The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

GERMAN SONG

DU, DU LIEGHT MIR IN HERZON.
DU, DU LIEGHT MIR IN HERZEN,
DU, DU LIEGST MIR IM SINN.
DU, DU MAEHST MIR VIEL SCHMER-ZEN,
WEIST NICHT WIE GUT ICH DIR BIN;
JA, JA, JA, JA WEIST NIGHT, WIE GUT ICH DIR BIN! MM
YOU, YOU ARE IN MY HEART.
YOU, YOU ARE IN MY HEART,
YOU, YOU ARE IN MY MIND.
YOU, YOU GIVE ME MUCH PAIN,
DON'T YOU KNOW HOW GOOD I AM TO YOU.
YES, YES, YES, YES DON'T YOU KNOW HOW GOOD I AM TO YOU!

Submitter comment:

FIRST VERSE OF TWO VERSES. SUNG WHILE A CHILD IN FREEPORT,
MINNESOTA (NEAR ST. CLOUD).

Data entry tech comment:

Keypunched by R.J.Miller 11/82

Updated by TRD 01/12

Where learned: MINNESOTA ; FREEPORT ; NEAR ST CLOUD

Keyword(s): GERMAN ; LOVE ; Lyrics ; Poetry ; RHYME ; SONG

Date learned: 11-00-1971

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O TANNENBAUM

O TANNENBAUM, O TANNENBAUM,
WIE TRER SIND DUNE BLATTER.
DU GRUNST NICHT NUR ZUR SOMMER
ZUT NEIN AUCH IM WINTER WENN ES SCHNEIT. MM
O TANNENBAUM, O TANNENBAUM,
WIE TRER SIND DEINE BLATTER.
SO, SO WIRE ICH DICH LIEBE,
SO, SO LIEBE OUCH MICH!
DIE, DIE ZART-LICH-STEN TRIEBE FUHLE ICH EINZIG FUR DICH.
JA, JA, JA, JA FUHLE ICH EINZIG FUR DICH. MM
O CHRISTMAS TREE, O CHRISTMAS TREE,
HOW TRUE ARE YOUR LEAVES.
YOU ARE GREEN NOT ONLY IN THE SUMMER TIME,
BUT ALSO IN THE WINTER WHEN IT SNOWS. MM
O CHRISTMAS TREE, O CHRISTMAS TREE,
HOW TRUE ARE YOUR LEAVES.
SO, SO THE WAY I LOVE YOU,
SO, SO YOU LOVE ME TOO!
THE TENDER LONGING I FEEL ONLY FOR YOU.
YES, YES, YES, YES I FEEL ONLY FOR YOU.

Submitter comment:

SHE DID NOT KNOW HOW TO SPEAK ENGLISH UNTIL SHE ENTERED
HIGH SCHOOL.

Data entry tech comment:

Keypunched by R.J.Miller 11/82

Updated by TRD 01/12

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; PEORIA

Keyword(s): Carol ; CHRISTMAS ; Evergreen ; holiday ; Lyrics ; SONG ; Tree

Date learned: 11-00-1971

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GERMAN SONG

DU, DU LEAGST MIR IN HERTSAN
DU, DU LEAGST MIR IN SINN
DU, DU MACHTS MIR FIEL SMERTZEN.
WEISS NIHT WIE GUT ICHT DIR BINN
YA, YA, YA WEISS NICHT GUT ICHT DIR BINN.
DANN, DANN LIEBE AUCH DICH, DANN DANN
WOLL ICH SOLL GERNE DAS UNS DIE LIEBE VAIRINT. MM
YOU, YOU ARE IN MY HEART AGAIN.
YOU, YOU ARE IN MY MIND AGAIN.
YOU, YOU MAKE MUCH SORROW.
YOU DON'T KNOW HOW GOOD I AM TO YOU.
YES, YES YOU DON'T KNOW HOW GOOD I'VE BEEN.
THEN, THEN I LOVE YOU; THEN, THEN I WISH THAT OUR LOVE WOULD
UNITE.

