In the South, a hill of beans is its own measuring stick. 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. During the early days of the War of 1812, one party of Creek marched north and joined the Indians fighting in Ohio and Michigan, participating in the River Raisin Massacre. It may take the form of real or mock dialect, in variations like " Lor' willin' an' th' crick don' rise.". Lately, though, I have learned to wince quickly and let it go. It completely nailed the "mountain living" that I remembered my grandmother talking about. The lyrics play on the expression Lord willing and the creek don't rise, which is thought to originate from Alabama. The exact tranlation might be, 'If God is willing, and there isn't a flood that would prevent us from meeting again next week'. Fans of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek will love this intimate insight into a fiercely proud, tenacious community and relish the voices of the forgotten folks of Baines Creek. 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. 133 Copy quote. A very young, newly married pregnant woman, she vows her no good moonshining husband has beaten her for the last time. And yes, they roll their eyes, too. https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=Lord_willing_and_the_creek_don%27t_rise&oldid=70955250. (the good) Lord willing and the creek don't rise rural If all goes as it should; if everything goes well. Hang onto both and 'tough it out'. Eventually, you became a singular pronoun, and we lost the plural pronouns. Who better to write about the risks of the Creek rising in revolt? Hawkins, college-educated and a well-written man would never have made a grammatical error, so the capitalization of Creek is the only way the phrase could make sense. Some newspaper clippings are harder to determine which meaning they meant. Neither provides any documentation: http://pub122.ezboard.com/fwordoriginsorgfrm2.showMessage?topicID=191.topic, http://members.aol.com/MorelandC/HaveOriginsData.htm#LordWillingAndTheCreek. No Bigger Than a Minnow in a Fishing Pond, A Rooster One Day and A Feather Duster the Next, If You Know These Sayings, You Definitely Grew Up in the South, Only Real Southerners Know the Meaning of "Putting On the Dog", Things Only Southern Moms Say To Their Daughters, Things Only Southerners Say When It Snows. The researchers went on to cite two different publications in the 1800s in which the authors did not capitalize the word creek, leading one to believe they did not mean the people proper. Funny Phrases ben stanczyk 10/25/01 Learn how your comment data is processed. A friend of mine told me to shoot first and ask questions later. From the start there's been a film of dingy on my days.. 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? Lord willing and the creek don't rise, we'll have that new barn finished in time for the harvest. World Wide Words tries to record at least a part of this shifting wordscape by featuring new words, word histories, words in the news, and the curiosities of native English speech. Turn around, and please dont drive through it. Grandma might whisper this one over her hymnal if she sees you cutting up in church on Sunday morning. !, Reckon has ancestry tracing all the way back to the 1000s (and maybe older still), and originally means to count, calculate.. 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. Does a bear shit in the woods? While there, we happened upon a museum dedicated to the Underground Railroad. The catchphrase itself was associated with Hank Williams. And really, wouldn't we all druther have our druthers? The first big battles in the Creek War were, indeed, attacks on white settlements, but it was not a matter of an uprising that threatened settlers, rather it was an outbreak of war between two armed groups in which whites and Indians sought each other out. Back when I was in the fourth grade we had an English teacher who dumped a box of books out one day and told us to read them and do book reports. Come visit me at LeahWeiss.com where you can subscribe to my CREEKRISE author news. "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. Powered by Discourse, best viewed with JavaScript enabled, origin of phrase - "if the creek don't rise". God willing and the creek don't rise If all goes as it should; if everything goes well. Yet here I stand before you a speckled hermit, wrapt in the risen-sun counterpane of my popilarity, an intendin, Providence permittin, and the creek dont rise, to go it blind!. (LogOut/ I was just hoping for something more concrete about the real origin. It mentions Benjamin Hawkins of the late 18th century, who was asked by the US president to go back to Washington. An odd few (6% of Americans) do use soft drink, according to the Pop vs. Yelling out this humorous backronym for sh*tmight just tame the anger a bit. If the creek don't risewas a whimsical way of saying that the speaker would carry out some task provided that no figurative obstacle were put in his path. During the course of his 21 years in these positions he would oversee the longest period of peace with theCreek, only to watch his lifetime of work destroyed by a faction of this Indian Nation known as the Red Sticks during the War of 1812. The General replied to Stonewall Jackson that he would send troops "the Good Lord is willing and the Creeks don't rise (in rebellion). Take a look at some of our favorite Southern sayings that we just couldn't live without. It is a breathtaking and gritty portrayal of hillbilly life from the year 1970 which is set in the Appalachian Mountains. Page created 25 Feb. 2012, Problems viewing this page? A different style for the story telling in this as we hear from many of the people in this town and Sadie Blues own story is woven through the fabric of theirs. Over yonder past the cotton field. 