The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

"A WOMAN COULD BE SEEN WALKING ALONG RAILROAD TRACKS IN BESSEMER,
ALABAMA. PEOPLE FOLLOWED HER, BUT NEVER CAUGHT HER. WHEN THEY
RAN, SHE RAN; AND HER FEET NEVER TOUCHED THE GROUND -- OR
ANYTHING. PEOPLE BELIEVED THAT THE WOMAN WAS THE GHOST OF A MAN (IN
FEMALE IMAGE) WHO HAD BEEN HANGED NEARBY."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MUSKEGON

Date learned: 09-19-1982

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"IN CARROLTON, ALABAMA, THERE IS THIS FACE OF A MAN IN THE
COURTHOUSE WINDOW. HE WAS EXECUTED FOR A CRIME HE DID NOT
COMMIT AND HAS HAUNTED THE COURTHOUSE SINCE THEN. THE WINDOW HAS
SUPPOSEDLY BEEN REPLACED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THE FACE WILL NOT
NOT GO AWAY."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MUSKEGON

Date learned: 09-19-1982

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"THERE'S SUPPOSED TO BE MONEY BURIED IN THE WOODS IN BESSEMER,
ALABAMA, THAT CAN'T BE REMOVED. I HEARD SEVERAL MEN TALK ABOUT
TRYING TO DIG FOR IT; BUT WHEN THEY FOUND THE CORRECT SPOT,
THINGS STARTED HAPPENING TO SCARE THEM OFF. ONE SPECIFIC THING I
REMEMBER HEARING MENTIONED WAS THE ROCKS BEING THROWN AT THEM (THE
MEN) FROM ALL SIDES FROM SOME UNSEEN BEINGS."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MUSKEGON

Date learned: 09-19-1982

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"THIS ONE WAS TOLD BY THE MINISTER OF THE CHURCH I ATTENDED AS A
CHILD: THERE WAS A LITTLE GIRL ON A PASSENGER TRAIN. SHE WAS
PUT OFF THE TRAIN IN THE DARK, IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE BECAUSE
SHE HAD NO TICKET. AFTER THE CONDUCTOR FORCED THE LITTLE GIRL TO
LEAVE THE TRAIN, HE PULLED THE CORD, SIGNALLING THE ENGINEER TO
CONTINUE THE JOURNEY. HOWEVER, THE TRAIN WOULDN'T MOVE. FINALLY,
THE CONDUCTOR SAID, 'I KNOW WHY THIS TRAIN WON'T MOVE. I'VE
FORCED THAT CHILD OFF BECAUSE SHE HAD NO TICKET OR MONEY.' HE PUT
THE LITTLE GIRL BACK ON THE TRAIN AND SIGNALLED THE ENGINEER
AGAIN. THIS TIME, THE TRAIN PROCEEDED WITHOUT INCIDENCE."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MUSKEGON

Date learned: 09-19-1982

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"ALABAMA -- I'VE HEARD OF PEOPLE SEEING SOMEONE (AN APPARITION OF
THE PERSON) HOURS BEFORE THE PERSON'S DEATH. MY GRANDMOTHER SAW
HER BOYFRIEND WALKING ALONG A PATH ON FRIDAY MORNING, BUT HE
SHOWED UP AT HER HOUSE A FEW MINUTES LATER FROM THE OPPOSITE
DIRECTION AND COULDN'T HAVE BEEN WHERE SHE HAD SEEN HIM. HE WAS
KILLED LATE THAT FRIDAY EVENING IN AN AMBUSH."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MUSKEGON

Date learned: CA00001948

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"PORK ROLL AND GRITS" IS WHAT THE INFORMANT WOULD
TELL HER CHILDREN WHEN THEY ASKED WHAT'S TO EAT.

