The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

Song

There was an old man named Michael Finnegan.
He grew fat and then grew thinnegan.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

View just this record

Song

They were three ravens sat on a tree
Down a down, hey, down a down
They were black as they might be
With a down a derry, derry down

The first of them said to his mate
What shall we for our breakfast take
Down in yonder green field
Lies a knight slain under his shield
Down, down, down...

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

View just this record

Song with Gestures

A cabin in the woods
Little men by the window stood,
Saw a rabbit hopping by
Knocking at their door.
"Help me, help me," was his cry
Or the farmer shoot me down
Little rabbit come inside.
Safely you'll abide.
 

Submitter comment:

Each line is accompanied by a gesture. The song is repeated, not singing the final line but merely doing the gesture until no singing is done, only gesturing.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

View just this record

I am a man of constant sorrow I've seen troubles all my days
I'll bid farewell to old Kentucky the state where I was born and raised

All through this world I'm bound to ramble through sun and rain
And driving rain I'm bound to ride that Northern Railway perhaps I'll take the very next train

Your friends may say that I'm a stranger my face you'll see no more
There is a promise that is given I'll see you on God golden shore

I always thought I'd seen trouble now I know it's common run
I'll hang my head and weep in sorrow just tot hink on what you've done

And when I'm in some lonesome hour and I'm feeling all alone
I'll weep the briny tears of sorrow and think of you so far-a-gone

Oh, I'm a man of constant sorrow, etc.

Data entry tech comment:

Joan Baez's version.
 

Where learned: Joan Baez tape

View just this record

Song

A sailor went to sea, sea, sea,
To see what he could see, see, see,
But all that he could see, see, see,
Was the deep blue sea, sea, sea.
 

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share the same surname.

Where learned: TOLD AT HOME

View just this record

TITANIC SONG

VERSE 1:
THEY BUILT THE SHIP TITANIC
TO SAIL THE OCEAN BLUE
AND THEY SAID IT WAS A SHIP
THAT THE WATER COULDN'T GO THROUGH
IT WAS ON ITS MAIDEN TRIP
WHEN AN ICEBERG HIT THE SHIP
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN
REFRAIN:
OH, IT WAS SAD, IT WAS SAD
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN
TO THE BOTTOM OF THE--
HUSBANDS AND WIVES, LITTLE KIDDIES LOST THEIR LIVES
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN
VERSE 2:
THEY WERE NOT FAR FROM ENGLAND
THEY WERE NOT FAR FROM SHORE
WHEN THE RICH REFUSED
TO ASSOCIATE WITH THE POOR
SO THEY PUT THEM DOWN BELOW
WHERE THEY'D BE THE FIRST TO GO
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN
REPEAT REFRAIN
VERSE 3:
THEY THREW THE LIFEBOATS OVER
INTO THE FOAMING SEA
AND THE BAND STRUCK UP
"NEAR MY GOD TO THEE"
LITTLE KIDDIES SCREAMED AND CRIED
BUT THEY ALL WENT DOWN AND DIED
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN
REPEAT REFRAIN

Submitter comment: I LEARNED THIS SONG ABOUT SIX YEARS AGO IN SOLON, OHIO AT ST. RITA'S
SUMMER BIBLE SCHOOL. IT WAS FOR CATHOLIC CHILDREN FROM KINDERGARTEN
TO FIFTH GRADE. FR. ED DIETRICH, ONE OF THE PARISH PRIESTS, TAUGHT
US THIS SONG. THE KIDS ALL LOVED IT FOR SOME REASON AND WOULD LAUGH
AND GIGGLE ALL THROUGH IT WHICH SEEMED IRONICALLY HILARIOUS. I HAVE
NO IDEA WHERE FR. DIETRICH LEARNED THE SONG BUT IT REMAINS ONE OF MY
FAVORITES.
SATIRE

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Date learned: 00-00-1971

View just this record

BLACK SLAVE VERSE

OH HENRY, WHATCHA GONNA DO
I'M GONNA MAKE ME SOME CORNBREAD
OH HENRY, HOW'D YOU MAKE THAT
TAKE SOME EGGS AND BUTTER AND PUT IT IN A HAT
OH HENRY, IS THAT ALL YOU DO
YA, TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF MILK A PINCH OF THIS AND THAT
MIX IT ALL TOGETHER, AND I GUESS THAT'S THAT

