Friday, August 22, 2008

His Songs: VI. Plantation Play-Song . Uncle Remus Translation. It's Getting Mighty Late, When the Guinea Hens Squall. Uncle Remus.

 HIS SONGS: Uncle Remus, His Songs and His Sayings

VI. Plantation Play-Song
Translation
(Putnam County 1856) FN 1

It's getting mighty late, when the Guinea hens squall,
And you better dance now, if you're gonna dance at all,
For by this time tomorrow night you can't hardly crawl,
'Cause you'll have to take the hoe again and likewise the maul -- FN 2

Don't you hear that bay colt a-kickin' in his stall?
Stop your humpin' up your shoulders --
That'll never do!
Hop light, ladies,

Oh, Miss Loo!
It takes a heap of scrougin'
For to get you through --
Hop light, ladies,
Oh, Miss Loo!

If you niggers don't watch, you'll sing another chime,
For the sun'll rise and catch you if you don't be mighty soon;
And the stars is gettin' paler, and the old gray coon
Is a settin' in the grape-vine a watchin' for the moon.

When a feller comes a-knockin
Just holler --Oh, shoo!
Hop light, ladies,
Oh, Miss Loo!
Oh, swing that yellow gal!
Do, boys, do!
Hop light, ladies,
Oh, Miss Loo!

Oh, turn me loose! Let me alone! Go 'way, now!
What do you expect, I come a dancin' for if I don't know how?
These are the very kind of foots what kicks up a row;
Can't you jump into the middle and make your gal a bow?

Look at that mulatto man
A-followin' up Sue;
Hop light, ladies,
Oh, Miss Lou!
The boys ain't a-goin'
When you cry boo hoo --
Hop light, ladies,
Oh, Miss Lou!

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FN 1 - Putnam Counties are in Ohio, Florida, Tennessee, Illinois - elsewhere?

FN 2 - Maul = ax-looking tool, also like a hammer, narrow blade head, for splitting wood, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Splitting_maul

Thursday, August 21, 2008

His Songs: V. Christmas Play-Song. Hi my rinktum! Black gal sweet.

HIS SONGS

V. Christmas Play-Song

(Myrick Place, Putnam County - 1858) FN 1


Hi my rinktum! Black gal sweet. FN 2
Same like goodies that the white folks eat;
Ho my Riley! don't you take and tell her name,
And then if something happens you won't catch the blame;
Hi my rinktum! better take and hide your plum;
Joree don't holler every time he find a worm. FN 3

Then it's hi my rinktum!
Don't get no other man;
And it's ho my Riley!
Fetch out Miss Dilsey Ann!

Ho my Riley! Yellow gal fine;
She may be yours but she ought to be mine!
Hi my rinktum! Let me get by,
And see what she mean by the cut of that eye!
Ho my Riley! better shut the door --
The white folks'll believe we were tearin' up the floor.

Then its ho my Riley!
Come a siftin' up to me!
And it's hi my rinktum!
This the way to twist your knees!

Hi my rinktum! Ain't the east gettin' red?
The squinch owl shiver like he want to go to bed;
Ho my Riley! but the gals and the boys,
Just now gettin' so they can sort of make a noise.
Hi my rinktum! let the yellow gal alone;
Niggers don't hanker after sody in the pone. Fn 3

Then it's hi my rinktum!
Better try another plan;
And it's ho my Riley!
Trot out Miss Dilsey Ann!

Ho my Riley! In the happy Christmas time
The niggers shake their clothes a-huntin' for a dime.
Hi my rinktum! End then they shake their feet,
And grease themeselves with the good ham meat.
Ho my Riley! they eat and they cram,
And by and by old Miss'll be a-sendin' out the dram.

Then its ho my Riley!
You hear that, Sam?
And it's hi my rinktum!
Be a sendin' out the dram!









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FN 1 - Myrick Place, Putnam County 1858. There is a Myrick Place as a subdivision near Baton Rouge LA - see ://www.eachtown.com/place.php/id/559103. There is a Putnam County in Georgia - see ://www.classmates.com/directory/school/Putnam%20County%20High%20School_2.jsp?org=10260. No other info.

