All language subtitles for romance-the-romance-of-rosy-ridge-van-johnson-thomas-mitchell-janet-leigh-1947-givefastlink

[Lion roaring]

* I long for Missouri *

* and I'ma goin' *

* back there yonder
again someday *

* come along *

* I'ma goin' *

* come along *

* I'm a goin' *

* to roam again home again *

* I...Come from Missouri *

* and I'm a goin' *

* to Missouri again someday *

[fiddle playing]

Hello, Ninny Nat.
Any news?

Yep, a bushel of it.

No, there ain't gonna
be no play party.

Reckon folks is just too ornery

ever to get dancin'
or laughin' again.

I don't know why
I keep on practicin'
on this dang fiddle.

What's the news?

Where's your pa?

Is it about my brother, Ben?

Come to think of it,
got news of Ben, too.

Ben, he's alive.
He's coming home.

Hold on there!
Hold on there!

Hold on there!

Pa, it's about Ben!

Ben's alive!
Ben's coming home
from the war!

Pa!

Ben.

Ben!

I knew they couldn't
kill my boy.

Ma! Ma!

Can't you answer!

I said Ben's come home
from the war!

Aaahhh!

Ben's alive!
He's coming home
from the war!

Ben's coming!

Lissy! Lissy!
Where is he? Where's Ben?

[Dog barking]

Doggone that female
woman anyhow.

He's coming home!

Where's Ben?

I told ya them Yankees
could never kill that boy!

Hey, hey!

Doggone women.
Mouths always running
off with your feet.

I'll tan his hide
the color of buffalo skin
when he finally homes hisself.

All this work
to be done on the farm,

and him a Larkin' over
the country side.

Are you gonna allow me
to speak my piece,
or ain't ya?

It's time you learned
not to conclusion people
afore they're outspoke.

Now I'll tell you the news.

All them that's
fought for the south

are gettin' together
afore sundown today

to put an end to
this here barn burning.

A meeting's been called
at Cal Baggett's store.

What's the meeting
got to do with Ben?

Nary a thing.

But you said you had
news of him acomin' home.

Never did.
You asked me was
there news about Ben.

And I said,
"come to think of it,
I did have some."

And I have.

Appears about a week ago,

Ad Buchanan
homed himself from
a hospital in Memphis.

Everyone thinkin' ad killed.

And nothing worse wrong
with him than the bottom of his
leg shot off.

I heard as how ad fought
in just about every bit of
fighting there was.

And if that's true,
I reckoned he must have seen
that boy of yours somewhere.

That's all the news there is.

And if Lissy Anne here
hadn'ta jumped right
down my throat,

I'da said just that
right off and
nothing more.

Come on, Beulah.

When he said he had news
of Ben so cheerful-like, I--

I'm sorry, ma.

It ain't your fault.

Ben ain'ta comin' home,
Lissy Anne.

I knowed it right along
from the minute he left
2 year ago.

Giddyup.

Whoa. Fetch my gun.

Gill.

Now don't go getting
all uneasy-like.

We'll be back afore dark.

Gill, don't go accountin'
on what Ninny Nat
said about Ben.

I wish you wouldn't
be in such a hurry
to bury that boy.

The war's only been
over 4 months.

You didn't think
I was coming home neither.

And the same with ad Buchanan,
but he's home, too.

I tell you, I know
nothing's happened to Ben.

Giddyup!

We been waiting on you, Gill.

Everybody's here.

Ad, Jim,
reckon we're about
ready to start.

Come along.

Bill, you and Clancy
just keep right on
aworkin'.

What are you gonna do?

Just mosey around a bit, pa.

See that you keep
yourself outta trouble.

Oh. Fishing's been
right good down
the creek lately.

Too bad you ain't
brought your line.

Ain't never
without it,
Mr. Baggett.

Ha ha ha.

Well, glad you're here.
We been waiting for you.

[All greeting Gill]

Now that Gill's here,
let's get it going.

[All talking at once]

Well, first off,
let's do a bit
of checking.

Now, renny, your barn's
been burned down.

And you, bill.

No need to count 'em.

Barn for barn, drive 'em out.

Pay 'em in kind for burning down
Cal Baggett's mill and grainery.

Men: Yeah!

My granary's down, but I want
it understood straight--
I'm neutral.

My wife give me five fine gals.

Four of 'em married
right good men.

Two of 'em here
fought in the war with you.

The other two out there
rebuilding the granary,
fought for the north.

For us, the war's over,
and I don't want it
to start again

in this house
where we all gotta live.

Being neutral don't
stop barns from
being burnt.

Men: No, it doesn't.

That's the truth,
but we don't know
who's doing the burning.

We do know
there ain't been no
northern barns burned.

That speaks right loud to me.

Burn their barns!
Hang 'em! Run 'em
out of these hills!

[All men speaking]

Kill 'em!

Won't get peace that way.

[Men shouting]

Let's hear what Gill has to say.

I've been listening,
trying to think.

But I see it this way.

When I home myself,
there's my family
sick and hungry.

The land is 3 years back
in taxes and interest

and I hadda start
rubbing hard right off.

It's a good growing spring,

and I've got the biggest
crop growing I ever did plant.

Enough to square me off.

But there ain't no hands
to work the crops and none
to harvest them.

There's only one way I know.

We that fought the war
together, we've gotta
work together now.

Start trading labor.

Oh, it can't be done.

That's when they burn you out,

when you're off of
your place and over
the hill somewhere.

Neighbors can trade labor.

Gill, you live
right next to the yearys.

The yearys.

I said them that's
fought together.

I'd rather see the crops
rot in the ground

than neighbor up
with a northerner.

Gill's right.
There's only
one way.

Run the northerners
out afore they run
us out.

Hold on!
I didn't say that!

[Men shouting]

Now hold on, now hold on.

We can't go dividing
ourselves on opposite sides.

If you all think you can
get your crops in first
and tend to barn burning later,

go ahead and try.

Maybe when they burn
some more of you out,

you'll change your minds
and we'll all be together
on this.

Now, come on, Badge.

Man: I've had enough
of this here...

Hey, hey. Hey, ad.

Ad!

I hear you might
have some news of
my boy, Ben.

Ain't heard a word
from nowhere about him.

Never seed him, Gill, nowhere.

Reckon I musta left
before he did.

I reckon you did.

Somebody said
they heard you mighta
run into him somewhere.

Never seed him.

I didn't reckon you had.

Andrew!

Andrew!

You hear me!

Dang it, boy!
You gone deaf?

I've been shouting
for 10 minutes.

Pa!

Huh?

Appears like
the biggest trout
I ever did hook onto.

Here, boy,
better give that to
me afore you lose him.

Easy.

Easy now, boy.

Ha ha ha!

What'd I tell ya?!

Well, I swore.

He didn't say Ben
weren't comin' home,
did he?

He don't know nothin' about him.

Pa?

Hmm?

Ben was the best shot
in the whole world.

And if you're the best,
nobody can be better,
can they?

Nope.

Well, then it'd
be as Ben's done
all the killing

and he'll be acomin' home.

Pa, look!

That smoke's down our holler!

Hold tight, Sonny!
Giddy on now!

Go!

Think we can still
save the walls.

