In Mississippi, the good-old-summer-time brings images of lemonade, porch swings, watermelon cuttings, all day singings at church, with dinner on the ground, family reunions, and music – always music. The popular song, “In the Good Old Summertime” was written and published in 1903 by Ren Shields and George Evans. It was an immediate success.

         Folks were heard humming this little ditty from coast to coast, with such lyrics as “There’s a time each year that we always hold dear, good old summer time; with the birds and the trees-es, and sweet summer breezes, good old summer time.”

         At the time of the song’s popularity, ladies were beginning to exercise a few more freedoms. The ladies joined such groups as the Women’s Suffrage Movement, where they supported the woman’s right to vote, also additional volunteer groups, which included the General Federated Women’s Clubs, where the women volunteered in support of many worthwhile projects, such as opening libraries and education for women.

         Yes, the “Gibson Girl” of the early 1900s wore broad-brimmed hats and slightly shorter narrow skirts. Long-sleeved white blouses styled with high necks were the “look” of the day. It was almost unbelievable to see the shorter skirts that showed a glimpse of their delicate ankles. Certainly their grandmothers frowned upon this new fashion trend. Their lovely masses of wavy hair was swept up to the top of their heads and gathered into a knot at the base of their necks.

         It was a time when motoring was popular. The Model-T was introduced in 1909 and with it came a new fashion trend – the motoring veil. This “must-have” was enjoyed while attending tennis matches and as well when bicycling and playing croquet. These activities bring to mind another song enjoyed during this time. “Bicycle Built for Two” written in 1892 by Harry Dacre– “Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer true. I’m half-crazy over the love of you.”

        Each memory of past eras is punctuated with songs. Church music was varied and all-consuming to the people living during this time. “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior” and “To God Be the Glory” both written by Fannie Crosby, were church service standards. “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” is a historic American Negro Spiritual. “Swing Low, sweet chariot coming for to carry me home, swing low sweet chariot coming for to carry me home,” these sentiments written by Wallis Willis referred to the Underground Railroad, the freedom movement that helped blacks escape from Southern Slavery to the North and Canada. Although written in 1862, the spiritual held immense popularity during the 18th and 19th centuries.

      Let us drift back to memory lane. It’s a Sunday during “the good old summer time.” The time is early 1900s. I can see the family gathered at church service. Mother wears a large hat decorated with feathers. Each daughter is attired in a blouse and skirt of the appropriate decor. Brother dons a stiff bowler style hat. The younger brothers dress in sailor suits and knickerbockers. Father wears a dark suit with stiff-neck white dress shirt. All of these fashions could be purchased at Marks-Rothenberg Department Store in downtown Meridian.

         Down the road, mother, papa, granny, and kids ride to church meeting via horse-drawn wagon. The Circuit Riding Preacher will deliver a message of “fire and brimstone.” It’s dinner-on-the-ground, with such hymns as “Shall We Gather at the River” written in 1864 by Robert Lowry. The girls make a pretty sight dressed all in white wearing straw hats decorated with ribbons. Papa wears his “best” overalls. Granny and mother carry a basket of fried chicken, fried apple pies, and cat-head biscuits. This family is a beautiful sight dressed in mostly homemade attire.

         Regardless of the church location and/or the families, all will enjoy a sweetness that is now lost to time. A few will motor or bike to Highland Park for an afternoon of croquet. Others will catch the trolley in downtown Meridian and head to Highland Park as well. A few will frequent a piano parlor located as well in downtown Meridian, where for a few pennies one may rent a baby grand and sing the afternoon away.

         It was, indeed, in the good old summertime.