been taken away
I'm gwine home on de mornin' train hear me sing
Sister Mary she wore three links (lengths) o' chain
Every link was Jesus name
All my sins, etc,
Tallest tree in Paradise
Christians call it de Tree o' Life
Jordan deep and Jordan wide, etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Doc Reed and Vera Hall
PO' CHILD sung by Doc Reed
Jes' because I'm a po' child standin' at yo' door
I'm a po' child, don't drive me away
Jes' because I'm motherless, etc.
Jes' because I'm hungry etc.,-- 'umble,-- a beggar.
SAMPSON AND DELILAH - sung by Doc Reed and Jesse Allison; For general story followed by most versions see: Our Singing Count Doc and Jesse call the song: Samson an' Delilac
I'M SO GLAD I GOT MY 'LIGION IN TIME sung by Doc Reed
I'm so glad I got my 'ligion in time (3 times)
O my Lord, O my Lord, what shall I do to be saved?
Soon one mornin' death come creepin' in de room
O my Lord, O my Lord what shall I do to be saved?
Death done been here, took my mother an' gone, etc.
Death done been here, left me a motherless child, etc.
I'm so glad I come when I was called, etc.
AFS 2682- A. 1 WAITIN' ON YOU - Doc Reed, Vera Hall, Jesse Allison
O Lord, I'm waitin' on you
Can't do nothin' until you come
Beggin' child, etc.
On my knees.
2682- A. 2 DEATH IS AWFUL- sung by Vera Hall
Death is awful, death is awful, death is awful
Spare me over another year.
If I was a flower in my bloom
Make death cut me down so soon
He'll stretch yo' eyes an' stretch yo' limbs,
This is the way death begins
He'll fix yo' feet so you can't talk
He'll lock yo' jaws so you can't talk,
He'll close yo' eyes so you can't see,
This very hour you must go with me
O death, have mercy,
Jes' spare me over another year.
O young man if you wanta be wise
Jes' 'pent an' b'lieve an' be baptized.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Doc Reed and Vera Hall
JESUS GOIN' MAKE UP MY DYIN' BED- Text incomplete. for other stanzas see typed pages attached.
Oh, high in de mountain
Jesus goin' make up my dyin' bed
Jesus, I been in de valley, I'm kneelin' 'umble
When you see me dyin', I don't want you to cry
All I want you to do for me is to (close low) my dyin' eyes.
Ah, sleepin' in Jesus, (3 times)
Jesus goin' make up my dyin' bed.
Well, behind de mountains
Jesus goin' make up my dyin' bed
Well, when you see me dyin', I don't want you to mourn for me
All I wants you to do is to give dat bell a tone
Jesus goin' make up my dyin' bed
(O children) down on my knees, etc.
Love come twinklin' down Text incomplete
Oh, seek, seek, seek an' ye shall find
Knock an' it shall be opened
Jes' ask an' it shall be opened
Love come a-twinkelin' down.
My mother, you ought to a-been there
Where love come twinkelin' down.
Father, etc.
Sister, etc.
Amazing Grace - long meter, lined- Usual text
Variation: "This grace hath brought me safely far"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
J. H. Anderson
Boyd, Ala.
Nov. 25, 1938
R. P. T.
Jesus Gonna Make up my Dying Bed.
1
Saul was on his way to Demascus
He was a wicked man
Just before he reached the city
They were leading him by the hand.
Chorus:
Chorus-- Oh dont you mind me dyin'
Oh dont you mind me dyin'
Oh dont you mind me dyin'
Jesus gonna make up my dyin' bed.
2
The power of God fell on old Saul
Just like on You and I
And just befo' he reached the city
I heard him begin to cry
Chorus:
Chorus-- Oh I got good relegion'
Oh I got good relegion'
Oh I got good relegion'
Jesus gonna make up my dyin' bed.
3
In the hour of dyin'
Doan want no body to cry
All I want you to do for me
Is jes close my dyin' eye
Chorus:
Then I'll be Sleepin' in Jesus
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
Chorus:
Chorus-- Then I'll be sleepin' in Jesus
Then I'll be sleepin' in Jesus
Then I'll be sleepin' in Jesus
Jesus gonna make up my dyin' bed.
4
In the hour of dyin'
Doan want nobody to moan
All I want you to do for me
Is give dat bell de tone.
Chorus:
Chorus--Then I'll be dyin' easy
Then I'll be dyin' easy
Then I'll be dyin' easy
Jesus gonna make up my dyin' bed.
5
In the hour of dyin'
Take the pillow from under my head
Jesus promised at the gates of hell
He'd make up my dyin' bed.
Chorus: Oh don't you be oneasy
Oh don't you be oneasy
Oh don't you be oneasy
Jesus gonna make up my dyin' bed.
6
In the hour of dyin'
Some body will say I'm lost
Just come on down to Jordan
And Jesus will tell you I've crossed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
Chorus:
Chorus Then I'll be crossin' on over
Then I'll be crossin' on over
Then I'll be crossin' on over
Jesus gonna make up my dyin' bed.
7
When I go down to the river
I'm goin' jes lac a man
Unbuckle my sword from 'round my waist
An' stick hit in de golden sand
Chorus:
Chorus Then I'll be gone on to glory
Then I'll be gone on to glory
Then I'll be gone on to glory
Jesus gonna make up my dyin' bed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
JAL '39
Livingston, Ala.
Vera Hall--"sinful songs", "worl'ly" songs, "reels"
While Vera Hall seemed to be as devout a Christian as Doc Reed, her cousin, and sang the old spirituals with as much sincerity and feeling, yet she did not refuse to sing seculsr songs that she had learned from her mother, her husband,- at this time in the penitentiary,-, from Richard Amerson, and especially from UBlind Jesse" Harris. If Vera can hear a song sung through once or twice, she can sing it again herself, with per haos a variation or two of her own, always an improvement. When we were hunting Blind Jesse and his songs, Vera furnished us the best list of his old songs. We would say, "Vera, do you know (for instance) Railroad Bill?" And Vera would reply, "No, sir, I can't say dat I knows it. I used to hear Blind Jesse sing it." "How did it go, Vera?" "Le's see. I don't knows as I can put it together." But a gleam of remembrance would come into her eyes, she would shift her feet, throw her head back, open her mouth and throat, and out would come "Railroad Bill is a mighty bad man, I'm skeered o' Railroad Bill" and away she would go.
This time we asked her for playparty or game or other children's songs: She hesitated: "It's been a long time". Then she smiled, "We used to sing 'All hid?' May be I can put it together." Looking about her as if she thought that Mrs. Tartt's yard would be a very good place to find hiding-places, she started off? "Is it all hid?-No, no". With this song her mind had slipped back into its play groove, and Vera, at this one sitting, gave us fiv five more children's songs: Come up, Horsey; Rosey; Carrie: Little girl, yes ma'am; Candy gal; and What a pretty piece o' meat, - a "hold up the gates" game song.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
JAL '39
Liv ngston, Ala.
Vera Hall Texts of Reels and Game Songs
All hid? (Is it all hid?)- a Hiding-go-seek song- Text incomplete
Is it all hid? (No, no!)
Is it all hid? (No, no!)
Is it all hid?
I went down to de devil's town,
Devil knocked my daddy down.
Is it all hid?
Is it all hid? (No, no!), etc.
Rosey - swing game song. Text incomplete
Rosey, baby, Rosey, ha! ha! Rosey.
Some folks say dat a Nigger won't steal
Caught three niggers in my cornfield;
One had a bushel, 'nother had a peck,
Baby had a roas'n ear tied around his neck.
Rosey, nigger, rosey, etc.
(Spoken): Steal up, ole man (change partners)
Carrie - "a reel"- learned from Blind Jesse- Text fragmentary
Refrain: Carrie, Carrie, Oh, be my woman, Carrie
Take my girl to de worldly fair
Comb her head an' part (?) her hair
Go 'way from my window, don't you hear?
Chicken on de roost, looking down on you
'Spec' I'll be a rover 'fore day
Go 'way etc.
Rabbit on a log, ain't got no rabbit dog,
Shoot it wid my dudgeon, by George.
Little girl, yes ma 'am- a chant for two children
Little girl, little girl- Yes, ma 'am
Did you go to de college?*Yes, ma 'am *Livingston has a state cog college.
Did you see my daughter? "
Was she sweet in the face? "
Was she neat in her ways (waist?) "
Oh, how did you like? Oh, very well.
Did de ole cow die? Yes, ma 'am.
Did de buzzards fly? "
Oh, how did he fly? Oh, jes' disaway,
Oh, jes' disaway, Oh, jes' disaway (Both flop their arms and slap their thighs).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
2688
2692
JAL '39
Livingston, Alabama
Caroline Horne and family
May 28, 1939
It was Sunday and we had started out to Doc Reed's church for services. Mrs. Tartt suggested that we stop at Aunt Ca'line Horne's house off in the cotton patch a half mile or so from the road. There we found Aunt Ca'line, two daughters, Frances and Aurilla, a son, Jim (Duck), two otr three frineds of the family and a bunch of "grands". It was a giggly group, the boys given to wise-cracking. Mrs. Tartt previously had got frm from Aunt Ca'line thw words of a lullaby, but on this occasion Aunt Ca'line disclaimed all knowledge of the song. While we were talking with her, a hey heavy shower came up; we had our machine and batteries set up on the porch; the roof leaked and we had to move our apparatus about to avoid the drippings. Finally one of the daughters suggested a church song, which she and her mother sang,- I got to stand there by myself; then the two daughters recorded another spiritual, All my sins been takened away. Then Aunt Ca'line recalled the children's song and recorded "Little Red Bird in the tree. Then the son Jim, "Duck", sang a cotton song, Cotton needs plowin' and a filed holler, Say, she brought my breakfast. His friend, B.B. Powell sang, CanT make a livin' in sandy land. We had overstayed our time, the rain had let up a bit, and we packed up to leave.
I got to stand there by myself-sung by Aunt Caroline and Frances Horne
I got to stand my trial in Judgment
Well, I got to stand there for myself
Well, there's no one here can stand there for me
Well, I got to stand there for myself
I got to stand my test in Judgment
I got to lay in my cold grave,
Well, I got to lay there for myself, etc.
All my sins been takened away- sung by Aurilla and Frances Horne
All my sins been takened away (3 times)
Glory Hallelujah to my Saviour's name
Sister Mary wore three links o' chain (3 times)
Every link was Jesus' name
All my sins been takenes away, takened away.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
JAL '39
Livingston, Ala.
Carolina Horne and family -texts cont'd
Little Red Bird in the tree
Little red bird in the tree, in the tree, in the tree,
Little red bird in the tree, sing a song for me
Sing about the blue bird in the tree-top tell (repeat)
Little red bird in the tree, sing a song for me
Little b luedbird in the tree, etc.
Cotton need plowin' sung by Jim (Duck) Horne Tune same as Cotton need pickin
Cotton need plowin' so bad
Cotton need plowin' so bad,
Goin' plow all over this field.
Can't make a livin in sandy land - sung by B. B. Powell
(Text incomplete. Not sure this song was recorded)
Ole po' mule an' po' land (man?)
Can't make a livin' in sandy land
I got a woman in de white folks' yard
She killed chicken an' saved me de wing,
She thinks I'm a-workin' an' ia ain't done a thing
Rabbit on de log, ain't got no rabbit dog,
I'm goin' shoot him wid my dudgeon, O Lord
Chicken on my back
I'm goin' make my way to my little shack.
She brought my breakfast- sung by Jim (Duck) Horne-Field Holler
Say, she brought my breakfast, she didn't know my name
Say, she brung my breakfast on day grey mule's hame.
I got a woman, she don't like de country
Say, my mamma she move back to dem piney woods,
Say, she brought my breakfast.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
2692
JAL '39
Livingston, Ala.
Johnson Place Baptist Church--4 miles from Livingston- May 28, 1939
After we left Aun Ca'line Horne's house we had driven about two miles when on our way up a long steep red clay hill the rain came down in earnest. Mrs. Tartt was driving her car ahead of us to snow the way and to pick up Doc Reed who was to meet us at a certain cross-road. Vera, we discovered before we left town, had gone otu the night before with some friends. Mrs. Tartt would not turn back, even though we passed two cars in the ditch, until at the top of another long red-clay hill where tye road curved at the top, her carnot only took the curve but made a complete circle and stood facing homeward. Then at last she consented to go back. It was then after twelve o'clock and by the time we could have have reached Doc's church even those late-beginning and long-drawn-out services would have closed. On our way in we noticed that the Johnson Place Baptist Church was holding service, and so we stopped there. While we were trying to decide whether to unlaod the machine, one of the deacons came out and 'buked us for disturbing the service. And he was justified. We apologized, explained what we were considering, received enthusiastic permission to record some of the service, and unloaded and set up the machine as quietly as possible. The preacher and brethren obligingly continued the service, even repeated some of it including the offering, so that the "white friends" might rightly participate by marching up to the pulpit with their dimes and quarters.
The preacher, as we judged, had probably been preaching for an hour, when we arrived; after about twenty minutes or a half hour, he wiped his brow and said, "I can't fool along with Moses all day; I got to pass on to Jesus now", and he proceeded witha discourse based on a New Testament text. When he had finished his sermon we asked them to sing some of their
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
spirituals for us to record. We recorded four spirituals and two prayers with congregational "moanin'".
The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want, half prayer and half chant was spoken by Mary Tollman
Have mercy, Lord - led by Rev. Ward
Have mercy, have mercy, Lord (repeat)
Oh Lord
Hadn't it been for Jesus, I'd-a done been gone (repeat)
Have mercy, etc.
Long way to travel led by Mary Tollman
Well, I jes' want to make it into the Kingdom
Children, we got a long way to travel (repeat)
I jes' want to make it inot the Kingdom over yonder
Well, I got on my travelin' shoes, etc.
Well, I know my name been changed, etc.
Nobody's fault but mine led by Simon Williams
I got a Bible I can read
If I fail to read it an' my soul get lost,
Nobody's fault but mine.
I got a Jesus I can serve,
If I fail to serve him, an' my soul get lost,
Nobody's fault but mine.
I got a song that I can sing,
If I fail to sing it, etc.
I got a prayer I can pray, etc.
I got a moanin' I can moan, etc.
Angels standin' in de water-- led by Rev. Eason
Oh, angels standin' in de water
Walkin' by de light,
Oh, sinner standin' in darkness
An' cannot see de light.
I wants my mother to go with me
I wants my mother to go with me
To jine de social band.
Texts of prayers by RevWard and S. L. Clark were not taken down.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
2693
2699
JAL '39
Celina Lewis May 29, 1939
Mrs. Tartt brought Celina Lewis to us on Monday morning. All the records that we made in the town of Livingston were made on the spacious back "gallery" or in the flowere-bordered, grassy "lawn". Mrs. Tartt brought the singers in her own carm or took Mr. Lomax after them, and she rarely took no for answer. She has done so much for the Negroes of the community and they love and trust her to such a degree that they rarely fail her. And so Aunt Celina, even though it was Monday morning, changed her dress and came along. She sang three spirituals, but she was finally coaxed along into singing some reels and game songs which are her forte; not that she herself considers such songs sinful she merely thought them too insignificant to put on permanent record.
Aunt Celina is a dainty person with grey hair and small features. "I'm fifty-five years old," she said," an' ef I live to see the fo'th Sat'day in next June, I'll be seventy." In apologizing for what she considered a poor performance, she explained," I was a little blushed today."
