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 second installment in a two-part recording; this part starts with the Lester Trio playing the Appalachian murder ballad, The Knoxville Girl. Next at 3:56, the trio plays the bluegrass song Footprints in the Snow, followed by the hymn The Old Country Church. They then play a series of folk and country songs on the banjo and guitar, including Theres a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea, Going Down the Road Feeling Bad, Columbus Stockade Blues, and You Are My Sunshine. At 13:35, the Lester Trio performs gospel songs, Ill Fly Away and If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again, that explore religious themes. At 15:19, the trio sings the love songs Sweethearts in Heaven and I Know Youre Married (But I Love You Still).
Glen Wildman Mullins (1954-2023) was born in Jolo, West Virginia, to Sidney Claude Mullins (1923-1999) and Sidney Ora Hagerman (1925-2000). He worked as a tipple mechanic and a coal truck driver. After marrying Dolores Dee Ann Mullins, they had two sons, Glendon Thomas Mullins (1977- ) and Jeremy David Mullins. Additional biographical information about Glen Mullins has not been determined, and no biographical information about the Lester Trio has been determined.
*COLLECTING PROJECT SONGS OBTAINED FROM GLEN MULLINS BOX 102A PAYNESVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA SANDRA L, EDWARDS 261-84-2025 FOR JOHN BURRISON FOLKLORE 720 SPRING 1973 INTRODUCTION i After deciding to prepare a collecting project, I contacted my Uncle, George Sledge, in Welch, West Virginia, to see if he might be able to find an informant in that area who possibly knew some old tales or songs, Through a social worker from Bluefield who visits Welch weekly and with the help of one of my Uncle's employees, Howard Rurs, we came to hear of a man named "Wildman" who lived somewhere near Paynesville, West Virginia, Since this Wildman did not have a telephone, my Uncle had to put out "the word" through their C,B, (Citizens Band radios) radios. (Most of the mountain people in that area talk to each other in that method,) They asked for Wildman (Glen Mullins), if he heard the message, to come down to my Uncle's store (an auto parts store). Eventually he did recieve the word and when he came down they told him that I was interested in collecting songs, tales, etc, for a class and would like to do some recording, Since he could play the banjo, harmonica, and guitar quite well and knew several old tunes, Wildman gladly consented and we set the date for Saturday night, May 5, 197.3. Naturally I anxiously proceeded to West Virginia and on the day of our recording session we were unable to contact the Wildman, however, many times the radio waves are unable to move to certain this was the case, approximately 5:JO sections in that area so we hoped that My Uncle, Howard and I left Welch at and arrived in Paynesville at about 7100. Glen was living in such an out-of-the-way section that it took us awhile to locate him. Most times we had to ask for "Wildman" because those we talked to did not know his real name, Glen Mullins, When we reached his house, it looked like a scene directly out of "Deliverance" and needless to say, I was quite hesitant as to whether or not I was even going to get out of the car since there were three very "rough" looking men standing outside drinking, They left shortly after our arrival, though, and I emerged from the safety of our car on shakey legs, ii After being introduced to Glen we all began to feel much more at ease--we found that they had been expecting us1 for his wife (Sugarbabe) had even scrubbed the kitchen floors and cleaned up,,.so she told us later, We were there for nearly three and a half hours and recorded about thirty-five minutes worth of tape and had one of the most unusual and rewarding experiences ever, Glen told us very little about his life, though; he was rather hesitant to discuss his past so I left it at that, I did learn that he worked three or four days in the coal mines every week, if possible, and he had lived in that same area all of his life, (I think that on a return visit he would probably talk quite a bit more since as the evening progressed we all loosened up), His father had taught him how to play the banjo and guitar although neither of them read music but had picked everything up by ear, During most of our recording Wildman would sit in his chair Indian fashion and play for us, occasionally he would take a drink of straight lemon juice to clear his throat. Obviously they do not have much money and that which they do have appears to go toward Glen's music equipment, Along with a guitar, banjo, and harmonica, he has an expensive C,B, radio, a tape recorder (inexpensive model) which records eight track tapes and a small turntable and speakers, Other than these few items, along with a rundown television, they barely have the necessities, But, even though this appeared to be the situation they seemed to be very happy with what little bit they had and as for my experiences, .. I know that there is nothing that I can say to anyone that can truly express my feelings after having gone iii on this trip and I'm certain