The Perry County Courthouse Square is the meeting place for the old timers
and the retired.
A place where they can gather and talk and whittle to their heart's content. 

The following poem is written with lots of love for those who came over the years
to trade and whittle.  I thought it applicable upon hearing that the old Courthouse
would soon be replaced by a modern new building.

 
This little poem "ain't" using the best of English, but when listening to the
old fellers talk, this is mostly the way it came out. 
Bless their hearts, they were a group.
I can recall their names and faces and do so today
in memory of those dear souls who loved.



THE COURTHOUSE SQUARE
 
RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWN IT SAT
THE BUILDING SO DEAR TO US ALL
'CAUSE THAT WAS THE PLACE WHYAR
WE COULD GO, AND
SET ON THE COURTHOUSE WALL.
ONE BY ONE YOU'D FIND US THYAR
ALWAYS TOGETHER AT THE COURTHOUSE SQUARE.

IF YOU WANTED TO BE ACCEPTED
YOU'D HAVE TO BRING YORE KNIFE
AND BE ABLE TO TRADE 'MOST EVERYTHING
EXCEPTIN', OF COURSE, YORE WIFE.

AH, YOU'D TAKE COME CEDAR BARK
AND FIND YOURSELF A PLACE TO WORK
IF'N YOU WAS LUCKY TO GET IN THE
SHADE A LITTLE
YOU COULD RARE RIGHT BACK AND
START TO WHITTLE.

YOU'D TAKE OUT YORE RED OX, OR
'TWAS MAYBE HALF & HALF
EITHER ONE YOU'D CHOOSE, 'TWAS
SICH A LAUGH
TO TAKE A BIG CHAW AND THEN
BEGIN TO SPIT
NOT BEING TOO PARTICULAR 'JUS
WHARE IT MIGHT HIT.

ANYTHING YOU NEEDED OR 
WANTED TO KNOW I'M SHORE
COULD EASILY BE FOUND IN
THE CROWD THAT GATHERED HYAR.

THEN COME THE DAY THAT HURT
US ALL, THEY
TOLD US THIS OLD HOUSE MUST FALL.
NO MORE WOULD WE SET ON 
THE COURTHOUSE SQUARE
AND WAIT FOR OUR FRIENDS TO
GATHER 'ROUND US THYAR.

YOU KNOW, TIME 'JUST CAN'T ERASE
THE MEMORIES CETERED 'ROUND
THIS ONE PLACE.
WHYAR WE COULD SET AND
SMOKE OUR PIPES
AND ENJOY TO THE FULLEST
EACH DAY LEFT OF OUR LIVES.
AS WE SAT SIDE BY SIDE ON
THE COURTHOUSE SQUARE
AND WAITED FOR OUR FRIENDS
TO JINE US THYAR..
 
  --IDA LEE HANSEL--



Page by Lynda Combs Gipson
2006