Hillsborough, NC
“Young Dog & Old Lady” (for Elizabeth Webb Matheson; Hillsborough, NC) 2006
9″x11″
Pencil and pastel. (NFS)
Go To: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k35haKwqY14
The old (18th century onwards), overgrown Episcopal and Presbyterian cemeteries are both a two minute walk from the Webb House’s front porch in the Hysterical District. I used to regularly take the dogs (two West Highlands and a Cairn) there to read when I got tired of being in the house all day. Not that the dogs were literate or confirmed (even as Presbyterians, which I gather is pretty easy); I let them off-leash and read, while the dogs giddily snuffled about the many gravestones. This is bossy, Alpha-female Kate, standing on top of poor Mrs. Walker’s earthly remains. Miss Robina (as was) lived to be 88 and, no doubt, saw many changes between 1772 and 1860. I assume that she died of profound mortification over the prospect of a Yankee invasion (Which was UTTERLY completed by the time we bought the Webb House in 2011).
The beautiful song is by Gillian Welch (it’s not the famous Stephen Foster version). Do take a listen (the video, with clips from “Paper Moon”, is pure genius)……… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k35haKwqY14
“There was a camp town man, used to plow and sing
And he loved that mule and the mule loved him
When the day got long as it does about now
I’d hear him singing to his mule and cow
Calling, “Come on my sweet old girl, and I’ll bet the whole damn world
That we’re gonna make it yet to the end of the row”
Singing “Hard times ain’t gonna rule my mind
Hard times ain’t gonna rule my mind, Bessie
Hard times ain’t gonna rule my mind no more”
Said it’s a mean old world, heavy in need
And that big machine is just picking up speed
And we’re supping on tears, and we’re supping on wine
We all get to heaven in our own sweet time
So come all you Asheville boys and turn up your old-time noise
And kick ’til the dust comes up from the cracks in the floor
Singing, “Hard times ain’t gonna rule my mind, brother
Hard times ain’t gonna rule my mind
Hard times ain’t gonna rule my mind no more”
But the camp town man, he doesn’t plow no more
I seen him walking down to the cigarette store
Guess he lost that knack and he forgot that song
Woke up one morning and the mule was gone
So come on, you ragtime kings, and come on, you dogs, and sing
And pick up a dusty old horn and give it a blow
Playing, “Hard times ain’t gonna rule my mind, honey
Hard times ain’t gonna rule my mind, sugar
Hard times ain’t gonna rule my mind no more”