Stinkin' snakes!
Why didn't ya shoot 'em?

It's alright, pa,
the fire's out.

It's out.

The livestock's
roasted, I reckon.

No, the fire hurried
the cows freshenin'.

She dropped her calf
real sudden-like.

Tom Yeary saved it.
It's a right nice
heifer.

Tom yeary?!

I'll be right pleasured
when you take them blue
britches off of my land.

Pa said you'd
stubborn up
like a male mule.

First fire a man's barn
and then throw a bucket
of water on it, huh?

I reckon you better
get on to your side
of the fence.

Your pa's over there
waiting for you now.

I didn't come over
to help you none.

But Ben was my friend,
even if we did fight
on different sides.

And if he ever
homes hisself alive
from the war,

I don't aim to have him
thinkin' me unneighborly

and a grudgin' agin me.

Thank you, Tom Yeary.

Thank you both.

If it hadn't been
for Tom and his wife,

the walls woulda burned, too.

I'd rather have a heap of ashes

than neighbor up
with Yankees again.

But the war is over, pa.

Over? Does barn burning
look like it's over?

They're burning every
rebel barn in the hills!

Well, John Dessark was right.

We'll pay 'em out,
barn for barn!

Workin' crops needs hands,
not hate.

I fought agin 'em
for worse than 2 years.

They took my brother.
Maybe they took my boy.
Now they take my barn.

And if I don't get help
with my crops this year,
they'll take my land!

They take everything
that a man spends
his life abuildin'!

All I got left is my hate!

Now you're trying
to take that away, too.

That ain't all
you got left, Gill.

By jackees, we'll build
that barn again afore
hayin' time.

We'll work through the nights!

In the dark?

We'll pull a rope
around the mower

and snap it to that
oak tree out there.

Now--

what about some eatin' food, ma?

My hunger is powerful
enough to lift the lid
off the pot.

I reckon I can
scare up something.

I got something.

Ha! I got something, too.

[Happily]
Hey, hey!

I caught him, and pa,
he landed him.

You ain't told me
what ad Buchanan said.

There weren't nothing to tell,

'ceptin' Cal says it's the law
when a body's killed in war,

the government
notices you with a letter
saying they're sorry.

Just a little itchin'.

Prickly weed, most likely.

Stop arubbin' it.

* if your mouth twitches
or if your nose itches *

* a body's acomin' with
holes in his britches *

Ben! That's what it means!

Old witch's tale.
Get along with
your food, Andrew.

How can the government
notice you, if there ain't
no more state's government?

That's why I know
he's gonna finally
home hisself.

Because if he was killed,

it was afore the war was over

when there was still
a state's government.

So we'da had our letter.

Rub it and it'll
spread all over.

But it tickles
right insistent, ma.

Set on your hands.

I just had to, ma.

* if your mouth twitches
or if your nose itches *

[dog howls]
* a body's a comin'--*

somebody is acomin'.

I told you so, I told you so!

Quiet.

Settle down.

[Music]

It's Ben--playing on
his mouth organ!

Ben's acomin' home.
I told you so!

Can't hardly be.

That ain't Ben.
Hounds don't howl
for one of their own.

Hold back the hounds.

[Music continues]

Andrew: There he is.

I knew it weren't Ben.

What are the color
of his britches?

Can't tell.

Just a minute, stranger.

Howdy.

That's a likely kind
of noise you been
amakin', stranger.

Noise? Why, dang it,
I been thinking all along
it was music.

Music ain't nothing
but noise that's pretty.

Looks like a powerful
noisemaker you've
got there.

Didn't figure
on welcoming me
with that, did ya?

There's people a skulkin'
around here that got worst
intention than you have--

maybe.

Never did hear tell
of skulkers aplayin'
tunes as they skulk.

No, sir, never did.

A sneaking coward
that'll burn a man's
barn when he ain't home--

he's liable to try
anything once.

[Noise in background]

Move outta there!

For goodness sake, Gill,
it's only Lissy and me.

I didn't hear you coming.

I'm just asking
this fella a few
questions.

It ain't healthy for
a stranger to be alone

in these parts
after nightfall.
Where you bound for?

Bound for nowhere in particular.

Just awanderin' through
and playing tunes to keep
myself company.

Where you bound from?

The last stop
was belleville.
Left there at sunup.

Without wearing shoes?

Oh, I'm saving them for work.

Or fun, when I find it.

Won't catch me
wasting shoe leather
on plain walking.

Belleville's worst
than 20 miles away.

You don't look
tuckered out none.

Ain't a bit tuckered.

Could play this mouth organ

or dance all night
at a play party
if there was one--

if I first had some supper.

Where's your manners?
That man's hungry.

It's that dang moonlight.

It's too dark
to see the color
of his britches.

Then we'll be standing
around here till sunup

'cause it ain't gonna
get no lighter tonight.

Had supper, stranger?

Thanks. I was getting afraid
you were never gonna ask me.

Now just one thing about
supper, Mr.?--

MacBean.

My name's Henry Carson.

Now about supper.

Of course I won't
offer you any money

'cause I know you'd be offended.

And I couldn't
anyway on account of
I haven't any,

paper or coin. But I'll
haul your water,
chop your wood,

cut your hay, grind your grain,

shuck your corn,
fire a still, or...

If folks are real fond of music,

I'll play as many tunes
as'll make you forget
your troubles.

Which will it be?

The songs!
The water barrel!
Cuttin' the hay.

Well, reckon the food's
cold by now.

Seems like we been
standing here all night.

Lissy, look.
If your nose itches--

[playing harmonica]

More, more!

Well, I don't reckon
them dishes are gonna
dance their way

over to the wash pitch.
Do you, Lissy?

It's getting late.

Yes, it is.

You'll be wanting to
be on your way to find
a place to sleep, I reckon.

Another song, Andrew?

Do you know any with words?

You can't sing and play
the mouth organ at
the same time.

Suppose you sing 'em.

Uh-uh.

I know. Come on.

[Whispering]
For lands sake, Gill, ain't you
gonna bed the man down?

Not till he declares his side.

Can you play it?
Ben could, a bit.

Used to play some.

Gill: I said it's getting late.

Past time for ussuns
to bed down.

Late as that?

Reckon he'll want
to stay the night, pa,
if it's that late.

Of course, he will.

I was getting afraid
no one was gonna
ask me.

So was I.

Of course, we were,

exceptin' that the barn
burned down and I ain't
figured where to bed ya.

Nothing to figure.
Henry can have Ben's place
up in the loft.

In this light you can't tell
if those britches is
gray or blue.

I like a man to show his colors.

Gill, a man has
a right to his
own way of thinking.

There's only one
right way of thinking!

Yes, sir. But it all
depends on how you
look at it.

Now to me, right is...

Well, right is lots of things.

Like planting
your fields
and having warm rain

and hot sun pouring down on 'em.

And having a bumper harvest

with all
the neighbors
in to help.

And you ahelpin' on theirs.

Storin' wood away for the winter

and lots of good things to eat.

And having songs
to sing when your
heart is light...

And to warm you
all through when
it's--heavy.

Did you ever hear this tune?

