Songs of the South

The music of the War Between the States is fascinating and reveals much of the hearts of Southerners. Here are the words of a song written by Captain G.W. Alexander. This song was made popular in the play The Virginia Cavalier, an 1864 hit in the Richmond theater and sung by Miss Sallie at the Richmond New Theatre.  It was also recorded by Kathy Mattew some time ago.

Southern Soldier Boy

Bob Roebuck is my sweetheart’s name,
He’s off to the wars and gone;
He’s fighting for his Nanny dear,
His sword is buckled on,
He’s fighting for his own true love;
His foes he does defy;
He is the darling of my heart,
My Southern soldier boy.

When Bob comes home from war’s alarms,
We’ll start anew in life;
I’ll give myself right up to him,
A dutiful, loving wife.
I’ll try my best to please my dear,
For he is my only joy,
He is the darling of my heart,
My Southern soldier boy.

Oh, if in battle he were slain,
I know that I would die,
But I am sure he’ll come again
To cheer my weeping eye.
But should he fall in this our glorious cause,
He still would be my joy,
For many a sweetheart mourns the loss
Of her Southern soldier boy.

I hope for the best, and so do all
Whose hopes are in the field;
I know that we shall win the day
For Southrons never yield.
And when we think of those who are away,
We look above for joy,
And I’m mighty glad that my Bobby is
A Southern soldier boy.

Book Signing News:

Today, I leave for California. I’ll also have a signing today before I leave from 4-6 PM at Hudson News in the United Terminal.

I primarily do two programs in the schools I visit. One is a Civil War program and the other is a Scots-Irish program. Both are received well. In either of those shows, I sometimes perform the well-known and stirring Bobby Burns song, “Scots Whae Hae,”  which reportedly records the words of Robert the Bruce to his army before the battle of Bannockburn. A great many Southerners were Scottish (including Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee) so many in fact, that the soldiers came up with Confederate version of “Scots Whae Hae.”  Here are the lyrics, which I obtained from the 12th Louisiana String Band, some of the finest musicians the modern South has produced.

Scots Whae Hae (Confederate Version)

Rally round our country’s flag,
Rally, boys, haste, do not lag,
Come from every vale and crag,
Sons of liberty.

Northern vandals tread our soil,
Forth they come for blood and spoil,
To the homes we’ve made with toil,
Shouting slavery.

Traitorous Lincoln’s bloody band,
Now invades the freeman’s land,
Armed with sword and firebrand,
Against the brave and free.

Arm ye then for fray and fight,
March ye forth by day and night,
Stop not till the foe’s in sight,
Sons of chivalry.

In your veins the blood still flows,
Of brave men who once arose,
Burst the shackles of their foes,
Honest men and free.

Rise then in your power and might,
See the spoiler, brave the fight,
Strike for God, for truth, for right.
Strike for liberty.

*Here is the contact information on the 12th Louisiana String Band:

The 12th Louisiana String Band
Celtic Songs & Uncivil War Reenactments.
Contact: Belinda Brand
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA
Phone: 225.761.2857
www.pointsouth.com/yallcome/12th-louisiana/index.htm

I had such fun in Dublin, Texas. I thought today I’d post a couple of additional photos. The parade we marched in was on St. Patrick Street, and the town was decorated festively for the holiday. On Friday, the Dublin Intermediate School students were allowed to dress up for the holiday and many of the costumes were quite colorful. At the festival it seemed every other lady had on shirts that said “Irish Girl” or some other phrase that caught the spirit of the holiday. After my first performance, I took a short break from signing books to watch the festival’s Highland Games. (See my Oct. 7, 2007 entry) Here’s a photo of some of the VERY strong men participating. They are surrounding a beauty who was given the title of the “Irish Goddess” of the festival:

The one bank of Dublin (it’s really not a big town) supplied the festival’s Leprechaun mascot. Since Leprechauns are said to be in the know about gold, I think it was a fitting symbol for a bank. As writers are always in need of money, I thought I’d have my photo taken with the Leprechaun for luck.

