Offensive content Filter is ON
Your search for DEATH returned 183 results.
DEAD MAN SITS UP
THERE WAS A MAN THAT DIED IN A CHAIR SITTING UP AND WHEN
THEY PUT HIM IN THE CASKET, THEY HAD TO TIE HIM DOWN TO MAKE HIM LIE
FLAT. WHEN THEY WERE HAVING A WAKE FOR HIM AND WERE DRINKING OUT
OF A JUG, THE MAN SAT UP IN THE COFFIN.
EVERYONE ELSE TOOK OFF FOR PARTS UNKNOWN SO THAT THE DEAD MAN WAS
ALONE.
Submitter comment:
MR. YOUNT BELIEVED THIS TO BE TRUE AS EVERYONE ELSE KNEW
THE MAN AND ALSO BELIEVED IT.
HAPPENED IN HOLLISTER, OHIO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): POST-MORTEM REFLEX
James Callow Keyword(s): DEATH WATCH OR WAKE ; RIGOR
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 05-11-1965
AUTOGRAPH VERSE
LONG MAY YOU LIVE
HAPPY MAY YOU DIE
SITTING ON A LOG
EATING APPLE PIE.
Submitter comment: (1939 BIRCH TREE, MONTANA)
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
Keyword(s): ALLITERATION ; CLIPPED IAMBIC ; DEATH ; HAPPINESS ; HUMOR ; LONGEVITY ; QUATRAIN ; RHYME: ABCB ; WISH
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Autograph Verse Good wishes (sincere) |
Date learned: 03-01-1972
"THE JAM ON GERRIES ROCK" MM
1. MM
COME ALL YOU YOUNG BOLD SHANTY BOYS, AND LIST WHILE I RELATE
THIS CONCERNING A YOUNG SHANTY BOY, AND HIS UNTIMELY FATE
CONCERNING A YOUNG SHANTY BOY SO MANLY, TRUE AND BRAVE
'TWAS ON THE JAM AT GERRIES ROCK, HE MET HIS WATERY GRAVE MM
2. MM
'TWAS ON ONE SUNDAY MORNING, AS YOU WILL QUICKLY HEAR
THE LOGS WERE PILED UP MOUNTAIN HIGH, WE COULD NOT KEEP THEM
CLEAR
OUR FOREMAN SAYS, "TURN OUT BRAVE BOYS, WITH HEARTS DEVOID OF
FEAR
WE'LL BREAK THE JAM AT GERRIES ROCK, AND FOR EDMORE TOWN WE'LL
STEER MM
3. MM
NOW SOME OF THEM WERE WILLING, WHILE OTHERS THEY WERE NOT
TO WORK ON JAMS ON SUNDAYS, THEY DID NOT THINK WE OUGHT
BUT FIVE OF OUR BRAVE CANADIAN BOYS, DID VOLUNTEER TO GO
TO BREAK THE JAM ON GERRIES ROCK, WITH THEIR FOREMAN JACK
MONROE MM
4. MM
THEY HAD NOT ROLLED OFF MANY LOGS, 'TILL THEY HEARD A CLEAR
VOICE SAY
"I'D HAVE YOU BOYS BE ON YOUR WATCH, FOR THIS JAM WILL SOON
GIVE WAY"
THESE WORDS WERE SCARCELY SPOKEN TILL THE MASS DID BREAK AND GO
IT CARRIED OFF THOSE FIVE BRAVE BOYS, AND THEIR FOREMAN YOUNG
MONROE MM
5. MM
WHEN THE REST OF OUR BRAVE SHANTY BOYS, THE SAD NEWS CAME TO
HEAR
IN SEARCH OF THEIR DEAD COMRADES, TO THE RIVER THEY DREW NEAR
WHILE SEARCHING FOR THE BODIES, WHICH FLOATING DOWN DID GO
ALL CRUSHED AND BLEEDING BY THE BANK, WAS THAT OF YOUNG MONROE MM
6. MM
THEY DRAGGED HIM FROM HIS WATERY GRAVE, BRUSHED BACK HIS RAVEN
HAIR
THERE WAS ONE FAIR FORM AMONG THEM, WHOSE SAD CRIES RENT THE
AIR
THERE WAS ONE FAIR FORM AMONG THEM, A GIRL FROM SAGINAW TOWN
WHOSE MOANS AND CRIES AROSE TO THE SKIES FOR HER TRUE LOVE
WHO'D GONE DOWN MM
7. MM
FAIR CLARA WAS A NOBLE GIRL, THE RIVERMAN'S TRUE FRIEND