* when I am far
from my darlin' *

* far from you in the spring *

* when I am lonely
I will love only *

* a sunbeam *

* a dewdrop *

* a blossom *

* a bird on the wing *

* when you are far
from your darlin' *

* far from me in the spring *

* if others would kiss you *

* just turn your head and... *

* sing liddy-o-Ry, laddy-o-Ry *

* lo-Ry liddy-o-Ry, laddy-o-Ry *

* when I... *

* am far away *

oh, a body could
perish happy to
a tune like that.

Sure would confound
a whippoorwill.

That's the mournfulest
music I ever did hear.

How about something dancey?

Uh-uh. It's way past
your bedtime.

But--

now, don't worry about it.

We've got plenty
of time for music.

When?

Why tomorrow and the day after.

And the day after that.

While we're rebuilding
the barn and working
the crops.

Goodnight, Gill, Sairy...

Lissy Anne.

Lead the way, captain.

See you in the morning, Henry.

Goodnight, Andrew.

[Rooster crows]

That stranger up yet?

Better than a half hour ago.

I knew he'd be gone
afore I could get a look
at his britches in daylight.

He ain't gone. He's down
ahelpin' ma tote water
from the creek.

Doing women's work, eh?

He's a foreigner, alright.

Ben used to help
ma with the water.

He had a soft speak
in 'em, that boy.

What were the color
of his britches?

Never thought to notice.

Well, we'll find out
right quick.

Heard me coming, huh?

No, I didn't.

I didn't mean you.
I'm talking about
the stranger.

I don't reckon
he heard you any more
than I did.

Why?

He knew dang well those britches

wouldn't stand
the test of
daylight.

What color were they, Sairy?

Never thought to notice.

Sure is strange
how a man's smile
color blinds the womenfolks.

Well, anyway, I'm glad he's gone
afore there's any ructions.

He ain't gone, Gill.

He ain't?

Where is he?

He reckoned
there was time enough

to cut a couple of
rafters for the roof
afore breakfast.

With him ahelpin',
it won't be long afore
you have a barn again, Gill.

[Muttering to himself]

Watch out there!

Mornin', Gill.

About 6 of these'll
do for the rafters.

I got a tree spotted over yonder

that'll spurn
the fine shakes
for roofin'.

Breakfast ready?

I got something that I want--

tell Sairy
I'll be in in
less than 5 minutes.

One more rafter,
my appetite'll be
just about sharp enough.

Sairy: You know, Lissy Anne,

I knew right off there was
something different about him.

About his music
and his polite ways.

Don't sound like no preacher.

Oh, he used to be
a schoolteacher
before the war.

That counts for him
speaking so pretty.

And don't think
a man can't be smart

just 'cause he's educated.

And it don't mean
that all his muscles
are in his head neither.

He carries water like
those buckets were
full of feathers.

That stranger has
two sets of britches.

The ones he wore
last night must be
up in the loft.

And afore we go any further,

we're gonna find out about him.

No yankee's gonna
move hisself onto
this place.

Henry ain't gone, is he?

Come on!
Come down outta there.

He has some fine ideas
on rebuilding the barn.

Of course, with two men
aworkin' on it,

it'll take less than
half the time.

He seems right
anxious to help in
whatever way he can.

He's been talking
about helping
with the hay

and cultivating corn.

And with help
so scarce around here,

seems like we're right lucky.

Henry has an idea
of how to get water
out from the creek

without atotin' it.

Remember once Ben talked
about the same thing.

Never got around to it, though.

Well--it wouldn't
be decent snooping
into a man's bundle.

That's just as bad
as going through his pockets
when he's asleep.

Andrew--yell for that
stranger to come in here

and get his food
afore it's cold.

I can't figure it out.

Got no money
to pay him for his work...

Wait'll he learns that.

He knows it.

Then what's he leechin'
on us for?

Oh, no.

No, by jackees. No!

* oh, do you remember
sweet Betsy from spike *

* she crossed the wild
mountains with her lover, Ike *

* with two yolk of oxen
and one yellow dog *

* and a tall Shanghai rooster
and one spotted hog *

* ol de dang ol de Dy do
ol de dang ol de day *

* when they reach the desert
sweet Betsy give out *

* and down in the sand
she lay rollin' about *

* while Ike he gazed at her
with sobs and with sighs *

* told Ike get up Betsy,
you'll get sand in your eyes *

* ol de dang ol de Dy do
ol de dang ol de day *

* the Shanghai ran off
and the cattle all died *

* and the last piece of bacon
that morning was fried *

* well, Ike got discouraged
and Betsy got mad *

* and the dog wagged his tail
and looked wonderfully sad *

* old de dang ol de Dy do
ol de dang ol de day *

I reckon Lissy Anne
could do with
a little help.

That Henry has
wire Springs
in his back.

Maybe so.

Never did see a man
who could work

so fast and easy-like
in all my born days.

Well--not since
you were his age,
dear.

I don't like it.

You don't like what?

I don't like nothing
I don't understand.

What don't you
understand today,
Gill?

I don't understand--
wh--

well, I don't understand
where he gets all the wind
to keep singing.

Ha ha ha ha!

Ma's laughing.

Henry?

What?

Do you ever feel
yourself kinda
separated--

I mean as if you
were in more than
one piece?

Oh, sure.
You do?

Lotsa times.

Like when you're
laughing and crying
at the same time.

That's what I mean, Henry.

Right now one part
of me is here
raking oats

and the other's
dancing all over
the fields.

Know what I could do?

What?

Kiss you.

Just once...

From now
right through Christmas...

Without stopping.

Not right in front
of the folks
the first time.

Ha ha ha ha!

Why, Andrew!

Some things I do
understand, I don't
like even more.

I'm gonna smoke him out.

And I've got a way
of doing it, too.

If a man has any honor,
there are some questions

he just right near
has to answer.

I always say what I hate
worse than anything

is anyone who goes
ameddlin' and apryin'
into another man's business.

You know what I mean?

Not exactly.

Well now--

suppose you were a Yankee.

That's your business.

I've got no right
to go apryin' into it...

Just because I hate
Yankees worse than poison.

That is, once I know
a man is a Yankee.

In the two years I fought,

I never did meet
a Yankee who wouldn't run
and show his tail

unless he outnumbered us 5 to 1.

I wish you coulda seen
that miserable critter

I captured when
I took his rifle.

There weren't no battle
left in him.

But I guess it weren't
no different with that
common soldier

than with the generals
that were running, too.

And that goes for
that there president
in Washington.

And the congress,
and that dang constitution

and all the amendments
they hang on to it.

Well--there's one thing
I swear...

And I'll hold to it
till the last bone
rots outta my back.

I ain't gonna have
no Yankee grandchildren.

And my gun stays loaded
for anyone who ever
claims different.

Strange things happen
in this world, Gill.

Like what?

Well, I'd say that
Lissy Anne is gettin'

on to wife-size all over.

Wouldn't surprise
me none if someone
came along right soon

and hitched onto her.

Oughta start hoeing hay, Gill.

There's gonna be rain
afore the day's over.

Ain't gonna rain.

Feels like rain to me.

Ha! You hear that?
Feels like rain to him.

Yep. In about two hours.

After we get the hay in,

let's take a walk
up the trail, Lissy.

In the rain?

