[Ella Lassiter (Life and Songs in Slavery)]

Document text

IPA WRITERS PROJEOT OF FLORIDA
FOLKLORS las FOLELORE.FLORIDA
INFORMANT'S NAME Alla LassiterAsententEpn.coL
INFORMANT'S ADDRESS Unwiring, Sta SOnago,Fla,
DATE OF INTERVIEtw March if Sk iPri141v4.0
NAME or INTERV/EWER Barbara B.Dwrsey
/024. 6-7/S
TAIT oy IFTARTLEW(pEpITAD
FORM 0
STATE FOR/DA
NAME OF W0f,;LAi Ilarboqa Bilareer
••••••••••••..ouqmsir.....N.OIMIIIM
ADDSS Bentn 02.442X11-AISA-a-A2ULA44-0.Aridn
DATE April _Lc_ L:3, ma" ft. 611
SUBJECT bin Op tamp xn Amp
IMIE AND ADDBS8 OF INFORMANT 4,Ae In!w4iters Tanagrino_atik,Sebiing, Fla.
I had already planned ay vieit to Mother Laaelterothrough
whoa I not in 'WW1 on stnzcIL-74 Annie
her daughter Annie Mae Warren.
Mae statee that her Moth -r waa ae well o unual aud would indeed be
glad to aaue.3aid uhe in her precise manner'
aMothah she sulk do love to talk, and to tell of her early
life it suah do 6ive her joy.° Me 1 told Annie Mae that L would
plan to call the first ot-the week and I askew', her to request her
Mother to be thinking partioularly of her 'arty life in anticipation
of ay visit.
The day was dark and gleonyi for the sun had been hiding and
sulking netV of the day behind dark clouds. There wan a piercing w*Ad
too, which sport the streets bars and sent the dust about in groat
Clouds, sad angrily esattere4 leaves and trash everywker*. I drew ay
seat about n seeurely as I started out about ene...thiirty to walk to
2667e_

TPA EMIRS PROJMOT OF FLORIDA
POLILOR2.10, FOLILORBFLORIDA
FORM O. TILT OF INTRRTISW. UREDITSDipago a
LIFR AND SONO. OF SLAW=
JILLA LAS3ITRRINFORMANT
**vbs.'s B. Dares,. Sebring
the 4uartors to vlslt Meth,' Ills.. Lemon Street was alnost
deserted and presents thus 1 wit unusual apOsmalt*O0 ter
usually it toolss with life. Today horns, the sold wind
had driven almost svoryoso in doors. On Tangerine Street
the dust was thick as tog and I was glad indeed whoa I
reached Mother's hone.
4hon I knocked on the door a voice sailed "00ao ins
and I immediately accepted and tried to ppm* the door. It
sagged against the floor but soon I opened it sufficiently
to cud into the hall. This hall
was dark and narrow.but
liLht showed fro& as open door at the right wad so I nude
ay way there. Mother all& was struggling to arise free her
largo rocking chair, but when A apposed* she fell bask yellowed
Resontly she tell and hurt her hip so that now she does not
move with her asoustamed ease.
This room proved to be the Livia/ room, or as Mother
Mlla called it "de sittinveon" and here with hor sat another
aged darkio Aunt Ella Grant. I Know then both .1111.to well and
am always giae to see thee but on this particular Liao I would
have proforred to talk to Mother Illa alone as I usually find
better results ebtainablo that pay. I thought of postpeaigg
the purpose of my visit but found that they had been expecting

IPA NRITMRS PROJECT OF FLORIDA
roluon, iS1 FOLILORE. FLORIDA
mut 0.TNIT OF INTERY/31. UM8DITSp. page 113
LIPS AND SONGS OF SLAV=
DLL* LASSITSS.intornant
Ilarb&ra D.Darsry, Sebring
no and I was reluctant to disappekat them for they are suit*
occurred
8.1114/1"4" Then toe it 000,00 to ne that porhaps Mother Siia
'amid be moved to o her best in order to inpross Aunt Slim
with her flays o: past grandeur.
Mother 7ins sitting near the little stove mTlioh wee full
of wood nd hustAng merrily as it warmed the roon.Rer snuff box
was neer at nand cald a tin o,An on the floor at aids of hor chair
served a cuspidor. paid Whet
"L Amy as, MiltiO such an glad to see you. Annie Mae she
dons tole no you alesonin,41 and smile went over hlr fate, 'litho
say you luant to know bout mah life an do senga ttut us 'angst in
de Slavery tiao, hoe-e.e.., a els niggah lit. ms,' r.nd she giggled
happily.
She did indeed e4enod pleased that I had called on her. Runt
Slla sat looking rather glom. jealous ofoonrso, until I told her
that I would soon be asking her for her life story too, then she
began* pleasant and interested. Mother spke again* Telugu*, I mak
kin tell you a lot, Mistis, an I spool. I member lets e sengs too."
Aunt Lila looked at as with a wide toothlese grin and
amblede US jws a..ittin heals a -oilskin you would 00AA SO AO 001114
sift made to y,u.11 She smoothed her skirt and then reached for
the tino.oss..onspidor„ for she too is addisted to snuff.

WPA WRITERS PROJECT OF FLORIDA
FOLILORE,241 FOLELORE.FLORIDA
FORM O. TEXT OF INTERT/EW.NNEDITED, pagod
&IFS AND SONO& OF SLAVERY
ELLA LASSITER, inforaaut
Seibert N4Naraw7s 11140rinds
*Now, Illiotio,19 said *ethos, 'you want den Songs twist, but
I boot tell you suathin bout do Slavery days rust, den de songs
dey seas to no, her gentle old voice trailed off Eis she baossa
engaged La doep thought.
I vas -Ager ler the story of her lite eler,3 pith the songs
so I tricd to woutly start her ort by asking a few cuoetions. Rho
rospoaded readily arid Dien was saanubhma voluble.
01 wus borned in Oreoggia, on de NoMuilin 'Plantation nods
Forsythe way lx„.az in de year 1$44. Di &eke no hundred, don't
hit, Aistiell She reaarkod nor* than questionod soL nod* as Gwent
°ad Kann oMullion he slue moat peppy. WO003 Robb* he Nailing
nether hakes* ono fur ho had de nun* Hahn au he proud ob hit an
alias hop hit. My nanaysehe Raehel NoMMllen.1
Then the looked at no and explained earnestly.
Usti*, narriage ditin4t asks no Ott trance den nines,
both had do sane already, hoe—e...e•e," she laughed.
fr
Tea know,
cause doy
Nessus,, day
both NoMalens all de tine. Din ay Oranionaany'abo nano Nary, as
Owaawiappy, he nano Loieh, an doy bets SoMultolowtoo.° !tells she
bovine engaged in thought and Ambled to herself, then *alai 0 I
declare, does I risolLost or not, wadi goy on ay poppy or soy mussy
side,just saint toil aosfloSio, boon so long age..

!PA wRITIRA pROJKOT or FLORIDA
FOLIELONI,ANS FOLALORD.FLORIDA
FORM O. CUT OF INTARVIAW.UNDITip.
page 5
UPS ADD 30508 IN SLAVMAT
ZLLA LASS/Uniinfimant
Sarbara 114Darsoye Sebring.
los% Aunt lila piped La her shall vetoes "Mak, Toe alias
a-talkia but your liran-Maaay do look Lek you 4lud tell Shish
side de Saalby oho boleag on." put Mother souldn't r..,aeaber end
seemed to !eel quit* bad about it for a fieuent.
Quiskly her spirits revived, heaver, and oha maids
'e livs dere on d* plantation :hen I jut; a little. girl.
Don our Massa sold us to nothsr Mack)* an he brtng us splaag to
Floridy. t;E: live ray up in de both part bout Monticello. I reeks*
kit was.,
"Never tooked do none o Martin, the that our new Massa sane.
vo proud o bola MoNallon niggahs,an lasso he proud o bptaxs buyia
wash, so we ollus e lieedea MolduLlon niggahol an prod hitAkoth
our 'Lassos wus good aea an rich tee, day weah hyd plenty slaves.
Don suz goad days too, wiskt doy sus DILA& beak, dold Ah does.'
Moth's heaved a sigh and reeking gentl; alp gaed off int*
spaes as the old days uaroldod in her aind."Us sll lived in a eloailia
off tun de big house. Ds had nice little oohing toe, all white
washed. Ours had two roost, ono big reen with the Muse fish pkaso
La hit you *rah saw. Ms sooked en hit too an we eat in de big roma
ta nab pappy an Venni slept in hit too. Boa we had a little shod sews
where as an ny sister slept,