Texts
Whoa, mule, can't get the saddle on * A dance song. Aunt Celina explains: "It's a sort o' dance; de young folks wouldskip an' dance, kinda waltzlike. Dey would lockoup, walk up an' down de flo', boys an' girls together. Nowadays de young folks has to dance an' hug up, you know."
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/269/2699a3.mp3
Whoa, mule can't git de saddle on; (repeated several times)
Catch dat mule, can't git de saddle on
Ride dat mule, can't git de saddle on
Run dat mule, etc.
Run, mule, can't git de saddle on
Stangaree-Fragment of text. Singer's words hard to catch. Learned in Alabama, near Gainesville.
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/269/2699b1.mp3
Who's been here since I been gone? Stangaree
Pretty Little boy; Stangaree
With his britches on
Hitch your wheels; Stangaree
To the wagon an' tongue; Stangaree
If you want to know--Stangaree--
What girl's been here--Stangaree
Git on de road--Stangaree
Who's been her e since I been gone?
Hitch yo' buggy--stangaree--to de
Shortnin' bread--usual text. Includes:
Bull-frog jump from de bottom o' de well
Oh, by God, he's jes' from Hell
Wid his mouth full o butter an' his jawbone swelled
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
JAL '39
Celina Lewis texts cont'd
Peep Squirrel- a game for chasing
Peep squirrel
Run, squirrel
Skip, squirrel; kill dat squirrel; catch dat squirrel;
eat dat squirrel; can't catch dat squirrel; let's cook dat
squirrel; I caught dat squirrel.
Was de blood runnin' warm - spiritual
Was de blood runnin' warm in yo' veins? (repeat)
You better git religion an' try to serve de Lord,
Was de blood runnin' warm in yo' veins?
(Says), don't forget yo' mother no matter where,
She always willin' to lend you a helpin' hand,
She rocked you to her bosom
Was de blood runnin' warm in yo' veins- (contint'd as at first)
The Sun don't ever go down
Where de sun don't ever go down
You wanta see yo' mother sometime
Don't
Flowers are bloomin' forever
Where de sun don't ever go down.
Well it makes me cry sometime,
For de flowers are bloomin' forever
Where de sun don't ever go down.
Everybody talkin' 'bout Heaven ain't goin' there- Usual text.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2695; 2696; 2697; Livingston, Alabama
Jeff Horton May 29, 1939
As we were leaving Johnson Place Church Mrs. Tartt caught sight of Jeff Horton who works on the Johnson place and who knows many reels and playparty songs. When she went to interview him she found him very drunk. He has the reputation of being a hard worker during the week and a hard drinker at week ends. He could do nothing that day but promised to come into town to Mrs. Tartts's home the next day. Monday morning up strolled Jeff. "It was hard work", he asserted, "to keep my word, but I wrastled wid it an' got it to come thro." made it good With him were two friends, Ben Donner and Robert Chapman, each of whom sang a song.
Give my heart ease-version of Birmingham Jail, same tune- by Jeff Horton
Darlin', if you love me, give my heart ease (repeat)
Soon as my back turn, love who you please
Will you, my darlin', will you, my dear,
(say) If you don't love me, well, I don't keer
Write me aletter, send it by mail (mail, mail)
Back it in care of Birmingham Jail
Roses need sunshine, violets need dew,
Angels in Heaven know how I love you.
Ole Marse John by Jeff Horton. "From slavery times. Little ole jumped-up thing".
Ole Marse John, ole Marse John
De block real an' rock so I can't lay studdy.
Love is a killin' thing, beauty is a blossom,
If you wants to git yo' finger bit
Poke it at a 'possum.
Vicksburg is a pretty town, is a beauty,
Want to git to Heaven quick, meet me at Chattanoogy.
Marse speaksto John: "John, why you so late this mornin'?
Git in de stable an' lay across de barrell."
("John goin' git a lickin' 'cause he late."
Black snake bit me- Jeff Horton. Ring game. Player in center tries to
break out; cries "Black snake bit me" etc. Players kepp him ij,
replying, "I don't care". Other groups of children say "dog flea",
seed-tick, black wasp, etc.
Black snake bit me-- I don't care
Bit me on my knee cap--"
An' de yaller-jac ket stung me--"
Stung me on my shoulder-blade--I don't care
('Nen I shouts:)
I break my neck I'm comin' out here.
Answer" I don't care, you can't get outa here.
"When he gits out, day clases him".
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
JAL '39
Jeff Horton Song Texts
Young girl fooled her mother- "Reel"- dance tune
Young girl fooled her mamma
Young girl fooled her mother
Young girl fooled her mammy
Goin' tell your mamma
You been there in de bushes
Jokin', girl, I'm jokin'.
Young man, don't you whup me (repeat)
Carry me back to Mamma
Mamma in chimney corner
Big enough to hold me.
O Lord,
Young man, don't you whup me
Carry me back to Mamma, etc.
Young girl fooled her Mamma, mother mamy.
Single again--not the usual "wish I was single again"-Jeff's song is rather like a field holler, or a blues, used as a work song
Ha--ha--round sing all agin
Ha--ha--round sing my pockets still jingle
Ha--ha--round I'm single agin
Ha--ha--I'm goin' take dat Southbound train
Ha--ha--I'm goin' take a train
I'm goin' over to New Orleans and Texas, an' there take a ride.
I got one po' brother an' I love him to my heart - (huh!)
An' if anybody bother with him, it hurt me to my heart
Dat's Mamma's baby chile,-uh-huh, Oh, yes;
If anybody do bother with him, it bother (hurt?) me to my heart
An' I'm goin' take a Northbound train, an' there I'll take a ride
An' I'm goin' sail to New Orleans an' there I'll stay a while
Goodbye, my lover, goobye (repeat)
If you never no more see me in dis life
Farewell, Alabama, goodbye.
Ha--ha--sing-all again, etc.
Miss Maggie, I know it is kind - a fragment. "Learned it in de cotton-patch.
Yassir, courted in de cottonpatch an' anywhere else we could get to get
Oh, Miss Maggie, I know it is kind
For me to set by you an' tell you my mind
My mind is to marry an' never to part,
'cause, first time I saw you you wanted my heart.
Go away, Johnny, an' let me alone,
I Cause I am a stranger an' a long way from home
I'll buy you fine dresses and buy you gold ring,
I'll buy you silk slippers to cast (to cost?) on my name.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
JAL '39
Jeff Horton
Rabbit on a log
Rabbit on a log, ain't got no huntin' dog,
Gwine shoot him wid my pistol, God knows.
Rabbit on de level, but he outrunnin(?) de devil
Gine git him wid my pistol, God knows.
O me, de trouble I done see
'Cause nobody's business but mine,.
Rabbit on de level, etc.
O mamma, nobody's business but mine
Chicken up dat tree, lookin' down on me,
Gwine to git him 'fore dat sun go down
O me, says, trouble I see,
'Cause nobody's business but mine.
Don't you leave me here-Blues Text incomplete
Don't you leave me here
All night long, lovin' sweet babe,--um-um
De rooster crowed, lobin' sweet babe,
An' de hen looked 'round.
She said, No, no, no, Lord,
You got to run me down.
I went down to de depot, I looked up on de board
Number Five ain't run yet, but she's on de road.
I stood on de road(?) till de train was gone, lovin' sweet babe,
I never did miss my lovin' sweet babe till de train was gone.
We goin' to land upon this shore--spiritual
Preacher standin' at de pulpit, wid de Bible in his hand
Preachin' 'bout dem sinners that live over inde promised land.
We're goin' land upon dis shore (3times)
Dere we'll stay forevermore
I don't like old Satan, ole Satan don't like me,
But soemhow de other Christians dat me an' ole Satan can't as
Say, when I git up in de Heaven, I want you to be there too/agree.
So when I says Amen, I want you goin' say so too.
Dere we'll dwell forevermore.
My gold-eyed needle-(Old speckled lady)-- game song-J. Horton and Robt. Chapman
My gold-eyed needle- shoo-de-doo- and dressed-up thimble-shoo-de-doo
Fly way over yonder-shoo-de-doo
My gold-eyed needle etc.
You, too, Misshettie
You, too, Mr. Horton, etc.
Take yo' pardners, etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
JAL '39
Livingston, Ala.
Ben Donner
Born again-- spiritual
I know, Lord, I been born agin (repeat)
I know I got religion an' born agin
I tie my hames to de gospel plow
Wo ldn't take nothin' for my journey now
Way down yonder I come thoo,
You had-a been there, you'd a-shouted too.
He give me de gif' an' told me to go,
Give me de horn an' told me to blow.
So glad born again, so glad I been born agin,
I know I got religion an' born again.
Robert Chapman
Somebody touched me
Oh-oh-oh-ah, somebody touched me (3 times)
And it must have been the hand of the Lord.
Down on my knees, Lord, somebody touched me, etc.
Early one morning, etc.
All in my room, Lord, etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
2694
2696
2698
JAL '39
Florida Hampton May 29, 1939
We remembered Aunt Florida from a previous visit to Livingston for her Br'er Rabbit and other animal stories. She looked just right to tell such children's stories and to sing lullabies and game songs. Yes, she would sing a lullaby for us if she could get it tohetjer. She guessed we already had Rock-a-by baby in the tree-top, but she used to sing another to the babies, Go to sleep. We knew her version would give us some interesting variation:
Go to sleep- (Do, de bugger-bearcatch you)- Lullaby
Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleepy, little baby
Hush, little baby, don't you cry
Do, de bugger-bear catch you
Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleepy, little baby,
Mamma run away, Daddy wouldn't stay
Lef' nobody but de baby.
Hush, little baby, don't you cry,
Do, de bugger-bear catch you.
Go to sleep, etc.
Mamma an' Papa gone to de town, buy a pretty little pony,
Catch a pony, saddle him up
Ride all over dis pasture.
My Lord done been here- spiritual
When I was a sinner, I thought I was doin' well,
When I come to find out I was on my way to Hell.
(Refrian): My Lord done been here, blessed my soul an' gone away
My Lord done been here, chillun, blessed my soul an' gone away.
When I git ot Heaven I want you to be there too
When I say Amen, I want you to say so too
I went down to Jordan, stopped at de idle stream(?)
Soul got ankled in Jesus An' de devil couldn't do me no harm(?)
Oh, some say John de Baptist was nothin' but a Jew
But de Holy Bible tell us John was a preacher too.
Give me a gourd o' drink-water: In the middle of this "reel" Aunt Florida broke into protest: "Now I got to pray dat off when I could be prayin' for somep'n else. I promised de Lord I wouldn't sin. He know I 'bleeged to sin some, but I ain't 'bleeged to sin dataway. And, Miss Ruby," turning to Mrs. Tartt, "You'se sinned too for 'suadin' me into singin' dat reel." Her text is slightly different from the usual.
Roola-roola-roolover, Hand me a gourd o' drink-water. (repeat)
Ole cow suppin' in de cool water, Gimme me a gourd o' drink-water
Hist dose windows High(?), throw de feathers away ("to de gamblers")
Ole cow shiverin' in de cool water, Gimme a gourd o' drink-water.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
2700
2702
2704
JAL '39
Livingston, Alabama
Sim Tartt and group from Boyd community-- May 29, 1939
Mrs. Tartt had told us about the Tartt family of Negroes that lived in the Boyd, Alabama community. She had heard the group sing together with beautiful effect. Because of the rain she thought they would not be working in the field and drove the seventeen miles or more to their farm home to bring them in to sing. She was told at their house that "Sim an' them is huntin' fish". Mrs. Tartt walked through the mud down to the river, calling as she went, to locate them the sooner. Finally she heard a startled whisper, "Dat's Miss Ruby Callin'! Hear her? Reckin what she want?" Then Mrs. Tartt, "Sim, Mandy, you heard me. Where are you?" They came forth, bare-footed and thinly clad; for they really had been fish-hunting. The high water, receding, had left live fish far up on the bank. These the Negroes were spearing and catching with bare hands. But at "Miss Ruby"'s bidding, they left the river, hastily made themselves reddy and were on their way. Every foot of the long, winding, still-muddy road they sang spirituals, some of them new even to Mrs. Tartt. who thought that she had exhausted their repertoire. Besides spirituals they recorded a few game songs too.
Job, Job- spiritual- Text about the same as Doc Reed' and Vera Hallss; for which see: Our Singign Country
Down on me- spiritual
Refrain: Down on me, down on me, Lord
Look like eve'body in de whole round world is
Down on me
I ain't been to Heaven but I been told
Streets are pearly an' de gates are gold,
Look like ev'ybody, etc.
When I git to Heaven, don't you know I'll shout?
Won't be nobody there to turn me out.
When I done travelin' here below,
Warfare's over an' to Heaven I'll go.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
JAL '39
Sim Tartt and group - texts cont'd
What you gonna do when this world's on fire?
Refrain: What you gonna do when this world's on fire (3 times)
What you gonna do when Jesus comes?
Bow right here when this world's on fire etc.
Bow right here till Jesus comes.
Stand right here when the world's on fire, etc.
Gonna groan right here, etc.
Don't feel like I'se anyways tired- "used to he are ole folks sing it".
Refrain: Lord, I doj't feel like I'se anyways tired
Jes' give me dat ole Glory Hallelujah.
Dere's a better day a-comin', Hallelujah!
Oh, Lordy, it's comin' 'round in Glory.
I hope to shout in Glory when this old world's on fire
Jes' give me dat old Glory Hallelujah
Can't you he ar dose angels singin', etc.
Can't you hear dose mourners mournin' (moanin')
Drinkin' o' de wine- (Won't that be a time?)-
Refrain: Won't dat be a mighty time, won't dat be a time? (repeat)
Sech a-eatin' o' de bread, sech a drinkin' o' de wine
Won't dat be a time?
Oh, hold down de wind, don't let it blow, etc.
Don't let dat North wind blow on me, etc.
Come along, Gabriel, an' sound de trumpet, etc.
Sech a eatin' o' de bread, sech a drinkin' o' de wine
Won't dat be a time?
I never heard a man speak like this man before
Refrain: I never heard a man speak like dis man before (repeat)
All de days of my life, every since I been born
I never heard a man speak like dis man before.
Dey carried him to de court house, dey tried him one by one,
Dey never found no fault in Jesus, in nothin' he daid an' done.
He spoke once in Jerusalem to de one he loved de best;
I wouldn't not a-been here if my brother hadn't not been dead.
He spoke once to Nicodemus, says he must be borned again,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
JAL '39
Sims Tartt and group
Gonna walk around in Jordan, tell the news.
Refrain: I'm gonna walk around in Jordan, tell the news,
Lord, I'm gonna walk around in Jordan, tell the news.
If my mother asks for me
Tell her Death have summoned me
I'm gonna walk around in Jordan, tell the news.
If my father asks for me, etc.
If my brother asks for me, etc.
One mornin' soon
Refrain: One mornin' soon, one mornin' soon, my Lord
One mornin' soon, I heard de ange ls singin'
Singing' come home, etc,
All in my room, etc.
Singin' Good News, etc.
All over my head, etc.
One mornin' soon, etc.
Three gold lilies- a ring game. 2 rings moving in opposite directions.
Leader sings: Three gold lilies--(Others): Sometime
Gonna rule-a my teacher "
Go home in a hurry "
(Choose new partners at "Go home in a hurry".)
All the way round the ring go 'round-ring game
All de way 'round de ring go 'round
Choose dat gal on a Monday
Choose dat gal wid de coal black hair
Kissher an' call her Honey!
Sugar Babe--a "reel"
I got a wife an' a sweetheart, too, Sugar Babe (repeat twice)
My wife don't love me but my sweetheart do, Sugar Babe.