Sure. We'll let it
pour down on us,
cool and sweet.

Tastes better than
a sarsaparilla.

I tell you it ain't gonna rain

and we ain't gonna
haul the hay in.

I say that weather staying clear

and we can cut
clean to the hull.

By jackees, I been
in this country
nigh onto 30 years

and there's some things I know.

Hellooo!
And it...

Didn't you tell him
we'd pay him what
we owed him

when the harvest is in?

I told him if the harvest is in.

It's a right big
sum of money, Gill.

Howdy, Gill, Sairy.

Ah. Phew!

Warm enough for ya?

The way you were pumping, Cal,

I'd wanna reckon
you was haulin' a buggy
instead of a mule.

Worry eats most folks skinny.

Doggone, it works
just the other way
around with me.

Andrew: Aren't you gonna
ask us about the money
we owe ya?

Andrew!

This here is Henry Carson.
Come to help out
for a spell.

Meet Cal baggett.

Howdy.

He runs the store and mill
down in creek corners.

Fine crop of hay.

Well, harvest the hay,
you can't cultivate
the corn.

Work corn, you don't
get the hay cut.

Why don't we talk
about the money?

Andrew--

I reckon the youngin's right.

That's what I come
to talk about.

If I don't do
some collecting
somehow,

I won't be able to buy
no goods for the store at all.

I can't get a lick of credit.

Why don't you pay up, Gill?

You're rich enough.

There it is,
finest crop of corn
I ever saw planted.

Now why don't you just
figure out how much corn

it'll take to pay off the debt,

and bring your boys
in here to harvest
as soon as its ripe?

That's the trouble all over.

Crops enough
in the field
to make a man rich.

Nobody to harvest it.

Land ain't worth
nothing without
people working it.

The people are here.

Trouble is they're
barn-burning, hate-burning

instead of trading labor
like they used to.

I been talking about
the same thing
for months.

Talking never yet
shucked an ear of corn.

Trouble is nobody's
doing nothing about it.

There's nothing
no one can do
about it.

Folks is just
sotting their minds.
It's hopeless.

Why don't you folks
just give up and head
for the territories?

Now look here...

Don't go wordin'
people's mouths.

Maybe you know a way out of it.

No. But I sure wouldn't
give up without trying.

Trying what?

Of course I'm just
a school teacher

and don't know much
about business
like you do.

I'd figure there was
nothing left to lose.

Well, I'd--I'd just
go plumb foolish.

I'd invite the whole
dang countryside
to a play party!

Gill: You mean you'd
bring both color britches
to the play party?

Well, there's no law against it.

Nobody'd come!
Neither side!

Some folks from
both sides'd come.

And that'd be a start. I'd come.

Well--deep down
folks care
more about

getting crops in
than hating each other.

It's been five years
now since some neighbors

have spoke a word
to each other...

Even blood neighbors.

I reckon they'd be
right glad for an excuse
to visit again.

Of course there'd be some folks

who'd stubborn up
like Gill here
and not come.

I tell ya, if you
mixed britches
nobody'd come!

And if they did
it would only be
to start trouble.

Now you may be
able to teach
a youngin' spelling

or swoon itchy gals
with foreign music,

but you can't learn
me anything about
these hills!

I've been here
nigh under 30 years

and there's some things
I know! And...

[Thunder]

Get the mules, Gill.

I'm borrowing your man,
Mr. baggett!

Get that hay in
afore it's ruined!

Giddyap!

We'll never get it all in!

You'll never
know till you're
through trying!

You alright?!

If you was
so dang sure
it was gonna rain,

why didn't ya argue with me?

[All laughing]

Come on, Lissy.

Never saw anything
like this before.

My brother Ben
loved this place better
than any in the world.

Afore the war
we used to come up here
every chance we'd get.

First time I ever
got wet all over at once
was right up here.

Ha ha.

Let's go in.

Henry Carson.

Why not?

Oh, I mean clothes and all.

We'll dry off in
the wind afterwards.
Come on.

Oh!

Whose place is that?

Ain't nobody's now.

Night riders burnt
the smiths out
afore you got here.

They just gave up
and moved out
to the territories.

And nobody's taken it?

Don't appear so.

Let's look at it.

Used to be covered
with vines so you could
hardly see the cabin.

Look here, footprints.

Plenty of 'em.

Horses been around
here regularly since
Mr. Smith moved out.

I told pa I hear
horses whinnying
at night.

All the way from your cabin?

Well, ma says I can hear
an acorn drop from
an oak tree

a mile off
when the wind's right.

My earsight's that sharp.

So's your heartsight, Lissy.

Well, for just about
the nicest place
I ever did see,

I thank you, Mr. Smith.

And Mrs. Smith, too.

You going to stay?

Now, where they been
tethering the horses,

that's the place
for the main room
right there.

Main room?
Mm-hmm.

How many rooms you gonna have?

Oh--3 or 4, maybe.

Depends on lots of things.

But you told pa
you wouldn't stay
in these hills

for all the money in the world.

Of course not.

First place,
nobody's gonna give me

all the money in the world.

Second place,
that was before
I saw this farm.

Ain't no third place,
don't suppose.

Certainly is.

Cal baggett's play party.

Cal baggett's play party.

Mm-hmm.

I don't see what--

he ain't even
said he'd give one.

Not in words.
But his eyes...

Shining like gold pieces
just outta the mint.

I still don't know
what that has to
do with it.

Well--if folks get together,

that means a good harvest.

And that means
enough money to pay
for a school teacher.

And this place is just
about the right size

for a man to work,
early mornings.

In the summer,
when school's out,

this could be
a right fine place
for living...

This could.

But when all's said and done,

I reckon everything
depends on what happens
in the fourth place.

Hello Thar!

Thinking of taking over
the place, you two?

Reckon you folks don't
know Henry Carson here.

John and Jenny Willhart.

Howdy.
Howdy.

Set that down,
Jenny, and rest
awhile.

I reckon we met up afore.

Have we?
Sure.

You're the one
come down the road

tootin' on
the mouth organ
round about dark.

Asked me
where the MacBean
place was.

Oh, it isn't--
oh, you're wrong,
Mr. Willhart.

Henry weren't lookin' for us.

Weren't he now?
And mighty particular
you were, too.

Not any old MacBean'd
do. No, sir.

Had to be Gill MacBean's
place or none.

Now ain't that the truth?

Well, I met a number
of people on the road
that night.

But Henry, you said...

Appears like you let
a litter of kittens
out a bag

were meant for drownin'
in the creek.

Well, I hope ya'll
get your house
built soon.

We're scarce of
neighbors up in
these parts.

Ah, that'll ride easy.

Goodbye.

Look at that.

The way he walks
ahead a whittlin'

and lets her tote
all that weight.

Henry, that first night
you came, you said...

You know, in the old days,

folks couldn't travel
half a mile along
these trails

without meeting up
with Indians or bears,
maybe.

So the menfolks'd walk in front.

And with their
squirrel rifles cocked,
ready to shoot.

And the women
would walk behind
for protection,

carry the stores.

Of course, there's
been no Indians or
bears around these parts

for--nigh under 30 years.

The menfolks just
never did think of
changing the custom,

'cept to whittle now
instead of totin' guns.