WPA WRITRRS ?BIWA? OF FLORIDA
FOLUOIR, lBj FOLKLOREFLORIDA
FORM O. TRIT OP INTERV/RW.UARDITRD, pogo 6
WS AID SOUS OF SLATE=
RLLA Lassiter, infornant
Iktrba.rv. S.Darsoy, Sebring.
Tho wind continued to pos howl in fury and rattle the windows
in an atteapt to enter the roon.The roes was growing shill too, and
I notieed the fire was dying down so lettered to put wood in the
stove. This Usturbed pother 11111. who MI -that I shouldn't hays
that to do. 3uts noithe.-r o; th:J df.Lr;liee oT011 to it, so
I inmistedl and soon ilad littl stove roarine esntontedly
again.
Rather rila roc'.:1 7auietly in hr huGc ohrir and Aunt jun
sat with hande foldod over the sewing in her Imp, both, apparently
in deep ti4ouht•
lee, Militia, us kut do Good times in dot:, d3mait 'mast
all ?mild wuk noither.Us had plenty to eat, an to ws!".r, yes M401114,
plenty o wearin close. too an *Nooses ikon us needed dem& Oeint
say we allus have dat amok dose days atter de Soh.
Oone OriS2118 tine, thow-e.-eim, dut suuh de big day; 8 Wims
Olaisted Mother happily. J4arly on OriSKUO *amnia Rilssa Omergo,
he give all de ale nigguhs a aig-nog an it allus had plenty is likkor
in hit too, who0-0.4,-A9litorally shontod Mother. 6 Sit make as ail
feel nishtr gooe too. Someetiems he give us shilluns a taste toe," the
licked her lips in =pm:at of past e5g-negs.
°Sissy iiary, she suah good to us Um, She knit swab one
us a pair of books or stoskings fur Orionis. Saaotinos ANT ems
rod wool, sonotines grey. Wisht I had a pair en right now."

WPA WRITERS PROJEOT OF FLORIDA
FOLKLORE, 10; romona., FLORIDA
FORM O. TEXT OF /NTERVIEW. UNEDITED.
LIFE AND SONGSOF SLAVERY
Ella Laasiter, infornant
Barbara B. Darsey, Sebring
Mother Ella paused again and sighed wistfully,
page
Oone urismus wc; Ill singo an daneespaa sings au dances,' exelaimed
she," denethaveto wuk Mkt day, an don't taw) to wuk no kakd de nen
day te make hit up nuther.6
ore Aunt Ella spoke agains "You.wall dun talk se stuck bout
M 
°risme*, huosun you saint aenber de song boat hit lak you -All tole
ne *nett" She looked at Mother Ella with suspicion as if she were
with holding information on tho song. Poor old Mother could net
remonber though ths effort was viaible in her 'lind old face. She
shook her had cadlys
'Jug haint no 11300 I been a-tryin reveille, but hit
seapes mall mine? 811. then returned to the Ohristmr_s theme.
9 Sometimee itasea Geogge, he lot us all go top right
up to de lig house to sea de Orisaus tree. it so bright an
pretty. Us niggahs, btg an little,wo sten aroun de room an jus
look &n look, jA fill our oyes full de beauty of de tree.An we
nevah say a word, we jus look.' mother shaded,her eyes with her
hand and really seed to be peering into the past on Christmas
Day. 6 Sonetimes ILisey Mary give us all a hanful nuts an raisins,
nea.0.0..e., an is we proud. I)0040/ nevah eat all mine right up
I keep on awhile 1 be so proud o es,* she sighed wietfully.

WPA WRITERS PROJAOT OF PhORIDA
POLIELONI EA, FOIDALORUTLOAtIDA
FORM V. TEXT OF INTERVIi16
LIFE AND BONGO IN SLAM?
illa Laoolter, infornant
Barbara BoDarsoys Bobrinz
Suddenly Uother Llla sat erect an a looltnof ozoitoxent
flashed in 11,r dark (,yoe. 'qua a minut now, dat sent; hit mush
a eosin in ash minds sho exolsizad Litt don't zoen nuthEn
us ehillon ;tater ,;it up early an jingo hands rt danoq roun do
big fiah la do clearin -n einc n esplain4d °lother. 121 ahe
reeked rapidly nd beat taut) a -Was as 3he
appearsd to be 113t4nine, to faraway voies o to',,hrist_u,s of
lone
asa. In a
At
.413 tramuleue woisc; aibegan to ala6s
Qoac, klet tjriouus morn
Hash de Sriamus boll
A ringin u-000,u-000-0
A rinLin u-o-ou-000-o
Sh!Alon open do dlh
Let in do Orisaus Uera
Axistaskamaausa
A slagin amooesu.oeo.u-o
A sisals' si.peessu•soe-u-po
Noah do °Tissue Spina
A eallla on de wind
A eeilin n.p000dluac000-o-o-o
A eallia u -000lop.soo -0 -o.o
See de Orleans Spina
A ridlon en de *lead
A ridla assoefamseeiviu.....a..e.4
A ridin .1
the ond of sash verse tho repetition grew mere prolonged
as I bare endeavored to show. It was lamest a wails bat was rathor

IPA WAITERS FUNTAT OF FLORIDA
FOLKLORE, I* FOLKLORE FLORIDA
FORM O. TEXT OF INTRRTIMONEDITED,
LIFE MID 90E08 OF OLAV1T
UllaWasloiter, inforwmt
larbara 1141 Dorsey, Sebring
ausioal and quite interesting. At this aon 'other seaked
tired and reotsd for aouent with syea closod. do on spoke
until she shook aar head ,rict ot)anod hear °jest
you IihJ dA,Aistio: oho ,Lo1:ods -nd told 4.)r iat it
pleased 411, vory nuoh.i then ao4„:d if ax) wort) Are, and Iswaid
want to root but Jae laid s No uts'a,A4 hit dc' t astrah Ur*
41,
me to talk bout e ole d_-,qs, loves Ut2
Then ah s:?oko alu o: II.% in elaverws
1 Us had z;ood olothos Um days too. Aeb'c,_ not so fAnoy
lie *hat dey got now, an not 30 Miley nuther. Our closes dey vas
made fur weariu an dey waah ui
weave our clothes. Soneti,..ee we
iota too. Us spun
eips om with yurbs
cotters au
berries,
din? TW fur our beetle dresses us A.d dot, Aoet4 y jue Croy
doy aad e full eald to our shot tope.A.ostly us
had ntoesen ',Then us nece. S1. 1
She paused and lifted up the tin.soan-suopisors then she
pissed a pinch or snuff in her cheek, then carefully Aped her
lips 71th her gay .11dkershief. After that she foldod the hand-
kerehief levin2ly ,n4 tucked it back: in tht front of her dress so that
went barofoots but
its gay border _t:_de a brizht splash of sober on th grey *alio*.
Us allus -*anted store eboos, we hoard 41 lot mom
we saw them Missy Mary had, pea oasis when I get to be a..vorklu in do
big house. Massa he bruits us a pair o real store shoes, yos,Mistiso

IPA WRITERS PROJnT OF FLORIDA
POLILLOAL 401 POLALORSYLORIDA
?XT OF IBTERWIRW.UNSDITED, page 10
Lin AND 3030S Of 3LAYLRY
liaalitor, informant,
real shoes. Misay nary, ehc aay I us too good a Girl not to
have a pair, she continucd sorioutiky, an nistis, cloy wus jus
as shiny es a lookinglass, day suah wuspheoshesehee and Moth*,
gigLlod likv a 6iri.
Us wt4r iittl on bout nhcone tcc, nor
lenuos ae:ciou rioollou nit. Veesum, it zo
u good Masse, 0,00,
rinrt cheeses, o,o,o,
hies soft *bosses, 0,0,0,
Lang Mia cheeses, opo,o,
Len stah foots feel good,o,8„0,
Aif dam shoses, cot's*
Ahother sant,this iu AiGu voice 4ee aa. 4th more)
of a sini;song without emphasis. Allter Jais a41:ort eh* shook hot
skirts and settled herself more eomfortably in her chair.Then
a soft peeping arouse and *other started guiltily. -7141 nbled
around Witt OUQ -Ad anally pushed :orwurd Zrou uuder her
voluminous skirt a small box *covered with a ooft Alto cloth.
This sloth moved Gently and then I picked up the box and
placed it in aothees lap, knowin4; fairly well what it held.
Mother lifted the cloth ,Ind up pepped six downy yellow heads
with beady black eyes. nother talked to the chicks LA a low
crooning voioe and Lovored them with her hands and they liunodiatoly
UOVIDIO 4UiOto