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: CA0001969

View just this record

TITANIC

THEY BUILT THE SHIP TITANIC FOR TO SAIL THE OCEAN BLUE,
AND THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD A SHIP THAT THE OCEAN COULDN'T GET THROUGH
BUT THE GOOD LORD RAISED HIS HAND AND SAID THE SHIP WILL NEVER LAND.
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
...... CHORUS......
IT WAS SAD, SO SAD , IT WAS SAD.
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN
TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA...
HUSBANDS AND WIVES, LITTLE CHILDREN LOST THEIR LIVES,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN. SECOND VERSE
THEY WERE NEARING CLOSE TO ENGLAND, THEY WERE NEARING CLOSE TO SHORE
WHEN THE RICH REFUSED TO ASSOCIATE WITH THE POOR.
SO THEY PUT THEM DOWN BELOW, WHERE THEY'D BE THE FIRST TO GO.
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
IT WAS SAD, SO SAD, IT WAS SAD. ..... CHORUS.....
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN
TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA...
HUSBANDS AND WIVES, LITTLE CHILDREN LOST THEIR LIVES,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN. THIRD VERSE
THEY PUT THE LIFE BOATS OUT ON THE DARK AND STORMY SEA,
AND THE BAND STRUCK UP WITH "HOW NEAR MY GOD TO ME".
LITTLE CHILDREN WEPT AND CRIED AS THE WAVES SPLASHED OVER THE SIDES,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
...... CHORUS......
IT WAS SAD, SO SAD , IT WAS SAD.
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN
TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA...
HUSBANDS AND WIVES, LITTLE CHILDREN LOST THEIR LIVES,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN LAST VERSE
THE MORAL WE OBTAIN FROM THIS TALE OF WOE AND PAIN,
IS THAT IF YOU'RE RICH , BY ALL MEANS DON'T BE VAIN,
FOR IN THE GOOD LORD'S EYES, YOU'RE THE SAME AS OTHER GUYS.
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
IT WAS SAD, SO SAD, IT WAS SAD.
...... CHORUS......
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN
TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA...
HUSBANDS AND WIVES, LITTLE CHILDREN LOST THEIR LIVES,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 02-00-1980

View just this record

THE TITANIC

OH, THEY BUILT THE SHIP TITANIC TO SAIL THE OCEAN BLUE,
AND THEY THOUGHT THEY HAD A SHIP THAT THE WATERS
COULDN'T GET THROUGH,
BUT THE GOOD LORD RAISED HIS HAND, SAID THIS SHIP WOULD NEVER LAND,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
OH, IT WAS SAD, IT WAS SAD,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE --
HUSBANDS AND WIVES, LITTLE CHILDREN LOST THEIR LIVES,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN. MM
OH, THEY NEARED THE ICY SHORE WHEN THE RAINS BEGAN TO POUR,
AND THE RICH REFUSED TO ASSOCIATE WITH THE POOR,
SO THEY PUT THEM DOWN BELOW, WHERE THEY'D BE THE FIRST TO GO,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
OH, IT WAS SAD.... MM
OH, THE SIDES BEGAN TO BREAK AND THE BOW BEGAN TO BURST,
AND THE CAPTAIN SHOUTED, "WOMEN AND CHILDREN FIRST."
THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN CRIED, WHILE ALL AROUND THEM DIED,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
OH, IT WAS SAD... MM
SO THEY PUT THE LIFEBOATS OUT ON THE DARK AND STORMY SEA,
AND THE BAND STRUCK UP WITH "NEARER MY GOD TO THEE."
THE CAPTAIN TRIED TO WIRE, BUT THE WIRES WERE ALL AFIRE,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
OH, IT WAS SAD... MM
OH, THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS WHEN YOU PUT OUT TO SEA,
YOU SHOULD WEAR A LIFE PRESERVER OR ON THE BOTTOM YOU'LL BE,
THE TITANIC NEVER WAS, NOW IT NEVER MORE SHALL BE,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
OH, IT WAS SAD, IT WAS SAD,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE--
HUSBANDS AND WIVES, LITTLE CHILDREN LOST THEIR LIVES,
IT WAS SAD WHEN THE GREAT SHIP WENT DOWN.
KER-PLUNK
BUBBLE, BUBBLE.