WHO WITH HER WIDOWED MOTHER, LIVED AT THE RIVER'S BEND
THE WAGES OF HER OWN TRUE LOVE, THE BOSS TO HER DID PAY
THE SHANTY BOYS MADE UP FOR HER, A GENEROUS PURSE NEXT DAY MM
8. MM
THEY BURIED HIM MID SORROWS DEEP, 'TWAS ON THE FIRST OF MAY
COME ALL YOU YOUNG SHANTY BOYS, AND FOR YOUR COMRADE PRAY
ENGRAVED UPON A HEMLOCK TREE WHICH, BY THE GRAVE DID GROW
WAS THE NAME AND DATE OF THIS SAD FATE, OF OUR SHANTY BOY
MONROE MM
9. MM
FAIR CLARA DID NOT LONG SURVIVE, HER HEART WAS FILLED WITH
GRIEF
AND SCARCELY SIX MONTHS AFTER, DEATH CAME TO HER RELIEF
AND WHEN THE TIME HAD PASSED AWAY AND SHE WAS CALLED TO GO
HER LAST REQUEST WAS GRANTED TO BE LAID BY YOUNG MONROE MM
10. MM
COME ALL YOU YOUNG BOLD SHANTY BOYS, I'D HAVE YOU CALL AND SEE
TWO GREEN MOUNDS BY THE RIVER SIDE, WHERE GROWS THE HEMLOCK
TREE
THE SHANTY BOYS CLEARED FOR THE SPOT, BUT THE LOVERS THEY LAY
LOW
THERE'S HANDSOME CLARA VERNON, AND HER TRUE LOVE JACK MONROE MM MM
THIS WAS A TRUE HAPPENING. MY GRANDFATHER KNEW OF IT AT THE
TIME IT HAPPENED. YEARS AGO, IN THE LUMBERING DAYS, WHEN A
TRAGEDY WOUULD HIT, SOME ONE USUALLY MADE UP A SONG ABOUT IT. MM
THE JAM, WHICH IS SANG OF IN THE SONG THE JAM ON GERRIES ROCK,
WAS WHEN THE LOGS WHICH WERE BEING FLOATED DOWN THE RIVER,
WOUULD JAM UP. THE CAUSE OF THIS WOULD BE THAT ONE OR TWO
LOGS WOULD TURN SIDEWAYS, INSTEAD OF FLOATING END FIRST DOWN
THE RIVER. YOU SEE THE MEN WOULD CUT THESE LOGS IN THE WIN-
TER TIME, AND THEY WERE HAULED BY SLEIGH TO A RIVER AND PILED
ON THE BANK, AND THEN IN THE SPRING, WHEN THE ICE MELTED IN
THE RIVERS, AND THE WATER WAS HIGH, THE LOGS WERE DUMPED INTO
THE RIVER AND FLOATED DOWN STREAM TO A LUMBER MILL, WHERE THEY
WERE SAWED INTO LUMBER. I SAW THIS ALL HAPPEN WHEN I WAS A
CHILD AT MICHELSON, HERE IN ROSCOMMON COUNTY.
Submitter comment:
IT IS INTERESTING THAT THIS INFORMANT BELIEVES THAT THIS
INCIDENT HAPPENED IN MICHIGAN AND THAT HER GRANDFATHER KNEW
IT. MANY OTHER ACCOUNTS OF THIS SAME INCIDENT IN VERY SIMILAR
SONGS HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN OTHER LUMBERING AREAS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
James Callow Keyword(s): LUMBERJACK ; SYMPATHETIC DEATH
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Ballad, Song, Verse CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- FO50 BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour |
Date learned: 00001930S
(sung to a funeral dirge)
The worms crawl in
The worms crawl out
The worms play pinochle on your snout.
(spoken in a hushed and fearful tone)
When you see a hearse go by
You may be the next to die.
They wrap you up in a big white sheet
And drop you down a couple of feet.
(sung)
They eat out your eyes
They eat out your nose
They eat out the dirt that's between your toes.
