Ed Prince interview with Beulah Carter, Fred West, and Willie Lafitte (part one)

The John Burrison Georgia Folklore Archive recordings contains unedited versions of all interviews. Some material may contain descriptions of violence, offensive language, or negative stereotypes reflecting the culture or language of a particular period or place. There are instances of racist language and description, particularly in regards to African Americans. These items are presented as part of the historical record. This project is a repository for the stories, accounts, and memories of those who chose to share their experiences for educational purposes. The viewpoints expressed in this project do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of the Atlanta History Center or any of its officers, agents, employees, or volunteers. The Atlanta History Center makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in the interviews and expressly disclaims any liability therefore. If you believe you are the copyright holder of any of the content published in this collection and do not want it publicly available, please contact the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center at 404-814-4040 or reference@atlantahistorycenter.com. This is the first of a two part recording. This part starts with Fred West talking about the biblical story of Noah and singing old songs. He then discusses a folk song about rain and sings it as well as another folk song. Willie Lafitte joins in playing guitar as West sings John Henry and Come in Again. Next, West and Lafitte talk about folk songs with themes about fathers, then play and singing a few more folk songs. West talks briefly about who taught him to sing and performs This Little Light of Mine. West and Lafitte return to singing and playing guitar. The interview concludes with the interviewer providing brief biographical information about the interviewees and says that Wadley, Georgia, is the location of recording. Beulah Mable Carter (1901-1969) was born in Jefferson, Missouri, to Dexter (1856-1923) and Mary (1868-1931) Todd. In 1919, she married Curtis Harvey Roark (1890-1926), and they had four children: Mary Lou (1918-2015), James Earl Madison (1919-1923), Helen (1923-1971), and Paul (1924-1995). After Roarks death, she married William Clyde Carter (1892-1949), and they had one daughter, Alta Murrel (1929-2003). In 1964, Beulah Carter moved in with Alta Forrest, her daughter, who lived in Atlanta, Georgia. Biographical information about Fred West and Willie Lafitte has not been determined. B.c. and she ( her aunt) would tell stories but yornow I've almost forgotten those things; course I1m not gettin1 any younger anymore. E.P, I know B.c. and she would tell 1 em sing to us, teach us songs and I don't know, my granctc,dlctren are not lnteI'esl;ed iu 1,11.1.ngs like i:;nat !'!Y c,lilctre11 were tnougn more ot' course we 1 ve got a little , but mychildren they 1re not too yo,ing either, they kinda grew up with me E,P. I tell you if you can sit over on the sofa you can get near-er to it, So I1m going to pick out the things I want later and write them down; so I'll get it all on the tape and won1 t forget anything. :tou told me i;l!a.t you used 1,0 go uO play pari:;ies. Do you remember wnai:; i:;hey were llker B,G. Well they would play all kinds or games and play they would dance the Virginia Reel and they would play a little 01e game we ca1..Lect Pos Oi'f"ic" and thc,y wou.ta pJay . uh sing all id!lu o 1.:l.1,1,.1.e 0.1.a 1ove songs, I wou1.a say; and we used to have a game that you girl and Doy passed and they would say I think a half a dozen times, "My old squaw, my old Indian"; twelve "My times old squaw my old Indian 11, and if the girl could do that h without laughing the boy didn't get to kiss her,but most of the time she couldn't do that and she would laugh and then the boy get to kiss her. Just silly little things as that E.P. Do you remember any of the songs? B.C. Oh E. P. You don 1 'b have to sing I em just the words will do. B.c. Well I thereB ttsed to be an old time song in Missouri, and I don 1 t whether exactly a play song it was "Tween A PDF transcript exists for this recording. Please contact an archivist for access. Professor John Burrison founded the Atlanta Folklore Archive Project in 1967 at Georgia State University. He trained undergraduates and graduate students enrolled in his folklore curriculum to conduct oral history interviews. Students interviewed men, women, and children of various demographics in Georgia and across the southeast on crafts, storytelling, music, religion, rural life, and traditions. As archivists, we acknowledge our role as stewards of information, which places us inaposition to choose how individuals and organizations are represented and described in our archives. We are not neutral, andbias isreflected in our descriptions, whichmay not convey the racist or offensive aspects of collection materialsaccurately.Archivists make mistakes and might use poor judgment.We often re-use language used by the former owners and creators, which provides context but also includes bias and prejudices of the time it was created.Additionally,our work to use reparative languagewhereLibrary of Congress subject termsareinaccurate and obsolete isongoing. Kenan Research Center welcomes feedback and questions regarding our archival descriptions. If you encounter harmful, offensive, or insensitive terminology or description please let us know by emailingreference@atlantahistorycenter.com. Your comments are essential to our work to create inclusive and thoughtful description.