Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancoocjams post provides an excerpt of Anna R. Beresin's 2010 book Recess Battle: Playing, Fighting, and Storytelling. In that excerpt, Ms. Beresin describes "steps", shares her opinions about the cultural meanings and purposes of that recreational activity, and provides several examples of that activity.
"Steps" are another term for what I refer to as "foot stomping cheers".
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and recreational purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Anna Richman Beresin for her research and her writing. Thanks also to all of the girls whose play is documented in this excerpt.
-snip-
Portions of this book are included in these previous pancocojams posts: https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/07/excerpt-about-recreational-double-dutch.html and
-snip-
This is part of an ongoing pancocojams series on foot stomping cheers. Click the foot stomping cheers tag below for other posts in this series.
****
BOOK EXCERPT
This excerpt quotes most of Anna R. Beresin's sub-chapter on steps in her book Recess Battles: Playing Fighting, and Storytelling (University Press of Mississippi, Jackson, 2010, page 104-105, chapter 6: entitled "Work That Body, Oddy, Oddy: Lessons From “Old School Rhymes”; sub- section entitled "Steps"; African American girls, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
[This excerpt is quoted without citations. The underlined words were given in that chapter and refer to emphasized words or portions of words.]
"[page] 104
In 1991, I saw four African American girls doing what looked like a dance step. “Is that a step?” I asked. I wonder whether the dance was choreographed or if they were improvising. “No, no, this is a step”. Step, clap, rock, clap, step, clap, rock, clap, They rocked gently back and forth, clapping their hands lightly on the off beat. At first they sang quietly, but it built into a roar."
Pump It Up
Words -------------------------------------------------Basic Motion
Pump pump pump pump pump it up------------- tap palms around the circle to start
Pump pump pump it up ---------------------------- step clap rock clap [2x]
Well, my name is [player’s name] -------------------------step clap rock clap
Pump it up --------------------------------------------step clap rock clap
That’s what they call me ---------------------------------step clap rock clap
Pump it up -------------------------------------------[repeat]
My sign is [astrological sign]
Pump it up
And I can work that body oddy oddy --------------shake and improvise
Make sure you don’t hurt that body
Pump pump pump pump
Pump it up
(1992)
[page] 105
[musical notation for the “Pump It Up” step is given here]
The phase pump it up appears in several recordings, including "Pump Up The Jam" by M. Kamosi and T. De Quincy from 1989. Each girl gets a chance to say her name and her astrological sign and work her body. The phase pump it up appears in several recordings, including "Pump Up The Jam" by M. Kamosi and T. De Quincy from 1989. Each girl gets a chance to say her name and her astrological sign and work her body.
Stepping is the African American polyrhythmic hand clapping and foot stomping that is a circle or line game, often with call-and-response singing and turn taking. A proud tradition at many predominately African American schools and among African American groups at predominately white institutions, steps are akin to cheerleading and a cousin to both hand clapping and marching. [13] The steps performed in the Mill School yard exclusively concerned the body, skill, and the complex role of being an attractive young woman. They involved singing, clapping, stamping feet, and improvising with other steppers. Although professional or competitive steppers are both male and female, only girls engaged in stepping on the playground. The rhythms are complex and syncopated, and the formation is typically a small circle. In most cases, each stepper is introduced by name and given a chance to perform a solo move.
Unlike rope rhymes, step lyrics tend to be overtly sexual. Steps were taken much more seriously than hand-clapping games, which usually ended in laughter. [14]. Some traditional step themes involve ritual insults: poverty, physical ugliness, stupidity, and promiscuity. [15]. Rarely recorded
[page] 106
among females, especially young females, ritual insults are a way of practicing coolheadedness about the body in an insulting world. [16]. Originally expurgated from collections of children’s lore, taboo rhymes such as these have been recorded for what they are: honest reflections of the issues with which real children wrestle.
The girls who did double-dutch jump rope also did steps, which were exclusively the domain of African American working-class girls at the Mill School, those who traveled by bus from less affluent neighborhoods. It was a secret repertoire of the body, sometimes labeled “nasty” by the girls themselves. But when they were assured they would not get in trouble for singing to me, they sang louder than they did for “Big Mac” or any rope rhyme. Stepping offered the girls a chance to improvise and “show your motions”.
Because the Mill School children considered steps special and rare, and because none of these steps has previously been recorded, I offer their transcriptions into approximate musical notation. The jump rope rhymes have the tap of the rope to guide us, and the rock and roll numbers have been recorded in one version or another.