FN 2 - Rinktum - a variety. A New England form of Welsh Rabbit (Rarebit?)- see http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/RINKTUM-DITTY-11705. Or Pennsylvania Dutch (Deutsch?) at ://www.astray.com/recipes/?show=Rinktum%20ditty

This looks more like it - a role - in this song, "Rosy Rinktum Mary," (this lady does everything) at http://maxhunter.missouristate.edu/1358/index.html

FN 3 - Joree - a kind of raillery or chaff, see "joree-jaw" in this Time article, about the "Black Ulysses," Howard W. Odum, at ://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,787135,00.html. Joree is also a name given to children baptized from Jordan water, from the Hebrew, see ://www.babynamer.com/Joree

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His Songs: IV. The Plough-Hands' Song - Nigger Mighty Happy When He Layin' By Corn

 HIS SONGS

IV. The Plough-Hands' Song
(Jasper County 1860)

(Original indenting is not easily copied here. Coding.
Jasper County - there is one in SC - see ://www.jaspercountysc.org/)



Nigger mighty happy when he layin' by corn --
That sun's a-slantin';
Nigger mighty happy when he hear the dinner-horn --
That sun's a-slantin';
And he's more happy still when the night draws on --
That sun's a-slantin';

That sun's a-slantin' just as sure as you are born!
And it's rise up, Primus! fetch another yell:
That old dun cow's just a shakin' up her bell,
And the frogs tunin' up for the dew done fell:

Good-night, Mr. Killdee! I wish you mighty well!
-- Mr. Killdee! I wish you mighty well!
-- I wish you mighty well! FN 1


The coon'll be ready against dumplin' day --
That sun's a-slantin';
But nigger gotter watch, and stick, and stay --
That sun's a-slantin';
Same as the bee-martin watching on the jay --
That sun's a-slantin';

That sun's a slantin' and a slippin' away!
Then it's rise up, Primus! and gin it "t'um" strong; FN 2
The cow's going home with her ding-dang-dong -
Sling in another "tetch" of the old time song;

Good night, Mr. Whippoorwill! don't stay long!
-- Mr. Whippoorwill! don't stay long!
---- Don't stay long! FN 3

..................................
FN 1 - Italics. These are original.

Mr. Kildee - a man, an overseer? Or the kildeer bird, a kind of plover, see ://www.audubon.org/bird/BoA/F35_G1c.html. With the second response clearly being a bird, this first one is more likely that as well, to us. Shore bird, but used to be widespread, much reduced in population from shooting. The kildeer is also called "kildee" because of its call. "Dee dee dee dee-ee killdee dee-ee" at ://www.birdsbybent.com/ch1-10/killdeer.html#Voice

FN 2 - "gin it t'um strong" - to gin or gin it up is possibly many things. To excite, or enliven, or drink. See ://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/ginned-up.html. Gin at the end of the day, gin it am strong? Perhaps to give it to him strong (the mule at the plow)? Or rev up the mule and plow, gin it up, to get finished. Or gin as a form of "give" in the south, or to "ginger up" or make things lively.

FN 3 - Salud. Just an aside here. We salute these songs and proverbs. Look at this one closely. Look at the form of the last "repeat" - like the end of the day, long thought, little shorter, now hardly there. Wonderful. We see this song as an enormous tribute to the worker who retains his reflectiveness, can see things to take pleasure in, even at the plow. "Nigger mighty happy" is no reductionist idea - it is power, to us. See the imagery, courtesy, the relationship with the living things around, the detail. If only we had melodies, even rise and fall indications.

His Songs: III. Corn-Shucking Song - Oh, The First News You Know The Day'll Be a-Breakin'




HIS SONGS

III. Corn-Shucking Song

Oh, the first news you know the day'll be a breakin' --
Hey O! Hi O! Up and down the Bango! FN 1

And the fire be a-burnin' and the ash-cake a bakin' --
Hey O! Hi O! Up and down the Bango!

And the hen'll be a hollerin' and the boss'll be a wakin' --
Hey O! Hi O! Up and down the Bango!

Better get up, nigger, and give yourself a shakin' --
Hey O! Hi O! Up and down the Bango!

Oh, honey! when you see them ripe stars a-fallin' --
Hey O! Hi O! Up and down the Bango!

Oh, honey! when you hear the rain-crow a-callin' --
Hey O! Hi O! Up and down the Bango!

Oh, honey! when you hear that red calf a-bawlin' --
Hey O! Hi O! Up and down the Bango!

Then the day time's a-creepin' and a crawlin" --
Hi O Miss Sindy Ann!


For the lost ell and yard [FN 2] is a huntin' for the mornin',
Hi O! get along! go away!

And she'll catch up with us 'fore we ever get this corn in --
Oh, go 'way, Sindy Ann!


Oh, honey! when you hear that tin horn a tootin' --
Hey O! Hi O! Up and down the Bango!