that many of those who have also had a successful field experience are equally baffled as to how to reflect upon and tell others of their encounters with good informants, Unfortunately, I am only able to recall one quote which would be appropriate and related to my feelings: "It is not enough to have books, or to know where to read up for information when we want it, Practical wisdom for the purposes of life must be carried about with us, and be ready for use at call, It is not enough that we have fund laid up at home, but not a farthing in our pocket: we must carry about with us a store of the current coin of knowledge ready for exchange on all occasions, else we are helpless when the opportunity for action occurs. The experience gathered from books is of the nature of learning: the experience gained from actual life is of the nature of wisdom; and a small store of the latter is worth vastly more than any stock of the former," -Smiles ", rr ~ * na Miltop sville cu\\ letailolher Rock * Jq rn nt;;t.>r.; MTTTTTl\Tt('.'I u0n9r,, frams-Jf~ ..,_..~ Hami:,~ris '- ;-,--'-_-q ' I _,-:;:::::::.., roc,u D'II ~ B" h R B \ Shoa ~~~'t _/ j ; 'li ,re \ oggs r v,ew I FR~ck \ I Morn detail other sidej ... Blak1 Going west on Rt, 83 through Jolo across the state line into Virginia, Turn north on a country road which is next to "Lester's Construction Equipment" and travel along the state line ridge back into West Virginia, After the second white house on the right or just before the third white house turn right on a gravel-dirt road and go about a quarter mile to Wildrnans house which will be on your right, Den GLEN MULLIN'S HOUSE LOCATED NEAR PAYNESVILLE, WEST VIRGINIA, IN McDOWELL COUNTY, ou h where wife sat "living room" ol(vision ~ bellied stove V furnace V House Size is approximately 45 x 15' Fant Door kit<hen ta' le double bed Wildman s so stayed here ' 0 f the recording is sis-fer sat here uring 1r.;:e recording olding 1the puppy and ---,- __ ~ ~~hil us Pack with copperhead: Can faith he stronger than strychnine? AMERICANA: The Lord's Bidding He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved ... they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. -Mark 16: 16-18 The literal interpretation of those words has spawned some of the more bizarre sects of Christendom, and tho Holiness Church of God in Jesus Name of Carson Spring, Tenn., is no more unusual than many others-a Southern Appalachian congregation whose faithful dabble in glossolalia and routinely test their faith by handling poisonous snakes. They refuse treatment when bitten; if they die, it is taken as a sign of in~uflicient faith. itLast week assistant pastor Jimmy Ray W,fliams, 34, and layman Buford Pack, snake-handling funeral ceremonies, with Bibles opened to Mark 16: 16-18 laid\ upon their stomachs. At the weekend, the.\ congregation was hoping to bring them\ back to life with yet another service. ' This time, the worshipers planned to test their faith by turning blowtorches on their own faces and arms. A typical sight in this area would be a snake handlin' church which we stopped to see midway between Bradshaw and Jolo, vi THE HISTORY OF McDOHELL COUNTY AS FOUND IN "THE WELCH DAILY NEWS" (McDOWELL COUNTY CENTENNIAL EDITION) June 3, ] 958 '----- :McDOWELL'S ONE HUNDREDTH BliR'f!IDAY: By DELPHIA CLINE FREEM.AN Three cheers for McDowell County, .now, in honor of her birth-~ No other county can cornpare with her in all the eutth: .. ' ,. 1 Her mountains rise majestically abov.e a wealth of coal .. That gives her rank of highest on the world'.s ptocluction The famed Black Diamonds of her mines give heat and power And livel.ihood to ma'ly men who mine them day ar:td 11ight. Another leading industry is timber from her hills . That makes so many useful things when fed. toJumber McDowell was Tazewell County soil-of great Virginia State--c Till Separatio1{ made them two in eighteen fifty eight. .. > McDowell was named for Governor of Old Dominion land, . And later, in the Civil War, for North it took a ,stand,, 'The thriving County seat of Welch for I. A. Welch was named, . Who, in the War between the States, a Captain was proclaimed,' McDowell was H. D. Batfield's home-physiciar:tstates1ilan, The fourteenth Govefnor of State who. served so faithfully; State Treasurer K Leslie Long was McDowell County bred:.c And also William Cassius Cook, of State free schools the head,, And two Attorney Generals were also County men- ' .. . K Rucker and I. Partlow, serving well with voke and pen:i;, The nineteen fifty census shows McDowell as third in State; ' In value of all property Ws seventh at this date. The parking building built at Welch was first in U.S.A.; Their World War I Memorial was first, too, by the way, The deepest U.S. mountain cut is in McDowell, you'll' find; And Gary boasts coal cleaning plant-world's largest,uf its kind. Route 52 runs East and West through towns and over hills; ' At Welch it takes new by-pass road to ease their. traffic ills .. ' And churches of most faiths are found within the County bounds-'-. Their music at the worship hour through hill and dale.resounds .. With fine hospitals, doctors, too, McDowell is greatly blest; ' And business firms and banks alike. are here the very best. ", . The schools are good in McDowell, too-some buildings are quite new; officials, teachers, pupils, all have well-planned work to do., In sports-and contests, too, of skill-,-McDowell has won her' share, And products of her schools are found in top jobs everywher!) .. McDowell is southern most of all the counties in the State....: , '' , He!'e scenic. beauty,. mountai!