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.
In this recording, unidentified singers, perhaps Odell Cagle, Hayes Losee and others, sing folk songs, some accompanied by a guitar. The audio starts with a monologue of New Jersey piano playing, followed by the singing of untitled songs and a discussion about each song. The titled folk songs are as follows: 10:59 - Another April 13:15 - Another April, take two 16:01 - Curfew, take two 18:50 - Motel Castles Green, take one 1:17:55 - Curfew, take one. Common themes are war, love, pollution, and homesickness. The unnamed man sings Another April, a song about fighting in battle. Following this, a woman sings a different version of the song. She then sings Curfew, which is about love, and Motel Castles Green, which is about the widespread trauma caused by war. At 24:15, Odell Cagle recalls traditional songs African American workers sang from his childhood, which he then sings. He explains that music has been a major part of his and his wifes life; specifically, he took singing lessons as a child and his father loved music. At 31:08 he sings Old Kentucky Home, another song commonly sung by African Americans while working. At 32:46, he sings Three Little Orphans. Steven Foster wrote most of the songs that Cagle remembered. Next at 36:47, Cagle describes the church he attended, Mt. Olive Baptist Church later renamed Greater Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, in Cartersville, Georgia, including songs they sang and church members who worked at a local sawmill and on farms. At 37:24 he sings Amazing Grace, then Floyd Collins, an old tale about a man falling down a mine shaft. At 1:20:37, Hayes Losee recalls Round Dancing, also called Friendship Dancing, from his childhood on the Cherokee reservation, which he then demonstrates. He discusses a songbook written in Tsalagi Gawonihisd, the Cherokee language, from his childhood. Most likely John Roberts, who lived in Oklahoma near Losees brother, printed the book. At 1:25:59 and 1:26:25 he reads excerpts in the Cherokee language and sings a song from the book. Then he describes a bygone weekly dance that would last all night. Next at 1:29:30, Losee talks about another traditional dance, the Booger Dance, which consisted of eight to ten dancers, one of who wore a false face, an overcoat, and a rattle. Then at 1:34:00, he talks about going to jail because of fighting; on his way home, he encountered a ghostly rabbit-creature. At 1:36:00 he reads more from the songbook and sings more songs in Tsalagi Gawonihisd, the last of which is about not being able to live in this world forever.
Odell Cagle (1921-2004) was born in Cartersville, Georgia, to Jack Cagle (1886-1948) and Ethel Cagle (1895-1985). In 1941 he married Vivian Marie Kinsey (1923-2017); a year later he was drafted into the army and served until 1943. Odell Cagle spent twenty-six years as a minister in a small church, and later worked at Lockheed Airport in Marietta, Georgia. Hayes Losee (1905-1997) was born on a reservation in Cherokee, North Carolina, to Jennie Lossie Candy (1868-1931). He married Minnie May Hornbuckle (1921-1992) in 1939, with whom he had two daughters, Louella (1952-2005) and Catherine ( -2007). Losee later moved to Birdtown and Jackson, North Carolina.
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.
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