Oh, honey! when you hear the squinch owl a-hootin' --
Hey O! Hi O! Up and down the Bango!

Oh, honey! when you hear them little pigs a-rootin' --
Hey O! Hi O! Up and down the Bango!

Right then she's a comin' a skippin' and a scootin' --
Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!


Oh, honey, when you hear that roan mule whicker --
Hey O! Hi O! Up and down the Bango!

When you see Mister Moon turnin pale and gettin' sicker --
Hey O! Hi O! Up and down the Bango!

Then it's time for to handle that corn a little quicker--
Hey O! Hi O! Up and down the Bango!

If you want to get a smell of old Master's jug of liquor --
Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!

For the lost ell and yard is a-huntin' for the mornin'
Hi O! git along! go away!

And she'll catch up with us 'fore we ever get this corn in --
Oh, go away, Sindy Ann!


You niggers across there! you better stop your dancin' --
Hey O! Hi O! Up and down the Bango!

No use for to come a flingin' and your "sha'n'ts" in --
Hey O! Hi O! Up and down the Bango!

No use for to come a flingin' and your "can't's" in--
Hey O! Hi O! Up and down the Bango!

'Cause there ain't no time for your pattin' nor your prancin'!
Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!


Mr. Rabbit see the Fox, and he sass him and jaws him --
Hey O! Hi O! Up and down the Bango!

The Fox catch the Rabbit, and he scratch him and he claws him --
Hey O! Hi O! Up and down the Bango!

And he ter off the hide, and he chaws him and he gnaws him --
Hey O! Hi O! Up and down the Bango!


Same like gal chawin' sweet gum and rosin [FN 3]--
Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!

For the lost ell and yard is a-huntin' for the mornin' --
Hi O! get along! go away!

And she'll catch up with us 'fore we ever get this corn in --
Oh, go away, Sindy Ann!


Oh, work on, boys! give these shucks a mighty wringin' --
Hey O! Hi O! Up and down the Bango!

Before the boss come around a dangin' and a dingin' --
Hey O! Hi O! Up and down the Bango!

Get up and move around! set them big hands to swingin'--
Hey O! Hi O! Up and down the Bango!


Get up and shout loud! let the white folks hear you singin'!
Hi O, Miss Sindy Ann!

For the lost ell and yard is a huntin' for the mornin'
Hi O! git along! go away!

And she'll catch up with us 'fore we ever get this corn in --
Oh, go away, Sindy Ann!


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FN 1 Bango. Note by Joel Chandler Harris, compiler: "So far as I know, "Bango" is a meaningless term, introduced on account of its sonorous ruggedness." P. 186

We find: Bango can mean various in different languages, see http://www.websters-dictionary-online.org/translation/Swahili/bango- a) "big pole barring entry" in the Venda language, a kind of Bantu, South Africa, culturally similar to the Zimbabwe. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venda_language (most slaves, however, came from West Africa, not South?); or, it can mean b) "husk" in Swahili - again, that is not West Africa, or c) "wide and thick" in Kerebe, and that would make sense for a cornstalk, pulling off the corn and shucking it, or for the corn itself - going up and down to shuck - but that also is East Africa. Can see no West African roots yet. Bango River is in India.

Checking African-American vernacular English at ://www.answers.com/topic/african-american-vernacular-english; and ebonics, at ://www.majorcox.com/columns/ebonics.htm.

Cannabis connection? Preparations for cannabis (marijuana) include "bhang", more from Middle East use, or [see current use of "bong"] and- this is interesting - "cannabis (hashis) rosin", see very rough entry at ://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bango_(cannabis). See FN 3

FN 2 "Ell en yard": Orion constellation belt star(s). Toward morning, does one fade, or what? This is "oil" en yard at the uncleremus.com site - those versions are sometimes different from ours in the 1921.

Note by Joel Chandler Harris, compiler: "The sword(see below) and belt in the constellation of Orion." P. 187.

We find: yard and ell, names of two stars in the belt of Orion, a/k/a "Golden Yard," see ://onlinedictionary.datasegment.com/word/yard+and+ell.

JSTOR has answers but won't let us look. Will try to find time to look up "De Los' Ell en Yard", Annie Weston Whitney, The Journal of American Folklore, vol 10 no. 39, Oct-Dec 1897, pp.293-298. Univ. of Ill. Press, American Folklore Society.

Here is another article - exhaustive - on the history and stories behind star names, in literature and mythology, including Orion - ://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Gazetteer/Topics/astronomy/_Texts/secondary/ALLSTA/Orion*.html.