Shoo, Shoo Sharida
Words ----------------------------------Basic Motion
Shoo shoo Sharida ------------------------step, step clap, rock, clap
My name is Violet --------------step, step clap, rock clap
Shoo shoo Sharida
That’s what they call me
Shoo shoo Sharida
My sign is Pisces
Shoo shoo Sharida
And I can break it down-------------------------improvise
Shoo shoo Sharida
Real sexy now
Shoo shoo Sharida
Now take my goal post
(1992)
107
[musical notation for Shoo, Shoo Sharida]
Fly Girl
Words-----------------------------------Basic Motion
Fly girl, fly girl-------------------scissor feet, clap
Go girl, go girl -------------------scissor feet, clap
My name is Coco, I’m a supafly girl
I float like a butterfly
Sting like a bee
That’s why they call me
Fly girl
Go Coco Go Coco---------------------------improvise
(1999)
108
Hollywood
Words -------------------------------------------------Basic Motion
u>Hollywood got Meeca------------------------in pairs, in two lines, retreating
Hollywood got Meeca------------------------right rocks back, left in place
Hollywood got Meeca------------------------right in place, pause, clap
And always do----------------------------------repeat until the end
[Meeca]
Well, it looks like me got number 20
Watch the power of the money
if you see me on the street
Hey girl you better speak
[all]
Hey you think you bad
{Meeca]
Me? I know I’m bad
[all]
Hey you think you cute
[Meeca]
Cute fine sexy too
[all]
Hey you think you fine
[Meeca]
I’m fine I’ll blow your mind
[109
I got a man, he’s twenty-nine
Tic tac Paddy whack
Who you think you looking at?
A-B-C-D- Gonna have a baby
Reese’s pieces butter cup
If you next U wish you luck
[all]
Hollywood got Licia
Hollywood got Licia
Hollywood got Licia
And always do
[Licia]
Well, it looks like me got number 4
Watch the prowler at the door
if you see me on the street
Hey girl you better speak to me
[all]
Hey you think you bad
[Licia]
Least I pick my maxi pad
[all]
Hey you think you cute
[Licia]
Least I’m not a prostitute
[all]
Hey you think you fine
[Licia]
I’m fine I’ll blow your mind
I got a man, he’s twenty-nine
Tic tac Paddy whack
Who you think you looking at?
A-B-C-D- Gonna have a baby
(1992)
[page] 110
Telephone
Words--------------------------------------------------------------Basic Motion
Telephone tel telephone---------basic step: clap, step, clap as above, only slower
Telephone tel telephone---------repeat
Yo Tasha
Yo
You’re wanted on the telephone
Who is it?
A boy
I know what he wants
He wants my lips my tits -----------------pointing shyly
My grass and my ass
Telephone tel telephone---------basic step: clap, step, clap as above, only slower
Telephone tel telephone---------repeat
Yo Tasha
Yo
You’re wanted on the telephone
Who is it?
Your man
I know what he wants
He wants my lips my tits
[page] 111
My grass and my ass
Telephone tel telephone
Telephone tel telephone---------repeat
Yo Tasha
Yo
You’re wanted on the telephone
Who is it?
A girl
I know what she wants
She wants my man
Goddamn
She’s getting out of hand
Telephone tel telephone
Telephone tel telephone
Yo Tasha
Yo
You’re wanted on the telephone
Who is it?
Your ex
I know what he wants
He wants my lips my tits
My grass and my ass
(1992)
[page] 112
I Work
Words--------------------------------------------------------------Basic Motion
I wo-rk all year ------------------------------------scissor legs and land on beat
I wo-rk all year--------------------------------------slow hip sway, left to right on “work”
I wo-rk all year
I work! work! work!--------------------scissor legs quickly three times
Now watch Coco work her hips
She wo-ks all year
She wo-ks all year
She wo-ks all year
She work! work! work!
Now watch all of us work
We wo-ks all year
We wo-ks all year
We wo-ks all year
We work! work! work!”
(112)
-snip-
[page] 113 includes a musical notation for the “I Work” step.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
I intend to publish a post comparing Ann R. Beresin's descriptions of and opinions about the cultural meanings of "steps" with my descriptions of and opinions about "foot stomping cheers". I'll add that link to that post here when it is published.
****
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Visitor comments are welcome.
Translate
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Monday, August 21, 2017
"Age Of Aquarius", "Blue Moon", & Two Other R&B, Or Hip Hop Songs That Mention The Sun Or The Moon
Edited by Azizi Powell
In honor of the August 21, 2017 eclipse of the sun, this pancocojams post provides excerpts from an astronomical article and an astrological article about that eclipse.
This post also showcases four YouTube examples pf African American R&B, or Hip Hop songs that mention the word "sun" or "moon". The lyrics for these songs are also included in this post.
None of these songs are actually about the sun or the moon astronomical bodies. However, this post provides opportunities for those who know these songs to enjoy them again, and opportunities to introduce these songs to those who don't know them.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all of the featured singers for their musical legacies. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE AUGUST 21, 2017 ECLIPSE
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_August_21,_2017
"On Monday, August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will be visible within a band across the entire contiguous United States, passing from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast. In other countries it will only be visible as a partial eclipse.[1][2]
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon's apparent diameter is larger than the sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometers wide.
The last time a total solar eclipse was visible across the entire contiguous United States was during the June 8, 1918, eclipse, and not since the February 1979 eclipse has a total eclipse been visible from anywhere in the mainland United States.[3] The path of totality will touch 14 states, although a partial eclipse will be visible in all fifty states."...
-snip-
Here's an excerpt from one of many astrological articles about the possible meanings of this solar eclipse:
From https://www.buzzfeed.com/terripous/heres-what-astrologers-have-to-say-about-the-eclipse?utm_term=.ltaNXOOEe#.hbaN4DDlO Here's What Three Astrologers Think The Eclipse Means For Horoscopes
“When there are eclipses in Leo, astrologers historically have linked them to the coming of a ruler or the downfall of one.”
