You Cant Use These English Words In The UK, Understanding Black History: 10 Terms That Illuminate The Black Experience In The US. Over yonder past the cotton field. PS A belated congratulations on your appointment as moderator, Tom. Following that treaty John Siever formed the state of Franklin from land previously claimed by North Carolina but never ceded by the Indian tribes. While in the south, Hawkins was requested by the President of the U.S. to return to Washington. I reckon "I reckon" can replace any number of phrases, such as: I guess, I suppose, I think, and I imagine. But did he really say the words quoted or was a phrase morphed to include him as the author? Its worth looking into because of the way in which it has been elaborated in the version you quote.. A: "Do you reckon we'll have enough from this harvest to make ends meet?" Do You Know These Sizzlin Southern Sayings. Can't Never Could. Charles Wilson said the flood waters are something he has to live with to enjoy residing on the river. Look up Lord willing and the creek don't rise in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. This page was last edited on 17 January 2023, at 01:18. Change). This article about the English language is a stub. In the Deep South? Kicked in the gut and sucker punched with one of the best books I have ever read. Its not a recent change. When you're fixin' to do something, it's going to happen, but you also may decide to take your sweet time. Copy furnished by Net Galley for the price of a review. Not one shred of evidence is a clear invitation to fault the writer. 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. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. If you think you can't, you won't be able to accomplish something, but if you think you can, you'll succeed. Runnin around like a chicken with it's head . But I know of just four instances from that century. This is our creative way of saying that you shouldn't crow like a rooster about your wealth and belonging today, because it could all disappear tomorrow. 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. In the 1900s, the word evolved, taking on a Southern spin as well as new meanings such as "courage" and "get-up-and-go.". Georgia-born blogger Jennifer Collins says she always rolled her eyes when her mom said this to her. With a colorful cast of characters and a flair for the Southern Gothic, If the Creek Don't Rise is a debut novel bursting with heart, honesty, and homegrown grit. John Wayne. HARDY, Ark. My favorite variant is the phrase Hank Williams Sr. sometimes used to end his shows: "Lord willin' and the creek don't rise, we'll see you before long." - MT_Head. Share. Most of the ones on paved roads had bridges or culverts by that time, but not all of them and everyone still clearly knew what that saying meant even if the threat wasnt very real anymore. It is a breathtaking and gritty portrayal of hillbilly life from the year 1970 which is set in the Appalachian Mountains. What's The Difference Between Y'all And Ya'll? The grit and darkness don't just belong to Sadie, though. Learn how your comment data is processed. Johnny Cash had a hit with the song If The Good Lords Willing, and Hank Williams Jr. titled his song If the Good Lords Willin (And The Creeks Dont Rise).. "All get out" finds its way into Southern phrases constantly, and it intensifies any statement. Thats a mouthful, but we lumped these all together because they are allsubstitutes for (God) d*mn it. If the Creek Don't Rise is a collection of hard-used characters, tangled relationships, family angst, and fortitude. Required fields are marked *. 1851. A true Southern tradition. From the beginning, the first narrative of Sadie Blue, which broke my heart from the first page, it feels like it will be her story. But today Ive stumbled across the claim that it refers to an uprising by the Creek (or Cree) Indians. And yes, they roll their eyes, too. And that is the highest praise from me. Therefore if the Lord is willing and the Creek don't rise up and start up another uprising or battle, we will be able complete what ever it is we intend to do. There is a lot of controversy about this fairly common folk saying. The Creek so-called civil war of 1812 involving the Red Stick faction, and their combat North and South, appears to have been an impetus for that forts creation. This is a high compliment in the South, since Southern states are known for their peaches. Oh, how I loved this story - I simply didnt want it to end! Hang onto both and 'tough it out'. Is this derivation correct? You gonna let him break your spirit, too? Yet here I stand before you a speckled hermit, wrapt in the risen-sun counterpane of my popilarity, an intendin, Providence permittin, and the creek dont rise, to go it blind!. Positive thinking, Southern style. Well, whether its Creek or creek, it would still have much of the same effectyou wont be going where you thought you would or could. Funny Phrases ben stanczyk 10/25/01 A search for the word rise does not produce this phrase, so it appears that the body of water theory was correct after all. If the good Lord's willin and the creek don't rise. And this is one appearance in a newspaper: We are an American people, born under the flag of independence and if the Lord is willing and the creeks dont rise, the American people who made this country will come pretty near controlling it. Someone reminded me not to be reminded of you. "Lord willing and the creek don't rise" is a sort of backwoods phrase that has the same meaning, but is more folksy and less devoted. (Recall, also, that the Creek who did go to war against the whites were a smaller group within the Creek nation and that the larger group remained neutral or actively assisted the whites in the warat which point they were betrayed by having the U.S. sieze all their land.). Theres two or three creeks, he said. Quick, what do you call a soft drink? The written record dates the saying from about the middle of the nineteenth century. And, when the doins been done, the feller done did it. and the word HOPE. Eventually, you became a singular pronoun, and we lost the plural pronouns. Because that is supposedly how the original author first wrote it. Wow! Faire can mean both do and make. This phrase entered the Southern vernacular via Louisiana and is in regular use in the New Orleans area. On his deathbed he married the Creek woman who had been his common-law wife. Grandma might whisper this one over her hymnal if she sees you cutting up in church on Sunday morning. 132 Copy quote. There is no reason to suppose the Indian variant is true. Grahams American Monthly Magazine, Jun. 