A year or so ago Karen shared a childhood rhyme with me. Here’s what she said:
When I was little my Nanna use to recite this little rhyme to me…
I climbed up stimber stammer,
I looked over Lumber Leigh
I saw Tom Tricken Tracken
In the land of Wicken Whacken
I told Hucken Bucken
You go chase Tom Tricken Tracken out of the land of Wicken Whacken.
The rhyme is about a child, a rabbit, and a dog. There are motions of climbing the stairs, looking over the land and telling the dog. We loved doing the rhyme. I’ve tried over these many years to find where it comes from, with no luck.
Growing up in the 1950’s my brother and I would ask Nanna to tell us about Hucken Bucken with all the hand motions. I’ve searched over the years to find its origin, with no luck.
There are those special gifts that stay in our memories, like Granny’s little house, and my Tiny Tears Doll, that I still have, but it’s the traditions and the little rhymes that we pass down that continue through the ages. Long after the physical things have gone.
I’ve never heard the rhyme Karen’s Nanna used to say, but the hand motions remind me of the game going on a bear hunt one plays with children.
I like Karen’s thoughts about handing down things like rhymes to our children and grandchildren and want to share the old rhyme with my grandsons.
Last week Michell shared her connection with a variation of Karen’s rhyme.
Hi I wanted to reach out to you about the poem “Tom Tricken Tracken.” I grew up in SC and my Pa was from Walterboro SC his whole life he told me a story similar to yours. I am going to share it with you.
“I clumb a Sprigum Spragum Tree, I looked over the world of Wigum Wagum, saw Tom Toe TigumTagum in the world of Wigum Wagum, sent back to the house to get my bombbo Bigum Bagum to blow Tom Toe Tigum Tagum out the world of Wigum Wagum.”
As you stated I can’t find it’s origins either. My Pa nor his family ever went to The Appalachia Mountains or area. So apparently it must come from some early English settlers. I Hope this makes your day to know that there are others who have a similar history of the poem.
I love Michell’s version too! Many old songs, rhymes, and sayings have variations to them. Often they show up in different parts of the country and sometimes they show up within a few miles of each other.
Sorry there was no post yesterday. We had a bad storm that knocked out our power, cell, and internet. There was no damage here at our house, amazingly the corn wasn’t totally blown down, only a few stalks. Other parts of our county were hit hard with downed trees, power lines, and even a small landslide. My brother Steve and his wife are still without power.
Last night’s video: Celebrating in July – Matt Got His Orange Bread.
Tipper
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Hi Tipper and Acorns. I’m glad y’all were not hit hard. I hope Steve has power back by now. It hit hard all around us. Tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings were in VA/NC/TN (our little corner.) We are all ok. I love the little rhymes/games. I enjoyed last night’s video. That was a great gathering. I keep everyone here and up Wilson Holler in my prayers. TY all for praying for me and mine. It is such a blessing to pray for others and to know others are praying for us as well. GOD’s Family is precious to me.
Met a guy named Bill yesterday and suddenly that old nursery song “oh where have you been, Billy boy, Billy boy, oh where have you been charming Billy” sprang into my head. I started trying to remember all the words and then I realized you could keep most of the first two lines and change the rest of the song to fit the rhyming pattern. I think a lot of those old songs are the same way. Can’t remember the words–just make up your own!
you can Google this song . I was in ER reading the comments
I did Google it and only listened to part of it. it seems to go on and on. cute little song
Thank you Michell for sharing the rhyme from your childhood. I grew up in south east Pa. Berks County.
I find it interesting that there are so many similarities in some of our childhood games and rhymes no matter where we grew up.
I’m currently reading a book. “Folk Tales of the Pennsylvania Dutch”. by William Woys Weaver. As I read some of these folk tales there is a similar thread that runs through ones I hear on the Blind Pig
Thank you for sharing. I’ll have to write it down and keep it with the one my Nanna taught me.
Miss Tipper, Summer storms are not nice at all. I do love the soft summer rains, soft cool breezes and that wonderful smell of a fresh rain. Mostly during the daytime. Seems if they come at night they tend to be stormy, lots of thunder and horrible lightning and a drenching rain. We need rain, but we haven’t really had much at all. Seems Summertime has turned into Draughttime these last few years or so. The heat is atrocious. We’ve had well over 110 degrees, and more, almost every day these past few weeks. God help us all. Our pool has turned into a hot steamy bath. Not so refreshing or even enjoyable. Y’all stay safe and hope everyone got through the storms without damage. God bless everyone today, tomorrow and always.
I was wondering what happened when I didn’t see your post last night, but I’m glad everything is OK. We have been really suffering down here in South Mississippi from the heat with indexes way above 100; along with the humidity and virtually no breezes. The weatherman says we might see some relief by tomorrow. I’ve never heard of this rhyme but remember many from my childhood. I wish the children of today could live some of those wonderful days!! I haven’t done much cooking the last few days, but I just had to try your squash casserole. I went right by your recipe using both yellow squash and zucchini and it was so delicious!! My husband is not a “big” squash eater and he said it was sooo good. Y’all take care; and I’m praying for everyone suffering from illness .
About Old Maime Reilly, I left out something in my earlier post. Here’s the whole thing: “Old Maime Reilly, how do you do today? Old Maime Reilly, going far away. Come, kiss your daddy, then you will be Old Maime, Mamie, Mamie Rei-i-ly. Slide, Kelly, slide, your Uncle Casey’s up to bat, Old Maime Reilly, where’d you get that hat? Down in Kentucky, from old black Josephine, the jungle queen. And that’s what became of Maime Rei-i-ly–Shh, shh sugar pop!
Prayed for you all when there was no email or post. Glad you’re fine.
