Rooster Can’t Crow
Littlety low,
And cocklety coop,
The rooster can’t crow,
He’s down with the croup.
Blickery blust,
And slickery sloop,
There’s no eggs for breakfast,
We’ll have to eat soup.
—Mike Norris Mommy Goose Rhymes from the Mountains
Today’s Thankful November giveaway is a used copy of Mommy Goose Rhymes from the Mountains written by Mike Norris. Leave a comment on this post to be entered. *Giveaway ends November 5, 2023.
Last night’s video: How to Build a Fire in a Woodstove & the First Fire of the Season.
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Fun rhymes! Thank you for sharing. I’ll share them with some young friends.
Tipper-I’ve been reading Blind Pig and the Acorn for several months now with great enjoyment. I feel like I’ve gotten to know you and your family and all the folks who leave comments, so figured it was about time to join in. I’ve started reading back from the beginning, as well as keeping up with current postings. Love all the stories, history, recipes and music. So many of your stories take me back to my own childhood. So this November, I’m especially thankful to have found this site. Cheers from southern Missouri Ozarks!
Cute rhyme. I hope Granny is doing well.
Cute rhymes. Would be great for my granddaughter.
Loved the video on building the fire. We always called the fire starter pieces “fat lightered”. I really enjoy your videos and blog.
LOL, does left over chili count? My husband got up and saw it in the refrigerator and said “it’s cold this morning, I think I’ll have a bowl of that chili”.
Egg drop soup wasn’t first thought.
*Was my first thought…
I never heard that one before
Love all the pictures. The poem is cute. Poor rooster who can cock a doddle doo.
Had our coldest morning yet here in Texas. However the temperature is going back up although not as hot as we have been. Turned out to be a beautiful day. God bless you all.
What a cute little rhyme! Will have to watch the latest video on the fire. I love the Appalachain region espically during the fall months.
I’ve never heard that one before.
My Thankful November post for today: Thank You Father for having placed me in a wonderful family with 8 siblings an the 2 best parents one could ask for. Today, 2 Nov., would have been my brother Frank’s 95th birthday; but, alas, he went Home last February. There are but 3 of us left on this side.
What a great poem. Love it. We had chickens when I was a kid. Best eggs ever!
Loved the little rhyme! Love your whole family, Tipper. I am enjoying the cookbook too! What a blessing y’all are to the world! Continuing to keep Granny in our prayers. It is cool here in Florida today (70) LOL… So I put on a pot of chilli…wish I could have a cozy fire. 🙂
Your videos are the best! I’ve been watching them for several months now and haven’t written anything to you. It looks like your workload is such that you have about all you can say grace over. My dad was the tenth of 17 children raised in Tellico Plains TN. He went to Texas when young and found my mother in Hawley. Her folks were from Georgia and Alabama. I live in California (darn!) but all my raising came with me. So much of your talk and vocabulary are words and sayings that I still use. Have you ever heard this: A whistling woman and a crowing hen always come to some bad end.? Or: If you sew on a Sunday, the devil will make you pick out every stitch with your nose.? Or: My nose itches. Somebody’s coming with a hole in their britches.? When any one sneezed my dad would say “Scat there ole cat”. Guess I should write all this down. Anyway, thank you for all your videos, recipes, just sharing and letting me enjoy you and your family. I’m praying for your momma too.
Joyce-thank you! So glad you enjoy what we do. I have heard all of those old sayings 🙂
I don’t burn wood to heat with but I love to have campfires outside. I am going to have to invest in a kindling splitter. That was a pretty nifty tool I had never seen.
Such a handy gadget for splitting kindling. Might have to check in to one of those. We heat entirely with wood…wood furnace in the basement and fireplace upstairs for when it gets real cold. Temps were in the 20s this past week so we’ve had fires going for sure.
Your Matt is a character. Makes life fun I’m sure.
That’s a cute rhyme to teach the little ones. Loved watching Matt start the first fire of the season and the story about the wood stove. He sure knows what he’s doing. We’ve always called rich pine, fat lightered. It sure will light a flame in a hurry. There’s something so soothing about the warmth of a fire and hearing the wood crackle. Prayers for Granny and all of your family.
Hey from Eastern N.C.
I do so enjoy your Blogs, Videos, Shorts just everything you Tipper and your family shares.
I am Thankful for Corie’s devotions, I too had a loss of my Sister Cousin Sept. 12th and I am feeling so lost without my Best Friend. Thus being able to be in touch via these means helps me to fill the void.
Thank all of you.
That Matt is quite a Ham, Tipper he seems to enjoy teasing you, let him girl 17th of this month he will have been gone 14 years feels like yesterday and I miss him everyday. But I have the Pressly Family to enjoy. Hugs & ❤️
Tipper, that poem made me smile. Thank you!
