The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

FAMILY CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

EVERY CHRISTMAS WE HAVE PLUM PUDDING.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: HARPER WOODS ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; PLUM ; Pudding ; tradition

Date learned: NOT RECORDED

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SUPERSTITION

IF A GIRL IS GOING OVER A RAILROAD TRACK IN A CAR, SHE SHOULD
LIFT HER FEET UP WHILE GOING OVER, OR ELSE SHE WILL BREAK
UP WITH THE GUY SHE IS GOING WITH.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GILBERTS LOUNGE ; HARPER

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Car ; Car ; RAILROAD ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION

Date learned: 02-18-1971

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FORMULA SPEECH

WHAT ABOUT THE SAYING, WHEN SOMEBODY WOULD SAY "HEY YOU!"; YOU
USED TO SAY, "SAVE THE HAY FOR LITTLE JESUS."

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS ; TOLD AT

James Callow Keyword(s): RETORT

Date learned: 10-00-1970

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IF DURING THE NIGHT YOU HEAR THE SOUND OF A BANSHEE'S
WAIL, YOU KNOW THAT BY MORNING A MAN WILL BE DEAD.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS TOLD TO ME BY MY IRISH ROOMMATE LAST YEAR
WHILE I WAS STUDYING AT UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN.
(IRELAND). SHE BELIEVED IN THIS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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EVERY TIME THERE WAS A STORM AND A COW DIED, THE
PEOPLE KNEW THAT A CALF WOULD BE BORN WITHIN A MONTH.

Submitter comment: JEAN HEARD THIS FROM HER GRANDMOTHER WHO LIVED ON
A FARM IN QUEBEC. HER GRANDMOTHER FIRMLY BELIEVES
THIS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS ; CANADA ; QUEBEC

Date learned: 11-06-1971

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FOR LOVING ME

THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FOR LOVING ME, THAT'S WHAT YOU
GET FOR LOVING ME, NOW EVERYTHING YOU HAD IS GONE AS YOU CAN SEE,
THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FOR LOVING ME. I AIN'T THE KIND TO HANG AROUND
WITH ANY NEW LOVE THAT I'VE FOUND, 'CAUSE MOVIN' IS MY STOCK AND
TRADE, I'M MOVIN' ON, I WON'T THINK OF YOU WHEN I'M GONE. SO
DON'T YOU SHED A TEAR FOR ME, I AIN'T THE LOVE YOU THOUGHT I'D BE.
I GOT A HUNDRED MORE LIKE YOU SO DON'T BE BLUE, I'LL HAVE A THOUSAND
'FORE I'M THROUGH. NOW THERE YOU GO, YOU'RE CRYIN' AGAIN, NOW THERE
YOU GO, YOU'RE CRYIN' AGAIN. AND THEN SOME DAY WHEN YOUR POOR HEART
IS ON THE MEND, I JUST MIGHT PASS THIS WAY AGAIN. THAT'S WHAT YOU
GET FOR LOVIN' ME, THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FOR LOVIN' ME, NOW EVERYTHING
YOU HAD IS GONE AS YOU CAN SEE, THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FOR LOVIN' ME.

Submitter comment: THIS SONG WAS WRITTEN BY A KNOWN AUTHOR, GORDON LIGHTFOOT, BUT WAS
LEARNED BY MANY PEOPLE IN A TRADITIONAL FASHION.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

Date learned: CA03001974

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RAILROAD BILL

RAILROAD BILL, RAILROAD BILL, HE NEVER WORKED AND
HE NEVER WILL, GONNA RIDE ON RAILROAD BILL. RAILROAD BILL HE WAS A
MIGHTY MEAN MAN, HE SHOT THE MIDNIGHT LANTERN OUT OF THE BRAKEMAN'S
HANDS, I'M GONNA RIDE ON RAILROAD BILL. RAILROAD BILL TOOK MY WIFE,
SAID IF I DIDN'T LIKE IT HE WOULD TAKE MY LIFE, I'M GONNA RIDE
ON RAILROAD BILL. GOIN' UP ON A MOUNTAIN, GOIN' OUT WEST, 38 SPECIAL
STICKIN' OUT OF MY VEST, I'M GONNA RIDE ON RAILROAD BILL. BUY ME
A PISTOL JUST AS LONG AS MY ARM, BLAST EVERYBODY EVER DONE ME HARM,
I'M GONNA RIDE ON RAILROAD BILL. I'VE GOT A 38 SPECIAL ON A 45 FRAME,
HOW IN THE WORLD CAN I MISS HIM WHEN I GOT DEAD AIM? I'M GONNA RIDE
ON RAILROAD BILL. BABY, BABY, THINK I'M A FOOL? THINK I'D LEAVE
YOU WHILE THE WEATHER IS COOL? I'M GONNA RIDE ON RAILROAD BILL.

