As they returned home, some of them also killed some settlers in the Ohio valley. Synonyms [ edit] (barring unforeseen circumstances): God willing, Lord willing Translations [ edit] show phrase References [ edit] What in tarnation? It's almost always accompanied by a good-natured, perhaps slightly exasperated, shake of the head. God willing and the creek don't rise - TheFreeDictionary.com The saying has been attributed to Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Jackson among others, on the usual principle that attaching a famous name to a story validates it. Take a look here Michael: http://www.genealogynation.com/creek/. 15 Odd Southern Sayings Their Origins - Bourbon and Boots 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. It turns out that the phrase was written by Benjamin Hawkins in the late 18th century. Any of you word experts have solid information? If we relied on written sources it would be hard to believe in such continued use. It is a quintessential Southern phrase, said by friends and family on porches and in rocking chairs all across the South. 132 Copy quote. No bigger than a minnow in a fishing pond is as tiny as can be. TOP 25 QUOTES BY JOHN WAYNE (of 133) | A-Z Quotes While this phrase may sound made up, it's simply our multisyllabic manner of saying something is askew. Its a more conditional statement of intent than come hell or high water. "All get out" finds its way into Southern phrases constantly, and it intensifies any statement. Or, depending on where you live, it could be Sewanee, the small college town in Tennessee. Because this is a progressive verb (youll make progress with it for sure), remember You were fixin to patch the hole in the wall. Never say you fixed to do it! [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. 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. Someone reminded me not to be reminded of you. The Problem with Saying, "Lord Willing and the Creek Don't Rise" Whether you're talking about volume or value, a hill of beans isn't worth much. Older than Methuselah. It is a breathtaking and gritty portrayal of hillbilly life from the year 1970 which is set in the Appalachian Mountains. All rights reserved. Which means if nothing crazy happens or anything out my control such as a natural disaster. 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 can be summarised as if all goes well. God Willing and the Creek Don't Rise - Southern Love Throughout the years, through these floods, weve had several roads that have washed completely out, so you just dont know whats down there.. If the Creek rose, Hawkins would have to be present to quell the rebellion. writes one commentator.. 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. He was a politician and Indian agent. In his response, he was said to write, "God willing and the Creek don't rise." Jan 29, 2014 at 19:34 . Marty Stuart places the words "If the Good Lord's willin' and the creek don't rise, we'll see you in the mornin'." If the Creek Don't Rise|Paperback - Barnes & Noble 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). A Quite certainly not. Some say farmers used to dunk their hens when they got broody. For instance, I might promise to show up for Christmas at Grandmas if the good Lords willing and the creek dont rise. QFrom Bob Scala: An item that has been floating around the internet claims that the expression God willing and the creek dont rise referred to the Creek Indians, not a body of water. Nor is grammar an argument in favor the the subject being plural. Im told it was a sign-off tag line of the 1930s US radio broadcaster Bradley Kincaid. In fact, virtually all the examples that Ive found in books and newspaper archives down to the present day are in lower-case. A: "Do you reckon we'll have enough from this harvest to make ends meet?" This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. This phrase enjoyed national exposure in 1988 after Texas Governor Ann Richards remarked: When we pay billions for planes that wont fly, billions for tanks that wont fire, and billions for systems that wont workthat old dog wont hunt.. The tale is widely reproduced and believed nevertheless. There is no reason to suppose the Indian variant is true. The tale is widely reproduced and believed nevertheless. But, what we do know is English once used you and ye strictly to address a group of people. While there, we happened upon a museum dedicated to the Underground Railroad. Have you ever seen a wet hen? Ireckon is the way many Southerners get to surmising about something or other. The tale is widely reproduced and believed nevertheless. 1851. 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. However, this is clearly one of those evolving language cases. An odd few (6% of Americans) do use soft drink, according to the Pop vs. 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. The expression ". If you find only minnows, though, they look even smaller compared to the heavy catch you hoped for. Signed in November, 1785, A Treaty With the Cherokee (the technical name of the Treaty of Hopewell) created the first rift between theCherokee Nationand the Chickamauga Cherokee that would not end until the Chickamauga went West following the Revolt of the Young Chiefs. 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. Youre still going to the grocery store. from The New York Times: If there is a good state of the world in 2021 the Lord willing and the creek don't rise everyone and all Blue Dogs in office needs to recognize . 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). Copy furnished by Net Galley for the price of a review. 