P.S. I continue to ask God for His perfect will for you and your dear family.
I love the mountain language!
I read the poem and then read it out loud, and it made me laugh out loud. I love happy words written in fun and listening to the rhythm of the play in the words. Mama used to recite poems she had learned in school. They used to make my little heart happy, and also when she sang to me. How I love those memories. Thanks for sharing this today.
Cute rhyme. It’s been awhile since I heard a Mother Goose rhythm.
Like you, 2024 will bring me my first grand baby. We are blessed.
Rhymes always make things easier to remember. Same with songs.
I meant to buy that book when my grandchildren were real small and never did. Maybe I’ll win it!
My late mother used to read Mother Goose to us as children! I have never heard of this one but thank you for the memories!
I love the rhythm of a poem! I’ve written it for decades and kept them in a spiral notebook. It’s fun going back every once in a while and rereading them. I echo everyone who comments on your wonderful blog! I watch every day, and almost feel like I am a true member of your family! I keep Granny in my prayers at night, unless chemo brain causes me to forget, but having had cancer three times, I definitely can grasp what Granny is going through. God’s blessings on you all!
What a fun poem.
Grateful for the beauty of the earth as the seasons change, and those who see and appreciate the wonder of it all. Prayers for Granny and all of the BP family!
Such a fun rhyme! I haven’t heard this one! I’m a new first time grandma and I’m always looking for fun things to say or sing to my new granddaughter.
Congratulations on your precious granddaughter! I have 2 grandsons, youngest is 23, he’s getting married this Sat. I had 2 daughters. Boys were foreign to me! I love them dearly but I sure hope my daughter gets a granddaughter too! Love your grandbaby & spend as much time with her that is permitted. Grammy from Texas
Mom used to make up rhymes off the top of her head about whatever subject the youngins requested. Often times the subject was a chicken or rooster. I didn’t watch the video about how to build a fire but based on the comments here I need to go back and watch. If I smelled wood smoke right now I think I would smother with my bad case of bronchitis that’s been going on since the 50 degree temperature drop. God bless Granny today and always.
What a cute little rhyme! Thank you Tipper for your daily posts, and sharing with us the Appalachia culture! I recently started following you, and love your stories. I look forward each week to hearing the next chapter of Nine Brides and Granny Hite! ❤️
I always loved nursery rhymes, the book sounds like fun! Thx for sharing!
Cute rhyme, but roosters can’t lay eggs. If you pull my name, please let someone else have the book.
Have loved BP&A ever since I found it several years ago. Love the rhyme. Too bad it seems that many of them have been forgotten in our present day.
As a “croupy young’un” growing up in those Appalachian hills and hollers, I can identify with the “rooster who couldn’t crow. Many a time I remember a poltice on my chest and a homemade cough medicine with a “touch of shine” to help break it up …… Yep, remembering those good ol yesterdays!
What a cute little rhyme. God bless all here! As Cynthia said yesterday, “like neighbors talking across the fence.”
This rhythm is a new one to me. lol. It’s really chilly here for central FL thus morning. Think I will have a bowl of cream of wheat before starting my day. Could have eggs, but I don’t want to have to tidy up scrubbing. (Don’t mind a pan soaking aside.)
Enjoyed the poem as well as all of your posts and videos. Sending best thoughts and wishes to you all.
I like poems such as this one and think the book would be a fun read even at my age of 68 lol continued prayers for your mom and entire family
I’d never heard that. Thanks for bringing a smile our way on this November day!
Good morning, that poem sure is full of fun words. The book must be a joy to read.
Two things I noticed in the video, the axe or hatchet being sharp and I never saw anyone shave the lightered, it was just slit into small splinters. My Daddy always kept his axe razor sharp. He had several axes that were over 50 years old. He like the Kelly brand made by True Temper I think. Another one from that era was either Blue Point or Bluegrass. You can still find these axe for sell on EBay. He would always be looking for them at a yard sale or the jockey/flea markets. If you just use gasoline you can eliminate the need for kindling and this extra work! I have known some to use kerosene or coal oil. It is safe as long as you only use a small amount and starting a cold fire. It there is any hot coals it will vaporize and explode just like gasoline. I hope everyone realizes I was joking about starting fires in a heater or inside with gasoline. I will get a small blaze doing on an outside brush pile and then stand back and throw a small can or plastic bottle of gasoline on it but I always check to see which way the wind is blowing first because it will explode.
When we lived in Atlanta our neighbors had chickens. We were accustomed to them and never noticed them. We adopted our daughter and one of the first things she learned was to imitate the rooster crowing. She also could imitate a siren so well I would begin to look for an ambulance or police when that sound came from her in the back seat.
