Sunday, December 27, 2009

Alicia, Here it is--
















(With apologies to those of you lacking ties to the great state of Indiana--)

I think I've told Alicia (and everyone else I know) about this gift at least three times this week. My brother and his family gave me this for Christmas. It's a 1935 program from the bucket game, beautifully mounted and framed. So here it is, Alicia and anyone else who's interested, in all its deco splendor.

This is totally going on the wall next to my desk. (Even though Purdue lost that year. S'ok, we still lead the series.)

To keep this vaguely tied to writing, I present to you the very minor poem which donated the name of the trophy.

How dear to this heart are the scenes of my childhood,
When fond recollection presents them to view!
The orchard, the meadow, the deep-tangled wild-wood,
And every loved spot which my infancy knew!
...And e'en the rude bucket that hung in the well—
The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket,
The moss-covered bucket which hung in the well.
That's by Samuel Woodworth. I have no idea what else, if anything, he might have written. It reads like song lyrics, don't you think?

Theresa

11 comments:

Edittorrent said...

He's probably one of those great Hoosier poets. :)

The Old Oaken Bucket, all, is a major, major game. It's usually the only chance for IU to claim a victorious season. If they beat Purdue, it makes up for all those losses earlier in the season.
Alicia

Leona said...

That's incredible!

namaste said...

But when will your Boiler boy, Curtis Painter, be ready to play in the NFL?
Thanks for blowing the Colts perfect season. Ouch!
Wave the flag of old Chicago,
Maroon the color grand ...
namaste

Edittorrent said...

Patience, Jeff. He's still a baby pro. He'll get there. :)

Dave Shaw said...

Quick summary of Samuel Woodworth's life and works: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Woodworth

Good New England Yankee. ;-)

Wes said...

I enjoyed the old oaken bucket games, but as you know, I was on the other side. Great tradition.

Wes said...

Unfortunately Alicia's comment on IU's football seasons is accurate. I played for a better team and coach (Miami University which some call Miami of Ohio, coached by Bo Schembeckler). We beat Purdue one year.

But I remember a homecoming football game ages ago where IU's Olympic athletes were honored. If IU would have been a country, it would have placed 17th.

Riley Murphy said...

Theresa:

Okay, can I just say, from a design/aesthetic standpoint, awesome! Your family did a great job to find the original program and frame it correctly. :) What a great and thoughtful gift!

Murphy

Pamela Hammonds said...

As a Ball State grad (the fourth Indiana university, after Notre Dame), I can fully appreciate the in-state rivalry presented here. Love the poster's layout. What a special gift!

Pauline Allan said...

I was born and raised in an IU household. They filmed a portion of the movie Hoosiers in my hometown. They used my friend's barn. She had come to school bragging that she talked to Gene Hackman. We were all so jealous. Needless to say, our house breathed the IU/Purdue rivalry. So, I for one can appreciate the thoughtful gift.

Katrina Stonoff said...

"The Old Oaken Bucket" IS a song, Theresa. It's in an old, old songbook I have (ca 1890-something). The tune also has been used for a hymn or two over the years.

You can hear a Midi file of the tune here.