Nigger an' de white man playin' seven-up, Sugar Babe (repeat)
Nigger win de money, but afraid to pick it up, Sugar Babe.
Chopping cotton
I'm a choppin' cottom (3 times), Lord, Lord, Lordy
Can't you chop a little faster (3 times), Lord, Lordy, Lord
Can't you git in a hurry, etc.
I'm a choppin' cotton, etc.
Can't you finish dis cotton, etc.
I'm choppin' cotton.
Go to sleep-- sung but not recorded by Mandy Tartt
Go to sleep, go to sleep, go to sleepy, little baby
Mamma gone to York, Papa gone to town (York is eight miles fro Livingston, Ala)
Nobod here but de baby
Go to sleep, etc.
When she come back, she goin' suckle little baby.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
2701
2702
JAL '39
Livingston, Ala.
Ed Jones
When the gates swing open- "learned from a woman"- a composed hymn?
Through this world we leep on toilin'
Toilin' through de storm an' rain
Watchin' an' patiently waitin'
Until the Saviour comes again.
Refrain: I am coming, Lord, trustin' in Thy word,
Keep me from the paths of sin, hide me in they love
Hide me in Thy Love, write my name above
When the gates swing open let me in.
Keep me fit for service,
Keep me fit on every hand
I've stood many a trial,
Some day I'll understand.
Teach me how to love my neighbor,
Teach me how to treat my friend
Fill me with the Holy Spirit
Keep me humble to the end.
Tired of this load I'm carrying
Tired of this world of sin
Angels in Heaven beck on
My weary soul come in.
Got to stoop down and drink
My mother's got to stoop down
My mother's got to stoop down
My mother's got to stoop down
To drink and live.
Am I a soldier of the cross,a follower of the lamb
And shall I fear to own his cause, or blusn to speak his name.
I lef' my home a-prayin' (3 times)
On my way
Everybody must stoop down, etc.
My father had to stoop down, etc.
Everybody must, etc.
Well, my brother had to, etc.
Well, my sister had to, etc.
My soul wants something that's new.
My soul, my soul, my soul, my soul
My soul wants something that's new.
Am I a soldier of the cross
A follower of the Lamb
And shall I fear to own His cause
Or blush to speak His name?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
JAL '39
Ed Jones Texts cont'd
I left my home a-prayin - (on my way)
I lef' my home a-prayin'
I lef' my home a-prayin'
I lef' my home a-prayin'
On my way
Get back, get hack, ye hosts of Hell
I'm on my way
An' let God's children take the field
I'm on my way
Oh, Satan's mad an' I am glad-- I'm on my way
He missed a soul he thought he had--I'm on my way.
Stewball-- (Ain'tg in' let you humbug me)--Ed Jones sang both spirituals and "reels".
Oh, mister, Oh, master, I'm riskin' my life
Tryin' to win a fartune for you and your wife
Ain't goin' let you humbug me (repeat)
I wouldn't mind race-ridin', if it wasn't for my mind (wife?)
Ole Stewball might stumble an' away go my life.
Git up Stewball, Molly's gone (4 times)
Ole Stewball was a red horse, ole Molly was blue,
I put 'em on de race-track, Ole Molly she flew.
Git up, Stewball, Molly's gone
Ain't goin' let you humbug me (repeat.)
Jack, can I ride-- a clapping song--
Jack, can I ride, oh-ho! (4 times)
Ask my Mamma for fifteen cents
To see de eleplant jump de fence
Jay bird settin' on a swingin' limb
He winked at me an' I winked at him
Picked up a stick an' hit him on de chin
Good Godamighty, don't do dat agin.
Give me a gourd to drink-water - Ed says this is an "in-and-outer de winger game" (window)
Reg'lar, reg'lar, roolover
Give me dee gourd to drink water
Ole cow shiverin' in de cold water, Gimme etc.
I wants me some cold water, Gimme etc,.
I'm goin' git some cold water, etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
JAL '39
Ed Jones texts cont'd
Jonah -fragment
Oh-oh-oh, Jonah, oh-oh-oh, Jonah, oh-oh-oh, Jonah,
Jes' go down yonder to de land an' pray.
If I was a sinner jes' like you
Go down you er to de land and pray,
Pray all night until I come thoo
Go down yonder to de land an' pray
Ole Satan's mad an' I am glad, Go etc.
He missed a soul he thought he had, Goetc.
Drinkin' of the wine- for this song Ed Jones has two tunes. Texts about same.
Drinkin' wine, drinkin' wine
You ought to been there ten thousand years
Drinkin' wine.
Anybody ask you where am I
Tell 'em I'm dead an' gone on high
You ought to been there, etc.
If my sister ask for me
Tell her I'm gone to Gelilee
If my mother, etc.
If the people, etc.
Rosey, pretty girl- playparty song. There should be a group or another person
than the leader to sing, "Ah, Rosey". Ed says, "I had to second myself".
Refrain: Rosey, pretty girl Rosey--Ah, Rosey (repeat)
You can't Rosey like me--Ah, Rosey (repeat)
Up the sycamore, down the pine--Ah, Rosey,
I tore my britches right behind--Ah, Rosey
Steal my pardner, steal again--Ah, Rosey.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
2664? 2690
2689 2691
JAL '39
Livingston, Alabama
McDonald family, Uncle Joe, Aunt Mollie (Mary), Janie and Jim
Seven miles out from Livingston, just off the Demopolis highway, we found the McDonald family in a farm home, unpainted but neat, with flowers in the yard and a vegetable garden hearby. Uncle Joe had finished his afternoon nap, had hitched his mule to the plow and was ready to start an afternoon's work. But Mrs. Tartt and his curiosity persuaded him to postpone the work. We set the machine up in the bedroom; Aunt Molly and Uncle Joe perched themselves in the cornerron the rounded top of a hair-covered trunk. It was evidently used often for a settee, as it had a scarf on top of it and a rug in front. Jim and Janie, their children, stood behind the trunk when they helped with the songs. Aunt Molly was the principal performer. She was in good humor, although she claimed to have a cold, and she laughed gleefully, joking with Mr. Lomax and Mrs. Tartt as well as "ribbing" her husband, Uncle Joe. They had been "raised with white folks" and from them learned some of their songs. They had had the reputation of being good songsters, and probably good clowns, and were often invited by their "white folks" to entertain guests. Their repertoire is extensive, and, although Mrs. Tartt had interviewed them several times and had made a long, list of their songs, they sang some that afternoon that she had never heard, They know many playparty and game songs, and in getting these we spent most of our time. We had time to record only three spirituals.
All de friend I had dead and gone- text incomplete
All de frien' I had, all de frien' I had
All de frien' I had is dead an' gone
Gone to de graveyard, Gone to de graveyard
All de frien' I had is dead an' gone
My po' mother, etc. died a-shoutin', etc.
Weepin' Mary, weep no longer, etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
JAL '39
McDonald family -texts cont'd
Holy Bright Number- "We sung it after the preacher"- lined out
I wants ti jine dat Holy Bright Number (repeat)
For to turn some ransomed one home.
(Said) numbered one hunderd an' forty-four thousand (repeat
For to turn some ransomed one home.
Dat Holy Bright Number I wants to jine, etc.
Don't you grieve-
When I spied dat train a-comin',
Don't you grieve,
An' it's loaded wid bright angels,
Don't you grieve
An' it's loaded wid bright angels,
Don't you grieve.
I'm goin' tell my mother Howdy, don't you grieve (repeat)
An' it's loaded wid bright angels, don't you grieve
I'm goin' tell my elder howdy, etc.
Playparty, game songs, "reels", funny songs.
Little Bitty Man - a lullaby
Little bitty man, Lord, Lordy (4 times)
Pickin' up sand, Lord Lordy (4 times)
Grain by grain, Lord Lordy (4 times)
Titty, Mamma, titty-- a baby song
Oh,--Titty, titty, mamma
Titty, titty, mamma
Titty, titty, mamma
Just a little titty, please ma'am
Just a little titty, please ma'am.
Oh,--titty in de heel etc.
Rena, big-foot, Rena
Oh Rena--ain't seen her
Big-foot Rena--ain't seen her
Long-foot Rena--ain't seen her
Oh, Rena--ain't seen her
Wonder where Rena- ain't seen her
Oh, Rena-- ain't seen her
Dat long-legged Rena etc.
Slew-footed etc
Bear-toed etc.
Dat one-legged
Crooked-footed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
J.A.L. '39
TEMPORARY NO.
Tartt McDonalds -- Livingston, Ala.
2690
2689
A 1. Dog Flea...Sung by Mary McDonald (Negro) and family
Husband Joe, Children Jim and Jane--in their home near Livingston, May 27, 1939
introduced by Mrs. Ruby Pickens Tart
Comment: See SEED TICK of Wiergate, Texas, school children.
Ring-game: Children in circle hold hands. Child in middle tries to break out, singin "Dog flea is a-bitin 'me" etc. Children in circle sing: "Dont care, cant git outa here." When finally the center child does break through, other children chase and catch him.
Dog fleas is a bitin' me ...Don't keer, caint git outa here
Dog fleas, dog fleas Don't keer, caint git outa here
One done bit me right here..Don't keer, caint git outa here
Grandma is a-callin' me ...Don't keer, caint git outa here
Dog fleas is a bitin' me, etc.
One done bit me right here, etc.
Bumble-bee stangin' me, etc.
One done stang me right here, etc., etc
A 2. Brickyard (Remember me) ...dance tune by Mary(Aunt Molly) McDonald and family.
in their home 7 miles from Livingston, Ala.
May 27, 1939
I'm goin' down to de brickyard ...Remember me
To de Ellen Yard and Seven Stars. Remember me
Oh what did de red-bird say to de crow?..Remember me
Hit's rainin' now an' soon will snow..Remember me
Oh come, my gal, an' go with me ...Remember me.
From Baltimore to Tennessee Remember me
I aint got a horse an' buggy, too..Remember me
I aint got a driver to put you thu..Remember me.
I'm goin' down to de brickyard ...Remember me.
De Ellen Yard and Seven Stars Remember me.
B 1. Shangaree...dance tune ...by Mary McDonald anid family..7 miles from Livingston, A
I went down..('Shangaree)..to my new field..(Shangaree)
Black snake bit me.(Shangaree)..on my heel (Shangaree)
I turned aroun'..(Shangaree).an' gave him a grin. (Shangaree)
Doggone rascal..(Shangaree)..bit me agin (Shangaree)
Come on, baby,.. " go wid me "
To Tennessee an(' Baltimore an' Baltimore.
I got a driver.. " put you thu "
Dat ditchin train " was loaded down "
To the groun' I jumped down
Grabbed de wheel "
I took de tooth-ache " in my heel
Oh you nickle make a pickle
Oh you dime make a shine
Oh you dollar Make you holler.
Chorus: Hey, hey, Shangaree..Hey, hey, Shangaree (Swing)
(B.2 over)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
B 2. Glad to see you, little bird ...play party children's song..by Mary McDonald, near Livingston, Ala.
May 27, 1939
Glad to see you, little bird
Tra la la, tra la la.
What did you intend to say
Tra la la, la la.
Give me something this cold day
Tra la la, tra la la
Here's your breakfast, eat away
Tra la la, la la
Come to see me every day
Tra la la, tra la la
There's your breakfast, eat away
Tra la la la la
Thomas say you steal your his wheat
Tra la la, tra la la
John complains his plums you eat
Tra la la la la
But I will not try to know
Tra la la, tra la la
What you did so long ago
Tra la la la la
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
J.A.L. '39
TEMPORARY NO.
Tartt
McDonald family
Livingston Ala.
A 1. Old Molly Hare ...dance song..sung by Mary (Aunt Molly) McDonald and family
and the home of Mary and Joe McDonald(negro farmer
near Livingston, Ala. May 27, 1939
Ole Molly Hare, what you doin' thar?
Gwine thu de cotton patch as fast as I can tear.
Ole Molly Hare, what you doin' thar? Sittin' in the fire-place smokin' my cigar.
Ole Molly Hare, bail's mighty short. Yes, doggone it, I can tuck it outa sight.
Drink my coffee, drink my tea; Walk about a nigger man, talk about me.
A 2. When I was a young girl...sung by Mary and Joe McDonald and their children
(Then oh then) ...a playparty song wish swinging and dancing
When I was a young girl, a young girl, young girl
When I was a young girl, Then, oh then
(chorus)
Twas a primp, primp this away, primp, prim that a way
A primp, primp this a way, then oh then. (or "all for the men.")
The boys come a courtin', cour in', courtin'
The boys come a courtin', then, oh then
Twasa ha-ha this a way, a ha-ha- that a way (or "kiss, kiss, etc, all for the me
A ha-ha this a way, then, oh then
Then we married, married, married
Then we married, then, oh, then.
Then it was oh oh this a way, oh-oh that a way, (or, ha-ha)
A oh-oh this a way, then, oh then
(Sometimes the McD's insert the following: "Then we quarreled etc.
With a wow-wow thisaw
Pretty soon we made it up
It was 'my love' thisaway"
Then he died, died, died, Then he died, then, oh then.
Then twas a boo-hoo this a way, boo-hoo that a way
A boo-hoo this a way, then, oh then.
A. 3. Satisfied-- dance song by McDoanld family.. See enxt sheet
B 1. Sea Lion...dance song...by McDonald family..near Livingston, Ala. May 27, 1939
Oh Lion (sea-lion) goin tell yo' mamma (sea-lion) oh, how you do me (sea-lion)
Oh lion (sea-lion) I caught a preacher (sea-lion)
One had a bushel, one had a peck, one had a year about his neck.
B 2. Rosey, babyy, Rosey...dance song...by McDonald family...near Livingston Ala..May 27,
Come on Rosey, come on baby with me
I got a horse an' buggy too, I got a driver put you thu
Rosey, baby, Rosey
Right by my side
You do dat now, you do dat agin, you and promenade around.
Do (over>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
You do like de possum done, Put his bed in de holler stump.
Forty dollar carpet on my flo', Marry me an' I'll buy you some mo'
Rosey, darlin', hurry.
B 2. G tell Aunt Dinah...children's song...by Mary McDonald (Negro) near Livingston Ala.
May 27, 1939
Go an' tell Aunt Dinah, Go an' tell Aunt Dinah
Go an' tell Aunt Dinah de old grey goose is dead
Died last Friday, died Last Friday
Died last Fiday with a pain in de back o' her head
She was savin', she was savin'
She was savin' to make a feather bed.
Walkin' roun dat green tree, walkin' round dat green tres,
Walkin' round dat green tree, the ole grey goose is dead.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
2689
2690
J.A.L. '39
TEMPORARY NO.
Tartt
McDonalds - Livingston, Ala.
A 3. Satisfied...dance tune...sung by Mary McDonald (Negro) and family
at their farm near Livingston, Ala. May 27, 1939
Note: Leader sings "Lord, I aint"
Other singers call "satisfied"
etc.
REFRAIN: Lord, I aint..satisfied.
