Grandma Daisy and Little Orphan Annie

My paternal grandmother, Daisy, was a tall woman, who from my earliest remembrances often wore a pocketed apron over her flowery cotton "everyday" dresses.  She kept all her money in that pocket, which probably only amounted to a few well-worn dollars and a few coins.  The coins were saved for buying a "dope" at Johnny Russell's store on a hot summer's day.  For the uninformed, a "dope" was the southern synonym for colas.  Although a bun secured most of her hair to the back of her head, curly wisps of coarse white hair sprouted all about.  Dark skin and eyes, combined with high cheekbones, hinted there's more to be discovered of our family's roots in Cherokee County, North Carolina.

How much formal education she received, I don't know.  I'm sure it couldn't have been much, because her sister could not read at all, having gone to work in the cotton mills when she was a little girl.  I was told that my aunt had to stand on a wooden box because she was too small to reach the machinery.  What a sad commentary for times before child labor laws were passed. 

Although it's now called Parkinson's Disease, I was told that my grandmother had "the palsy".  Her handwriting was wavy, and her head and voice shook a little when she spoke.  I have discovered that during a turbulent time in my grandmother's past, she was a songwriter.  But, I only knew her as a storyteller, and one who could quote long stanzas of poetry from memory.  

When we visited my grandmother in the summer, we sat outside under the trees because of the oppressive heat indoors.  I remember Grandma telling the story of Rip Van Winkle so descriptively that when I heard thunder, I could imagine little men bowling.  But it was her animated recitation of  "The Little Orphan Annie" that put goose bumps on my arms every time!   For a scared-y cat little girl, it was probably a bit too much...but nonetheless, it would have me on the edge of my seat....and maybe it will yours, too. 

The Little Orphan Annie

by

James Whitcomb Riley

Little Orphan Annie's come to my house to stay.
To wash the cups and saucers up and brush the crumbs away.
To shoo the chickens from the porch and dust the hearth and sweep,
and make the fire and bake the bread to earn her board and keep.
While all us other children, when the supper things is done,
we sit around the kitchen fire and has the mostest fun,
a listening to the witch tales that Annie tells about
and the goblins will get ya if ya don't watch out!

Once there was a little boy who wouldn't say his prayers,
and when he went to bed at night away up stairs,
his mammy heard him holler and his daddy heard him bawl,
and when they turned the covers down,
he wasn't there at all!
They searched him in the attic room
and cubby hole and press
and even up the chimney flu and every wheres, I guess,
but all they ever found of him was just his pants and round-abouts
and the goblins will get ya if ya don't watch out!!

Once there was a little girl who always laughed and grinned
and made fun of everyone, of all her blood and kin,
and once when there was company and old folks was there,
she mocked them and she shocked them and said, she didn't care.
And just as she turned on her heels and to go and run and hide,
there was two great big black things a standing by her side.
They snatched her through the ceiling fore she knew what shes about,
and the goblins will get ya if ya don't watch out!!

When the night is dark and scary,
and the moon is full and creatures are a flying and the wind goes Whoooooooooo,
you better mind your parents and your teachers fond and dear,
and cherish them that loves ya, and dry the orphans tears
and help the poor and needy ones that cluster all about,
or the goblins will get ya if ya don't watch out!!!

Copyright 2013 Charlotte Laney