if the creek don't rise saying if the creek don't rise saying

The expression make groceries is a translation of the French faire son march (to do ones market shopping). Grahams American Monthly Magazine, Jun. However, with the west in flames, both whites and Indians began organizing fighters. "Like all great southern. "You've heard that old saying, 'I'll be there if the creek don't rise?' Well, they've all risen, and a lot of people are staying home because of. This was an extremely enjoyable read! John Wayne. That book was a 1908 publication and leans toward the thought of Creek Indian, even if not capitalized, because of the word fire (as in shooting guns). Grahams American Monthly Magazine, Jun. Oh, if the good Lord's willing and the creek don't rise. There is no reason to suppose the Indian variant is true. "If the creek don't rise" is a slang phrase predominantly used in the Southeastern United States and can translate to "if all goes well." It's a more conditional action statement than the famous phrase "come hell or high water." Every researcher who has investigated the expression has dismissed an Indian connection as untrue. But I know of just four instances from that century. 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. When you've met the girl of your dreams, chances are she is "pretty as a peach." 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. 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. Some newspaper clippings are harder to determine which meaning they meant. If you think you can't, you won't be able to accomplish something, but if you think you can, you'll succeed. And yes, they roll their eyes, too. Then theres a long gap in the record before it began to appear again in the 1950s. A handful of rivers and streams will be out of their banks by Friday evening and Saturday morning. While there, we happened upon a museum dedicated to the Underground Railroad. 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. Affixes dictionary. They were both corrected by a good soul who told them that Creek, for the purposes of this phrases origin, meant Creek Indian. What is the origin of the phrase the good Lord willing and the creek dont rise? I see said the blind man to his deaf wife. You gonna let him break your spirit, too? Dylan LeBlanc - If The Creek Don't Rise Lyrics | Genius Lyrics "We plan to be there," we might say, and then add on a quick, "Lord willing and the creek don't rise." It's another way of saying, "I am dead serious about keeping my word on this, short of a hurricane or earthquake." In other words, I'm doggedly committed to this unless the devil stops me. Instead of "Well, I swear," Southerners have adopted a geographically inspired alternative. A true Southern tradition. However, the first President to move to Washington was John Adams on 1 November 1800. Doh! It may take the form of real or mock dialect, in variations like " Lor' willin' an' th' crick don' rise.". God willing and the creek don't rise If all goes as it should; if everything goes well. Lord Willing and the creek don't rise - English for Students origin of phrase - "if the creek don't rise" - Factual Questions !, Reckon has ancestry tracing all the way back to the 1000s (and maybe older still), and originally means to count, calculate.. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. 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. January 2021: Hat tip to Maria whonotes that the collection of Benjamin Hawkinss letters has now been digitized and can be read at this link. While in the south, Hawkins was requested by the President of the U.S. to return to Washington. 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. purchase. This means that if everything continues to plan, things will be okay. The tale is widely reproduced and believed nevertheless. It took a further decade for it to become popular as a supposedly hayseed utterance, sometimes as and the crick dont rise to reflect a regional form. Powered by Discourse, best viewed with JavaScript enabled, origin of phrase - "if the creek don't rise". Do You Know These Sizzlin Southern Sayings. 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. There, we listened to amazing stories told by Dr. John Mattox. In the 1900s, the word evolved, taking on a Southern spin as well as new meanings such as "courage" and "get-up-and-go.". The lyrics play on the expression Lord willing and the creek don't rise, which is thought to originate from Alabama. And yes, I have heard the music of this culture and watched the dancing. Yelling out this humorous backronym for sh*tmight just tame the anger a bit. Poor little doggy. Over yonder toward the water tower. If The Creek Don't Rise. and the word HOPE. I've never forgotten it and it's drove me nuts because I would love a copy of it. But in following verses the rhyme changes through "creeks don't rise", "creek stay low", back to "creeks don't rise". After eating a big, delicious Southern dinner Granny just made, you have to finish up with a slice of sweet potato pie, right? Be it Gods will, or, we go to war, my plans will go according to one of those two choices. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Unarguable Southern criticism. The Lafayette gazette (Louisiana), 3 Nov. 1894. Though youre likely to hear Southernisms such as hold your horses and pretty as a peach nationwide, youll likely only hear the following from a true Southerner. God Willing and the Creek Don't Rise | Native Heritage Project Nor is grammar an argument in favor the the subject being plural. She captures the whole Appalachian scene - the vocabulary, the falling down houses, the likker, the poverty. And I mean took me there! A true Southern tradition. is a common way to use this next Southern cussemism. It traces to the 1700s and is based on darnation, the mild form of damnation. It was so enjoyable and fun reading and discussing the book with them. It's a more conditional statement of intent than come hell or high water. (I would not be surprised to discover that the last contributor on your first link is none other than our own samclem.). "Like all great southern writers, Leah Weiss's magic turns the local into the universal." Wiley Cash, New York Times bestselling author, on All The Little Hopes. 