Posted on August 19, 2017, at 9:16 a.m., by Terri Pous
..."First things first: Eclipses, particularly this eclipse, mean something different for everyone, depending on your chart. Astrologer Susan Miller writes that anyone whose birthday falls within five days of the eclipse (or whose birthday is Feb. 21) should guard their health, and should know that the year that follows that particular birthday will be a critical one for them. Leos may also feel solar eclipses strongly, because the sun is their ruler.
In general, solar eclipses have a lot of symbolism when it comes to light. The sun provides all of the light for our planet, astrologer Chani Nicholas told BuzzFeed, and it’s a force of life. When the sun’s light gets obscured, things get a little temperamental down here on Earth. Light’s absence is associated with death, destruction, and an overturning of power.
Astrologer Wade Caves told BuzzFeed he sees a lot of connections between this eclipse and health. “Eclipses tend to mark endings, and the closing down of things,” he said. “The sun has implications of health and vitality in people who lead and take charge. When moon eclipses the sun, it’s almost like the source of health, vitality, lumination, and truth are momentarily taken away from us.”
And what about this eclipse? Even though it’s no longer thought to be bad luck to be in the direct path of the eclipse like it was in the ancient days, Nicholas said, “it’s still a shadow falling on the US. It feels very symbolically resonant somehow.
Not only that, but Nicholas says a theme for this eclipse is breakthroughs — which, as she reminded me, often come after breakdowns. Some people might have important personal breakthroughs in how they express themselves and feel in the world. Or we might see important breakthroughs for the country as a whole.
“For America, this is a time to deal with our national self-image,” Nicholas said. “We’re coming to grips with how we see ourselves.”
Remember for a moment that countries have birth charts too, and the last time the path of totality was limited to the US was in 1776. In that year, we had war, sure, but we also overthrew a king and established lasting independence.
“Eclipses reveal shadows,” Nicolas said, “but they also create a feeling of breaking through to something, especially for certain people.”...
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
These videos are presented in chronological order with the video with the oldest publishing date given first.
Example #1: Bill Withers - Ain't No Sunshine
fnordius, Published on Jul 22, 2007
Bill Withers in 1971, playing "Ain't No Sunshine"
-snip-
LYRICS: AIN'T NO SUNSHINE
(words & music by Bill Withers)
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
It's not warm when she's away
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And she's always gone too long
Anytime she goes away
Wonder this time where she's gone
Wonder if she's gone to stay
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes away
And I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know
Hey, I oughtta leave young thing alone
But ain't no sunshine when she's gone
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
Only darkness every day
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away
Lyrics from https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/billwithers/aintnosunshine.html
-snip-
Italics added for the first time that the word "sunshine" is found in this song.
****
Example #2: The 5th Dimension Age of Aquarius 1969
ViniBassMan, Published on Mar 21, 2009
-snip-
LYRICS: AGE OF AQUARIUS
[James Rado & Gerome Ragni (lyrics), and Galt MacDermot (music)]
When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius
The Age of Aquarius
Aquarius! Aquarius!
Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revelation
And the minds true liberation
Aquarius, Aquarius
When the moon is in the seventh house
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
The age of Aquarius, Aquarius, Aquarius
Aquarius, Aquarius
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in, The sun shine
in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in, The sun shine
in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in, The sun shine
in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in, The sun shine
in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in, The sun shine
in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in, The sun shine
in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in, The sun shine
in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in, The sun shine
in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in, The sun shine
in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in, The sun shine
in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in, The sun shine
in
Lyrics from eLyrics.net
-snip-
*Italics were added to highlight these lyrics that mention "moon" and "sun" for the first time in this song.
****
Example #3: Mos Def -1998 -Mos Def & Talib Kweli - Astronomy (8th Light)
Ubatubos GTR, Published on Dec 2, 2010
Mos Def -1998 -Mos Def & Talib Kweli - Astronomy (8th Light)
-snip-
LYRICS: ASTRONOMY (8TH LIGHT)
(Mos Def & Talib Kweli)
Against the canvas of the night
Appears a curious celestial phenomena
Called Black Star, but what is it?
Black people unite and let's all get down
We got to have what? We got to have that love
What is the Black Star?
Is it the cat with the black shades, the black car?
Is it shining from very far, to where you are?
It is commonplace and different
Intimate and distant
Fresher than an infant
Black, my family thick, like they're striped molasses
Star, on the rise, in the eyes of the masses
Black is the color of my true love's hair
Star's are bright, shining, hot balls of air
Black like my baby girl's stare
Black like the veil that the muslimina wear
Black like the planet that they fear, why they scared?
Black like the slave ship that later brought us here
Black like the cheeks that are roadways for tears
That leave black faces well traveled with years
Black like assassin cross hairs
Blacker than my granddaddy armchair
He never really got no time to chill there
Cause this life is warfare, warfare
Deep on the front lines, and blacks is all there
Black like the perception of who, on welfare
Black like faces at the bottom of the well
I've been there before
To bring the light and heat it up like "la cocina"
Make without imagine happen but maybe I'm just a dreamer
I love rockin tracks like John Coltrane love Naema
Like the student love the teacher
Like the prophet love Khadeja
Like I love my baby features
Like the creator love all creatures
Who acknowledge truth and peace seekers
We on point like heat seekers
Targeting the black marketing strategists
Run up on em with the heaters
Everybody following with no leaders
Feeling like we killing ourselves
Because I know they can't defeat us
It don't stop til we complete this, keep this fly
There's so much to life when you just stay Black and God
Blacker than the nighttime sky of Bed-Stuy in July
Blacker than the seed in the blackberry pie
Blacker than the middle of my eye
Black like feh-lah man cry
Some man wan ask "Who am I?"