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. To cover your bases you might say, "I'll see you then if the creek don't rise." False folk etymology. The phrase may be accompanied by a gesture indicating north, south, east, or west. "If The Good Lord's Willing and The Creek Don't Rise" is a 1955 American country song by Jerry Reed which was particularly popularized by the 1958 recording of Johnny Cash and has been covered by multiple artists.[1]. Weiss has a unique voice. It's true, we do have a mouthful of sayings that only Southerners understand. The History And Traditions That Make Hanukkah Light Up, Examples Of Ableist Language You May Not Realize Youre Using, Winter 2023 New Words: Everything, Everywhere, All At Once, Fall In Love With 14 Captivating Valentines Day Words, Rizz And 7 Other Slang Trends That Explain The Internet In 2023, Win With Qi And This List Of Our Best Scrabble Words, We Had ChatGPT Coin Nonsense PhrasesAnd Then We Defined Them, Surprise! 133 Copy quote. That means whatever you're talking about is worth less than very little. Devil's beating his wife (when it would be sunny and raining). At the same time there is some evidence that the creation of Fort Deposit (Fort Deposite) in Georgia was a cause of concern in that munitions and arms were stockpiled. 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.". This book reminds me of that. Phrase [ edit] Lord willing and the creek don't rise ( idiomatic, US, informal) Barring unforeseen circumstances. Is It Called Presidents Day Or Washingtons Birthday? To understand Hawkins, I read a little further into his history. The catchphrase itself was associated with Hank Williams. If you refer to itno matter the brand or flavoras Coke, chances are you grew up in the South. We've had a lot of delays, but Lord willing and the creek don't rise, we should have the house finished before winter. You gonna do nothing?". What Do Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, And Lent Mean? Whether you're talking about volume or value, a hill of beans isn't worth much. As I was in a museum, I felt confident in repeating the knowledge to others as fact. Ain't got no dog in that race. In response to a request that he return to Washington D.C., he wrote, "God willing and the Creek don't rise." While this phrase may sound made up, it's simply our multisyllabic manner of saying something is askew. If the creek dont rise was a whimsical way of saying that the speaker would carry out some task provided that no figurative obstacle were put in his path. Does a bear shit in the woods? The Lafayette gazette (Louisiana), 3 Nov. 1894. It's raining cats and dogs. Marty Stuart places the words "If the Good Lord's willin' and the creek don't rise, we'll see you in the mornin'." Threats not only from abroad, but internally as well, forced the fledgling nation to negotiate treaties with the tribes on the western frontier. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Positive thinking, Southern style. It seems this saying is a favorite expression of country singers. Every researcher who has investigated the expression has dismissed an Indian connection as untrue. The most interesting often hail from our older generations, such as the WWII era and those raised by them. 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.". Because he capitalized Creek its asserted that he was referring to the Creek Indian tribe and not a body of water. Where did this contraction, popular in both African American English and Southern American English, come from? 25 Southern Grandparents' Sayings That Deserve a Comeback, Forgotten Etiquette Every Child Should Learn, Kimberly Schlapman and Her Family's Tea Cakes, Lauren Alaina Talks 'American Idol', Southern Manners, and Her Grandmother's Famous Recipe, 30 Quotes That Remind Us Why Southern Manners Are So Important. The Creek were a tribe of Native Americans (indians) who would ambush people who were traveling West. A Quite certainly not. Just wait till you see what Granny Gladys does..with a bit of help from Mother Nature..hehehe. The underscore of that sentiment would be that he married his common-law wife on his deathbed and she was of the Creek Indians. 1851. Here is an article that casts rather a lot of doubt on your assertion: 'God willing and the creek don't rise' M Quinion_World Wide Words: Q From Bob Scala: An item that has been floating around the internet claims that the expression 'God willing and the creek don't rise' referred to the Creek Indians, not a body of water. The doin hasnt been done yet. During the early days of the War of 1812, one party of Creek marched north and joined the Indians fighting in Ohio and Michigan, participating in the River Raisin Massacre. The approximately 20,000 Creek Indians that still exist reside in Oklahoma. Origin debaters point to Col. Benjamin Hawkins of North Carolina, a Continental Congress senator. In his response, he was said to write, God willing and the Creek dont rise. Because he capitalized the word Creek it is deduced that he was referring to the Creek Indian tribe and not a body of water. It can be summarised as "if all goes well". She captures the whole Appalachian scene - the vocabulary, the falling down houses, the likker, the poverty. 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? And yes, I have heard the music of this culture and watched the dancing. I grew up with that saying and Ive said it more times than I can count. As was the case with Dr Mattox, the remark is routinely attributed to first being said by Benjamin Hawkins. Tensions between settlers and both tribes had been rising following the Treaty of Augusta and the land cessions of 1782-1783. This string of double negatives is actually meant as encouragement! Throughout the years, through these floods, weve had several roads that have washed completely out, so you just dont know whats down there.. Something needed to fill in the gap: Yall is one solution associated with the South, with all generally serving to clarify more than one you is being addressed. from The New York Times: And, good Lord willing and the creek don't rise, come March of next year, I'll be 70 years old. And of course, there's nothing prettier than a warm summer day picking peaches in the sunshine. 15. It mentions Benjamin Hawkins of the late 18th century, who was asked by the US president to go back to Washington. When you're exhausted in an I'm-so-beat-I-can't-go-on kind of way, you're definitely worn slap out. 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. If The Creek Don't Rise is a unique novel whose structure feels light and breezy and veers drastically from the standard formula found in fiction. You dont know whats underneath that water, Rose said. 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 you answered soda, you probably hail from either coast or some patches around St. Louis or Milwaukee.Pop lovers congregate mostly in the Midwest and western states. But, what we do know is English once used you and ye strictly to address a group of people.