Customer Reviews

Greasy Grimy Gopher Guts: The Subversive Folklore of Children (American Storytelling)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had two immediate reactions on reading this book: "Yep, we had that one - words aren't quite right, though" and "Wait a minute! Where's (such-and-such) rhyme? How did they miss that one?" This is a great book, and a very useful reference for those who didn't realize that they do, in fact, know the tune to "The Old Gray Mare" (see title of book), "The Colonel Bogey March" ("Comet! It makes your lips turn green. . .") and "The Whiffenpoof Song" (several insulting versions lampooning schools). This book will take you back to your childhood. That's not the childhood that you're going to claim to your kids that you had, but the actual one where you made up nasty names for school food. Mind you, if you allow your children to read this book, you will receive many, many indignant phone calls from the parents in your neighborhood, but I'd say it's worth the risk.

I've only flipped through this book, but I found myself laughing every time I came to one of the chants/songs that I sang when I was a kid (i.e., "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the burning of the school ..."). This is a PERFECT reference for anyone who's writing about school children and their culture. If you're not into childhood folklore or urban legends, read it anyway and then tell me that you didn't laugh at LEAST once :)

You remember all the fight songs of child-hood. The songs and poems about worms, rotten peanuts, rebellion, and k-i-s-s-i-n-g. You'll be amazed to find that the words and tunes have been around for generations and are still sung today by YOUR children.

This book is a preservation of the oral traditions handed down thru time from one generation of children to another. It was and is the way children learn about and deal with the tough, sensitive issues in life; by making songs and jokes about it.

This book is one you'll want to read and keep forever (and hide it in a very safe place until your children are about 18--otherwise you'll be getting a call from the principal and your kid will be the toast of his friends.)

Read this book. It will take you back to a time of lazy afternoons, games of hide and seek, giggles, and good friends.

This is a wonderful review of the oral traditions of children. I'm a father of five and was astounded to hear my children chanting the same grade school rhymes that I used to chant. How did they learn them? They didn't read them in this book I assure you. These rhymes are passed down from child to child in an unbroken oral tradition. As a psychiatrist it gives me greater insight into their dynamic development as well. The book could have had more commentary about such dynamic issues. I dare say it almost misses the profound import of these oral traditions.

i swiped this book from my brother who swiped it from my mother who got it at a used book sale- so its been around the block a few times. i am now 16 an begin using this book at the age of 10. manny a days were spent at the lunch table with my frineds laughing at- and using these rymes( such as; hark the harold angles shout! # more days till school gets out! grab you ball and grab your chan, and run like hell to the nearist train) sooner of later it became known as " the bible" to my groop.all thse yesrs it has been a tresured posetion of mine, and from time to time i bing it out once more to my friends- and it still keep us laughing.

As the other reviewers have stated, this is a great collection of naughty rhymes and chants from childhood. However, I have to agree with the psychiatrist. I would have liked more analysis. This seems to be a great topic for somebody's doctoral thesis. How do these verses originate? Are most of them created by children for children? What can we learn about children from them?

On second thought, maybe it is best that these verses remain under wraps. There is something to be said about an under the radar way that children have to harmlessly express their rebelliousness.

I unashamedly admit I loved this book. It was such a glorious flash back to my youth. And the silly songs/rhymes we used to sing/chant. I even shared this with my 11 year old son. Who was rather confused by this practice of "stupid songs" but enjoyed learning a few with me, and I even caught his singing "greasy grimey gopher guts" to my baby the other day..who adored it.

It's a fun book. But please be aware --this is NOT a children's book. Very adult content. Rated "R."

If you love subversiveness, I'd also suggest Nick Bantock's , "Averse to Beasts," a book with a cassette filled with creepy little ryhmes!