Submitter comment: IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THE NUMBER OF TIMES THE TERM "GOT A
PISTOL JUST AS LONG AS MY ARM (OR LEG)" IS USED IN FOLK SONG.
ALSO, THE RHYME OF LIFE AND WIFE IS USED A LOT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

Date learned: CA03001974

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THE GYPSY DAVY

IT WAS LATE LAST NIGHT WHEN THE BOSS CAME HOME,
INQUIRING FOR HIS LADY, THE WATCHMAN GAVE A SURE REPLY, SHE'S GONE
WITH THE GYPSY DAVY. (CHORUS) RIDA-COMA GYPSY, GYPSY, GYPSY,
RIDA-COMA GYPSY DAVY. GO HITCH ME UP MY OLD GREY HORSE, MY OLD GREY
HORSE SO SPEEDY, I'LL RIDE ALL NIGHT AND I'LL RIDE ALL DAY, AND I'LL
OVERTAKE MY LADY. (CHORUS) IT'S HE CAUGHT UP HIS OLD GREY HORSE,
HIS OLD GREY HORSE SO SPEEDY, HE RODE ALL NIGHT AND HE RODE ALL
DAY AND HE OVERTOOK HIS LADY. (CHORUS) IT'S COME YOU BACK MY
DEAREST DEAR, IT'S COME YOU BACK MY HONEY, IT'S COME YOU BACK MY
DEAREST DEAR, AND YOU SHALL NEVER WORK FOR MONEY. (CHORUS) I WON'T
COME BACK MY DEAREST DEAR, I WON'T COME BACK MY HONEY, I WOULDN'T
GIVE
A KISS FROM MY GYPSY'S LIPS FOR YOU AND ALL YOUR MONEY. (CHORUS)
IT'S GO TAKE OFF THOSE BUCKSKIN GLOVES, MADE OF SPANISH
LEATHER, GIVE TO ME THOSE LILY-WHITE HANDS AND BID FAREWELL FOREVER.
(CHORUS) I WILL PULL OFF MY BUCKSKIN GLOVES MADE OF SPANISH LEATHER
AND GIVE TO YOU MY LILY-WHITE HANDS AND BID FAREWELL FOREVER.
(CHORUS) I ONCE COULD A-HAD MANY FINE THINGS, FEATHER BEDS AND
MONEY, NOW MY BED IS MADE OF HAY, AND THE GYPSIES DANCE AROUND
ME. (CHORUS)

Submitter comment: THE LAST TWO ENTRIES CONCERNING GYPSIES ARE OBVIOUSLY SLANTED AGAINST
THE RULING CLASS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

Date learned: CA03001974

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THE GYPSY ROVER

THE GYPSY ROVER CAME OVER THE HILL, DOWN THROUGH
THE VALLEY SO SHADY, HE WHISTLED AND HE SANG 'TILL THE GREEN WOODS
RANG, AND HE WON THE HEART OF A LADY. (CHORUS) AU-DE-DO-AUDEE
DO-DA DAE, (2 TIMES) HE WHISTLED AND HE SANG 'TILL THE GREEN WOODS
RANG, AND HE WON THE HEART OF A LADY. SHE LEFT HER FATHER'S
CASTLE GATE, SHE LEFT HER OWN TRUE LOVER, SHE LEFT HER SERVANTS AND
HER ESTATES, TO FOLLOW THE GYPSY ROVER. (CHORUS) HER FATHER SADDLED
HIS FASTEST STEED, AND SEARCHED THE VALLEY ALL OVER, HE SOUGHT HIS
DAUGHTER AT GREAT SPEED, AND THE WHISTLING GYPSY ROVER. (CHORUS)
AT LAST HE CAME TO A MANSION FINE, DOWN BY THE RIVER CLAYDE, AND
THERE WAS MUSIC AND THERE WAS WINE, FOR THE GYPSY AND HIS LADY.
(CHORUS) HE'S NO GYPSY, MY FATHER, SAID SHE. MY LORD OF FREELANDS
ALL OVER, AND I WILL STAY 'TILL MY DYING DAY, WITH MY GYPSY ROVER.
(CHORUS)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

