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Observations and Reflections on Texas Folklore edited by Francis Edward Abernethy |
Observations and Reflections, the title of the Texas Folklore Society's thirty-seventh numbered volume, is a collection of fourteen essays on Texas folklore and folk life. This volume gets its name from its lead article by Texas's leading folklorist, the late J. Frank Dobie.
Texas folk life moves in many directions in this book, as is illustrated by the many approaches these Texas folklorists take in the study of their culture. Mody Boatright and Joyce Roach reach back into their own pasts and reminisce about memorable revivals. F. E. Abernethy tells about old-time religion and Sacred Harp singings. Other reminiscences are by Bill Owens, as he returns to his old home place at Pin Hook, and by Pat Mullen, who tells about the songs his family sang.
Bill Brett tells a story about a wild horse chase in the Big Thicket, and Mason Brewer relates Negro preacher tales from the Brazos River bottoms. Leland Sonnichsen follows his specialty in an essay on Texas feuds, and Bill Malone, the definitive scholar in country and western music, traces its history from folk music and early hill-billy to modern Merle Haggard. Sarah Greene, also on a modern theme, discusses the folklore of soap operas.
Elton Miles tells about the 1968 TFS meeting and how some of the Society's traditions developed. Ron Tyler presents five Texas photographers and their views of Texas folk life. And Henderson Shuffler offers a tongue-in-cheek study of the effect of one yellow rose of Texas on the battle of San Jacinto.
Beliefs and customs, riddles and proverbs, songs and stories: the breadth of Texas folklore is well illustrated in these Observations and Reflections by the best of Texas's folklorists.
Observations and Reflections on Texas Folklore
+ ISBN 1-57441-100-4. paper $16.95s
6X9. 151 pp.
Folklore. Oral History. Texana. African-Americans.
Publication Date: 2000.