Submitter comment: THERE WAS AN ALTERNATE LINE FOR THE REFRAIN IN PLACE OF
THE "HUSBANDS AND WIVES..." LINE:
"UNCLES AND AUNTS, LITTLE CHILDREN WET THEIR PANTS"

Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY

Date learned: 00-00-1971

View just this record

THREE LITTLE ANGELS

THREE LITTLE ANGELS, ALL DRESSED IN WHITE,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON THE END OF A KITE,
BUT THE KITE STRING BROKE AND DOWN THEY FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO...
TWO LITTLE ANGELS, ALL DRESSED IN WHITE,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON THE END OF A KITE,
BUT THE KITE STRING BROKE AND DOWN THEY FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO...
ONE LITTLE ANGEL...
...
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN HE WENT TO... MM
THREE LITTLE DEVILS, ALL DRESSED IN RED,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN ON THE END OF A THREAD,
BUT THE THREAD-STRING BROKE AND DOWN THEY FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO...
TWO LITTLE DEVILS ALL DRESSED IN RED...
... MM
THREE LITTLE DEMONS, ALL DRESSED IN BLACK,
TRIED TO GET TO HEAVEN IN A CADILLAC,
BUT IT RAN OUT OF GAS AND DOWN THEY FELL,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO...
TWO LITTLE...
...
(LAST TIME) INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO...
DON'T GET EXCITED, DON'T LOSE YOUR HEAD,
INSTEAD OF GOING TO HEAVEN THEY WENT TO BED.

Where learned: MISSOURI ; KANSAS CITY

James Callow Keyword(s): CHAIN OF COLORS ; ELLIPSES IN LINES 4, 8, ETC. ; EUPHEMISM FOR HELL

Date learned: 00-00-1971

View just this record

GO WITH CHRIST

OH, THE GAME WAS PLAYED ON SUNDAY IN THE DEVIL'S OWN BACKYARD,
WITH JESUS PLAYING QUARTERBACK AND MOSES PLAYING GUARD,
THE ANGELS IN THE GRANDSTAND LET OUT A MIGHTY YELL,
AS JESUS SCORED A TOUCHDOWN AGAINST THE BOYS FROM HELL.
GO WITH CHRIST, GO WITH CHRIST,
MOSES PLAYING ON THE LINE AND JESUS DOING MIGHTY FINE,
GO WITH CHRIST, GO WITH CHRIST,
ROCK 'EM, SOCK 'EM, JESUS KNOCK 'EM, GO CHRIST, GO.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): ANTHROPOMORPHISM

Date learned: 00-00-1979

View just this record

O'LEARY'S BAR

TWAS A COLD WINTER'S EVENING, THE GUESTS WERE ALL LEAVING,
O'LEARY WAS CLOSING THE BAR.
WHEN HE TURNED AND HE SAID TO THE LADY IN RED,
GET OUT, YOU CAN'T STAY ANY MORE.
SHE WEPT A SAD TEAR IN HER BUCKET OF BEER,
AS SHE THOUGHT OF THE COLD NIGHT AHEAD,
WHEN A DAPPER PHI KAPPER STEPPED OUT OF THE CRAPPER,
AND THESE ARE THE WORDS THAT HE SAID.
"HER MOTHER NEVER TOLD HER THE THINGS A YOUNG GIRL SHOULD KNOW,
ABOUT THE WAYS OF COLLEGE MEN, AND HOW THEY COME AND GO--
MOSTLY COME.
NOW AGE HAS TAKEN HER BEAUTY, AND SIN HAS LEFT ITS SAD SCAR,
SO REMEMBER YOUR MOTHERS BOYS, AND LET HER SLEEP UNDER THE BAR."
NEXT TO THE GIN, IN SOUTHERN COMFORT, WITH HIRAM WALKER,
AND THERE WAS GRANNY SWINGING ON THE OUTHOUSE DOOR,
WITHOUT HER NIGHTY, AND GRAMPA YELLING MORE, MORE, MORE.
SHE WORE PAJAMAS.