I simply reply, "The U.N.I., V.E.R.S.A.L. Magnetic"
Work to respect the angelic, climb the mountaintop
And tell it til the valley's enveloped
You're full of big chat but you nah know me
I'm dark like the side of the moon you don't see
When the moon shine newly
You know who else is a Black Star? (Who?) Me
You know who else is a Black Star? (Who?) Me
You know who else is a Black Star, who we? (And we)
Be shining and shining, when we rhyming and rhyming
We be shining and shining, when we rhyming and rhyming
Now everybody hop on the one, the sounds of the two
It's the third eye vision, five side dimension
The 8th Light, is gonna shine bright tonight
It's the third eye vision, five side dimension
You know the light
Go from the dark
The other way is ass-backwards
It's absurd
Make you want to crow like a blackbird
That's right
You living from your first day to your last night
Sometimes you show your ass like
Lint on your clothes
When you froze in
The black light
Dead that
Before you get your head wrapped
Like Badu
We see through your voodoo
Just like Eve's Bayou, you dealing with that black magic
Try to civilize you
Not walk on by you
Like civil-(lies do get you black listed) it'll
Be unlucky for you like a black cat
A panther
Revolution is the answer
That's what we need
Greed plague my people like the cancer
True indeed
Now black people unite, and let's all get down
Now everybody hop on the one, the sounds of the two
It's the third eye vision, five side dimension
The 8th Light, is gonna shine bright tonight
Everybody hop on the one, the sounds of the two
It's the third eye vision, five side dimension
The 8th Light, is gonna shine bright tonight
It's the third eye vision, five side dimension
Equaling up to eight, light shine bright
Written by D Dewgarde, Dante Smith, E Dewgarde, Talib Kweli
Lyrics from https://play.google.com/music/preview/Tbfq6lkhubskdigvg633p2xiu7i?lyrics=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=lyrics&pcampaignid=kp-lyrics&u=0#
-snip-
*Italics were added to highlight these lyrics that mention "moon".
****
Example #4: The Marcels - Blue Moon
John1948NineA, Published on Apr 25, 2011
The Marcels was one of several doo-wop-influenced American vocal groups to achieve success in the early 60s, despite the passing of the genre's golden age. Cornelius 'Nini' Harp (lead singer), Ronald 'Bingo' Mundy (tenor), Fred Johnson (bass), Gene Bricker (tenor) and Richard Knauss (baritone), all native to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA, achieved fame for their distinctive version of Richard Rodgers / Lorenz Hart's classic 'Blue Moon', previously a UK Top 10 hit for Elvis Presley in 1956, which topped both the US and UK charts in 1961. Johnson's distinctive bass introduction to the song has remained one of the most enduring vocal phrases of the time. The quartet scored a further US Top 10 hit that year with 'Heartaches', but its personnel was unstable, with Allen Johnson (d. 28 September 1995) replacing Knauss, and Walt Maddox replacing Bricker. Mundy walked out on the group during this same period, which did little to prepare them for the ever-changing trends prevalent during the early 60s, and eventually undermined the Marcels' long-term aspirations.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
"Blue Moon" is a classic popular song. It was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1934, and has become a standard ballad.
The lyrics presumably refer to an English idiomatic expression: "once in a blue moon" means very rarely. The narrator of the song is relating a stroke of luck so unlikely that it must have taken place under a blue moon. The title relies on a play on words, since Blue is also the color of melancholy, and indeed the narrator is sad and lonely until he or she finds love."...
-snip-
LYRICS: BLUE MOON
(words by Lorenz Hart, music by Richard Rodgers)
Blue Moon, you saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Blue Moon, you knew just what I was there for
You heard me saying a prayer for
Someone I really could care for
And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms will ever hold
I heard somebody whisper, 'Please adore me'
And when I looked, the moon had turned to gold
Blue Moon, now I'm no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Lyrics from http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/the_marcels/blue_moon.html
-snip-
*Italics were added to highlight these lyrics that mention "moon" for the first time in this song.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
In honor of the August 21, 2017 eclipse of the sun, this pancocojams post provides excerpts from an astronomical article and an astrological article about that eclipse.
This post also showcases four YouTube examples pf African American R&B, or Hip Hop songs that mention the word "sun" or "moon". The lyrics for these songs are also included in this post.
None of these songs are actually about the sun or the moon astronomical bodies. However, this post provides opportunities for those who know these songs to enjoy them again, and opportunities to introduce these songs to those who don't know them.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all of the featured singers for their musical legacies. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE AUGUST 21, 2017 ECLIPSE
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_August_21,_2017
"On Monday, August 21, 2017, a total solar eclipse will be visible within a band across the entire contiguous United States, passing from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast. In other countries it will only be visible as a partial eclipse.[1][2]
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between Earth and the Sun, thereby totally or partly obscuring the image of the sun for a viewer on Earth. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon's apparent diameter is larger than the sun's, blocking all direct sunlight, turning day into darkness. Totality occurs in a narrow path across Earth's surface, with the partial solar eclipse visible over a surrounding region thousands of kilometers wide.