Good morning Tipper. Well it is only 19 degrees here this morning but the sun is shining brightly. The little poem was super cute this morning. I enjoyed your video last evening. We have a little wood stove in our basement too. It is a small Earth Stove that we have had for 40 years. My husband sanded and repainted it a couple years ago, and it looks like new again. I am so thankful for a warm home. Please be safe traveling to and from your Mama’s appointments this week. I will be praying for you. ♥️
Gosh Bless Granny and improve her health. Love this poem since we have 24 chickens. I love watching movies them. Well for sure you ain’t gonna get no egg from a roster. No wonder there was no eggs for breakfast. Lol
Cute little rhyme today, but when I think about roosters I’m reminded me of getting flogged in my granny’s back yard.
I’m thankful for a warm house this morning since it’s a cold 25 degrees in the Tennessee valley.
Blessings to all!
My father was a coal miner that left his home and raised my brothers and sisters in the city. We only spent part of the summers at my grandparents. The memories of those times were my favorite. I still am amazed how my grandmother was able to cook on a wood burning stove, carry water from the well, wash clothes on a scrub board and still find time for quilting.
I wonder at the strength of those that came before us and question myself if I could have done it. I’m drawn to the stories I read here and the stories my friends tell of growing up in the southern rural area. Those were blessed times and beautiful memories to carry with us through the now times.
Too cute!!
Enjoy your blogs and videos, God bless you and your family
What a sweet rooster tongue twister/poem.
Thank you for showcasing Thankful November. Affectionally remembering your family. db
I love this It reminds me when I was young . Thanks for sharing .
What a tongue twister! I had to read it more than once, even though I was reading it silently. I appreciate your November thankfulness. It helps me to be more thankful.
blind pig and the acorn picks me up in the morning with devotions and coffee. have a great day tipper.
Isn’t that the truth? When you think you lack, there’s usually a way forward, if you just take stock of resources that are available….like having the provisions to make soup. Made me think of the story “Stone Soup”, although I do believe he was a trickster, not exactly resourceful.
This does not relate to a rooster, but a hen. My grandmother used to tell me that a whistling gal and a crowing hen never comes to no good end. I have changed that for my grandchildren, that they will come to some good end.
What do laryngitic roosters have to do with eggs for breakfast anyhoo?
To the pot with you Cogburn, to the pot I say!
Love watching your videos on YouTube. We are just up the road a piece in Maggie Valley and sadly were out of town when you visited Mast for your cookbook.
I have been reading your blog for about half a year. I am not from Appalachia but my family is from Ohio. I love your videos about the things you say and your accents. I realize my parents say some of the words how you say them. I think that is cool. I love what you are all doing to preserve your heritage. I think that is important to remember who you are and to be able to pass that from generation to generation.
I love the stories about your family and pray your granny continues to get better. Thank you for the gift of your blog and may God’s love continue to shine upon you all
We’re thankful that my husband “discovered” your you tube channel! We love the BP and A website and especially the cookbook you and Jim’s published!!! God bless and keep you and your whole family, Tipper.
I have always liked riddles..even now in my older years I still say them and enjoy discovering new ones…the one you have today is sorta riddle and tongue twister …a good combo
I thought the poem was word fun and I’m certain in times past, these poems kept the kids and folks entertained as they went about their work of the day. When I was a kid, my aunts would come from Roanoke, Va to see their mother on the weekend who was my grandmother who raised me. They’d get excited about square dancing and would sing “stay all night- stay a little longer. Pull off your coat and throw it in the corner!” To a kid, that’s exciting stuff for sure! Theyd also sing “ she walks through the corn leading down to the river. Her hair shone like gold in the hot morning sun. She took all the love that a poor boy could give her and left me to die like a fox on the run!!!! Like a fox- like a fox- like a fox on the run!!!!” I remember that like yesterday and it still puts me in a good mood and big smile. Blessings to you all and especially your mother, the little mother to be, and you the grandmother to be!!! How danged wonderfully exciting for you all!!! Many prayers are with y’all at this time.
Thanks for the delightful poem. Enjoyed last night’s video. I could almost feel the warmth of the stove! My husband said Matt really knows how to start a fire! Prayers for all. Granny is a real inspiration to me. Take care and God bless ❣️
Love your blogs and YouTube videos.
That cute little rhyme prompts me to ask if you or anyone has ever heard the silly little song my dad used to sing to me. He was from the heart of Appalachia in southeast Kentucky. The song had some words in it maybe like “I love my little rooster, my rooster loves me”. It went on with a few more lines and ended with “each morning my rooster goes cockle doodle doo, de doodily, doodily, doodily doo”
My grandmother used to sing that to me! I had forgotten about it until I read your comment. Thank you for the memory!!
