The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

GAELIC FESTIVAL

IN EASTERN CANADA WE HAVE MANY GAELIC MODS. THESE ARE HIGHLAND
GATHERINGS WITH BAG PIPES, HIGHLAND DANCING AND COMPETITION THAT
GO BACK TO SCOTLAND. FAMILIES WEAR THEIR OWN TARTAN SKIRTS WHICH
IDENTIFIES THE FAMILY.

Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN NOVA SCOTIA ALTHOUGH COLLECTED IN DETROIT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT

James Callow Keyword(s): BAGPIPES

Date learned: 11-00-1982

View just this record

C-130

C-130 ROLLING DOWN THE STRIP.
AIRBORNE DADDY'S GONNA TAKE A LITTLE TRIP.
STAND-UP, HOOK-UP, SHUFFLE TO THE DOOR.
JUMP RIGHT OUT AND COUNT TO FOUR.
BUT IF MY MAIN DON'T OPEN WIDE.
I'VE GOT ANOTHER ONE BY MY SIDE.
AND IF THAT ONE SHOULD FAIL ME TOO.
LOOK OUT GROUND, I'M COMING THROUGH. MM
RUCKSACK, JUMP BOOTS, AND MY M-16.
THAT'S ALL THAT'S GOING ON THE JUMP WITH ME.
GONNA SLIP TO THE RIGHT, AND SLIP TO THE LEFT,
SLIP RIGHT ON DOWN TO THE PLF.
AND IF I DIE ON THE OLD DROP ZONE,
BOX ME UP AND SHIP ME HOME.
THEN TELL MY GIRL I DID MY BEST,
AND BURY ME IN THE LEANING REST. MM
DRESS ME UP IN MY DRESS BLUES,
SPIT-SHINED JUMP BOOTS, NO STRAIGHT LEG SHOES.
PIN MY WINGS UPON MY CHEST,
TELL MY MOM I DID MY BEST.
C-130 ROLLING DOWN THE STRIP.
SIXTY-FOUR RANGERS ON A ONE-WAY TRIP.
MISSION'S A SECRET, DESTINATION UNKNOWN.
THEY DON'T KNOW IF THEY'LL EVER COME HOME. MM
I'VE GOT 700 ROUNDS FOR MY M-16,
BAYONET SHARP, DISPOSITION MEAN.
RUSSIANS ARE WOOSIES, GONNA GET ME SOME.
SO LOOK OUT RUSSIA 'CAUSE HERE I COME.
COON SKIN AND AN ALLIGATOR HIDE,
MAKE A PAIR OF JUMP BOOTS, JUST MY SIZE.
TAKE 'EM OUTTA THE BOX, AND SLIP 'EM ON MY FEET.
A NEW PAIR OF JUMP BOOTS CAN'T BE BEAT.

