Collected by Merlin Mitchell
Transcribed by Mary C. Parler
Bill and Short Baker
St. Paul, Arkansas
May 10, 1950
Reel 62, Item 1
The Arkansas Traveler (skit)
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Say, wher' did you start?
I started or here to a little ol' frolic. Why? Did you
want to go with me?
Yeah. What's your occupation?
Fiddler and a farmer.
Fiddler and a farmer. What do you raise on your farm?
Did raise cotton, but they've got me out on bale now.
I see you play a violin.
No, but I play a fiddle.
Did you ever play before very many people?
I played before five thousand once.
That was a pretty large audience to play before.
Yeah, but that was before they got there.
Would you like to har a prettv good fiddler?
Yeah, I'd har a feller to work for me.
What'd you give a feller out of it?
Well, I'd give him about forty dollars per week.
How much?
About forty dollar per.
I don't work that a way no more. I worked that a way
fer a feller, and all I got was the per.
Can you play the "Arkansas Traveler"?
That's really who you're talkin' to.
Let's hear that.
Plays first theme ("the coarse part")
Toby, how's all yore hawgs down on the farm?
They're all well. How's all your folks?
Plays snatch of Arkansas Traveler
Seems to me like I've saw you some place.
I guess you have. I've been over there lots of times.
Plays snatch of tune.
You've lived round here all yore life?
No, Not yit!
Snatch of tune.
I's just a-thinkin' - are you a married man?
Nope. No bad habits.
Snatch of tune.
What's yore name?
Hit might be Abraham Lincoln, but it ain't.
Snatch of tune.
Come on, tell me your right name.
George Washington.
You mean old Geroge that hacked the cherry tree?
Aw naw. I ain't struck a lice o' work fer over a yer an'
a half.
Snatch of tune.
Heh I Could you tell me which side of a ten yer old heifer the
most hair grows on?
Don't b'lieve I could. What side?
Why, the outside.
Snatch of tune.
The Arkansas Traveler (Cont.)
Reel 62, Item 1 (Cont.)
B. Say, did you hear about Jack Napier's little
dog fallin' out o' the barn loft smack dab in
a barrel o' turpentine?
A. No. Did it hurt him his little dog?
B. I don't know; they ain't never overtook him yet.
Snatch of tune.
A. Say, there's not much between you an' a fool, is there?
B. Oh,'bout a foot an' a half.
Snatch of tune.
A. Toby, I's just a-thinkin'; did yore mother ever raise
any children?
B. No. Dad won me in a crap game.
Snatch of tune.
A. Tobe, I'll tell you what let's do. Let's sing these
folks "Ticklish Reuben". You want us to stand or set?
B. Hit don't make any difference. I can sing either way.
A. Well, let's try it standin' up then.
