Lyr Req; Flatwoods (Gid Tanner's Skillet Lickers)

Subject: Flatwoods - Dance call - Skillet Lickers
From: GUEST,Robert
Date: 14 Mar 11 - 01:08 PM

Okay, here's some interesting lyrics that
I'm not really sure of. It is what Clayton
McMichen is shouting in the Skillet Licker
tune 'Flatwoods'. Below is a audio clip for'
those who haven't heard it before and my guesses:

song

Guesswork on Flatwoods

Lay around the ladies and the gents don't go
Lay around the gin and the gents don't go
Ladies in the center and the gents catch air
Hold her, Newt, don't let her rare!


Chicken in a bread-tray scratchin' out dough
Granny, will your dog bite No, child, no!
Ladies in the center and the gents catch air
Hold her, Newt, don't let her rare!


Swing Ma, Swing Pa, Swing that gal from Arkansas
Take a Chew Tobaccer and promenade all
Pull that Calico from the wall!


Swing Ma, Swing Pa, Swing that gal from Arkansas
Rope that gown, Chope that gas
Swing your partner 'round and a half!


Lay around the ladies and the gents don't go
Lay around the gin and the gents don't go
Swing your partner 'round and a half
Chope that gown down and a half!

Subject: RE: Flatwoods - Dance call - Skillet Lickers
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 14 Mar 11 - 05:28 PM

Lady 'round the lady and the gent also,   (around)
Lady 'round the gent and gent don't go.
Ladies to the center and gents catch air.
Hold 'er Newt, don't let 'er rare.**         (rear)

Chicken's in the bread pan scratchin' out dough,** (could be tray, but it's usually pan)
Granny will your dog bite? No, John, no.**
Ladies to the center and gents catch air
Hold 'er Newt, don't let 'er rare.**

Swing Ma, swing Pa,
swing that gal from Arkansaw.
Take her to the back and promenade all
Pull that calico from the wall. Pull it!**

Swing Ma, swing Pa,
swing that gal from Arkansaw.
Rope that cow and choke that calf,**
swing your partner around and a half.

Lady 'round the lady and the gent also,
Lady 'round the gent and gent don't go.
Swing your partner around and a half,
Choke that cow a cow and a half.**

Swing Ma, swing Pa,
swing that gal from Arkansaw.
Take her to the back and promenade all
Pull that calico from the wall.**

---

These are dance calls and dance patter (filler rhymes that add to the rhythm and fun, but don't mean anything in particular -- lines I've marked with **). However, I believe that it's meant to be a suggestion of how these things sound; it's not enough to really make a dance, and a bit of a mish-mosh, rather than a sequence that actually makes much sense.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: Flatwoods - Dance call - Skillet Lickers
From: GUEST,Robert
Date: 20 Mar 11 - 04:22 PM

Great, I almost forgot to say thanks! And for the
explanations also. I'm still not sure
if McMichen did use those all those words above,
but probably it is as close as we can get in this case.
At least now some of the rhymes make sense.

I have not encountered so hard-to guess/hear words
at that many times, some variations appear on
Uncle Dave and the Fruit Jar Drinkers's tunes Tom & Jerry
and Sleepy Lou.
And Skillet Lickers' Molly put the Kettle on.

As you say, these rhymes sound more like some sort
of imitation of what the dance callers say. But the words
make the tune lot more fun to play. Especially tunes like
Flatwoods need some kind of singing or shouts.