Submitter comment:
When I hummed the melody of the dirge in this song and
asked Elinor if she had learned a children's song with
this same tune, she knew exactly the one I was referring
to, and repeated the one that I had learned, word for word.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
Keyword(s): Death, Burial, Decomposition, Gore
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 00001950S
Pictures of counselors, dead on the floor,
Killed by the campers, one and all.
Blood on their shoulders,
Blood on their shirts,
Great big globs of blood on the dirt. MM
When counselors die
When counselors die
Don't bury their bones
Don't bury their bones
Just leave them lie
Just leave them lie
Among the stones
Among the stones
And paint a sign
And paint a sign
In letters green
In letters green
Here lie the bones of the losing team!
Here lie the bones of the losing team!
Submitter comment:
The repeating lines in the second stanza are sung
by two groups who alternate singing. Maryann states
that she was taught this song by her counselors while
attending Maskokie Day Camp in 1967.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; SKOKIE
Keyword(s): death, decomposition, humor
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Legend
I used to babysit on a dark deserted road in the 1970's.
Across from the house was a huge oak tree.
This was the scene of a great tragedy.
It is known in New Baltimore that two young lovers
ran out of gas while they were parked in front of the tree.
The boyfriend went to get gas. While he was gone, she fell
asleep. She heard a banging sound but thought nothing of it.
The next morning the police woke her up and asked her to
step out of the car. She saw her boyfriend hanging from the
tree. His legs hit the car while the wind was blowing, thus
making a thumping noise.
Submitter comment: Old New Baltimore legend
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NEW BALTIMORE
James Callow Keyword(s): The Boyfriend's Death
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Plant BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00001970CA
Don't ever laugh when a hearse goes by.
Or you may be the next to die.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD
Keyword(s): DEATH
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00001970S
When people stopped for funerals, this meant not only giving
respect to the deceased but to their family.
Where learned: GEORGIA
Keyword(s): DEATH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
THE GRASS IS RIZ,
WHERE LAST YEAR'S
CARELESS DRIVER IS.
Submitter comment: WRITTEN IN PARISH BULLETIN.
James Callow comment: RDNeedsReview
Where learned: MICHIGAN
Keyword(s): ADVICE ; DEATH ; DRIVING ; METER: IAMBIC ; MONOLOGUE SLANG, DIALECT ; PUN ; RHYME: MASCULINE, ABCB
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
AFTER AN OLD LADY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD DIED, THE BOYS WHO HAD
HATED HER WHILE SHE WAS LIVING, TOLD ONE OF THE LITTLE GIRLS
OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT THEY WOULD GIVE HER $25.00 IF SHE
WOULD GO STICK A FORK IN THIS LADY'S GRAVE. ONE NIGHT AS SHE
WENT TO GET HER $25.00, SHE TOOK THE FORK WITH HER AND
QUICKLY STABBED IT IN HER GRAVE. HOWEVER, AS SHE TURNED
TO RUN AWAY, SHE FELT A TUG AT HER SKIRT. NOT REALIZING THAT
THE FORK HAD CAUGHT SOME OF HER SKIRT, SHE THOUGHT IT WAS THE
LADY GRABBING HER AND SHE DIED OF A HEART ATTACK ON THE GROVE.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): DEATH FROM FRIGHT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 07-01-1970
MURDERED BOYFRIEND
A GIRL AND BOY ON A DATE RAN OUT OF GAS ON A DARK,
LONELY ROAD. THE BOY TOLD HER TO STAY IN THE LOCKED
CAR AND NOT LOOK BACK, WHILE HE WENT FOR HELP. SHE
STAYED ALL NIGHT, AND IN THE MORNING, SHE TURNED AND
LOOKED OUT THE BACK WINDOW. HER BOYFRIEND'S HEAD WAS
ON THE TRUNK, LOOKING IN AT HER.
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): HORROR ; The Boyfriend's Death
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 00001960 CA
PROVERBIAL PHRASE
KICKED THE BUCKET
Submitter comment: DIED
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
Keyword(s): DEATH
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Phrase |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
Content filter on this entry.
MR. HAMMER TELLS OF AN INCIDENT WHEN A BRAND NEW CORVETTE
(EXPENSIVE AUTOMOBILE) WAS FOR SALE ON A USED
CAR LOT FOR A VERY LOW PRICE BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN OWNED
BY SOME NEGRO AND NOW THE CAR REEKED OF "NIGGER SMELL."
Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE
James Callow Keyword(s): DEATH CAR ; RACISM
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal Filter - Mature Content |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
VILLAGE OF BERTRAND LEGEND
ANOTHER LOCAL LEGEND HAS TO DO WITH THE VILLAGE OF
BERTRAND {MICHIGAN} JUST OVER THE STATE LINE IN
MICHIGAN. IT WAS A THRIVING CITY, ON A PAR WITH SOUTH
BEND IN THE MID-19TH CENTURY. IT IS REPORTED THAT
ONE OF OUR PRIESTS SOUGHT SHELTER THERE ONE NIGHT, AND
WAS TURNED AWAY BY THE CITIZENS. HE IS SUPPOSED TO
HAVE PUT A CURSE ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD. TODAY, WHERE
ONCE A FLOURISHING TOWN, THERE IS NOTHING BUT OPEN
FIELDS. THE CHAPEL THERE WAS ALSO BROKEN INTO, AND
DESECRATED (THIS IS A FACT). THE ALTAR WAS LATER
BROUGHT DOWN TO NOTRE DAME AND PLACED IN THE LOG CHAPEL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM ; INDIANA, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): DEATH OF TOWN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 01-22-1968
THE BEAUTIFUL BABY CORPSE
INFORMANT TOLD ME OF A GUEST THAT SHE HAD IN HER HOME
WHO WORKED FOR THE WILBUR VAULT COMPANY. THIS MAN WAS
A MEMBER OF THE BURYING PARTY AT SEVERAL CEMETERIES.
ONE INCIENT HE SWEARS HE WILL NEVER FORGET WAS ONCE,
WHEN HIS CREW HAD TO BURY THE BODY OF A TWO-YEAR-OLD
BOY WHO HAD JUST RECENTLY PASSED AWAY. WHEN THESE MEN
LAID THE COFFIN ON TOP OF THE NYLON RUNNERS WHICH
SUPPORTED IT, THIS COFFIN SLIPPED OFF THE RUNNERS AND
SOMEHOW THE BABY FELL OUT. WHEN THIS MAN WENT DOWN TO THE
BOTTOM OF THE GRAVE TO RETRIEVE THE CHILD, HE SAID THAT
IT WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BABY THAT HE HAD EVER SEEN.
THIS INFANT SO IMPRESSED HIM (HE HAD A TWO-YEAR-OLD OF
HIS OWN) THAT HE INQUIRED ABOUT THE MANNER IN WHICH
IT HAD DIED. HE FOUND THAT THE BABY HAD UNSCREWED A
BOLT FROM HIS CRIB AND HAD SWALLOWED IT. THE BOLT
LODGED IN THE BABY'S THROAT AND IT WAS RUSHED TO THE
HOSPITAL, BUT THE DOCTORS WERE UNABLE TO SAVE THE
LITTLE BOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): INFANT DEATHS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 11-29-1971
GHOST STORY
IN A SMALL VILLAGE IN GREECE, AN OLD MAN DIED AND IT
WAS FOUND THAT HIS GHOST WAS ROAMING THE COUNTRYSIDE.
TO DISPEL THE GHOST, A BRAVE YOUNG MAN NAMED
KAFMAN TOLD THE VILLAGERS THAT HE WOULD STAY
BY THE OLD MAN'S GRAVE TO SEE IF THE GHOST WOULD
APPEAR. KAFMAN WORE A LONG, HOODED CAPE WHICH TOUCHED
THE GROUND, AND WHEN HE KNELT, THE CAPE SPREAD AROUND
HIM. BY AND BY, HE STARTED TO IMAGINE THINGS AND
HE STABBED AT THE DARKNESS WITH HIS DAGGER AND IT
STUCK INTO THE GROUND PIERCING THE CAPE. AS KAFMAN
STARTED TO LEAVE, HE FELT THE JERK OF THE CAPE
PINNED TO THE GROUND AND DIED OF A HEART ATTACK.