The last time a total solar eclipse was visible across the entire contiguous United States was during the June 8, 1918, eclipse, and not since the February 1979 eclipse has a total eclipse been visible from anywhere in the mainland United States.[3] The path of totality will touch 14 states, although a partial eclipse will be visible in all fifty states."...
-snip-
Here's an excerpt from one of many astrological articles about the possible meanings of this solar eclipse:
From https://www.buzzfeed.com/terripous/heres-what-astrologers-have-to-say-about-the-eclipse?utm_term=.ltaNXOOEe#.hbaN4DDlO Here's What Three Astrologers Think The Eclipse Means For Horoscopes
“When there are eclipses in Leo, astrologers historically have linked them to the coming of a ruler or the downfall of one.”
Posted on August 19, 2017, at 9:16 a.m., by Terri Pous
..."First things first: Eclipses, particularly this eclipse, mean something different for everyone, depending on your chart. Astrologer Susan Miller writes that anyone whose birthday falls within five days of the eclipse (or whose birthday is Feb. 21) should guard their health, and should know that the year that follows that particular birthday will be a critical one for them. Leos may also feel solar eclipses strongly, because the sun is their ruler.
In general, solar eclipses have a lot of symbolism when it comes to light. The sun provides all of the light for our planet, astrologer Chani Nicholas told BuzzFeed, and it’s a force of life. When the sun’s light gets obscured, things get a little temperamental down here on Earth. Light’s absence is associated with death, destruction, and an overturning of power.
Astrologer Wade Caves told BuzzFeed he sees a lot of connections between this eclipse and health. “Eclipses tend to mark endings, and the closing down of things,” he said. “The sun has implications of health and vitality in people who lead and take charge. When moon eclipses the sun, it’s almost like the source of health, vitality, lumination, and truth are momentarily taken away from us.”
And what about this eclipse? Even though it’s no longer thought to be bad luck to be in the direct path of the eclipse like it was in the ancient days, Nicholas said, “it’s still a shadow falling on the US. It feels very symbolically resonant somehow.
Not only that, but Nicholas says a theme for this eclipse is breakthroughs — which, as she reminded me, often come after breakdowns. Some people might have important personal breakthroughs in how they express themselves and feel in the world. Or we might see important breakthroughs for the country as a whole.
“For America, this is a time to deal with our national self-image,” Nicholas said. “We’re coming to grips with how we see ourselves.”
Remember for a moment that countries have birth charts too, and the last time the path of totality was limited to the US was in 1776. In that year, we had war, sure, but we also overthrew a king and established lasting independence.
“Eclipses reveal shadows,” Nicolas said, “but they also create a feeling of breaking through to something, especially for certain people.”...
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
These videos are presented in chronological order with the video with the oldest publishing date given first.
Example #1: Bill Withers - Ain't No Sunshine
fnordius, Published on Jul 22, 2007
Bill Withers in 1971, playing "Ain't No Sunshine"
-snip-
LYRICS: AIN'T NO SUNSHINE
(words & music by Bill Withers)
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
It's not warm when she's away
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And she's always gone too long
Anytime she goes away
Wonder this time where she's gone
Wonder if she's gone to stay
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes away
And I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know
Hey, I oughtta leave young thing alone
But ain't no sunshine when she's gone
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
Only darkness every day
Ain't no sunshine when she's gone
And this house just ain't no home
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away
Anytime she goes away
Lyrics from https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/billwithers/aintnosunshine.html
-snip-
Italics added for the first time that the word "sunshine" is found in this song.
****
Example #2: The 5th Dimension Age of Aquarius 1969
ViniBassMan, Published on Mar 21, 2009
-snip-
LYRICS: AGE OF AQUARIUS
[James Rado & Gerome Ragni (lyrics), and Galt MacDermot (music)]
When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius
The Age of Aquarius
Aquarius! Aquarius!
Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revelation
And the minds true liberation
Aquarius, Aquarius
When the moon is in the seventh house
And Jupiter aligns with Mars
Then peace will guide the planets
And love will steer the stars
This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius
The age of Aquarius, Aquarius, Aquarius
Aquarius, Aquarius
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in, The sun shine
in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in, The sun shine
in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in, The sun shine
in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in, The sun shine
in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in, The sun shine
in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in, The sun shine
in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in, The sun shine
in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in, The sun shine
in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in, The sun shine
in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in, The sun shine
in
Let the sun shine, Let the sun shine in, The sun shine
in
Lyrics from eLyrics.net
-snip-
*Italics were added to highlight these lyrics that mention "moon" and "sun" for the first time in this song.
****
Example #3: Mos Def -1998 -Mos Def & Talib Kweli - Astronomy (8th Light)
Ubatubos GTR, Published on Dec 2, 2010
Mos Def -1998 -Mos Def & Talib Kweli - Astronomy (8th Light)
-snip-
LYRICS: ASTRONOMY (8TH LIGHT)
(Mos Def & Talib Kweli)
Against the canvas of the night
Appears a curious celestial phenomena
Called Black Star, but what is it?