Submitter comment: THIS IS A MARCHING CADENCE WHICH IS EXTREMELY
POPULAR AT ARMY TRAINING CAMPS. "C-130" IS A
LARGE, FOUR-ENGINED, PROPELLOR-DRIVEN CARGO
AIRCRAFT WHICH IS ALSO USED TO DROP A MAXIMUM OF
SIXTY-FOUR COMBAT-EQUIPPED PARACHUTISTS. "HOOK-
UP" MEANS ATTACHING THE STATIC LINE (WHICH PULLS
THE PARACHUTE OPEN AUTOMATICALLY UPON EXITING
THE AIRCRAFT) TO A CABLE RUNNING THE LENGTH OF
THE AIRCRAFT INTERIOR. "SHUFFLE TO THE DOOR"
REFERS TO A METHOD BY WHICH PARACHUTISTS MOVE
ABOUT INSIDE AN AIRCRAFT IN FLIGHT. IT INVOLVES
LIFTING ONE KNEE VERY HIGH AND ALTERNATELY
BRINGING THE OTHER LEG ALONGSIDE WHILE MOVING
TOWARD THE DOOR IN A STOMPING MOTION. THIS
WALKING ACTION MINIMIZES THE CHANCE OF STUMBLING
ON ANY PROTRUSION ALONG THE FLOOR OF THE AIRCRAFT.
"MAIN" INDICATES THE MAIN PARACHUTE WHICH IS
LOCATED ON THE JUMPER'S BACK. IN CASE OF
MALFUNCTION, THE PARACHUTIST HAS A RESERVE
CHUTE AT STOMACH LEVEL. "M-16" IS THE STANDARD-
ISSUE INFANTRY RIFLE. "SLIP" REFERS TO A METHOD
OF CONTROLLING THE LATERAL MOVEMENT OF THE
PARACHUTE DURING DESCENT. THE "PLF" IS THE
PARACHUTE LANDING FALL, I.E., A DRILLED METHOD OF
LANDING SAFELY BY MAKING FIVE POINTS OF BODY
CONTACT WITH THE GROUND IN SUCCESSION. "LEANING
REST" IS THE STARTING POSITION FOR THE FOUR
COUNT PUSHUP; A POPULAR EXERCISE DURING PARACHUTE
TRAINING. "STRAIGHT LEG SHOES" -- AIRBORNE
QUALIFIED PERSONNEL REFER TO NON-JUMPERS AS
"STRAIGHT LEGS." THE NAME IS CONSIDERED
DEROGATORY. IT REFERS TO THE STRAIGHT LINE
OF THEIR TROUSERS, AS AIRBORNE PERSONNEL WEAR
THEIR TROUSERS BLOUSED INSIDE THEIR BOOTS.

Where learned: KENTUCKY ; FORT KNOX

James Callow Keyword(s): APOSTROPHE TO THE GROUND (STANZA 1). ; BURIAL INSTRUCTIONS

View just this record

AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE

NOVEMBER 10, 1937
WHEN YOU GET MARRIED,
DON'T MARRY A FOOL.
MARRY A BOY
FROM CARY SCHOOL. MM
2 DAY
+2 MORROW
4 GET ME NOT
GERALDINE RITCHIE MM
DECEMBER 8, 1937
IF I WAS A LITTLE RABBIT
AND HAD A TAIL OF FLUFF,
I WOULD SIT ON YOUR DRESSER
AND BE YOUR POWDER PUFF.
ELEANOR FODOR MM
DECEMBER 12, 1937
YOU MAY LIVE IN ITALY.
YOU MAY LIVE IN SPAIN.
BUT THE WAY I LOVE YOU BABY,
WOULD MAKE A BULLDOG BREAK ITS CHAIN.
YOURS TIL BUTTER FLIES.
GEORGIA CASH MM
FEBRUARY 7, 1938
WHEN YOU GET MARRIED
AND HAVE TWINS,
DON'T SEND TO ME
FOR SAFETY PINS.
SYLVIA GAZDAG MM
FEBRUARY 14, 1938
YOU MAY BE FRENCH OR GERMAN,
BUT MARRY A BOY NAMED HERMAN.
CAROLYN

Submitter comment: THE AUTOGRAPH BOOK VERSE WAS COLLECTED BY THE INFORMANT
WHILE A PUPIL AT HUGH CARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 6501 SOUTH
STREET, DETROIT, MICHIGAN. THE INFORMANT ATTENDED CARY
SCHOOL FROM 1931-1940 (KINDERGARTEN-EIGHTH GRADE) AND
ESTIMATES THE ETHNIC MAKE-UP AS 50% ARMENIAN, 20% HUNGARIAN,
20% ITALIAN, AND 10% OTHER (LESS THAN 1% BLACK).
"STEP-INS" ARE PANTIES. "TOYS", ACCORDING TO THE
INFORMANT, MEANS "I AM FOND OF YOU."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): SLANG: BABY FOR SWEETHEART

Date learned: 09-00-1982

View just this record

NEW HOME GOOD LUCK BELIEF

A LOAF OF BREAD AND A BROOM SHOULD BE THE FIRST ITEMS
BROUGHT INTO A NEW HOME FOR GOOD LUCK. THE BROOM MEANS
THAT THE HOUSE WILL ALWAYS BE CLEAN. THE BREAD MEANS THAT
THERE WILL ALWAYS BE FOOD IN THE HOUSE. I HEARD THIS FROM
FRANCES MILLER IN 1977.

