The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THERE WAS A MAN IN THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS WHO WAS A SHIFTLESS,
NO COUNT BUM. AFTER BUMMING AROUND FOR A GOOD WHILE, HE DIED.
AS HE WAS GOING UP, ST. PETER SAW HIM COMING AND KNOWING THE
TYPE OF MAN HE WAS, HE TOLD HIM THAT HE WAS SORRY BUT HE JUST
COULDN'T LET HIM IN. WELL, HE THEN WENT DOWN ON HIS WAY TO
HELL. THE DEVIL SAW HIM COMING. "OH, NO," HE SAID, "IT'S
NOT AS IF WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGHT LIKE HIM. I JUST CAN'T
TAKE ANY MORE." SO WHEN THE OLD MAN GOT TO THE GATES OF
HELL, THE DEVIL WAS WAITING. HE GAVE THE MAN A PIECE OF
COAL AND SAID, "GO START A HELL OF YOUR OWN. AND THAT'S
THE ORIGIN OF ALL THOSE LIGHTS IN THE MOUNTAINS THAT YOU
CAN'T EXPLAIN.

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE

James Callow Keyword(s): HEAVEN GATEKEEPER IS ST. PETER

Date learned: 06-20-1970

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