We mountaineers are levellers, and we believe we are as good as anybody else, but no better. We believe that we should not put on airs, not boast, nor try to get above our raising. We usually do not extoll our own virtues, and if we do we are ridiculed by others in subtle ways. Persons who are really accomplished, such as in playing music or singing, are often reluctant to perform until it is determined that you really want to hear them, and then they will preface the performance with disparaging words about their voices or their instruments, “Well, I’ll try one but I’ve had this old cold for a week and don’t hardly have any voice left, and I can’t keep this old banjer in tune a-tall.” The mountain preacher will often talk of his unworthiness for the task at hand and hint that there are others attending who could do a better job, but then will say something like, “But with the help of the Lord, I’ll try.” Of course, when these formalities are dispensed with, the preacher or musician will probably cut loose with a great deal of vigor and skill.
—Loyal Jones Appalachian Values
When Pap was a young boy he loved music and was always excited to hear it whether it was at church, on the radio, or on somebody’s front porch.
He heard about these two brothers over on Gum Log that could really sing. He and a friend decided they’d go see if they’d sing them a song.
They had to walk a far piece and then up a twisting holler to reach the house.
When they arrived the boys said sure they’d sing for them. The boys and their mother set on the porch with Pap and his friend talking about this and that until darkness had fallen and still the boys didn’t seem ready to sing.
Finally Pap said they better get going since it was a long way home and one of the boys said “Mommy blow the lamp out and we’ll sing them a song before they go.”
She blew the light out leaving them in total darkness and the brothers sang.
Pap said the voices were worth the trip and the wait.
Today’s Thankful November giveaway is a used copy of Appalachian Values written by Loyal Jones. Leave a comment on this post to be entered. *Giveaway ends November 22, 2022.
Last night’s video: Cracker Candy – Perfect for the Holidays!! It’s So Good!!
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“Levelers”. I like that.
That is common where I am at, about cooking. You’ll hear, “Well, I don’t know how this turned out, maybe coulda used a bit more sugar.” My mother is famous for this as she is serving dinner. We’ll hear all about what ‘might’ be wrong with every dish. Usually, the only thing wrong is her opinion of her skills! : ) There is not a rich tradition of music alive here where I live anymore. So, one wouldn’t hear a family band or people just singing to sing for others. Bands are at bars/taverns, mostly. But there is nothing worse in my opinion than someone who ‘thinks’ they’re mighty good at something, when their skills are lacking. We’ve got a new, young gal who is the cantor (solo singer to the choir) at our church. She really makes alot of herself & I, being a trained music teacher at one time, am less than impressed. She sings like she’s performing at the Met but can’t hold a key if it was in a basket & can’t read music. I am always more in favor of a humble spirit and modesty in ones’ skills – whether the skills be very talented or just so-so.
I’ve heard those types of things all my life, guess I’ve said them to before singing. You just have to love the way Appalachian ways are passed on from generations.
When I read your story of Pap going to hear the boys sing ,
I found my self reminded of some of my past pleasures at listening to talented musicians and singers. I was so lucky to be able to go down to the Caldwells and set on the porch while the family made music. Those boys, Toy, Tommy and Tim , along with George Mc Corkle who lived nearby, later would be the Marshall Tucker Band whom we all still dearly love. Nothing moves an Appalachian soul more than the pure sounds of that mountain twang and the sounds of good guitar and fiddle telling the stories of love and loss . Thanks for bringing me back to that ole front porch and the good times listening to our music!
I’ve been in church before with a lady who sang with her back to the crowd and she sang with a beautiful voice. I’d rather be around humble people like that than someone who is stuck on their self and thinks that their poop doesn’t stink. 🙂
This would be a good book to read and I’ll bet it is full of good life lessons. Mama used to say that nobody likes to be around a know it all or a bragger. I feel the same. I hope I will win this book. Thank you for the things you do to celebrate Appalachia. I look forward to celebrating with you every day!
after Jack was given a compliment by his teacher, his buddy said, “Oh law, now he’s gonna be gittin’ the big head.”
I try to act like the people Loyal Jones described in the story. I don’t always make it but I try. The people I grew up with were the same way. I enjoy being around humble but self assured people. I try to get away from people who act like they know it all (unless it is a surgeon who is about to operate on me, then I want them to know everything about surgery!)