Black people unite and let's all get down
We got to have what? We got to have that love
What is the Black Star?
Is it the cat with the black shades, the black car?
Is it shining from very far, to where you are?
It is commonplace and different
Intimate and distant
Fresher than an infant
Black, my family thick, like they're striped molasses
Star, on the rise, in the eyes of the masses
Black is the color of my true love's hair
Star's are bright, shining, hot balls of air
Black like my baby girl's stare
Black like the veil that the muslimina wear
Black like the planet that they fear, why they scared?
Black like the slave ship that later brought us here
Black like the cheeks that are roadways for tears
That leave black faces well traveled with years
Black like assassin cross hairs
Blacker than my granddaddy armchair
He never really got no time to chill there
Cause this life is warfare, warfare
Deep on the front lines, and blacks is all there
Black like the perception of who, on welfare
Black like faces at the bottom of the well
I've been there before
To bring the light and heat it up like "la cocina"
Make without imagine happen but maybe I'm just a dreamer
I love rockin tracks like John Coltrane love Naema
Like the student love the teacher
Like the prophet love Khadeja
Like I love my baby features
Like the creator love all creatures
Who acknowledge truth and peace seekers
We on point like heat seekers
Targeting the black marketing strategists
Run up on em with the heaters
Everybody following with no leaders
Feeling like we killing ourselves
Because I know they can't defeat us
It don't stop til we complete this, keep this fly
There's so much to life when you just stay Black and God
Blacker than the nighttime sky of Bed-Stuy in July
Blacker than the seed in the blackberry pie
Blacker than the middle of my eye
Black like feh-lah man cry
Some man wan ask "Who am I?"
I simply reply, "The U.N.I., V.E.R.S.A.L. Magnetic"
Work to respect the angelic, climb the mountaintop
And tell it til the valley's enveloped
You're full of big chat but you nah know me
I'm dark like the side of the moon you don't see
When the moon shine newly
You know who else is a Black Star? (Who?) Me
You know who else is a Black Star? (Who?) Me
You know who else is a Black Star, who we? (And we)
Be shining and shining, when we rhyming and rhyming
We be shining and shining, when we rhyming and rhyming
Now everybody hop on the one, the sounds of the two
It's the third eye vision, five side dimension
The 8th Light, is gonna shine bright tonight
It's the third eye vision, five side dimension
You know the light
Go from the dark
The other way is ass-backwards
It's absurd
Make you want to crow like a blackbird
That's right
You living from your first day to your last night
Sometimes you show your ass like
Lint on your clothes
When you froze in
The black light
Dead that
Before you get your head wrapped
Like Badu
We see through your voodoo
Just like Eve's Bayou, you dealing with that black magic
Try to civilize you
Not walk on by you
Like civil-(lies do get you black listed) it'll
Be unlucky for you like a black cat
A panther
Revolution is the answer
That's what we need
Greed plague my people like the cancer
True indeed
Now black people unite, and let's all get down
Now everybody hop on the one, the sounds of the two
It's the third eye vision, five side dimension
The 8th Light, is gonna shine bright tonight
Everybody hop on the one, the sounds of the two
It's the third eye vision, five side dimension
The 8th Light, is gonna shine bright tonight
It's the third eye vision, five side dimension
Equaling up to eight, light shine bright
Written by D Dewgarde, Dante Smith, E Dewgarde, Talib Kweli
Lyrics from https://play.google.com/music/preview/Tbfq6lkhubskdigvg633p2xiu7i?lyrics=1&utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=lyrics&pcampaignid=kp-lyrics&u=0#
-snip-
*Italics were added to highlight these lyrics that mention "moon".
****
Example #4: The Marcels - Blue Moon
John1948NineA, Published on Apr 25, 2011
The Marcels was one of several doo-wop-influenced American vocal groups to achieve success in the early 60s, despite the passing of the genre's golden age. Cornelius 'Nini' Harp (lead singer), Ronald 'Bingo' Mundy (tenor), Fred Johnson (bass), Gene Bricker (tenor) and Richard Knauss (baritone), all native to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA, achieved fame for their distinctive version of Richard Rodgers / Lorenz Hart's classic 'Blue Moon', previously a UK Top 10 hit for Elvis Presley in 1956, which topped both the US and UK charts in 1961. Johnson's distinctive bass introduction to the song has remained one of the most enduring vocal phrases of the time. The quartet scored a further US Top 10 hit that year with 'Heartaches', but its personnel was unstable, with Allen Johnson (d. 28 September 1995) replacing Knauss, and Walt Maddox replacing Bricker. Mundy walked out on the group during this same period, which did little to prepare them for the ever-changing trends prevalent during the early 60s, and eventually undermined the Marcels' long-term aspirations.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
"Blue Moon" is a classic popular song. It was written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart in 1934, and has become a standard ballad.
The lyrics presumably refer to an English idiomatic expression: "once in a blue moon" means very rarely. The narrator of the song is relating a stroke of luck so unlikely that it must have taken place under a blue moon. The title relies on a play on words, since Blue is also the color of melancholy, and indeed the narrator is sad and lonely until he or she finds love."...
