But despite its gentle execution, this story delivers some of the heaviest of punches and invites the reader to step outside of the book for a spell This is a point of emphasis and exclamation that often ends without any additional telling at all. When the U.S. demanded that the murderers be handed over for punishment, the Creek executed them themselves (for the Ohio murders, not for the River Raisin battle and aftermath). A handful of rivers and streams will be out of their banks by Friday evening and Saturday morning. "Well I s'wanee" evokes the Southern Suwannee River. Lyndon Johnsons wife Lady Bird was fond of the phrase, and she wasnt one to cast aspersions on native Americans. During the early days of the War of 1812, one party of Creek marched north and joined the Indians fighting in Ohio and Michigan, participating in the River Raisin Massacre. QFrom Bob Scala: An item that has been floating around the internet claims that the expression God willing and the creek dont rise referred to the Creek Indians, not a body of water. 4.5 stars! Something needed to fill in the gap: Yall is one solution associated with the South, with all generally serving to clarify more than one you is being addressed. In the South, a hill of beans is its own measuring stick. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. It was bad as all get out. Copyright Michael Quinion, 1996. If you're trying to be nice, but you just can't quite let it go, "bless your heart" is a go-to. Youd be in a real fix then. If The Creek Don't Rise. That argues for a more mundane origin: the old-time difficulties of travelling on dirt roads that forded rivers and streams; a sudden storm could cause water levels to rise without warning and render the route impassable. From another source Some historians attribute Benjamin Hawkins as having been the first person to ever say these words and he did so in a letter to the President of the United States. When a fellers fixin to do something, theyre about to do it. A: "Do you reckon we'll have enough from this harvest to make ends meet?" B: "God willing and the creek don't rise." Wow! It was set in the Ozark mountains featuring what some people called a witch. 'Cause everything's fine, God, I wish it were . The tale is widely reproduced and believed nevertheless. [1][2], Classic versions of its use tend to be along the lines of "The good Lord willing, and the creek doesn't rise"i.e. (I would not be surprised to discover that the last contributor on your first link is none other than our own samclem.). "If God so wills, and as long as intense rain does not wash away bridges or parts of dirt roads, or cover roads too deeply for safely following them." In the 1900s, the word evolved, taking on a Southern spin as well as new meanings such as "courage" and "get-up-and-go.". Now, she admits to saying this to her children. I am usually among those who bristle at change in usage. Though youre likely to hear Southernisms such as. From the beginning, the first narrative of Sadie Blue, which broke my heart from the first page, it feels like it will be her story. And I mean took me there! Well, that might just push you over the edge, and as you lean back youre bound to say, Im as full as a tick. Itd be plumb crazy not to express yourself (and your full belly) with this fun, old Southern idiom. As they returned home, some of them also killed some settlers in the Ohio valley. In his response, he was said to write, "God willing and the Creek don't rise." Is It Called Presidents Day Or Washingtons Birthday? It happens often during a Southern summer, when the heat rises and the temperatures shoot past 100. Theres probably a connection between eternal damnation and tarnation. This is a high compliment in the South, since Southern states are known for their peaches. For instance, I might promise to show up for Christmas at Grandmas if the good Lords willing and the creek dont rise. It seems this saying is a favorite expression of country singers. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Variants substitute "God" or "Good Lord" (with or without "the") for "Lord", and substitute "crick" or "river" for "creek", or capitalize it as "Creek" or "Creeks" based on confusion with the Creek Indian tribe. A search for the word rise does not produce this phrase, so it appears that the body of water theory was correct after all. Positive thinking, Southern style. By extension, maybe the Southern US expression was the way for an affronted or shocked listener to say none of that crazy untoward talk or behavior shall have power over me.. But, what we do know is English once used you and ye strictly to address a group of people. I agree that the Indian origin sounds unlikely. This phrase isn't about physical appearance. The dialect is obscure and living conditions primitive with a feel more like the 1870's than the 1970's..so backward..so uncivilized..the men so brutal and lawless, and for Sadie Blue, life seems grave. We do our best to keep our promises, but sometimes unforeseen circumstances come up. "You've heard that old saying, 'I'll be there if the creek don't rise?' Well, they've all risen, and a lot of people are staying home because of. Come visit me at LeahWeiss.com where you can subscribe to my CREEKRISE author news. While in the south, Hawkins was requested by the President of the U.S. to return to Washington. If The Creek Don't Rise is a unique novel whose structure feels light and breezy and veers drastically from the standard formula found in fiction. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), http://www.aboutnorthgeorgia.com/ang/Benjamin_Hawkins, Follow Thoughts and Ponderances on WordPress.com. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. It presumably evokes occasional and unpredictably extreme rainfall in Appalachia, that has historically isolated one rural neighborhood or another temporarily inaccessible on several or many occasions. Have you ever seen a wet hen? Is this derivation correct? In alternating first person narratives from a cast of characters that will be hard to forget, Leah Weiss took me to the mountain community called Baines Creek in the Appalachian Mountains in NC. You'll most often hear it coming out of Mama's mouth when the kids are running amok. The most interesting often hail from our older generations, such as the WWII era and those raised by them. Instead of "Well, I swear," Southerners have adopted a geographically inspired alternative. Signed in November, 1785, A Treaty With the Cherokee (the technical name of the Treaty of Hopewell) created the first rift between theCherokee Nationand the Chickamauga Cherokee that would not end until the Chickamauga went West following the Revolt of the Young Chiefs. Here are a couple of examples of this claim. No bigger than a minnow in a fishing pond is as tiny as can be. I'm fixin' to tell you that this phrase is as Southern as sweet tea. Did you know the saying God willing and the Creek dont rise was in reference to the Creek Indians and not a body of water? I see some folks walk easy and carry peace on their shoulders, but I been chained to a iron life." Leah Weiss, If the Creek Don't Rise 3 likes Like And Lord have mercy, wait till you meet Birdie with her gamy birds-nest hairdo and top notch fine feathered companion Samuel.and all his buddies. My officers and fire department, we went along the river houses and notified everybody and recommended evacuation, said Hardy Police Chief Scott Rose. This one originates from the 19th century, when Carter Products marketed "Little Liver Pills" across the country. and the word HOPE. While in the south, Hawkins was requested by the President of the U.S. to return to Washington. Its typically used to describe a situation thats gone askew, awry, or out of alignment. Southerners adopted this phrase wholeheartedly from its early usages in 1700s England and Scotland (where it meant "common sense"). It turns out that the phrase was written by Benjamin Hawkins in the late 18th century. "Lord willing and the creek don't rise" is a sort of backwoods phrase that has the same meaning, but is more folksy and less devoted. Grandma might whisper this one over her hymnal if she sees you cutting up in church on Sunday morning. "If the creek don't rise" is a slang phrase predominantly used in the Southeastern United States and can translate to "if all goes well." It's a more conditional action statement than the famous phrase "come hell or high water." Youre still going to the grocery store. That means whatever you're talking about is worth less than very little. DeSantis ends Disney's free reign over Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill. And really, wouldn't we all druther have our druthers? This string of double negatives is actually meant as encouragement! If you think you can't, you won't be able to accomplish something, but if you think you can, you'll succeed. It is a physical and mental state a few degrees past weary and just this side of dog-tired. As they returned home, some of them also killed some settlers in the Ohio valley. You will have spotted that neither of these capitalises creek, which suggests they didnt have the Creek people in mind. A sister who is afraid of losing her brother and Sadie's grandmother and aunt, all tell their stories adding to Sadie's own. Marty Stuart places the words "If the Good Lord's willin' and the creek don't rise, we'll see you in the mornin'." If you refer to itno matter the brand or flavoras Coke, chances are you grew up in the South. But today Ive stumbled across the claim that it refers to an uprising by the Creek (or Cree) Indians. Im told it was a sign-off tag line of the 1930s US radio broadcaster Bradley Kincaid. Doh! Ireckon is the way many Southerners get to surmising about something or other. Though youre likely to hear