The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

SHADY GROVE

(CHORUS) SHADY GROVE MY LITTLE LOVE, SHADY GROVE
MY HONEY, SHADY GROVE MY LITTLE LOVE, I'M GOING TO SHADY GROVE.

BROWN. YOU ARE THE DARLING OF MY HEART, STAY 'TILL THE SUN GOES DOWN.
(CHORUS) SHADY GROVE MY LITTLE LOVE, SHADY GROVE MY DEAR, SHADY
GROVE MY LITTLE LOVE, I'M GOING TO LEAVE YOU HERE. (CHORUS)
PEACHES IN THE SUMMERTIME, APPLES IN THE FALL, IF I CAN'T GET THE
GIRL I LOVE, I WON'T TAKE NONE AT ALL. (CHORUS) SHADY GROVE MY
LITTLE LOVE, STANDING IN THE DOOR, SHOES AND STOCKINGS IN HER HANDS
LITTLE BARE FEET ON THE FLOOR. (CHORUS) SHADY GROVE MY LITTLE LOVE,
SHADY GROVE I SAY, SHADY GROVE MY LITTLE LOVE, DON'T WAIT 'TILL THE
JUDGEMENT DAY. (CHORUS) ONCE I WAS A LITTLE BOY, PLAYING IN THE SAND,
NOW I AM A GREAT BIG BOY, I THINK MYSELF A MAN. (CHORUS) WISH I HAD
ME A BIG FINE HORSE, CORN TO FEED HIM ON, PRETTY LITTLE DARLING
STAY AT HOME, FEED HIM WHEN I'M GONE. (CHORUS) ONCE AROUND THE
MULEY COW, MULEY WHEN SHE'S BORN, TAKES A JAY BIRD FOR A YEAR TO
FLY FROM HORN TO HORN.(CHORUS) WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GOY I WANDERED
THE WICKED NIGHT, NOW I AM A GREAT BIG BOY, I ONLY FOUND A WIFE.
(CHORUS) WISH I HAD A BANJO STRING, MADE OF GOLDEN TWINE, EVERY
TIME I PICK ON IT, I'D WISH THAT GIRL WAS MINE. (CHORUS) WHEN I WAS
A LITTLE BOY, MY MAMA OFTEN TOLD ME, IF I DO NOT HUG AND KISS THE
GIRLS, MY LIPS WOULD ALL GROW MOLDY. (CHORUS) EVERY NIGHT WHEN I
GROW OLD, MY WIFE I TRY TO PLEASE HER, THE MORE I TRY, THE WORSE SHE
GETS, BE DAMNED IF I DON'T LEAVE HER. (CHORUS) FLY AROUND MY BLUE
EYED GIRL, FLY AROUND MY DAISY, THINK WE'LL SING THIS HERE SONG,
YOU MUST THINK WE'RE PLUM CRAZY. (CHORUS)

Submitter comment: IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THE NUMBER OF TIMES THE WORDS "BIG"
AND "LITTLE" ARE USED. WHEN THIS SONG WAS RECORDED, (SQ73109-9)
THERE WERE THREE OF US IN THE ROOM. WE EACH TOOK ONE VERSE OUT OF
THREE, IN A ROTATING FASHION. THE OTHER PERSON PRESENT BESIDES
JEF FISK AND MYSELF WAS PETER FLEMMING. AN ALTERNATE CHORUS OF THIS
SONG IS, "SHADY GROVE MY LITTLE LOVE, SHADY GROVE MY DEAR, SHADY
GROVE MY LITTLE LOVE, I'M GOING TO LEAVE YOU HERE."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

