Nostalgia: Shared Memories

Memories are best sustained through the interaction of members of a group that share similar memories. As sociologist Fred Davis, collective nostalgia "refers to that condition in which the symbolic objects are of a highly public, widely shared, and familiar character." (1) The Readers, while they inspired familial and personal memories, were widely shared by an entire generation of schoolchildren. This generation who filled the ranks of the McGuffeyites reinforced their memories by meeting and reliving their shared reminiscences of their childhood Readers. Additionally, these connections among individuals created social capital, or a network of cooperative social relations. (2) Membership in civic organizations, like the McGuffey Societies, forged a social network and a sense of mutual support during times of perceived crisis.

McGuffey Societies gave individuals a chance to share and relive common experiences, cultural references, and childhood memories with their like-minded peers. At annual meetings McGuffeyites square danced, viewed plays, sung songs, participated in period style spelling bees, and held classroom reenactments.

Three "pep" songs in the Oklahoma City McGuffey Society's handbook demonstrated the community aspect of McGuffey meetings.

• "Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here" (3)
  Hail, hail, the gang's all here,
  McGuffey-ites we greet you
  We're all so pleased to meet you,
  Hail, hail, the gang's all here
  McGuffey-ites are all here now!
  
  
• "The More We Get Together" (4)
  We're glad to be together, together, together,
  We're glad to be together
  For 'McGuffey-ees' are we;
  For your school was my school, and
  My school was your school,
  We're glad to be together,
  For 'McGuffey-ees' are we.
  
  
• "Sidewalks of New York" (5)
  East Side, West Side, all around the States,
  McGuffeyites are singing
  'Hello'! to old school mates;
  Boys and girls together, John and Mary and Joe,
  Love mem'ries of McGuffey, and dear
  School-days -- years ago.

Other songs were sung regularly at the annual summer meeting of the National Federation. These songs demonstrate nostalgia and shared memories.

"McGuffey Song" (Sung to the tune of "Battle Hymn of the Republic") (6)

1. McGuffeyites, we greet you,
   As we gather here tonight!
   All honor to McGuffey -
   To the man who stood for right!
   Once more we are the girls and boys,
   With youthful hearts so light,
   As we go marching on.
   Chorus:
   Glory, and honor to McGuffey!
   Noble, gifted, great McGuffey!
   Glory, and honor to McGuffey!
   As we go marching on.
2. "We will laugh as we remember
   How we trotted off to school,
   With our books, and dinner buckets,
   To obey the teacher's rule;
   There was no naughty "lazy Ned,"
   With dunce cap and the stool,
   While we went marching on.
   (Chorus)
3. There were Nellie, Jane -- then Mary
   With her pig-tails down her back;
   There were Bill, and Bob, and steady Joe,
   And mischief-loving Jack,
   Who teased the girls, and pulled their curls --
   Of fun there was no lack,
   As we went marching on.
   (Chorus)
4. The happy, smiling faces
   That we see on every side,
   Reflect uncommon pleasure,
   And a sincere, honest pride,
   Because we are McGuffeyites,
   May joy with us abide,
   As we go marching on.
   (Chorus)
5. Dear schoolmates, let us join our hands --
   We'll laugh, and sing, and play;
   We'll read again McGuffey books,
   As we did yesterday.
   They are the finest ever made,
   We 're proud, and glad to say,
   As we go marching on.
   (Chorus)
   

"A Parody on Long, Long Ago" (7)

1. Do you remember our McGuffey School Days
   Long, long ago; long, long ago.
   And do you remember the games that we played
   Long, long ago; long ago.
   There was Simon, Perry, Frank, John, Charley, Bob and Bill.
   We'd all jump the old bob-sled and coast down the hill.
   And the ball games we used to play would give Babe Ruth a thrill,
   Long, long ago; long ago.
2. Do you remember the teachers we had,
   Long, long ago; long, long ago.
   If they gave us some hickory oil, we got another dose from Dad
   Long, long ago; long ago.
   The teacher's work was hard, the pay was small, the days were long.
   We learned our states, our capitals, and poetry by song.
   We were always taught our three R's, also, taught right from wrong,
   Long, long ago; long ago.
3. Do you remember the cool bubbling spring,
   Long, long ago; long, long ago.
   How dry we would get when we'd hear the old bell ring
   Long, long ago; long ago.
   Then two of us would go and tote the water up,
   Then we'd pass the bucket and all use the same tin cup.
   But now for sanitation our drinks are all bottled up,
   And water is a drink of long ago.
4. Do you remember our last day of school,
   Long, long ago; long, long ago.
   We cleaned and decorated the house for that was the rule
   Long, long ago; long ago.
   How we were dressed in our best Sunday clothes!
   Some recited poetry, others read prose.
   And the dinners our parents brought, they fed alike friend and foe,
   Long, long ago; long ago.