Lyr Add: Balm of Gilead

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Balm of Gilead
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 21 Aug 07 - 08:35 PM

Herbal Balm of Gilead-

The biblical Balm of Gilead, Commiphora opobalsamum of Arabia, Somalia, etc., also known as Bursera, family Burseraceae has been discussed in another thread, but the name Balm of Gilead also has been applied to remedies from poplars and cottonwoods of North America, Family Salicaceae. Except that both belong to the flowering plants, they are unrelated.

Buds of several of the poplars or cottonwoods have been used as salves or internal remedies. All are soothing, but internal use is questionable. They have some use as an antiseptic salve on cuts and scrapes, but how effective- ?

The salve made from buds of the 'black poplar' of England, Populus nigra, is traditional for aches and dry skin. The 'hybrid' P. nigra x P. deltoides, is used in the Appalachians. See www.localharvest.org/store/item.jsp?id=3123.
In the west and elsewhere, Populus balsamifera (tacamahacca or candicans) or P. trichocarpa buds are used. See www.familyherbalremedies.com/balm_of_gilead.html for a 'how to'.
A description of
Populus candicans here: www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/herbhunters/balm-gilead.html

In the high altitude mountains of the Rockies, chewing the leaves of the quaking aspen, Populus tremuloides, is recommended to allieve altitude sickness. I have used this remedy myself and swear by it.

This family of trees has been subject to reclassifications; I don't pretend to know what names are most used now- a long time since I studied plants in university.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Balm of Gilead
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 20 Aug 07 - 10:51 PM

'jamaica' refers to the rum, not to a place or to a person.
One of the balms of Gilead!

I've got some good old jamaica in my liquor cabinet now. I should dig it out and toast old H. T. Bryant; several of his songs still live in one form or another, especially on college campuses.

There is a Peach Blow farm in New Hampshire, some excavating is being done, dunno what for. Pumpkins are grown there.
Which reminded me that a pumpkin once was used to mother 'stump rum.'

Ah, superb jamaica from Appleton. www.appletonrum.com
Their Estate rums rank with a good single malt (not a 15-year old of course).

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Balm of Gilead
From: Azizi
Date: 20 Aug 07 - 10:12 PM

Yeah, the fact that Massa loved his good old jamaica can be attested to by the wide range of skin complexions in African Americans way back then and today.

Subject: Lyr Add: Balm of Gilead
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 20 Aug 07 - 10:08 PM

Lyr. Add: BALM OF GILEAD
Arr. H. T. Bryant 1861

Oh, we ain't, going home any more,
Oh, we ain't going home any more,
Oh, we ain't going home any more, .....
Down't the peach blow farm.

Balm of Gilead,
Balm of Gilead,
Balm of Gilead,
Down't peach blow farm.

1.
Massa loved his good old jamaica, his good old jamaica, his good old jamaica,
Massa loved his good old jamaica,
Down in Al-a-ba-ma.
2.
Ain't I glad to get out the wilderness, get out the wilderness, get out the wilderness,
Ain't I glad to get out the wilderness,
Oh,   my    lamb.
3.
My old horse he came from Jerusalem, he came from Jerusalem, he came from Jerusalem,
He kick so high they put him in the mus'eum,
Down in Al-a-ba-ma.

Chorus:
Hip! Hip! hurrah!
Ah, ah, Hip! hip! hurrah!
Oh, my lamb.
Oh, we aint, going home anymore,
Oh, we ain't going home any more,
Oh, we ain't going home any more ......
Down't the peach blow farm.
Balm of Gilead,
Balm of Gilead,
Balm of Gilead,
Down't the peach blow farm.

Copyright 1861, by Oliver Ditson & Co.
Printed with musical score, pp. 109-111, "Minstrel Songs Old and New," Copyright 1882, Oliver Ditson & Co., Boston.

In the Civil War armies, "Balm of Gilead" meant any hard liquor.

Lyr. Add: BINGO

Here's to U. of C., drink it down, drink it down;
Here's to U. of C., drink it down, drink it down;
Here's to U. of C., here is to our Varsity,
Drink it down, drink it down, down, down.

Balm of Gilead, Gilead, Balm of Gilead, Gilead,
Balm of Gilead, way down on the Bingo farm.

We won't go there any more, (3x)
Way down on the Bingo farm.

Bingo, Bingo, Bingo, Bingo, Bingo, Bingo,
Way down on the Bingo farm.

Old University of Chicago song.
http://home.uchicago.edu/~ahkissel/cgosongs.html
University Chicago Songs

Many University of Chicago songs at this website.

"Down at Penny's Farm" is much changed from the old minstrel song posted here, but I believe that they are related.