Reckon we'd better
start on down.

Henry, you were looking for us.

And all the time saying
you were just walking
through was a lie.

It wasn't the way
Willhart said, Lissy.

There's something wrong,
Henry, that you
ain't tellin'.

Now hold on.

It was getting dark,

and I had to have
food and a barn
to sleep in.

I didn't know a soul
and I figured if
I had to stay with strangers,

I'd like to stay where I'd be--

well, here's exactly
what I said to willhart.

I said where does
the prettiest girl
live in these parts,

afore it's too dark to see her?

And he answered, right off,

over to Gill MacBean's.

And that's when I said

I didn't want the house
of any other MacBean
but Gill.

Going from one place
to another like you go,

guess you ask that question
most every night.

And always left
the next morning,
too...

Till I came here.

And now I'm talking
about a house with
as much as three rooms.

What do you think
that means, Lissy?

Well, why don't you
go ahead and say
what it means?

Aw, Lissy.

I been saying
nothing else since
that first night.

"Play party and dance
at Cal Baggett's

"Saturday night, July 20th 1865,
come one, come all.

Food and fun for old and young."

You've gone in
for some mighty
big foolishment

in your day, Cal Baggett,

and I put up with it
year after year--

what with five growing
girls to raise,
I had to.

Many is the time
it's took all my weaks

to keep you from
starving us out.
But the time come--

this happens to be
business, mighty
farseeing business.

Wouldn't expect you
to understand.

There just ain't gonna
be no play party.

Don't expect me
to do all the cooking,

baking the pies and the cakes.

Where's the food coming from?

Just the way with a man.

Gets an idea, gives an order.

Figures his wife's done.

Well, you just go ahead
and hang that sign.

Come Saturday night,
there won't be
a smidgen of food.

Then what'll you say to folks?

Remember what I said,
Cal, nary a bit of help

you'lla get from me
or the girls.

And you just get on
with the chores
and keep out of this.

We've hardly enough meat
smoked away to last
to hog's calling time.

Feed to the folks now,
we'll all be living
on wings.

Remember that, Cal Baggett.

Stop putting on airs
about being a farseeing
businessman.

The only reason
your two feet's
on the ground

is because you got
too much weight
above 'em

to allow 'em to lift off.

Now I'm warning all of ya.

If you don't want
to starve this winter,

you gotta keep your pa
from running Wilder
than a stuck hog.

His good sense is
disappearing faster than
rain down a gopher hole.

Inviting both sides, eh?

If ever there was
a waste of time
and money--

I say it's a good investment.

Some tasty meat pies,
some good liquor
and some dancing.

Afore the night's over,
folks'll be neighborin'
up again.

Can't see no harm in trying.

It's sure surprising
the way pa shows
good sense now and again.

Now I don't want Emily
to think we're overriding
her unfair-like,

so we'll be real Democratic
and put it to a vote.

All those in favor
of the idea, say aye.

Everyone: Aye!

Agin'?
Nay.

The aye's have it.

Here, bill, take this down

and hang it on the tree
near the corners.

Before this is over,
you'll wish you'd
never thought of it.

* prettiest gal I ever seen
in my life *

* seen in my life,
seen in my life *

* if you ask me that's my wife *

* and she is fair to view *

* oh, buffalo gal
won't you come out tonight? *

* won't you come out tonight,
won't you come out tonight? *

* oh, buffalo gal
won't you come out tonight *

* and dance by the light
of the moon? *

Gill! Sairy!

Lissy Anne!
I've got news!

There's gonna be a play party!

Gill! Sairy! Lissy Anne!
There's gonna be a play party!

Lissy: A play party, Ninny Nat!
Where's it gonna be?

At Cal Baggett's,
Saturday night.

Cake and pork pies!

Oh, a real play party!

Sure glad I kept on
practicing on this
dang fiddle.

Ma, a play party.

A play party?

Over at Cal Baggett's.

No.

Gill: Ninny Nat!

Did Cal Baggett say
both sides is to come?

He didn't say they ain't.

Just spoke
to the yearys
over yonder,

and they were right pleased.

I'm right pleased to say
Cal Baggett has less sense
than a hoot owl.

There'll be trouble.
And it'll be of your makin'.

You spelled that slab
of pork fat into
giving this party,

same as a snake charms a bird.

And you've got
the womenfolk dizzy,

like you was
a play actor
on a riverboat.

But you won't
brung me or mine
to that party,

not with a team of mules.

Now don't start to
argufy with me.

I don't intend to.

But pa...

Talking from now till doomsday

wouldn't change my mind.

We ain't agoin'.

Well, if you're so
sot in your mind,

why are you so afeared
of a bit of argufyin'?

Ain't feared of nothing.

My mind's made up
tighter than
a rain barrel.

I don't why you
blame me for all this.

I wouldn't try to
argue you into anything
you didn't want to do.

I'll see that you don't.

I wouldn't try
for anything in the world.

No, sir. Not even
knowing as I do

that Sairy and Lissy Anne
here wanna go so bad

it'll just about
break their hearts.

Now there you go.
And I said--!

And I'm agreeing with ya.

'Course I know it'll
be kind of sorrowful
for them to miss it,

knowing how they work
and what little
pleasure they get.

But that's not important.

'Cause they'll live
through it right as rain.

Important thing
is whether you'll
get over it or not.

Yeah, that's what counts most.

Me get over it?
Mm-hmm.

I'm plumb over it
long before it
ever happens.

'Course you are
afore it happens,

but what about after?

I said I didn't want to argue.

You started it.

All I'm trying to say is

that when folks
get together
Saturday night,

everybody is gonna ask,
"where's Gill MacBean?"
And nobody'll know.

And then somebody'll
say, "I reckon he was
afraid to show his face."

And with nobody there
to stand up for ya

and explain your real reasons,

folks are just gonna
figure you were a'scared.

'Cause if you hate
them Yankees so much,

why don't you stand up
in front of everyone
and say so.

Look here.

Look here.

I been around these
hills nigh under
30 years,

and no one yet has
ever said Gill MacBean
was feared of nothing.

Until next Saturday night.

I'll be the first one
there and the last
one to leave!

We're going!
We're going!

Oh, pa, thanks!

You just have to
argue, don't ya?

How's for you and me
kinda practicing
a song or two?

Sure.

We're really going
to the play party.
I can hardly believe it.

I know. I thought
for a minute there,

pa was gonna
hit him on the head.

I did, too. But he just
went off to the barn
agroanin' in his whiskers.

[Henry and Ninny Nat
playing music]

Listen.

* Ezekiel was a Fiddler,
he fiddled so mighty fine *

* he made those little
potato bugs dance right
off of the vi-ine *

* right off of the vine *

* oh, Ezekiel played
that fiddle *

* oh, play that fiddle, Zeke *

* tickle that fiddle
across the middle *

* and make your fiddle speak *

* duck for the oyster,
dig for the clam *

* pass right through
to the promised land *

* he fiddled in the fields one
day and sure as you were born *

* up hopped the barley
and out popped the co-Rn *

* as sure as you're born *

* oh, Zeke'll play that fiddle *

* oh, play that fiddle, Zeke *

* tickle that fiddle
across the middle *

* and make your fiddle speak *

* greet your partner
with an elbow swing *

* and promenade
around the ring *

* dead to the center
and back to the bar *

* ladies go in and form a star *

let's get your party dress.

