The distinct English dialect of the American South, which has a close relationship with Black English (African American Vernacular English), is fascinatingand plenty lively. !, Reckon has ancestry tracing all the way back to the 1000s (and maybe older still), and originally means to count, calculate.. We like to read this as one of the greatest Southern encouragements, but, like most of these phrases, you can use it however you'd like. I ate that up with a spoon and did my best to read them all. Dont worry, if youre helping a friend make groceries, youre not expected to create food from scratch. Page created 25 Feb. 2012, Problems viewing this page? The Problem with Saying, "Lord Willing and the Creek Don't Rise" However, this is clearly one of those evolving language cases. DeSantis's year-long quest to strip Disney of its self-rule came after the entertainment giant, and Florida's . A friend of mine told me to shoot first and ask questions later. It is a modern error to presume that "the creek don't rise" is a grammatical error, so the fact that a speaker in the past was college educated would not be an argument against his having used the phrase. Unarguable Southern criticism. Siever, known as Nolichucky Jack to his friends, was as brutal to the Cherokee and Creek as they were to him, but Siever knew to frame his attacks as responses to incursion or wrongs. The catchphrase itself was associated with Hank Williams. However, if you're from the South, you know that sometimes there's just no other way to get your point across. All rights reserved. "Druthers" roughly translates to "I would rather," meaning, "If had things my way" The phrase is celebrated in song in the hilarious, Southern-inspired Broadway musical Li'l Abner, in which the title character sings "If I had my druthers, I'd druther have my druthers than anything else I know." Origin debaters point to Col. Benjamin Hawkins of North Carolina, a Continental Congress senator. Doh! The second contributor on the AOL site is simply repeating things without any understanding. The expression is incorrectly attributed on modern social media[citation needed] to an Indian agent, Benjamin Hawkins, in the late 18th century in a rumored letter not found in any archive to the U.S. President. They were both corrected by a good soul who told them that Creek, for the purposes of this phrases origin, meant Creek Indian. "If the good Lord's willing and the creek don't rise.". And really, wouldn't we all druther have our druthers? While in the south, Hawkins was requested by the President of the U.S. to return to Washington. Over yonder down the road. Positive thinking, Southern style. For instance, I might promise to show up for Christmas at Grandmas if the good Lords willing and the creek dont rise. I always took it as a reference to the level of water in a creek. QFrom Bob Scala: An item that has been floating around the internet claims that the expression God willing and the creek dont rise referred to the Creek Indians, not a body of water. Where did this contraction, popular in both African American English and Southern American English, come from? Runnin around like a chicken with it's head . The researchers went on to cite two different publications in the 1800s in which the authors did not capitalize the word creek, leading one to believe they did not mean the people proper. A preacher who hires a very different kind of woman than is usually found in these parts. The states involved sent Hawkins,Andrew Pickens(South Carolina), Joseph Martin (Georgia) andLachlan McIntosh(Continental representative, Georgia) to negotiate a treaty to end the fighting. It presumably evokes occasional and unpredictably extreme rainfall in Appalachia, that has historically isolated one rural neighborhood or another temporarily inaccessible on several or many occasions. The grit and darkness don't just belong to Sadie, though. You might say cocola. A multipurpose Southernism. A sister who is afraid of losing her brother and Sadie's grandmother and aunt, all tell their stories adding to Sadie's own. I am feeling culture shock from reading this book. A true Southern tradition. (the good) Lord willing and the creek don't rise rural If all goes as it should; if everything goes well. Jan 29, 2014 at 19:34 . Pot callin the kettle black. [1][2], Classic versions of its use tend to be along the lines of "The good Lord willing, and the creek doesn't rise"i.e. At the time Hawkins was Congressman, he joined other well known Southeastern American leaders in negotiating a major treaty with the Creek and Cherokee at the South Carolina city of Hopewell. He was a politician and Indian agent. Someone once said that when you visit the South, you need a translator. In fact, Georgia and South Carolina produce more peaches than any other states in the South. And, when the doins been done, the feller done did it. Mentioning Benjamin Hawkins is a masterstroke, since he was the General Superintendent for Indian Affairs between 1796 and 1818 and was principal Indian agent to the Creek nation; he became so close to its people that he learned their language, was adopted by them and married a Creek woman. If the Creek Don't Rise: A Novel - Leah Weiss - Google Books Oh, if the good Lord's willing and the creek don't rise. Powered by Discourse, best viewed with JavaScript enabled, origin of phrase - "if the creek don't rise". 24 of 30. Her grandmother Gladys tells us of her awful past ridden with the drunkenness and senseless abuse. Apparently Carter had a great many pills, because the phrase found its way into the Southern vocabulary. 