Date learned: CA03001974

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THE OLD AGE PENSION CHECK

WHEN OUR OLD AGE PENSION CHECK
COMES TO THE DOOR, WE WON'T HAVE TO DREAD THE POOR HOUSE ANYMORE,
THO' WE'RE OLD AND GREY, GOOD TIMES WILL BE BACK TO STAY, WHEN
OUR OLD AGE PENSION CHECK COMES TO THE DOOR. WHEN OUR OLD AGE
PENSION CHECK COMES TO THE DOOR, DEAR OLD GRAMMA WON'T BE
LONESOME ANYMORE, SHE'LL BE WAITING AT THE GATE, EVERYNIGHT
SHE'LL HAVE A DATE, WHEN OUR OLD AGE PENSION CHECK COMES TO THE
DOOR. GROW A FLOWING LONG WHITE BEARD AND USE A CANE, 'CAUSE
YOU'RE IN YOUR SECOND CHILDHOOD DON'T COMPLAIN. LIFE WILL JUST
BEGIN AT SIXTY AND WE'LL ALL BE VERY FRISKY, WHEN OUR OLD AGE
PENSION CHECK COMES TO THE DOOR. POWER AND PAINT WILL BE
ABOLISHED ON THAT DAY, AND HOOP SKIRTS THEN WILL BE BROUGHT BACK
INTO PLAY. FADED CHECKS WILL BE RAGE AND OLD MAIDS WILL TELL THEIR
AGE WHEN OUR OLD AGE PENSION CHECK COMES TO THE DOOR. ALL THE
DRUG STORES WILL GO BANKRUPT ON THAT DAY, FOR COSMETICS THEN WILL
ALL BE PUT AWAY. I'LL PUT FLAPPERS ON THE SHELVES, AND GET A
GRANDMA FOR MYSELF, WHEN OUR OLD AGE PENSION CHECK COMES TO THE
DOOR. THERE'S A MAN WHO TURNED THIS COUNTRY UPSIDE DOWN, WITH HIS
OLD AGE RUMORS GOING 'ROUND, IF YOU WANT IN ON THE FUN, SEND YOUR
DIME TO WASHINGTON, AND THE OLD AGE PENSION MAN WILL BE AROUND.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: CA00001973

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WALKING THE FLOOR OVER YOU

YOU LEFT ME AND YOU WENT AWAY, YOU
SAID YOU'LD BE BACK IN JUST A DAY, YOU'VE BROKEN EVERY PROMISE YOU
LEFT ME ALL ALONE, I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU DID DEAR, BUT I DO KNOW
THAT YOU'RE GONE. (CHORUS) I'M WALKING THE FLOOR OVER YOU, I CAN'T
SLEEP A WINK, THAT IS TRUE, I'M HOPING AND I'M PRAYING AS MY
HEART BREAKS RIGHT IN TWO, WALKING THE FLOOR OVER YOU. NOW
DARLING, YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU WELL, LOVE YOU MORE THAN I COULD
EVER TELL, I THOUGHT THAT YOU WANTED ME AND ALWAYS WOULD BE MINE,
BUT YOU WENT AND LEFT ME HERE WITH TROUBLES ON MY MIND.
(REPEAT CHORUS) SOMEDAY YOU MAY BE LONESOME TOO, WALKING THE
FLOOR IS GOOD FOR YOU, JUST KEEP RIGHT ON A-WALKING AND IT WON'T
HURT YOU TO CRY, REMEMBER THAT I LOVE YOU AND I WILL UNTIL I DIE.
(REPEAT CHORUS)

