In this episode, Geoff and Katrina celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States declaring independence from Great Britain. Katrina wanted to acknowledge the occasion by indulging in the story tradition of "tall talk" or more commonly "tall tales". Geoff retells the story of Stormalong, which is a great story to represent America because while these tales became common in the northern east coast, they have old sea shanty roots from African song traditions that traveled through Mobile Bay. Then Katrina retells the tale of The Iron Moonhunter, which is a west coast legend of new Chinese immigrants who built the railroads while holding onto the spirits of those they loved and lost.

Stories Told:

“Stormalong” found in American Tall Tales by Mary Pope Osborne

“The Iron Moonhunter” retold by Kathleen Chang

Books and Essays Cited:

American Tall Tales by Mary Pope Osborne

Shanties from the Seven Seas collected by Stan Hugill

From Sea to Shining Sea: A Treasury of American Folklore and Folk Songs compiled by Amy L. Cohn

Other Episodes Mentioned: 

#80 Mothman and Other American Cryptids 

#5 The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

#42 Sea Shanties and Folk Songs