Data entry tech comment:

Keypunched by R.J.Miller 11/82

Updated by TRD 01/12

Keyword(s): GERMAN ; LOVE ; Lyrics ; Poetry ; SONG

Date learned: 09-00-1968

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TAUNTING SONG

I'M GOING TO SEND MY BOY TO BONA,
ACROSS THE DIRTY RAILROAD TRACKS.
I'M GOING TO SEND MY BOY TO BONA,
AND HOPE TO HELL HE DON'T COME BACK, HE DON'T COME BACK. MM
I'M GOING TO SEND MY BOY TO BONA,
WHERE THEY WILL EDUCATE HIM WELL, LIKE HELL.
I'M GOING TO SEND MY BOY TO BONA,
OH YES I AM, LIKE HELL.
HERE'S TO DEAR OLD BONA-A! WUMPHF!
THIS SONG IS SUNG MANY TIMES AT EACH CANISIUS COLLEGE-
ST. BONAVENTURE UNIVERSITY BASKETBALL GAME BY THE CANISIUS
FANS. THERE EXISTS A FIERCE RIVALRY BETWEEN THE TWO.

Submitter comment:

"BONA" IS PRONOUNCED LIKE THE FIRST TWO SYLLABLES OF
BONAVENTURE.

Data entry tech comment:

Keypunched by R.J.Miller 11/82

Updated by TRD 01/12

Where learned: BUFFALO ; NEW YORK

Keyword(s): EDUCATION ; HUMOR ; IRONY ; Lyrics ; RHYME ; SONG

James Callow Keyword(s): EDUCATION ; IRONY ; SATIRE

Date learned: 11-00-1966

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Entertainment: Song

Girl Scout Song

She sailed away on a happy summer's day
on the back of a crocodile
You see, said she, he's as tame as he can be.
I'll float him down the Nile.
Well the croc winked his eye,
and she waved them all good-bye,
wearing a happy smile.
At the end of the ride,
the lady was inside,
And oh, the smile on the crocodile!

Data entry tech comment:

Entered by TRD

Keyword(s): Campfire ; Crocodile ; Entertainment ; GIRL SCOUTS ; Lyric ; RHYME ; SONG

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WHEN EARLY MORN

WHEN EARLY MORNING'S RUDDY LIGHT,
BIDS MAN TO LABOR GO,
WE HASTE WITH SCYTHES, ALL SHARP AND BRIGHT,
THE MEADOW'S GRASS TO MOW.
WE MOWERS DEL DE REL DEY,
WE CUT THE LILLIES AND HA, HA, HA
HA, HA, HA, HEY DEY, DEY, YES HEY DEY, DEY.
WE CUT THE LILLIES AND HAY.
HEY, DEY, DEY, YES HEY DEY DEY
WE CUT THE LILLIES AND HAY.

THE MAIDENS COME IN GLADSOME TRAIN,
AND SKIP ALONG THEIR WAY,
THE MAIDENS DEL, DE, REL, DEY
THEY CUT THE LILLIES AND HA, HA, HA,
HA, HA, HA, HEY DEY DEY, YES HEY DEY, DEY,
THEY CUT THE LILLIES AND HAY.
HEY DEY DEY, YES HEY DEY DEY
THEY CUT THE LILLIES AND HAY.

Submitter comment:

MAY 17, 1965: I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MY MOTHER SAYING THAT
MY FATHER GO UP TO GAYLORD WHERE THEY HAVE A SMALL PLOT OF LAND WHICH
MY MOTHER LIVES IN DEARBORN, MICHIGAN, BUT DURING THE SUMMER SHE AND
THEY "FARM".
SHE SENT ME THE SONG WHICH APPEARS ON THE OTHER SIDE FROM GAYLORD.
AT THE END OF HER NOTE, SHE WROTE:
"IN 1912 I SANG THAT (THE SONG) IN MRS. BESSIE SPEARS 4TH
ROOM AT CASTNER SCHOOL, DONORA, PA."
THE SONG WAS SUNG FROM A BOOK, BUT THAT SHE STILL REMEMBERS THE TUNE.