~. air and coal wealth _:contGntratc,' :,., __ ,: Its wintj.ing strean1s and weaving _roads crisscro~s the. CoUJ?t:V' And hunting, fishing here are sports that many. folks adorf!: 'I'ha t livestock thrives among these hills no one this f,.ct disputes, And growing season is quite long for vegetables and fruits. You'll travel far to fihd a clime that's n1ore diversif_ied1 For sun and breeze and rain and, snow in season here GJ.bid~; -The Winter woods are never drab because there's grE!en of _pil}t\ _;' And when they're blanketed with snow their loveliness is fine, ' The lacy foliage of the hills in b.udding, flowering trees . .. . ... Makes Spring in McDowell County a season sure to pleasii. ( ,. . . i The Summers, too, are wonderfu!.:-there's beauty eve1:ywherc~, , ' , :, , . " > f' With gro. wing things and. blosso.ms fair, and bird. s. ong. in th. e. nir. ,.:.... ? . ,.. ..y...,'... i ------ But McDowell County. really shmes when Autumn b.reezes. blow~c c.. ... 1 , Her mountaii:is are a col9r chart with vivid- hueSag1m.,v-. ,. - ,,: '\.._' ,.):00,.' ., i , For hills and valleys picturesque her, roaming offspring yearn, . . , . ; ', ! ----------"'--"--~-'------~---'---:,:._;o__.:_.:_ __ ____: _;.;_,~~ -., lmong xriy coal ::-tion wa.s E!!w6od rds with a. I in Woodlawn teld on Noirried to tl).e ~ Jenkins of ~ the parents ~y and a son, :l l Lil llf watch~d. the :iells and Wif1is; ,me t.ime to;_sit ,sley F. Shel or,., _:, where he -as ictive life as a _re story of his ;an, .. and an -en~ -vlf. Railway -Qn .ir.iSion. He fired !!er, :nine months ~ -,'}.-?'<", ,,,__,,,~- ~!an Who 0Jillce Owned All Of McDowell C@riIDity . , Acreage Spent Ti1uree Years Imi DehtorS J ai] _ I: Did you, know that an -histori- money on his .own credit for the the size of New York. j cal money-man once owned all cf common caUse. In 1781 he 'efl T. hree patents to Virginia landqj.,. 1 . what is now McDo,vell count;; tablished_ the. Bank of N o rt h Were grantecJ to Morris by Con7,t 1f and yet he spent three years in America, now the oldest finart- g~ss out. of gratitude for his ~et,.' ~:.. . .. .. J:.. .... the debtors jail because h1s creel cial institution in the 'United vices and sacrifices in behalf o j f-. v- itors hounded him? States, the colonies. One of these, : ' ~,:- ". The ghost of Robert Morrls, As a member of the constitu- seerus, \vas for B20,0DD acres, ,_ ... /./-\ financier of the American Rev- tional convention he nominated another co!' 480, ooo and stm an- ,,_,/\;.::zi+t- 01:ition, must hov~r often over 1:he 1 Washington for th?. presidenq1 of other for 500,000, -w:,,,,c,._. _ c "blac.k hills of_ McDowell" and tl~at body, Later When Washing With tHle t6 au this land o'f ( perha.ps he-gl"ins $ardonica1ly as ton was selecting his first cabi~ an incalculably _vast potential used he recalls, the whims of the ne-t, be tendered the treasury va,hte possible exce(:ld1ng_ that of p-hot Fates. portfolio to Morris, who declin any :state known to {listory, Back in 1795 Morris owned all ed it and urged the appomtment .Morns w.:i.s destined to spend No. the land in what is now McDo,vell of AlBX!p)1der Bamilton. After his declining ,days in poverty. l'he county and many times as great representing Pennsy.Jvania in the ~low develc;pment of "bis prope,_r- FIN" r; an acreage elsewhere. Yet three Senate for a term, his political ty, the failure of a London bank .JC years later he was put in a debt- activities 'ceased and he give up in which ne :had funds invested or's prison and kept there (or his banking and mercantile .ln the erection of a palatial ho~~ tl1ree year.s. , ter-ests and engaged in western in 'PhiladeIJ?hia. and the dishones- red to The prominent financier rack land speculation. ty vf one of his partners,,;.tfaally was vi ed p a strange, wonde.rful ca- At one time or another he own- drove him info bankruptCy, anl'l dicate, r;eer. Born in Liverpool in 1734.. ed wholly or in major part near- he was confined to a debtors' nnv n he came to this country in his ~ ly the entire rvestern half of New prison from 1798 to 1801. He died Struct' young manhood, He was one o,t York State, 2,000,000 acres in ii). Philadelphift May 7, ,1806. was 'l: the signers of the Declaration Georgia and q.bout 1,000,000 acres Samu e 1 Fisher Morris (a The of Inde.pen(lence. Assisted by each in Pennsylvania, Virginia g!anctson o{ _Robert Morris) and when Gouverneur fy!otris - no rela- , and South Carolina. It may be Jns wife, Mrs. Mattie _Fitzhugh to Pc tfon ~ he earne-d the gratitude helpful in getting a definite idea Morris, in.stttimenta1 in says and admfration o1 the colonies as to the extent of his holdings erecting G1,a,:eE1>is;,01,a1 C'ourcn . 