Ma.
What?

I just know Henry's
a regular dancing man.

Suppose I can't?

Can't what?

Dance.

It's so long ago.

If ever I forgot
and we got out on
the floor and I couldn't--

well, I declare, my daughter?

As likely to forget
how to dance as you
are how to breath.

Let's see if either
of us remembers.

Here, help me with the table.

Now you stand over there.

Now wait.

Come ahead.

Uh--dosey do.

Now the match.

That's right.

That's fine.

Now dosey do again.

Now.

Now let's see
if we can find
your dress.

Must be here somewhere, ma.

Of course it is.
Now don't get jittery.

Maybe it's in the bottom drawer.

Oh.

Here it is.

Is the color all faded out, ma?

Of course not.

Made the color myself
out of hickory bark
and indigo.

Go try it on.

By jackees,
that's the dancingest
music I ever did here!

It'll have folks
wear their feet down
to the ankle bones!

Well, goodbye.
Goodbye.

See ya at the play party.

Ma?

Shucks, ma.
Dressing pretty
ain't everything.

That's a lot of woman

refusing to fit into
that dress, Lissy Anne.

I tell ya what.

You wear the dress
I was married in.

Oh, no, ma.
I got nothing
left for when I get--

he ain't gone
and asked you,
has he?

Almost, ma.

That dang fool
Baggett's done gone
sent out an invite

to everybody in the holler
to a play party.

Says he figures on
putting a few patches
on folks' troubles.

What for?

Guess he must be
worried about the harvest.

We'll see to it
that they stay away
in round numbers.

That's just what we won't do.

It'd be like fusin'
a powder keg.

The best way for people
to find they got
nothing in common

is to get together and find out.

I'm ruined,
I tell ya,
I'm ruined.

All that food
and nobody eating it.

All that music
and nobody dancing.
I'm ruined worse than--

evening's young, Cal.

And the older it gets,
the worser.

Guess I'd better mosey along.

Cal?

This is gonna be
the sorriest night
of your life.

You'll remember it
as long as you live.

At least as long
as you live, Emily.

Here tell that all this
were outta your thinking,
stranger.

Well, you got us into it.
Reckon you better get us
out of it

before the shootin' starts.

Ha ha ha ha ha!

I warned ya. Get yourself
and the other ones
over to the wagon.

There's gonna be trouble.

That ain't what we come for.

No, but it's what
we're gonna take home.

No.

No we ain't, Gill.

Gill: Sairy!

Eight year ago down at
the country fair,

you won first prize
for dancing everybody
off their feet.

Reckon you remember that.

Reckon I do.

Maybe you remember
who you was dancing with
for a partner.

Reckon I do.

Music's just
as dancey here
as it were there.

And you and I are
just as spry today
as we was then.

So I'm asking ya,
Dan yeary, to dance,

if that's what
you come here for.

Didn't come here
for nothing else.

By jackees, come on!

Start sawing away
on that Thar fiddle,
you Ninny Nat!

Come on there, Henry!

Sairy.

* e... *

* ...Beneezer brown,
take a look around *

* pig in the parlor
won't come out *

* 'cause he got a snout
in your jug *

* drinkin' your whiskey,
poor pig *

* poor pig *

* everybody circle,
make the circle big *

* pig in the parlor,
oink, oink, chase that pig *

* e...Beneezer brown,
take a look around *

* cow in the cabin
won't give milk *

* 'cause she got her mug
in your jug *

* drinkin' your whiskey,
poor cow *

* poor cow *

* everybody dosey do
round about now *

* cow in the cabin,
woo, shoo that cow *

* e...Beneezer brown,
take a look around *

* goose in the garden
found your still *

* and he got his bill
in your jug *

* drinkin' your whiskey,
poor goose *

* poor goose *

* swing your partner,
turn her loose *

* goose in the garden,
honk honk, get that goose *

* e....Beneezer brown,
take a look around *

* pig in the parlor,
cow in the cabin, *

* goose in the garden,
horse in the hayloft *

* mule in the courthouse,
judge in the jail *

* fast asleep
and startin' to snore *

* there's no more
left of your whiskey *

* poor, poor *

[applauding happily]

Excuse me,
but this one's
called for.

Thought I'd seen
the last of you
for the night.

Music playin'
keeps you that busy.

About as busy as those
dancing men have been
keeping you.

Oh, Henry,
it's all worked out
so good.

Your mother's
quite a woman, Lissy.

Now that everybody's
gotten together,

we can start building
that old Smith place.

I mean, that is--
I think, I--

the same as I think, Lissy?

Ain't seen you dancing, Gill.

You weren't likely,
too, neither.

Mighty fine evening,
ain't it, John?

Yeah, yeah.

From the looks of things, pa,

it looks like
you sorta--
figured wrong.

Can't even wait
till the liquor's down,

heatin' up a man's blood,
can you?

What you gonna do now, pa?

You young folks
are so all-fired
impatient.

Big crops everywhere.
Trouble's gonna be
harvesting!

We'll harvest,
now that there won't be
any more barn burning.

Let's have
a quilting bee
soon as harvest's in.

Best fry cakes
I ever ate, Emily.

Right nice evening, Emily...

What with the moon and all.

I'd ask you to dance,
'ceptin' the floor's
so crowded.

You know, Emily,
that's just the way
I saw it.

Farseeing, some folks calls it.

This is the best gamble
I ever made in all
my born days.

Folks all around
are talking about
nothing else

except getting their crops
into the mill and storing
them into my granary.

Now don't go glummin' up, Emily.

Wipe the vinegar off your face.

Hey, Henry! Come on!

[Men shouting]
More! Come on!

Come on, let's have more!

Stop that Yankee music!

I'm saying stop it!

What's the matter?
Why, red?

I'm aclaimin' that there
is a union army song,

and it ain't got no place here.

Listen, if you don't
like the music, get on home!

Go ahead and play, Ninny Nat.

This is still a free country,

and this man's got a right
to speak his piece.

If he don't like the music
he can say so.

And them that wants
it played is trouble-making.

We won the war and we'll play
whatever music pleases us.

Go ahead, Ninny Nat.

Wait a minute, Zack,
we ain't anxious to
start no fight.

You go ahead and play that song.

Too good to last.
I knew it.

Now don't get excited.

There ain't no call for trouble.

We ain'ta starting
no trouble, but ain't
that song called the picnic?

There ain't nothing
to get riled about.

The way I got it figured,
there seems to be
two opinions about the tune,

whether it oughta be
fiddled or not.

Now the only way
to settle that's by vote.

Alright,
a vote it's gonna be,
fair and square.

All the men who want
the band to play the picnic
line up over there.

Them again' over there.

Just in case your
memory's gone and you
don't know where we belong.

Well, I reckon we're
ready for the count.

The sooner we get it
over with the quicker

we'll get back to
eatin' and dancin'.

Now stand out clean, folks.
We don't want no one
miss countin'.

23 votes for not
playing the picnic.

[Angry shouts]

I reckon I can
calculate accurately.

23.

23 here.