How can I be..satisfied
I never have been..satisfied
Some folks say..(satisfied) Preacher won't steal..(satisfied)
But I found three..(satisfied) In my cornfield..(satisfied)
One had a bushel..(satisfied) One had a peck..(satisfied)
One had de cornfield..(satisfied) Around his neck..(satisfied)
Ruther be dead..(satisfied) An' buried in san'..(satisfied)
Than another woman..(satisfied)..To have my man...(satisfied)
Way down yonder..(satisfied) By de ax an' saw..(satisfied)
Bull frog cou'tin'(or winkin' at).. (Satisfied)..His mother-in-law..(Satisfied)
Mamma,mamma...(Satisfy) Stole a duck..(satisfy)
Give all the boys..(Satisfied) A bone to suck..(satisfied)
My ole mistess..(satisfied) She promised me..(satisfied)
When she died..(satisfied) She'd set me free..(satisfied)
Added to above by Aunt Molly:
Papa, papa killed a goose
Set it on de table wid both legs up
Give all de boys a bone to sup
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
JAL '39
Livingston, Alabama
Enoch Brown
"There's ole Enoch", Doc Reed said as he sat on Mrs. Tartt's back "gallery" ready to sing. We listened to the "hollerin"' as everybody calls it, though that is too harsh a word for such a rounded-tones. He was crossing the bridge over the Sacarnatchie that runs at the foot of Baldwin Hill. He is artist enough to know that from just there his calls will sound most effective. It is a sort of "hallo-ing", perhaps a form of yodeling, though the words are those of field songs, with always a weird lonesomeness. We could never quite get the effect into our microphone. Usually he would call "oh-oh-oo-oo, I won't be here long", with variations on that theme. Enoch is a strange person, the kind of person that we are tempted to call "a strange creature", for he seems "other-worldly", a wraith that appears suddenly out of darkness-- we have never seen him in daytime in two visits- His sentences in conversation are condensed. "He come?", when expanded means "Has Mr. Lomax arrived?" If the answer is "No", Enoch turns away with a mere "Back again". His laugh, too, is not of this earth. Enoch's clothing consist mostly of rags pinned together; he does not keep himself clean; he works only when he is hungry, and not then if he has some excuse to walk up the hill to Mra. Tartt's home about mealtime. He ought to be repulsive, but he isn't; rather, he stirs deeply the pools of tenderness in the heart. The texts of his calls are not set down. It is almost impossible to remember to set them down as he hollers.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
Livingston, Ala., - 1939
The American Folk Song Archive written by Ruby Terrill Lomax for newspaper reporter.
For five days of the past week the banks of the Sucanotchie have rung with echoes from the Old South, as tune after tune of old songs that would will soon be forgotten were sung and put on record in the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Tartt by John A. Lomax, Honorary Curator of the Folk Song Archive of the Library of Congress. The Negro "songsters" were discovered and introduced to Mr. Lomax by Mrs. Tartt. Twenty full twelve-inch discs were filled with more than a hundred songs, many of them "new" to Mr. Lomax and probably, to musicians of America.
The Library of Congress is convinced that, as old books and manuscripts should be preserved, so old tunes should be caught from the lips of the fast disappearing "songsters" of folk songs and saved for the pleasure and the study of musicians in future days; for many influences are driving these old songs of the folk out of the minds of even the older generation of people who know them. Mr. Lomax's interest in preserving old songs reaches back many years to the nights when he listened to the cowboys as they soothed the "little dogies", bedded down for the night near his Texas home. He began to write down the words of these cowboy songs and kept many of the tunes alive in his head. Later through the influence of his Harvard professors he was given the Sheldon Travel Fellowship and started out for the West with an old-style dictaphone to gather cowboy songs and
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
other frontier songs and ballads. These he later included in his COWBOY SONGS, which has recently been enlarged and revised with many more tunes than the first edition gives. This first edition, so scholars claim, was the first volume of genuine American folk songs ever published and a copy of the 1910 edition is classed among the "rare" items on a collector's shelves.
For several years Mr. Lomax, as an officer of the University of Texas and later as a business executive in Dallas, Texas, was too busy with routine work to collect songs in the field. But his interest never waned and during the past six years he has criss-crossed the continent many times with his recording machine, lecturing to colleges and gathering tunes from every state in the Union except North Dakota. His first lengthy recording trip with an improved modern machine was sponsored by the Carnegie Foundation, directed through the Music Division of the Library of Congress. He and his son, Alan Lomax, visited every penitentiary of the South, where they found Negro folk-tunes least "contaminated" by "White" and other modern influences. Here they found also a great variety of folk tunes. In Lousiana prison farm Lead Belly sang into the microphone many of his stirring songs, accompanying them on his twelve-string guitar. He was later paroled by the Governor to accompany the Lomaxes, and his dramatic story they tell in their NEGRO FOLK SONGS AS SUNG BY LEAD BELLY.
In their travels the Lomaxes have recorded remnants and widely differing versions of old English ballads, fiddle tunes, hillbilly songs, lulabies, play party and dance tunes, work-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
songs as varied as the tasks they lightened, cowboy songs, field hollers, Mexican border ballads, from widely scattered ups and downs, ins and outs of the United States. But their favorite source of material is the Negro of the South, whose work songs and spirituals attract the attention of musicians everywhere they are played. Two years ago, while Mr. Lomax was supervising the gathering of folk materials for the Federal Writers Project, Mr. Lomax and his wife worked in Livingston, Alabama with Negro "Songsters" who were introduced to them by Mrs. Ruby Pickens Tartt. On that visit more than a hundred songs were recorded. The names of some of these singers are well-known in the Music Division of the Library of Congress, particularly Doc Reed and Vera Hall, whose records of spirituals are the pride of the Folk Song Archive. And the fame of these singers is not limited to the Library staff. On Christmas Day the British Broadcasting Corporation opened a series of programs which undertook to acquaint the British people with folk music of America; included in one of these programs was a spiritual sung by Vera Hall of Livingston. When Mr. Lomax records, he tells the musicians that they cannot expect returns in money for their services, that they too are making a contribution to the country: but not even Mr. Lomax foresaw that the clear-voiced singer from Livingston would be sent through the twenty-two millions radios of the British Empire.
Adopting the conviction of Mr. Lomax that Livingston, Alabama and its vicinity has the best singers of Negro spirituals in the country, the Library of Congress asked
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
Mr. Lomax to include Livingston again in his itinerary with an improved machine which makes almost perfect reproductions. Once more through the help of Mrs. Tartt the songs the "songsters" were rallied and filled twenty records with beautiful spirituals, playparty songs, work-songs, lullabies. Some of the old favorites, such as "Job, Job" and "John" Saw Dat Number", were re-recorded, but a large number of "brand new" tunes were sung. Most of the recordings were made in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Tartt, though for a few songs the machine with batteries was taken to the singers' homes. One set of congregational singing was recorded in the Johnson Place Baptist Church near Livingston.
Besides the COWBOY SONGS and the Lead Belly book mentioned above, Mr. Lomax is editor and compiler of the following collections: SONGS OF THE COW CAMP AND CATTLE TRAIL: and, in collaboration with Alan Lomax, of AMERICAN BALLADS AND FOLK SONGS, VOL. I. A second volume of American Ballads Our Singing Country is in preparation and will appear this fall.
Section 18: Newberry, Florida; June 1
2695 2704; 2698 2705; Newberry, Florida; Mrs. G.A. Griffin; June 1, 1939
We drove up to Mrs. Griffin's door about eleven o'clock in the morning. She was just building a fire in her wood cook-stove to cook dinner. Mrs. Griffin is almost blind; she keeps one of her grandchildren to help her, and she has a boarder, -a workman who takes his lunch with him. After we had talked with her a little while and she had sung three or four songs, she invited us to dinner; there was no excusing ourselves, and we stayed. The food was coarse and poorly prepared, but Mrs. Griffin's courteous hospitality made up for any deficiencies in the quality of the food. She had chickens, all of whom she called by name, - at least the older ones, and we had her record her call to the chickens. Ever since Professor Morris invited Mrs. Griffin to sing her ballads to his classes in the University of Florida, Mrs. Griffin has had an ambition to hear her name mentioned on radio. She was beginning to look to her shekels, too. It seems that some of her friends or her family had suggested that the men who were getting her songs were making money from them, of which she should have a large share. She at length seemed convinced of Mr. Lomax's sincerity of purpose, and she recorded several songs that she had thought up since Mr. Lomax was there with Professor Morris. I set down here some interesting remarks that are not included in the excerpts from a letter, a copy of which is attached.
*She kept her jewels in a girly-perchy box."--" That song? why, I ain't thought o' that song since I used to go to the cowpen and sing." Requesting to hear her recorded song played back: "Set that off and see what hit caught." "My father was always singing songs; taught singing schools."
*"When I was a girl, somebody brought me a box, smelled like rubber, called hit a 'girly-perchy box."
Letter from RTL to her family
Newberry, Fla.
re: Mrs. G. A. Griffin
June 2, 1939
Night before last we spent at Live Oak, Fla., "way down upon the Swanee River", the real Swanee. I don't have a Florida map handy, but if you follow Highway No. 41 on down you will find Newberry where we spent yesterday with Mrs. G. A. Griffin, a white singer. The Library already has seventy of her songs which John Avery and a University of Florida man* got two years ago. Mrs. Griffin is much feebler and has lost severl more teeth ("I caint sing no more, fer my lips git sucked in the holes between my teeth", giving thereupon an exhibit as proof); nevertheless Mrs. Griffin added six or seven songs to her list of recordings. She must have had a repertoire of two hundred in her prime, for there is mentioned hardly an old secular song of which she did not know at least one couplet or stanza. She calls herself a Georgy Cracker. "How did you happen to leave Georgia, Mrs. Griffin?" "Well, my Ma had a sister down here she wanted to see, so her an' five o' us kids jes' come. We lef' Pa at home an' he come later." "How did you come?" "Walked hit. A hundred 'n' seventy eight miles, ever step of hit. Tuck us three weeks. But when we wuz bigger me an' my brother walked hit agin in seven days an' nights". She had twelve children all brought to maturity and eleven of them living now. "my children all had the same father. I haint never been that way except fer one man, an' as the Lord's my witness I haint never knowed but two men in all my life, an' them two wuz my husbands. An' I've been thowed with men in every way. I've worked in the fields with 'em, rid horse races with 'em-why I run a horse race right over thar, ridin' barback, made some money too, not bettin', but jest the prize money; an' I've built a house with my own hands, an' when I married Mr. Griffin I wuz runnin' a sawmill o' my own, an' had twelve men a workin' for me." Explaining that she was not on good terms with one of her daughters who probably could remember some of the song words that she had forgot, Mrs. Griffin said: "Will Brown, he's my daughter's husband, told me he'd kick me off the place if I ever come near his house. An' d'ye know why? Well, I told 'em plain out that Nellie, that's their daughter an' my own grandchild, too, I haint a-denyin' that, but I told 'em she wuz goin' to burn in hell fire fer breaking up another man's home. She went in an' got a man to fall in love with her, then she tuck an' divorced her own husband an' made this other man divorce his wife an' then they wuz married. Twarnt nothin' but plain adultery an' nothin' caint save her from hell, an' I told 'em so an' they don't like hit." "Anyhow my daughter caint sing any better than I can, fer she's snaggled toothed too, Mrs. Griffin used to work large farm, but once had $22000 in bank. Lost most of it in bank failure. Mrs. Griffin calls a spade a spade. She can't write, "never went to school a day in my life". This came out when she complained that she had difficulty in shopping: "I have to send my grandson here, an' he caint remember but one thing at a time; so I have to send him fer meat, an' then when he gits home with the meat, I have to send him back for beans." "Why dont you write out a list for the grocer?" Then came the explanation. But Mrs. Griffin is wise in many ways beyond "book-larnin'". Wish we could hear her husbands' side of this story.
*Prof. Alton Morris
Newberry, Florida; Mrs. G.A.Griffin - Further notes on Mrs. Griffin--June 1, 1939
"My father was a fiddler. I learnt most o' my songs from him. We still got his fiddle. The children all bid for it, and I bid it in for $92.00".
Mrs. Griffin's version of the lullaby, "Go to sleepy, little baby",
concludes: "When you wake up, you shall have
Some cake an' all them pretty little horses."
She tells about her reluctance to sing a certain song for Mr. Lomax and Professor Morris: "I looked over an' saw Mr. Morris a-look-in' down, an' I knowed he was thinkin' evil. An' I tried to keep from laughin' till my jaws hurt."
Her father had fifteen guns, called by name: Bull-tyre(?); Scooter-plough (made from scooter plough); Spike barrell; Holt--; Meat-in-the-pot; Betsy, etc.
About her and her brother's trip back to Georgia when she was 15 years old, she says: "When I was 15 years old, brother an' me walked back to Georgy in seven days an' nights. Sometimes at night we stayed in people's houses; we always told 'em the truth, never lied; I told my brother to always tell the truth an' we'd be all right: jes' brother an' sister makin' our way back to Georgy. One night we come to a church, with the door open; it was empty, a space so-high where the roof come down to the walls was open, not boarded-up; don't know why; may be they didn't have 'nough plans or may be cooler that way. We pulled some benches together and I put my bundle under my arms and laid down. Now my brother found a path leadin' down to the well,-he was older and been about more and saw sech things. We went down to git some water and we had to pass a graveyard There was a cow that just had a calf and she was groanin' and carryin' on, an' I got scairt. An' when I was layin' on them benches I kept nearin' them noises in the graveyard an' 'bout that time I heared the awfullest Flop-flop-flop, an' I knowed it was sperits. I called my brother an' he said it wasn't no sich, go, on to sleep, -but the floppin' kep' up till I couldn't stand it no longer. Then my brother got up a-cussin' me an' said hit warn't nothin' but buzzards. They was some straw an' dry leaves outside an' he set 'em of fire an hit blazed up an' he said they was seven buzzards an' a owl come out from that big crack, but I didn't see 'em, an' I still believe they was sperits."
When Mr. Lomax mentioned to her the ballad, The King wrote a love-letter, which she had recorded previously, she said she learned it from her father, and proceeded to relate this incident: "Once my father stood on top o' the shed and sung The king wrote a love-letter, and he sung it so loud that the neighbors three mile away said they heared him. They was a creek and I guess his voice went down the creek."
She was sixteen years old the last time she heard him sing.
---------------------------------------------------------------
2704; 2705; Mrs. G. A. Griffin --Texts--incomplete
The Walls of Jericho - This is Mrs. Griffin title for a combination of The Nightingale, Rye Whiskey, O Mollie, O Mollie. [Tune: Rye Whiskey] Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/270/2705b1.mp3
One morning, one morning one morning in May
I saw two fair couples a-makin' there way.
He drew out his fiddle and opened his bow,
You make yourself welcome wherever you go.
The text runs along with little variation from Nightingale, but in about the third stanza breaks into:
Take out your horses an' feed 'em some hay
My horses aren't hungry an' won't eat your hay
(Hiccoughs) how bad I do feel (repeat)
I'll eat when I'm hungry, etc.
If a limb don't fall on me, etc.
My whip's in my hand, my wagon's well-greased
So fare-you-well, Betsy, I'm drivin' away;
But it's for you, Betsy, I've come this long way,
Let me jump in the bed behind you and lie there till day.
For it rains, hails an' freezes an' the moon gives no light
But it's for your sake, etc.
Let me jump, etc.
Sweet river, sweet river, we know you're not dry
But I never drink nothin' till I know I am dry
O Molly, O Molly
*Jordon a hard road to travel - one stanza: (not recorded)
Looked across the river an' my heart began to jivver,
An' I wished I been a geese over there.
*also: Pull off your shirt and roll up your sleeve Jordon is a hard road to travel, I believe
Billy Boy - one stanza- (not recorded this time)
She could card, she could spin,
She could do most anything.
MY MULE AND ME - a funny song Text may not be accurate in spots
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/270/2705a2.mp3
The other day I had some cash
Then I thought I'd cut a dash;
I went to a man had mules to sell,
I bought me one that pleased me well;
CHORUS: Sing hi-fol-dol, sing hi-fol-day
Hi-fol-diddle dol-day.