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. Then theres a long gap in the record before it began to appear again in the 1950s. I grew up with that saying and Ive said it more times than I can count. Theres nothing more Southern than a lively Hey, yall! And dont you dare think of spelling it yallSouthern Living has decreed this contraction of you all is spelled one way, and one way only. After eating a big, delicious Southern dinner Granny just made, you have to finish up with a slice of sweet potato pie, right? 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. In other words, Ill make it to Grandmas if the indians dont go on the warpath. 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. The distinct English dialect of the American South, which has a close relationship with Black English (African American Vernacular English), is fascinatingand plenty lively. Dylan LeBlanc - If The Creek Don't Rise Lyrics | Genius Lyrics It has been noted that the phrase should be correctly written as God willing and the Creek dont rise. HARDY, Ark. Feller-citizens Im not customed to public speakin before sich highfalutin audiences. 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? (I would not be surprised to discover that the last contributor on your first link is none other than our own samclem.). In his reply, he was said to have written, God willing and the Creek dont rise. I was going to ask him why, but I had to shoot him. 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).. What's The Difference Between Y'all And Ya'll? (KAIT) - Its been a busy 24 hours for first responders in Sharp County. This one originates from the 19th century, when Carter Products marketed "Little Liver Pills" across the country. IF THE CREEK DON'T RISE is character driven and one fine gritty and entertaining debut with one fine satisfying ending! Somehow, the word went full circle and is now considered a distinctly Southern invention. Youll thank us later! 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. Your email address will not be published. According to World Wide Words, when asked if it meant Creek Indians, their expert responded with: Quite certainly not. 1851. It's a vivid phrase, and it's an accurate one too. Baines Creek is a small remote mountain settlement in North Carolina where many can't read, education is unheard of and catastrophic poverty is the norm. Region 8 News on Twitter: ""You've heard that old saying, 'I'll be Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Lord Willing and the creek don't rise - English for Students 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. 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. (LogOut/ It's often said in a reassuring way, to calm people down and encourage them to keep on trying. (Im terrible about reading usernames as I scan threads, and I completely missed who had contributed that comment.). If you think you can't, you won't be able to accomplish something, but if you think you can, you'll succeed. The New Madrid earthquake (reputedly the largest in recorded history in North America) created the division between traditionalist Creek (Red Sticks) and those more willing to seek accommodation with the majority of the tribe. Turn around, and please dont drive through it. The lyrics play on the expression Lord willing and the creek don't rise, which is thought to originate from Alabama. Yes, I had heard of the Appalachians and how the culture spreads along those mountains over more than a dozen States. Though youre likely to hear Southernisms such as. That means whatever you're talking about is worth less than very little. 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. For instance if someone invites you to church on Sunday, you would respond "I'll be there with bells on God Willing and the Creek Don't Rise.". Paperback, 305 pages. 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. Someone kicked in with we say cricks. and the word HOPE. If The Creek Don't Rise is a unique novel whose structure feels light and breezy and veers drastically from the standard formula found in fiction. The proper phrase is Lord willing and the Creek don't rise. [3] The capitalization of the word Creek supposedly referred to the Creek Indian tribe rather than a body of water.[4][5]. If the Creek Don't Rise: Tales From the South Kindle Edition Oh, how I loved this story - I simply didnt want it to end! When you're exhausted in an I'm-so-beat-I-can't-go-on kind of way, you're definitely worn slap out. 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. From another source Some historians attribute Benjamin Hawkins as having been the first person to ever say these words and he did so in a letter to the President of the United States. At the same time there is some evidence that the creation of Fort Deposit (Fort Deposite) in Georgia was a cause of concern in that munitions and arms were stockpiled. on, This page was last edited on 22 January 2022, at 17:42. 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). I was reading a post on one of the West Virginia pages that I follow in which a person referenced God willing and the creeks dont rise. in reference to rain and floods. "Come Hell or high water" vs "Lord willing and the creek don't rise" A true Southern tradition. (Yes, it is terrible grammar, but that is how it is said. You'll most often hear it coming out of Mama's mouth when the kids are running amok. Hardy citizens awoken by first responders urging evacuation If the creek rises, travel will be impossible and Ill never get to Grannys. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. It is a physical and mental state a few degrees past weary and just this side of dog-tired. You may still hear it if you stop into a country store. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. God Willing and the Creek Don't Rise | Native Heritage Project 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. 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. The resulting warfare and predictable civilian losses in the South reportedly gave rise (using the Southern frontier penchant for willin as opposed to the educated willing) to the phrase which was then likely mistakenly attributed to Hawkins due to his Native American connections. Andrew Jackson sent a request for reinforcements before the Battle Of New Orleans. The creek don't rise - Wikipedia I've never forgotten it and it's drove me nuts because I would love a copy of it. The story of Benjamin Hawkins relationship with the Creek,Cherokee, Choctaw and Chickasaw Indians goes back to 1786, when America was working on solidifying its hold on the new nation. Poor little doggy. 'Cause everything's fine, God, I wish it were . A preacher who hires a very different kind of woman than is usually found in these parts. God willing and the creek don't rise If all goes as it should; if everything goes well. And this is one appearance in a newspaper: We are an American people, born under the flag of independence and if the Lord is willing and the creeks dont rise, the American people who made this country will come pretty near controlling it. A strikingly sincere portrait of a town and its buried secrets from an outstanding new voice in southern fiction. "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 that." 04 Mar 2023 03:30:05 Theres two or three creeks, he said. Thats a mouthful, but we lumped these all together because they are allsubstitutes for (God) d*mn it. [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. He was a politician and Indian agent. 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. Translated, this means: "We'll be there unless something out of our control stops us." And I have used this page's title often-feeling quite sure I knew exactly what it meant. If The Creek Don't Rise. 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. The clipping below from 1892 is a reference to flooding waterways not allowing the postmaster to get to his office. Well, that might just push you over the edge, and as you lean back youre bound to say, Im as full as a tick. Itd be plumb crazy not to express yourself (and your full belly) with this fun, old Southern idiom. "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. If the Creek Don't Rise Quotes by Leah Weiss - Goodreads It was set in the Ozark mountains featuring what some people called a witch. In the 1900s, the word evolved, taking on a Southern spin as well as new meanings such as "courage" and "get-up-and-go.". 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. Georgia-born blogger Jennifer Collins says she always rolled her eyes when her mom said this to her. This phrase can be intensified by the addition of the word "way," as in "way over yonder.". 40 OLD PHRASES AND SAYINGS - Grammy's Grid Something needed to fill in the gap: Yall is one solution associated with the South, with all generally serving to clarify more than one you is being addressed. If the Creek Don't Rise Quotes Showing 1-14 of 14 "Times like these I wonder if I ever been happy. You dont know whats underneath that water, Rose said. And, when the doins been done, the feller done did it. Over yonder down the road. Here are a couple of examples of this claim. 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.". What Do Shrove Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, And Lent Mean? Hawkins served under George Washington as General Superintendent for Indian Affairs (17961818) and had responsibility for the Native American tribes south of the Ohio River, and was principal Indian agent to the Creek Indians. If the Creek Dont Rise by Leah Weiss is a 2017 Sourcebooks Landmark publication. 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. Don't worry, though, everyone hears this every now and again. A handful of rivers and streams will be out of their banks by Friday evening and Saturday morning. 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. New words appear; old ones fall out of use or alter their meanings. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. And yes, they roll their eyes, too. Southern Slang: If The Creek Don't Rise | What does it mean? | Ask A Note that the Creek Nation(s) did not rise at all. 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. Share. Since we'd never dare hang up the phone while Mama's chatting away, this may be the only way to end your conversation in a timely manner. They were both corrected by a good soul who told them that Creek, for the purposes of this phrases origin, meant Creek Indian. 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. If you've just had a big Southern lunch, complete with cornbread, collard greens, and pecan pie, you're definitely full as a tick. Leah Weiss introduces her extraordinary characters as chapters unfold and each one has their own peculiarity. If the Creek Don't Rise. Can't Never Could. We didnt. Im a longtime admirer of your calm demeanor and encyclopedic knowledge. 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. Anything to the degree of "all get out" is something to talk about. Maybe not all dogs were made for hunting some prefer the warmth of a fireplace and the comfort of your lap. (Recall, also, that the Creek who did go to war against the whites were a smaller group within the Creek nation and that the larger group remained neutral or actively assisted the whites in the warat which point they were betrayed by having the U.S. sieze all their land.).