Submitter comment: FRANCES MILLER WAS BORN IN LOUISVILLE, MISSISSIPPI IN
1925. SHE CAME, WITH HER FAMILY, TO DETROIT DURING WORLD
WAR II AND HAS LIVED HERE SINCE. IT SEEMS THAT THIS WAS A
COMMON CUSTOM IN RURAL MISSISSIPPI IN THE 1930'S.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL

Date learned: 09-00-1982

View just this record

UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX FUNERAL CUSTOM

FORTY DAYS AFTER THE DEATH OF A FAMILY MEMBER, SOME
UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX FAMILIES PREPARE A TRADITIONAL MEAL.
FOR EACH INVITED GUEST, A SMALL, ROUND BREAD CALLED A
PASKA IS BAKED. A CANDLE IS PLACED IN THE CENTER OF THE
BREAD. THE FORTY DAYS AND THE CANDLE BOTH ARE SYMBOLIC
OF CHRIST AND HIS ASCENSION INTO HEAVEN FORTY DAYS AFTER
EASTER.

Submitter comment: MANY BYZANTINE RITE CATHOLICS ARE BEGINNING TO CELEBRATE
THE FORTY DAY ANNIVERSARY WITH A MASS FOR THE DECEASED.

Where learned: CANADA ; ALBERTA ; WILLINGDON

Keyword(s): SYMBOLS

View just this record

PARENTAL WEDDING BLESSING

BEFORE THE BRIDAL COUPLE GO TO CHURCH FOR THE CEREMONY,
THEY RECEIVE A PARENTAL BLESSING. THE BRIDE'S PARENTS ARE
SEATED HOLDING AN ICON OF OUR LADY. THE COUPLE KNEEL
BEFORE THEM. THEY ASK FOR THEIR BLESSING. THE PARENTS HOLD
UP THE ICON AND BLESS THEM SAYING, "MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND
WE GIVE OUR BLESSING TOO." THE BRIDE AND GROOM KISS THE
ICON AND HER PARENTS. THE SAME CEREMONY IS REPEATED BEFORE
THE GROOM'S PARENTS WHO ARE HOLDING THE ICON OF CHRIST.
IN CASE A PARENT IS DECEASED, A CHAIR IS LEFT EMPTY. THEY
ACKNOWLEDGE THE DECEASED PARENT.

Submitter comment: THESE ICONS ARE GIVEN TO THE COUPLE FOR THEIR HOME.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PHILADELPHIA

Keyword(s): SYMBOL

Date learned: 00001950S

View just this record

UKRAINIAN NATIONAL FLAG

THE TRADITIONAL FLAG IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS HORIZONTALLY
WITH THE TOP HALF BEING LIGHT BLUE AND THE BOTTOM YELLOW.
THE BLUE REFLECTS THE SKY AND THE YELLOW SIGNIFIES THE
GOLDEN WHEAT FIELDS OF UKRAINE. THE FLAG IS DISPLAYED IN
UKRAINIAN CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, AND HALLS.

Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER

Keyword(s): SYMBOL

Date learned: 00001950S

View just this record

THE PERSON WHO DIGS A HOLE FOR HIS BROTHER, FALLS IN IT.