Was possibly once a work song.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Gaylord

Keyword(s): Ballad ; Lyrics ; RHYME ; SONG ; Tune

Date learned: 05-11-1965

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A POLISH SONG: IN A CELLAR MADE OF BRICK

IN A CELLAR MADE OF BRICK
OUTLAWS DANCED WITH NIMBLE FEET.
"PLAY YOUR BEST THERE} " THEY CALLED OUT.
"WATCH OUR FEET", THEY CALLED WITH PRIDE.
HEY, HA}
I WOULD DANCE TOO, IF I COULD
IF MY LEGS WEREN,T BADLY BOWED.
BUT ALAS} MY LEGS ARE BOWED
WHEN I LEAP THEY BEND TOO MUCH.
HEY, HA}
HEY THERE LEADER, OUR LEADER
YOU HAVE GOT SOME GOOD BOYS HERE
YOU,D HAVE EVEN BETTER ONES
IF YOU,D GIVE THEM SOME CHEESE ONCE.
UHA}

Submitter comment:

SEE ORIGINAL 5 X 8 INCH CARD
THE TRANSLATION IS OF HARRIET PAWLAWSKA WITH EXCEPTION OF THE LAST
VERSE WHICH OUR FAMILY KNOWS. THE MUSIC IS TRANSCRIBED BY GRACE
ENGEL EXCEPT FOR THE LAST NOTE. THIS IS A MOUNTAINEER SONG.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Scan of music in process.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): ETHNIC ; Lyrics ; POLAND ; POLISH ; RHYME ; SONG ; Tune ; VERSE

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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A POLISH SONG: STEEL TIPPED DANCE SHOES, FLASH AND SPARKLE

STEEL_TIPPED DANCE SHOES, FLASH AND SPARKLE
FOR THIS GIRL'S A WORTHY PARTNER
BE SHE WORTHY OR NOT WORTHY
STEEL_TIPPED DANCE SHOES FLASH AND SPARKLE.
POLISH TEXT AND MUSIC NOT KEYPUNCHED.

Submitter comment:

THE FIRST VERSE IS TRANSLATED BY HARRIET PAWLAWSKA AND MUSIC IS
TRANSCRIBED BY GRACE ENGEL. FOR THE SECOND VERSE I HAVE NO MUSIC
TRANSCRIBED SO I JUST PRESENT THE WORDS AS I KNOW THEM.

Data entry tech comment:

THE INFORMANT STATES THAT THERE IS A SECOND VERSE BUT IT IS NOT
LOCATED ON THE FILE CARD.

Updated by TRD

Scanning of music card in progress

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

Keyword(s): DANCE ; ETHNIC ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; POLAND ; POLISH ; RHYME ; SONG ; VERSE

Date learned: 00-00-1967

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EAST SIDE, WEST SIDE
ALL AROUND THE TOWN,
THE TOTS SANG "RING A ROSIE",
"LONDON BRIDGE IS FALLING DOWN."
BOYS AND GIRLS TOGETHER,
ME AND MAMIE O,ROURKE,
TRIPPED THE LIGHT FANTASTIC,
ON THE SIDEWALKS OF NEW YORK.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHILDREN ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; RHYME ; SONG ; Tune ; VERSE

Date learned: 00-00-1965

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I,VE GOT SOMETHING IN MY POCKET THAT BELONGS ACROSS MY FACE.
I KEEP IT VERY CLOSE TO ME IN A MOST CONVENIENT PLACE.
I,M SURE YOU,LL NEVER GUESS IT, IF YOU GUESS A LONG, LONG WHILE,
I'LL TAKE IT OUT AND PUT IT ON, IT'S A GREAT BIG BROWNIE SMILE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: LIBRARY