41ir-st by his solution_ of the Revolution's by. recalling that McDoY-en colll'l at Eckman fiuancfal problems. ty embraces slightly less Hum In his ,patriotic s:arv-ice he uaea 345,0-00 acres and Wezt Virginia's_ his own- _te$OlU'ces and borrowed az-ea is 16,374,000 acres Cl\ halt ~:1-:.':E~1S;'.;~cc TRANSCRIPTION TRANSCRIPTION PERSONS PRESENT DURING TAPING1 Sandra L, Edwards Glen Mullins (''Wildman") George Sledge Howard Rurs Sugarbabe (Glen's wife) Glen's son Glen's sister SANDY: First of all, what I'd like to know is can you tell me a little bit about you know, your life, how long you've been here in this area. GLEN Well, uh, I've been here thirty-two years, all my life and I ain't, ain't never hardly uh got wise enough to hardly get out of uh this uh ol' McDowell County, SANDY: And where did you hear, where did you learn to play the guitar in the first place and the banjo? Who taught you all that? GLEN Well, my father kindly taught me to play the banjo, And, let me see, I believe I bought me a guitar for six dollars, That's the first guitar I owned, SANDY: Do you still have that one here? GLEN: No, the saddest part of it, I had a car wreck and busted my six dollar guitar, SANDY: That would be probably priceless right now, What about your banjo? Did he play that too? Did your father play the banjo? GLEN I Yea, my father played the banjo, SANDY: And you said you cant read music you can just pick it up on your own? GLEN Just play by ear. SANDY: How about, did he teach you any songs when you were a little boy or do you just use instrumental music or mainly what? GLEN Well, uh, played quite a few I"ve heared him play, Uh, he played, uh, what we call back out here in the sticks, uh, claw-hammer style, That's the way he played most of his, SANDY: What is that you said? Q;!,,Qg_-ha!lllller style? GLEN I The claw-hammer style, SANDY1 Can you, .. GLEN I Uh, would you want me to give you uh,., SANDY: Yes,,, GLEN I A little version? SANDY: A little version,,, --INSTRUMENTAL DEMONSTRATION OF CLAW-HAMll'!ER STYLE-- SANDY: Why is that, I dont know much about music, Why is that called claw-hammer style? Is it because of the way you grab,,, GLEN: The way you use your hand, I reckon. SANDY: You hit it with the pad part of your hand? --ANOTHER DEMONSTRATION OF CLAW-HAMMER STYLE-- SANDY: You just told me a minute ago, you just played a song for us, "A Hole in the Sea", and what did you call that song, You gave it a name, You don't know the real name of it or even or if there is a name, GLEN Uh, I just, uh, call it, "The Frog Song," 2 SANDY: "The Frog Song"? Do you remember where you first heard that or anything about it? GLEN Mmm, not right off, Maybe, uh, back, back when I use to, uh, listen at the ol battry (battery) radio, maybe on the grand ol' opree (opra), I'm just not for sure, Maybe thats where I heared it at or maybe some of the neighbors around me or somethin' or I just don't, don't remember back where I heared it, SANDY1 Did you then just hear it and then start playing it just like that? GLEN I Yea, SANDY: Do you think you could play it? Would you play it again for us? GLEN I Yea, yea I'll play it, SANDY: Okay, :f'antastiel "THE FROG SONG" (see appendix) SANDY: Alright, you just mentioned another one you knew on the banjo, What was that called again? GLEN I Uh, "Darlin' Corey". SANDY: And you said--how did you learn this one? GLEN I Well, it was, most of it was passed down to me by my father, Sit and listen to him play the banjo. Just started playin' it myself and been, uh, pluckin' on it ever since, SANDY: Would you give us a piece of this? GLEN I Yea, SANDY: Okay! "DARLIN' COREY" (see appendix) 4 SANDY: Okay, what did you find that youre going to play for us now? GLEN I Uh, "Pretty Polly". SANDY: And do you have any idea where you heard this one? GLEN: Uh, no,' its, uh, its been around ever since I can remember, SANDY: Do you have any idea off hand maybe why people hang on to these certain songs? Why would you continue to play it? Do you know any reason? GLEN Well, I guess everybody feels about like I do. It's about the only kind of music, SANDY: You mean this, this type of music is the only type that reallys going to last, Something like the folk people carry around? GLEN Uh, yea, it's uh, it's hung in this long, I believe it'll, I believe it'll still be right here when all of the rest of it's gone, "PRETTY POLLY" (see appendix) SANDY: Glen, I hear a lot of people calling yo "Wildman", Commin' up here we had to almost ask for the name Wildman because sometimes they didn't know your name, really, They recognized that better, How did you get that name, you know, really? GLEN I Well, uh, that's the, that's the, uh, handle what we call the handle they use on the C,B. (Citizens Band walkie talkie radio--a great number of mountain people use these now since most of these people don't have phones) I'd rather not just go right into the details 5 how I got the, the Wildman part, but I am, lot of times rll, uh, somebody ull ask me my name, I'll say my name's Glen Mullins, but I'm better known as the Wildman, And I tell some of um there ain't but two wildmen and Im both of um. SANDY: And youre both of them. So you won't tell us exactly how you got that name? GLEN I No, I'd rather not go into that part. SANDY: Oh, Well, we'll leave it at that, You're going to play a piece now, You have a neck, uh, neck harness