Editing Toronto Dogs In The Vineyard:Lexicon (section)

===Watamaket (Under-the-Mud)===

This is another entry in the diary of Brother Nimrod McAuslin:

Once again I had to chastise a passel of recreants in this morn's Sunday School.  It is my fear that Brothers and Sisters up in the massiffs are allowing their waifs too much time in the company of unredeemed Mountain People.  My hand hesitates to write these words:

Watamaket, maket, maket. <br>
Watamaket, sleeping in the lake!

Granny get angry?  He will take!<br>
Papa get ornery?  He will take!<br>
Sister get married?  He will take!<br>
The Dead and the Buried?  He will take!

Watamaket, maket, maket.<br>
Watamaket, waking up tonight!

Why the waters stirring?  'Cause the stars are right!<br>
Why the black cat purring? 'Cause the stars are right!<br>
Why the drums a beatin'?  'Cause the stars are right!<br>
Departed Ones a-meetin'?  'Cause the stars are right!

Watamaket, maket, maket.<br>
Watamaket, going back to sleep!

<p>Where's my Granny?  Sleeping in the lake!<br>
Where's my Papa?  Sleeping in the lake!<br>
Where's my Sister?  Sleeping in the lake!<br>
The Dead and the Buried?  Watamaket take!
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Watamaket take!<br>
Watamaket take!<br>
Watamaket take!
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Take them to the lake!!!
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Dr. Howard Jenkins, "Damn Your Eyes!: Curses and Blasphemy in 19th Century Children's Folksongs," ''Journal of Western Folklore'', June 1987.
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See: Departed Ones, Folk Songs