If you’d like to see and read more of the Dublin festival or see more of the town, go to: http://www.dublincitizen.com/

Book Signing News: Wednesday, I’ll be flying to California for a week of book signings, computer training, research, and writing. I hope to also meet with and develop some SCV contacts, schools, and libraries in that area. I’m still not sure of my final agenda, but I’ll make posts as often as I can. I haven’t been to California since I was sixteen. I hear it’s changed some. For at least two nights, I’ll be in Zane Grey’s home. As I’m working on a Western of my own, I’m sure that stay will be inspirational and informative.

It’s hard to believe I haven’t made a post since Wednesday. Yet, I know too that I have had incredibly busy days.  Also, bad news. Another death in my family, on my son-in-law’s side. So sad, so unexpected. I think I’ve had enough death and other bad things happen this past year. We are all crushed.

My programs at Ranger, Texas High School (Civil War Program) and at Dublin (Scots-Irish Program) Intermediate School were so much fun. The teachers were gracious, and the students were vibrant, funny, respectful and eager to learn. I’ll have more photos, but here is a photo of one of the teachers, Julie, and her little dog who came to class also, Presley Irish, who was also celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with us.

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Friday night, I had a book signing at Hastings Bookstore in Stephenville. It was another near sell-out. As you can see below, in the town of Stephenville, I also had my photo taken under Moola the Cow. This is big dairy country. (Stephenville is the home of Jewel and Ty Murray. Remember Jewel did a song of Stephenville).

I also marched with the local SCV groups in the morning parade. I’ll post some photos of them soon. After the parade, I changed into my kilt, drove to the city park where the the festival was, and set up my table for the festival. Sales were brisk and I met so many cool people. Below are some photos: Me with the local bank’s leprechaun,  me with some of the Miss (and Little Miss) Dublin Queens. I was given their names by height. Included here (by size I think according to the list I was given) are Camry Porter, Kayla Tamez, Sydney Beck, Taylor Templeton (Miss Dublin) and Kylan Spurger.

Here are the words to Jewel’s Stephenville song, which I found here: http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Stephenville-TX-lyrics-Jewel/45AC9B853E86DBEC4825713F000FEF4A

Housewives told to recapture their youth
By wearing floral print and suede
Fixing their hairdos with PC, chemical-free hairspray
Martha Stewart taught ’em to make on TV
I was raised a farm girl
Now, I’m too far from home, all alone on the road
Trying to figure out who I am now that the stardust has turned to sand
And the sand has turned to stone – I’m the star-making machine

I’m 31 years old, that ain’t the end
But sure ain’t where I began

My daddy, he wrote songs and he broke colts
And went back to school to get a degree
Now he teaches music to kids, he taught music to me
And this Alaskan girl has been living in Stephenville, Texas that is
And yes, you guessed it; I moved there ’cause I fell in love with a man
I moved his ex-old lady’s things out of the closet
The same closet I moved my things back in
No, it did not make me feel that great, as if to demonstrate
Everything is temporary if you give it enough time

I’m 31 years old that ain’t the end
Sure ain’t where I began

But hey, I’m just a kid; I got nothing to lose
I’m a singer of songs, I’m a player for crowds
Hey Ma, look, I’m an entertainer
I’m a modern day troubadour trying to find justice with six strings
Trying to make the world make sense out of me
Trying to be loved completely, trying to love honestly
Trying to find a decent high noon cup of tea
In another hotel
I’m trying to listen to the leaves speak
Trying to steal secrets from fishes in the creek
Trying to figure out who I am
A pretty mediocre cook and even worse mathematician
Maybe a mother one day
What will it be?

I’m trying to figure out who I am
But there’s no hand to hold, no Doctor Martin Luther King
Just sycophants and mindlessness on TV
We all read magazines for the latest ways to behave
So hey, why not follow me, the blond bombshell deity?
I’ll sell you neat ideas without big words
And a little bit of cleavage to wash it all down
You know everybody thought Godard was a clown
Man, that ain’t gonna be me

I’m 31 years old, that ain’t the end
Sure ain’t where I began
Guess that just makes it Stephenville, Texas
*After this trip, I realize how much I love (and miss) West Texas. I’ll have much more to post on this trip later.

I had a good night at the Meet Your Local Author Night at Marshall High School. (Their mascot is the Marshall Mavericks). I met some new authors, parents, and teachers, I saw some new books, and as usual, learned more than I intended. The ride was spent listening to some music but mostly to James Lee Burke’s book on CD, The Tin Roof Blowdown. I was so into the book that time flew by.  I’ll keep you posted on the rest of my busy week as I can.

