Lyr Req: Jean Baptiste (from Utah Phillips)

Subject: Words to Utah Phillips poem?
From: BlueSage
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 02:28 AM

A few years ago, I heard Bruce Phillips recite a poem he had composed about a grave robber from Salt Lake City. This was based upon a true story about a grave digger from 1800's Utah who would strip the dead of anything of value before burying the caskets. He was caught and exiled to an island in the Great Salt Lake. He eventually turned up missing. One folk tale has him drowning while trying to swim to shore. His ghost is said to haunt the swamps around the lake!

If anyone knows the word to Bruce's poem, it would be much appreciated...... Mike Iverson

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Words to Utah Phillips poem?
From: Mark Ross
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 11:25 AM

It's called JEAN BAPTISTE. I don't know that you can find the words except by writing to Utah;

Box 1235 Nevada City, CA 95959

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Words to Utah Phillips poem?
From: Hollowfox
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 12:52 PM

I have a recording of Rosalie Sorrels singing it at Fox Hollow festival. I can't promise I'll get to it tonight, but I'll see how soon I can copy it down and post it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Words to Utah Phillips poem?
From: BlueSage
Date: 11 Apr 02 - 06:26 PM

Thank you both. Knowing the name of the poem will help me track down a copy of it. I'll send a letter to Bruce and see what comes of it.

I wasn't aware that it had been set to music. Do you know if Rosalie sang a traditional melody to the words? And if so, which one?

Thanks.....Mike

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Words to Utah Phillips poem?
From: GUEST,metz
Date: 31 Oct 03 - 11:21 AM

many moons ago or was it yeaterday? Utah did a poem about baseball and an outfielder catching the ball. It was Springtime when he recited it. Any idea what the name and author might be?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Words to Utah Phillips poem?
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 01 Nov 03 - 12:19 PM

Here's an article about the real Jean Baptiste from the Utah State History website.

A more detailed, but possibly less reliable, account appears here.