Songcatcher Page #5

Is that what

your education taught you,

to hate your own people?

(grunting)

(Deladi's screaming)

Fate:
Damn you, Giddens,

you're as mean as a copperhead.

- Deladis:
No!

- And I sleep like a snake, too.

With both eyes open.

(gun cocking)

Leave the boy, Earl.

Get on out of here.

The deal's done.

You got my word.

Get.

Good day, Doctor.

Is that any way to settle

anything, you stupid boy?

That man would steal the dime

off a dead man's eye.

I'm really very sorry.

(melancholy mid tempo tune)

(music) When I first come

to this country (music)

(music) In 1849 (music)

(music) I saw many fair lovers (music)

(music) But I never saw mine (music)

(music) I viewed it all around me (music)

(music) Saw I was quite alone (music)

(music) Me a poor stranger (music)

(music) And a long way from home (music)

(music) Fare thee well

to old Mother (music)

(music) Fare thee well

to father, too (music)

(music) I'm going for to ramble (music)

(music) This wide world all through (music)

(music) And when I get weary (music)

(music) I'll sit down and cry (music)

(music) Think of my Saro (music)

(music) Pretty Saro, my bride (music)

(music) Well, I wished

I was a turtle dove (music)

(music) Had wings and could fly (music)

(music) Far away

to my lover's lodgings (music)

(music) Tonight I draw nigh (music)

(music) And there in her

lily-white arms (music)

(music) I'd lay there all night (music)

(music) And watch through them

little windows (music)

(music) For the dawning of day. (music)

Man:
The missionary board

is convinced

that the schools

would take hold better

in the mountain communities

if theyre led by a man and wife,

who would integrate

more normally into the community

than two women.

Fortunately for us, Reverend,

we're not under

your jurisdiction.

(chuckling)

I'm beginning to understand

your appreciation

of the local crafts,

Mrs. McFarland.

It's a beautifully made piece.

I have several like it.

She'll bankrupt me

with her collecting.

The Clover School is a model,

but the church is better

equipped to educate.

I endorse the English idea,

we must educate by example.

If we teach these ruffians

to serve tea properly,

they would want refinement,

seek it out.

I believe we must ask

the mountain people

what they want

and what they need.

That is the enlightened

point of view.

Man #2:
Educating these savages

is a waste of money.

If you want to

help these children,

get them out of their hovels

and put them to work.

There's nothing like

a day's wages

to help make

for advancement.

It's a beautiful land,

isn't it, Mr. McFarland?

It's one of the largest,

untapped coal deposits

in the southern mountains,

Miss Tolliver.

And soon,

I'm gonna own it.

And with my coal mines

will come towns,

roads, railroads,

churches,

even a few more schools.

Although I don't share

the lofty ideals of you ladies,

I would like to make

a small donation

to the Clover school,

say, $500.

Thank you, but we couldn't

possibly accept such a gift,

despite our need.

Yes, it's essential we avoid

all political affiliations

to maintain the trust

of the community.

As far as I know, water pumps

don't have political affiliations.

Mr. McFarland, I thought

you supported Christian education.

I support progress,

Rev. Merriweather.

I also appreciate what

these ladies have accomplished.

I think this school

is the loveliest,

the way Miss Tolliver

and Miss Penleric

have used the local crafts

to decorate.

Are you aware

of the folk arts movement

that is sweeping

New York and London?

I'm quite a collector.

Doc's collecting songs.

- Really?

- Mm-hmm.

Yes, I am.

Um...

(gasping)

Ah, it's beautiful.

So refined.

Was this painted by a local?

I knew you would

appreciate it.

Do you know I have sent

a dozen of these

to a gallery in New York?

The dealer is very excited.

Harriet:

Oh, look, everybody,

our musical entertainment

is here.

Hi, Will.

Deladis:

Hey, Will.

Harriet:

Everybody, this is Will.

Hello, Will.

Harriet:
Why don't you play

"Sally Goodin"?

(up tempo melody)

Oh, Ambrose,

twirl me around the lawn.

Reverend:
Miss Tolliver,

may I have the honor?

Harriet:
I'd be delighted.

(song continues,

dancers whooping)

Whoo!

Ooh...!

Viney:
Take a little bit.

Go on.

Viney:
Isn't that good?

(cackling laugh)

(music tempo quickens)

Hey, Del.

Where have you been?

Miss Elna's been worried sick.

I ain't her concern no more.

Not hers or nobody's.

Man:

Go on out there, boy.

Woman:

Get on up there.

Miss Elna?

I'd be delighted.

A little space...

It's her chance, now.

Viney:
Put out your hands

on your waist.

Come on, let's try it.

Lift them legs!

(laughing and cheering)

Man:
Look out in there.

(scoffing)

Hello.

Would you care to...?

Maybe I was speaking a little

too proper to you before.

- Get your long legs out here.

- I don't think so.

Let me show you some

true country spirit.

- Come on.

- No, thank you.

I think perhaps you've had

a little too much to drink.

- Naw.

- No, thank you.

I'll show you right

what you need to know.

No, please, Mr. Bledsoe.

Get on out of here.

(punching and hollering)

(music continues)

(glass breaking)

(waltz tune plays softly)

It's very late.

We should get back.

I'll find my own way home.

I'll see the doctor gets home.

All right.

I'll be fine.

Good night.

Good night.

(strums softly)

Tom:
Hey, Earl.

How's your head?

(o m chuckling)

(music) O what is this (music)

(music) I cannot see (music)

(music) Whose icy hand (music)

(music) Takes hold on me? (music)

(music) O I am Death (music)

(music) That none can excel (music)

(music) I open the door (music)

(music) To Heaven and Hell. (music)

(music) O Death, O Death (music)

(music) How can it be (music)

(music) that I must come (music)

(music) And go with thee? (music)

(music) For Death, O Death (music)

(music) How can it be? (music)

(music) I'm unprepared (music)

(music) For eternity (music)

(music) "O yes, I've come (music)

(music) For to get your soul (music)

(music) Take your body (music)

(music) And leave it cold (music)

(music) I'll drop the flesh (music)

(music) From off of your brain (music)

(music) The earth and the worms (music)

(music) Both have their claim" (music)

Woman:

(music) O Death, O Death, (music)

(music) please let me see (music)

(music) If Christ has turned (music)

(music) His back on me? (music)

(music) "When you were called (music)

(music) And asked to bow (music)

(music) You wouldn't take heed (music)

(music) And it's too late now" (music)

(music) Farewell, farewell (music)

(music) To all farewell (music)

(music) My doom is fixed (music)

(music) I'm summoned to Hell (music)

(music) As long as God (music)

(music) In Heaven shall dwell (music)

(music) My soul, my soul (music)

(music) Shall scream in Hell. (music)

We'll stay on here.

I'm not grateful for your vain

gallantry, Mr. Bledsoe.

I am perfectly capable

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