On This Day in the Civil War: According to my Civl War Calendar, in 1864 the Red River Campaign began and General Ulysses S. Grant became commander of the Federal forces  (I do try to spell and pronounce Grant’s first name correctly, though sometimes I fail and it comes out  as “Useless.”)

Church History: The first saint to be canonized by a pope (John XV in A.D. 993) was Ulrich, usually portrayed holding a fish, and in legend he is connected to the former Catholic abstinence from meat on Friday. I remember lunch in my early school days and how every Friday at David G. Burnett Elementary School we would always have fish on Fridays. We all knew it was because of the Catholics, but I don’t remember it bothering us. I guess the schools were more accommodating to religious beliefs in those days. Even now I can close my eyes and see that little square of breaded fish on the plate.

Book Signing News: Tonight, I’ll be at this author event:

@Your Library – An Evening with Authors, Writers, Illustrators and Books

March 11, 2008 6-7:30 PM Marshall High School Library

Anticipated authors attending: Annie McCrady, John McCloskey, Gary Pinkerton, Tom Townsend, Jeanne Miller, Cynthia Peterson, Phil Simmons, George A. “Bob” Allen, Stephanie Matthews, Lila Guzman, Rickey Pittman, Clifton Cardin, William Sneed, Scott Arnauld, Becca Anderson, Galand Nuchols, Jerry L. Summers,Linda Moye,Jan Wesley, Larry Griffin, Grace Anne Schaefer ,Tom Geddie

Hosted by Marshall High School Library, 1900 Marverick Drive, Marshall, TX 75670 @ Tx Hwys 43 and 59. For more information contact Marsha Edney, Librarian at 903-927-8800 x 1198 or edneyml@marshallisd.com

Dublin, Texas: The Stephenville Empire-Tribune‘s article, “Irish Capitol of Texas’ preparing for huge St. Patrick’s Day Festival,” mentioned me. It says, “Live entertainment will begin at 11:30 a.m. as Rickey Pittman, guitarist and singer, performs classic Irish songs . . .” This ought to be a really cool festival. I will participate in the parade, perform twice, and intend on seeing some sights, including the historic Dr. Pepper Bottling Co. If you like to drink Dr. Pepper, go to this site to see a history of the drink: http://www.dublindrpepper.com/history.aspx

Book Signing News:

Saturday, I had my signing at the Barnes & Noble in Dallas, near the Overton Mall. It went well, and as usual met many people and had some good conversations. Generally, folks are surprised and pleased to learn the story of Jim Limber. From there, I drove to my parents’ house in Kemp, Oklahoma and spent the night there. Sunday, I returned home. I listened to some books on tape:  One was “Ice Palace” by Fitzgerald. I had never thought of Fitzgerald as a Southern writer, but after listening to this story, I may have to change my mind about that. The story is full of symbolism and reveals he truly understands the subtle nuances of Southern culture.  There is a great site devoted to “Ice Palace” here: http://www.sc.edu/fitzgerald/icepalace/index.html

The introduction of this site produced by the University of South Carolina says: “The Ice Palace” appeared in the 22 May 1920 issue of the Saturday Evening Post and was collected in Flappers and Philosophers. It was the first of a group of stories in which Fitzgerald examined the cultural as well as social differences between the North and South. “It is a grotesquely pictorial country as I found out long ago, and as Mr. Faulkner has since abundantly demonstrated,” he commented in 1940. Fitzgerald was particularly aware of the influence of the South on its women — a concern that was reinforced by his marriage to an Alabama belle.”  The site has the complete text of the story as well as some great visuals.

I also listened to “God Sees the Truth, but Waits” by Tolstoy. Another wonderful and touching story.  You can find that story here: http://www.online-literature.com/tolstoy/2061/

I also began listening to The Tin Roof Blowdown A Dave Robicheaux Novel: by James Lee Burke.  I’m only a few chapters into it, but I think it may be the finest fictional piece to be written about Hurricane Katrina. John Holt has a fine review of the novel here: http://calitreview.com/topics/crime-fiction/289/

Today will be spent working on college stuff, catching up on my unfinished and increasing book business, and I’m sitting with my sick grandson for a few hours today. As I miss him so much because I’m traveling every weekend, I’m actually looking forward to the grandfather duty.