on or what? Can you explain that little contraption you have on? GLEN : Uh, I would call it,' uh, harmo . uh harmonica holder, Uh, let me kind uh get in tune, Uh,,,I ain't, ain't quite standard here, --INSTRUMENTAL VERSION OF "RED RIVER VALLEY"-HARMONICA AND GUITAR (see appendix for picture) GLEN Uh, that was, uh, "Red River Valley", And there's just aont know how I learnt to play the harp there, Just kindly got me one and stuck it in one corner of my mouth and started huffin' and a puffin' till I got a sound to come out that suited me, SANDY: Sounds pretty good for that! What are you going to do now? GLEN 1 "She'll Be Commin Round the Mountain", "SHE'LL BE COMrl!IN ROUND THE MOUNTAIN" (see appendix) GLEN Uh, "Rovin' Gambler", "ROVIN' GAMBLER" (see appendix) 6 --BANJO INSTRUMENTAL VERSION OF "WILDWOOD FLOWER"-- GLEN: Now, uh, "John Henry", --BANJO INSTRUMENTAL VERSION OF "JOHN HENRY"-- GEORG: Do you know any words to "John Henry"? GLEN : Uh i let s, uh, try this one, uh, "John Hardy" 1 It's suppose to be, uh, true song, "JOHN HARDY" (see appendix for pictures, newspaper articles, and song) "BLACK JACK DAVID" (see appendix) SANDY: (Glen's son came over and wispered in his father's ear that he wanted him to sing "I'm Goin' Down the Road. Feelin' Bad" and I am speaking to him), Why did you pick that as your favorite song, Why did you like that? Do you feel bad? GLEN I Probably cause he has to go to school, I guess, SANDY: Is that what you sing when you go to school? " I M GOIN' DOWN THE ROAD FEELIN' BAD" (see appendix) "TOM DOOLEY" (see appendix) HOWRD: 7 Ask him about the time, I believe he done his own cookin' and his dogs left home or somethin', SANDY: Yea, Whats this story? HOWRD: I believe she (Glen s wife, Sugarbabe) was in the hospital or somethin' and all the dogs left home, GLEN I Uh, yea, yea, Oh, I had to do my ovm cookin' for about uh couple weeks, eight or nine days, or somethin' like that, And I had about four or five dogs there and when the better half got back, mercy, had about one dog left, They all left home, They couldn't even eat my cookin'. "TROUBLE" (see appendix) GLEN: Yea,: I'd like to do, uh, "Ramblin' Hobo", This one, it was, uh, handed down by my father. Use to sit around by the ol' fire in the chimney what we'd call it, Where we'd baked our cs hins and froze our back part off and burnt our front part up and listened at him play this one. Uh, a little thing called "Ramblin' Hobo", --BANJO INSTRUMENTAL VERSION OF "RAMBLIN' HOBO"-- GEORG: We better get on off this mountain, uh, before the Wildman goes wild, It's time for us to head home out of these hills, Give us a farewell song, What do you know? Something like "Home Sweet Home"? --BANJO INSTRUMENTAL VERSION OF "HOME SWEET HOME"-- GLEN I I believe its here to stay, I believe this here country music is here to stay, The following is a list of the songs sung to me by Glen Mullins, The words to these appear in the appendix (A) succeeding, However, some of these songs are instrumentals (noted with an asterisk) and therefore are only found on the tape, The list is made in the order in which these songs arise in the transcription and on the tape, * DEMONSTRATION OF CLA.W-HA.MMER STYLE "THE FROG SONG" "DARLIN COREY" "PRETTY POLLY" * "RED RIVER VALLEY" "SHE'll BE COMIN' 'ROUND THE MOUNTAIN" "ROVIN' GAMBLER" i~ "WILDWOOD FLOWER" * "JOHN HENRY" "JOHN HA.RDY" "BLACK JACK DAVID" "I'M GOIN' DOWN THE ROAD FEELIN' BAD" "TOM DOOLEY" "TROUBLE" i~ "RAMBLIN1 HOBO" * "HOME SWEET HOME" APPENDIX A TABLE OF CONTENTS APPENDIX A Title of Song The Frog Song .. . . . . . . . Darlin Corey .. Pretty Polly,,,, She'll Be Comin' Rovin' Gambler, John Hardy .. , .. Black Jack David, 'Round . . . . . ,A2 .,AJ the Mountain ... .A4 ,.A.5 .A6 ,A7 I'm Goin' Down the Road Feelin' Bad ....... A8 Tom Dooley. Trouble .... A9 . . A.10 THE FROG SONG There's a log in the hole and the hole in the bottom of the sea, There's a knot on a log and a log in the hole and the hole in the bottom of the sea. There's a hole, hole in the bottom of the sea, There's a frog on a knot and a knot on a log and a log in the hole and the hole in the bottom of the sea, There's a frog on a knot and a knot on a log and a log in the hole and the hole in the bottom of the sea. There's a hole, hole in the bottom of the sea, There's a hair on a wart and a wart on a frog and a frog on a knot and a knot on a log and a log in the hole and the hole in the bottom of the sea, There's a hair on a wart and a wart on a frog and a frog on a knot and a knot on a log and a log in the hole and the hole in the bottom of the sea, There's a hole, hole in the bottom of the sea, There's a chigger on a hair and a hair on a wart and a wart on a frog and a frog on a knot and a knot on a log and a log in the hole and the hole in the bottom of the sea, There's a flea on a hair and a hair on a wart and a wart on a frog and a frog on a knot and a knot on a log and a log in the hole and the hole in the bottom of the sea, There's a hole, hole in the bottom of the sea, Theres a chigger on a hair and a hair on a wart and a wart on a frog and a frog on a knot and a knot on a log and a log in the hole and the hole in the bottom of the sea, There's a chigger on a flea