WtA *hITERS PROJLOT OF FLOAnk
FOLKLORE, is; FOLKLOR7,. FLORIDA
FORM O. TEXT OF IATERVIA1,111UDITED. pas. 12
LIFE AND SOWS IN 3LAVIZillf
!MLA LAMM. informant
Barbara B.Darsoy. Sebring
I Whon us -wore thossos,"rosunod *other, U3 had to wipe
ea off fasts den rub arease into en an roll on ur. in a oloth an
k_op an 1.43od when wc took em off. iffon we didn't -.L7::Icr out a
pair dey went on to nothor chile whut nuded erns
L'a had a Ohuroh bent mile off ?um de eicrin but
me didn't hub no 2retAbbor such, hit too fur to oo-le reesl&r. Vo
PIP
allus pray on sing, an pray aa sing. iliggalt7, do plantation
built at (Jhuroh too outer log.. it wore a L,.7foe ntoo," said
Mother ..H:.entiy•
then folks died or it aarried oolaetiz.;- eey hEd to
'volt tar c. lone tie fore de asrvice be. Juz, A„ht om an
Wry an, or dm,' it narriods den Aebbo bon, ti -c c.ter.e.e prohor
sons an preeeh de ooreaoay. Mostest de couploc .;us jump over do
broom stisk, don doy &orris& Us all a.mo out in de cioz.rin
an sing and pray an shout, don Un.1. slob, ho brin6 outon do broom
an bolo it tar do niggahs to jump, don doy aarried an later Won
a proashor soa. doy git n_m to 6iv4a ceremony too*
Coffins made right on de plantation too, unthin fancy like
day have now, but doy good an strong an keep out de bags an do
satin aniailose said 'other 411a.no do woddins an do tanorls us
allus 'malt our chooses too jus as koorful like* g

MfilliiirifallitflEoPrtege
FORM Co TEXT OF rNTERV/EW.UX6DITED,page LS
Lin MD nOMOS or fIL:ITAIT
ELLA LASLITER,infer.t
Barbara D•pareey, Sebring,
litew den heah an a *wag we easter aline 0.nz at Is weddin
for de funeral, didnt nal:e no *iffarnee vtlehs"
Bold Anthers
and then she her body sideways, or from left to right,
and waved both hands in tine',
NOB, NO. FATHER, you outer be dove
To carry de ARNT ovals
ij, Brotlihip WO outer
To curry do Asia o-o.vch
OH. HO. 4E4.'2,4 YOU OUTR B. !MRS
To earry de ARM! Wish
OH, HO, AI AOTHAH TOU outer h4 cre
Ta tuary da Army 0-e-VAh
OH, HO, bring ALL 1)14;
Belp earry de ARAI e-v•a41#
Mother 11.1i1 sun e thiD A.th visor and =wheels. Certain
parte oho esaph4ssieod particularly as I have aadeavored to show
with capital let74 re. Aunt Ella 8.7.amea at eno time Lbent tO
pia is the song, but after a gall) or toe gavo up the
straggle and morel)? kept Jiiai with heads and feet.

WPA WW/TERB .pitOdhOT OF FLOATDA
FOLALORS1*J POTALOAS. FLO'ia.DA
PORN 0. TEXT OF INT2RVI.: UMSDITED,pagold
Lin AE 30398 OF .cLArtflY.
LLLA LASJ/TEE. inform:%nt
Barbara BeDuroey, Sebring.
As Mother paused a knoeL was heard at the bask door, then the
door was opennd and a aa.all arkie boy eamo in. Ho looked startled
when he saw me, but stood his ground and finally ;31urteds
I '1.--h-h.-uhut kin I do fuh you Drammai.=at 8
Moto r smiled 1:intly and repllads "Aow rust thing
you. ft:1 de wood box an den .end up de !Iola. r3n I tells you
whut else: ao ton tho little bo7 3ot rAietly nbo t ais work. and
Mother resumed er lifo storys
I was raised a taptiat, Le% ue all were caueo our Maass
and Miai7, dey Baptist an ie tollersd em. But now I belong to do
esnotitied Christian Church an 1 nos happy dart).* ahe looked
around at the windo;i as it lo:4;inc, to u ve her Ohuroh.
Senetimos maims Georg*, he let PJ niahr; apseo to de
biE hauls when a preacher come dere. uot ua riL;ht in do big roes
what had de bigc,os organ you ever saw. Missy nar; he could
play hit too an wake de seeetost musts,* e.id giatir reverently.
414 allaa be a, still, till once Vuele gala, 113 o't. so happy he
V8 Set a-shoutin an he souldn't stop. Us all thow;ht dat Massa to
mighty mad, kvst be jus laugh% at %isle Caleb, an
bat wid a red &rick yaLler hat ribbon to hit too, au ius Uusie (410,
proud don, Whoo..o.sm, he sus.' ezelained Mother who seemed quite
happy herself at the pleasant reeolleOtiost4
-ivod his a big

wPA WR/TERS PROJECT CF FLORIDA
FOLALORS, 19; FLIDA.,
PO2M O. TEXT OF TAT-22TIET. UnDITUD.
pais 16
LIFL ABC 305OS
IILLA DA3e4TER. ILL
Vrbsrs R.Dareoi, 3ebring.
44,
Just then Nubbe, no the little Negro's na:io pved to be,
,reported that ho had conpleted his work.i;:othor told hint" Now
you pill aIl de wati,h buckets on da baeL poach i den dis hers
pitcher, an den you goo° hone."
Then hc contiimeat l'i4&9aa tuk good of..re o 1.1 his slave..
Mo 11k,:, ea all be well, whut good wuz a sick niggah to ant
Re had u 3 to leak, zo he ziv us olant to eat an -.;or, an Mossy
Mary oho az):3: roun em or,binl often an Live UJ dose.o cstor
oil," said Mother ii311 %lth a Jr;,. face. Lrfon cn.,oy do shillens
be eilin ahe gived de a do oil na soaciti,.13s c7_1(Laul too. Nee,helehee,
coneti_ec us little niggahs trios it 'fie11 Zoc.1Ji it der* wid
*at castor oil, but hit done wk. Iffon dey been sick day suah
tAce de oil, laighed Mother.
"SosetiAs my Manny she go out in de W00,:iJ ui dig de
yurbs,an she bile en up an we all take date Hit alch a biAtah deo*
but hit halP Use Woubdult bs so ailin auhsolf now could I git to do
woods JAn tine dei yurbs an fin on up. Whut kind o yurba wish dl;?
well now I cant zaely rensulLor septin de esesarras sooVint day
Inas others an ay Mamay Ohs bile am all up together." Mother earefulty
explained..

