McCrumb uses old American Folk Music titles, hinting at the story's plot, past and present. Her book "The Song Catcher" put me in mind of "Darling Corey"; especially since it's tax time.
(this photo is courtesy of Mr. Dave Tabler: http://appalachianhistory.blogspot.com)
"Wake up, Wake up! Darlin' Corey!
What makes you sleep so sound?
The revenuers are comin',
For to lay your still house down!"
Pretty much how I feel, when I'm trying to do year-end inventory.
When we bought an apple farm in North Georgia, there were, in fact, 2 small stills on the property. They were modern ones, welded stainless steel, mainly for making "applejack".
It was odd seeing this in a "dry county", populated with Southern Baptsists who don't drink. But all was explained, in the immortal words of Johnny Ledbetter:
Here are the lyrics, and several YouTube versions.
(he changed the words too, in this version, for some reason)
When we bought an apple farm in North Georgia, there were, in fact, 2 small stills on the property. They were modern ones, welded stainless steel, mainly for making "applejack".
It was odd seeing this in a "dry county", populated with Southern Baptsists who don't drink. But all was explained, in the immortal words of Johnny Ledbetter:
"Shine's fer sellin', not fer drinkin'. "
"Darling Corey" is the story of a backwoods woman running afoul of the law with her moonshine. ( among other things) It is one of my favorite American Folk Ballads.Here are the lyrics, and several YouTube versions.
The popular mainstream version in the 60's, by the Kingston Trio
(great photos, but many of the words were changed and added to)(he changed the words too, in this version, for some reason)
and finally, Mike Seeger, with the most authentic version. You'd probably hear it today....
(if you could find the place, and knew the right people.)
enjoy!
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