Submitter comment: PORK ROLL AND GRITS WAS A SLAVE'S MEAL AND IT WAS HER
WAY OF TELLING THEM NO MATTER WHAT'S TO EAT YOU'LL EAT
IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 03-00-1983

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BLOODY BONES

THERE WAS THIS LITTLE BOY AND HIS MOTHER SENT HIM TO
THE STORE TO GET SOME LIVER. BUT INSTEAD THE LITTLE
BOY BOUGHT CANDY. ON HIS WAY HOME HE PASSED A GRAVEYARD
AND DECIDED TO GO DIG UP A LIVER TO TAKE HOME. HE CAME
TO A HEADSTONE WITH THE NAME BLOODY BONES ON IT AND BEGAN
TO DIG. AT DINNER, EVERYONE RAVED ABOUT HOW GOOD THE
LIVER WAS. AFTER DINNER EVERYONE WENT TO BED, BUT WHILE
THE BOY WAS SLEEPING HE HEARD A VOICE. THE VOICE SAID,
"BLOODY BONES GONNA GET YA TONIGHT. BLOODY BONES IN
YOUR CLOSET TONIGHT." FRIGHTENED, THE BOY RAN INTO THE
KITCHEN, BUT THE VOICE FOLLOWED AND SAID, "BLOODY BONES
GONNA GET YA TONIGHT. BLOODY BONES IN THE KITCHEN TONIGHT."
HE TRIED TO ESCAPE BY GOING INTO HIS PARENTS' ROOM BUT
BLOODY BONES FOLLOWED HIM. FINALLY, BLOODY BONES KILLED
HIM AND TOOK HIS LIVER.

Submitter comment: THE STORY WAS TOLD TO THE INFORMANT TO FRIGHTEN HER INTO
OBEYING. IF SHE DID SOMETHING WRONG HER GRANDFATHER
WOULD SAY, "BLOODY DONES GONNA GET YA!"

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): COMPENSATION AND POETIC JUSTICE ; FUNCTION

Date learned: 04-00-1983

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SHORTENIN' AN BREAD

BETTY AND SUZY LYING IN BED.
ONE WAS SICK AND THE OTHER 'MOST DEAD.
MOMMA'S LITTLE BABIES LOVE SHORTENIN' AN BREAD
TAKE OUT THE SKILLET AND PUT ON THE PAN
CAUSE MOMMA'S GONNA FIX US SHORTENIN' AN BREAD.
MOMMA'S LITTLE BABIES LOVE SHORTENIN', SHORTENIN'
MOMMA'S LITTLE BABIES LOVE SHORTENIN' AN BREAD.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT WAS TAUGHT THIS BY HER MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER.
IT IS A POPULAR SONG TO WHICH GIRLS PLAY PATTY-CAKE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 04-00-1983

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RUNNING GAME

WHEN I WAS YOUNG MY PARENTS SAT ON THE PORCH
IN THE EVENING AND THE KIDS OF THE BLOCK WOULD TAKE OVER
BEFORE THEY CAME OUT. ALL THE KIDS WOULD GATHER ON THE
PORCH AND ONE PERSON WOULD STAND IN FRONT OF THE GANG.
THE PERSON "IT" WOULD SAY "HANDS DROP FEET NO MOVE" AND
THEN COUNT TO TEN. THE REST WOULD DASH OFF MADLY AND HIDE
BEHIND TREES AND IN BUSHES. THE HANDS DROPPER WOULD GIVE
AN EXTRA WARNING THAT HE WAS AFTER THEM BY SAYING "WIPE
YOURSELF." I GUESS THAT WAS A LAST WARNING TO GET OFF THE
STEPS, AND TO GIVE THE LITTLER KIDS AND THE HEAVIER ONES
AN EXTRA CHANCE. THE PERSON "IT" WOULD FIND AND CATCH
EACH PERSON, AND THEN AS THEY WERE CAUGHT THEY WOULD HELP
HIM FIND THE OTHERS. THE FIRST ONE CAUGHT WAS THE NEXT
HANDS DROPPER SO THE FAST ONES WERE NEVER "IT". THE GAME
WAS OVER WHEN THE MOSQUITOS BEGAN TO STICK TO OUR PERSPIRING
BODIES. THE ULTIMATE SIGNAL FOR THE END WAS OF COURSE
THE STREET LIGHTS GOING ON AND THE PARENTS FINDING THEIR
DESIGNATED PLACES ON THE PORCH FOR AN EVENING OF GABBING.