WPA A1Ik pimujin Ok Yu4XADA
POLU•ORE AIN POIAbORS4 PhOR1DA
?OM C. TUT OF VITERVIZ4. UNADITZDopego is
Ait13 BONGS IF :LAVERY.
E1LA LALVAii141.11e4hAla
barbara D,DarsoY, 54441-Ags
IlAwas ob do laiggalis Lllua hab do haid-aohip. Asthia anal'
ts do bout that ese dey don* throwod out day hLA.:. &ere do birds
fias kit an lino AA &watt no wander den aifizahastnids aeheseas
aevah do dais, Uistiss* Mother 'mutts:led act seriously.
*not 0 ti0 40 Imov a viLitcr couln cluet to *ifs roosters
dey :sun do houet an cro4 crow. After, ono e oa *tun on
CO ..'ront $t.Op o[ow itic at daylight dAl As know bUck
trouble is *Gain in.a hurry. 447-int do nutnin I jus ho
a watohin zn a 4-itin. acme de nig,;aho to burn
grimes si hag Lrese. or bettor `Tatter i.Uen you iflit nit
right on d it7,4,1 le sunk) aers do b.d luoL ,-',4ayip but
ay Mammy sh:.;5.J d tot do no gook hut U3 alluo try nit
when do ola rooster oros on de stelT, et daylihtt*
aothor Irqrsed reached for the eine:Adore then tootc
another jnch 0'1 anuff. Ithen asked about the Oars and at it*
nentiou Ihe vac, ;1.1stint14 alert;
',hut dey stouter a_4e dat 4ah fur? Ail ua ni6Lahs bappy
sa had good scro• Lottern cut Bil100 dat Maw. Sat Ih hit
Oloaod an mint 7',verthing. 4assa Oars* ho wonts and Little Massa
Georges he ient. na 7ot shot though as atter while he eimpd hose
to stay fur 11 so thin on weak vn sisk an a.opittin blood Wier.
O Tanaos shot kin in do aids. he 4mi:it hardly goo a

WPA i.E/TERS FF:0.7i.CT OF FLOLIDA
POLKLORX FOLLLORE.FLORIDA
FORM O. TIM OF INTL:AVM. (31„AlITXD.Fago 17.
LIFE AND 7,0NOS or AtAVERY
ELLA LASZITER. IAT
Urban SpDareey, Osbrin4;.
She p
u.sd .11(1 h.:A* ::yee flacheds Jus or Ole lit,tssm
let, he tole filially Mrys Don* let elem Yankeo gagers git de
Millen. Look en a/1 uo, blaok an white, oauso de:4. sager* ccah
take am Jaren dey oml 4irl den but hit sash
scared moo us all thou, -,ht dam Yankee eo ere out c',/ shillens hose
heeshee..
"One day a whole bAid o Yankee =gore roec up
to de licAe. Missy done hid lo boo sqver under e.e tell szoke
Itousel but us all 10airOde De3 riL;ht nice mc.non )ollte too.
said
Doy Ali, day hongry an ask Rise' Mr:ry roah roor.7. zhe tell
am she rewl a*. an den the went; to de illtOlon At
JaMpoy to cook a let o biscuit an fry ham all cies. ut Jimmy
eke mad as a wet hen an ogy sill wont do hit. Nevi talk
like dat to atesyng UAW& an dat roaired us too. Den Missy
Mary she get mad too an ealdt 'You cant uu II kilt, you do
*hut 1 tells you right now. Den pore ole Aunt 411 —pay Aae
stied an she grumble but 3h o hetd n gook toii de m Yankee
suers.
"token de aeal ready. ai857 Nary, stld to ea jus as
pelitellent you ktaasiaau some into Is diuin Toole De7 all ease
saps
in wit day 414,4 eft on Icy swat did eat. Atter doy eat all day
'tat d.y thaliked t e.y nary an redo away.' Mother sighed and a

VIA MMUS PAOJACT OF FLORIDA
POIALORE sel FOLKLURE.FLORIbA
FOAM 0. T.iXT OF INTERVIEW, OBSDIT4D.
FADS As
lin AND gONO8 IN !MAURY
ELLA LAorITE.R. ISFORMAIT
lirboaro lOarsops,dolowlag4
uotior sing a little song dual% lit bout de Yankee
segos, lea goo *ow iffon I sae rosolles hit.' she suabliod $0
boraolf for El tem monentsiotado several false starts tam she
image
Wo good Wino,
to de Yankee it you
Whnps 46 whups do hup
naps do hups do hup
AO zot hoofs an horns
‘fitteh you malt you bersygP,
_Whups do *imps de hup
Whups do Mums do hup
SOO he rifts does de big road
Satoh you slush you boru*o,
Whu s de 'stops do hup
Whops do whops do bop
Do Good Ghia,
0 de lank.* it you.
Onupsde *ups do hop
iihupsdo wimps do kg,* II
1119o4 allots soars do &bilious as make ma babas's day
eaplalsod Mother ilia proudly* °Ma aunt be all de sae wavisii but
doy alibi? auk Ilk* kW

WA ODIUM PROJLOT OF FLORIDA
POULLORD Ito FOLKLORE. FLORIDA
FORD 4, INNS OF mum'. ONSDITSD4Page
&IFS AND $ODOM OF BLAU=
SAILA LA88/TER. INFORMANT
Roxboro SA Damn Sebring
Atter a ainate or tee DOthor Sala ressitod Ass sump, All
this while Aunt 261a had been sitting spelle.bound apparently, and
had oven forgotton the sexing in her hands.
Xassu George eons heat sesiotines durin z1e leA. Is
atlas be so tired and look 1110 thin en hongry, an has 01000 OD
ragged. hit alluo salLo MVO' Mary pry, Masaa 900r6s 'say Lissy
/levy &akin out fine rid de plantation while he awcy. Lanetines
Ms sit out on de zallery an all un nigzahn weak by E.4.1 boy an
serape bofeah his as dat yleso,hia too.
When di Wsklusz °fah. he mood hone an tole us we IS
all tree niggahs an ean go where we please, or kin sta with
Maio Rost o ne 3tayed right there, where aloe we zoo 7o set as
other hone. exelained Mother, duo bout do olosa ob de 4ah.
I got **trio/ an went bask up in aeorgy to live. Xtasy Mary ear I
mak, a g ood wife souse I a good gin an Loarnt whut he ir.,atiod
a* to, I learnt to esir 'Nal neat and good, an to soot an clean
boao410# den t** I took oar* nosy Mazy, an brash her hair till hit
an tin up her elieso an he hos (WOOD top, 8h* *rued uhea 1
married an moved away an she says' lily.' she smilus *all 6,18 1117#
*saber mow ohile you allus got a hone heah leng'as I lives.
Itten it se be dat dat dire olives dons treat you right you *pas
right haat huh.' 1 laugh an tali ho? 'gamma bat 1 koreJiv**

i RZ1tf.; FROUOT /14,41,IDA
POLAII0Ra 19; TOLKLOhli. ;A,ORIDA
POUR 0. TEXT OF INThRVi. hi.DIAD. page 20
LarzleND SOW 5 0? 6LAV,...AT
ILLA 1..1541Lat. ikhdituAAT
BlArLera D,parsey, Sebring.
an he nicch too. Se died after se marrisc ewhilo an dat
Errted, now i riM 1 See, had 3 Q La= yo oz,int aeallu4r uhishun
next,* said 'other with lauLhter. *Oh yes, don I Elc?rriod Louie
Davis, den adSrownen se eounted then solemnly on her slim
h4own fin,ors. ad, he wui. a suah fluff good ni6;th, v.Aut &ttor
awhile us jug cotaldnit LAt long so he vent of!!. No, 7r,it, no*
4, Lot dat wrong, sex to Louie, 1 aarriod dondereon Martin, he
long t411 blus4 man with a taco what nevah ialkAed none, hut
he %%vs d i4r LuabLn eiri,ht. Lien 1 m _sled ;14 browns an after
he eent of t-,_lorIL oomed dat outhlase Sherman balhitert an sours,
1 rear:1:id hing4 said tiothere
So ,us no zood, nuthin but a tra ai t 4,1dd sham he
run oti an lef Me Of glieth‘,tr ookld rAL 'eni,:f showing
in her twee anCtue Ark of her aouth: and oxeli4mA with a loud
sighs Aueb hopes to !;:it Al nut.1;Ir ono .;:or:,J levos die hear
wettle That was too such for Aunt Ills, who drOp-ed her work
3traped her ret an 3houtiWi "'raise fis muoh rigor&
kavinz fin,lly dsoidod to divide tnu vandy botwoon the
tee old arenas, But to wait 11,All I 7a1 about reaeiy to leave
Won, presont4n it, i alip?ed soao loaves from at note beck
and wrapped a small portion or the sandy with them. I think Mother
Mils, saw no do this hut she ands as segment. .unt was agailA