Are you sure?
It's a tie.

Chairman votes to break the tie.

Not yet it ain't a tie.

There's a vote
that ain't been counted.

How about you up there
on that music table?

Now the color
of his pants'll
come out true.

Yeah, the color
of your britches
don't tell nothing.

I reckon you better walk
to one side or the other.

The war is over.

And all over the country
most folks are glad of it.

They're trying to pick up
where they left off.

But there are some,
instead of looking for friends,
they're looking for trouble.

I reckon they'll find it.

Which way you gonna vote?!

Now about that song, the picnic.

Always was a right fine tune.

No matter who plays it
or who dances to it.

We always called it
the village quick step...

When I was in the union army.

[Union side shouts triumphantly]

Man:
We'll play whatever
we want to!

Go ahead and play it!

Come on, play it, Ninny Nat!

Now, folks, the vote's been
taken fair and square.

Get on with the dancin'.

Hey, you, Ninny Nat!

We'd better get going.

The moon is high,
and it's a long
way home.

It ain't no use, Cal.

Oh, please, folks.
Please don't go, please.

It's late, Cal.

Lissy Anne.

I knew how your pa
was gonna feel when
he found out.

I been hoping he'd change,

so I could tell
him other things,
as well.

There's nothing I wanted more

than to help him
through the winter.

I just had to.

Get in there, Lissy.

When I signed up
for the union army,

it wasn't for 6 months or a year

or even 10.

I said I'd stick till we won,

and there was peace

and this country was
a good, free place
for everyone to live in.

We fought because
we believed it didn't
make any difference

in this country
what color a man's
skin was.

Here we are
and it's 6 months later

we're battling
over what color
his pants are.

If you don't put
a stop to it,
afore long,

you'll be akillin'
over how long your
neighbor's nose is.

That's what I signed up for.

And that's what
I'm still fighting for.

Get up in that wagon.

If you're smart,
you'll move out of
these hills tonight.

I'm figurin' on throwing
a roof on the schoolhouse

before the leaves turn brown.

I warn ya,
if your feet ever
carry you out to my land,

it won't be your feet
that'll carry you away.

Giddyap.

[All shouting]

Wait a minute!
Wait a minute!

I wish you'd tell me
why you keep working

on this schoolhouse, Henry.

'Tain't never gonna open.

Folks lining up
on both sides
the way they are,

it's gonna be bloodier
than the battle
of p Ridge.

I said school opens
next Monday and it's
agoin' to.

But nobody'll come, I tell ya!

Ain't no reason to it, Henry,

but feelings runnin'
high about you.

I can't figure out
why you ever come here
in the first place.

There was a reason,
wasn't there?

Ninny's been
out announcing
the school opening.

How many?
Nary a one.

They won't say
yes and they
won't say no.

They'll come.

I'm warning you,
Henry, afore it's too late.

Head yourself
for the territories.

Lotta grudging being
worked up against
you, Henry.

Folks are starting
to blame you for
everything

on akinda what happened
at the play party.

Why don't we start
out for the territories

afiddlin' and astrummin'?

If it's because of the gal,
you never have
to do more than whistle

and she'd come with
skirts aflyin'!

What makes you say that?

Announcing school
opening, I stopped
at the MacBean's.

Old Gill was over
the hill somewhere

trying to get help
with the crops

and Sairy was out
in corn fields.

So I told Andrew to ask his pa

could he come to
get some learnin'.

And then in comes Lissy Anne,

scrawny and peaked
like she ain't ate
in a week.

Right then I could tell

it wasn't food
in her stomach
that gal needed.

She was ahungerin'
all over for you.

[Knocking sound]

Hello, Andrew.

Hello, Henry.

I guess your ma
gave you the 30 cents
for learnin' fee

that Ninny Nat spoke of.

Ma's down the holler.

Oh, then your pa
musta given it to you.

No. He left before sunup.

And Lissy Anne,
she weren't around.

I reckon we'd better
start for home before
it gets too dark.

I ain't going home.

Ma said I was to
learn word writin'.

Where are all the others?

School hasn't opened.

After me walking all that way?

That darn Ninny Nat said Monday.

Next Monday.

I'll sit right here
and save me acomin'
back.

Oh no, you won't.
Come on.

Ma?

Ma.
What?

Andrew's home,
at the end
of the Lane.

Well, for land's sake,
what's so exciting
about that?

Well, you said
you were worrying.

Where you been all day?

To school.
Only word writin' don't
start till next Monday.

Well, scrub yourself
and we'll get some
food into you.

Come on.

I'm here, ma.

Oh.

It's so hot inside tonight, ma.

Stiflin' like.

[Music plays]

If you go,Lissy Anne,
there's no turning back.

You know how your pa feels.

How about you, ma?

I reckon I better
scare up some warm
food for the youngin.

It's been mighty lonesome
without the MacBeans, Lissy.

House's been empty-like
without you, Henry.

Does your ma know
you've come to talk?

What'd she say?

Can we walk up the trail, Henry,

to the falls
and the old
Smith farm?

Sure.

Should we go into
the main room now

or should we wait
outside and watch
the moon for awhile?

Henry.

You remember what you said
once about building
this house again?

Everything depends on
what happens in
the fourth place?

Sit down, Lissy.

All the way up the trail, you--

what's bothering you?

The barn burnin'.

Henry, one more
and they'll be
fighting each other.

It means--you just
can't stay here.

I said school opens
next week, Lissy.

It can't.

Not--

all night I've been
trying to find a way
I could say it.

Say what?

When I left ma
she said once pa
comes home

and I ain't there,

there's no sense in
me ever coming back.

I was hoping
you'd go away from here,

with me.

I know it's
shameful being so bold.

But I've been
waiting all this time

for you to ask me first.

Don't you want to?

Of course I want to.

Having you would be everything.

There'd be nothing more to want.

But we can't leave now, Lissy.

I've gotta talk
to your pa first.

I've done too much
to him already.

What have you done
him except good?

You've done nothing
but try to help him,
always.

What is it, Henry?

Something to do
with your coming
to our house.

Pa was right.

You did
come a'purpose,
for a reason.

Yes.

Why didn't you
tell us right off?

I wanted to, Lissy,
ever since that
first night,

but I couldn't.

I just couldn't.

Well then, don't tell.
I don't care what it is.

Just so we go.
We can't stay here!

Yes, we can.
We are staying here, Lissy.

All those nights
away from the farm,

I dreamed of nothing
but being up here,

place all fixed up
and you waiting for me
as I came up the trail.

It's ours, Lissy.

Nothing's gonna keep us
from having it now.

[Dogs barking]

Right late, Gill.

Gonna be morning
in a couple of hours.

Are Hal Willis
and his boy coming over?

No, they're afeared
of barn burning.

Won't leave the farm
for half a minute.

The same with Ned--
all expecting trouble.

Where's Lissy Anne?

What's gonna happen to crops?

Rot in the field
like I knew they would.

Where's Lissy?

Did you visit my folks?

Reckon my pa'd be
right glad to help.

I spoke to your pa.
He's raring to run
every Yankee out of these..

Hills.

I said where's that girl?

When did it happen?

Soon after dark.

Come on, boy, come on!
Come on.

Come on, get, get.

