Song: “Old Tom’s Restless Bones”
Quote:
Old Tom on the front porch smoked his cigarette,
And when he was done, another one he lit.
“Hey, now,” Old Tom said,
“You’re the reason that I’m dead.”
Listen to the performance of David Norris…
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I was happy to be able to contribute to the University of Louisville’s year-long examination of Alexis de Tocqueville by discussing A Fortnight in the Wilderness. I’ll also be leading a seminar for Kentucky teachers on this text.
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Song: “Ghost of Norma Jean”
Quote:
When you see another cross
By the road where she is lost,
You’ll know that she has some company.
Listen to the Steep Canyon Rangers’ performance…
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Part 1:
Song: “Bringing Mary Home”
Quote:
But 13 years ago today in a wreck just down the road
Our darling Mary lost her life, and we still miss her so.
So thank you for your trouble and the kindness you have shown;
You’re the 13th one who’s been here bringing Mary home.
Listen to The Country Gentlemen’s performance…
Part 2:
Song: “I’ve Come to Take You Home”
(Note: This song is a direct response to the song I posted above, “Bringing Mary Home.”)
Quote:
Though his life is swiftly fading, a memory remains
Of that chilly, ghostly evening while driving in the rain.
Listen to Seldom Scene’s performance…
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Dark Academia novel: The Temple House Vanishing by Rachel Donohue (2020)
Quote:
The cabinet was filled with curious and bizarre items. There was a jar with a dead tarantula in it, a case of butterflies and one with insects, a chain made of teeth; there were stamps, an ivory horn, a photo of a two-headed calf, an old jewelry box, some gemstones, a miniature violin and other jars filled with liquid which was too murky to see what was inside. I chose a skull. It was small, like that of a child. Mr. Lavelle nodded as he handed it to me. And for what was not the first time, I felt like he was a seer and that everything that would come to happen he had already foreseen. I held the skull in my hands. I imagined, for a moment, I could squeeze it and it would shatter.
I have not thought about this for many years, but now I wonder if I should not have chosen the skull. That perhaps if I had just picked a gemstone, things would have been different. I would not have become what I did. But then I remember the way I felt as they both, he and Victoria, looked at me, and I think perhaps not.
It was all inevitable.
ALT
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Song: “Pretty Polly”
Quote:
Polly, Pretty Polly, your guess is about right:
I dug on your grave the biggest part of last night.
Read the complete lyrics.
Listen to the performance of Ralph Stanley & Patty Loveless:
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October is here! This year for my Halloween countdown, with the invaluable assistance of my husband (and resident expert on all things Appalachian), I will be bringing you a spooky, Halloween-appropriate song with a twist of mountain flavor. I’ve chosen one version of each of these songs to share, but some have been recorded and reinterpreted many, many times.
If you like “Boograss” (or Spooky Bluegrass), Southern Gothic tales, traditional murder ballads, ghost stories, and/or Halloween chills, I hope you will enjoy each day’s post!
Song: “O Death”
Quote:
O Death, O Death in the morning,
O Death, spare me over ‘til another year.
Listen to Rhiannon Giddens’ performance…
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Song: “Knoxville Boy”
Quote:
When the moon is high the Knoxville boy Goes prowling out to kill. We don’t know why so many die To give that boy a thrill. A handsome lad with a wealthy dad And eyes of bluebird blue, He’s killed before, he’ll kill some more, And the next one could be you.
When the fog rolls into Knoxville And the river’s on the rise, Don’t go near the Knoxville boy There’s murder in his eyes.
Listen to Larry Stephenson’s performance…
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Song: “Murder of the Lawson Family”
Quote:
It was on last Christmas Evening,
A snow was on the ground,
His home in North Carolina
Where this murderer he was found.
His name was Charlie Lawson
And he had a loving wife,
But we’ll never know what caused him
To take his family’s life.
Listen to The Carolina Buddies’ performance…
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Song: “Long Black Veil”
Quote:
Oh, the scaffold is high and eternity’s near.