SSA reSITARO PROJEOT OP FLORIDA
FOLZLORS.114 FLORIDA
?ORA 0. TEXT OF 'NUM W
ta
LIFE AND &MOO OP 3LAVIshr.
MLA &ANIMA% INFORMANT
Berbera Nslarsey. Sebring.
'intent upon her sewing. She wind oentinued to nevi angrily about
the house Aad the day wax growing darker as the afternoon advaa04141
I thought perhaps Nether was really mere tired than she Oilplalailifiji
would admits even though she dtd net leoh at all fntiguedo se
I deelited ts give the sandy then as it aiii.ht rest -ad refresh her
a eat it. Se I presented mash with their little 2ackageta awl
**eh old daVkle eoloaely asseptei ita wrapped it carefully in
kmadkerromots and pisieed it saeetully in LA:3 front ot their dresses*
Shea each thanked no kin,lys and Meth.: resumed h,ir tulks
*post
94,014 1 den. tele,you all I kin think bout right now
sisals. Urea kin think up enny sore Doug° sic 1111 Utak
send *ante Nee in to toil you so you kin oasis an.hoah den •Seaskoes
tee. de &doe you laireeted in de life eb a ela nIccah ink neap°
end again Sbe lauched delightedly.
9 thanked Mother Elks nest sinserely for her klaftess, this
I made plans to oft11 on At Ilia soon for her life history. I had
risen free er chair and was About to leave when Sather spoke again'
eShileo4 said she in evident onsitosout. I got author mai
In ay held. sit dove nov tries' you wants: honk hit.* Ofsouree
.es glade oar! got out say note book again.
9 New die one us aster gam somakia is de riad 411
INolim kit immt jus this 'we

LIP'S AND Su/Wel/..iLAVI;EA
ALLA LAS3IT&R. INFOIdtALT
Dark...ra
6 heein in de oaks field
A rewmo-erip 4 h
W hocp-pa-IL.-hupo oe-
eer
chopAn 111 :IC ce:,ton
hoe-e-qr
hoep•pu.14..-huN G•spr• 4
WU WRITERS PRO•VOT OF FLORIDA
POLRLORS. 119; POLKLORR.FLORIDA
‘1, 4;) LATLIVI,4• OA.DIZAD.
FAGS :.4•1
's hi a 11, aonc, corn in f14:1thers old ih
V01.46 h mdi bird-liLte; tone thet was vic,aainge
part -;:c.o pc.rtiouLAtly i:.ocented tut the letters -31paratel
were lone; drawn out.
After thim orts 4otlasr reall7 dic %ire& Skim
Yawned nucelj ,4-AfL si„hed 4o:',1y11 7,ut be6;ed r,o ;urn aeon
to sae
g I be a thinkin up den songs an de lia ahz.a I us
a Slays, to tell yea said she.
ton, mlftlr mcking rare that Ole little iri,J;.1 had
weed and thct 4-.L15 two old dtrkise were oeutort.L1., I bort
them, coUrful re:tinders et tnmt lon6 lemt ();:'tr otthlande
aud aado ay wayeot into the wind .mrt unot of 4.!10 17te afternoon
to le%.nt: ay way honeward timer to tranAeribe nor notes on thios
intereztinnL4f ouid Songs of Slavery.
;12IIIIIte111

WPA WRITERS PROJECT or FLORIDA
FOLICLORE,LO: FOLKLORE,FLORIDA
INFORMANT1Q NAME Ella Lassiter. col.
INWORMANTIS ADDRESq Tangerine st"eiebrinr.
Pia.
DATE or INTERVIEW i1/26-211 h/4/ 1%0
NAME Or INTERVIETFR Ma.fbar& ispsey
FORM D.
EXTRA COMMENT
STATE FLORIDA
NAmi. or TNIER Barbara Mauro',
ADDRETI 33 Soutk Comyeeroe Aveaue. brinr.Flortla
DATE Tymintoommletea_on manuivrint. Mav 9.19h0
NAML ADDREsS o- INrOPWANT Ella Lassiter. centenarian. oglored
Tangerine t•
Sebring, rlorida
quBJECT LIFE AND SONG1 Or SLAVERY
/NTERUDIARY:
No intermediary was required as wrrker has known Mother
1-3.1a. for a nu0,-,er of y, an. Rowever as Mother has not be n real
well or some time, vorker firlt questioned her daughter, Annie Mae
Warren, rexcrding the feasibility of interviewing Mother. Annie
Mae was p1ee.j that her Mother was consiriered of such i7portaBell
and rYt•itert hat hr ii!other would be happy to see -orker. Then a
definite ti y: A-aB at for th, oalls.
TEXT OF INTERVIEWS:
Text is given verbatim. Three °ails ',tore made, the last two
were of minor importance -rith rexard to text, being Ile rely to
reokeck on dates :in:i other points for aocuraoY,
therefore subjeot

WPA WRITERS PROJECT OF FLORIDA
FOLILORE,19; FOLKLOREarLORIDA
FORM D. EXTRA COMMENT, page 2
Lin AND "ONGS Or SLAVERY,
Ella Lassiter, informant
Barbara B.Darsey, ebring.
matter is treated as one inter,iew,without reference to the
minor. calls.
Songs are-rrittcn just as thy wre tvith an
attempt at realistic spelling of iylii.1 as they sounded when
ming and which were used in on in place 0! spas words%
To show emphasis capitol letters are usld, vlso hyphens to
imAcate a slurring or lonT drawn out sound (2)-' letters.
Worker has endeavored to use *,;rue Negro dialect, just
as Mother reala, spoke. Tilt! 1.1 ra-ther hard to transcribe at tines,
therefore l ny doubt or misunderstanding should arty° over
words ag spelled herein LIFE AVID 104G1 0 LAVERT, worker will
be glad to give additional inrormation in order to clarify matters.
Mother Ella offered to think over her lie and to have ready
exptri noes
soon other espeaeteases an songs therefore it might be well to
follow ur this case with a ::61,11 at a later Aate.
000000

HIP*
IPLOPIDA PWW.,T
First lora C. submitted 5/10/40
AlrvNnAt
rouLonE, 19: roLIIITtorliorroA
INTOPMANT21 NAME 'Qin Lummiter._ oentenLplua.00l.
rlro '-A'T' AnnPIngftallt-2.6.16-21bILDE&E.1921.12
nitTv or PIT7PVI June 111,_ 10k0
”iwv Or T"TvPVIT.7nit Durban' B. Durser.
FORM C.
ADDFNDA tii torm 0 Previously submitted.
Tali or ITTTFRVIET (UNFITED)
5A7.r 07 MPICEIR Narbara B.Dar sr
ADDPVq-1, 53 8,0ontwoo Arta, 110r1r4,01011,4,k
_INACktaaallga_19h9
MTRJIMT ADI7NTIA; LIr7 Irma!, TT!
•••••••/1011.111.••
ql,AVERY
Alqn AnnRrfr, ITIMPPANT Mu Lassiter, Tanterins qt., qebring, fritt.
On the occasion of my 'previous interyleure with Mother rllu
she hp4 oro,imed to "dud! Other songs, storits, (mArlenoes of
her li!e in slivery, and nq oftvs tork 'mob ttn interest in my work of
reoor4inq !lere life story, rrl nuoh pride in !ker life in alsvery I
felt that oorli,knol errrotime when I sow her again she .,,ight have some-
thing in mind. qeverul othor informflnts hove so pro,Aeed, 1110 -hen
I ()oiled mor them agnin oould not reon17 ,,nything thersforo I had
not 'Installed to vi,gt Mother ril, 'or this rurooss, though her
intertsting nersornlity r,n1 oolorlbl hi-tory vim often in kl7
Though it 41414 no lotor thn moven 0o2ook in the orning
the nun s faresdy ehining and its 2.414tt was intense to, when a
2667,j

WPA FLORIDA IBITERNe PROJECT
TOMMIE, 19.; TOLICLORE,TLORIDA
ADDENDA: TORN Co MT itrfrinuw (U14Fra'rrnPAGr 2
LIFT AND MVOS /N 9LATTRY
Ill Lassiter, informant
Barbara R.Darosy, 5zebring
a rather timid knook sounded on y door. QPentag it I aaT a tiny
negro boy with ragged cap in hand. His big brown eyes, us he lookel
up at me, held fright, nevertheless he stood his ground stanchly
and stammered:
-or-ar-ar Oram.mer-ma, sho
soma..w...1 come ovah soon. e-s-ithe g-g.got mph songs fonh you.'
I oould not place him as the grandmon of any co!' my old
negro frinnAs in the Quarters and his faon was not familiar so
relustantly asked his wpm. (1 say reluctantly because I do not like
to ask the novena thnir n,mes it -1snys octants to hurt their feelings that
I do not remember n1 of thtm from the days of TERA for they all seem to
know so t all timee). This boy's nnws proved to be Many but tht was as
far as we ,,et rid it did ittle good. Then !4 his arand-o,heres
Nage NO all he Gould tell vo wale
°Juts Oram-wer-ma, mnam."
He "WO NO tiny that it did seem incredible that he had been
°hoses nor such an errand, 'ad still more incredible th.t he had been
able to sucoesefully mnkt the long trip from the Omarters down Lemon
'treat and then through the intricate right-ongle $00,1 end semicircular
tiorn* of the other streets until he reached v prrtrytt on ',truth
Oommeree -nd matal too,
r here he was Ind we ntood looking At sack other