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. I've never forgotten it and it's drove me nuts because I would love a copy of it. Any of you word experts have solid information? Depending on where you are, youre likely to hear words combined together (gonna for going to) and different vowel sounds than youre used to, including mah for my and git for get.Git has been in use since the 16th century all over the country, but is particularly common in the South, where it appears in everything from classic literature (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, To Kill a Mockingbird) to personal correspondence (I want you to write me as soon as you git this letter, from a letter dating back to the Civil War). But today Ive stumbled across the claim that it refers to an uprising by the Creek (or Cree) Indians. 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. That argues for a more mundane origin: the old-time difficulties of travelling on dirt roads that forded rivers and streams; a sudden storm could cause water levels to rise without warning and render the route impassable. You will have spotted that neither of these capitalises creek, which suggests they didnt have the Creek people in mind. There is a lot of controversy about this fairly common folk saying. 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. It can be summarised as if all goes well. Two years after the signing of the treaty, Benjamin Hawkins died at the site known as Old Agency. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. So the saying came about like we'll be there.God willing and the Creek (indians) don't rise..to stop us. Every researcher who has investigated the expression has dismissed an Indian connection as untrue. The second contributor on the AOL site is simply repeating things without any understanding. Leah Weiss introduces her extraordinary characters as chapters unfold and each one has their own peculiarity. If you've just had a big Southern lunch, complete with cornbread, collard greens, and pecan pie, you're definitely full as a tick. Pot callin the kettle black. 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. The catchphrase itself was associated with Hank Williams. Eli is the backbone of the community; all he wants is a better life for the people of Baines Creek evidenced by the succession of teachers he has procured.and been scared off, and his scheming troublemaking spinster of a sister Prudence who "don't like nobody" doesn't help matters any, but when the giant 6' 2" Kate Shaw arrives, wellthat's another story. Johnny Cash had a hit with the song If The Good Lords Willing, and Hank Williams Jr. titled his song If the Good Lords Willin (And The Creeks Dont Rise).. In the Deep South? Its typically used to describe a situation thats gone askew, awry, or out of alignment. "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. A young woman goes missing and has the town both fearful and wondering. Rather, when this phrase is used, we'd like you to mind your manners and stop acting inappropriately. This page was last edited on 17 January 2023, at 01:18. By extension, maybe the Southern US expression was the way for an affronted or shocked listener to say none of that crazy untoward talk or behavior shall have power over me.. This one originates from the 19th century, when Carter Products marketed "Little Liver Pills" across the country. Instead of "Well, I swear," Southerners have adopted a geographically inspired alternative. "Well I s'wanee" evokes the Southern Suwannee River. If the good Lord's willin and the creek don't rise. Over yonder down the road. According to World Wide Words, when asked if it meant Creek Indians, their expert responded with: " Quite certainly not. The earliest example known is this mock rustic speech: Feller-citizens Im not customed to public speakin before sich highfalutin audiences. Whether you're talking about volume or value, a hill of beans isn't worth much. We've had a lot of delays, but Lord willing and the creek don't rise, we should have the house finished before winter. But did he really say the words quoted or was a phrase morphed to include him as the author? What is the origin of the phrase the good Lord willing and the creek dont rise? Oh, how I loved this story - I simply didnt want it to end! While in the south, Hawkins was requested by the President of the U.S. to return to Washington. This means that if everything continues to plan, things will be okay. Yet here I stand before you a speckled hermit, wrapt in the risen-sun counterpane of my popilarity, an intendin, Providence permittin, and the creek dont rise, to go it blind!. Copyright Michael Quinion, 1996. I agree that the Indian origin sounds unlikely. But I know of just four instances from that century. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The tale is widely reproduced and believed nevertheless. Look up Lord willing and the creek don't rise in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. They had a conversation in which the phrase was discussed and noted as being about the Creek Indians. We've had a lot of delays, but God willing and the creek don't rise, we should have the house finished before winter. If youre not using this phrase what are you waiting for? In Gone With the Wind, Scarlett OHara says: I do declare, Frank Kennedy, if you dont look dashing with that new set of whiskers!. I've been in a slump of just ok books and was craving one that was special. If you hear this one, it's best to slow down. [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. Its worth looking into because of the way in which it has been elaborated in the version you quote.. (Yes, it is terrible grammar, but that is how it is said. Weiss has spun me upside down in this backward county in the Appalachian mountains and made a southerner out of me. Because that is supposedly how the original author first wrote it. It presumably evokes occasional and unpredictably extreme rainfall in Appalachia, that has historically isolated one rural neighborhood or another temporarily inaccessible on several or many occasions. 