Hellbilly: The Darker Side of Appalachia
Sep 28, 2026 · 41 min · 11 segments
... in which i discuss the history, sociology, and psychology behind Central Appalachia's interest in all things Corvid. I also share a couple stories. Pt. 1 of 2.
But historically, it was associated primarily with magpies, which are members of the same family.
I think I mentioned that a minute ago.
One of the earliest printed versions of this appeared in Britain in 1780, and it was considerably shorter and darker, like most of the nursery rhymes in this world.
Come on now.
Ring around the rosies, pocket full of posies.
One bird meant sorrow.
Two meant mirth.
Three foretold a wedding.
Four foretold death.
Over time, the rhyme changed because that's what things do.
That's what folklore does.
It changes.
Sometimes.
Sometimes it doesn't.
It traveled.
People altered it.
People alter things.
It's like a game of telephone.
Remember that episode that I have called a game of telephone? Well, that's what it's like.
It's like a game of telephone because people alter it, especially children.
No offense, kids, but you know what? Memories aren't that great when you're little and things change and you get older and your memories aren't that great either.
Different regions added lines that fit their regions, fit their dialects.
Joy replaced mirth because thesaurus.
But historically, it was associated primarily with magpies, which are members of the same family.
I think I mentioned that a minute ago.
One of the earliest printed versions of this appeared in Britain in 1780, and it was considerably shorter and darker, like most of the nursery rhymes in this world.
Come on now.
Ring around the rosies, pocket full of posies.
One bird meant sorrow.
Two meant mirth.
Three foretold a wedding.
Four foretold death.
Over time, the rhyme changed because that's what things do.
That's what folklore does.
It changes.
Sometimes.
Sometimes it doesn't.
It traveled.
People altered it.
People alter things.
It's like a game of telephone.
Remember that episode that I have called a game of telephone? Well, that's what it's like.
It's like a game of telephone because people alter it, especially children.
No offense, kids, but you know what? Memories aren't that great when you're little and things change and you get older and your memories aren't that great either.
Different regions added lines that fit their regions, fit their dialects.
Joy replaced mirth because thesaurus.
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