eldritchhobbit

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… View the full post.

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… View the full post.

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: View the full post.

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… View the full post.

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… View the full post.

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… View the full post.

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… View the full post.

Song: “Wind and Rain” Quote: So she pushed her into the river to drown. Oh, the wind and rain! And watched her as she floated down… Oh, the dreadful wind and rain! Read the complete lyrics. Listen to Crooked Still’s performance… View the full post.

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… View the full post.

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… View the full post.

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… View the full post.

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: View the full post.

The Fox & Wit special edition of R.F. Kuang’s BABEL is gorgeous. View the full post.

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… View the full post.

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… View the full post.

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… View the full post.

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… View the full post.

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… View the full post.

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… View the full post.

I’m delighted to be taking part in this conference, and I’m looking forward to the other presentations very much. View the full post.

dramyhsturgis: 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! Peadar Ó Guilín for THE CALL (‘16) Elisabeth Thomas for CATHERINE HOUSE ('20) R.F. Kuang for BABEL ('22) View the full post.

RetroRockets With Amy Sturgis | The RetroRockets Podcast This conversation was so much fun! View the full post.

morganstuart: Cassian Andor-Centric Fic I am SO excited for Andor!!! Before it arrives and gives us new backstory, here are three Cassian-centric fics written after Rogue One and based on the film and its related books. Fic: “My Best Invisible Boy” at https://archiveofourown.org/works/9383699 Cassian Andor gave his life for the Rebellion while on Scarif. He gave his life to the Rebellion twenty years earlier. Fic: “Up the Alleyway” at https://archiveofourown.org/works/9252659 K-2SO didn’t expect him back until daylight. Cassian Andor had to survive until then. Fic: “Make the Lay of Long Defeat” at https://archiveofourown.org/works/10070996 Things might have gone very differently at Saw Gerrera’s hideout on Jedha. (AU) View the full post.

RetroRockets With Amy Sturgis | The RetroRockets Podcast This conversation was so much fun! View the full post.

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). View the full post.