Submitter comment: SLANG: CRAPPER FOR RESTROOM

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): PUNS ON WHISKEY NAMES

Date learned: 00-00-1979

View just this record

BALLAD

I ONCE KNEW A LORD BY THE NORTHERN SEA. BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
I ONCE KNEW A LORD BY THE NORTHERN SEA,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
I ONCE KNEW A LORD BY THE NORTHERN SEA,
HE HAD DAUGHTERS - ONE, TWO, THREE.
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
A YOUNG PRINCE CAME A COURTING THERE. BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
A YOUNG PRINCE CAME A COURTING THERE,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
A YOUNG PRINCE CAME A COURTING THERE,
HE CHOSE THE YOUNG, HE CHOSE THE FAIR
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
HE GAVE HIS LOVE A BEAVER HAT. BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
HE GAVE HIS LOVE A BEAVER HAT,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
HE GAVE HIS LOVE A BEAVER HAT,
THE UGLY TWO THOUGHT HORRID OF THAT.
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
HE GAVE HIS LOVE A GOLDEN RING. BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
HE GAVE HIS LOVE A GOLDEN RING,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
HE GAVE HIS LOVE A GOLDEN RING,
THE UGLY TWO THOUGHT THAT A TERRIBLE THING.
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
THE THREE WALKED DOWN BY THE WATER'S RIM. BOW BOWN, BOW DOWN.
THE THREE WALKED DOWN BY THE WATER'S RIM,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
THE THREE WALKED DOWN BY THE WATER'S RIM,
THE UGLY TWO PUSHED THE FAIR ONE IN.
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
SHE FLOATED DOWN WHERE THE MILLER SAT. BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
SHE FLOATED DOWN WHERE THE MILLER SAT,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
SHE FLOATED DOWN WHERE THE MILLER SAT,
HE TOOK THE GOLD RING AND THE BEAVER HAT.
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.
THE UGLY TWO THEY WERE BURNED AT THE STAKE. BOW DOWN, BOW DOWN.
THE UGLY TWO THEY WERE BURNED AT THE STAKE,
BOW AND BALANCE TO ME.
THE UGLY TWO THEY WERE BURNED AT THE STAKE,
THE MILLER WAS HANGED FOR WHAT HE DID TAKE.
I WILL BE TRUE, TRUE TO MY LOVE,
LOVE AND MY LOVE WILL BE TRUE TO ME.

Submitter comment: THIS BALLAD, A VARIATION OF "THE TWA SISTERS", WAS LEARNED
BY MR. CARAHER IN 1956 WHEN HE WORKED IN INTERLOCHEN, MICHIGAN
AT INTERLOCHEN'S MUSIC ACADEMY. LONG EVENINGS WERE SPENT
SINGING AND "LEARNING HOW TO DRINK BEER WITHOUT THROWING UP."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM

View just this record

SONG

(REFRAIN:)
OLD FOLKS, YOUNG FOLKS, EVERYBODY COME.
COME JOIN THE BIBLE SCHOOL AND HAVE A LOT OF FUN.
PLEASE CHECK YOUR CHEWING GUM AND RAZORS AT THE DOOR,
AND YOU'LL HEAR SOME BIBLE STORIES THAT
YOU'VE NEVER HEARD BEFORE.
(FIRST STANZA:)
ADAM WAS A PLOWMAN AND EVE WAS HIS SPOUSE.
HE PICKED UP A HAMMER AND BUILT THEMSELVES A HOUSE.
EVERYTHING WAS PEACEFUL, QUIET AND SANE,
TILL EVE HAD A BABY AND THEY STARTED RAISIN' CAIN.
(REPEAT REFRAIN)
(SECOND STANZA:)
IN CAME NOAH STUMBLING IN THE DARK.
HE PICKED UP A HAMMER AND HE BUILT HIMSELF AN ARK.
IN CAME THE ANIMALS TWO BY TWO--
THE GIANT HIPPOPOTAMUS AND THE LANKY KANGAROO.
(THIRD STANZA:)
IN CAME THE LION, IN CAME THE BEAR,
IN CAME THE BABOON WITHOUT ANY HAIR;
FOR FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS THEY SAILED AROUND THE
POND,
AND THEY KICKED OUT THE LIONESS BECAUSE SHE WAS A BLOND.
(REPEAT REFRAIN)
(FOURTH STANZA:)
NOW DAVID WAS A SHEPHERD BOY, HIS FATHER'S PRIDE AND JOY.
HE MADE HIMSELF A SLINGSHOT--A HARMLESS LITTLE TOY.
IN CAME GOLIATH LOOKIN' FOR A FUSS,
SO HE PICKED UP A PEBBLE AND BOUNCED HIM ON THE CRUST.
(REPEAT REFRAIN)