Southernisms such as hold your horses and pretty as a peach nationwide, youll likely only hear the following from a true Southerner. Look up Lord willing and the creek don't rise in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. As was the case with Dr Mattox, the remark is routinely attributed to first being said by Benjamin Hawkins. the creek don't rise. We like to read this as one of the greatest Southern encouragements, but, like most of these phrases, you can use it however you'd like. If you think you can't, you won't be able to accomplish something, but if you think you can, you'll succeed. Be it Gods will, or, we go to war, my plans will go according to one of those two choices. That book was a 1908 publication and leans toward the thought of Creek Indian, even if not capitalized, because of the word fire (as in shooting guns). If the Creek Don't Rise is a collection of hard-used characters, tangled relationships, family angst, and fortitude. I first heard of the notion of creek meaning Creek on a camping trip a couple of years ago at Barkcamp State Park in the area of Wheeling, WV. Soda web site devoted to this age-old debate. Thats a mouthful, but we lumped these all together because they are allsubstitutes for (God) d*mn it. Take a look here Michael: http://www.genealogynation.com/creek/. And yes, I have heard the music of this culture and watched the dancing. The story of Benjamin Hawkins relationship with the Creek,Cherokee, Choctaw and Chickasaw Indians goes back to 1786, when America was working on solidifying its hold on the new nation. Cows aren't known for their speed, and they are usually out and about, wandering until feeding time. When the road looks rough ahead, remember the 'Man upstairs'. Where did this contraction, popular in both African American English and Southern American English, come from? Any of you word experts have solid information? It was a big old chunk of a book, so only a couple of the kids including myself read it. Johnny Cash had a hit with the song If The Good Lords Willing, and Hank Williams Jr. titled his song If the Good Lords Willin (And The Creeks Dont Rise).. However, the first President to move to Washington was John Adams on 1 November 1800. Every researcher who has investigated the expression has dismissed an Indian connection as untrue. In his experience, it doesnt take much for local creeks and streams to cause trouble. So, if during the time of Benjamin Hawkins life, the Creek Indians were experiencing the longest period of peace, why would he fear that they would rise. Translated, this means: "We'll be there unless something out of our control stops us." Pot callin the kettle black. It can also be the opening to striking a bargain, sharing a strongly held opinion, or offering a piece of advice you may or may not want to hear. If you hear this one, you should probably pause a moment. The grit and darkness don't just belong to Sadie, though. Grahams American Monthly Magazine, Jun. So the saying came about like we'll be there.God willing and the Creek (indians) don't rise..to stop us. Which means if nothing crazy happens or anything out my control such as a natural disaster. Some say farmers used to dunk their hens when they got broody. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Let me love you again, give me one more try. An odd few (6% of Americans) do use soft drink, according to the Pop vs. The Creek were a tribe of Native Americans (indians) who would ambush people who were traveling West. In Gone With the Wind, Scarlett OHara says: I do declare, Frank Kennedy, if you dont look dashing with that new set of whiskers!. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. It turns out that the phrase was written by Benjamin Hawkins in the late 18th century. Charles Wilson said the flood waters are something he has to live with to enjoy residing on the river. Eventually, you became a singular pronoun, and we lost the plural pronouns. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. But I know of just four instances from that century. The lyrics play on the expression Lord willing and the creek don't rise, which is thought to originate from Alabama. Im a longtime admirer of your calm demeanor and encyclopedic knowledge. Because he capitalized Creek its asserted that he was referring to the Creek Indian tribe and not a body of water. IF THE CREEK DON'T RISE is character driven and one fine gritty and entertaining debut with one fine satisfying ending! All rights reserved. Your first citation is much stronger than your second. If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don't Rise, If the Good Lord's Willing and the Creek Don't Rise, Good Lord's Willin and The Creek Don't Rise, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_creek_don%27t_rise&oldid=1136534691, This page was last edited on 30 January 2023, at 20:39.

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