I sat my mule and was right mad
To think my mule served me so bad,
He throwed me down, he mashed my nose,
He broke my back, he dirted my clothes.
CHORUS: Sing hi-fol-dol, sing hi-fol-day
Hi-fol-diddle dol-day.
I got up, and I was right mad
To think my mule served me so bad,
I beat him, I banged him, I had him to go,
He has to shadow one mile or more.
CHORUS: Sing hi-fol-dol, sing hi-fol-day
Hi-fol-diddle dol-day.
We run on till we come to the sea
And then I thought both drowned to be,
My mule didn't seem to be 'fraid at all,
He taken one sup and he swallowed it all.
CHORUS: Sing hi-fol-dol, sing hi-fol-day
Hi-fol-diddle dol-day.
My mule he kicked up and away he did fly
He lodged me up all in the sky
My mule he kicked up and away he did fly
He lodged me up all in the sky
CHORUS: Sing hi-fol-dol, sing hi-fol-day
Hi-fol-diddle dol-day.
Gettin' up there was easy enough
But how to get down was very tough
I saw a rainbow reaching to the ground,
I greased my pants and so slipped on down
CHORUS: Sing hi-fol-dol, sing hi-fol-day
Hi-fol-diddle dol-day.
So now I've sung my song most through
And every word of it were true
Now I've sing my mule both steam an' fire*
If you don't believe it, you can go an' inquire.
CHORUS: Sing hi-fol-dol, sing hi-fol-day
Hi-fol-diddle dol-day.
*unclear
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It Rains And It Hails- game song like London Bridge- text incomplete
http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/270/2705a1.mp3
It rains and it hails and it's cold stormy weather,
Oh, along come a farmer's daughter drinkin' o' her cider
Oh, you can be the reaper and I'll be the binder
I've lost my true love(r?) and where will I find her?
Oh, I found my true lover and I told her I love her
Come under, come under, my honey, my love, my hearts's
I've not caught you to drown you, I've caught you to love you
I love her as I love my life
I'll hug her and kiss her
---------------------------------------------------------
This is seven fox - a hunting song, learned from a Negro woman who "helped me when I was thataway"
This is the seven fox we have roused from the rocks
He is making for the water, we'll turn to my home
So I'll leave the fox alone
And rouse him early Monday morning, God knows.
I put my horn to my mouth, blowed West, East, North and South,
My hounds don't seem to hear me, but we'll return to my home
And goin' leave the old fox alone
And rouse him early Monday morning, God Knows.
Skip-to-my-Lou- not recorded; Mrs. Griffin sang this line:
My sweetheart kicked me, -tumpta-ma-loola
----------------------------------------------------
Ducks in the Pond - Mrs. Griffin- text incomplete [fiddle tune: Ducks in the Millpond]
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/270/2705b3.mp3
Ho! Lord, the one I go for
Got so drunk that he couldn't turn over.
Ho! Lord, the one I go for
Got so drunk that he couldn't turn over.
Betsy was a *baby, Polly was a honey
Come along, honey, and go to your daddy.
Late in the evening, Peter went a-fishin
He laid down and the boogers come an' got him
Ho! Lord, the one I go for
Got so drunk that he couldn't turn over.
Ducks in the pond and geese fly over
Gals in the bed and can't turn over
Betsy was a baby, Polly was a honey
Come along, honey, and go to your daddy.
Late in the evening, Peter went a-fishin
He laid down and the boogers come an' got him
--------------------------------------------------------
The Cambric Shirt- "Learned it when a little girl and sang it more times than the hairs o' my head."
http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/270/2705b2.mp3
Go tell her to make me a cambric shirt
Sage, rosemary and thyme
Without a needle or seamster's work,
And she shall be a true lover o' mine.
Go tell her to wash it all in a dry well
Sage, Rosemary and thyme.
Where water never sprung, no rain never fell
And she shall be a true lover o' mine.
Go tell her to hang it all on a thorn bush,
Sage, Rosemary and thyme.
Where bush never growed since Old Adam was born,
And she shall be a true lover o' mine.
Go tell her to iron it against a horse back,
Sage, Rosemary and thyme.
Without lookin' down and lettin' it get black
And she shall be a true lover o' mine.
*Go tell him to get him one acre of ground
Save Rosemary and thyme,
Twixt sea-water and the sea-sound
And he shall be a true lover o' mine
Go tell him to plant it in little grain corn,
Sage, Rosemary and thyme.
Go tell him to plought it with a horse's horn
And he shall be a true lover o' mine
Go tell him to reap it with a shickle o' leather,
Sage, Rosemary and thyme.
Go tell him to haul it home on a peafowl's feather,
And he shall be a true lover o' mine.
Go tell him to thrash it against the house wall,
Sage, Rosemary and thyme.
Without lookin' down or lettin' a grain fall,
And he shall be a true lover o' mine.
When he gits all this work done,
Sage, Rosemary and thyme.
Tell him to come to me for his cambric shirt
And he shall be a true lover o' mine.
*changes to "him" instead of "her" for the rest of the song.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mrs. Griffin -- Texts (incomplete); also 992 B3
Tune: Goin' back to Georgy
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/265/2653a3.mp3
The coon he totes a ringed tail; the possum a slick 'un
The coon he eats my new ground corn, the possum catch a chicken
Refrain: An' I want to go back to Georgy, I want to go back to Georgy.
Oh, the higher you climb a cherry tree, riper are the berry
The more you court that pretty little girl the sooner she'll get married.
Refrain: An' I want to go back to Georgy, I want to go back to Georgy.
I would not marry you to save my life because you are my cousin,
For I can get a plenty more for eighteen cents a dozen.
Refrain: An' I want to go back to Georgy, I want to go back to Georgy.
Dying Cowboy- (2695)- deviations from the usual text:
http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/269/2695b3.mp3
Don't bury me here on the lone prairie
Where the rattlesnakes is and the wind blows free. (Repeat)
Oh, carry me back to my mother's home,
Don't bury me now where it's all alone.
Don't matter now, so I've been told,
Where the body lays, but the heart will grow cold.
Oh, they carried him back to his mother's home,
They wouldn't bury him there all alone.
-----------------------------------------------------
Calling her chickens- 2698 A3
------------------------------------------------
Section 19: State Penitentiary, Raiford, Florida; June 2-5; Raiford, Florida-State Penitentiary June 2--5, 1939
List of songs recorded: 2706, 2707, 2708, 2709, 2710, 2711, 2712, 2713, 2714, 2715, 2716, 2717, 2718, 2556B, 3554B, 3556A
I heard what you said about me--by Allen Ried
I left my woman in the back door cryin'--by James Richardson- holler
I want to moan right on that shore-- Joe Brown, Paul Perkins, James Richardson Willie Ford.
John Henry--sung by Joe Brown, guitar by Lonnie Thomas
Little Lonnie-- bu Burrus Johnson
The longest day I ever lived-- John Brown and group
Lost train blues-- Fred Perry, fiddle, and Glen Carver, guitar
Lullaby-- sung by John Brown
The mocking bird--by Fred perry, fiddle, and Glen Carver, guitar
My time ain't long-(Sometimes I feel like a motherless child)- by Johnnie Mae Medlock, Clifford Reid, Annabelle Sanford, Lois Brown
New Burying ground--by Joe Brown and Group
O Cap'n caint read--by Dawson Johnson
Oh,ye prodigal son-- by Joe Brown and group
Oo, what you gonna do, woman-(holler)--Joe Brown
Ole Bad Laz'us--by Allen Reid
One Saturday night--by Colon Reed
Oh, de sun done quit shining--by Lonnie Thomas
Po' Stranger blues--Johnnie Mae Medlock and Lillian Hutchins
Prayer-- group of men
Pretty girl don't pay me no mind--by Fred Perry, fiddle, and Glen Carver, guitar
Red hot sun turning over--Joe Brown and group
Sallie Gordon (Goodin?)-Fred Perry, fiddle, and Glen Carver, guitar
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child--Clifford Reed, Johnnie Mae Medloc Julia Griffin
Steal Liza Jane--ring game-- by Gussie Slater, Johnnie Mae Medlock, Ruth Hines
Sissie in de barn--Julia Griffin and group--game song
Take dis hammer- group
This is the way you build a bridge--game song--Clifford Reid, Johnny Mae Medlock, Annabelle Sanford, Lois Brown
Three nights experience--Colon Reed Keel(?)
Trouble is hard--Gussie Slater and Clifford Reid
The two soldiets--Glenn Carver
Walking in my sleep--Fred Perry, fiddle, and Glen Carver, guitar
When I wake up in the morning--holler-Allen Reid
Work don't bother me--Colon Keel
You must be born again--group of men
Bad Laz'us--Allen Reid
De Funiac blues--Barruss Johnson
Down by the Rocky Mountains--by James Richardson
Dupree blues--Buena Flint (Flynn)
Go tell Aunt Tabby--Corine Jackson and Hazel Futch
He knows--Mary Hunter, Ella Monday, Lillie Hardwick, Geneva McDonald
Hikin' Jerry--Daws on Johnson and Allen Reid
Home on the range--James Richardson
I'm gonna roll a few days longer--(holler)--Willie Howard
I feel my time aint long-- John Brown
Bobby Allen-- Hule Hines
Bull cow Blues--by Johnnie Mae Medlock and Lillian Hutchins,
Battle Ax-Gussie Slayter and Gussie Reed
Blind Child--Colon Keel
Clever Glen Carver-- by Allen Reid
Total--49 titles
Impossible to get all texts, even when RTL was present to try to take them down.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEMPORARY NO. 2706; Raiford
I want to moan right on dat shore; sung by Negro quartet..Florida State Prison Exhibit Room, Raiford, Fla. June 3, 1939; (spiritual) Joe Brown, leader; James Richardson, Willie Howard, Paul Perkins
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/270/2706a1.mp3
I want to moan right on dat shore,
Lord I want to moan right on dat shore.
I want to moan for my Jesus, for my Jesus evermore.
My mother she died right o dat shore, etc.
I want to pray, etc.
I want to build, etc.
I want to stand, etc.
I want to kneel, etc.
A 2. Home on the Range Sung by James Richardson (Negro)...Florida State Prison Farm, Raiford June 3, 1939
"discouraging word" Usual printed text. See Lomax: COWBOY SONGS "glory excess that of ours"
Hikin' Jerry- Work song,..sung by Florida State Prison Farm, Raiford June 3 [similar to "Take This Hammer" songs] Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/270/2706b1.mp3
Hikin Jerry, hikin' down de main line Southern
Hikin' Jerry, hikin' down de main line Southern
Dead on time, Lord, Lord, dead on time.
Looky yonder, hard boilin' sun turnin' over (repeat)
She won't go down, Lord, Lord, won't go down.
My little woman, she won't treat me like she usta (repeat)
She's gone away, Lord, Lord, gone away.
My ole Captin, he done lef' dis mornin' (repeat)
He won't be back, Lord, Lord, won't be back.
I Heard What you said About Me I'm goine where de sun never shine..Worksong Blues..by Allen Reed..State Prison Raiford, Fla. June 3, 1939
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/270/2706b2.mp3
1. Yes I heard what you said about me
Yes I heard what you said about me.
If you cry 'bout a nickle, *you will die 'bout a dime
Yes I heard just what you said about me.
2. Yes I'm goin' where de sun never shine (repeat)
If you cry 'bout a nickle, you will die 'bout a dime
Yes I heard just what you said about me.
3. Yes I'm goin' way back in the mines.
Yes I'm goin' way back in the mines.
Said if I cry 'bout a nickle, well I'll die 'bout a dime
Yes, I'm gwine where de sun never shine.
4. Capt'in, you ought to be ashamed.
Yes my Capt'in, you ought to be ashamed
You lef' yo' watch home an' you work me by yo' chain
Yes my Capt'in, you ought to be ashamed
*if I die
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TEMPORARY NO. 2707; Raiford
Go Ye, Prodigal Son spiritual...sung by Negro uartet Florida State Prison, Raiford June 2, 1939; Joe Brown, leader--James Richardson, Willie Howard, Paul Perkins http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/270/2707a1.mp3
Go ye prodigal son- - -,
Go ye prodigal son
Go ye prodigal son
So ye can be a servant o' de Lord.
(Refrain)
I b'lieve dat, I b'lieve dat, I will- go back home (repeat)
An' be a servant o' de Lord (Couplet repeated)
Oh,de prodigal son, he was a furaway child
His mind was not to obey
The he left his father's home
He thought he was goin' astray. (Refrain)
His father say him comin', an' he 'met him with a smile:
He threw his lovin' arms aroun' him, cryin' 'This is my darlin' child'.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raiford, Fla.--Women's Dormitory June 4, 1939
I know my time ain't long--(Sometimes I feel like a motherless child) leader-Clifford Reid
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child (3 Times)
I know my time ain't long.
Sometimes I feel like a feather in the air (3 times)
Lord, Lord, I know my time aint long.
Sometimes I feel like I have no friend. etc
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child.
Go tell Aunt Tabby-Corine Jackson and Hazel Futch
Go tell Aunt Tabby (3 times)
The old gray goose is dead
The one she's been saving, to make her feather-bed
She died last Friday, etc
Go to sleepy baby on your feather-bed
Bobby Allen by Queen Hines (titled, Barbara Allen) Learned from grandparents
http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/271/2714b2.mp3
Remember, 'member de other day,
When you was in town a-drinkin'.
You treated all the ladies 'round
An' slighted Bobby Allen.
He sent his servants to the town
Unto his Bobby's dwellin'.
Your master dear lies sick abed
Sick unto his Bobby Allen.
And slowly, slowly she got up
An' went unto his dwellin'
She raised the curtain as she walked in,
Young man, I think you're dyin'.
Oh yes, I am sick an' very sick
An' this is all my dwellin'
I never shall see my time again
If I don't get Bobby Allen
She wheel(ed) around and went back home
Along as she was journeyin'
She looked to de East, looked to de West
She saw de corpse a-comin'
Oh mother, mother, fix my bed
An' make it long an' narrow
A young man died for me today,
An' I must die for him tomorrow.
Little Wille died on Saturday night
An' Bobby died on Sunday
Little Willie died on Saturday night,
He were buried on Easter Monday.
An' from her grave there sprung a rose
An' from his grave a brier
They wrapped an' tied in a true lovers' knot
An' lived an' died together.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
JAL '39
Raiford, Fla.-Women's Dormitory-Texts
2716
He knows-spiritual-Mary Hunter, Ella Monday, Lillie Hardwick, Geneva McDonald
Refrain: He knows, He knows, He knows
He knows all you do an' he hears all you say
My blessed Saviour He knows.
When I mon, when I moan, He knows, My blessed Saviour knows.
Yes, He sees all you do, etc.
When I cry, etc.
Pray for me, etc.
--------------------------------------
2716 He's a battle-ax-spiritual-Gussie Slayter and Clifford Reed
Refrain: He's a battle-ax in a time o' battle
Shelter in a mighty storm
Well, caint no man do like Jesus
Not a mumblin' word did he say
He jes' walked right down to Laz'us grave
An' he raised him from de grave
Easter night he started back home
Stopped in Jerusalem, was pressin' along
Spoke to de doctors all precious in gold
Doctors, can you heal a dyin' soul?
Well, if it had not been for Adam
There would not a-been no sin
Oh, Adan broke de law of God (?)