and a flea on a hair and a hair on a wart and a wart on a knot and a knot on a log and a log in the hole and the hole in the bottom of the sea, There's a hole, hole in the bottom of the sea, A1 DARLIN' COREY Wake up, wake up darlin' Corey, Go bring me your gun. I know I'm in for trouble, But I'll die before I'll run, Go away, go away darlin' Corey, Go away from my bed. Pretty women runnin' me crazy, O corn liquor bustin' my head. The last time I saw darlin Corey, She was sittin on the banks of the sea, With her forty-four around her, And a banjo on her knee, A2 PRETTY POLLY O Polly, pretty Polly come go along with me, Polly, pretty Polly come go along with me, For we'll get married some pleasure we'll see, AJ 0 Willie, little Willie, I'm afraid of your ways, Willie, little Willie I'm afraid of your ways, The way you've been ramblin' (?) you'll lead me astray, O Polly, pretty Polly, your guess is about right, Polly, pretty Polly, your guess is about right, Dug on your grave over half of last night. oer a little bit farther and what did she spy, Little bit farther and what did she spy, Newly dug grave with a spade lyin' by, O he went down to the jailhouse and what did he say, He went down to the jailhouse and what did he say, I've killed pretty Polly, I'm tryin' to get away! * In the book, TRADITIONAL BALLADS AND FOLK-SONGS MAINLY FROM WEST VIRGINIA, by John H, Cox, Mr, J, M, Jarrell, Kichsville, Wayne County, September 29, 1926 contributed a version of this song about which he says: "This song was composed about Polly Aldridge, who was a native of West Virginia. She was killed during the childhood days of my father, or possibly a few years before his birth,,,She was murdered by William Chapman, who at first tried to swear the crime off on the girl's brother, George Aldridge, but his efforts were futile and he was tried in what is now Martin County, Kentucky, and put to death, He confessed, after he was convicted, of taking the girl from West Virginia to a little creek called Buck Creek, near Warfield, Kentucky, and killing her, then splitting her abdomen open, filling her full of rocks, and putting her in Sug River, She was trailed by strings she tore off her dress and threw along the path she was forced to go," A4 SHE'LL BE COMIN' 'ROUND THE MOUNTAIN She'll be oomin' round the mountain, charmin' Betsy, She'll be oomin' round the mountain, Cora Lee, poor thing, If you get there before I do, good girl remember me, Poor girl wears fine perfume, rich girl does the same, My girl don't wear no perfume, but ya smell her just the same, She'll be comin' round the mountain, charmin' Betsy, She'll be comin' round the mountain, Cora Lee, poor thing, If you get there before I do, good girl remember me. Poor girl wears fine perfume, rich girl does the same, My girl dont wear no perfume, but ya smell her just the same. Poor girl lives in a big brick house, rich girl does the same, My girl lives in Keystone jail, but ya smell her. just the same, -I forgot the words- Poor girl lives in a big brick house, rich girl does the same, My girl lives in Keystone jail, but it's brick house just the same, *Keystone use to be known for its wild inhabitants being a town of much thieving, prostitution, etc, Thesl two pictures were taken in Keystone, West Virgin'ia, which is the town referred to in the song, "s'l,,e 11 Be Comin 1 'Round the ,Mountain". One of the pictures shows the remains of one of the business areas and the other shows a typical scene for this area-- a coal mine, A4a ROVIN' GAMBLER I am a rovin' gambler, gamble all around, Every time I meet up with a deck of cards I lay my money down, Lay my money down, lay my money down, See her in a parlor, scoopin with a pan, (?) Wispered in her mother's ear, "I love the gamblin' man, Love that gamblin' man, love that gamblin' man," A5 Gambled down in Washington, gambled down in Spain, Every time you see me I'll be with a gamblin' game, Be with a gamblin' game, be with a gamblin' game, Gambled down in Washington, gambled down in Spain, Every time you see me I'll be with a gamblin' game, Be with a gamblin' game, be with a gamblin' game, JOHN HARDY John Hardy was a desperate man, Carried two guns everyday, But he shot a man on the West Virginia line, A6 You ought'a see John Hardy gettin' away, Lord, Lord, Ought'a see John Hardy gettin' away, He ran to the East and he ran to the West, Ran where he thought he would be free, But a man walked up and tapped him by his hand, Said Johnny walk along with me, Lord(?) Johnny come along with me, .1i6i_'-4,., ~ -- rriontns .1.arnr: o~ a Spot covered ,~~nv,ee _t~i~m:abe,lse -the -/-111112x--t6:-- the --courthouse .... - :_ __ ,._ - d' _ 0 , Hardy had shot and l{illed anot9- ~:,, ep_tl\ ~ er Negm identified as Tom _B:rUc_e ,, _.,,nd -J 8 during a quarrel over a dime in :a , 1elt. too~i,: dice game atShawnee (Ecknian). -lp..,~,~~o1.., He. was conVicted of first degree ~ \tt"",~~l~ 'f-: niuJrder o.n Oct9b_er 12,. 1893, A. C. ~- rs\ 1 1 \ Paym~. who later lived in coal 1?$- eve wood,.1Wasf foreman of the Jury. ; :. . ' 80nt01ttce:d /Jl\.l Hang ;~1/lt\:~ .. ;e /J.. ~11onth later Iiardy- was sent--: U ~1 ~:"J m1c:e~ by ..Judg3 T .. - L, H~lll~tze, f 2.