Poem

Collected by Mary Celestia Parler Transcribed by Nathaniel Lucy Recited by Joseph Page Treat, Arkansas April 15, 1954 Reel 197, Item 4 Poem Mary Celestia Parler: This is the 15th of April, 1954. And I’m in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ringer near Treat, Arkansas. Several of these people are going to sing and recite their own poetry and so forth. I’ll announce them as they come. First, Mr. Joseph Page is going to say some poems that he composed himself. Joseph Page: -know how long it’s been though. One of the first I ever made up. Miles and Maggie will remember What occurred in last November Among the first that come was Pit and Scott And all the rest of the family lot Some come late and some come soon But - - - was the old raccoon Among them that come from the lower ranch Was John Waldo and Doctor Branch And another handsome little chap I think they called him John Dunlap Uncle Sam thought he was slighted Because they wasn’t all invited Well I’ll tell you about my - - - She got ready and begin to strut She says “Look at here Sam We’re not invited but I don’t give a” Next that spoke was Eldie Doss He says we’ll go if we only can get across Up and spoke so real to so fair Say we can cross on old Molly Hair [?] The first got ready was little Jim JP: Oh, I got that- She got ready but - - - trimNext on hand was little Hess Says “I’ll go and do my best” The next that got ready was little Nine The next on hand was little Nine But she got ready but was left behind There’s John Burr, I’d like to forgot When he got ready they struck a trot Just before they got united Square Dan Page become excited But he saw that was no use And you ought have - - - him, turned it loose Stepped up to the girl and then to the boy He was the first to wish them joy Up they went in single file And on the last up went George DialFunding for digitization provided by the Arkansas Humanities Council and the Happy Hollow Foundation