Date learned: CA03001974

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THE BLACK HAIRED LASS

DOWN IN THE VALLEY THERE DID DWELL, A
COMELY MAID I KNEW SO WELL, FOR HER FAVOR MANY WOULD GO, TO TIP A CUP
OF KINDNESS WITH HER BROTHERS, OH LO LAND LOW. SHE SIPPED WINE WITH
A DELICATE AIR, SHE WAS A FLOWER BEYOND COMPARE, MANY A-LAD WOULD
TIP OF HIS GLASS ALL FOR THE LOVE OF THE BLACK HAIRED LASS.
AND THERE A YOUTH I KNEW HIM WELL, UP ON THE MOUNTAIN HE DID DWELL,
FOR HER FAVOR HE DID GO TO TIP A CUP OF KINDNESS WITH HER BROTHERS,
OH, IN THE LOW LANDS, LOW. (CHORUS) AND BY HIS WAY HER BROTHERS DID
LIE, AND BY THEIR WICKED LADY DIED, AS FOR HER FAVORS HE DID GO,
TO TIP A CUP OF KINDNESS WITH HER BROTHERS, OH IN THE LOW LANDS, LOW.
(CHORUS) WAS IN THE TWILIGHT OF THE YEAR, HIS GHOSTLY FOREHEAD DID
APPEAR, AND FOR HER FAVOR IT WOULD GO, TO TIP A CUP OF KINDNESS
WITH HER BROTHERS, OH IN THE LOW LANDS, LOW. (CHORUS) OH MAIDEN,
MAIDEN, HEAR ME WELL, FALSE HEARTED KINDRED HERE DO DWELL, TAKE
HEED, TAKE HEED OF THOSE WHO GO TO TIP A CUP OF KINDNESS WITH YOUR
BROTHERS, OH, IN THE LOW LANDS, LOW. (CHORUS)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

Date learned: CA03001974

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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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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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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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PROVERB

TOO THICK, NEVER STICK

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT'S FATHER WOULD USE THIS PHRASE WHENEVER HIS CHILDREN
ENCOUNTERED A PROBLEM WITH A CLOSE FRIEND. HE FELT THAT BEING TOO
CLOSE TO A PERSON IS WHAT CAUSES PROBLEMS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

Date learned: 09-27-1972

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RIDDLE QUESTION

Q. WHY DO DOGS WAG THEIR TAILS? ANS. BECAUSE THE TAILS CAN'T WAG THE
DOGS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

Date learned: 09-27-1972

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WARTS

SAY YOUR PRAYERS OVER A WART AND IT WILL DISAPPEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

Date learned: 09-26-1972

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BOILING ROOT VEGETABLES

YOU HAVE TO START BOILING ROOT VEGETABLES IN COLD WATER, BECAUSE
THEY ARE USED TO THE COLD OF THE SOIL AND HOT WATER WILL SHOCK
THEM. VEGETABLES WHICH GROW ABOVE GROUND, SUCH AS BEANS, SHOULD BE
STARTED IN WARM WATER BECAUSE THEY ARE USED TO THE WARMTH OF THE SUN
AND COLD WATER WILL SHOCK THEM.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS WELL KNOWN BY ALL GOOD POLISH COOKS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

Date learned: 09-24-1972

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SYRIAN TRUE RIDDLE

SOMETHING ALIVE WHICH, IF TAKEN TO ANOTHER LAND, WILL DIE. A.
A FISH

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

Date learned: 09-20-1972

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AUTOGRAPH RHYME

ROSES ARE RED, VIOLETS ARE BLUE, I KISSED THE BEDPOST AND THOUGHT IT
WAS YOU.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HARPER WOODS

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