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). Statements of the form "God/Lord willing and (some other condition being met)" are ancient extensions of simple acceptance of God's will in phrases like God willing and Lord willing. This Southern saying, God Willing and the Creek Don't Rise. 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. For instance, I might promise to show up for Christmas at Grandmas if the good Lords willing and the creek dont rise. All rights reserved. purchase. The request was to a general that had troops near Horseshoe Bend Alabama, protecting settlers against a Creek Indian uprising. It is a physical and mental state a few degrees past weary and just this side of dog-tired. Change). 4.5 stars! Cookies and privacy Thats a mouthful, but we lumped these all together because they are allsubstitutes for (God) d*mn it. The word you use for a fizzy, carbonated drink reveals a lot more about you than you know. 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. When you're exhausted in an I'm-so-beat-I-can't-go-on kind of way, you're definitely worn slap out. An exclamationof surprise, anger, happiness, really any emotionthat is appropriate in nearly every Southern scenario. Actually this is not proven. Then theres a long gap in the record before it began to appear again in the 1950s. Someone kicked in with we say cricks. Have you ever seen a wet hen? Although he admits when the rain starts to fall, it makes him a little nervous. I reckon she skipped town on account of her mama being madder than a wet hen. Alongside fixin to, this is a quintessential term to strike a match under your vocab and hear it holler Yeehaw!! I reckon "I reckon" can replace any number of phrases, such as: I guess, I suppose, I think, and I imagine. But in following verses the rhyme changes through "creeks don't rise", "creek stay low", back to "creeks don't rise". Not one shred of evidence is a clear invitation to fault the writer. False folk etymology. Curiously, this word might have roots in offbeat British humor from the 1840s. Marty Stuart places the words "If the Good Lord's willin' and the creek don't rise, we'll see you in the mornin'." The thing isI read one that I have never stopped thinking about. I absolutely loved the southern voice of these characters throughout this book. Ireckon is the way many Southerners get to surmising about something or other. 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. A strikingly sincere portrait of a town and its buried secrets from an outstanding new voice in southern fiction. Thats exactly who I was hoping would reply to my question. 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. Therefore if the Lord is willing and the Creek don't rise up and start up another uprising or battle, we will be able complete what ever it is we intend to do. 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. Used in a sentence - If the creek don't rise and God's willing, you should be able to see this video. If the Creek Don't Rise by Leah Weiss (Author), Tom Stechschulte (Narrator), Kate Forbes (Narrator). I am usually among those who bristle at change in usage. 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. "If the good Lord's willing and the creek don't rise.". 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. Other words sites Faire can mean both do and make. This phrase entered the Southern vernacular via Louisiana and is in regular use in the New Orleans area. (Or maybe the Piggly Wiggly, a Southern market chain that originated in Memphis, Tennessee). If you hear this one, you should probably pause a moment. Positive thinking, Southern style. Can't Never Could. 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. "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. There's two or three creeks," he said. Copy furnished by Net Galley for the price of a review. The 1800s and 1900s were much simpler times, as people didn't have the luxuries afforded in modern times. A: "Do you reckon we'll have enough from this harvest to make ends meet?" Take a load off the ole dogs, sit on your front porch, and let your know neighbors know about that sugar honey iced teayou had to deal with today. 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. As I was in a museum, I felt confident in repeating the knowledge to others as fact. 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. It must surely be the creation of a fertile modern mind desiring to put the flesh of evidence on the dry bones of outright invention. Your first citation is much stronger than your second. But we declareif your only knowledge of Southern sayings comes fromGone With the Wind, youre missing out on a lot of Southern expressions. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), http://www.aboutnorthgeorgia.com/ang/Benjamin_Hawkins, Follow Thoughts and Ponderances on WordPress.com. If the Creek Don't Rise is a collection of hard-used characters, tangled relationships, family angst, and fortitude. 1851. Now, she admits to saying this to her children. As they returned home, some of them also killed some settlers in the Ohio valley. The expression make groceries is a translation of the French faire son march (to do ones market shopping). Some say it originated with the Scottish-Irish term ye aw. Her grandmother Gladys tells us of her awful past ridden with the drunkenness and senseless abuse. 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. "If the Creek Don't Rise" We'll be there unless something out of our control stops us. After eating a big, delicious Southern dinner Granny just made, you have to finish up with a slice of sweet potato pie, right? Sign up for writing inspiration in your email, , Scarlett OHara says: I do declare, Frank Kennedy, if you dont look dashing with that new set of whiskers!, The distinct English dialect of the American South, which has a close relationship with Black English (African American Vernacular English), is fascinatingand plenty lively.