Carla E. Sobelson and Mary Ann Henderson interview with Edd Prather (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 three part recording in which Carla Sobelson and Mary Ann Henderson interview their friends grandfather, Edd Prather. He starts by playing on his banjo: Uncloudy Day, Arkansas Traveler, Wade in the Wild Woods to Catch a Buffalo, Cripple Creek, and Away Over in the Promised Land. At minute 5:58, Prather sings Yonders a Frog in Yonders Pool, As Passed Through Yondos City (which is similar to Scarborough Fair), and then plays and sings Johnny. At minute 12:20, he plays Soldiers Joy, Comin Around the Mountain, and Old Time Religion. At minute 15:27, he sings Devilish Mary, Beautiful Land, and I have a Father in the Promised Land. Prather explains that some of the songs he learned were not written down, these he learned at church. At minute 22:09, he remembers the first time he heard Happy Day A Comin, which he sings along with Will You Miss Me When Im Gone? and If the Fathers Wants to Go. Prather ends at minute 30:20 describing how some women wrote song lyrics on tablets because the church didnt have songbooks. Edward Edd Prather (1890-1977) was born in Pickens County, Georgia, where he lived the rest of his life. He worked at the Georgia Marble Company from 1907 to 1959. He married Amanda Roberta Bertie Ray (1893-1930) in 1913; after her death in 1931, he married Irene Southern (1905-1996). His children included Lula Roberta Little (1915-2015), Ruth Lorene Batson (1917-2012), Kathleen (1934-1934), Ed Gene (approximately 1935- ), Carolyn ONeal (1936-2020), Barbara Ann Wood (approximately 1939- ), and Ethelene Nix. 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.