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  • Digital and Literaturistic Garbage

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    Sean Clark
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    The document discusses the folk song "Old Dog Blue" from 1928 about a man and his faithful hunting dog. When the dog dies, the man digs him a grave with a silver spade and imagines the dog hunting possums in the afterlife. The song originated in minstrel shows in the late 1800s and was likely created by black performers. It conveys nostalgia and broken sadness, which is why August Wilson chose to associate it with the character Troy throughout the play Fences. Listening to a recording of the song reinforced its deeply nostalgic and sad tone.

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    digital and literaturistic garbage

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    The document discusses the folk song "Old Dog Blue" from 1928 about a man and his faithful hunting dog. When the dog dies, the man digs him a grave with a silver spade and imagines the dog hunting possums in the afterlife. The song originated in minstrel shows in the late 1800s and was likely created by black performers. It conveys nostalgia and broken sadness, which is why August Wilson chose to associate it with the character Troy throughout the play Fences. Listening to a recording of the song reinforced its deeply nostalgic and sad tone.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as pdf or txt
    32 views2 pages

    Digital and Literaturistic Garbage

    Uploaded by

    Sean Clark
    The document discusses the folk song "Old Dog Blue" from 1928 about a man and his faithful hunting dog. When the dog dies, the man digs him a grave with a silver spade and imagines the dog hunting possums in the afterlife. The song originated in minstrel shows in the late 1800s and was likely created by black performers. It conveys nostalgia and broken sadness, which is why August Wilson chose to associate it with the character Troy throughout the play Fences. Listening to a recording of the song reinforced its deeply nostalgic and sad tone.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 2

    Fences, Act One Scene Three Name: _________________________

    Period: _______

    “Old Dog Blue” and Fences


    The song about the “Old Dog Blue” that Jim Jackson sang in 1928 is the kind of folk song that seems to have
    always been around, the story of a country man and his old and faithful dog, who helps him hunt possums and
    sleep at his feet. When the old dog dies, the man dig him a grave (“with a silver spade”) and imagine his pet
    friend hunting possums in “The Promised Land” or “in Noah’s Ark.” In some versions of the song, he
    eventually wants to join him in heaven (“Oh Blue, I’m coming too”). The song originated probably during the
    minstrel shows at the end of the 19th century and judging by the style and form of the song, it was certainly the
    creation of black performers. -- https://oldweirdamerica.wordpress.com

    I’m goin’ back to where I’m come Old Blue’s feet was big and round
    I’m goin’ back to where I’m come Old Blue’s feets was big and round
    I’m goin’ back to Giles County Never ‘lowed a ‘possum to tech the ground
    My wife died and left me a bounty Me and Blue went out on a hunt
    Way them pretty girls ganged around Blue treed a ‘possum in a hollow stump
    That’s the reason why I’m goin’ to Giles County You know that Blue was a good old dog
    Blue treed a ‘possum in a hollow log
    I had an old dog whose name was Blue You know from that he’s a good old dog
    You know that Blue was mighty true
    You know Blue was a good old dog Old Blue died and I dug his grave
    Blue treed a ‘possum in a hollow log I dug his grave with a silver spade
    You know from that he’s a good old dog I let him down with a golden chain
    And every link I called his name
    Blue treed a ‘possum out on a limb
    Blue looked at me and I looked at him Go on Blue you good dog you
    Grabbed that ‘possum and put him in a sack Go on Blue you good dog you
    “Do fer me, Blue, ‘til I get back.” Blue laid down and died like a man
    Blue laid down and died like a man
    “Here, Ring! Yeah, Ring Here! Now he’s treein’ ‘possums in the promised land
    Here Ring! Hey, Ring here!”
    Who’s been here since I been gone I’m goin’ to tell you this jes’ to let you know
    Little bitty girl with the red dress on Old Blue’s gone where the good dogs go
    Who’s been here since I been gone When I hear old Blue bark
    Little bitty girl with the red dress on When I hear old Blue bark
    Blue’s treed a ‘possum in Noah’s ark
    Blue’s treed a ‘possum in Noah’s ark

    Why do you think August Wilson chose this song to be associated with Troy throughout the play?

    It’s largely colloquial and conveys nostalgia and a broken sadness, which Troy has at least a li:le bit of.
    Fences, Act One Scene Three Name: _________________________
    Period: _______

    Listen to Jim Jackson’s version of the song on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2twfJxrDbI). How


    does the tone of the song compare with what you envisioned?
    The tone is even more nostalgic and conveys even more broken sadness than I thought. I guess I called that
    one.

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