“Possim Sits on 'Simmon Tree, De”

Description

"De possim sits on 'simmon tree And feeds himself quite fat, Put Manly on de stump for me, I'm dog he'll soon leave dat." "I now must go an' pick my toof, It akes so very bad, but since Reid's our Governor forsooth, I feels my pain so bad."

Notes

There is no reason to think this is a traditional song; it seems to have been a political piece from the 1850 North Carolina gubernatorial election, in which Democrat David Settle Reid (1813-1891) succeeded Charles Manley. If there was a significant issue in this campaign, I have been unable to discover it.

It does appear that Manley was a rather unimportant figure, compared to the distinguished Reid, who was congressman, governor, and Senator. - RBW

References

  1. BrownIII 164, "De Possim Sits on 'Simmon Tree" (1 text)
  2. BI, Br3164

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: 1850 (North Carolina Gazette)
Keywords: animal political
Found in: US(SE)