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. According to http://www.aboutnorthgeorgia.com/ang/Benjamin_Hawkins: Generally recognized as the Creek Indian agent, Benjamin Hawkins also held the title of General Superintendent of all tribes south of the Ohio River. Your email address will not be published. Thats exactly who I was hoping would reply to my question. Yes, I had heard of the Appalachians and how the culture spreads along those mountains over more than a dozen States. If The Creek Don't Rise A rising creek could spell trouble, as it can lead to flooding and other issues. Donate via PayPal. Page created 25 Feb. 2012, Problems viewing this page? Your first citation is much stronger than your second. Maya Rodale is a best-selling romance author. When a fellers fixin to do something, theyre about to do it. Get help and learn more about the design. [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. Stop right there! Curiously, this word might have roots in offbeat British humor from the 1840s. Its worth looking into because of the way in which it has been elaborated in the version you quote.. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. No matter where you go in Kentucky, the people often have some colorful expressions. 'If The Creek Don't Rise' Traces Webs Of Hurt And Help : NPR This book reminds me of that. Required fields are marked *. If you're trying to be nice, but you just can't quite let it go, "bless your heart" is a go-to. If you just heard your mama come home and you haven't finished your chores, she will definitely be "madder than a wet hen." No, we don't mean you need to go fix your hair. When you're fixin' to do something, it's going to happen, but you also may decide to take your sweet time. I doubt it will ever be possible to prove the source of some of these old sayings,but they sure are alot of funThis post set me a thinkin bout some things we grew up saying that we took from our eldersfor example when one is astonished you say Oh my Stars! Or when you havent seen someone in awhile you say I aint seen Hide nor Hair of em since..and there was plenty of times I was toldquit rootin around an causin such a ruckass!usually refering to me being in Granmas gardenand one can never forget the simpleSkeedaddle! Now the devil may knowWhere those sayings come from. 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. (KAIT) - Its been a busy 24 hours for first responders in Sharp County. If you've read the book summary, you already know Sadie Blue lives with a devil of a man, but she's not the only one who has lived with a wife beater of a husband. God Willing and the Creek Don't Rise - Southern Love But we declareif your only knowledge of Southern sayings comes fromGone With the Wind, youre missing out on a lot of Southern expressions. It mentions Benjamin Hawkins of the late 18th century, who was asked by the US president to go back to Washington. Lately, though, I have learned to wince quickly and let it go. I've been in a slump of just ok books and was craving one that was special. PS A belated congratulations on your appointment as moderator, Tom. "Come Hell or high water" vs "Lord willing and the creek don't rise" This is a high compliment in the South, since Southern states are known for their peaches. As they returned home, some of them also killed some settlers in the Ohio valley. 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. Someone reminded me not to be reminded of you. Well, hells bells. The distinct English dialect of the American South, which has a close relationship with Black English (African American Vernacular English), is fascinatingand plenty lively. In response to a request that he return to Washington D.C., he wrote, "God willing and the Creek don't rise." Over yonder down the road. Im a longtime admirer of your calm demeanor and encyclopedic knowledge. A Quite certainly not. Threats not only from abroad, but internally as well, forced the fledgling nation to negotiate treaties with the tribes on the western frontier. 30 Phrases Only Southerners Use It's often said in a reassuring way, to calm people down and encourage them to keep on trying. (the good) Lord willing and the creek don't rise rural If all goes as it should; if everything goes well. 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. DeSantis's year-long quest to strip Disney of its self-rule came after the entertainment giant, and Florida's . In fact, virtually all the examples that Ive found in books and newspaper archives down to the present day are in lower-case. Often said as Lord willing and the creek dont rise, this expression means, with a little bit of luck and no unexpected problems, things should work out. We've had a lot of delays, but Lord willing and the creek don't rise, we should have the house finished before winter. This one originates from the 19th century, when Carter Products marketed "Little Liver Pills" across the country. We've had a lot of delays, but God willing and the creek don't rise, we should have the house finished before winter. Hang onto both and 'tough it out'. Southerners tell it like it isno matter what it isso think of this as a learning moment. Some say it originated with the Scottish-Irish term ye aw. Many thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for the ARC in return for an unbiased review. In alternating first person narratives from a cast of characters that will be hard to forget, Leah Weiss took me to the mountain community called Baines Creek in the Appalachian Mountains in NC. And, when the doins been done, the feller done did it. Youre still going to the grocery store. Funny Phrases ben stanczyk 10/25/01 It was set in the Ozark mountains featuring what some people called a witch. You gonna do nothing?". This was the phrase that he always used, at the end of each performance. 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. And I have used this page's title often-feeling quite sure I knew exactly what it meant. 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. In the South, a hill of beans is its own measuring stick. Its especially difficult for people that live south of River Road and some of them that live in Woodland Hills. This string of double negatives is actually meant as encouragement! In his reply, he was said to have written, God willing and the Creek dont rise. These skies can darken at a moment's notice, and summer afternoons often see winds churning and heavy rain clouds blowing in to cool that Southern summer heat. Rather, when this phrase is used, we'd like you to mind your manners and stop acting inappropriately. So the saying came about like we'll be there.God willing and the Creek (indians) don't rise..to stop us. It's almost always accompanied by a good-natured, perhaps slightly exasperated, shake of the head. However, this is clearly one of those evolving language cases. The expression ". Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Translated, it means, "He sure does think a lot of himself." It can be summarised as if all goes well. If you find only minnows, though, they look even smaller compared to the heavy catch you hoped for. You will have spotted that neither of these capitalises creek, which suggests they didnt have the Creek people in mind. Though youre likely to hear Southernisms such as. "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. If the Creek Don't Rise Quotes by Leah Weiss - Goodreads When the U.S. demanded that the murderers be handed over for punishment, the Creek executed them themselves (for the Ohio murders, not for the River Raisin battle and aftermath). The creek don't rise - Wikipedia He would tell the audience that we would meet again, "If the good Lord's willin', and the creek don't rise". Change). Just wait till you see what Granny Gladys does..with a bit of help from Mother Nature..hehehe. What in tarnation? I ate that up with a spoon and did my best to read them all. A sister who is afraid of losing her brother and Sadie's grandmother and aunt, all tell their stories adding to Sadie's own. The tale is widely reproduced and believed nevertheless. Often said as "Lord willing and the creek don't rise," this expression means, with a little bit of luck and no unexpected problems, things should work out. The Lafayette gazette(Louisiana), 3 Nov. 1894. When the road looks rough ahead, remember the 'Man upstairs'. A multipurpose Southernism. The written record dates the saying from about the middle of the nineteenth century. Turn around, and please dont drive through it. in Williams' mouth in his tribute album Hillbilly Heaven. Baines Creek, high up in the Appalachian mountain, a poor place filled with impoverished people, a place where moonshine is king. Take a look here Michael: http://www.genealogynation.com/creek/. on, This page was last edited on 22 January 2022, at 17:42. 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. Runnin around like a chicken with it's head . 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. 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. That means whatever you're talking about is worth less than very little. You'll most often hear it coming out of Mama's mouth when the kids are running amok. It completely nailed the "mountain living" that I remembered my grandmother talking about. Youll thank us later! I have even heard the accents and many of the stories from various artists who escaped the confines of this culture and were successful in attaining fame and fortune for themselves. 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.". Because that is supposedly how the original author first wrote it. Although he admits when the rain starts to fall, it makes him a little nervous. From the present day of the story in 1970 to flashbacks of the past and dreams, these various points of view give us a vivid picture of this place and the people who live there. the creek don't rise. Andrew Jackson sent a request for reinforcements before the Battle Of New Orleans. All rights reserved. I am usually among those who bristle at change in usage. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. "If the Creek Don't Rise" We'll be there unless something out of our control stops us. It seems this saying is a favorite expression of country singers. The saying "God willing and the Creek don't rise." Came from those traveling west in the OLD DAYS. Hardy citizens awoken by first responders urging evacuation, Lawsuit filed against Summit Utilities over price gouging, 2023 2A State Basketball Tournament: EPC boys fall to Marshall in Quarterfinals, 2023 2A State Basketball Tournament: Bay boys fall to Bigelow in Quarterfinals, Arkansas State womens basketball falls to Southern Miss in SBC Quarterfinals, Arkansas women's basketball falls to #1 South Carolina in SEC Tournament, Fast Break Friday Night (3/3/23): Jonesboro boys advance to 6A state semifinals. 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. According to World Wide Words, when asked if it meant Creek Indians, their expert responded with: Quite certainly not. It mentions . But, what we do know is English once used you and ye strictly to address a group of people. The lyrics play on the expression Lord willing and the creek don't rise, which is thought to originate from Alabama. This page was last edited on 17 January 2023, at 01:18. Accents vary by regionand sometimes even city to city. 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. 'Creek don't rise' is a phrase with possibly more than one meaning 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? The nabbit, gonnit, gummit, blasted, and burnit match the rhythm of damn it, but they can easily be modified for use as an adjective or adverb: That dagnab idiot didnt look to the dadgum left and, dadburnit, he crossed over in my dadblasted lane and dadburn near hit me. When used as a stand-alone oath, hold out on the first syllable and accentuate the second: DaaadGUMMit! This article about the English language is a stub. Well, I found it. A: "Do you reckon we'll have enough from this harvest to make ends meet?" B: "God willing and the creek don't rise." Ireckon is the way many Southerners get to surmising about something or other. Actually this is not proven. I am feeling culture shock from reading this book. All the ones I know from growin up : r/ShitSouthernersSay If youre not using this phrase what are you waiting for? Kicked in the gut and sucker punched with one of the best books I have ever read. [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. A strikingly sincere portrait of a town and its buried secrets from an outstanding new voice in southern fiction. Some say farmers used to dunk their hens when they got broody. Soda web site devoted to this age-old debate. 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. He wrote it in response to a request from the President to return to our Nations Capital and the reference is not to a creek, but The Creek Indian Nation. 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. 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. He was a politician and Indian agent. So, if during the time of Benjamin Hawkins life, the Creek Indians were experiencing the longest period of peace, why would he fear that they would rise. IF THE CREEK DON'T RISE is character driven and one fine gritty and entertaining debut with one fine satisfying ending! You may still hear it if you stop into a country store.