- bUJlC:fl~ first jurid Of tho criminal court, .ier~~nc.n; toba hanged on January Hl, 1894. , lb_.1 .. )low This ;mandate was carried out by !1 now _55 Sheriff John: 1Dffler. 19 c,ents; .After the shooting at Sllaw11ee, -~-~-_:no:vv 1 _P~ or Ec1uri_~1 -~rardy cric.ap.ds .lln "> ~0 ,~;i:; ._ 1o pliooted ,.111 -.tlle-')m,mo crhtra wasa 1.ut~,/ n,o'W sQ-callect: ~!bad_ 1uan" an uoffic,er~ 1t br?,n~: killer'.' from I:-fortb Carolt.1a whose :-2. ;?-9n.~3; nanie is -given as Webb' Gudger, 4' .J;l.o~v., ~5 mid _ who had fled eastward . with ' :.' ~O.,:c_ep.ts; Hardy. ;pile_cl.--.ham After Ureil" fir.St dash for liberty iar .:}Jond; th?y decided for some reason to re tag~J. ~.ow turn through this coru.1ty and go , 1 } ' , , north ovcr._the _Norfolk- artd-West- ior ::pi lt)w ern. Abo3.rd )t l_}arisenger train the Furniture dal'ing 'Gqdger: e,rlTiea wtt11--a rifle, 6.5_._.cent_;.: stayed .,yvith his..,"paV' Sheriff _Ef, ~r;J1i'gli fler .ana:_:_:Deputy Sheriff Tom f_or_: $~.98; Caml)beH,: a!)paren~ly' acting on :a ~rbad~~o.th .'-'hot, tip\ rgot 01~_-t11e same tr!lil1 j1,00~: _diJ.nd somewhere in Mercer county;:_ . I goirig:-fJ>r After the. train entered -thd. Elk0 , , ;_ , . horn turuie~,:'they qui_e.tly arrested _f,he-:roUTid Hardy,_jaJ.:i_bing a hig .. pistol against ,ien Wel~h his ribs_ ta prevent ,any signalingi W~ $13.3.0 Whil the ti;a,in was still envefop. ~ay~ ed in the:; d~rkness of the tunnel, it,,"- 1 Effl'er lert. Hardy in Campbell's '.' custody and approached Gudger; ,' "\-, ,; , The 'latteI'.; -retreated m. :had gone lmb19r, 192_5 warily to,-the rear platform of the ., ~Coyr~ ,s_e:1 . rear coach: and there Efflergrap -,ro~d,_,9_<?m: pled _ him. ': . '.' _., f the-1 _t::;mn~ Fen Off Traill , ~- _ B. -2:t.e- In a moment the struggling -eked f~~,rn ~Uir fell: off the train, with- the :s~ ;:,, ... , , sheriff ,ali_g.hting. on- his back and .:.:_:_,. :- brealdng a)ib alld Gudgeir on--top Sff .::.,-_.::--,. .. : _o~_:htm._ However, even in,that posifoo4: Prlres tion ,the sheriff was. able to (get 1 }_he: pres- hi~. man.'' . )n:i, . a':'.P!ar- . On April 9; 1894, nearly three ,ement ._in~ months after Hardy ha.a died at ~st, .. choiqe tl:lfl end of a rope, Gudger_ was ~r-!-i@GcJ,!ld to~, guilty _of volU11tary J'.tWJ.l d pork loin 'Blaughter. and sentenced to the pend . it<&ntifil'j'. for fOW' f~Eh After .. .earvd * This article was reprinted from "The Welch News" (McDowell County Centennial Edition) June J, 1958, A6a Daily printed This is Welch, West Virginia, where the happenings of the ballad of John Hardy took place, Some poeple who were present during the hanging of John Hardy estimated that a crowd of 5,000 to 6,000 people had come to Welch to view the hanging, (At that time Welch was only a village of about JOO people,) s,,.- This site (where the First Baptist Church is pictured standing) is where the Hanging took place, After capturing the criminal, Sheriff John Effler (my great-great uncle) carried out the sentence on January 19, 1894, Hardy was hanged in the open where all who wished could see, And among the viewers was the condemned man's mother who was seated in a rocking chair, When John Hardy was given an opportunity to speak to the group, he told his listeners to draw a lesson from his misspent manhood and not to follow in his steps, A6b A6c To whom it may concern: I hereby certify that the first elected sheriff of 11:cr.o ll County, Sheri ff John Effler, who captured and hung John Hardy (Of .3allad fame) in Welch, W. Va., January 19, 1894 was my uncle: My Granddaughter :ls Sandra (Mor.ice) Edwards wh.ich would make this Sher:! 1f Ef'f'ler her great, great uncle. State or W. Va, County of A;- ~,e To Wit: Subscribed and sworn to before me this My commissi.on expires,_ __ -_J_-_?."._~_ Notary Public This is another version of the John Hardy Ballade JOHN HARDY This version of M/ esi Firr/nia'r sef:ond best known folk ballad 15 .a compoSI.it of tnany, ]o!i.n llDrdy was a ,gambler, Ile killed a Chinaman in a poker game; was tried, convicted_, <utd sentenced to be hanged" During his stay in pri.ron he turned lo religion and was hapti'zed on h1'.s W{1y to the gallows" This baltady th.Jugh not so dd_, is closely re~ lated to "John Henry." John Hardy a brave and t e From the Manuscript Qf M_ E. Eh,sh, M.:iy 31, 1969 des-p'rate lit tle man, He car-ried a I the town of Lord! Lord! and you ought 'a' seen John A7 BLACK JACK DAVID Black Jack David come a ridin' through the woods, He rode so sad and lonely, Charmed the heart of a many poor girl, Charmed the heart of a lady, Charmed the heart of a lady, How old are you my pretty fair miss, How old are you my honey, Cackle dab with a tee hee hee, I'll be sixteen next Sunday, I'll be sixteen next Sunday, Las+ night she slept in a feather bed, Behind her husband and baby, Tonight she sleeps on a cold, cold ground Beside of ol' Black Jack David, Beside of ol Black Jack David, Black Jack David come a ridin' through the woods, He rode so sad and lonely, Charmed the heart of a many poor girl, And he charmed the heart of a lady, And charmed the heart of a lady, How old are you my pretty fair miss, How old are you my honey, Cackle dab with a tee hee hee, I'll be sixteen next Sunday, I'll be sixteen next Sunday, I'll be sixteen next Sunday, I'M