Ballad of Jed Clampett
Concerning sewing birds and the mark they left on old country tables, let's look in on Jed Clampett and the Beverly Hillbillies. (Sung to the tune of "The Ballad of Jed Clampett," by Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs)
Come a listen to story bout a man named Jed
Found a country table at an old homestead
Said, "By golly, that's a genuine antique!"
So he bought it back to Granny, at their home in Beverly.
"Cherry drop leaf," Jed said, "circa 1820."
Well the first thing they did, was they turned it upside down
Granny said regarding age, "That's where clues can found!"
She ran her gentle fingers, down that wavy hand-planed timber
Then Jethro, 'gan to whomber and whimper
"There's something wrong with that table," he said, "there's a whole bunch of do-hickey marks, underneath!"
Well Granny made fist, and she whacked him on the head
Said, "Jethro, you were born brain dead!"
"Those little indentations, in a circle all around,
"are from sewing birds, and they should be found."
They placed their country table, in their fancy dining room
Mrs. Drysdale didn't like it, Granny whacked her with a broom
You're all invited back next week, to this vicinity
To have your heaping helpin, when we talk antiquity.