15 Odd Southern Sayings Their Origins - Bourbon and Boots I first heard of the notion of creek meaning Creek on a camping trip a couple of years ago at Barkcamp State Park in the area of Wheeling, WV. This one originates from the 19th century, when Carter Products marketed "Little Liver Pills" across the country. If the Creek Don't Rise: Tales From the South Kindle Edition Soda web site devoted to this age-old debate. Leah Weiss introduces her extraordinary characters as chapters unfold and each one has their own peculiarity. This string of double negatives is actually meant as encouragement! "Like all great southern. So the saying came about like we'll be there.God willing and the Creek (indians) don't rise..to stop us. What in tarnation? Anecdotal evidence from people who have got in touch with me down the years suggests that it has been in regular use throughout the lifetimes of some elderly folk in parts of the US, either in the form you give or as the good Lord willing and the creek dont rise. I reckon "I reckon" can replace any number of phrases, such as: I guess, I suppose, I think, and I imagine. After eating a big, delicious Southern dinner Granny just made, you have to finish up with a slice of sweet potato pie, right? In the Deep South? As I was in a museum, I felt confident in repeating the knowledge to others as fact. Poor little doggy. Just wait till you see what Granny Gladys does..with a bit of help from Mother Nature..hehehe. Paperback, 305 pages. It completely nailed the "mountain living" that I remembered my grandmother talking about. You'll also find a longer version of my official bio: It's bold, powerful, dark and hard to believe that this is a debut novel. The thing isI read one that I have never stopped thinking about. As was the case with Dr Mattox, the remark is routinely attributed to first being said by Benjamin Hawkins. The dialect is obscure and living conditions primitive with a feel more like the 1870's than the 1970's..so backward..so uncivilized..the men so brutal and lawless, and for Sadie Blue, life seems grave. It was set in the Ozark mountains featuring what some people called a witch. Talk:Lord willing and the creek don't rise - Wiktionary She captures the whole Appalachian scene - the vocabulary, the falling down houses, the likker, the poverty. For instance if someone invites you to church on Sunday, you would respond "I'll be there with bells on God Willing and the Creek Don't Rise.". Weiss has a unique voice. Who better to write about the risks of the Creek rising in revolt? Variants substitute "God" or "Good Lord" (with or without "the") for "Lord", and substitute "crick" or "river" for "creek", or capitalize it as "Creek" or "Creeks" based on confusion with the Creek Indian tribe. According to World Wide Words, when asked if it meant Creek Indians, their expert responded with: " Quite certainly not. purchase. Following that treaty John Siever formed the state of Franklin from land previously claimed by North Carolina but never ceded by the Indian tribes. This United Statesrelated article is a stub. In a letter to the Commander in Chief, Hawkins stated that he would return to the nations capital, God willing and the Creek dont rise., Hawkins, college-educated and a well-written man would never have made a grammatical error, so the capitalization of Creek is the only way the phrase could make sense and the reference is not to a creek, but The Creek Indian Nation. Its especially difficult for people that live south of River Road and some of them that live in Woodland Hills. But despite its gentle execution, this story delivers some of the heaviest of punches and invites the reader to step outside of the book for a spell Yes, I had heard of the Appalachians and how the culture spreads along those mountains over more than a dozen States. The approximately 20,000 Creek Indians that still exist reside in Oklahoma. If you think you can't, you won't be able to accomplish something, but if you think you can, you'll succeed. Other words sites The Lafayette gazette(Louisiana), 3 Nov. 1894. And yes, they roll their eyes, too. [2] In the Reed song and Cash cover the verses vary the rhyme, so the opening line commences: If the good Lord's willing and the creek stays down I'll be in your arms time the moon come around. If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don't Rise, If the Good Lord's Willing and the Creek Don't Rise, Good Lord's Willin and The Creek Don't Rise, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_creek_don%27t_rise&oldid=1136534691, This page was last edited on 30 January 2023, at 20:39. If you hear this one, it's best to slow down. As they returned home, some of them also killed some settlers in the Ohio valley. Change). It is a breathtaking and gritty portrayal of hillbilly life from the year 1970 which is set in the Appalachian Mountains. The tale is widely reproduced and believed nevertheless. When you're fixin' to do something, it's going to happen, but you also may decide to take your sweet time. She's not looking for sweets; she wants a hug and a kiss. Historians and etymologists may cringe, but the modern usage of Lord willin and the creek (or crick) dont rise is about the stream, not the Creek tribe. Select your currency from the list and click Donate. Its a one-size-fits-all reply that can both express sympathy and insult someone, depending on the delivery. God willing and the creek don't rise - World Wide Words Good Lord willing and the creek don't rise - phrase meaning and origin The tale is widely reproduced and believed nevertheless. If you think you can't, you won't be able to accomplish something, but if you think you can, you'll succeed. Another publication, Proceedings of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge Jurisdiction, Volumes 88-89, coins the phrase: if the Lord is willing and the creek dont fire, we will so do. 133 Copy quote. Marty Stuart places the words "If the Good Lord's willin' and the creek don't rise, we'll see you in the mornin'." This 19th-century phrase was once used to refer to some fierce, imaginary beast, until we went off course and adopted the current meaning of "awry.". All