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 recording is a collection of folk songs sung by Georgia State University graduate students; it begins with Kay Mitchell singing an untitled lullaby she learned from her mother when she lived on a plantation that references Black people picking cotton. Mitchell also sings a song about Mississippi. Then at minute 3:30, Martha Green Scott sings a lighthearted song titled I Have A Rooster that is about different farm animals. At minute 5:20, Darlene Ziberna sings a song called Captain Queer about a deer and a crow that she learned at a Girls Club where she volunteered as a child. At minute 7:00, Riley Fillingame sings a comical song called The Frog. Next at minute 8:30, Ken Davis shares a humorous folk song, The Burglar Man, that he learned from his father about a burglar scared by a maid when he tries to sneak into a home. At minute 10:40, Carol Crow records herself singing an untitled folk lullaby by composer Aaron Copland that she learned from her mother. The recording ends with Crow singing a variation of John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt, in which she sings Smith instead of Schmidt.
Kay Mitchell (1952- ) was born in Cleveland, Mississippi, and raised on several farms and plantations in the state. She later moved with her family to Atlanta, Georgia, where she attended Georgia State University and worked at Six Flags Over Georgia. Martha Green Scott (1937- ) was born in Greenville, South Carolina, and grew up on a farm in Athens, Georgia. She attended Georgia State University, married, and became a music teacher. Darlene Ziberna (1953- ) was born in Atlanta, Georgia, where she later worked as a telephone operator and attended Georgia State University. Riley Fillingame Jr. (1947- ) was born to Riley Fillingame (1908-1949) and Mary Josephine (McCleskey) Fillingame Pilcher (1912-1991) in Atlanta, Georgia. He briefly lived with his mothers family in Atlanta before the Thornwell Orphanage in Clinton, South Carolina. He returned to Atlanta to attend Georgia State University and performed as a soloist at his church. Ken Davis (1952- ) was born in Houston, Texas, where he lived for several years before moving to Atlanta with his family. He studied music at Georgia State University and worked as a choir director in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Carol Crow (1948- ) was born in Athens, Georgia. She worked as a high school chorus director and attended Georgia State University graduate school for music.
Because of the syncol)ation found in the first tune, I think it possible that Black spirituals could have had some influence. There is also occasional slight flirtation with elements of the jazz idiom. The second piece of Kay Mitchell 1s smacks of the typical college Alma Hater tune. Mn.RT.HA GREEN SCOTT Address: 532 S. Hill Griffin, Ga.a Spalding County Born: Greenville, s.c. grandmother, ) Age: 34 (also birth place of her mother and Reared: Outside of Athens, Ga. , Clarke County, on a farm, Lifestyle at present time: Wife, mother, music teacher, and music student at GSU. Lifestyle at time of learning song: Young girl on farm outside Athens, Ga. All of her family sang. Her grandfather played the fiddle and her father played the harmonica, Her sister was a church soloist and her brothers played school band instruments, Collector: Hartha, where did you learn this? Martha: Hy mothAr taught it to me and her mother taught it: to her, and now I sing it to my children. C: Do you always sing this a cappella? Martha: Yes, and my mother did too. C: Do you still sing th:i.s song? I"Iartha: I still sing ite havp contests to see possible. It 1 s hard \,Jhen we go somewhere, we always who can think of as many songs as to keep three boy 1 s quiet. 7
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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