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: CA00001973

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STAGOLEE

ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE NEARLY MYTHICAL COUNTRY OF
NINETEENTH CENTURY AMERICA, IN THE NEARLY MYTHICAL CITY OF NINETEENTH
CENTURY NEW ORLEANS, THERE LIVED A NEARLY MYTHICAL MAN. HE WAS A
ROBUST AND RANDY, AN INCREDIBLE DANDY BY THE NAME OF ROBERT LEE
WHO MADE HIS LIVING AS A PROFFESIONAL GAMBLER RIDIN' UP AND DOWN
THE MISSISSIPPI ALL DAY ON THOSE BIG HIGH-FILLEY GREASE STERNWHEEL
PADDLEBOATS WHERES YOU COULD DO ALL KINDS OF THINGS ON THE WATER
THAT YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO DO ON THE LAND. NOW THE ONLY DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN ROBERT AND ALL OF HIS FRIENDS AND ALL OF HIS ENEMIES WAS THE
FACT THAT ROBERT WAS SO RICH AND BEAUTIFUL AND ALL THE REST OF THOSE
DUDES WERE SO POOR AND UGLY, WHICH DID NOT DISTURB OUR FRIEND
ROBERT IN THE SLIGHTEST. HE JUST SAT AROUND ALL DAY ON HIS
MISSISSIPPI STEAMBOAT MAKIN' UP NEW CARD TRICKS, DRINKIN' JACK
DANIELS #7 TENNESSEE SOUR MASH WHISKEY AND PINCHING YVONNE AND SUKI
AND DIRTY LIL WHO LIKED TO HANG AROUND ROBERT BECAUSE HE WAS SO RICH
AND BEAUTIFUL AND ALL THE REST OF THEM DUDES WERE SO POOR AND UGLY.
NOW ALL THE REST OF THEM DUDES, THEIR BEIN'S BEIN' HIS FRIENDS AND
HIS ENEMIES BECAME VERY CONCERNED WITH THIS STATE OF AFFAIRS AND THEY
BEGAN TO GLANCE AND SCANTS AND SNEAKY-LIKE AROUND CORNERS AND SAY
STRANGE THINGS LIKE, "GOD-DAMN. HOW COME HE'S SO RICH AND
BEAUTIFUL AND WE'RE SO POOR AND UGLY?" SO AFTER A WHILE, LIKE
MOST MINORITY GROUPS, THEY SET UP A SUB-COMMITTEE, AND THIS ONE
OF COURSE WAS TO STUDY ROBERT'S METHODS. AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT
THE REASON THAT ROBERT WAS SO RICH AND BEAUTIFUL AND THEY WERE SO
POOR AND UGLY WAS THE FACT THAT HE CHEATED. WHICH WASN'T SO
UNUSUAL BECAUSE THEY CHEATED TOO, ONLY HE WAS A BETTER CHEATER THAN
THEY WERE. HE WAS. HE HAD HIM A LITTLE TRICK, YOU SEE, HE COULD
STACK A DECK CLEVER AND SNEAKY-LIKE SNICKETY-SNACK RIGHT THERE
BEFORE YOUR VERY EYES SO YOU GOT ALL THE CRUD AND HE GOT ALL THE GOOD
STUFF. AND HE'D RUN, RUN, RUN, RUN AWAY WITH ALL YOUR MONEY. AND IF
YOU WERE FOOLED ENOUGH AFTER A LONG EVENING OF LOSING TO STAND UP
ACROSS THAT GREEN FELT TABLE AND LOOK AT ROBERT IN THE EYES AND SAY,
"ROBERT, YOU BASTARD: (GULP) ROBERT, YOU'RE A BAD FELLOW. I SAW YOU
CUTTIN' THAT DECK STACKIN' THAT DECK SNEAKETY-SNACK RIGHT THERE
BEFORE MY VERY EYES. YOU GAVE ME ALL THE CRUD, YOU TOOK ALL THE GOOD
STUFF, YOU RUN AWAY WITH ALL MY MONEY, NOW I'M GONNA CALL MY
LAWYER AND HE'SGONNA MESS WITH YOU." WELL ROBERT, HE WOULD JUST STOP,
AND LOOK AT YOU FOR THE LONGEST TIME OUT OF THOSE LITTLE BLUE BEADIES
OF HIS AND SAY SOMETHING EXTREMELY HEAVY LIKE, "GREAT CLOUDS OF
BUGGY DUST, FELLOW. I'M GONNA HIT YOU SO HARD YOU ARE GONNA WHINE
LIKE A TEN PENNY NAIL HIT WITH A GREASY BALL-PEAN HAMMER... THE
ROUND END. I'M GONNA FILL YOUR BEHIND SO FULL OF LEAD YOU ARE GONNA
WALK AROUND LIKE A DUCK FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, AND WHEN YOU
SIT DOWN, YOU ARE GONNA MAKE PENCIL MARKS." AND HE'D HAUL OUT A
44 AS LONG AS YOUR LEG AND SHOOT YA RIGHT IN THE VESTIBULE SO YOU
COULD HARDLY WALK AND YOU FELL DOWN A LOT, AND AFTER AWHILE YOU
JUST CURLED UP AND DIED. WELL, NATURALLY, AFTER ROBERT HAD SPREAD A
CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF MEN ACROSS THE DECKS OF VARIOUS STEAMBOATS
DOWN THERE ON THE MISSISSIPPI, PEOPLE STOPPED DEALING WITH HIM
DIRECTLY AND STARTED DEALING WITH HIM CIRCUMSPECTLY
AND SYMBOLOGICALLY. THEY STARTED CALLING HIM BY WHAT HE DID THE BEST
AND THAT WAS TO STACK THE DECK.THEY STARTED CALLING HIM MEAN OLD,
DIRTY OLD, BAD OLD, ROTTEN OLD, RAUNCHY OLD, OBTUSE OLD STAGOLEE.
EARLY IN THE MORNING, MAMA, I HEARD THE BIG BULLDOG BARK. I
NOTICED STAGOLEE AND BILLY DELION WERE A-BALLIN' AND A-SQUABLIN'
IN THE DARK. WELL STAGOLEE WAS A BIG BAD MAN NOW EVERYBODY KNOWS,
HE SPENT A HUNDRED OF THEM PRETTY GREEN DOLLARS TO BUY HIM A SET
OF FANCY WHORES. WELL DOWN, DOWN IN NEW ORLEANS, A PLACE CALLED
"DELION'S" CLUB, EVERY STEP YOU STEP YOU'RE STEPPING IN BILLY
DELION'S BLOOD. WELL IT WAS DOWN AT DELION'S CLUB 'ROUND THE TABLE ON
A SATURDAY NIGHT, STAGOLEE CHEATED ON BILLY DELION AND THEY HAD 'EM
A GREAT BIG FIGHT. WELL NOW BILLY HE HIT UP OLD STAGOLEE, HE HIT HIM
UP A LEFT AND A RIGHT, STAGOLEE COME UP OFF THE FLOOR WITH BILLY
IN HIS SIGHT. AND BILLY SAID, "OH, MR. STAGOLEE, PLEASE DON'T TAKE
MY LIFE. I'VE GOT FOUR LITTLE CHILDREN AND A BIG FAT UGLY WIFE."
"GOD'LL TAKE CARE OF YOUR CHILDREN, I'LL TAKE CARE OF YOUR WIFE.
YOU STEPPED ON MY STETSON HAT AND NOW I'M BOUND TO TAKE YOUR LIFE,
'CAUSE I'M MEAN, I'M STAGOLEE, I'M THE MEANEST OLD MAN AROUND. IF
YOU SEE ME COMIN' YOU BETTER LAY YOUR DEEDELO, DEEDELO DOWN." IT'S
DOWN, DOWN IN NEW ORLEANS, A PLACE CALLED "DELION'S CLUB", EVERY
STEP YOU STEP YOU'RE STEPPING IN BILLY DELION'S BLOOD.NOW THE JUDGE
SAID TO THE SHERRIFF, "NOW GET ME STAGOLEE DEAD OR ALIVE, AND
WATCH OUT FOR THAT DARRINGER THAT BACKS HIS 45. OR WAS IT A 44? IT'S
BEEN YEARS SINCE I CAN REMEMBER DETAILS LIKE THAT. HAND ME MY GLASSES
SON." WELL STAGOLEE HAD HIM A 44 THAT TALKED A VERY BIG MEAN
SOUND. THE 44 TALKED AT BILLY, LORD, AND BILLY HE HIT THAT GROUND.
YES IT WAS DOWN, DOWN IN NEW ORLEANS, A PLACE CALLED "DELION'S CLUB",
EVERY STEP YOU STEP YOU'RE STEPPING IN BILLY DELION'S BLOOD.
SO THE SHERRIFF SAID TO HIS DEPUTIES, "BOYS, COME AND GO WITH ME.
WE GOTTA CATCH THAT BIG BAD MAN. HIS NAME IS STAGOLEE." THE DEPUTIES
TOOK THEIR PISTOLS, AND LAID THEM UPON THE SHELF. SAID, "IF YOU GONNA
CATCH STAGOLEE, BOOPSY, JUST GO CATCH HIM BY YOURSELF BECAUSE HE'S
EXTREMELY MEAN AND NASTY, HE'S THE MEANEST OLD MAN AROUND. IF WE
HIM COMING, WE'RE GONNA LAY OUR DEEDELO, DEEDELO DOWN." YES IT WAS
DOWN, DOWN IN NEW ORLEANS, A PLACE CALLED "DELION'S CLUB", EVERY STEP
YOU STEP YOU'RE STEPPING IN BILLY DELION'S BLOOD. WELL THEY
ELECTRICUTED STAGOLEE, BUT THEY DID NOT DO SO WELL. HE WRAPPED HIS
NIGHTY ALL AROUND HIM AND HE DRIFTED ON DOWN TO HELL. STAGO LOOKED
AROUND HIM, SAW BILLY DELION AND SUKI AND DIRTY LIL. THEY ALL SHOUTED
"LOOK OUT" , STAGO SAID, "BE STILL ". STAGO LOOKED UP AT THE DEVIL
SAID, "MY FRIENDS, WE'LL ALL KEEP SCORE. YOU POKE ME WITH YOUR
PITCHFORK, BROTHER, AND I'LL BLAST YOU WITH MY 44. HEY DEVIL,
YOU DON'T LIKE THAT GAME, PUT YOUR PITCHFORK ON THE SHELF. MY NAME
IS MEAN OLD STAGOLEE, I'M GONNA RUN THIS PLACE MYSELF. BECAUSE I'M
MEAN STAGOLEE, I'M THE MEANEST OLD MAN AROUND. IF YOU SEE ME COMING
YOU BETTER LAY YOUR DEEDELO, DEEDELO DOWN." WELL, IT'S DOWN, DOWN
IN NEW ORLEANS, A PLACE CALLED "DELION'S CLUB", EVERY STEP YOU STEP
YOU'RE STEPPING IN BILLY DE'LION'S HEMOGLOBINS.