GOIN' DOWN THE ROAD FEELIN' BAD I'm a goin' down the road feelin' bad, I'm a goin' down the road feelin' bad, I'm a goin' down the road feelin' bad, And I ain't a gonna be treated this a way, Oh, the girl I love don't pay me no mind, Oh, the girl I love don't pay me no mind, Oh, the girl I love don't pay me no mind, And I ain't a gonna be treated this a way, I'm a goin' down the road feelin' bad, I'm a goin' down the road feelin' bad, I'm a goin' down the road feelin' bad, And I aint a gonna be treated this a way, Oh, they feed me on corn bread and beans, Oh, they feed me on corn bread and beans, Oh, they feed me on corn bread and beans, And I aint a gonna be treated this a way, I'm a goin down the road feelin' bad, I'm a goin down the road feelin' bad, I'm a goin' down the road feelin' bad, And I ain't a gonna be treated this a way, I'm a way down in jail on my knees, I'm a way down in jail on my knees, I'm a way down in jail on my knees, And I ain't a gonna be treated this a way, I'm a goin' down the road feelin' bad, I'm a goin' down the road feelin' bad, I'm a goin' down the road feelin' bad, And I aint a gonna be treated this a way, A8 TOM DOOLEY Hang down your head Tom Dooley, Hang down your head and cry, Hang down your head Tom Dooley, Poor boy youre bound to die. I met her on the mountain, There I took her life, Met her on the mountain, Stabbed her with my knife, Hang down your head Tom Dooley, Hang down your head and cry, Hang down your head Tom Dooley, Poor boy you're bound to die. This time tomorrow, Reckon where I'll be, Down in some lonesome valley, Hangin' from a white oak tree, Hang down your head Tom Dooley, Hang down your head and cry, Hang down your head Tom Dooley, Poor boy you're bound to die. Hang down your head Tom Dooley, Hang down your head and cry, Hang down your head Tom Dooley, Poor boy you're bound to die, A9 TROUBLE Trouble, little trouble Trouble of mine, If my trouble don't kill me I'll live a long time. Little bit of powder, Little bit of paint, Makes little girls think They're somethin' they ain't. Trouble, O trouble Trouble of mine, If my trouble don't kill me I'll live a long time, Little bit of whiskey, Little rusty gun, Makes little boys think They're havin' some fun. Trouble, O trouble Trouble of mine, If my trouble don't kill me I'll live a long time, If my trouble don't kill me I'll live a long time A10 APPENDIX B (PHOTOGRAPHS) Scene in Yukon, West Virginia, on the way to Glen Mullin's (Wildman) house. Looking off a mountain top in Paynesville where Wildman gets his mail Scene in English West Virginia a little further on the road, Another picture taken from Paynesville, West Virginia, Looking at part of Wildmans house, Looking down from the front of Wildman's house to his nearest neighbor, Three views of the front of Wildmans house, Two views of Wildmans house and a third looking down from his house to his car, Another view of the front yard, Wildmans son and a view of the front door, Wildman standing in front of his house with three of his many dogs, Wildmans sister, Sugarbabe (Wildmans Wife) and their son, Glen Mullins who is better known as the "Wildman", Wildmans son with their puppy standing beside their main source of heat, Glen preparing to play "Red River Valley" with his harmonica and guitar, The nicest corner in Wildmans house, Wildman and his family, Wildman, Wildman playing and tuning his banjo, The center picture is a typical position he used while playing, The third picture shows his "faithful companion", puppy, who liked to bite Wildmans ankle as he kept time to the music, Wildman and his son standing in front of their house, -RELEASEBy letting us collect your traditions--stories, songs, music, remembrances, or beliefs of earlier days--yol'. have made a valuable contribution to preserving and understanding southern history, and especially the way of life of your community. Because you have given unselfishly of your time to do this, the Georgia Folklore Archives, whose representatives are dedicated to preserving these traditions, wants to protect your rights to this material by guaranteeing that it will not be used for unscrupulous commercial profits. By signing this sheet, you are giving us permission to use this material for educational purposes so that people who are interested can understand how life was in the old-timey days. If you don't want your name to be used, say so--we respect your right to privacy. Thank you for the time you have given to help us record a heritage that is an important part of American life, "I hereby grant permission to the Georgia Folklore Archives and its Director, John Burrison, to publish, or otherwise make use of, the material recorded from me by the agent of the Georgia Folklore Archives whose name appears on this sheet." Signed Address 4~ t JY~e ?~wvtt Agent of Georgia Folltlore Archives Al 1'1~) Additional Witness - 'f-/t:;tvr:JA-f/ {Lt~ Georgia Folklore Archives c/o Professor John Burrison Georgia State University 33 Gilmer Street South East Atlanta, Georgia 30303 ' Date- -Q'-/-~ -" -----------
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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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