Loved starting the day with a smile while reading the rhyme. Your November post’s reminding us to be thankful daily are an inspiration to do just that! I too have also looked forward to that 1st fire of the season, never remembering not having one my entire life. Husband is like Glenda’s wants one of those kindling splitters like Matt’s. Had me searching Google for one.
I’m praying for comfort and peace for Granny and all your family.
Loved the poem/ rhyme, I remember reading my baby son Mother Goose and many many others so many years ago, he will be 49 in December, if by chance you missed a word or tried to shorten it he would call your attention to it because he had heard them so many times he knew them by heart. Soon you will have a wonderful time reading to your new baby grandson, what a wonderful and lasting experience and memory. Life is wonderful and beautiful even in our hard times. I thank the good Lord for letting me live a long life and have so many wonderful memories. I wish everyone a blessed day, blessings to all
Tipper , I love this little rhyme. My dad had one about fishing fishy fishy in the brook, won’t you please come and bite my hook. Mama’s got the frying pan a Heatin you sure would be good eaten. Thanks again for this pit of nostalgia. Praying for your family as you support Granny and are on the roads more. May God place a hedge of protection around you all.
I loved starting the day with a smile while reading the rhyme! Your November posts reminding us to be thankful are such an inspiration to do just
The 1st fire of the season has always been something to look forward to as long as I can remember, and my husband, like Glenda’s, wants one of those kindling splitters like Matt’s. We look forward to each post and video on your and the girls’ channels.
Lastly, praying daily for comfort and peace for Granny and your family .
Thankful for your appreciation of your culture and sharing with your subscribers!
What a fun sounding book! My 2 year old granddaughter loves to be read to. This is right up her alley!
What an enchanting poem! On one level, it’s funny and makes the reader laugh, but then the realization hits and this example of the amazing and wonderful courage, patience, endurance, and ingenuity of the Appalachian people makes the poem complete.
Love the rhyme.
Will have to watch the video on splitting wood to see the thingamajig.
Prayers for Granny and for all of you.
I watched a bunch of your Christmas themed videos last night and am now in the holiday spirit, thanks to you. I especially enjoyed the one about all the homemade Christmas decorations and loved your little angels. Your sweet and gentle spirit shows in your creations.
I laughed so hard at Matt in the one where he hung up all your Christmas cards- and at his reply to the viewer who had commented “Blink if you need help.” He didn’t miss a beat when he said “I know better.” But he couldn’t keep his serious expression long before his mischievous smile broke through. Good for you- hanging those bells on the door to tease him because I’m sure he does more than his fair share of teasing too.
I’ve never heard this rhyme before. It made me think of some new neighbors that recently built a house catty corner to my property. I was telling them that I had livestock guardian dogs and they are known barkers. The neighbor said they just were surprised at how loud the chickens were. It’s true, they get going sometimes. I love all of your stories, songs and information on Appalachia.
Thank you for always taking the time to post a video and for always posting here on your blog when you have so much going on in your life. Just know even though we don’t know eachother personally I feel like we’re long lost friends kind of like family and you and your family are always in my thoughts and prayers.
Ha. I love those old rhymes and stories! It seems they always turned anything bad into a whimsical little ditty. I always liked the ‘made-up’ words. Thanks for sharing Tipper.
Love the way you celebrate the past. Brings back home.
When my Hubby saw the thing, whatever it is, to help with splitting those wood pieces…he said, I think I gotta get one of them thar thingys. I am not sure if you actually said what it was nor where Matt got it, but it is a handy dandy thingmajig for sure. Give Granny my thoughts and for sure praying for all and you guys. By the way, love the ‘rooster thing’…lol…God Bless
Glenda, it is called a firewood kindling splitter. You can get one on Amazon and I think I have saw Northern Tool and maybe Lehman having them for sell. We just used an axe to split the kindling.
Shucks, in the rhyme if they were depending on the rooster for eggs they were out of luck anyway! I haven’t watched all of the video, but Matt’s method of building a wood fire was very similar to my Daddy’s. He would start with lightered or rich/fat pine and slivers of dry scrap wood. I was always on the look out for the lightered when hunting.
Thanks for the replies yesterday about my ankle. I have tried drinking tart cherry juice and pickle juice in the past. How come everything has to taste so bad to be good for you? Wouldn’t it be good if eating black cherry ice cream was as beneficial? My ankle is some better, I am going to a lifetime friends funnel today, even if I have to crawl. He was my RA leader when I was a teenager and I have based much of my life on his teaching and example he set for us. Me and the other teenage boys at that time dearly loved him.
What a cute little rhyme to teach the great grandkids. Thanks for sharing.