Submitter comment: THE MUSIC AND GENERAL IDEA OF THIS SONG IS TRADITIONAL. HOWEVER,
THE PARTICULAR WORDS OF THIS VERSION ARE ATTRIBUTED TO CHUCK
MITCHELL. THIS SONG HAS BEEN AROUND DETROIT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS
AND WAS LEARNED IN A TRADITIONAL MANNER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

Date learned: CA03001974

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TOM DOOLEY

HANG YOUR HEAD TOM DOOLEY, HANG YOUR HEAD AND CRY, KILLED POOR LAURA
FOSTER, YOU KNOW YOU'RE GONNA DIE. YOU TOOK HER BY THE HILLSIDE AS
GOD ALMIGHTY KNOWS, YOU TOOK HER BY THE HILLSIDE AND THERE YOU HID
HER CLOTHES. YOU TOOK HER BY THE ROADSIDE WHERE YOU BEGGED TO BE
EXCUSED, YOU TOOK HER BY THE ROADSIDE AND THERE YOU TOOK HER SHOES.
(REFRAIN) (FIRST SENTENCE) WELL PICK UP MY OLD VIOLIN AND PLAY IT
ALL YOU PLEASE, BY THIS TIME TOMORROW IT'LL BE NO GOOD TO ME.
(REFRAIN)
I DUG A HOLE FOUR FEET WIDE, I DUG IT THREE FOOT DEEP, THREW THE
COLD CLAY OVER HER AND TROMPED HER WITH MY FEET.(REFRAIN) WELL PICK
UP MY OLD VIOLIN AND PLAY IT ALL YOU PLEASE, BY THIS TIME TOMORROW
I'LL BE HANGIN' FROM A WIDE OAK TREE. THIS WORLD AND ONE MORE THEN,
WHERE DO YOU RECKON I'D BE? IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR GRAYSON I'D
A-BEEN IN TENNESSEE. (REFRAIN)

Submitter comment: IT WAS REMARKED BY JEF THAT DOOLEY'S REAL NAME WAS DOLITTLE.
ALSO, THE SONG TAKES PLACE SHORTLY AFTER THE CIVIL WAR. GRAYSON
IS OBVIOUSLY A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER OF SOME SORT.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: CA03001974

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SAINT JAMES INFIRMARY BLUES

IT WAS DOWN IN OLD JOE'S BAR ROOM, CORNER
BY THE SQUARE, THE DRINKS WERE SERVED AS USUAL, THE USUAL PEOPLE WERE
THERE. WELL ON MY LEFT STOOD OLD JOHN HENRY, HIS EYES WERE BLOODSHOT
RED, HE TURNED TO THE CROWD ABOVE HIM, THESE WERE THE WORDS HE SAID;
I WENT DOWN TO SAINT JAMES INFIRMARY, SAW MY BABY THERE, ALL LAID
OUT ON A WHITE MARBLE TABLE, SO COLD, SO PALE, SO BARE. WELL I WALKED
OVER TO THE DOCTOR, SHE'S FEELIN' DOWN HE SAID, WALKED BACK OVER TO
MY BABY, MY BABY, MY BABY WAS DEAD. WELL LET HER GO, LET HER GO
GOD BLESS HER, WHEREVER SHE MAY BE, I KNOW I'LL NEVER FIND ANOTHER
LIKE HER, THERE'LL NEVER BE ANOTHER FOR ME. WELL NOW YOU'VE HEARD
MY STORY, I'LL TAKE ANOTHER SHOT OF BOOZE, ANYONE SHOULD WANT TO ASK
YOU. I GOT THE SAINT JAMES INFIRMARY BLUES."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

Date learned: CA03001974

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CRIPPLE CREEK

I GOT A GIRL AT THE HEAD OF THE CREEK AND I'M GOIN' TO
SEE HER IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS. I'LL KISS HER ON THE MOUTH JUST AS
SWEET AS ANY WINE, SHE'LL WRAP HERSELF AROUND ME LIKE A TATER ON A
VINE. I'M GOIN' UP TO CRIPPLE CREEK, GOIN' AT A RUN, I'M GOIN' UP
TO CRIPPLE CREEK TO HAVE A LITTLE FUN. I'M GOIN' UP TO CRIPPLE
CREEK, GOIN' ON A WHIRL, I'M GOIN' UP TO CRIPPLE CREEK TO SEE MY
GIRL.
THEY JUMP ON A BOY LIKE A DOG ON A BONE. I'LL ROLL MY BRITCHES UP
TO MY KNEES, AND WADE UP TO CRIPPLE CREEK WHENEVER I PLEASE. (CHORUS)
NOW CRIPPLE CREEK'S WIDE AND CRIPPLE CREEK'S DEEP, I'LL WADE OLD
CRIPPLE CREEK BEFORE I SLEEP. THE HILLS ARE STEEP AND THE ROAD IS
MUDDY, AND I'M SO DRUNK I CAN'T STAND STEADY. (CHORUS)

