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Tale: Mother's Uncle and the Paterollers

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@ University of Arkansas

Campbell, Lula

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coll. by M.C. Parler Told by Mrs. Lula Campbell Brinkley, Ark. Nov. 14, 1953 Reel 167 During slavery, my mother's people belonged to the Rooks. And they were called Rook's free Negroes because they were given so much freedom. At each week-end, if - the master gave them a pass to go to visit their wives - in case he couldn't buy the wives. So one week-end he gave Uncle Frank, my mother's uncle, a pass to see his wife. And he was trapped by the paterollers on the way. And so they made a big fire, and had Uncle Frank in the middle to do his dance. He was a great dancer. And as he sang,"First upon the knee-tap (cap?) and then upon your toe, All round and around and round, And away we go!" Then he says, "Well, do that again." Then he says, "First upon your knee-tap and then upon your toe, All around and round and round, And away we go?" He says, "Bless yo' soul, honey, I picked a chance, and I ah - Oh, I said 'First upon your knee-tap and then upon your toe, All around and round and round, and away we go!" and I shot out between those Paterollers and made my way to see my wife. "And then later, one of the Paterollers met me and said, 'Uncle Frank, well you certainly got away with us the other night.' And in that way I found out who the Paterollers were."...
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Text
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Contributors:
Parler, Mary Celestia
Created Date:
1953 11 14
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From Collection

Ozark Folksong Collection

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University of Arkansas