Keyword(s): BROWNIES-GIRL SCOUTS ; Campfire Music ; Lyrics ; RHYME ; RIDDLE IN SONG ; SMILE ; SONG ; Tune ; VERSE

Date learned: 09-00-1967

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SPRING

THE AIR IS WARM AND THE SKY IS BLUE
THE LEAVES ARE GREEN_YELLOW
BECAUSE THEY ARE NEW.
THE FEET GO SKIPPING
THE BIRDS ALL SING,
THE WHOLE WORLD IS HAPPY
BECAUSE IT IS SPRING.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT SINGS THIS WITH HER FRIENDS IN SCHOOL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Keyword(s): CHILDREN ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; RHYME ; SEASONAL SONG ; SONG ; Tune ; VERSE

Date learned: 08-11-1964

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ST. JOHN'S EVE

ON A PLEASANT ST. JOHN,S EVE
IN THE QUIET OF A PRETTY HILLSIDE
A MOTHER SAT, WHILE AT HER KNEE
A FAINTING DAUGHTER FELL.


O MOTHER, MOTHER, MY HEART ACHES
BECAUSE LEON MAY NOT RETURN,
MAYBE HIS HORSE WILL THROW HIM FROM THE SADDLE
OR AN EVIL PERSON WILL KILL HIM.
(TWICE)
O CAROLINE, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
WHERE ARE ALL YOUR PROMISES?
YOU WROTE, "OH, COME, COME."
NOW YOU ARE IN THE ARMS OF ANOTHER.

MY HORSE, MY HORSE, LET US RETURN HOME.
THEY HAVE NO BREAD FOR US HERE.
THERE IN THE VALLEY WHERE THE STREAM FLOWS,
THERE IS OUR BELOVED HOME.
(TWICE)

POLISH VERSION:

Wieczor Pogodny

Wieczor pogodny Swietego Jana
Ucich pieknego pagorka,
Siedziala matka, na jej kolana

Upada zemdlona corka.

O Mamo, mamo, serce mnie boli,
Bo moze Leon nie wroci,

Moze go konik ze siodia rzuczi,
Albozly czlowiek ubile.

O Karolino, cozes zrobiloa
gdzie twoje wszystkie zaklencia,
Tys mi pisala, ach przyjedz, przyjedz, przyjedz
Teraz zes w innych objenciach.

Koniu muj koniu, wrocmy do domu.
Tu dla nas nie maja chleda.
Tam na dolinie, gdzie strumyk plynie,
Tam nasza chata kochana.

Submitter comment:

MY MOTHER USED TO SING THIS SONG TO ME WHEN I WAS A CHILD. SHE TOLD
ME SHE LEARNED IT FROM A LADY WITH WHOM SHE WORKED DURING 1926-1929,
IN VARIOUS DOWNTOWN BUILDINGS--WASHINGTON BLVD. BLDG., INDUSTRIAL
BANK BLDG., AND EATON TOWER (NOW BRODERICK TOWER).
THE LADY, SADIE MANDULAK, BROUGHT THE SONG FROM THE UKRAINE.
ON THE NOTE ON WHICH THIS SONG WAS WRITTEN, MY MOTHER WROTE:
"TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE." I TAKE THIS TO MEAN THAT THIS IS
THE WAY THE SONG IS REMEMBERED BY HER.
MY MOTHER USED TO SING THIS, IN ITS POLISH VERSION, TO ME WHEN
I WAS JUST A LITTLE GIRL. I REMEMBER SHE USED TO ROCK ME AND
OFTEN I WOULD FALL ASLEEP TO THE SONG. LATER (13 TO 15 YEARS LATER.
IN FACT.) SHE SANG THE VERY SAME SONG TO MY SISTER, AS SHE PUT
HER TO SLEEP.
 