Thanks for the mention of so many great book titles on Appalachian life; and also your generosity in adding to some lucky reader’s personal library. It very well may be the start of a small library; please continue to add to your readership’s knowledge and interest in the mystique of Appalachian people and the beauty of our hills and hollers, Tipper. So very appreciated!
Such a cool story! Your family is certainly talented, too!
The words from this book ring so familiar in my ears. I can hear family members from Southeast Kentucky, long since gone from this world, saying these exact words. Some of these books lift me up and others make me so homesick. Thank you for sharing.
Loyal Jones – what a fabulous name
Another great post, Tipper! Thank you!
I’ve read the book so leave my name out of your draw.
It is better let God toot your horn for you.
Tipper, I really enjoyed seeing the cracker candy recipe. I think even I could do that.
Speaking of being modest, my mom always drilled into her children and grandchildren that if you seek attention for something you’ve done for someone you shame yourself and the family. I can hear her even after all these years….”Don’t let your left hand know what your right hand has done!”.
I sure enjoyed watching you make cracker candy. I’m going to try it this weekend! Wish me luck
My paternal side hails from White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia and I grew up in Arizona always feeling like half foreigner. My paternal Grandparents retired from construction work in The White Mountains and my father, growing up never having his extended family around, decided to settle there too, so his children would have grandparents near.
We often spent Sunday evenings at my grandparents house and loved to hear their stories, drink in their culture and have some vittles and fiddling. I miss those visits now. I miss my people. My Dad and grandparents have left this world for some time now.
I started reading your blog and watching your YouTube channel about a month ago when I was searching for a recipe. I now watch your cooking videos and others in the evening with my family. It has been such a blessing to me and I think my family too. You bring back some good old family ways into my life and I’m grateful to you and your family! We love the familiar flavors of your recipes. -I think I have finally perfected the cornbread my family loves. (fingers crossed) Thank you for honoring and encouraging the old ways. I love hearing the stories, the music and the jargon again too. Must be strange to be loved by people you’ve never seen or talked to. Ya’ll are good people! Blessings to you and yours!
I think it was so thoughtful that Pap and his friend waited until those boys felt comfortable enough to sing. I am so thankful I was brought up not to boast or brag. I can hear my daddy say, ” you don’t fly so high what you don’t have to come down” and “he’s getting too big for his britches.” Some of the most talented people I know are very humble and I think that makes them even more special. Tipper, I also make that Cracker Candy and it’s delicious. If anyone hasn’t tried it, it’s so easy to fix and oh so good!!
I would love to win the book. I have enjoyed your blog and youtube channel so much. Thank you!
I watched yesterday’s video about the cracker candy and made it after dinner last night. It is delicious! It has to be one of the easiest candy recipes I’ve ever made. Thank you for sharing the story today from Loyal Jones and Pap’s story of walking a long way up hollers to listen to two boys sing. Some folks that have such God given talent are extremely shy. I hope the boys got over their shyness so they could share their gifts for others to enjoy without being in the dark.
I once told someone how I valued humility as a character trait and was shocked by her angry reaction. Seems I had gotten crossways of her feminism. Some of us (perhaps I should say “old timers”?) were raised on that bible verse that taught us ” pride goeth before a fall”. The old McGuffey readers taught that I believe. And there is another verse that says “Let a stranger praise thee and not thine own mouth.” I like that phrase I’ve heard so many times about “get myself out of the way”. We just kinda know that the more selfless we can be the better good we can do. I don’t know by experience of it, but I’ll bet you who play instruments know that the more tension you have about how well you’ll do, they more likely you are to mess up. Works with any bodily skill.
One of our family sayings about those get “high and mighty” was “Don’t go lifting yourself up cuz the Lord will be setting’ you down again.”
That sounds exactly like most Appalachians back in the day. I find it has changed overtime, and the young ones not given to humility. However, my maternal side of the family was an exception to your usual Appalachian. I once described them lovingly as “boastful.” They were fun loving, teased a lot, and talked too much. I loved them all dearly, and I cannot tell any stories about them without laughing. Paternal side was more straight-laced and serious, hardworking, and you sometimes had to earn their smiles. Some were extremely talented in playing musical instruments or woodworking, but they remained humble for the most part.
I cannot count the times I have heard somebody loaded with talent play it down as though it were nothing. It was always stressed that we did not want to get the “big head.” Most do not put on airs, and it is such a pleasant surprise when one realizes how talented or gifted these humble folks are. Loyal Jones had this down pat, and I would love to have a copy of his book.