-snip-
LYRICS: BLUE MOON
(words by Lorenz Hart, music by Richard Rodgers)
Blue Moon, you saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Blue Moon, you knew just what I was there for
You heard me saying a prayer for
Someone I really could care for
And then there suddenly appeared before me
The only one my arms will ever hold
I heard somebody whisper, 'Please adore me'
And when I looked, the moon had turned to gold
Blue Moon, now I'm no longer alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own
Lyrics from http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/the_marcels/blue_moon.html
-snip-
*Italics were added to highlight these lyrics that mention "moon" for the first time in this song.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Sunday, August 20, 2017
Early Examples Of "Do Lord Remember Me" & Related Songs
Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post presents excerpts from two Mudcat folk music discussion threads and other online sources about early text examples of the song "Do Lord Remember Me" and other religious songs that influenced "So Lord Remember Me".
This post also includes a YouTube sound file of Mississippi John Hurt's rendition of "Do Lord Remember Me".
The content of this post is presented for historical, religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the composers and collectors of this song. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to Mississippi John Hurt for his musical legacy. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTES
From reading these excerpts, I gather that the song "Do Lord Remember Me" is dates at least from the early 1860s United States. Certain "African American*" religious songs (referred to as "jubilees") are cited below as early examples of "Do Lord Remember Me" or as songs that influenced versions of that song.
From reading these excerpts, it also appears that [White American] Julia Ward Howe (1819 – 1910), best known for composing "The Battle Hymn Of The Republic", also wrote "Do Lord Remember Me" or, at least, composed a version of that song.
These selected excerpts and quotes are given in no particular order. I've assigned numbers for these excerpts and quotes for referencing purposes only. Multiple selected quotes within an excerpt are also numbered.
*Note the referent "Negro" (also spelled with a lower case "n") is used in some of these quotes. That referent hasn't been used as a referent for African Americans since at least the late 1960s.
****
ONLINE EXCERPTS AND QUOTES
EXCERPT #1
From http://www.grace-notes--southern-styling-on-a-digital-piano.com/do-lord-oh-do-remember-me-way-beyond-the-blue-southern-gospel-on-piano/
Do Lord, Oh Do Remember Me (Way Beyond The Blue) Southern Gospel on Piano
Posted on December 16, 2012
" “Do Lord is such a fun song. Many think of it as a kid’s song, but the truth is, you’re never too old to enjoy it. Easy melody, simple lyrics, yes, it’s perfect for children to learn and sing along with. But I never outgrew it. Standing in church, clapping our hands, tapping our toes… having fun. Church should be a happy place...
The message is a good one, and more likely to be remembered for it’s simplicity. It’s also easy to add verses. Over my life, I’ve heard multiple variations, and there’s likely plenty that I haven’t run into yet. Some of the verses I know best are:
(of course) Do Lord, oh Do Lord, Oh Do Remember Me
I’ve got a home in Glory Land that Outshines the Sun
I took Jesus as my savior, you take him Too
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
Do Lord Oh Do Lord Lyrics
Do Lord Oh Do Lord Lyrics
Wait, what was that last one? Yes, it’s Battle Hymn of the Republic. That’s actually a legitimate blending, because Battle Hymn and Do Lord are both credited to Julia Ward Howe (1819 – 1910). If she wrote both songs, then she can mix them up any way she wants. There’s a lot of history regarding origin of the Battle Hymn, but not much over Do Lord. And truthfully, her life was a life full of accomplishments, though she’s best remembered in association with Battle Hymn of the Republic, Julia was a speaker, a promoter of women’s rights, an author, and spent her life as an outspoken proponent of several grand causes. In many ways she was far ahead of her time, and not appreciated for it at that time. She even tried to establish an official Mother’s Day, though her attempt at that time was less than successful.
As I record these songs, I’m learning a lot. The songs themselves have deep meaning to me, but for each, some time is spent researching. Learn some history, begin to understand how and when they were written. Unexpected meanings behind the lyrics, social forces that drove the creation. For instance, Battle Hymn was written using an old folk tune, “John Brown’s Body”, for the melody. Before that, it was “Canaan’s Happy Shore”, and “Brothers Will You Meet Me”. She was requested to write new lyrics, to give fighting men a marching song to stir patriotism.
That’s just barely scratching the surface. If you’re interested Julia is worth reading about, and there’s a lot tor read, both by and about her. For me, the main point of interest is the music."
****
EXCERPT #2
From http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=32107
1.
"Subject: Lyr Add: BEULAH LAND
From: mousethief
Date: 19 Mar 01 - 06:12 PM
To the same melody,
I've got a sister in gloryland (or Beulah Land, wherever that is)
Outshine the sun
I've got a sister in gloryland
Outshine the sun
I've got a sister in gloryland
Outshine the sun
Away beyond the sky
I've got a brother/mother/father/etc.
Come and go to gloryland
Outshine the sun (etc.)
This from Mississippi John Hurt, who RULES.
Alex
**
2.
Subject: Do Lord Remember Me
From: Dicho
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 03:13 PM
DO LORD REMEMBER ME
Do Lord, do Lord, do remember me (3 times)
O do, Lord, remember me.