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GOOD LUCK GRAPES

I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW OUR FAMILY CAME ACROSS THIS TRADITION BUT
EVER SINCE I WAS A YOUNG BOY GROWING UP IN GREECE WE HAVE
FOLLOWED THE SPANISH TRADITION OF EATING NUTS AND TWELVE GRAPES
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE AT MIDNIGHT. EACH GRAPE WILL GIVE YOU GOOD
LUCK FOR THE NEXT TWELVE MONTHS OF THE NEW YEAR. I FOLLOWED
THIS COMBINATION VERY STRICTLY AND IT HASN'T FAILED ME YET.

Submitter comment: AS A VISITOR IN THE GOFFAS HOME, I DIDN'T WANT TO PRESS FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION FROM THE PROUD GREEK WHO WAS UNWILLING TO
TALK.

Where learned: GREECE

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SCARCITY OF FOOD

OUR DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN TO UNEXPECTED FRIENDS AND RELATIVES
WHEN THEY POP BY. IF THEY HAPPEN TO DROP BY DURING DINNERTIME
OR BEFORE THE MEAL HAS STARTED MY PARENTS ALWAYS INVITE THEM TO
EAT WITH US. OF COURSE NOT BEING COUNTED ON IN THE MEAL
PLANNING LEAVES THE FOOD SITUATION A LITTLE SCARCE. MY MOM AND
DAD AT THAT POINT THEN WHISPER TO EACH OF THE KIDS, "FAMILY GO
EASY" AND WE KNOW NOT TO EAT A LOT.

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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THE IRISH WAILER

MY UNCLE JOHN CARROLL CAME FROM IRELAND WHERE HE HAD BEEN A
PROFESSIONAL WAILER (A PERSON WHO IS HIRED TO CRY AT FUNERALS).
HE CONTINUED HIS WAILING TRADITIONS AT THE IRISH FUNERALS IN
SPRINGFIELD, OHIO. HIS SISTER, MY MOTHER NORA, AT THE FUNERAL
OF MY AUNT MARY SAID, "JOHNNY IF YOU DARE DO ANY OF THAT WAILING
AT THIS FUNERAL, I'LL BREAK YOUR NECK." HE WASN'T THE FIGHTING
TYPE SO HE JUST PUT ON A SAD FACE AND WALKED AWAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1913

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A FEISTY IRISHMAN

IN 1905 JOHN EMMETT SULLIVAN WAS EN ROUTE TO DETROIT FROM ANN
ARBOR. HE WAS THE OWNER OF A CIGAR FACTORY AND HAD BEEN ON A
TOBACCO PURCHASING TRIP. AFTER A BUSY DAY HE BOARDED THE
AFTERNOON TRAIN. THE TRAIN WAS COMPLETELY FILLED EXCEPT FOR ONE
SEAT WHICH HAD A CASE ON IT. JOHN ASKED THE GENTLEMAN, "MAY I
USE THIS SEAT?" "NO, THIS CASE BELONGS TO SOMEONE ELSE." SAID
THE SURLY GENTLEMAN. SULLIVAN STOOD FUMING THE ENTIRE TRIP. WHEN
THE TRAIN STOPPED AT DETROIT, THE GENTLEMAN PICKED UP THE CASE
AND DISEMBARKED. "ARREST THIS MAN," CALLED JOHN SULLIVAN, "HE
IS TAKING SOMEONE ELSE'S CASE." THE SELFISH MAN WAS TAKEN AWAY
BY THE POLICE.

Submitter comment: JOHN SULLIVAN WAS AN ECCENTRIC, FEISTY MAN. HE WOULD BE MY GREAT
GRANDFATHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1905

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THE CRAZY BROTHERS

ON THE FARM IN DAYTON, OHIO I WAS CONSTANTLY WARNED TO STAY
AWAY FROM THE ADJACENT FARM IN WHICH LIVED TWO VERY STRANGE
BROTHERS. ALL THE NEIGHBLRS WERE WARY OF THE BROTHERS AND
THEIR INVENTIONS. IT WAS NOT UNTIL THEIR FIRST AIRPLANE FLEW
THAT THE WRIGHT BROTHERS WERE ACCEPTED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A TRUE STORY AND WHEN MY GRANDMOTHER TELLS OF THE
WARNINGS THAT SHE GOT FROM HER MOTHER SHE LAUGHS WRYLY.

