There I’ve said it, I AM a child of Appalachia.
There will be a post shortly about diversity, which I had actually planned to post before this, but I was sidetracked with actual work! Dear Lord help us all when work interferes with our abilities to blog away.
Anyhows, this subject was brought up when I received the following email. Now, understand, I am not offended by this. In fact, I find the humor in this, but with upcoming discussions of diversity, I wonder if I shouldn’t be offended? Why, if this “Hillbilly Love Poem” had been written for any other ethnic group, would it be as easily acceptable?
Please notice it was sent to me in all caps. Is this making a statement about the inability of a “hillbilly” (Appalachian) to type? Perhaps they are just not smart enough to find the Caps Lock key? Why, come to think of it, I’m surprised they were even able to email it. Or perhaps that was the idea, email it so there is no chance that anyone of this ethnic group will be able to access it. Not that you would need to worry about it, after all, can those Appalachians even read?
With no further ado, here is …
HILLBILLY LOVE POEM
SUSIE LEE DONE FELL IN LOVE,
SHE PLANNED TO MARRY JOE.
SHE WAS SO HAPPY ‘BOUT IT ALL,
SHE TOLD HER PAPPY SO.
PAPPY TOLD HER, SUSIE GAL,
YOU’LL HAVE TO FIND ANOTHER.
I’D JUST AS SOON YO’ MA DON’T KNOW,
BUT JOE IS YO’ HALF BROTHER.
SO SUSIE PUT ASIDE HER JOE
AND PLANNED TO MARRY WILL.
BUT AFTER TELLING PAPPY THIS,
HE SAID, ‘THERE’S TROUBLE STILL.’
YOU CAN’T MARRY WILL, MY GAL,
AND PLEASE DON’T TELL YO’ MOTHER ..
BUT WILL AND JOE, AND SEVERAL MO’
I KNOW IS YO’ HALF BROTHER.
BUT MAMA KNEW AND SAID, MY CHILD,
JUST DO WHAT MAKES YO’ HAPPY.
MARRY WILL OR MARRY JOE;
YOU AIN’T NO KIN TO PAPPY.