Submitter comment: THIS SONG IS PROBABLY A SOUTHERN SONG AS THE STYLE OF MUSIC
WOULD INDICATE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

Date learned: CA03001974

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SIX NIGHTS DRUNK

I CAME HOME THE OTHER NIGHT AS DRUNK AS I COULD BE, AND I
SAW A HORSE IN THE STABLE WHERE MY HORSE OUGHT TO BE. SO I SAID TO
MY WIFE, MY PRETTY LITTLE WIFE, "WON'T YOU TELL ME PLEASE,, WHAT'S
THIS HORSE A'DOIN' WHERE MY HORSE OUGHT TO BE?" SHE SAID, "YOU
BLIND FOOL, YOU DRUNKEN FOOL, CAN'T YOU NEVER SEE? THAT'S
NOTHIN' BUT A MILKCOW YOUR MOTHER GAVE TO ME." WELL I'VE
TRAVELED THIS WIDE WORLD OVER AND SOME MIGHTY STRANGE THINGS I'VE
SAW, BUT A SADDLE ON A MILK COW I AIN'T NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
I CAME HOME THE OTHER NIGHT AS DRUNK AS I COULD BE, AND I SAW A
HAT ON THE TABLE WHERE MY HAT OUGHT TO BE. SO I SAID TO MY WIFE,
MY PRETTY LITTLE WIFE, "WON'T YOU TELL ME PLEASE, WHAT'S THIS HAT
A'DOIN' WHERE MY HAT OUGHT TO BE?" SHE SAID, "YOU BLIND FOOL, YOU
DRUNKEN FOOL, AIN'T IT PLAIN TO SEE, THAT'S NOTHING BUT A
CHAMBER POT YOUR MOTHER GIVE TO ME. WELL I'VE TRAVELED THIS WIDE
WORLD OVER, AND SOME CRAZY THINGS I'VE SAW, BUT A CHAMBER POT MARKED
7 AND 3/4 I AIN'T NEVER SEEN BEFORE. I CAME HOME THE OTHER NIGHT
AS DRUNK AS I COULD BE, AND I SAW SOME PANTS ON THE BEDPOST WHERE
MY PANTS OUGHT TO BE. SO I SAID TO MY WIFE, MY PRETTY LITTLE
WIFE, "WON'T YOU TELL ME PLEASE? WHAT'S THESE PANTS A'DOIN' WHERE
MY PANTS OUGHT TO BE?" SHE SAID, "YOU BLIND FOOL, YOU DRUNKEN FOOL,
CAN'T YOU NEVER SEE? IT'S NOTHING BUT A TABLE CLOTH YOUR MOTHER
GIVE TO ME." WELL I'VE TRAVELLED THIS WIDE WORLD OVER AND SOME
CRAZY THINGS I'VE SAW, BUT A TABLE CLOTH WITH A ZIPPER I AIN'T
NEVER SEEN BEFORE. I CAME HOME THE OTHER NIGHT AS DRUNK AS I COULD
BE, AND I SAW A HEAD ON MY PILLOW WHERE MY HEAD OUGHT TO BE. SO I
SAID TO MY WIFE, MY PRETTY LITTLE WIFE, "WON'T YOU TELL ME PLEASE,
WHAT'S THIS HEAD A'DOIN' WHERE MY HEAD OUGHT TO BE?" SHE SAID,
"YOU BLIND FOOL, YOU DRUNKEN FOOL, AIN'T IT PLAIN TO SEE? THAT'S
NOTHING BUT A CABBAGE HEAD YOUR MOTHER GIVE TO ME." WELL I'VE
TRAVELLED THIS WIDE WORLD OVER AND SOME MIGHTY CRAZY THINGS I'VE SAW,
BUT A CABBAGE HEAD WITH A MUSTACHE I AIN'T NEVER SEEN BEFORE. I
CAME HOME THE OTHER NIGHT AS DRUNK AS I COULD BE, AND I SAW AN ASS
ON MY MATTRESS WHERE MY ASS OUGHT TO BE. SO I SAID TO MY WIFE, MY
PRETTY LITTLE WIFE, "NOW WON'T YOU TELL ME PLEASE? WHAT'S THIS ASS
A'DOIN' WHERE MY ASS OUGHT TO BE?" SHE SAID, "YOU BLIND FOOL, YOU
DRUNKEN FOOL, AIN'T IT PLAIN TO SEE? THAT'S NOTHING BUT A PUMPKIN
YOUR MOTHER GIVE TO ME." WELL, I'VE TRAVELLED THIS WIDE WORLD OVER
SOME CRAZY THINGS I'VE SAW, BUT A PUMPKIN WITH AN ASS-HOLE I AIN'T
NEVER SEEN BEFORE. I CAME HOME THE OTHER NIGHT AS DRUNK AS I COULD
BE, AND I SAW A COCK A'LAYIN' WHERE MY COCK OUGHT TO BE. SO I SAID
TO MY WIFE, MY PRETTY LITTLE WIFE, "WON'T YOU TELL ME PLEASE? WHAT'S
THIS COCK A'DOIN' WHERE MY COCK OUGHT TO BE?" SHE SAID, "YOU BLIND
FOOL, YOU DRUNKEN FOOL, AIN'T IT PLAIN TO SEE? THAT'S NOTHING BUT A
CANDLE STICK YOUR MOTHER GIVE TO ME. WELL I'VE TRAVELLED THIS WIDE
WORLD OVER AND SOME CRAZY THINGS I'VE SAW, BUT A CANDLE STICK WITH
BOLLOCHS I AIN'T NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

