VLVL "the famous worms of song" (238)

[jbor]

I.e. 'The Hearse Song'

One of the favorite folk songs that American children learn either from
their families or on the playgrounds deals with the gruesome subject of
decomposition. The song's origins go back to the 19th century, at least,
when it was documented among British soldiers serving in the Crimean
campaign. The catchiness of the melody and the rare opportunity to speak
humorously about the ugly side of death doubtlessly has ensured the ballad's
survival into the 21st century. Like most folk songs, there is no definitive
version:

http://www.alsirat.com/deathlore/worms.html

Frenesi saw the worms "playing a few preliminary hands on Weed Atman's
snout": in other words, she has a premonition of Weed's imminent death. Of
course she knows full well what is going to happen after she hangs "the
snitch jacket" on Weed and puts that gun in Rex's bag (237.25-33, 241.9-32,
244.32-245.6).

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