There’s a song “keep me safe till the storm passes by”. Just one of the many things God does.
So glad all of you are ok and hope that Steve’s power comes back on soon. The storm split before it came over us and we were spared. There was a tornado in Asheville, not far from where my sister lives.
This rhyme is certainly a mouthful! I’ve never heard it before.
Here’s one that my father in law from Gaffney used to say.
It is the recipe for Slumgulleon
Eye-oodle, Pie-oodle, Sky-oodle
And Court de Bouillion (pronounced Bull-yon)
Anything else you want
And one Onion (pronounced Ahn-Yon)
I am glad you all are ok and the corn/garden too. It sounds like quite a storm, especially with your brother’s power still being out. We did not get much around here except a little smidge of rain on Monday evening.
Matt & Tipper -When no post arrived yesterday, I was wondering if that storm had hit you all and praying everyone was safe and well – so it was a wonderful sight to see last nights video and then todays post!
Loved your post today! My Dad had lots of funny sayings, poems & songs. I am 80 now & have trouble remembering! My brother, 10 years younger, can recall them so I must get with him! I wish we had written the riddles, sayings & songs down for these new little ones to laugh at, learn & enjoy!
i wasn’t aware of the storm either, and left a comment on youtube. only because i was concerned, you are so faithful!
I figured it was because of the storm. I was concerned that it may have been worse since there was a tornado warning close to your area (according to our local news). I prayed that everyone was unharmed. So glad it is fairly good news. Hopefully everyone will have their power restored soon. Will continue to pray for those who had severe property damage.
That brought to mind the little couplet my mother used to say,
“Tom Toddy, Tom Toddy,
all head and no body”.
So, I decided to Google it and see if it knew anything about the little ditty. It did! It sent me to the Blind Pig and the Acorn website dated 11 Oct 2014. Now guess what the subject of the day was. It was about me asking you about whether you or your parents recited “Tom Toddy, Tom Toddy, all head and no body”.
I forget sometimes!
I’m you all are okay. We had a bad storm in the suburbs of Richmond, Virginia. The power flickered out and the generator came on briefly. We are catching up on rainfall, but it will be months before we are fully out of the drought.
Here’s a goofy nonsense saying that an uncle used, to get a grin if not a laugh: “Went down to the pig pen to give the pig some peach peelings. Picked up a pine pole and punched the pig, and it went ‘poop-poop’ and jumped over a puddle hole.” How could a boy forget something like that?
And one from another source, my wife’s young girl cousin. It is Irish to the core, flows nicely but ends suddenly: “Old Mamie Reilly, how do you do today? Old Mamie Reilly, going far away. Come kiss your daddy and you will be Old Mamie, Mamie, Mamie Reilly. Slide, Kelly, slide, your Uncle Casey’s up to bat, Old Mamie Reilly, where’d you get that hat? Hat? Sh-h-h, Sh-h-h sugar pop!
It’s interesting there is no origin of either of the children rhymes since they both are so similar. I’ve never heard either rhymes until you posted them on your blog. Maybe one day someone will come across this post and recognize both rhymes and can solve the mystery of where they came from, or who created the rhymes. I just hope it’s sooner than later! I’m sorry to read y’all had bad storms yesterday. Thankful y’all are okay, with no damage to report. Praying for those who did suffer property damage.
We were concerned for you all. You are so dependable that when you don’t post we expect something happened beyond your control. Relieved you all had no serious trouble. We were trying to look yesterday on outage.com to see if Wilson Holler was out. Never did pin it down. I did find Martin’s Creek, both stream and community. Sure looks like a pretty valley in my topographic map application.
In SW Ohio we were predicted to get that storm. We heard the thunder and got a couple light showers but if hit just south of us and apparently it kept on going to your area! Glad you didn’t have much damage. Hoping all recover quickly. Praying for Matt’s dad. Blessings
Loved the poems and I am glad you didnt have any real damage in the storm!
There she is!!! You know I got so concerned I tracked you down under a video lol I was so grateful to find you all ok and the wicked storm had just caused a power outage. That’s enough, especially when it messed with your corn. It, the wind, knocked over some of my huge sunflowers the other day and now I have 2 beautiful jars of flowers on my front porch. I wish I could post pictures on here. One of my grandcats, Opie, photo bombs every picture I take. Gotta admit, he’s adorable and a hoot!! I had a rough day at chemo yesterday:-(. My numbers were back to ok but it went downhill from there. Oh well, it’s over again until Aug 26th and hopefully that was a fluke. Today I want to channel all my prayers and thoughts to dear Norman. May your day bring you answers and relief ♡ Again, glad your back Tipper and your family are doing well. Prayers for Papaw Tony & I hope Steve & Kim have power very soon. Loved your Christmas in July ♡♡♡
Kim, I hope it goes better next time! I will keep praying 🙂
So glad everyone and the corn are ok! We will pray for all in your area!
Thank you for thefun rhyme! My kids will enjoy both versions!
Love these story rhymes. Thanks for sharing.
The storm late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning really hit some places hard. In Jasper GA, the almost 100 year old, tall marble monument at the courthouse was shattered by a lightening strike. I hope everyone’s power is back on soon. It’s never fun to have a power outage.
Tipper, I was really concerned for you and the entire family. When there was no email in my inbox. I am extremely relieved that everyone is OK and I hope your brother Steve gets his electric back asap. I was not aware a bad storm hit your area. I am just glad everyone is doing fine. God bless you.✝️ Esme’xo
I am glad y’all are ok. My neck of the woods missed out of the rain and storms on both Sunday and Tuesday. I could hear close by thunder but nothing more than a very light shower for me. I am not complaining, I would have like to get a lot more rain but not the bad storms. I remember what it was like going for more than 2 weeks without power when Helene came through.