She stood in the crowd and shed not a tear.
But late at night, when the north wind blows,
In a long black veil, she cries o'er my bones.
She walks these hills in a long black veil.
She visits my grave when the night winds wail.
Nobody knows. Nobody sees.
Nobody knows but me.
Read the complete lyrics.
Listen to Gillian Welch’s performance…
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Song: “The Ghost of Eli Renfro”
Quote:
Can’t you hear? Can’t you hear?
When the moon is bright and clear
From time to time,
It’s old Eli dragging chains
And moaning people’s names.
I just hope and pray he never thinks of mine.
Read the complete lyrics.
Listen to The Nashville Bluegrass Band’s performance…
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Song: “Little Margaret”
Quote:
Is Little Margaret in her room Or is she in the hall? Little Margaret’s in her coal-black coffin With her face turned toward the wall.
Listen to the performance of Sheila Kay Adams…
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Song: “Caleb Meyer”
Quote:
I drew that glass across his neck, Fine as any blade, Then I felt his blood pour fast and hot Around me where I laid.
Caleb Meyer, your ghost is gonna Wear them rattling chains, But when I go to sleep at night Don’t you call my name.
Read the complete lyrics.
Listen to the performance of The Greencards…
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Song: “Bluestone Mountain”
Quote:
Sometimes I wonder if God watches. And sometimes life can turn in cruel ways ‘Cause on a cold autumn day in late October Little Jacob wandered in Scott Hollow Cave.
Now the caves of West Virginia run forever Like a maze of black ribbon through the ground. Cora went to search for little Jacob, But neither Jake nor Cora would be found.
Read the complete lyrics.
Listen to the performance of Bluestone County Bluegrass…
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Song: “Witches of Harlan”
Quote:
I’ve heard the stories since I was a kid: Witches of Harlan haunt Black Mountain Ridge. Some say at midnight they roam the mountainside Searching for anybody that isn’t safe inside.
No, I hear ‘em whisper in the pines, I hear 'em calling to me To come on outside.
Read the complete lyrics.
Listen to the performance of Breaking Grass…
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Song: “In the Pines”
Quote:
“My husband was a hard working man,
Killed a mile and a half from here.
His head was found in a driving wheel
And his body hasn’t ever been found.”
“My girl, my girl, don’t lie to me.
Tell me, where did you sleep last night?”
“In the pines, in the pines,
Where the sun don’t ever shine.
I would shiver the whole night through.”
Read the complete lyrics.
Listen to Lead Belly’s performance…
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Song: “Banks of the Ohio”
Quote:
I held a knife against his breast
As into my arms he pressed.
He cried, “My love, don’t murder me!
I’m not prepared for eternity.”
Read the complete lyrics.
Listen to the performance of Gangstagrass Feat. Alexa Dirks:
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Song: “Little Omie Wise”
Quote:
Little Omie, little Omie, I’ll tell you my mind: My mind is to drown you and leave you behind.
Read the complete lyrics.
Listen to Doc Watson’s performance…
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Song: “Blackadders Cove”
Quote:
I tell you a secret that nobody knows: Her body’s still layin’ in Blackadders Cove.
Read the complete lyrics.
Listen to NewFound Road’s performance…
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Song: “Matty Groves”
Quote:
So Matty struck the very first blow, and he hurt Lord Orland sore. Lord Orland struck the very next blow, and Matty struck no more. And then Lord Orland took his wife, and he sat her on his knee, Saying, “Who do you like the best of us, Matty Groves or me?” And then up spoke his own dear wife, never heard to speak so free, “I’d rather a kiss from dead Matty’s lips than you or your finery.”
Lord Orland he jumped up and loudly he did bawl, He struck his wife right through the heart and pinned her against the wall. “A grave, a grave, ” Lord Orland cried, “to put these lovers in, But bury my lady at the top for she was of noble kin.”
Read the complete lyrics.
Listen to the performance of Alela Diane and Alina Hardin…
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