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: “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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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: “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: “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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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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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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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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Dark Academia
I’m delighted to share the details of my Fall 2022 online Dark Academia class at Signum University!
I’m also thrilled to add that 3 of the brilliant authors whose works we’ll be studying in the Dark Academia course will be holding live Q&A sessions with the class!
I’m thrilled to add that 3 of the brilliant authors whose works we’ll be studying in the #DarkAcademia course will be holding live Q&A sessions with the class!
Peadar Ó Guilín for THE CALL (‘16)
Elisabeth Thomas for CATHERINE HOUSE ('20)
R.F. Kuang for BABEL ('22).
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I’m excited to share more information about my Fall 2022 online class for Signum University. The course page is coming soon. I’ll be posting links and details!
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I’m delighted to be giving a talk on “Finding History in Star Wars” for Morse Library on Thursday, May 12 at 6:30pm Eastern. The event is online, registration is free, and everyone is welcome!
VIRTUAL - Finding History in Star Wars
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In my “Looking Back on Genre History” segment on the latest episode of StarShipSofa, I discuss resources and recommendations for reading Ukrainian speculative fiction in translation. ??
StarShipSofa No 683 Paul Alex Gray | StarShipSofa
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Watch Now: Race Massacre graves researchers need DNA, genealogies to tie burials to victims
Utah Cold Case Coalition Intermountain Forensics is seeking DNA help from anyone who may have relatives from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
Researchers think DNA is the best chance for the case known for now as “burial 27” to be the first conclusively identified victim of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
In a project update Wednesday with reporters, University of Oklahoma archaeologist Kary Stackelbeck expressed optimism the team’s efforts could possibly have “successfully located the first victim of the massacre” after a young Black man was exhumed with two bullets from a potter’s field corner of Oaklawn Cemetery.
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I’m delighted to talk Star Trek at an event by Licking County Library on Jan. 18, 2022 at 7pm Eastern. This event is live, online, and free to everyone.
My presentation: “Empowered Minds: How Star Trek Changed the World and Why It Still Matters”
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: Empowered Minds: How Star Trek Changed the World and Why It Still Matters. After registering, yo
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Mythgard Movie Club: Dune - Mythgard Institute: I’ll be a part of this conversation on Friday. Everyone is invited, and registration is free.
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