My daddy had a saying about the “high and mighty” or the ones that go around bragging He would say “no bird ever flew so high that he didn’t have to land sometime”. In my lifetime, I’ve noticed this to be true.
Hi,thanks for accepting me as a new subscriber. This post reminds me of my dad who just passed away at the age of 91 after a very accomplished yet humble life. My husband and I have made Appalachia our forever home and your blog has opened up a whole new world for us. Thanks
Sounds like another wonderful book. Pap reminds me of my father in law so much! Anytime I was around him he was always singing, humming or strumming his guitar, or all 3! He loved music and was a delight to listen too!
I would love to read this book. I really enjoy reading your blog! Thank you.
Oh I loved the “a-tall,” my grandma used that word all the time, she was from Western KY. If only we could all be more humble! It seems as if “self” has over took “others” these days? Lord make me more meek, gentle and humble, putting others first, especially you Father God… Amen!
This words written by Loyal Jones, about our people, are so true…I loved the telling of your Pap’s experience as well! So precious…I think of the Irish and Welsh who treat song as a very special thing…I’m sure we still carry markers of our ancestors in our DNA.
We’ve all noticed that those who have really accomplished something are not loud about it. All talent is given by God and is to be used to glorify Him & help people. I’ve been around a lot of combat veterans. You don’t hear them bragging about being heroes.
I’ve even used some of Loyal Jones’ stories from the pulpit as sermon illustrations. I’m sure I would enjoy the book.
The very definition of humility.
When some big feeling feller tried to put on airs around daddy, it didn’t bother him. He would just say, “I reckon he puts his britches on the same way I do.”
Shirl, my dad always refered to uppity people as “Big Feelin”.
Now, if the person was majorly arrogant he would say “That fella thinks one side of his a_ _ weighs a ton and the other side can’t be lifted!”.
I love that story. So like us mountain and country people. This would be a good book to read.
Appalachian people historically are some of the most dignified and self-restrained people in the world. Don’t brag, don’t make a big deal; just do your job.
I have always hoped that every time I said or did something I would not embarrass the family name. We were raised that it was up to our generation to make our family proud. That included everything we did or said. Even down to school grades. We were taught to excel at anything we did or at least give it the best we had. If you failed after trying your hardest you were applauded for trying.
Another one of your book recommendations that I need to add to my list.
I was raised on Appalachian values.
Loved the book section. It rings so true.
Really liked the story about Pap. Thanks for sharing!
Appalachian Values sounds like a good read. Love your story of your Pap visiting to hear them sing and they had to put out the light to overcome their shyness in order to really sing. Love it and can sympathize, it’s hard for me to sing in front of people.
This is another book I would like to add to the my collection, it sounds interesting.
I loved watching Tipper’s video in making Cracker Candy, never had nor made it but I definitely am going to now.
I would like to read that book! Enjoy these stories daily! Keep ‘em coming!
I would love to read this book.
Sounds like we have shared values between us Indiana people and the people of North Carolina! The book sounds like it would be an excellent one to read as well.
So glad to have that cracker candy recipe. My problem is that I cannot stay out of it… cause it is so delicious! Please put my name in the hat.
It’s just the way of our ancestors! I’m thankful for those values that have been handed down to us. I believe they are fruits of the spirit in action. So thankful for my raising! I remember hearing my mamaw say, “they forgot their raisin”. Her way of saying they were now too big and too proud for their britches.
Gotta get that book…also, gonna try the Cracker Candy recipe you shared…looks good. God Bless
Another book to add to my reading list! Sounds like a good one.
I would enjoy this book! Great video on cracker candy. I’ve made it the last few years for my family. We all love it! Take care and God bless ❣️
I’ve enjoyed reading many of the books you’ve mentioned in the year since I first “found” your blog and vlog. I’m looking forward to reading Appalachian Values.
Sounds like an interesting book.
When you are good at something you don’t have to have to crow about it, others will notice it Some of the best skilled people I have known were modest about their abilities. Usually the ones running their mouths are just trying to convince their own selves.
Yes, there is a shyness or reluctance about our people, they were raised with it, but if you’ll wait a moment to get beyond it you will usually find a wealth of information, freely shared.
Sounds like a wonderful read!!
Love it!
I love and respect the common virtues of the Appalachian people.
Sounds like a great book!
Sounds wonderful!
i love to read new books!