the ones I know from growin up : r/ShitSouthernersSay Theres nothing more Southern than a lively Hey, yall! And dont you dare think of spelling it yallSouthern Living has decreed this contraction of you all is spelled one way, and one way only. Since we'd never dare hang up the phone while Mama's chatting away, this may be the only way to end your conversation in a timely manner. Eli is the backbone of the community; all he wants is a better life for the people of Baines Creek evidenced by the succession of teachers he has procured.and been scared off, and his scheming troublemaking spinster of a sister Prudence who "don't like nobody" doesn't help matters any, but when the giant 6' 2" Kate Shaw arrives, wellthat's another story. It can be summarised as "if all goes well". Neither provides any documentation: http://pub122.ezboard.com/fwordoriginsorgfrm2.showMessage?topicID=191.topic, http://members.aol.com/MorelandC/HaveOriginsData.htm#LordWillingAndTheCreek. Donate via PayPal. This page was last edited on 17 January 2023, at 01:18. (Or maybe the Piggly Wiggly, a Southern market chain that originated in Memphis, Tennessee). Wheres my blasted phone?. But today Ive stumbled across the claim that it refers to an uprising by the Creek (or Cree) Indians. But, in the South, if your boss says that dog wont hunt in a meeting, it probably means your suggestion or idea needs improvement. What Do Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, And Lent Mean? This was an extremely enjoyable read! "Well I s'wanee" evokes the Southern Suwannee River. Theres no better zinger than a bless your heart delivered in a condescending tone of voice that implies, as the Southern Decoder puts it, youre dumb, homely, or otherwise impaired, but you cant help it.Go ahead and practice it in the mirror a few times. 'If The Creek Don't Rise' Traces Webs Of Hurt And Help : NPR document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Affixes dictionary. When a fellers fixin to do something, theyre about to do it. Youll thank us later! The clipping below from 1892 is a reference to flooding waterways not allowing the postmaster to get to his office. If someone tells you that you've got gumption, you should thank them, and then walk a little taller, because you've received a lovely Southern compliment. The catchphrase itself was associated with Hank Williams. Did you know the saying God willing and the Creek dont rise was in reference to the Creek Indians and not a body of water? TOP 25 QUOTES BY JOHN WAYNE (of 133) | A-Z Quotes Copyright Michael Quinion, 1996. Anytime it rains as hard as it did last night, it always brings back fears of having to face something like we did in 1984, he said. Only 15 days into her marriage to Roy Tupkin and Sadie Blue is already . The only requirement is that you declare it loud and proud. And even if it did, the initial capital letter would mean nothing, as at the time it was still common practice to capitalise all nouns. I will continue to look for references to this phrase origin and would welcome discussion to prove (one way or the other) what the original author intended to mean. Funny Phrases ben stanczyk 10/25/01 "If the Good Lord's Willing and the Creek Don't Rise" was later covered by Johnny Cash during his tenure at Sun, and a few of the other tracks here ", If God Is Willing and da Creek Don't Rise, "If the Good Lord's Willing and the Creek Don't Rise", Learn how and when to remove this template message, "World Wide Words: God willing and the creek don't rise", "William Clark Green: 'Ringling Road' Album Review", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=If_the_Good_Lord%27s_Willing_and_the_Creek_Don%27t_Rise&oldid=1067282742, "If The Lord's Willing And The Creeks Don't Rise", song by, "If The Good Lord's Willing And The Creek Don't Rise", Lattie Moore, Jerry Reed 1961, "If The Good Lord's Willing", Ray Godfrey, arranged Jerry Reed, Tollie Records 1964, "(Be The Good Lord Willing) The Creek Don't Rise", Jivin' Gene, arranged Smith, Hall-Way Records 1964, "God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise", with the lyric "God willin' an the creek don't rise, I'll be home again before this time next year." and the word HOPE. Required fields are marked *. Thats a mouthful, but we lumped these all together because they are allsubstitutes for (God) d*mn it. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. HARDY, Ark. This was a Traveling Sister Read with Brenda, Sarah, Jennifer and Porshajo. That argues for a more mundane origin: the old-time difficulties of travelling on dirt roads that forded rivers and streams; a sudden storm could cause water levels to rise without warning and render the route impassable. A true Southern tradition. Sign up for writing inspiration in your email, , Scarlett OHara says: I do declare, Frank Kennedy, if you dont look dashing with that new set of whiskers!, The distinct English dialect of the American South, which has a close relationship with Black English (African American Vernacular English), is fascinatingand plenty lively. All rights reserved. (Im terrible about reading usernames as I scan threads, and I completely missed who had contributed that comment.). If you just heard your mama come home and you haven't finished your chores, she will definitely be "madder than a wet hen." The swear-word equivalent would be something along the lines of No sh*t!I declare may have come from an English oath (the sworn proclamation kind) declaring that no foreign parties have power to subvert the Crown. And that is the highest praise from me. Step into the Deep South and experience the lives and hardships, hopes and dreams, of folk who have nothing except gritand sometimes loveas their currency. Every researcher who has investigated the expression has dismissed an Indian connection as untrue.
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