Help: Spooky story involving a white horse

Subject: Spooky story involving a white horse
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 28 Oct 01 - 11:52 PM

Several years ago I heard a spooky story told on the radio that apparently took place in the southern mountains on a farm. It involved a barn and a white horse. For some reason, I've always associated it with Hazel Dickens, but can find nothing by her that is "spoken word." Does this ring any bells for anyone? I know there's a recording of it out there, somewhere. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Help: Spooky story involving a white horse
From: Hollowfox
Date: 29 Oct 01 - 12:37 PM

Could it be "Two white Horses"? The story is told from the point of view of a child whose mother has just been buried. It turns out that the mother was still alive, a grave robber exhumed her, and she walked home. The family's two white horses recognized her, convincing the father that she was neither apparition nor delusion. If so, it's performed by Connie Regan-Blake (who's also recorded as half of the Folktellers. I think it's on their recording called "Chillers"; I'll scrounge up more details (and maybe other recordings) when I get home tonight.

Subject: RE: Help: Spooky story involving a white horse
From: open mike
Date: 29 Oct 01 - 01:19 PM

there is also a celtic tale called Tam Lin involving a white horse--- and a princess who rescues a prince who has been kidnapped by the quees of the fairies.. not the story you specified, but reminds me of th4e image of the horse...

Subject: RE: Help: Spooky story involving a white horse
From: open mike
Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:04 PM

another tale just located-- again not the one you requested, but, alas, the white horse is here too: http://www.dur.ac.uk/~dcs6mpw/gkc/books/white-horse2.txt

Subject: RE: Help: Spooky story involving a white horse
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:18 PM

A white horse goes into a pub and orders a whisky. "Sure", says the barman. "Which whisky would you like?".

"What have you got?" asks the horse.

"Oooh, let me see" replies the barman. "We have Bells, Teachers, even one named after you!"

The horse thinks for a while then responds. "Great - I'll have a double Eric...."

Scary enough?

Cheers

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: Help: Spooky story involving a white horse
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 29 Oct 01 - 03:59 PM

GOL, Dave. That's groaning out loud. But chuckling too. Thanks, I needed that.

Subject: RE: Help: Spooky story involving a white horse
From: GUEST,JTT
Date: 29 Oct 01 - 04:03 PM

No barn, no field, but there's the story of the white horse that galloped through Nagasaki; it had been blinded by the bomb, and it reappeared in different places all day during the day of the bomb, with its poor head more and more bloody. As always after cruel bombings, what was notable in Nagasaki was the silence, not even a child crying, so the sound of the horse's iron-shod hooves was all the louder.

Subject: RE: Help: Spooky story involving a white horse
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 29 Oct 01 - 06:54 PM

Thanks to Hollowfox, I think I'm on the right track. "Two White Horses" is/was apparently on an album called "White Horses and Whippoorwills," by The Folktellers. I'd appreciate it if anyone knows where I might find this recording. Thanks again.

Subject: RE: Help: Spooky story involving a white horse
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 30 Oct 01 - 07:30 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Help: Spooky story involving a white horse
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 31 Oct 01 - 08:37 PM

Oh come on people. Hasn't anyone out there even got the text of this story? "Two White Horses." Help me out here. 'Tis the season.

Subject: RE: Help: Spooky story involving a white horse
From: Hollowfox
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 11:04 AM

Well, seeing as this story is a signature piece of Connie's, I don't know that she's released it in print anywhere, but you might want to try this book: Best-Loved Stories Told aththe National Storytelling Festival, 1991, National Storytelling Press/ distributed by August House. You may have to learn it by listening, as so many of us have. And I'll see if I can find her business address to order the recording. And of course, there's Dick Greenhaus and CAMSCO here on the 'Cat as a good place to order such things.

Subject: RE: Help: Spooky story involving a white horse
From: lamarca
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 02:13 PM

An interesting cross-reference - Blind Lemon Jefferson had a blues song, "See My Grave is Kept Clean", which refers to "Two white horses" (Dylan later co-opted the song). Lyrics here

Do you suppose the imagery in the song influenced Connie Regan-Blake's story?

Subject: RE: Help: Spooky story involving a white horse
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 03:04 PM

Thanks again, Hollowfox. You've set me on the right path. I really appreciate it. Lamarca, I don't know but I doubt it. Maybe by the time I get through chasing this thing, I'll find it's a horse (or two)of a different color, though.

Subject: RE: Help: Spooky story involving a white horse
From: Hollowfox
Date: 01 Nov 01 - 03:33 PM

I ran home at lunch (not just for this), and found it in print in Homespun: Tales From America's Favorite Storytellers, edited by Jimmy Neil Smith 1988, Crown Publishers. This is the book I was thinking of in the first place. Also, Connie can be reached through:
Mythic Stream Productions
PO Box 2898
Asheville, North Carolina 28802

http://www.storywindow.com

I hope this helps.

Subject: RE: Help: Spooky story involving a white horse
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 02 Nov 01 - 01:22 AM

Thanks and thanks again, Hollowfox. Hope I can do similar for you, sometime.

Subject: RE: Help: Spooky story involving a white horse
From: GUEST,BigDaddy
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 12:22 AM

About six weeks ago I sent a letter to Barbara Freeman saying, "Dear Ms. Freeman, I am very much interested in obtaining a copy of "White Horses and Whippoorwills" (MTA #1) on audio cassette. Please advise me as to payment method, price, other available recordings, etc. I heard the story, "White Horses" played on public radio many years ago and have been hoping to locate a copy ever since. Sincerely, Jay" I had pretty much given up on receiving a reply to my request. Went to the mailbox late Monday and found a copy of the requested tape! Enclosed was a note saying, "Hi Jay, The cassette is 10.00 plus 1.00 shipping and handling. Thanks for the order. You can send the check to Storyteller: Barbara Freeman, 14 Spooks Branch Road, Asheville, NC 28804. Merry Christ Mass, (signed) Barbara" That really made my day/month/etc. I had found two other story collections at local libraries but had no luck with the one I really wanted until now. Life is good. Just had to share this good fortune...

Subject: RE: Help: Spooky story involving a white horse
From: GUEST,Inukshuk
Date: 18 Dec 01 - 11:58 AM

We do a fiddle tune entitled "Three Men on a White Horse." It has three parts rather than the standard two. I have no Idea of its origins but a Newfie at one of our gigs said that he recognized the tune as "The Horse with Four Arseholes."

Subject: RE: Help: Spooky story involving a white horse
From: Ralphie
Date: 19 Dec 01 - 08:17 AM

Thread creep alert. But glad you got the tape Jay!
An old Serbian (I think) proverb

Vyisdare Asmeni Orsisarsis Asderis Orsis?
Becos Deris Wonarz Peroz.

I'll get me coat
Ralphie