WPA Fil)R/DA 1R/TIRR1 PROJECT
FOLKLORE, 19: FOLKLORE, FLORIDA
*MENAI: 'ORU Cs TiAT or 'WTI/VIET (tRPD/TrO)PAOF 3
ur7 Aur) lomol IN rILAVTNT
rlIa Lassiter, iweormant
Ra7bara B.D:rany, Isbriog
in speculative silonoe 'or v 111,1 enooade, Then, liko q nosh, it
**me tf) TM' that on my last visit to }'other Ella a little boy, somewhat
larger had run in Jolting:
"nut kin I do tuh you Orammer-ma?"
and knowing that 1.,obably faw ohllIren kn.*, bor rum., all would, know her
daughtor AAhle *too I asked ninny if aramsmor-ma had a daughter named
Annie Mae. if. grinreti from ear to ear with a display of fine lsv.ge
white teeth nnd said
sfgoefouw she eenh babel
I 1 -now_ then it was Mother 111a, true to her promise,
who had son for me. 1' thnked ninny and gave him R PonnY Ifhlah ha
elasped gratefu:lv nnd tigh,ly in a grimy paw and then told him to
tell Mother Ella that I would see her fhiring the afternoon. Ninny then
turned and ran almost down stairs in t'AR haste to spend the tronnY,
OUrrellio
nes pressed however for 2 had several engagements
in line of other phasoe sr! my work, qnd these t4lways, require lots of
tine Arri uoh rattan*. or people rarely are pumatillous rf4carding
each annointments. as indeed eager to oall on Mother Ella for she
had promised to "mine more gongs and Notaries, aort she is indeed an
interemting ohn-noter. The ve-y feat that he had triken the time and
trnuble to remember other /Wets, end to seri 'me word presaged well for
interesting information.

WPA FLORIDA IRITERos PROJECT
FOLKLORE, IQ; FOLKLORE, rLORIDA
P*or It
ATTIRDA: n'OPY C. TTX7 70171R7IYr OXFTITTD)
Ella Laositer, informant
Barbaro B.Darsey
The dny inded aragcod, everm.lo 41,-, 71 t ep me waiting
an illimitsble while, hut metimnee, i found that work
a000mrlished, and then thoult it mn.s plmost five oolook I mode my
way over to -Mother rilm.
Thourh the sun WAA °waling down the western sky, it Was
"still very warm and LOMA eireet Wu, unumu-fily rviet, its len7th
almost deserted. 'Ever the broad front gallery,XAMSAY of tbe grocery,
which
at Lemon ,4re Tange-ine qtrerteils ustrily crowded -04th a good-,natnriod,
laughing, singrl.ng, threng of dnegles, was empty, ave.for a couple of
neffro,.!s intent on entering ,nd lgwrint the tore. The Quarters, in its
entirety seemed hushed, and therhent hum like e pall or thlok blanket
tve-ywhere.
As I OPM0 near Mother's oott-kgs, r thought of the little front
veranda !tartly Shaded by the neat olepnder tree* end T wondered if it
would be 000l there and if Mother would be Rble to be sitting on the
porch. Involentarlly I quiokened my steps 4sorite the heat. As I
entered thq situ T saw Mother rile sitting extol rnd oomforteble on
the porch cutting Rnd fittinv quilt squares. ohs roolomed we giRdly
and graoioualy as is her ownner. This time she was ftbio to stand and
walk to the soretn 1oor of thrt ploroh %it bade me be sef-ted in a
oomfortable old evil? fq.ni then resumed her eeat but she 'laid aside
the qualting to talk more reaAllF.
'tressed in her usual *attune of stiffly starched grey collo°
with white'npron and bertha, lone full sleeves, and high tight nook,
alon.v 'with heavy stockings hirh shoe, :And tightly wound faded milk
bandanna, one would think ehe might have felt the heat. nowever she
really looked cool and she remarked that she felt the hot weather very

very little. Old YotlIfir
TPA yriournA mrTips PROJFV?
?OrAtnilE,19; IPOLICLOWT,TLOPIDA
Aor.oi-nnfi: 111RD r!, '''Frr TirrIFFOTT"(1 °I."1:7))
7140F
inrormnt
W-rbe.re 11.1r4,rsey. Sebring.
ao5A T arum so quickly ild
she hamily 01-14`i! tt)et senor. bag or oonkles *hilt' I brou-ttt her
-n1 hifejliittLy=A-= olvt It-rt,o,i to tliiko
*Hoeybes,bee, !aft:mottos 7 10.4.0 you I 'mind' some moah em
oil fmnW4 PP Om,* f.n le like. Today I boon q..enttin rivht boob on its
gallery a turin dem 17i -ea nv' I n rn,h mind, jus lel I lid 174a night
too., 'eem let oltwetinm .f.,asiber dem thinvs h”re!r, iong sigo bettern
nbut T Inns in Aorw
'The 1.02,191 hr 'ycs -n1 flutters(' h-tr Then bo
fx.r7,11 rt.1 f-fln1f-ifmtett broarr strew,' of tobs000 iloa str-if•lit
trtc .v r...flan.-ousrA dor.
"T w00% fam led ninny foun youh house al ight. Fre my he
kno- -1,'r vi 11,. I seen hlm m-runlill) by 1)11 I osuAld him un 140=1
him to tt1' ,oe tr imn ovah t'hen you Could. ra acme ri::ht bulk
too in 01,ft mo iron heph its st-totnoo'n. Whoo-c-9-rz, he stub aus
rreml 0 thqt univ Iron frlyn hi', bon,hensbon,* f-nd Vothar Ella
three,' her 1,0;e4 in re”1 of silvery Itiuliter.
Then millnnly lorlouq Ala avid:
•Wel:i now, taints, y don; that 0iorm us utter play in
11rfAry flays. osvne foic, nos, it Ius be way yonder morcin flit"!
year ago. nese: 'glut I tuikin bout:* rth ezol: tried, "it vrein seventy
five vosr I mu2 jun v 2ittin ohilo dam dye.
%they rile
eft
A AAA0 an m(d mli htly boinidsred And
monrtereti I- she he! forvottun 1.1 she rt- wed to tall moo hut I
made no nom-nt, m rtly 'or hr to gptak. ghe ynaned taloa,
taintamtentlitimmales

rPA PLORIDA WRITIRP, PROJVCT
rOLICLORE, 19: FOLW4ftsYLORIDA
AUTIENDA: l',OhM C. Tlrf Or VIT4tViEW
(UNrITTFP) PW: IL
E37 Lrenitnrain'or,I.nt
fl rbsro 11.narany, r''bring
then. whook hnr head ihnrply if to rftt:c hnr tra1/1 into action.
'And then gbie baRan
"Dix bn'tb gwalcs T nembero wus (Jailed 'Little Chicken.'
Us q line ur an *hone two.ogrein, ion um count all in boys an Tirle
ow o 'h noel old*. Aftwe lilt 11A !-3.1 gvig ”-holt 0 Marta or nbirt.
t,nile 4n lit be biml cur oneln• priA c two opTeino coy face each other
5n Iwy ging: IT wyolta chiok, I wrints 4 chick.' Den do first say:
vr will h0., PI -chick', ,n As) o-hcr ea,
vou (mint hob mine.' Den fin fluat CA401111 maY:
'Tell T will bnh one.. ger iP or akty too:
"tell T will hat one.' (tan ley 1-oth may to day *hi ke:
!Littlei obiok you 'leo')
Keen ol000 bahino
Iothla kin katah you
Ween on to lin0.41
Den %Is 911 run 7-1 A0dae evah w7hors ;JT1 try to °stab do *Joke of de
°that° As min qctsh am firs ilrang 0111 tOour oariln who dowi
mark big circle on do grouo wit P atok A%i put we indo oirnle an
day btft ,try here too, Woxolni.led !$otbor with ?world* in her
yes. Here she rclueoi or m generous rinnb of enter before sesuming the
g..
*Shen us oatoh mbick um in it*fTle wong:
ephick.ee-e obinki-eeTe,ohlok-e-o-o.
*tt wink.
oblok.welim
Aint yuab
nen us oarry ouib ,11r to de (-Joplin un put It in de Acr ring.- After
mos all bin cuunurts, le ("opine tukr stink un rub on '140 ohlok nook
say toy killin dut chink. Ds 1fts of* to elt'hi- bo,fd, out off is ds
row ftwrigw_ Anv smith P int n run-in roan in de ?lair roah every

