Fast horses, big hats, mint juleps, and fancy parties!
by Rev. Josephine Furlow (UUMS 1983)
It’s the first Saturday in May. The horses are in the gates. The countdown is about to begin. The gates fly open. They are off for the running of the Kentucky Derby. Come rain or shine, the beautiful horses take to the field. Thousands from around the world have come to Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky since it started in 1875. Kentucky traditions play a great part in the Derby. One of those is the singing of the state song, “My Old Kentucky Home.” The green grass, dogwood trees, warm weather, blue sky, groomed horses, beautiful women, and handsome men are among the main attractions. You pick your horse, make your bet, sip your mint julep, and wait for the finish. You owe it to yourself to witness this once in a lifetime of thoroughbred racing. In the words of the famous broadcast journalist, Walter Cronkite, “I have seen the spectacular and looked out across the panorama. I have felt the thrill of being a part of one of the world’s greatest supporting events and a part of a wonderful American tapestry. It is with a swelling of pride and a lifted spirit that I have witnessed these momentous gatherings in celebration of will and triumphs.” I, too, have witnessed one of the greatest@ sports in America. A warning to those planning to go to the Derby, “Just remember, drive slowly; horses have the right of way.”
Rev. Josephine Furlow lives in Detroit, Michigan. She was born and reared on the family farm in
Russellville, Kentucky. She and her sister, Dorothy Tolliver, still operate the 61-acre farm that has been in their family for 63 years. They raise corn, soybeans, and wheat. Rev. Josephine’s experience at the Kentucky Derby in the 1970s has left an indelible print on her spirit. She is a retired educator from the Detroit Public Schools, a 1969 graduate of Kentucky State University, a proud member of the second graduating class of Unity Urban Ministerial School, and the UUMS board of directors.
Five Fun Facts About the Kentucky Derby
No horse whose name begins with Q, X, or Y has ever won the Kentucky Derby.
The Derby was started in 1875 by Lewis Clark, Jr., grandson of William Clark, of the famous explorer duo, Lewis and Clark.
Every horse that races in the Derby is three years old and has the exact same birthday – January 1, because all thoroughbred racehorses are given the exact same birthday no matter when they are born to help keep track of bloodlines.
The official drink at the Derby is the mint julep. Over 120,000 of them are consumed every year at the race.
The number five post is the luckiest position in the race since it has produced the most Derby winners of any position. Since the introduction of the starting gate in 1930, a record ten winners have come from post position number five.
“My Old Kentucky Home,” the Kentucky state song, was written by Stephen Foster. Originally titled “Poor Uncle Tom, Good Night!” The original sketch dating from 1852, substitutes “Poor Uncle Tom” and aligns Foster’s sympathies with the Abolitionist movement.
My Old Kentucky Home
The sun shines bright in the old Kentucky home,
‘Tis summer, the darkies are gay;
The corn-top’s ripe and the meadow’s in the bloom,
While the birds make music all the day.
The young folks roll on the little cabin floor,
All merry, all happy and bright;
By ‘n’ by Hard Times comes a-knocking at the door,
Then my old Kentucky home, goodnight.
Chorus:
Weep no more my lady
Oh! weep no more today!
We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home,
For the Old Kentucky Home far away.
Verse 2:
They hunt no more for the possum and the coon,
On meadow, the hill and the shore,
They sing no more by the glimmer of the moon,
On the bench by the old cabin door.
The day goes by like a shadow o’er the heart,
With sorrow, where all was delight,
The time has come when the darkies have to part,
Then my old Kentucky home, goodnight.
Chorus
Verse 3:
The head must bow and the back will have to bend,
Wherever the darky may go;
A few more days, and the trouble all will end,
In the field where the sugar-canes grow;
A few more days for to tote the weary load,
No matter, ’twill never be light;
A few more days till we totter on the road,
Then my old Kentucky home, goodnight.
Chorus
Revised Lyrics (from 1968):
The sun shines bright in My Old Kentucky home,
‘Tis summer, and people are gay;
The corn-top’s ripe and the meadow’s in the bloom
While the birds make music all the day.
The young folks roll on the little cabin floor
All merry, all happy and bright;
By ‘n’ by hard times comes a knocking at the door
Then My Old Kentucky Home, good night!
Weep no more my lady
Oh! weep no more today!
We will sing one song
For My Old Kentucky Home
For My Old Kentucky Home, far away.