Submitter comment: USUALLY ONLY FIVE VERSES ARE SUNG IN PUBLIC.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: CA03001974

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GOIN' DOWN THE ROAD AND FEELIN' BAD

GOIN' DOWN THE ROAD AND FEELIN' BAD,
GOIN' DOWN THE ROAD AND FEELIN' BAD, GOIN' DOWN THE ROAD AND
FEELIN' BAD LORDY LORDY, DON'T WANT TO BE TREATED THIS OLD WAY.
GOIN' WHERE THE CLIMATE SUITS MY CLOTHES, (2 TIMES) GOIN' WHERE
THE CLIMATE SUITS MY CLOTHES, LORDY, LORDY, DON'T WANT TO BE
TREATED THIS OLD WAY. (REFRAIN) GOIN' WHERE THE WATER TASTES LIKE
WINE, (2 TIMES) DETROIT WATER TASTES LIKE TURPENTINE, LORDY, LORDY,
DON'T WANT TO BE TREATED THIS OLD WAY. REFRAIN) FIVE DOLLAR SHOES
HURTS MY FEET, (2 TIMES) FIVE DOLLAR SHOES HURTS MY FEET, LORDY,
LORDY, DON'T WANT TO BE TREATED THIS OLD WAY. TWENTY DOLLAR SHOES
FITS ME FINE, THIRTY DOLLAR SHOES FITS ME FINE, FIFTY DOLLAR SHOES
FITS ME BETTER, LORDY, LORDY, DON'T WANT TO BE TREATED THIS OLD
WAY. (REFRAIN)

Submitter comment: JEF MUST HAVE LEARNED THE VERSE ABOUT DETROIT WATER SOMEWHERE
IN AND ABOUT DETROIT.

Where learned: HARPER WOODS

Date learned: CA03001974

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PROVERB

HE WHO HESITATES IS LOST.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HER GRANDMOTHER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LIVONIA

Date learned: 11-00-1967

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SONG OF THE POP-BOTTLERS

POP BOTTLES POP BOTTLES IN POP SHOP;
THE POP BOTTLES POP BOTTLES POOR POP DROPS
WHEN POP DROPS POP BOTTLES, POP BOTTLES POP AND PLOP
POP BOTTLE TOPPS TOPPLE POP MOPS SLOP
STOP POP'LL DROP BOTTLE STOP, POP, STOP
WHEN POP BOTTLES POP BOTTLES, POP BOTTLES POP.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): SONG

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

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WHEN I'M HOME

AND THE CANDY STRIPE GIRLS
STAND OVER ME
AND MY FRIEND DANIEL
SLEEPS IN BED THREE
AND THE WAVES OF THE OCEAN ROLL OVER MY BONES
IN MY HOME
HOME WHERE MY THOUGHTS ARE FREE
I CAN BE
HIGH
AS THE BIRDS IN THE SKY CAN FLY
I WILL BE THERE WHEN MY FATHER RECKONS
I WILL BE THERE WHEN MY FATHER BECKONS
ME HOME.