Submitter comment: THE PROVERB MEANS THAT A PERSON WHO WISHES HARM FOR HIS BROTHER,
RECIEVES THE HARM HIMSELF.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

James Callow Keyword(s): RETRIBUTION

Date learned: 10-00-1982

View just this record

CUSTOM

IT IS TRADITIONAL FOR ROMANIAN GYPSY BRIDES TO HANG OUT A BLOODY
SHEET THE MORNING AFTER HER WEDDING NIGHT, TO PROVE THAT SHE HAD
KEPT HER CHASTITY UNTIL HER WEDDING NIGHT.
NON-VIRGINS WOULD TRADITIONALLY POUR CHICKEN BLOOD ON THE SHEETS
TO MAKE IT APPEAR THAT THEY WERE VIRGINS.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): PROOF OF VIRGINITY ; SYMBOL

View just this record

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

View just this record

SLAVIC NEW YEAR'S TRADITION

ON NEW YEARS MORNING WE WENT DOOR TO DOOR TO THE NEIGHBORS
WITH AN APPLE. ALL THE NEIGHBORS WOULD SHOVE A COIN IN IT
FOR GOOD LUCK IN THE NEW YEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): BEGGING ; GIFT-GIVING

Date learned: 00-00-1941

View just this record

"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

View just this record

PINE TAR WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST NEEDED THINGS FOR A LUM-
BERJACK. THEY USED IT TO KEEP BUGS AND MOSQUITOES AWAY.
THAT REMINDS ME OF A FUNNY STORY. ONE TIME THE MATTER BOY AND
BILL CRAIG WERE IN A TAR PAPER SHANTY WHEN A CYCLONE HIT.
WELL THAT CYCLONE HIT THAT TAR PAPER SHANTY AND PICKED IT UP
AND TURNED IT AROUND. FINALLY, IT BROUGHT IT BACK DOWN TO
EARTH AND SET THE FRONT WHERE THE BACK WAS BEFORE. WELL, THE
MATTER BOY CAME OUT AND HE WAS O-K. WHEN HE ASKED BILL IF HE
WAS HURT, BILL TOLD HIM THAT HE WAS CUT UP PRETTY BAD AND WAS
BLEEDIN SOMETHIN AWFUL. WELL, WHEN THE MATTER BOY WENT IN TO
SEE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH BILL, HE SAW THAT BILL WAS NOT HURT
BUT WAS ONLY COVERED WITH PINE TAR THAT HAD SPILLED FROM A
SHELF ABOVE HIS HEAD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE

James Callow Keyword(s): LUMBERJACK

Date learned: 00001930S

View just this record

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

View just this record

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

View just this record

YOU SHOULD NEVER MENTION A DEAD PERSON'S NAME IN VAIN
BECAUSE THEY WILL COME AND PUNISH YOU FOR IT BY HAUNTING
YOUR HOUSE OR BY PLAYING MEAN TRICKS ON YOU.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): NAME TABU

Date learned: 04-00-1983

View just this record

SONG

(LEADER:)
YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN ON A PAIR OF SKATES,
'CAUSE YOU'LL ROLL RIGHT BY
THOSE PEARLY GATES.
(EVERYONE:)
OH YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN ON A PAIR OF SKATES 'CAUSE
YOU'LL ROLL RIGHT BY THOSE PEARLY GATES.
I AIN'T GONNA GRIEVE, MY LORD, NO MORE.
(LEADER:)
YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN IN A FORD V-8.
'CAUSE THE GOSH DARN THING
WILL BREAK RIGHT DOWN.
(EVERYONE:)
OH YOU CAN'T GET TO HEAVEN IN A FORD V-8 'CAUSE THE GOSH
DARN THING WILL BREAK RIGHT DOWN.
I AIN'T GONNA GRIEVE, MY LORD, NO MORE.
(LEADER CONTINUES TO MAKE UP LINES WHICH EVERYONE THEN
REPEATS. LASTLY HE SINGS:)
IF YOU GET TO HEAVEN BEFORE I DO,
JUST POKE A HOLE AND PULL ME THROUGH.
(EVERYONE:)
OH IF YOU GET TO HEAVEN BEFOR I DO JUST POKE A
HOLE AND PULL ME THROUGH.
I AIN'T GONNA GRIEVE, MY LORD, NO MORE.
(REPEAT LAST LINE THREE TIMES)

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN HAMTRAMACK BUT THINKS
IT HAS BLACK AMERICAN ROOTS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Farmington Hills

James Callow Keyword(s): AUTOMOBILE SATIRE

Date learned: 12-00-1983

View just this record