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"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

Date learned: 00001930S

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MICHIGAN-I-O

COME ALL YOU JOLLY LUMBERMEN,
WHEREVER YOU MAY BE,
I PRAY YOU PAY ATTENTION
AND LISTEN UNTO ME.
'TIS OF SOME JOLLY LUMBERMEN
WHO DID AGREE TO GO
AND SPEND THE WINTER PLEASANTLY
IN MICHIGAN-I-O. MM
'TWAS EARLY IN THE SEASON,
THE FALL OF 'SIXTY-THREE,
A PREACHER OF THE GOSPEL
ONE MORNING CAME TO ME.
SAID HE, "MY BRISK YOUNG FELLOW,
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO
AND SPEND A WINTER PLEASANTLY
IN MICHIGAN-I-O?" MM
THEN I MADE HIM THIS REPLY
AND UNTO HIM DID SAY,
"MY GOING OUT TO MICHIGAN
DEPENDS UPON THE PAY.
IF YOU WILL PAY GOOD WAGES
AND PASSAGE TO AND FRO,
I THINK I'LL GO ALONG WITH YOU
TO MICHIGAN-I-O." MM
'TWAS BY THIS KIND PERSUASION
THAT HE HIRED QUITE A TRAIN,
TWENTY-FIVE OR THIRTY,
BOTH YOUNG AND ABLE MEN.
WE HAD A PLEASANT VOYAGE,
THE WAY WE HAD TO GO,
AND WE LANDED SAFE IN SAGINAW
IN MICHIGAN-I-O. MM
BUT HERE OUR PLEASURES ENDED,
AND TROUBLES THEY BEGAN.
WAYNE AND BRIGHT'S AGENTS
THEY CAME A-SAILING IN
AND LED US TO A COUNTRY--
THE WAY I DO NOT KNOW--
UP THE TOBACCO RIVER
IN MICHIGAN-I-O. MM
TO TELL HOW WE DID SUFFER
IS BEYOND THE ART OF MAN;
TO GIVE A GOOD DESCRIPTION
I'LL DO THE BEST I CAN:
OUR BOARD THE DOGS WOULD LAUGH AT;
OUR BED IT WAS THE SNOW.
GOD GRANT THERE IS NO MEANER PLACE
THAN MICHIGAN-I-O. MM
BUT NOW THE WINTER'S OVER,
AND HOMEWARD WE ARE BOUND;
AND IN THIS CURSED COUNTRY
NO LONGER WE'LL BE FOUND.
WE'LL GO BACK TO OUR SWEETHEARTS,
TELL OTHERS NOT TO GO
TO A GOD-FORSAKEN COUNTRY
CALLED MICHIGAN-I-O.

Submitter comment: MRS. TOWNE HEARD THIS SONG FROM SOMEONE IN HOUGHTON LAKE.
SHE DOES NOT REMEMBER WHO IT WAS, HOWEVER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE

James Callow Keyword(s): DISCONTENT ; LUMBERJACK

Date learned: 00001930S

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THE GARRISH RAILROAD

COME ALL YOU THAT FOLLOW LUMBERING, OH GOD IT'S ALL FOR GAIN
AND THINK OF YOUR DEAD COMRADE, WHO LIES SLEEPING IN HIS GRAVE.
FOR HE WAS THE NOBLEST YOUNG MAN, CUT DOWN IN ALL HIS BLOOM.
'TWAS ON THE GARRISH RAILROAD, HE MET HIS FATAL DOOM. MM MM
'TWAS ON ONE THURSDAY MORNING, THE FOURTEENTH DAY OF JUNE.
THIS YOUNG MAN WHO WAS WITH US, WAS AS FRESH AS A ROSE IN
BLOOM.
IT WAS HIS WILL TO MAKE THIS FATAL RIDE, IN ANSWER TO GOD'S
CALL.
'TWAS BETWEEN TWO LOADED CARS OF LOGS, HE MET WITH HIS
FATAL FALL. MM MM
THOSE WHO WERE COMING BEHIND HIM, THEY SAW HIS CRUSHING FATE.
THEY HURRIED TO ASSIST HIM, BUT ALAS', THEY WERE TOO LATE.
WHEN THEY SAW HIS MANGLED BODY, IT STRUCK THEIR HEARTS WITH
FEAR.
AND THE LAST WORDS THAT HE UTTERED WERE, "OH, MY MOTHER DEAR." MM MM
TWO DOCTORS CALLED, THEY CAME IN HASTE, BUT IT WAS TO NO AVAIL
FOR GOD'S CALL CAME, IT WAS FULFILLED, ALL EARTHLY POWERS
MUST FAIL.
THEY WATCHED HIS HEAVY BREATHING, WHILE THE TEARS STOOD IN HIS
EYES
FOR THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, POOR FELLOW HE MUST DIE. MM MM
THE LUMBER WAGON WAS HIS HEARSE, THE LUMBERING SOUND HIS KNELL.
LIKE HE, HIMSELF, WHO QUICKLY SIGHED, IT FLOURISHED AND SOON
DIED.
THE LOFTY PINES HIS MOURNERS WERE, WHILE THROUGH THEM SUNSHINE
PEEP.
THEY TRAIL LONG WITH THEIR COMRADE, TO HIS EVERLASTING SLEEP. MM MM
NO MOTHER'S CRIES NOR SIGHS WERE HEARD, NO SISTER'S TEARS WERE
SHED,
NO FATHER THERE TO SAY, "ALAS, AND NOW MY SON IS DEAD,"
NO FLOWERS SCATTERED ON HIS GRAVE, NO FUNERAL SERMON PRAYED,
NO TOMBSTONE THERE TO MARK THE PLACE, WHERE THIS LUMBERING
BOY WAS LAID. MM MM
THIS YOUNG MAN'S MOTHER, SHE WILL WAIT, HER SON'S COMING TO
APPEAR,
BUT SHE WILL WATCH AND WAIT IN VAIN, FOR FOOTSTEPS SHE WILL
NOT HEAR
UNTIL SHE GETS TO THAT FAIR LAND, WHERE TRUTH AND PEACE SHE'LL
SEE
TO REST IN PEACE AND HAPPINESS, THROUGH OUT ETERNITY. MM MM
NELSON SMITH WAS THE YOUNG MAN'S NAME, FROM CANADA HE CAME O'ER
TO MEET WITH HIS UNTIMELY DEATH, ALAS LIKE MANY MORE.
WE HOPE HE IS IN PARADISE, WHERE CALM HIS REST WILL BE
TO REST WITH GOD IN HAPPINESS, THROUGH OUT ETERNITY. MM MM
THIS SONG, THE GARRISH RAILROAD, HAPPENED TO A CANADIAN
BOY, AND MY GRANDFATHER, FRANK DAVIS, WAS THERE AND SAW IT
HAPPEN WHEN THE BOY WAS CRUSHED BETWEEN TWO CARS OF LOGS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE

