The Old Tine Country Store

A cracker barrel; a hoop of cheese
And a pot bellied stove for heat,
There was green coffee to be parched
And a side of pork; salt meat.

A bag of feathers in the corner hung,
Perhaps a hide or two,
A tobacco cutter setting near by,
To furnish the men a chew.

Flour was then sold by the barrel
And sugar by the hundred weight,
Then canned goods were scarce
And black eyed peas they ate.

Bartering then was a common trade
For hides, eggs and wool,
In exchange for calico;
Which kept the ladies cool.

The hosiery then was not so fine
Mothers knit at home you know,
Wool was worn by young and old;
And they were not for show.

No tailored suits, nor ladies slacks
Were common in those days;
There was coarser cloth for underskirts,
Would this modern day amaze.

Jeans were woven at home on looms
Which the stores then did not keep;
Yet the spools of thread which they sold
Was large and strong and cheap.

The candy one bought; they called for then
As there was no candy case
For most all stores were very small,
You see there was little space.
Most men were happy in those days,
They would gather at the country store;
To talk their problems over
And maybe wished for more.

For then they loved each other
The time slipped by too fast
And when their parting time would come,
Each tried to be the last.
Most all of them would take a chew
While others looked around;
Not many cigarettes in those days
But several pipes were found.
They chewed tobacco; mostly sweet,
Which gave them lots of juice;
The cracks were most welcome then
With all the men turned loose.
They did not say good night as now
But said "Go home with me"
They hated to leave the country store
Where all were welcome, you see.

We now have all conveniences;
We could not wish for more;
Except the love these people had
Of the OLD TIME COUNTRY STORE.

©Helen C. Wallen

Midi Playing:
"Turn Back The Years"

Kentucky Lady_4