Compare to this one (think "yard-arm" as part of it): The "ell and yard" does not include the sword here -- that the ell and yard is three stars, in a straight line, only 3 degrees in length, sometime called "The Three Kings." Hanging from the belt: the sword, comprised of a curved line of stars, see ://books.google.com/books?id=GSbAktdWt2wC&pg=PA55&lpg=PA55&dq=ell+and+yard+Orion&source=web&ots=5Le2WDa86t&sig=GER1NGzsyZAIYDb6An7w8dl1sAg&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=7&ct=result

FN 3 - Rozzum - several choices. Rosin, we believe, or "resin," if FN 1's reference to possible translation for bango as a preparation of marijuana is on target. Rosin is listed at that very rough (read: needs work and verification) Wikipedia entry in connection with marijuana preparations. Marijuana in "herbal or resin" form can be used in cooking, see ://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_brownie. The cooked result is psychoactive. Alice B. Toklas' version at http://www.subrosa.arbre.us/SubRosaBrownies.html: we thought it first came out in her recipes in 1933.

Rosin was also a medication, as was sweetgum and many other plants, see Folklore, at http://medinfo.ufl.edu/~medhum/FOLKLORE.htm.

Both together: The inclusion of "sweet gum" can mean the "resin" of that tree, obtained from scraping the bark, and enjoyed by native Americans and pioneers. ://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/Sweetgum/sweetgum.htm. Nothing psychedelic mentioned there. Enough. Let's say people did both as they liked.

His Songs: II. Camp-Meeting Song - Oh, The World is Round and the World is Wide

HIS SONGS

II. Camp-Meeting Song


Oh, the world is round, and the world is wide --
Lord! Remember these children in the mornin' --
It's a mighty long ways up the mountain side,
And there ain't no place for them sinners to hide,
And there ain't no place where sin can abide,
When the Lord shall come in the mornin'.

Look up and look around,
Fling your burden on the ground,
It's a gettin' mighty close on the mornin'!
Smooth away sin's frown --
Reach up and get the crown,
What the Lord will fetch in the mornin'!


The hand of redemption, it's held out to you --
Lord! Remember them sinners in the mornin'!
It's a mighty patient hand, but the days is but few,
When Satan, he'll come a-demandin' of his due,
And the stiff-neck sinners'll be smotin' all through --
Oh, you better get ready for the mornin'!

Look up and set your face
Towards the green hills of grace
Before the sun rises up in the mornin'--
Oh, you better change your base,
It's your soul's last race
For the glory that's a comin' in the mornin'!


The farmer gets ready when the land's all plowed
For to sow them seeds in the mornin'--
The spirit may be puny and the flesh may be proud,
But you better cut loose from the scoffin' crowd,
And join these Christians what's a cryin' out loud
For the Lord for to come in the mornin'!

Shout loud and shout long,
Let the echoes answer strong,
When the sun rises up in the mornin'!
Oh, you always will be wrong
'Til you choose to belong
To the Master what's a comin' in the mornin'!

His Songs: I. Revival Hymn. Oh, Where Shall We Go When the Great Day Comes

His Songs

I. Revival Hymn

Oh, where shall we go when the great day comes,
With the blowin' of the trumpets and the bangin' of the drums?
How many poor sinners'll be catched out late
And find no latch for the golden gate?

No use for to wait 'til tomorrow!
The sun mustn't set on your sorrow,
Sin's as sharp as a bamboo-briar --
Oh, Lord! fetch the mourners up higher!



When the nations of the earth are a-standin' all around,
Who's gonna be chosen for to wear the glory crown?
Who's gonna stand stiff-knee'd and bold.
And answer to the name at the callin' of the roll?

You'd better come now if you're comin' --
Ol' Satan is loose and a-bummin' --
The wheels of distraction is a-hummin' --
Oh, come along, sinner, if you're comin'! 184



The song of salvation is a mighty sweet song,
And the Paradise wind blow far and blow strong,
And Abraham's bosom, it's soft and it's wide,
And right there's the place where the sinners ought to hide!

Oh, you needn't be a-stoppin' and a-lookin;
If you fool with old Satan you'll be took in;
You'll hang on the edge and get shook in,
If you keep on a-stoppin' and a-lookin'.



The time is right now, and this here's the place --
Let the sun of salvation shine square in your face;
Fight the battles of the Lord, fight soon and fight late,
And you'll always find a latch at the golden gate,

No use for to wait 'til tomorrow,
The sun mustn't set on your sorrow --
Sin's as sharp as a bamboo-briar,
Ask the Lord for to fetch you up higher!