This week’s book event schedule: I have a busy but great week ahead of me!

Tuesday: Marshall, Texas. An Evening with Authors. Marshall High School Library.

Thursday: Ranger High School, Ranger, Texas.

Friday: Dublin Intermediate School, Dublin, Texas. Hasting’s Bookstore, Stephenville, TX

Saturday: Performing at the Dublin, TX Saint Patrick’s Day Festival. I’ll also be marching with the Confederate SCV there and having a table to show my books.

Book Signing News:

I left Monroe yesterday afternoon in sleet, which quickly changed to a heavy snow, blanketing the ground and trees  with huge heavy flakes. By the time I had reached Shreveport, the snow changed to rain, the temperature rose, and by Tyler there was no sign anywhere of a snowstorm.  I liked this Barnes & Noble, the staff and the customers. This author event was virtually another sell-out. Here is a photo of me with Linda, the lovely CRM there:

Today, I’ll be at a Fort Worth Barnes & Noble, 4801 Overton Ridge Blvd. I’m scheduled to sign at 2:00 p.m. but will get there early and either do some work or begin signing early. From there, I’d like to  go see my parents in Kemp, Oklahoma, but I’ll have to see how the signing goes.

Excerpt from a Confederate Soldier’s letter during the Gettysburg Campaign:

I found a booklet entitled, “Letters Home,” a collection of original Civil War soldiers’ letters. In one letter, a Confederate soldier from the 3rd South Carolina Infantry is writing to his sister and says: “We left Fredericksburg on the 2nd day of June, and marched at the rate of twenty miles a day until we go in to Pennsylvania, and fought one of the Bloodiest Battles of the war. We passed through some of the prettiest country I ever saw in my life, they have the finest land in the world and some of the ugliest women that I ever saw . . . Our Generals would not allow us to touch a thing, and the consequence we had to live on one pound of flour to the man for four days.”

On the afternoon of the third day at LLA, I heard something was up with the weather. I checked the weather forecast on a nearby vendor’s laptop and figured out that my plans were in jeopardy due to the winter storm coming through. Contacts in Ft. Worth by phone confirmed that it would not be wise to travel that direction, so I ended up canceling  my signing at the Hastings Bookstore in Tyler. It’s unclear on whether I’ll have to cancel my Barnes & Noble signing there this evening. It really depends on the roads. The Tyler weather report does not look good.  I called my parents in southern Oklahoma and they said the area had received 6-8 inches of snow.

Overall, the LLA was a great experience for me, and I had another sellout of my books. I made so many new friends and saw so many librarians that I already knew from doing programs at their libraries. The Shreveport Convention Center is a fine facility and easy to reach from I-20.  I’m not sure where the conference will be held next year, but I will be there. Next week will be a busy week for me–almost non-stop travel and presentation of programs.

Web News:  My website has a new look! I still have a little more to do to it, but please take a look and let me know what you think!  http://rickeypittman.com/

Civil War Vocabulary: “Unreconstructed” – An unrepentant, bitter, Confederate who refused to accept defeat.  “I’m a Good Ole Rebel” is a favorite Southern song that exhibits this tone. This song was written by a Confederate Veteran. You may have heard it in the movie, Long Riders. You can find the words to the song at several sites on the Internet.

Famous Civil War Quote:  “Duty is ours, consequences are God’s.” — Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.

Yesterday’s signing at the Louisiana Librarians Conference in Shreveport went well. Though much smaller than the Texas one I’ll be attending in April, it is still a significant event. I enjoyed seeing the many librarians I knew, enjoyed meeting many new ones and introducing my books and programs to them, and enjoyed meeting the many vendors and some other authors. Here is a photo of me at the Pelican booth with the beautiful Caitlin Smith, the Pelican staff member in charge of promoting books to schools and libraries.

Civil War Trivia: In 1864, Confederate Generals Joseph E. Johnston and John Bell Hood were baptized in Georgia by General Leonidas Polk, an Episcopal bishop. I need to research this. I wonder where exactly the baptisms took place and if Episcopal baptism at that time was by immersion or sprinkling.

After today, I have signings in Tyler and Fort Worth and will return to Monroe on Sunday. There is a chance I’ll go to Oklahoma to check on my parents.