Now we got a debt to pay
When Mary was seekin' for religion
She wasn't only twelve years old,
She was skippin' over hills an' mountains
She knocked at Abraham's door
Well, A is for Almighty that is true
B is for Baby like I an' you
C is for Christ sent from God
D is for Doctor man of all.
-------------------------------------------------------
2718 Po' Stranger blues--Johnny Mae Medlock and Lillian Hutchins
Refrain: I'm a stranger here, I just becomed in yo' town (repeat)
Just because I'm a stranger the peopl want to dog me 'rround
3. I would stay but nothin' there that I can do (repeat)
Just hang around de corner an' sing dese po' strang r blues.
2. I wonder how some people can dog a po' stranger so
Just because I'm a stranger people want to dog me 'round.
4. I'm gin' back South if I wear out ninety-nine pairs o shoes
Well, I know I be welcome an' I won't have to(sing?) dese Po' Stranger Blues..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raiford, Fla. Women's Dormitory-Texts
2718 Bull-cow blues-text incomplete-Johnny Mae Medlock and Lillian Hutchins; Probably learned from record.
If you got a good bull-cow, you'd best feed him every day
I say, " " " " " "
Or else there'll come along some young cow and tow yo' bull away.
Now,yo' bull's in a pasture where ain't no grass
I want you women outside to love me like--
Oh, baby, don't mean yo' bull no good--
Why don't you give yo' bull
Oh, dat bull all night long,
You wake up in de mornin', baby, you find yo' bull done gone
You may be nimble but you got to die some day
You might as well give me some o' yo' lovin' befo' you pass away.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
2716 Trouble is hard-spiritual-Gussie Slayter and Clifford Reed
Refrain: My trouble is hard, so hard (repeat)
Jes' caint believe my trouble is hard
Well, do n by de graveyard I'm goin' to walk
Me an' Godamighty goin' have a little talk
Two white horses side by side
Me an' Goda mighty goin' take a ride
Oh, stop,y ung man, I got somethin' to say
You are sinnin', why don't you pray?
Sinnin' 'gainst God, sinnin' in vain
Who has power to slay us all
God called Moses on de mountain-top
Placed de laws in Moses' heart
Placed de commandments in his mind
Go, Moses, don't you leave my lamb behind
A for Adam, he was a man
He's placed in de garden at God's command
Adam was father of de human race,
He violated de law an' God drove him from de place.
Well, Adam went a way, didn't stay long
Before God sent him to save his corn
He overtook Adam an' caught him by his mind
De power reached him just in time
Go down, angels, consume de flood, Blow out de sun, turn de moon to bloodblood
Come back, angels, an' bolt de do'; Time has been won't be no mo'.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raiford, Fla. Women's Dormitory Texts cont'd
2718 Dupree Blues--by Buens Flint--learned from record or radio. Text incomplete
Betty told Mr. Dupree, says, I want me a diamond ring (repeat)
Dupree told his little old Betty he can get most any old thing
He said, Lay down, Little Betty; he said, Lay down, little Bitty Betty
See what tomorrow gonna bring.
Lord, it may bring sunshine an' it may bring a diamond ring.
Dupree didn't want hi Betty, his little Bi ty Betty, to know
that he was pore;
So he grabbed his revolver an' started to de jewelry man's store.
He said, Look here, Mister Jeweler man won't you show me a diamond, plea
Look here, look here, " " " " " "please
'Cause my Little Bitty Betty want to give her po' heart's ease
I said, six months ain't no sentence, an', baby, two years aint no time
Look at po' little Betty, she's tryin' to make ninety-nine.
2718 Steal, Miss Liza-game song--by Gussie Slayter, Johnny Mae Medlock, Ruth Hine
Steal Miss Liza, steal Liza Jane
That ole man aint got no wife--Steal Liza Jane
Can't get a wife to save his life, steal Liza Jane
Steal Miss Liza, steal Liza Jane (repeat)
That ole man, etc.
Can't keep a wife, etc.
2718 Sissy in de barn-game song-Julia Griffin and group
Sissy in de barn, join de wedding
Prettiest little couple I ever did see,
Oh, bye-an'-bye put yo' arms around me
Says, little sissy, won't you marry me.
Oh, step back, gal, don't you come near me,
All those sassy words you say
Bye-an'-baye, throw yo' arms around me
Pretty little sissy, won't you marry me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Superintendent's Home; Florida State Prison ; Raiford, Florida ;
June 2, 1939
Raiford, Fla. State Penitentienary
Letter of RTL to family
Dear Jim,
Having escaped from Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi penitentiaries, we are caught again in Florida. From where I am sitting we see only beautiful lawns and trees, and would never guess than a few yards away there are many hundreds of prisoners confined. Florida has a very fine superintendent, Mr. Chapman, who believes that every man should be at work, and here even the cripples have their jobs, every man who is not in the hospital. I have not been inside yet, but I imagine it is cleaner than some of the state prisons that we have visited, not to mention the name of our, or my native state! Our host was away yesterday when we arrived, but Mr. Chapman had left word and the trusties who seem to run the house took us in charge. John Avery has gone scouting this morning and my work begins again when he spots the singers.
Later
With the help of the recreational director and band leader Mr. Lomax found some singers. We set up the machine in a room that had had been used for an exhibit of arts and crafts of convicts. We set up our machine and worked several hours with a quartet who sang, with guitar accompaniment for some of the songs. James Richardson who sang Home on the Range said he had sung it for radio on some state official occassion. Next morning as we started out, Superintendent Chapman called me back and said he didnot want me to go into the men's dormitory; he did not want to take any chance of the men's trying a break with me as hostage. So much for Sunday morning and afternoon. Some of the convicts had training as electrical engineers helped with the recording. I was allowed to visit the women's ward. They had church service early after which we set up our machine for as many as wished to stay. The women were slow getting started and had to urge one another.
Raiford, Fla. June 5.
At my most recent writing to you, I believe, I had just been forbidden admission to the men's ward of the Mississippi prisons. On our last night there I helped with the recordings in the women's ward,-blues, bye-baby songs, spirituals etc. The girls were allowed to stay up till 1 o'clock, which added to our popularity with them. I dont know how they felt about it next morning at four o'clock. Several of the best singers had gone,-served "they time" and now in the free world, or paroled; one of the best is incapacitated, in the t. b. ward for two years; he wept when John Avery visited him, because he could not sing any more.
Section 20: Murrells Inlet, South Carolina; June 6-9
JAL '39
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
June 6--8, 1939
Excerpt from letter of R.T.L. to family
From Raiford we went up the coast highway through Brunswick, Savannah, Charles where we spent the night, though I think we should not have stopped, had we known about the polio epidemic, the worst in S.C. for many years. For that reason we had to forego gathering little Negro children together at Murrells Inlet, as we had planned, for playparty songs, - twenty-five dollar fine for such. Tourist camps and houses were not allowed to take in children under twelve years without some kind of statement from a doctor. But we did get some good individual singers, among them our old friend Mrs. Floyd who learned to read when she received her first love-letter.
If you or any of your family travel along Route 17 between Georgetown and Myrtle Beach (through Murrells Inlet), dont fail to drive into Brookgreen Garden, which is developed by Huntington, one of nine gardens which he has given to various regions of the United States. His wife is the sculptor of the Diana which reposes in the Univ. of Texas library, a copy of which is in Brookgreen Garden, among nearly a thousand fine pieces of American sculpture. Our friend, Mrs. Chandler, is curator of the museum on the grounds. The best part of the whole garden is the natural beauty grand old live-oaks with silvery moss, restful and quiet and dignified. For the flower gardens Mr. Huntington has specialized in native South Carolina flowers. Our trip all the way from Texas was made, most of the way, through canyons of green woods, with various sorts of wild flowers, and magnolio trees; the last day through the Blue Ridge our road was lined with azaleas in higher spots, and mountain laurel and rhododendron in addition to the gayer-colored smaller flowers. Wild honey-suckle and roses were profuse too.
Further notes on Murrells Inlet:
We had not seen the Chandlers since January 1937. On our way to their home three miles north of the post office, we stopped at Brookgreen Gardens, eight miles south, to see Mrs. Chandler and make arrangements for recording. She did everything possible to help us in the short hours of leisure; besides her work at the Gardens, she has a family of five children to support and look after. She had already arranged for Mrs. Minnie Floyd to come sing. She tried to arrange for a trip over to the Island, where the people live in very primitive style and sing tunes that go back to slavery and earlier times. But transportation for our machine-was-and the heavy batteries needed for supplying the power was a problem that we did not so ,as only row-boats were available. Another snag: Mrs. Chandler's maid, Lilli Knox, was not well and was having family troubles; she was in a "not appreciated" mood and would not sing her spirituals for us in, as she had done previously for us in her own delightful and impressive way. And her cousi Zackie, also, refused.. We set up our machine in the center of lovely mose hung liveoak grove, in the home of Mrs. Chandler's father, where we could get electric current. Mrs. Floyd came and sang, as did a Negro schoolteacher Annie Holmes, who brought two or three small children with her to sing game songs.
We had been introduced to Mrs. Genevieve W. Chandler through Miss Montgomery of the WPA Writers Project. Mrs. Chandler had sent in interesting stories and texts of songs that she had gathered in her community, which is the setting of Julia Peterkin's novels about Negroes of S.C. Mrs. Chandler herself has stories rpinted in Scribner's and Ma'amoiselle
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
JAL '39
Murrells Inlet, S. C. - List of songs recorded- June 5--8, 1939
Annie Holmes: 2719B4-Bye and Bye, also 2721A1
2721A2 Do let me out in dat lady's garden
2722A3-Drive old Satan away
2729B2-Satan lost de Fadder's key
2721A3-Two little rabbits
2719B3-You got's to move
Viola Brown: 2711B3 Come through the sawmill (with Otho Brown)
2722 Jesus is my only friend
2720B2-More room there
2702B3-Pollyanna low gal (2720?)
2722B1-Rocks on every side
2720 B1-We don't have no payday here
Lois Constance Brown, Anna Bella Corin Sinda b, Otho Washington Brown
2692B2- I lost my master's barn key (see Seed tickbitin' me)
Mrs. Minnie Floyd
2719A2-If you will be my bride
2719A3-Paper o' pins
2792B1-Lord Bateman
2719B1-Old fox steppin' out
2722B2-Orphan Girl
2711B2-Ram of Darby
2711B1-Sing song Polly wont you kimeo
Hard times, boys--recorded?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
J.A.L. '39
TEMPORARY NO. 2729 6/6--8
Chandler
Murrells Inlet, S.C. Referent: Mrs. Genevieve Chandler
2729B (2719?)
B 2. Satan lost my father's key...(Playparty song used as spiritual) Annie Holmes
Murrells Inlet, S.C., June 8, 1939
Satan lost my fadder's keys, Send 'm chilluns to find 'em
Hunt 'em, chilluns, hunt 'em, Hunt 'em till you finds 'em
Satan lost my fadder's keys, Find 'em chilluns, find 'em
Hunt 'em chilluns, hunt 'em, till you find 'em
2719
B 3. You gots to move Spiritual by Annie Holms..Murrells Inlet, S.C., June 8, 1939
Negro
You gots to move, you gots to move
When de Lord gits ready, You gots to move
You may be high, you may be low,
You may be rich, you may he po'
For when de Lord gits ready, you gots to go move
You gots to move.
Father move, Gather move
For when de Lord gits ready, You gots to move
2719
B 4. Bye an' bys Spiritual sung by Annie Holmes, Murrells Inlet, S.C. June 8, 1939
Negro
Well, bye an' bye, bye an' bye
We guineto have a good time (well) bye an' bye.
Well, bye an' bye, bye an' bye
We guine to have a good time bye an' bye
When I gits up in de Heaben
All my work is done
Arguin' with the Father, chattin' with de Son
We guine to have a good time bye an' bye.
2721
A 1. Bye an' bye Negro spiritual..sung by Annie Holmes, Murrells Inlet, S.C.
June 8, 1939
Well, bye an' bye, bye an' bye; We gwine to have a good time bye an' bye
Well, bye an' bye, bye an' bye; We gwine to have a good time bye an' bye
When I gits to heaven up in the heaven, All my work is done
Arguin' with de Father, chattin' with de Son, We gwine to have a good time, bye and bye
2721
A 2. Do let me out in dat lady's garden..fragment of ing game song by Annie Holmes
Do, do let me out in dat Lady's garden (repeat)
Bet you five dollars I git out o' here, in my Lady's garden (repeat)
2721
A 3. Two little rabbits play party song used as lullaby...by Annie Holmes
Two little rabbits vent out to run, Up hill an' down hill, Oh such fun
jump, jump, see how he they run, " "
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
JAL '39
Murrells Inlet, S.C. Texts-- June 6-8, 1939
2719
Old Fox Steppin' out Sung by Mrs. Minnie Floyd
Old fox steppin' out one moonlight night,
Jumped on his mind feet much about right (?)
Some meat, some meat for my supper here tonight
Before I leave this old twon-e-o
Then away he marched through the farmer's gate
There he spied an old blind drake,
Old, drake, old drake, won't you go along with me
For I'm the honest old soldier in the town-e-o.
Then he sat there till the word came No
If you never eat no meat till you eat this meat o' mine
You'll never eat no meat in this old town-e-o
Away he marched to the farmer's barn
There he spied man old fool goose
Old goose, old goose, would you go with me
I'm the honest old soldier in the town-e-o.
Old woman nickle-nackle laid in the bed
She rise up the blinds(?) and she joggled out her head
Old John, O John, the gray goose is gone
I think I hear her holler queen-quannio
Away he marched back to his den
Out come the young ones, eight, nine, ten
He picked up one, two, three; he throwed 'em on his shoulder
And their bells went dangle-dong-down-e-o
O father, O father, you must go back again
For you're the luckiest old soldier in the town-e-o
No, I'll be hanged if I go back again
For don't you hear the threat 'nin' (huntin'?) all aroun'-e-o
2722
Jesus is my only friend-- sung by Viola Brown-- a spiritual
When my room becomes a public hall (3 Times)
Jesus, Jesus, is my friend, Jesus is my only friend
When my face becomes a lookin'-glass, etc.
2722
Drive Satan away- sung by
No lion can drive Satan away.
Takes a Christian to drive Satan away.
No hypocrite can drive, etc.
Refrain: Drive Satan away, drive old Satan
Drive old Satan out o' my heart
Drive ols Satan away.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
JAL' 39
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
June 5--8, 1939
2711 B3
Come through the sawmill-- game song-played like London Bridge
Sung by Viola and Otto Brown, school children
Come through the sawmill, sawmill, sawmill
Come through the sawmill all day laong
(Hands pull back and forth as if sawing)
Now come through, Sally, Sally, Sally
Come through, Sally, all day long
This is the way you build a bridge, build a bridge, build a bridge
This is the way you build a bridge all day long
(With motions of "building" a bridge)
2702 B3
Pollyanna low gal- a lullaby for "jouncing" rthe baby.
Sung by Viola Brown
Pollyanna low gal, Sussyanna huntin'
All aorund the haystack for little Baby Buntin'
Polly in the barnyard, Sussy in the cellar
Who's for to help us to find the little feller
Mammy's goin' fishin', Daddy's gone a-huntin'
For to catch a possum for little Baby Buntin'
Hard times, boys- Fragments of text. Sung by Mrs. Minnie Floyd
Come on, all ye
How the
They'll take an old shoe to emnd'(?) an old plough
In the
Here is an old selling his grain
Here is the old preacher
Preaching for money and not for our s oul
Rides on the circuit
Then if you're
Here is the old doctor
I'll believe
He says
Then if you die he's after the rest
It's hard times, boys.