Submitter comment: JAMES LEARNED THIS FROM HIS FATHER.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN ; MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DEATH FROM FRIGHT ; FEAR TEST
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 10-10-1967
VILLAGE OF BERTRAND LEGEND
ANOTHER LOCAL LEGEND HAS TO DO WITH THE VILLAGE OF
BERTRAND {MICHIGAN} JUST OVER THE STATE LINE IN
MICHIGAN. IT WAS A THRIVING CITY, ON A PAR WITH SOUTH
BEND IN THE MID-19TH CENTURY. IT IS REPORTED THAT
ONE OF OUR PRIESTS SOUGHT SHELTER THERE ONE NIGHT, AND
WAS TURNED AWAY BY THE CITIZENS. HE IS SUPPOSED TO
HAVE PUT A CURSE ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD. TODAY, WHERE
ONCE A FLOURISHING TOWN, THERE IS NOTHING BUT OPEN
FIELDS. THE CHAPEL THERE WAS ALSO BROKEN INTO, AND
DESECRATED (THIS IS A FACT). THE ALTAR WAS LATER
BROUGHT DOWN TO NOTRE DAME AND PLACED IN THE LOG CHAPEL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM ; INDIANA, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): DEATH OF TOWN
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 01-22-1968
THE BEAUTIFUL BABY CORPSE
INFORMANT TOLD ME OF A GUEST THAT SHE HAD IN HER HOME
WHO WORKED FOR THE WILBUR VAULT COMPANY. THIS MAN WAS
A MEMBER OF THE BURYING PARTY AT SEVERAL CEMETERIES.
ONE INCIENT HE SWEARS HE WILL NEVER FORGET WAS ONCE,
WHEN HIS CREW HAD TO BURY THE BODY OF A TWO-YEAR-OLD
BOY WHO HAD JUST RECENTLY PASSED AWAY. WHEN THESE MEN
LAID THE COFFIN ON TOP OF THE NYLON RUNNERS WHICH
SUPPORTED IT, THIS COFFIN SLIPPED OFF THE RUNNERS AND
SOMEHOW THE BABY FELL OUT. WHEN THIS MAN WENT DOWN TO THE
BOTTOM OF THE GRAVE TO RETRIEVE THE CHILD, HE SAID THAT
IT WAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BABY THAT HE HAD EVER SEEN.
THIS INFANT SO IMPRESSED HIM (HE HAD A TWO-YEAR-OLD OF
HIS OWN) THAT HE INQUIRED ABOUT THE MANNER IN WHICH
IT HAD DIED. HE FOUND THAT THE BABY HAD UNSCREWED A
BOLT FROM HIS CRIB AND HAD SWALLOWED IT. THE BOLT
LODGED IN THE BABY'S THROAT AND IT WAS RUSHED TO THE
HOSPITAL, BUT THE DOCTORS WERE UNABLE TO SAVE THE
LITTLE BOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): INFANT DEATHS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 11-29-1971
GHOST STORY
IN A SMALL VILLAGE IN GREECE, AN OLD MAN DIED AND IT
WAS FOUND THAT HIS GHOST WAS ROAMING THE COUNTRYSIDE.
TO DISPEL THE GHOST, A BRAVE YOUNG MAN NAMED
KAFMAN TOLD THE VILLAGERS THAT HE WOULD STAY
BY THE OLD MAN'S GRAVE TO SEE IF THE GHOST WOULD
APPEAR. KAFMAN WORE A LONG, HOODED CAPE WHICH TOUCHED
THE GROUND, AND WHEN HE KNELT, THE CAPE SPREAD AROUND
HIM. BY AND BY, HE STARTED TO IMAGINE THINGS AND
HE STABBED AT THE DARKNESS WITH HIS DAGGER AND IT
STUCK INTO THE GROUND PIERCING THE CAPE. AS KAFMAN
STARTED TO LEAVE, HE FELT THE JERK OF THE CAPE
PINNED TO THE GROUND AND DIED OF A HEART ATTACK.
Submitter comment: JAMES LEARNED THIS FROM HIS FATHER.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN ; MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FEAR TEST DEATH FROM FRIGHT
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman |
Date learned: 10-10-1967
IT ISN'T THE COUGH THAT CARRIES YOU OFF IT'S THE COFFIN
THEY CARRY YOU OFF IN.
Where learned: OFFICE
Keyword(s): DEATH
| Subject headings: | PROVERB -- Proverbial Apothegm Maxim |
Date learned: 08-03-1964