Submitter comment: THIS WAS LEARNED IN NEW YORK. IT WAS USUALLY SUNG ON
LONG CAR TRIPS. THERE ARE MORE STANZAS BUT THIS IS
ALL THE INFORMANT REMEMBERED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills

James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; HUMOR

Date learned: 12-00-1983

View just this record

GIBALLAD

HUMP 2-3-4
FALL OUT SOLDIERS. HUMP 2-3-4. MOVE'EM OUT SOLDIERS.
HUMP 2-3-4. IT'S TIME FOR THE GI PARTY SOLDIERS.HUMP 2-3-4.
DETAIL HUMP 2-3-4. WASH THOSE WALLS SOLDIERS.HUMP 2-3-4.
SCRUBS THOSE FLOORS SOLDIERS. HUMP 2-3-4.
CLEAN THOSE DISHES SOLDIERS. HUMP 2-3-4.
MOVE IT OUT SOILDERS HOP TO IT SOLIDERS.HUMP2-3-4.

Submitter comment: MY MOTHER WOULD DO THIS EVERY SATURDAY TO MAKE US CLEAN HOUSE.

Date learned: 01-00-0198

View just this record

"THE BUMBLE BEE SONG"

I'M BRINGING HOME MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
WON'T MY MOMMY BE SO PROUD OF ME,
I'M BRINGING HOME MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
OOOH! HE STUNG ME!
I'M SQUISHING UP MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
WON'T MY MOMMY BE SO PROUD OF ME,
I'M SQUISHING UP MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
OOOH! WHAT A MESS!
I'M LICKING UP MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
WON'T MY MOMMY BE SO PROUD OF ME,
I'M LICKING UP MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
OOOH! MY TUMMY HURTS!
I'M THROWING UP MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
WON'T MY MOMMY BE SO PROUD OF ME,
I'M THROWING UP MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
OOOH! WHAT A MESS!
I'M SWEEPING UP MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
WON'T MY MOMMY BE SO PROUD OF ME,
I'M SWEEPING UP MY BABY BUMBLE BEE,
BYE, BYE, THERE HE GOES!
I THINK I SEE ANOTHER BUMBLE BEE,
WON'T MY MOMMY BE SO PROUD OF ME,
I THINK I SEE ANOTHER BUMBLE BEE,
OOOH! I CAUGHT HIM!
I'M BRINGING HOME MY BABY BUMBLE BEE............

Submitter comment: THIS IS ANOTHER INFINITE LOOP-TYPE SONG. IT CAN BE SUNG
UNTIL THE SINGERS ARE TIRED OF IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER

Keyword(s): INSECT

James Callow Keyword(s): VERSE ROUND

Date learned: 00001970S

View just this record

THE OTHER DAY
I SAW A BEAR
OUT IN THE WOODS
A WAY OUT THERE
HE LOOKED AT ME
I LOOKED AT HIM
HE SIZED UP ME
I SIZED UP HIM
HE SAID TO ME
WHY DON'T YOU RUN
CUZ I SEE YOU AIN'T
GOT ANY GUN
AND SO I RAN
RIGHT OUTTA THERE
BUT AFTER ME
CAME THAT BIG BEAR
AHEAD OF ME
I SAW A TREE
OH LUCKY ME
TO SEE A TREE
THE NEAREST BRANCH
WAS TEN FEET UP
I'D HAVE TO JUMP
AND TRUST MY LUCK
AND SO I JUMPED
INTO THE AIR
BUT I MISSED THAT BRANCH
A WAY UP THERE
NOW DON'T YOU FRET
AND DON'T YOU FROWN
CUZ I CAUGHT THAT BRANCH
ON THE WAY BACK DOWN

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS AS A GIRL SCOUT. THE LEADER SINGS EACH
LINE AND THE REST OF THE GROUP REPEATS IT. THEN EACH SET OF FOUR
LINES IS SUNG TOGETHER BY THE WHOLE GROUP.

Date learned: 00-00-1977 ; 11-00-1987

View just this record

Tomato Can

Oh, I had a little soup in an old tomato can
Teaspoon full for every man,
Got so drunk, that I couldn't stand.
So I joined the English Army.