James Callow Keyword(s): FATALISM

Date learned: 00001930S

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JACK HAGGERTY

MY NAME IS JACK HAGGERTY, FROM GREENVILLE I CAME.
MY VIRTUE'S DEPARTED, AT LAST I PROCLAIM.
THE STRONG DARTS OF CUPID HAVE CAUSED ME MUCH GRIEF.
MY HEART'S TORN ASUNDER, I GET NO RELIEF. MM MM
MY STORY I'LL TELL YOU WITHOUT NO DELAY,
HOW A SWEET LITTLE LASSIE, MY HEART STOLE AWAY.
SHE WAS THE BLACKSMITH'S OWN DAUGHTER, ON THE FLAT RIVER SIDE
AND I ALWAYS INTENDED TO MAKE HER MY BRIDE. MM MM
I WORKED ON THE RIVER, I EARNED QUITE A STEAK.
I WAS STEADFAST AND STEADY, I NE'ER PLAYED THE RAKE.
FROM TOP BAR TO HOUSE TOP, I WAS VERY WELL KNOWN.
THEY CALLED ME JACK HAGGERTY, THE PRIDE OF THE TOWN. MM MM
ONE DAY ON THE RIVER, A LETTER I RECEIVED.
IT CAME FROM MY TRUE LOVE, FROM ME SHE WAS RELIEVED.
SHE'D MARRIED AN OLD LOVE, SHE HAD LONG TIME DELAYED
AND THE NEXT TIME I'D SEE HER, SHE'D NOT BE A MAID. MM MM
TO HER MOTHER JANE TUCKER, I LAY ALL THE BLAME.
SHE CAUSED HER TO FORSAKE ME, GO BACK ON MY NAME.
SHE CAST OFF THE LOGGER, THAT GOD WOULD SOON TIE
AND LEFT ME A WANDERER TO THE DAY THAT I DIE. MM MM
SO ITS FAREWELL FLAT RIVER, FOR ME THERE'S NO REST.
I'LL SHOULDER MY PEEVE, AND I WILL GO WEST.
I'LL GO TO MUSKEGON, SOME COMFORT TO FIND
AND I'LL LEAVE THIS FLAT RIVER AND ITS GAY GIRLS BEHIND. MM MM
COME ALL YOU BOLD RAFTMEN, WITH HEARTS KIND AND TRUE.
DON'T DEPEND ON A WOMAN, YOU'LL GET LEFT IF YOU DO.
BUT IF YOU EVER MEET ONE WITH DARK CHESTNUT CURL,
JUST REMEMBER JACK HAGGERTY AND THE FLAT RIVER GIRL. MM MM
THE SONG JACK HAGGERTY WAS ABOUT A YOUNG MAN FROM OVER BY
THE GREENVILLE AND GRAND RAPIDS AREA. HIS GIRL, THAT HE
THOUGHT HE WAS TO MARRY, RAN OFF AND MARRIED ANOTHER. SO
THIS SONG WAS FORMED AS A WARNING TO THE OTHER RIVER BOYS
TO BEWARE OF WHAT THE GIRLS MIGHT DO TO THEM. AT THAT AGE
IN HISTORY, MANY EVENTS AND LORE WERE LEFT BEHIND IN THE
FORM OF SONGS OR POEMS.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A VERY POPULAR VERSION OF A VERY POPULAR LUMBER-
JACK BALLAD. THERE ARE ABOUT SIX OTHER VERSIONS OF THIS
SHANTY-BOY BALLAD. IT IS MOST COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE FLAT
RIVER GIRL."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE

Keyword(s): LINE 91900 STAKE FOR STEAK ; LINE 94300 RAFTSMEN FOR RAFTMEN

James Callow Keyword(s): LUMBERJACK

Date learned: 00001930S

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MY DADDY AND HIS DADDY BEFORE HIM ALL LEARNED HOW
TO SWIM THE SAME WAY. WHEN I TURNED EIGHT MY DAD
TOOK ME DOWN TO THE CREEK AND TOLD ME "EITHER YOU
SWIM OR YOU DROWN" AND HE THREW ME IN THE CREEK.
WELL I DIDN'T WANT TO DROWN SO I LEARNED HOW TO
SWIM AND THAT'S ALSO HOW MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS
LEARNED AND HOW I TAUGHT MY KIDS.

Submitter comment: I KNOW THAT THIS IS A TRADITION WHEN A CHILD IS
EIGHT BECAUSE MR. PHILLIPS IS MY FATHER AND THIS
IS HOW I LEARNED HOW TO SWIM WHEN I WAS EIGHT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): AGE

Date learned: 04-00-1983

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WEST GERMAN DATING AND COURTSHIP CUSTOM.

IN PIRMENSENS, WHEN A GIRL DATES A BOY SHE NEVER
BRINGS HIM TO HER HOUSE NOR DOES SHE INTRODUCE HIM
TO ANY OF HER FAMILY MEMBERS. THE BOY AND GIRL MUST
MEET AT A RENDEVOUS AND GO OUT FROM THERE. IF THE
BOY MEETS ANY OF THE GIRL'S FAMILY BEFORE THEY ARE
ENGAGED, IT IS BELIEVED TO BRING BAD LUCK AND THE TWO
WILL NEVER MARRY.

Submitter comment: LISE REALLY BELIEVES THIS. SHE IS MY MOTHER AND
DOES NOT ALLOW DATES TO COME TO OUR HOUSE UNLESS I
AM ENGAGED TO THE GUY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00001970S

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