2719 A3
If you will be my bride-- (Paper o' Pins?) sung by Mrs. Floyd
Madam, I've a very fine house, it's newly rectified(?)
You may have it at your command, if you will be my bridge
Sir, --
You'll you're off a -playin' cards
Madam, I've a very fine horse, whenever you want to ride
orchard, paper o' pins, dress of red, dress of blue, keys of
heart, keys of desk
2719 A3
Paper o' pins "sorter like"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
JAL' 39
Murrells Inlet, S.C.
2711 B1
Sing Song Polly won't you Kimeo - sung by Mrs. Minnie Floyd
There was a frog lived in a spring
Sing song, Polly, won't you kimeo
Had such a cold he could not sing
Sing song, Polly, won't you kimeo
Pulled him out and throwed him on the ground, etc.
The frog he bounced and run around, etc.
Water the ground with tobacco smoke
And up the nigger's head will poke
2692 B1
Lord Bateman-- sung by Mrs. Minnie Floyd
In India lived a noble Lord, his riches was beyond compare
He was the darling of his parents, And of their estate their
only heir.
He had gold and he had silver, he had a house of high degree,
He could never be contented until he crossed the roaring sea
He wandered East and he wandered West, he wandered till he came to the Indian shore
Thay caught him there and put him in prison,
And he could see the light no more.
For seven long months he lay, liminated in iron bands
Till he saw the brisk young lady, set him free from iron bands.
The jailer had one only daughter, and she was a lady of high degree
As she passed the prison door She chanced Lord Bateman for to see.
She stole her father's jailer key and said Lord Bateman she'd set free
She went into the prison door And opened it without delay
Have you gold or have you silver, Have you a house of high degree
What will you give a fair lady if from bondage she'll set you free
It's not your house or your silver Or your house of high degree
All I want to make me happy And all I crave is your lady
Come then, let us make a bargain, For seven long years it shall stand
If you won't wed no other woman, I won't wed no other man.
She stayed with her father till the time expired
The seven long years is at an end
She packed up all her rich est clothing
Now I'll go and see my friend
She wandered East and she wandered West, She wandered till she came to the Indian shore
She could never be contented
Until she seen her love once more.
She wandered till she came to Lord Bateman's palace
She knocked so loud upon the ring
There was no one to hear the fair lady, The brisk young porter let her in.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
Tell me, is this Lord Bateman's palace? or is the Lord himself within?
O yes, O yes, my pretty fair lady. Ma'am, his new bride has just entered in
Tell him to send an ounce of bread And a bottle of his wine so strong
And ask him if he's forgot the lady That set him free from his iron bands.
The porter ran unto his master And bowed low upon his knee,
Arise, arise, you brisk young porter, And tell me what the matter is
There stands a lady at your gate And she does weep most bitterly,
I know she is as fine a creature As I will wish mine eyes to see.
She wants you to send her an ounce of bread And a bottle of your wine so strong
And ask if you've forgot the lady That set you free from the iron band
She has more gold on her forefinger, Around her waist is a diamond strg
She has more gold upon her clothing Than your bride and all of her kin
He stomped his foot upon the floor, He broke his table in shivers three
Adieu, adieu, to my new fair lady, This fair lady I'll go and see.
Then up spake his new bride's mother, she was a lady of high degree,
Since you have married my only daughter, She is none the worse by me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
Mrs. Minnie Floyd's Version,
Murrells Inlet
June 7, 1939
JAL '39 Recording Trip
Murrells Inlet, S.C.,
Mrs. Minnie Floyd
Copy.
The Ram of Darby
1. As I went down to Darbuy on a market day
On a market day I spied the fattest ram, sir that ever was fed on hay.
This ram was fat behind, sir!
This ram was fat before.
This ram was ten rod high, sir.
(I'm sure he was no more.)
This ram did have four feet, sir.
And on them he did stand
And every hoof he had sir
It covered an acre of land.
The wool growed on this ram's neck
It growed so short and thick
It caused the girls in Darby
A season for to pick.
The wool growed on this ram's sides
It growed so long and thin
It caused the girls in Darby
A season for to spin.
The wool growed on this ram's belly
It growed into the ground
And it was sent to Darby
And sold for a thousand pound.
The wool growed on this ram's back
It growed into the sky
The eagle built her nest in it
For I heard the young ones cry.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
The man that butchered this ram, sir
Was up to his knees in blood
The man that held the basin
Got washed away in the flood.
The blood did run twenty-four mile, sir
(I'm sure it run no more.)
It turned an over-shot mill, sir
That never was turned before.
The man that owned this ram sir
He got very rich.
The man that wrote this song sir
Is a lying son of a bitch.
CHORUS:
Father de riddle (Fol? sounded like father to me!)
" " "
Father de riddle de ri do!
" " " " ray! Mrs. Floyd
For John A. Lomax 6/7/39
Murrells Inlet, S.C.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
Polly Anna Low Gal, Susie Anna
hunting all around the hay stack for
Little baby bunting. Bolly in barn-yard
Susie in the celler, do tasser help
us to find the little fellow.
Mama is gone a fishing, Papa is
gone a hunting for to catch a possom
for little Baby Bunting
2720
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
Run home children more
Room de, de, run home
children, more room de, de,
I'm going home, more room
de, de, darmore room de, da, da.
O lets run home, das more
room da da, And try on my robe,
de more room da da, and my starry
crown, das more room de de
2720
Section 21: Clemson, South Carolina and vicinity; June 9-12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next Section || Previous Section || Table of Contents
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
JAL '39
June 9--11, 1939
Clemson, S. C; Anderson County, S. C.; Toccoa Falla, Ga.--June 9--12, 1939
It is a good day's trip from Murrells Inlet to Clemson, South Carolina. The name on the map is Clemson College, S. C., the site of the state college by that name. We had been invited there by Ben Robertson Jr, who thought that Mr. Lomax might be interested in seeing the throngs of people who gathered to such a "singing" as is advertised to be held at Toccoa Falls, Georgia, described on the attached folder which Mr. Robertson sent us; he thought also that the Library of Congress might be interested in recording this type of religious song and its style of singing. As indicated later the size of the crowd and other physical conditions made it impossible to get a representative group. One of the two numbers sung into the microphone by the men's quartet invited to record proved to be a "joke", unintentional. The men were asked to sing one of their favorite hymns, as a second number. Because of noises the door between the singers' room and the hallway where the machine was set up had to be closd closed after the "ready" signal was given. When the song was played back Mr. Lomax heard to his amazement an imitation of a Negro spiritual.' And on this trip he had just recorded hundreds of genuine spirituals from Negroes themselves.
For the three days of our visit we were guests in the Robertson home, where Ben Robertson Jr. lives with his father, Ben Robertson Sr., a professor in Clemson College. Their Negro maid, Mary Lee, runs the househod under the guidance of Ben Robertson Jr. The home has a very fine library and there were evidences around of Mr. Robertson's activities as a writer.
In the evening of the first day, Friday, Mr. C. F. Adams, a moving pow power in the "Singing Festival", called to make arrangements for our Sunday recordings. He invited us to his broadcast early Sunday morning at Anderson, S. C. Mr. Adams himself has a furniture and funeral service busi-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
ness with headquarters in Seneca, S. C. With his broadcast of religious music sung and played by various quareets, trios, duets, church choirs, Sunday School choirs and classes, family orchestras, he has an opportunity of advertising his principal business but also the song book business of which he is an unofficial, if not official, agent.
On Saturday Mr. Robertson gathered to his home some of his Negro friends, a quartet of working men, and a quartet of young people from the Owens family. Their songs are listed later. After the visit to Mr. Adams's broadcast Sunday morning, we stopped at the Anderson County Convict Camp, for a road gang. Our experiences there are related elsewhere. The afternoon we spent on the Toccoa Falls Singing Festival project.
For the evening Mr. Robertson had investigated Negro rural servics We were told that the Little Hope Baptist congregation would have services. It looked like rain, but we started out. On the way we learned from Negroes on foot that the group was gathering at the school-house which was nearer than the church house. When we arrived some fifty people of all ages had gathered. The house was dimly lighted but we set to work as quickly as possible, since lightning was beginning to flash. Perhaps the congregation did not feel at home here, but response came slowly. Finally we did record several lined hymns and spirituals and one very pretty cradle song. By the time we had packed up ready to go, the rain was coming down in sheets. Mr. Robertson braved the storm to back the car as close to the door as possible; with the help of the deacons we loaded up and with the careful driving of Mr. Robertson we slid safely along the clay roads home. I couldn't help wondering what the "Sunday Best" of those faithful church members looked like after they had waded through the rain over the several miles that many had to travel. They are a very patient, fine-spirited people.
The next morning we bade the Robertsons and Mary goodbye and started on our way again.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clemson, S. C., Anderson Co., S. C., and Toccoa Falls, Ga.--June 11 and 12, 1939
Home of Ben Robertson Sr., a professor in Clemson College, and Ben Robertson, Jr. newspaperman, Clemson, S. C. June 10, 1939
Quartet: Phil Butler, Brady Walker, Thos. Trimmer, William Gant
Communion Hymn-- assisted by Mary Lee
2721A4- a lined hymn, only fragments of text caught.
Oh, peace my God and save 'em all
Be on earth and bring relief
Ye shall and trust my word
And ye
2721B1-De Gospel Train [Quartet: Phil Butler, Brady Walker, Thos. Trimmer, William Gant]
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/272/2721b1.mp3
Oh, de gospel train is comin', don't you want to go
Oh, de gospel train is comin', don't you want to go
Oh, de gospel train is comin', don't you want to go
Oh, yes, I want to go
Oh, she's comin' 'round de mountain, don't you want to go?
Oh, she's comin' 'round de mountain, don't you want to go?
Oh, she's comin' 'round de mountain, don't you want to go?
Oh, oh, yes, I want to go.
Oh, she's comin' heavy loaded, etc.
Oh, she's loaded with bright angels, etc.
Oh, tell me who de Capt'in etc.
King Jesus is de Capt'in etc.
He fought (pronounce as "out") out many a battle, etc.
2721B2-New Buryin' Ground
http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/272/2721b2.mp3
CHORUS: Come on, come on, let's go to buryin' (3 times)
Way over on de new buryin' goun'.
De hammer keep a-ringin' on, somebody's coffin, etc.
Way over on de new buryin' goun'.
CHORUS
De preacher keep a-preachin', somebody's fun'al, etc.
De hearse keep a-rollin', somebody dyin' etc.
2723A1-Sometimes I feel like my time ain't long
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/272/2723a1.mp3
Sometimes I feel like, feel like (repeat)
Sometimes I feel like my time ain't long.
De preacher keep a-preachin', preachin'
Somebody's fun'ral, fun'ral
Makes me feel like my time ain't long
Sometimes I pray like, pray like (repeat)
Sometimes I pray like my time ain't long
Sometimes I sing like, etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clemson, S. C.
Owens quartet, Cecil, Martha, Edward, Robert
2723B2-Bluebird--play song, by Cecil and Martha Owens-No text taken
2723B3-Goblin Man--by quartet--no text taken down
2723B4-Miller got drownded--by quartet-no text taken
2723B1-Ole Aunt Dinah " "
2723A3-Shoo robin (game song) " "
2723B2-Turkey run away " "
2724A1-Stop An' Take A Ride--by Owens quartet
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/272/2724a1.mp3
De chariot wheel keep a-movin' (3 times)
Lord, I know you want to ride on de chariot wheel.
Oh, stop an' take a ride (3 times) on de chariot wheel
My mother took a ride, etc,
My father took a ride, etc.
I know I'm gonna ride
2724A2-You better run--Owens quartet-
Refrain: You better run(3 times) to de city o' de refuge.
You meet those hypocrites on de street
De first thing they do is show their teeth
The next thing they do they begin to lie
You better let de liars pass on by.
Refrains: You got to run, etc.
I got a father in de promised land, I never want to stop, etc.
2724A3-Keep a-runnin' from de fire- by Owens quartet
Refrain: Keep a runnin' (3 times) from de fire
I'm on my journey home.
Children, I'm almost surrounded, etc.
Refrain 2: I'm a runnin', I'm a runnin' from de fireetc.
Oh, sinner, you can't stand de fire, etc.
2723A2-LET ME FLY- by Owens quartet--not text taken down.
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/272/2723a2.mp3
CHORUS: Oh let me fly,
Let me fly,
Let me fly to my life, O Lord.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clemson, S. C.
Little Hope School House --New Zion Church Congregation
2726A1-Go preach my gospel-sung by Deacon Harvey Williams and congregation
Go preacy my gospel, saith the Lord,
Let all earth my grace receive
He shall save that trust my word,
And he'll condemn who not believe
Now make your great commission known
And ye shall prove my glory true.
2726A2-My Lord, What a Morning- by Anna Cason and congregation
http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/272/2726a2.mp3
Do you hear de church bells tollin'
.....................
Look an' hear, my God's right hand,
When the stars begin to fall
My Lord, what a mournin' (3 times)
When the stars begin to fall
2726A3-Your Mamma's A Lady- lullaby, by Anna Cason and Polly Pearson
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/272/2726b3.mp3
Bye, bye, baby, yo' mamma's a lady
I know yo' pappy's gone down to de town
To shoot a little rabbit skin
To wrap the Baby Buntin' in
Bye, bye, little baby, lay down.
Rock de cradle, Jo Jo, rock de cradle, Susy
Rock de cradle, Jo Jo, rock de cradle, Susy.
2726B1-Rough, Rocky Road-Jobie Holmes, Mandie English, Frances Cason, Polly Pearson
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/272/2726b1.mp3
It's a rough, rocky road, most done travelin'
It's a rough, rocky road, most done travelin'
It's a rough, rocky road, most done travelin'
I am bound to carry my soul to de Lord.
CHORUS: I am bound to carry my soul to Jesus
I am bound to carry my soul to de Lord. (Repeat)
My father done gone, most done travelin', etc.
Got a mother on de road, most done travelin', etc.
2726B2- New Buryin' Ground- by Mary Lee, Judie Holmes, Frances Cason, Ed Pearson, Eula McDonald.
Listen: http://memory.loc.gov/afc/afcss39/272/2726b2.mp3
Come on! Come on! Let's go a-buryin',
Come on! Come on! Let's go a-buryin',
Come on! Come on! Let's go a-buryin',
Way over in de new buryin' groun'.
Don't you hear my Lord a-callin'
Don't you hear my Lord a-callin'
Don't you hear my Lord a-callin'
Way over in de new buryin' groun'.
Hammer keep a-ringin' on somebody's coffin
Hammer keep a-ringin' on somebody's coffin
Hammer keep a-ringin' on somebody's coffin
Way over in de new buryin' groun'.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anders on County, S. C. Convict Camp
2725 Al-Louise--sung by Roscoe (Stud) Jackson and chain gang; Text incomplete
Louise, you de sweetest girl I know,
Well, you made me walk from Chicago to de Gulf o' Mexico
Says, de big boat's up de river
She's on a bank o' sand
If she don't strike high water
I swear she never land.
You, Louise, dat ain't no way to do
You tryin' make me love you--to love you so
Oh, Louise, this here will never do
Oh, you tryin' to love that other man, and old tender in(?)
When she start to love you, I swear she--
Say, looky here, Louise, somebody been
and grindin' up de corn
2725A2-Flatfoot Blues--whistled by Clarence Chambers
2724B1-De Gospel Train-"Hambone" and chain gang
De Gospel Train is comin', comin' round dat curve
My mother goin' ride dat train dat's comin' round dat curve
Dat train goin' shoo-shoo, shoo-shoo
Dat train goin' ding-dong, ding-dong
Dat whistle goin' oooh-oooh, oooh-oooh.