771,A noRrnA ITITER0 Inwror
POIALORY, 19: romonE, 7100RIDA
ADDENDA:
PORN. C. TFIC? OW n) rAGF
N17,c. Lassiter, inrormont
aarbara N.Mromy, !.bring.
MIMI want bet do onnin. Der us oount out agin dis do way us
'punt: 'Iltiokea, ormenhickeo two, ohiokee,thres
You my littlo 'hie:kris he. kn *tionver lf oount fall on
lit ore bo 11 otilk ohow.n, .11st ono ourin 1.
de other count,
Dan 'Iortt us oetohes ohiokm de new titre us 6-11 (sing:
Chiok, &taker, nhes.se
Iell hay me w ohlokrc fonh mot ornsti
Chlok, ohlokne, dkiOker-oe
rell °etc* Mrl ft (thicken ro01 moh dinneh.P
0,4tx
mother wlla song this in o mort of 1:A1w-song mnnner
almost imromnihle dew:ribs, and In h1Fh 01111 voice.
6Chir.en right honh on Ale. Arent try to pl-y Int inkI tell
em hut cloy dime lit it r10t. Doss ohillon Aont piny n.ith le svirit
end life lok 4ov ulster. M11004 mehhe 4ey in honrry. no Tlivah hongry in
dos days. de altuo hod rlenty to eat an q21 do ling-= hat niggsh
loves too Lek /wen rone, fl *In meet, ur eyrup, on batter enkra,
an 0013ard croons. LnWilly M141!Oli m hongry It bIld the sikuto
er'eot on me toot
Mothor vil's thouOlta quiokly returned to rimy!
*Dont owe like de 1,py lak I tel you, gist's, It
hoift h'rAor th'n T though it would hr to tvl it riqht. It riyht
in nett nine, ).int. de -words, dont cone out ri,Iht." r hastened to
ftsPOre 't,t4r•+ht it ..5,1 -.1riftht for she
4 rc,ry
*Did us ultnr donosr° mhe quoottoned, elhose.e-e.5.
us sufah
did des days. An 'ley oared me 'dat danoin gal' /then mom* plantation
nimbi' give a rolic) (toy sont 4e 'Ord arounhout three weeks shald time

YLORIDA BRIMS PROJBOT
roLnon, 19/ POLIZORE,FLORIDA
Annlixim: worm O. T7I? O" /t/Tritrirw (wer)iTyn) rites 6
Fain L8401'441,, inforonnt
Barbara B.Darsoy, anbripg
so us all be ready an git Massa to sty we in fliontetime• us walk
fifteen mile* to Is frolic) hut ns.done Tin dot, I never git tired,
nevah know *hut it meant dem tiny* to be tired, often wit*r wonder
bow folks. felt ',ten bliff eel' cloy is tired." Mother heuved great
Sigh eS if she might nal, he -tired. Then she wiped her faoe with
a sloth !Ind wte 111),thr oonkle„ the artornoor was growing a little
Cooler nt few ohillror olt* into the *treat to play.
'I °awry *Pah *Weeps ova h shoulder with the strings tied
T thong% ton manh of then Ohne*** Zr, walk d* road in ft n, Den SU. fore
us 01-11 to do frolic I put an an an walk into is houee an I eunh was oreud•
Didnt wash en long nt de frolic wither. emelt **int tame in en. 'urn
want de other niggnhe to be jealous, heephee.hee," thither laughed
in srereoletion of hnr win vanity. Then she lord dawn rt her heavy
01U007 0,000 nnd hastily drew hole foot bank under her ohair as if
*shaved of then. exclaiming:
yore gnodnose: Misti*. I forgit nhaire I le minit, an
feel* lak bank at de frolic an de** ole *hoes, I swab be Whittled
if T hal to guar Oev. quah had betteh &mese dan dee* here in den
dam'
Again Oh* niffhod donrtly hot bolstered her feelings with a
*onerous rlitoh of ppraff.
*US rluti p danoin gnee like die. no all gilt pahtmere at de
trona, oe”tia on or two without no pahtaere. Der us line u, oil de
Vaster 0 Ceremsay, he *all mat 'You -all Rot pahtnerel an us ill
steal, our fonts n heller: 'Us all MA PA10411,19.9 MU he *hone:

WPA rhORIDA MUM, PROJEDT
romopz, lo: POTALORTOWRIDA
ADVMDA: !POPP C. TTX? Or INTXRVIFW(UNFDITIM) Piga 9
VI 1 Lr t rs in''ornmnt
Dprbmr,k. n.lprsay ltbring.
'You sta,1.1- ftwh
Ill‘trers t -T, I stsal back Again.' Dan us all
bra 1r h-nds sm run noun la row-,
let -h*t dont bob ,ono. "An us
,n pit no+har pubtnar. Anik70 onmobody
11 wiring ur un dovirn do room while di
fid1la riny, den ii swinr roun in u oirolo in stomp our estile foote as
holler!
'Us crot rh*nars.' en de ,,ter he ()Ali rgint
ou"iiluot nithtnars? 1.1 /stela nroun LA done sligbt none..
nen us_ brank hl,nde On itv-1 ,Altuara. in don us swing down di lino
an roun qn roun whilc qc- ?1.4A10 rl,y.
'Wilier re ,r -o100 int s !.!”r1 c jritny lank. otoeJ
into her kind
oil ftyol, -0 nhc -/-11 frolto dividing n doan do 1100
iirsn t voi fr; t rclet, a
baby woronroad.l.ustily, ni w• 101114 !It:in? '114,1 nothwr oroou4ne *antiy
to it,
took
firwr ogr ihlo71.enc ,•!rorwVfe,t thf funeta flr.oto -1
luxurious Must baths in the hot *And, Idly riolring nt 0,4oh other.
Attar v!oth,nr hnd romted rK!! moored her tun
9Unh hemp o fun, 'ro1io,• vs. An 4offietimee fo'ksam git'mad too.
resah wus.no liquor, oFlula vuala r,,kc'uR win-- de l'rcIla if do liquor
brought, but InYr-4-ir04 tntil rit Ito- 4,41 OD. or ORM* rat -nor stole 4nt
a hey think n hapr of, cie v ift Men fight. I merber on- t icy le
a fight, when w0 Ungin in lc kl'-!hc t da big honnes nn. us gals
run ur to hr heok gallury st.irs. Dan day drug 1, niggmk out in do
yard 40y thowht to$A, AT:At hit hl art od to rim. De
dAid 1,iggnb( only h rot &46. lus 1111 uoushus).ba dat hrothvr of de
wnrtr T cifIrr 11.4 (4tt ho six feet tmll an t high
hor vlro Rio C. ly. Mon Slog (!ally saw bar brothab