Submitter comment: This is an old Irish song that my grandfather used to sing.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Irish

Date learned: 00001940S

View just this record

O'LEARY'S BAR

'TWAS A COLD WINTER'S EVENING, THE GUESTS WERE ALL LEAVING,
O'LEARY WAS CLOSING THE BAR.
WHEN HE TURNED AND HE SAID TO THE LADY IN RED, "GET OUT, YOU
CAN'T STAY ANYMORE."
SHE WEPT A SAD TEAR IN HER BUCKET OF BEER AS SHE THOUGHT OF
THE COLD NIGHT AHEAD.
WHEN A DAPPER PHI-KAPPER, STEPPED OUT OF THE CRAPPER AND
THESE ARE THE WORDS THAT HE SAID:
"YOUR MOTHER NEVER TOLD YOU, THE THINGS A YOUNG GIRL SHOULD
KNOW.
ABOUT THE WAYS OF COLLEGE MEN, AND HOW THEY COME AND GO.
NOW AGE HAS TAKEN YOUR BEAUTY AND SIN HAS LEFT ITS SAD SCAR.
SO REMEMBER YOUR MOTHER'S BOYS AND LET HER SLEEP UNDER
THE BAR."
NEXT TO THE GIN,
IN SOUTHERN COMFORT,
WITH HIRAM WALKER,
AND THERE WAS GRANNY SWINGING ON THE OUTHOUSE DOOR, WITHOUT
HER NIGHTY, AND GRANDPA YELLIN', "MORE, MORE, MORE."
HE WORE PAJAMAS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

View just this record

THE SHANTY BOY

"AS I WALKED OUT ONE EVENING, JUST AS THE SUN WENT DOWN.
I CARELESSLY DID RAMBLE TILL I CAME TO SAGINAW TOWN.
I HEARD TWO GIRLS CONVERSING, AS SLOWLY I PASSED THEM BY;
ONE SAID SHE LOVED A FARMER'S SON, AND THE OTHER A SHANTY
BOY.
"THE ONE THAT LOVED THE FARMER'S SON, THESE WORDS I HEARD
HER SAY,
'THE REASON WHY I LOVE HIM IS AT HOME WITH ME HE'LL STAY;
HE'LL STAY AT HOME ALL WINTER, TO THE WOODS HE WILL NOT GO,
AND WHEN THE SPRINGTIME COMES AGAIN, HIS LANDS HE'LL
PLOW AND SOW.'
'I SHALL ALWAYS PRAISE MY SHANTY BOY WHO GOES TO THE
WOODS IN THE FALL,
HE IS BOTH STOUT AND HEARTY AND FIT TO STAND A SQUALL;
WITH PLEASURE I WILL GREET HIM IN THE SPRING WHEN
HE COMES DOWN.
HIS MONEY ON ME HE'LL SPEND IT FREE WHEN YOUR MOSSBACK
HE HAS NONE.'
HOW CAN YOU PRAISE YOUR SHANTY BOY WHO TO THE WOODS
DOES GO?
HE'S ORDERED OUT BEFORE DAYLIGHT TO FACE THE FROST AND SNOW,
WHILE HAPPY AND CONTENTED MY FARMER'S SON WILL LIE,
SOFT TALES OF LOVE HE'LL TELL TO ME WHILE THE STORMS
ARE BLOWING BY.'
'I NEVER CAN STAND THAT SOFT TALK,' THE OTHER GIRL DID SAY,
'THE MOST OF THEM THEY ARE SO GREEN THE COWS COULD EAT
THEM FOR HAY;
HOW EASY IT IS TO KNOW THEM WHEN THEY COME INTO TOWN,
THE SMALL BOY SHOUTING AFTER THEM, "MOSSBACK, HOW COME
YOU DOWN?'
'WHAT I'VE SAID UNKIND OF YOUR SHANTY BOY, I DO NOT
MEAN IT SO,
AND IF EVER I MEET WITH ONE OF THEM ALONG WITH HIM
I'LL GO,
AND LEAVE MY MOSSBACK FARMERS' SON TO PLOUGH AND PLANT
HIS FARM.
WHILE MY SHANTY BOY SO BOLD AND FREE WILL SAVE ME FROM
ALL HARM.

Submitter comment: THIS SONG COMES FROM NOT AN EDUCATED PERSON BUT FROM
THE HEART OF A LUMBERING CREW. IT FITS THE MENTALITY
OF THE AVERAGE LOGGING CREW.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAGINAW

Keyword(s): LOGGING SONGS ; SHANTY BOY

James Callow Keyword(s): CONTRASTED OCCUPATIONS

Date learned: 03-04-1990

View just this record