My father goin' ride dat train, etc.
My sister, etc.
2724B2-Hell down yonder-sung by Hambone and gang
It's hell down yonder an' I don't want to go (3 times)
It's hell down yonder an' I don't want to go down there.
Dat fire hit'll burn you, an' I don't want to go, etc.
My mither didn't go, an' I don't want to go, etc.
2724B3-Ain't no heaven on de county road-"Slick" Owens and gang
Text confuse.
An' ef I get drunk in yo' city, ole woman
An' some one fall down at yo' door
Don't you run yo' hand in my pocket, ole woman
An' take all my silver an' gold.
'Case I ain't been there but I been told
Ain't no heaven on de county road.
She'll take a stranger on her knee, and she'll tell him things that/she won't tell me.
And if I get killed in Arkansas-saw-saw
Won't you send my body to my moth-r-in-law
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
JAL '39
Anderson County, S. C. Convict Camp
2725B1-Po' Laz'us-sung by Carol Smith and gang
Cap'n told de High Sheriff, Go an' bring me Laz'us,
Dead or 'live, Lord, Lordy, dead or 'live.
Dey found Po' Laz'us way in behind Bald Mountain
Wid he head hung down, Lord, Lordy, wid he head hung down.
He told ole Laz'us, come to carry you back dis mornin',
Come an' go wid me, etc,.
Ole Laz'us cried out, Won't be 'rested dis mornin'
By no one man, etc.
He shot po Laz'us, shot him wid a mighty big number,
Wid a forty-five, etc.
Ole Laz'us mother, she come a-runnin' an' a-hollerin',
You killed my son, etc.
Mail day, I gits a letter
Oh, son, come home, etc.
I could't read dat ole letter for cryin'
Wid a broken heart, etc.
I didn't have no ready-made money,
Caint go home, etc.
You young minors, go on an' git yo' larnin'
I got mine, etc.
I got my larnin' when de rock was in de bottom,
Oh, years ago, Lord, Lord, years ago.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
JAL '39
Toccoa Falls, Georgia.
2727A1-I could tell you the time--sung by the Carolina Ladies Quartet
Mrs. W. W. Matthews, Mrs. Jane A. Friddle from Greenville, S. C.
Miss Jessie Sentell, Mrs. Maggie Timms
This song is taken from a printed song book, as is also the next:
2727A2-Little Log Cabin - sung by the some ladies' quartet.
2727B1 What a morning that will be and
2727B2-Ready when the great day comes-sung by Paul and Clarence Elliott, Horace Sumney, Floyd Christian
These two quartets were contestants in the Georgia-Carolina Singing Festival, announced of the attached folder. Ben Robertson and a young college reporter friend drove us on Sunday, first to Anderson, S. C. where C. F. Adams conducted a broadcast of church singing by selected groups. On the return from Anderson we stopped at the Anderson County Convict Camp, where we recorded the songs described on the prededing pages. After lunch we drove to Toccoa Falls, Georgia where a huge crowd had gather from three states, about twenty thousand. It was a hot day and the building of the main session was steaming, liverally. Loud speakers made the singing audible over several acres. It was a great social gathering, a veritable reunion. It was impossible to choose wisely. After listening for a long time on the outside, Mr. Lomax chose two quartets, one of women, one of men, for recordings. They were conducted to a building where the machine was set up. The records were made in the midst of much noise and confusion. The songs are not folk songs, but the records illustrate a manner- kind of religious song and a manner of singing them that are currently popular in some small town and rural districts. It is not the same as the Sacred Harp.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
TOCCOA FALLS
186 Feet-High
Georgia-Carolina
Singing Festival
MEETS AT TOCCOA FALLS, GEORGIA
LeTourneau Building, Route 17, 9.30 A. M.
SUNDAY, JUNE 11
J. P. Coe, President Theodore Sisk, Secretary
--PROGRAM--
Welcome Address Dr. R. A. Forrest
Response C. F. Adams, Seneca, S. C.
CONVENTION COMMITTEE
Mr. J. D. Adams Toccoa, Ga.
Mr. J. T. Acree Toccoa, Ga.
Rev. J. L. Sisk Toccoa, Ga.
Mr. D. C. Deal Toccoa, Ga.
Mr. C. F. Adams Seneca, S. C.
Rev. J. H. Crunkleton Cornelia, Ga.
PUBLICITY COMMITTEE
Rev. E. Kelly Barnes Toccoa, Ga.
Prof. Theo Sisk Toccoa, Ga.
Mr. C. F. Adams Seneca, S C.
This meeting will be held in the LaTourneau Building, Toccoa Falls, Georgia, 2 miles Northwest of Toccoa, Ga., on Route 17, June 11th, 1939 at 10 o'clock A. M, E.S.T.
This convention will be a self-supporting convention. Everyone is requested to bring a well filled basket. A public address system will be used so that all may hear outside as well as inside the building.
Singers from a distance who are invited to take part on the program are:
The McIlvain Quartet Greenwood, S. C.
The Brown Quartet Belton, S. C.
The Vaughan Quartet Lawrenceburg, Tenn.
The Atlanta Quartet Atlanta, Ga.
The Church of God Quartet Greenville, S. C
The Sisk Quartet Gaffney, S. C.
The Rangers Quartet Charlotte, N. C.
The Stamps-Baxter Quartet Chattanooga, Tenn.
The Wheeler Quartet Jasper, Ga.
Miss Ruth Barron Toccoa, Ga.
Also local talent and other singers will be here, Presidents of different Choirs and Conventions will be here, also these singers and presidents will be recognized.
DR. R. A. FORREST
President Toccoa Falls
Institute
COME! COME! COME!
Traffic will be handled in Toccoa and at Toccoa Falls by the Boy Scouts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
While In Town Visit Our
Sanitary Plant
TOCCOA NEHI BOTTLING CO.
Toccoa, Georgia
MERITA
Bread
and
Cakes
MERCK'S DRY CLEANERS
"You Are Pleased
Or We Are Not"
Phone 127
Toccoa, Georgia
Welcome to Toccoa
A. & A. GROCERY
Phone 34
Toccoa, Georgia
LIPSCOMB COMPANY, Inc.
Furniture
Funeral Directors
Phone 236
Toccoa, Georgia
CITY ICE COMPANY
Manufacturers
Pure Crystal Ice
Ice, Coal, Refrigerators
Toccoa, Georgia
Compliments of
OTTO TERRELL
Western Auto Associate Store
Toccoa, Georgia
BECKERS BREAD
Virginia Dare Cakes
Robt. Acree, Agent
Toccoa, Ga.
RAMSAY HARDWARE CO.
Agents for Frigidaire
"Hardware for Hard Wear"
Phone 167
Toccoa, Georgia
DR. H.M. FELDMANN
Chiropractor
Toccoa, Georiga
COMPLIMENTS
OF
RICHARDSON LUMBER COMPANY
Toccoa, Georgia
Phone No. 3
Come and Sing
CLAUD GROOVER
Sales Service
Telephone 163
Toccoa, Georgia
COMPLIMENTS
OF
MARTIN HARDWARE COMPANY
Hardware--B.P.S. Paints
Phone 71
Toccoa, Georgia
MO-BETTA TONIC
J. B. Loggins, Agent
For Sale by J.T. Acree
Toccoa, Georgia
COMPLIMENTS
OF
TOCCOA ROLLER MILL
Eat for Your Health's Sake
Home Ground Flour -- Whole Wheat
From Georgia Wheat -- Graham Flour
R. T. Bennett
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
COMPLIMENTS
OF
STEPHENS COUNTY
PUBLIC OFFICIALS
J.C. Andrews Mrs. Dora Sherard
F. A. Stowe W. P. Garner
W. J. Andrews
Welcome
J. T. A C R E E
Groceries
Phone 75
CITY MARKET
Paul Stephens, Manager
Phone 82
Toccoa, Georgia
The Hi-Neighbor Quartet of Anderson, S. C. will be here.
Also Prof. J. H. Rubush of Shenandoah College, W. Va.,
will be present
Dr. J. H. Terrell R.W. McNeely Ray L. Trogdon
COMPLIMENTS
OF
CITY OF TOCCOA
We Invite Industries
Fastest Growing Little City in Georgia
For Information Write
E. P. Bridges, City Manager
E. C. A D D Y
Distributor
Gulf Products
We Appreciate Your Patronage
Telephones
Toccoa 22 Clayton 56
TOCCOA GRANITE & MARBLE CO.
Monuments Made in Toccoa
Save Freight
J.D. Adams D. Jones
J. C. COLLINS AUTO PARTS CO.
16 Years Serving the Motoring Public
Many Parts for Many Cars
Toccoa, Georgia
PECK WHOLESALE AND
RETAIL GROCERY CO.
Car Lot Distributors
Dairy Feeds -- Chicken Feeds
Phone 250
Toccoa, Georgia
McNEELY & COMPANY
Furniture -- Hardware
Funeral Directors
Phones 78 209 109-L 130
Toccoa, Georgia
WELCOME
THE SISK MUSIC COMPANY
Music Publishers
Phone 58 Box 175
Toccoa, Georgia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPLIMENTS OF GREEN'S DEPARTMENT STORE
Toccoa's Best
Curlee Clothing
Jarman Shoes
Toccoa, Georgia
COMPLIMENTS
OF
SINCLAIR REFINING COMPANY
R. W. Acree
Agent
Telephone 65
Toccoa, Georgia
COMPLIMENTS
OF
TABOR CHEVROLET COMPANY
Sales Service
Telephone 60
Toccoa, Georgia
COMPLIMENTS
OF
CURRAHEE FURNITURE COMPANY
Manufacturers
Toccoa, Georgia
See Your Local Dealer
COMPLIMENTS
OF
TROGDON FURNITURE COMPANY
Manufacturers
Toccoa, Georgia
J. B. HARBIN LUMBER COMPANY
Everything to Build Anything
Bruce Rothell, Manager
Phone 93
Toccoa, Georgia
Welcome to Toccoa
CARTER WHOLESALE COMPANY
Phone 35
Toccoa, Georgia
TOCCOA FUNERAL HOME
Fred Northcutt, Manager
Ambulance Service
Phone 73
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clemson, S. C.; R.T.L. to her family (excerpt)
Did you read in a February Statevepost a story about the king and queen, entitled (I believe) They strive to please, an intimate account of some homely facts about their lives. The author, Ben Robertson, was our host at Clemson, S. C. for several days. He was once a crack AP reporter in foreign parts. He has just returned from a trip to an oil island, whose name I "disremember", off the coast of South America, a Dutch island where are American oil fields. An article about his trip will appear in July or August in the Satevepost. On a trip to Australia he stopped at Pitcairn Island; at least the boat stopped, and some of the islanders, men, came aboard his boat. He saw none of the women and was not allowed ashore. Mr. Robertson says the people are in need; he gave me a basket which was made by a grandson of one of the originals, - I know that's true, because Pitcairn is woven into the basket! What better proof could you ask? He is an interesting young fellow. I thought how much Allen J. would enjoy him. He took us about, among other places to a white singing festival at Toccoa Falls, Georgia, which lasted from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., though we played hookey part of the time. At least twenty thousand people were milling around, if not "attending". At a county road camp we saw a sight that shocked us all, - eighty Negroes tied by ankle chain to a long large common chain. The fellows were very good-natured about it, and when the singers moved, the whole group made no complaint at having to move too. When a singer would say, "This is as clost as I kin git to the mike", the other fellows would shuffle their leg-chains along the big chain until the singer could reach the mike. This was in group singing, where the mike could not be moved to one singer. The boys enjoyed the diversion and invited us back. Mr. Robertson and a young reporter who was with us did not know that such a custom existed in S. C. and they immediately made resolutions. As guests of the state, John Avery and I, of course, can make no public statement about our reactions. We came by Galax, Virginia, but could make no records because one of our principals was ill with duodenal ulcer, but the beautiful trip through the mountains was worth the additional mileage, at least to us, if not to the library budget.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clemson, South Carolina ; June 27, 1939
Dear Mr. Lomax:
Mary found the pen in the yard and was very pleased to know that it was yours. She become a great admirer of you and Mrs. Lomax.
I wish you would write our Governor - he is Burnet R. Maybank - about the Negroes. I am sending you a copy of a statement by Judge Featherstone about the Greenwood County situation - the county below Anderson. I have written to him about the Anderson gang. I have been to Philadelphia to see the Post editors about some more assignments and my father says while I was away a Mr. Piesee from near Anderson came by with a hundred year old song book, written with a goose quill pen. I don't know what it is like but when I see it I'll let you know.
It was a great pleasure to have you and Mrs. Lomax here and I hope you'll come by here often. Give my regards to Alan.
As ever,
Ben Robertson.
I am mailing the pen.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
Honorable Burnet R. Maybank,
Governor of South Carolina,
Columbia, S. C.
My dear Governor:
Since 1934 I have spent much of my time travelling throughout the south making records of folk songs. In this work I have visited Negro convicts in all Southern penitentiaries, and in many of the road camps. In making my reports to the Library of Congress I have found so much unjust criticiam and misinformation about the treatment of Negro convicts in the South that a year or so ago I wrote a news article explaining the widely misunderstood term "chain gang". In this story I stated that I had never soon convicts chained together. (As a matter of fact no instance of physical brutality in all my experiences have come under my personal notice). I can no longer make this claim.
A few Sundays ago I visited the convict road camp in Anderson County, South Carolina, near Clemson College. There I saw a hundred negroes resting in their quarters, all fastened togother on a single long chain, so that when a small group agreed to sing for me, the entire bunch had to move out of the tent and stand in the open.
I do not know of the special reasons that make it necessary for these men to be chained together on their rest day. I only know that I have never before seen a practice which seemed to me unnecessary and inhuman.
I am writing to you, Governor, only in the hope that, through
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
the power of your office and the high esteem in which you are held by your people, you can have this situation corrected. I am a Texan and I was for years on the Faculty of the University of Texas, but my father, James Avery Lomax, was born and reared in Abbeville/District, South Carolina, while my mother came from Alabama. By inheritance I hold dear the righteous ideas of a Southern man.
I wish to add that I was most courteously received by the guards at the Anderson County Prison Camp, and I was touched by the cheerful acceptance of their hard fate shown by these black boys as they slowly dragged themselves about with their legs manacled to that long chain.
Sincerely and respectfully yours.
P. S. Without their permission I refer you to Ben Robertson, Jr. of Clemson, S. C. and to Professor Read Smith, South Carolina University, whom I have known somewhat intimately since we were students together at Harvard University.
Section 22: Galax, Virginia; June 13-14
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next Section || Previous Section || Table of Contents
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
{ page image viewer }
JAL'39
Galax, Virginia
June 13--14, 1939
From Clemson College, S.C. we made a leisurely trip to Galax, Virginia, making brief stopa at Brevard, N.C. and Ashville. Road repairs through the mountains called for some detours.
We arrived at Galax, Virginia late in the afternoon of June 13 and at once communicated with Dr.W.P.Davis, the director or chairman of the Bogtrotters Band. He was ill at his country home. Mr. Lomax found Uncle Alex Dunford and Uncle Crockett Ward and invited them to dinner. After dinner we all drove otu to the doctor's home. We had a pleasant visit. Realizing that we could make no recordings on this trip, we started next morning on our last day's travel on our 1939 recording trip and reached Washington in the late afternoon of June 14.
Our speedometer snowed 6502 miles since we started out in Texas on March 31.