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BABY ; CHILDREN ; LULLABY ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; RHYME ; SONG ; Tune

Date learned: 05-00-1965

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DOWN IN THE VALLEY, THE VALLEY SO LOW,
HANG YOUR HEAD OVER, HEAR THE WIND BLOW.
HEAR THE WIND BLOW, DEAR, HEAR THE WIND BLOW.
HANG YOUR HEAD OVER, HEAR THE WIND BLOW.

ROSES LOVE SUNSHINE, VIOLETS LOVE DEW,
ANGELS IN HEAVEN KNOW I LOVE YOU.
KNOW I LOVE YOU, DEAR, KNOW I LOVE YOU,
ANGELS IN HEAVEN KNOW I LOVE YOU.

WRITE ME A LETTER CONTAINING THREE LINES,
ANSWER THIS QUESTION. WILL YOU BE MINE? ETC.

BUILD ME A CASTLE FORTY FEET HIGH,
SO I CAN SEE HER AS SHE RIDES BY, ETC.

Submitter comment:

MISS DAMIN HEARD THIS IN TOKYO IN 1956 FROM A DUTCH WOMAN,
MISS RUTH AMSLER. MISS AMSLER CLAIMED THAT IT CAME FROM A
TRUE STORY OF EARLY AMERICA. THE STORY WAS THAT TWO LOVERS QUARRELED
OVER THE SAME GIRL. ONE WOUNDS THE OTHER WIH A KNIFE AND FOR THIS
IS LOCKED IN A TOWER. AS HE LOOKS OUT HE SEES HIS RIVAL AND HIS LOVE
RIDING OFF WITH THEIR WEDDING PARTY, SO HE SINGS THIS SONG.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: DETROIT

Keyword(s): LOVERS QUARRELS ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; RHYME ; SONG ; Tune ; VERSE

Date learned: 12-00-1963

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IRISH SONG

ERIN THE TEAR AND THE SMILE IN THINE EYES,
BLEND LIKE THE RAINBOW'S LIGHT THAT SHINES IN THE SKIES.
SHINING THROUGH SORROWS STREAMS,
GLADDENING THROUGH PLEASURE BEAMS,
THY SUNS WITH DOUBTFUL GLEAM WEEP WHILE THEY RISE.

ERIN THY SILENT TEAR, NEVER SHALL CEASE,
ERIN, THY LANGUID SMILE NE'ER SHALL INCREASE,
TILL LIKE THE RAINBOW,S LIGHTS,
THY VARIOUS TINTS UNITE
AND FORM IN HEAVEN,S SIGHT ONE ARCH OF PEACE.

Submitter comment:

MRS. MC CLOSKEY HEARD THIS IN BELFAST, IRELAND IN 1916.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ETHNIC ; Gaelic ; IRELAND ; Irish ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; RHYME ; SONG ; Tune ; VERSE

Date learned: 01-13-1964

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POLISH SONG: WHY DEAR MAIDEN

WHY DO YOU, DEAR MAIDEN
BY THE OAK STAND LONELY?
IS IT FROM RAIN, MAIDEN,
OR THE HOT SUN ONLY?

CHORUS

NO, IT,S NOT THE HOT SUN,
NOR EVEN A SHOWER,
BUT A VERY DEAR ONE,
I WAIT IN THIS BOWER}

CHORUS
HOP CIUK, CIUK, TRA LA LA LA LA,
HOP CIUK, CIUK, TRA LA LA LA LA,
HOP CIUK, CIUK, TRA LA LA LA LA,
HOP CIUK, CIUK, BEC.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: DETROIT

Keyword(s): ETHNIC ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; POLAND ; POLISH ; RHYME ; SONG ; SONG ; VERSE

Date learned: 10-18-1971

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HOW SWIFTLY THE TIME FLIES

HOW SWIFTLY THE MOMENTS FLEE
HOW QUICKLY THE TIME PASSES
IN A YEAR, A DAY, A MOMENT
WE MAY NOT BE TOGETHER.