IPA 'TARIM VOTTURI PROM?
fOLVLORL, 191 FOLKLOHL, FLORIDA
10
ADDENDA: FORM C. TIM OF INTFNvIEW (UPEnITED)poso
Ella Lteelter, informant
worbihau khr1ng
*--laytn there /Ike mho thou ounh gr-i_woyard (toad, she jump own do
'attire vn tuk after dfst nig:gar in grab t fence rail. When mba °ought
ur with him oh, hit him n liok ',hot knock him out too, heemheaoheir, an
oho run beo n earl er hore t sa-h Wil dat finery niggah graveyard. &kid so
be 000sr u- noeeseip,m, 4ae asp% *us na4. Nent nether ono
o em hurt bud ri soon day omok at de frollo."
%thus, otor od to oat vthothtr 000kho. row she mummge4 this
with 0' the eauf'! mbe had uken in her lip, i do not now hut who
did and graeofuny too.
.Stmotimea um /4.1 line up rout &I room F.:: duy NX]ro Or do gale,
emoot oe nthtnars. Day tako rihbvn.tr go ;11 to de one they oboe*. RIS
*SW:
°Ine rir4, 0 baby, I 1-oo-o-ve you
Tois Tart, 0 bear!, I 1...010-0-0,0 you
-tree yard,O, baby, I 14400-0-ewm you
Teeny does tosny tea. teeny 4.46' nen day slam
Vsthor tore oef r a of oloth about a y. rd long *bleb she SNOW
greeted :It onoh end, then held on r gbt ahoulder left kir, th4,11
vie* versa, as she song,
*Us ruPh ler-frolics at Orleans ti*. lipe go %surly on
Inturday right n (tan** -n frolic till good bright daylight Rundty morni*.
gusistimas us twain que!h geo4 tiv0 Uo OhUt 40th :omei viedak 110st SD
u* tun* wbPn 40 dun Skj7, vn oan horn on u.denoin awhile, longer.
R setimee dev 111, u ?,tig dinneh at do frolic. Our Ole Naomi he lastly*, let us
hove foods but some too dilmt. AO put all do food on a ism taue an let
imor004Y mardb by en tOte shut day want. a ham ohloken„ an hey an eke,
thompes-e-es Erma t/ig althea kn paidas.

'EPA nnnInA It1f W4?
FOLKLORE, 14 rDLICAMY, nORIDA
AMNIA: FONg TM' OF INTWiLtr, (Uttrn/TED) PAQE
VIT.4 Tj1"-TTR, Illrf4ANT 1:
l*Vrtylr- M.Dprieys "ebring.
T 1hr wirt 11-•t ohe4tril-Y-t" -ur lir. In tbi abet of
40011 fo6da vnd Nothvr E1 te 0-bnr 000kia.
11.1 opuld fill n 0,111 oloNr de 14.1m Atb mat,* an
.7,00 it on /said fn tt,-ne 1:,roun tin rncl, 111-h ut
Uwe' *Aid Athor Ella seriously, tend nAtted her /load mostly in
retrosttaato sii4 eletr'd 41100'11Y,
w/hen wit h:4 trivia* nt flflfth plantation often MMO4k
tiMissy
oho lilt nur !40*a„ he 00,40 out tn wsteh us Al he allow give ms a
Onartah,tn 4Knea row% with to gloss on nab hpid. I nowah git Um!
I juat dome al1 de i at through, germ lak• I nah it mut.°
Pho 'looked at oo 4toadily for a,Pomont thong
etta ftnot do ole squah (tartan top, none of dot foolish
pranoln Ink day dr nowdayn. WO bed a_fiddleh what oonl4 pall de
sets iif hi q bow too, ohilo, r mann he oould do dat. Hi Nip dvaw his
boo:, a* steal his foot. Pust be *to mp real- loud don he draw his bow
an jus oak dot l'iddlo tan.
8110 had oleo whit. drowns to da trolls too. 'ono riggahs
diant hab good /lose, hut us did In lis.toOk deed ens* 0.40111 too. T107-
nada outor blsaohin or muslin an when us wear om us take es off an
bleash on out aloe whits agin an stranh ow en stiff day Man *lone.
Mhos us go to do trona us s-rvy don us like we did our shoos's,
only us wrop an up 04,414*.W.
Moths*, lookod *bout her and avtin t,e'red out the door as If
Ohs ernsoto4 trouble then she said in a aliAtly lowerod vain.*
.10o0tialsn when us dein to de-frolis on moths, nandation,
derO• be do pat.ter—rolo (petrol) en do road to 'stab do runwoaway

WA FLORIDA FRITLRS' PROJECT
FOLKLORE 19; POLKLORZ,FLORIDA It
ADDI,ITDA: FoRu C. T,XT OF INTERVIEW, (UNEDITED1PAGE
Ella Lassiter, informant
larbpra ROtresy. Sebring,
niggahs. rTs MoMallins
novah run tA"rty, WA too proud an
glnd to be slaves.
re pataeter..role stop us an ask who uo is, dey Irno- us Uovullins alright but
dey ask us de ease, mbnn lhen us aayt
Tus in -Aolallin niggahs," do petwiter..role aaytImell do on
Sometimes other niggahs ilith us mtlke like day is woMullins too, or de
patter -role oatoh dent. Den de Pat..ter...roIe say: Fore de Lave, Is all
de niggahs in le %orl but day by 4(011 gn long wif no. Des
sush was to gdod ols drys, I rather be sieve with my white folks right
now, wistie, den livin lak I is. Dem days us had plenty to sat an plenty
to wear And outhin to worry bout; now all us got is worry, an a few oil
rags an a little food. gill I be proud an thankfu) to eit what I doss,
An speolal so as I dome havta work tar it neither.'
Mother again used her tiniaoangiouspidor, then wiped her lips
daintily on a quilt Wrap ald resumsd her st;o:yt
'Us like to go to Ohuroh too -n aomotithes a preaoher ooms
right to our pinntation. temme see now, I and the °roomed to herself a
moment 9n,J. heat time withhnad tnd toot, "Ais hers song us uster sing
Some time I'll d --1--e
Some time I feel like, feel like,feel like,
I'M gain, cause I'm ole an worn.
Ounii.outoi.oummouw,um-um
Keep a preaoh.i.n
010 man he preaohin,p.saohin,resohin,
Make me feel my time *int long,
oum.bunomoumoumoumwum
Keep a ro114.-n
Ole hearse arollin,rollinoollin,
limo me tat graveyard teens
Oung.ous.oummiumoum-um
Kopp a pullaiin

WPA nORID RITERM PROJECT
FOLKLORE. 19; rommoRrownm
AnDIMAII MEIN Co 111(T or mravIrw(morm)pitoz
rain Lasaltimo
Barbara N.Darvoyo'sbring
lien pull -limn
Olo horse lump •-nullino nulling rullin
Nomohody do -n +0 do Wrloormrd
Sum-ouno-min-qui-uw-tun
Time pint 1-0O-o-ne.g
Make Tie lak moth time slut long
Noon I'LL die (muse I'M olio lin worn
Oum-oule..oum-uolsumwiam-000mseetroo
This gong closed with a long drawn wail. The *stir,
song was sung in a deep mournful voles with a dirge -11k* strain
that hftd •momt unolnny offoot.
'Aid Mother riaci 'Us ulster sin dot at all U. fUnorle
a!", in de Churokhouse all de time. If we diAnt have no proasher.
for de funerl ms sang dAt song anyway. now hooks on. nor* n• sang
!linter Wary dono know trouble ink I mood it
No body know. but OK
Dont nobody know my tronhlo ,only me and
No body knows but Oo4
all 4at r kin toll you, lots o troublo of
No body knows but OM
Plow "n I'll try to tell you
110 hoOy Vrorrs Nit God
rorgit 1%31 rah tro-bIes now in raligion
NO body known but Clod
Ri, nn you'll Muth is Fingal* singin
No body on. but God.
As *other 14114 rosng eh* kept time, with both hrIndso and
oattod her right foot cr.- tho floor. The loot song IMO very sweet
but she did not wlvayle keop to ths a/mo tune, mad ,thou fh ihso mzng
it twine for we, it .1144 lApoeilble to show ..vsh talAstilase

111,0”IDA PROJECT
VOLT:LORI, 191 VOLICI:.ORtr, 111,011IDA
Ann !IDA: mop. C. TEXT OF Pm P unr)xT En)
T'ACIElt
Ella Lnieiter. infortuint
BurboArts B.Dareety. lohring.
After the..ñ monis al:0, *tortes Mother pia rester,. "win
8040 ther trot.:
Pilifitio, I did lines no- her gong ,-)ut It dose seeped eel
nine now. I'll try nn mind tt *owl :41 4it Annie 14411 to word it down
dem Toll he gush to have it. I soot do th,n you fonh de amides,
141.-t, I _,Tt..nted vo like no
in turn 41, rIred Mother El'ir 'or hsr nose
about the *wee rod %tortes, then I told her genet" •Un't 1 et her
sitting on hor little -nroh quietly tentobing (Milt formula.