Lissy Anne!

Lissy Anne!

Lissy Anne!

Lissy Anne!

Answer him, Lissy.

Pa!

Pa.

This has been a wicked night.

Your Yankee friends
have burned another barn
and that means war.

A Yankee has taken my daughter.

And you'll find
I'm strong enough
to do punishment.

There's five rounds in this gun,

all of 'em meant for you.

No, no! Don't stand there!
You're gonna be shot!

Now keep quiet.

Come on out from
behind that chimney

and show that face of yours.

Drop that gun
and bring up
your hands in mercy.

You'd better get down
from them horses

and come this way
with your hands up.

Henry!

If I'd knowed you
didn't have a gun,

I'da saved myself
a bit of running.

Might as well
give yourself up
sociable like

so you can go
to the gallows
all of a piece.

You're gonna be
right a pretty sight

swinging from
an oak limb.
I warned you about that!

Old man Dessark figured
by stirring up hate
so folks'd start killing,

some'd get scared and move out.

Then he'd pick up
their land for taxes

and sell to foreigners.

'Tweren't britches color
that were burning barns,

it were thievery!

Well, how can that be proved?

Been proved!
Henry kept Badge Dessark
alive to tell the story.

He didn't even tell it
with these two ears.

I'd like to hear it
with these two ears.

Where is Badge Dessark?

With his pa.

You can't miss seeing 'em
side by side

on the lower limb
of that big oak tree

just this way from the baggetts.

And the trial was legal,
judge and jury.

Why don't you
come down to
the school?

There's a play party
for book buyin'.

Reckon Henry'll be
glad to tell you
all about it.

Ride in with us if you care to.

Well, giddyap.

I reckon there ain't no harm
in going to the schoolhouse now,
do you, Gill?

No, by jackees, no.
I don't care how many
whackers he's killed

or if they pin a ribbon
on him like a prized bull
at a county fair.

We ain'ta going to him.

I said no!
He came here a'purpose.

Told you that hisself,
didn't he?

Lying about wandering
through the hills

and all the time
he's looking for
this house and no other.

What for?
Can you answer me that?

If he's got any truth
to him he'll come right
here to this house

and tell us what for!

That's why I've come, Gill.

Alright for me to come in?

If you're ready
to speak out the truth,

I reckon it is.

But I warn you,
no slick talk to
argue me into things.

I wanna know
straight and simple.

You came here for a purpose.

Well, what was it?

I made a promise.

I promised--Ben.

I couldn't tell you
when I first came here

with you feeling
the way you did
about northerners.

Maybe you won't even
believe me now.

I hope you will.

I'd been teaching school
over at lawn widow crossing,

about 50 miles north
and west of here.

To join up I had
to cross the hills

where agony creek
spills down from
black mountain.

I hadn't met a soul all day.

I was singing
as I always did,
to keep myself company.

* I come from Missouri *

* and I'm a goin' *

* back there yonder
again some day *

* come along *

* come along *

* I'ma goin' *

* I'ma goin' *

* come along *

* come along *

* I'ma goin' *

* to roam again, home again *

* I....Come from Missouri *

* and I'ma goin' *

* to Missouri again some day *

you make right pretty
music, stranger.

Why, thank you, stranger.

Which way you heading for?

Where the fightin's
thickest, I reckon.

Looks like we're
going the same way.

Be glad to have your company.

Well, don't mind.

Uh--ain't them awearin' shoes?

Best wearin' shoes
I ever did have.

That's why I'm not
wasting 'em on walking.

Suppose the army
don't give out
any shoes.

What then?

Well, that's right
smart thinking.

* on top of old smokey *

* all covered with snow *

* I lost my true lover *

* 'cause I courted too slow *

ha ha ha.
How about some food?

Aw, I ain't hungry.

Left home in kind of
a hurry, didn't ya?

Don't know what you mean.

Oh, nothing. 'Cept when people
leave home
in a hurry, suddenlike,

they're liable not to
think much about food.

I musta expected
to meet up with
someone like you

'cause I've got
enough food in this
bundle for six.

Yeah?
Yeah.

Well now, that's right
smart thinking.

It sure is a pretty night.

Good for corn growing.

About now you're ma's
gonna be awonderin'.

Well, it was just that I...

Well, saying goodbye,
ma and Lissy Anne
would sure start crying.

And I just as soon
as not see that
for the last thing.

I'll get someone to
write ma a letter for me.

Oh, I can do that.

Say, meeting up with you
didn't harm me a might.

Eatin' food and letter writin'.

Never been to school?

Oh, there ain't none
in our hills.

Sound like you got
right good learnin'.

Well, enough to teach school.

That's what I do.

A schoolmaster?

Yeah.

Well, you ain't got
no right going to war.

Why not?

Well, of course you have.

A man's got a right
to do what he thinks best
but...

But what?

You know, ma, she says
the most important thing

in this world
is school learnin'.

Shucks, I reckon if
it was the most important

it's more important
than fighting.

Now that's what ma says
and--and ma's right smart...

Even though she can't
read none herself.

Henry--

well--would it wear
you thin learnin' me
word writing?

Not--not much,
just enough words
for one letter?

Ma sure would
be surprised to get
a letter from me myself.

I'll teach you, Ben.

Oh, will ya?
Sure.

I'll sure try to find
some way to favor
you for it. I sure will.

I tell you what...

You can teach me
how to play that
mouth organ.

Why, sure. Here.

All you gotta do
is just--blow in it.

[Harmonica playing]

* Dee Dee da da da da da da da *

* da Dee Dee Dee
da da da da da *

* dooo...Welcome
and resin a bow *

ha ha.

You sure learned fast.

Say, around the bend
aways there's a fork.

I'll foot race you to it.

You gonna teach me
foot racing, too?

Well, sure.
Ready?

Alright.

Go!

There's the fork!
Turn on the speed!

Nobody won that time.

I reckon not.

We're going
the same way,
aren't we, Ben?

Don't know.

You've come this far.

Just to here?

Reckon you can talk
for five minutes.

I've got five minutes.

Henry telling family:
It wasn't five minutes.

We talked a long time.

And from that day on,
we were closer than
any brothers.

We ate out of the same tins.

Shared dry clothes
and blankets when
it was cold.

It was just two days
before the end that...

The trees were greening up.

The earth was warm.

We knew it was just
a question of hours

before the war would be over.

And Ben could think
only of getting home

and plowing the earth
for the corn and oats...

And seeing you.

That's when it happened.

He never thought of
himself for one minute,
right up to the end.

It was all you.

Worrying about
the two years
without planting...

How you'd be needing his help.

That's when he asked me.

And that's when
I promised to
come back

and help with the work
for the first harvest.

We both wanted the same thing.

To get the war over with...

To put a stop to killing...

To make this country
a free place for folks--

all folks, to live in.

Did he learn writin'?

He wrote you this letter.

Was he a good soldier?

The best in the regiment.

Reckon I'd better
get on down to
the school.

Better freshen up, Lissy Anne.

You can't go lookin' that way.

Might be needing the team.

I'll hitch 'em for ya.

Oh, I can do that.

* I...Come from Missouri *

* and I'ma goin' *

* back there *

* sometime again *

* some day... **