POLISH VERSION:

Tak szybko miaja chuile
jak szybo peynie czas
za rok za dzien za chirle
Nie razem bedzie nas.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: DETROIT

Keyword(s): Folk Song ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; RHYME ; SONG ; VERSE

Date learned: 08-00-1964

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HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN

THERE IS A HOUSE IN NEW ORLEANS
THEY CALL THE RISING SUN
AND ITS BEEN THE RUIN OF
MANY A POOR BOY (GIRL) AND
GOD, I KNOW I,M ONE.

MY MOTHER WAS A TAILOR
SOLD MY BRAND NEW JEANS
MY FATHER WAS A GAMBLING
MAN WAY DOWN IN NEW ORLEANS.

(CHORUS)

NOW THE ONLY THING WITH
GAMBLING IS YOU GET AWFULLY DRY.
AND THE ONLY TIME HE IS SATISFIED
IS WHEN HE,S ROARING DRUNK


(CHORUS)
OL MOTHER, TELL YOUR CHILDREN (DAUGHTERS)
NOT TO DO WHAT I HAVE DONE.
SPEND YOUR LIFE IN SIN
AND MISERY, IN THE HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN.

(CHORUS)

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

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

Keyword(s): Band ; Classic Rock ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; PROSTITUTION ; The Animals

Date learned: 10-18-1967

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MOUNTAIN DEW

CHORUS: THEY CALL IT THAT GOOD OLD MOUNTAIN DEW, DEW, DEW,
AND THEN MEN THAT REFUSE IT ARE FEW, MIGHTY FEW,
I,LL SHUT UP MY MUG, IF YOU,LL FILL UP MY JUG WITH THAT
GOOD OL, MOUNTAIN DEW. MM
MY UNCLE BILL HAS A STILL ON THE HILL AND ROLLS OUT A BARREL OR TWO
THE BUZZARDS IS THE SKY GET SO DRUNK THAT THEY CANNOT FLY,
JUST FROM SMELLIN' THAT GOOD OL' MOUNTAIN DEW}

MY UNCLE WILL LIVES ON THE HILL
MARRIED TO MY AUNTIE LOU
HE,LL GET UP AND RUN IF YOU,LL GIVE HIM A GUN
AND SOME OF THAT GOOD OL, MOUNTAIN DEW.
MY COUSIN MORT WAS SAWED OFF IN SHORT,
MEASURES ABOUT FIVE FOOT TWO.
HE,LL ACT LIKE A GIANT IF YOU,LL GIVE HIM A PINT
OF THAT GOOD OL, MOUNTAIN DEW.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: DETROIT

Keyword(s): ALCOHOLIC DRINK ; DRINKING SONG ; Entertainment ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; SONG ; Tune

Date learned: 04-00-1968

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WHITE CORAL BELLS UPON A SLENDER STALK,
LILLIES OF THE VALLEY DECK MY GARDEN WALK.
OH, DON'T YOU WISH THAT YOU COULD HEAR THEM RING?
THAT WILL HAPPEN ONLY WHEN THE FAIRIES SING.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RESIDENCE ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FLOWERS ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; RHYME ; SONG ; Tune

Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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BACK OF THE BREAD

BACK OF THE BREAD IS THE FLOUR
AND BACK OF THE FLOWER IS THE MILL
AND BACK OF THE MILL IS THE SUN AND THE RAIN
AND THE FATHER'S WILL.

Submitter comment:

LEARNED IN GIRL SCOUTS, ST. THERESA GRADE SCHOOL, DET., MI.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHAIN SONG ; GIRL SCOUTS ; Lyrics ; MUSIC ; SONG ; Tune

Date learned: 10-15-1967

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