Where learned: KENTUCKY

Date learned: 01-00-1979

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LEPRECHAUN SONG

THERE LIVED IN OLD IRELAND A WEE
LITTLE MAN, WHO WAS KNOWN BY THE NAME
OF A LEPRECHAUN, A FAIRY SHOEMAKER NONE
OTHER WAS HE AND THE GIFT OF THREE
WISHES HAD HE.
IF I WERE TO MEET HIM ON A BRIGHT
SUNNY DAY, TIS I WHO WOULD STEP UP AND
BOLDLY SAY, BLESS THE FRIENDS THAT I
LOVE AND THE FRIENDS THAT LOVE ME AND
THE FRIENDS OF ME FRIENDS
THAT'S ME WISHES THREE.

Submitter comment: THIS CAN BE PLAYED ON THE GUITAR WITH CHORDS G-C-D.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 01-00-1979

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UPWARD TRAIL

WE'RE ON THE UPWARD TRAIL, WE'RE ON THE
UPWARD TRAIL, SINGING, SINGING, EVERYBODY
SINGING, AS WE GO. WE'RE ON THE UPWARD
TRAIL, WE'RE ON THE UPWARD TRAIL, SINGING,
SINGING, EVERYBODY SINGING, HOMEWARD BOUND.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 04-00-1979

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JUMP ROPE RHYME

MC DONALDS IS YOUR KIND OF PLACE
THEY SERVE YOU RATTLE SNAKES
HAMBRUGERS UP YOUR NOSE
FRENCH FRIES BETWEEN YOUR TOES
IF YOU EVER GO THERE
THEY'LL STEAL YOUR UNDERWEAR
MC DONALDS IS YOUR KIND OF PLACE

Where learned: DETROIT

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SUPERSTITION

IF A GIRL SINGS AT THE TABLE SHE WILL HAVE A CRAZY HUSBAND.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: 00-00-1965

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IRISH LEPRECHAUN SONG

-WHERE IS YOUR PURSE
-THE PURSE, HE SAID, IT'S IN HER HAND,
THAT LADY BY YOUR SIDE
-I TURNED TO LOOK, THE ELF WAS OFF,
AND WHAT WAS I TO DO.
I LAUGHED TO THINK OF THE FOOL I'D BEEN,
AND THE FAIRIE IS LAUGHING TOO.

Submitter comment: THE FIRST AND THIRD VERSES ARE SUNG BY THE NARRATOR WHILE THE
SECOND VERSE IS SUNG BY THE LEPRECHAUN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

James Callow Keyword(s): BLINKING TABU

Date learned: 11-22-1979

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HAMBONE

HAMBONE, HAMBONE, HAVE YOU HEARD?
MOMMA'S GONNA BUY YOU A MARKING BIRD.
IF THAT MARKING BIRDIE DON'T SING,
MOMMA'S GONNA BUY YOU A DIAMOND RING.
IF THAT DIAMOND RING DON'T SHINE,
MOMMA'S GONNA BUY YOU A BOTTLE O WINE.
IF THAT BOTTLE OF WINE DON'T DRINK,
MOMMA'S GONNA BUY YOU A KITCHEN SINK.
HAMBONE, HAMBONE, HAVE YOU HEARD?
MOMMA'S GONNA BUY YOU A MARKING BIRD.

Submitter comment: THE SONG IS SUNG TO THE TUNE OF HUSH LITTLE BABY,
BUT THE TEMPO IS MUCH FASTER. ONE HAND BEATS THE LEG
AND CHEST DURING THE SONG. AND THE SONG IS ESPECIALLY
POPULAR AMONG MEN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): CHAIN WITH INTERLINKED ITEMS ; MOCKING BIRD

Date learned: 04-00-1983

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Animal Fair

Song: Animal Fair -- I went to the animal fair, and the bird
and the beast were there. And the old raccoon by the light of
the moon was combing his auburn hair. And the monkey he got
drunk, and he sat on the elephant's trunk. And the elephant
sneezed and fell on his knees and what became of the monk,
monk, monk.

Where learned: NORTH CAROLINA ; Ashville

Date learned: 00-00-1912

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I've never heard this version from anyone else:
Ring around the rosey,
Pocket full of posey,
Johnny's in the sugar bowl,
We all fall down.

Where learned: NEW YORK ; Kenmore ; Kindergarten

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