Plantation Proverbs (a collection)

Translation

Plantation Proverbs


Big possum climb little tree.

Those who eat can say grace.

Old man Know-All died last year.

Better the gravy than no grease at all.

Dram ain't good until you get it. FN 1

Lazy folks' stomachs don't get tired.

Rheumatism don't help at the log-rolling. 175

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Mole don't see what his neighbor doing.

Save the pacing march for Sunday.

It don't rain each time the pig squeals.

Crow and corn can't grow in the same field.

Tattling woman can't make the bread rise.

Rails split before breakfast will season the dinner.

Them what knows too much sleep under the ash-hopper.

If you want to see your own sins, clean up a new ground.

Hog don't know which part of him'll season the turnip salad.

It's a blessing the white sow don't shake the plum tree.

Winter grape sour, whether you can reach 'em or not.

Mighty poor bee that don't make more honey than he want.

Cushions on mule's foots, done gone out of fashion. FN 2

Pigs don't know what a pen's for.

Possum's tail as good as a paw.

Dogs don't bite at the front gate.

Colt in the barley-patch kick high.

Jay-bird don't rob his own nest.

Pullet can't roost too high for the owl.

Meat fried before day won't last 'til night.

Stump water won't cure the gripes.

Howlin' dog know what he sees. 179

......................................................


Blind horse don't fall when he follows the bit.

Hungry nigger won't wear his mind out.

Don't fling away the empty wallet.

Black-snake know the way to his nest.

Looks won't do to split rails with.

Setting hens don't hanker after fresh eggs.

Potato vine growing while you sleep.

It take two birds for to make a nest.

If you bleeds to eat dirt, eat clean dirt. FN 3

Terrapin walk fast enough to go visitin'.

Empty smoke-house make the pullet holler.

When coon take water, he fixin' for to fight.

Corn makes more at the mill than it does in the crib.

Good luck says, "Open your mouth and shut your eyes."

Nigger that gets hurt working ought to show the scars.

Fiddlin' nigger say its a long ways to the dance.

Rooster makes more racket than the hen that lay the egg.

Mellow mush melon hollers at you from over the fence. FN 4

Nigger with a pocket handkerchief better be looked after.

Rain-crow don't sing no tune, but you can depend on him.

One-eyed mule can't be handled on the blind side.

Moon may shine, but a lightered (?) knot's mighty handy. 177

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Liquor talks mighty loud when it gets loose from the jug.

The proudness of a man don't count when his head's cold.

Hungry rooster don't cackle when he find a worm.

Some niggers mighty smart, but they can't drive the pigeons to roost.

You may know the way, but better keep your eyes on the seven stairs. (seven sins, maybe?)

All the buzzards in the settlement will come to the gray mule's funeral.

You can hide the fire, but what you gonna do with the smoke?

Tomorrow may be the carriage-driver's day for plowing.

It's a mighty deaf nigger that don't hear the dinner horn.

It takes a bee for to get the sweetness out of the hoar-hound blossom.

Haunts don't bother longer honest folks, but you better go around the graveyard.

The pig that runs off with the ear of corn gets little more than the cob.

Sleeping in the fence-corner don't fetch Christmas in the kitchen. 178

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The spring-house may freeze, but the niggers'll keep the shuck-pen warm.

Between the bug and the bee-martin ain't hard to tell which is going to get caught.

Don't sport with the screech-owl. Jam the shovel in the fire. FN 5

You'd see more of the mink if he knew where the yard dog sleeps.

Troubles is seasoning. Persimmons ain't good until they get frost-bit.

Watch out when you're getting all you want. Fattenin' hogs ain't in luck.

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FN 1 - Dram - could mean liquor, as in our later dram shop acts? see ://www.answers.com/topic/dram-shop-act-1

FN 2 - Kwishins - we think that is "cushions."

FN 3 - "Bleeds to" - We think that is close to the "Bleedz ter" as really wants to, anxious, see similar usages where this makes sense at ://xroads.virginia.edu/~UG97/remus/valen.html; and ://xroads.virginia.edu/~UG97/remus/phone.html

FN 4 - mush-million -  a mush melon or kind of cantaloupe, sometimes pronounced musk melon, see http://georgiafaces.caes.uga.edu/getstory.cfm?storyid=1162

FN 5 Squinch owl - screech owl, see ://xroads.virginia.edu/~MA01/Grand-Jean/Hurston/glossary.html [do look up this glossary of terms]