When I'm in trouble, do remember me, (3 times)
O do, Lord, remember me.
When I'm dyin, do remembr me (3 times)
O do, Lord, remember me.
When this world's on fire, do remember me (3 times)
O do, Lord, remember me.
1st verse of When My Blood Runs Chiller and Cold identical to 1st verse here.
John W. Work, American Negro Songs and Spirituals, 1940, p. 82.
**
3.
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Do Lord Remember Me
From: Dicho
Date: 17 Dec 01 - 02:53 PM
DO LORD REMEMBER ME
Cho.
Do Lard, do Lawd, do remember me (3 times)
Do Lawd, remember me.
When I'm sick an' by myself,
Do remember me; (sing couplet 3 times)
Do, Lawd, remember me.
When I'm crossin' Jurdon, etc.
If I ain't got no frien's at all, etc.
Paul and Silus bound in jail, etc.
One did sing while the other one prayed, etc.
When I'm bound in trouble, etc.
When I'm goin' from do' to do', etc.
Grissom, The Negro Sings a New Heaven, 1930 (Dover 1969), p. 68-69 with music.
Some different verses here.
**
4.
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Do Lord Remember Me
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 02:01 PM
1863,"Under the Palmetto," H. G. Spaulding, Continental Monthly, Vol. 4, No. 2, p. 198.
O, Lord, Do, Lord (no title)
I'm a like to die as Jesus die,
An' he die with a freely good will,
He lay in de grabe,
An' he stretchy out He arms,
O Lord, remember me.
Chorus:
O, Lord, remember me,
Do, Lord, remember me;
Remember me when de year rolls round,
O, Lord, remember me.
Brief musical score.
http://books.google.com/books?id=uzEZAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA199&dq=%22O+brudder+William%22#22&f=false *
Article found by Jim Dixon.
-snip-
This link is to a Google Books edition of “The Continental Monthly, Volume 4
J.R. Gilmore, 1868 - American periodicals"
-snip-
* That link is no longer viable.
****
EXCERPT #3
From http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=40977
Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN MY BLOOD RUNS CHILLER AND COLD
1.
"From: Dicho
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 08:24 PM
WHEN MY BLOOD RUNS CHILLER AND COLD
Cho.
Oh, do, Lord, do, Lord, do remember me,
Do Lord, do, Lord, do remember me,
Oh, do, Lord, do, Lord, do remember me,
Oh, do, Lord, remember me.
When my blood runs chiller and cold, do remember me,
Oh, when my blood runs chiller and cold, do remember me,
Oh, when my blood runs chiller and cold, do remember me,
Oh, do, Lord, remember me.
Cho.
I've got a home in Beulah Land, outshine the sun,
Outshine the sun, outshine the sun,
Oh, I've got a home in Beulah Land, outshine the sun,
'Way beyond the sky.
Cho.
Oh, the shoes that my God give me, outshine the sun, etc.
Cho.
Oh, the robe that my God give me, outshine the sun, etc.
Cho.
If you don't wear no crosses, you can't wear no crown, (3 times)
'Way beyond the sky.
Cho.
Oh, the crown that my God give me outshine the sun,
Outshine the sun, outshine the sun,
Oh, the crown that my God give me outshine the sun,
'Way beyond the sky.
Cho.
Rev. J. R. Gipson and wife, Merryville, LA. John and Ruby Lomax 1939 Southern States Recording Trip. Two songs combined? Only the 1st verse and chorus seem to go with the title.
****
2.
Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN MY BLOOD RUNS CHILLY AND COL'
From: Dicho
Date: 18 Nov 01 - 06:19 PM
When my Blood Runs Chilly and Col'
Oh, when my blood runs chilly an' col',
I'se got to go, I'se got to go, I'se got to go;
Oh, when my blood runs chilly an' col',
I'se got to go, Way beyond de moon.
Cho.
Do, Lord, do, Lord, do remember me,
Oh, do, Lord, do, Lord, do remember me (twice)
Oh, do, Lord, remember me.
Ef you cain't bear no crosses, you cain't wear no crown, 3 times)
Way beyond the moon.
I'se got a mother* in de Beulah land, she's callin' me,
She's callin' me, she's callin' me,
I'se got a mother in de Beulah land, she's callin' me,
Way beyond de sun.
*Repeated for father, brother, sister, etc.
**De harder yo' crosses, de brighter yo' crown, (3 times)
Way beyond de moon.
**Or, Right under your cross, there lies your crown.
Unattributed, in American Ballads and Folk Songs, John A. and Alan Lomax, 1934, p. 610-611.
****
3.
Subject: Lyr Add: JESUS, THOU ART THE SINNER'S FRIEND
From: masato sakurai
Date: 20 Nov 01 - 03:39 AM
"Do, Lord, Remember Me" is also in Grissom, The Negro Sings a New Heaven (1930; Dover, 1969, p. 68; with music)[quoted in Jackson, White and Negro Spirituals, p. 165], and Odum and Johnson, The Negro and His Songs (1925; Negro Universities Press, 1968, p. 92). The version sung by Jimmie Strothers and Joe Lee is in Various Artists, Negro Religious Songs and Services (Rounder CD 1514).
George Pullen Jackson says, "A negro spiritual inspired by this song [Jesus, Thou Art the Sinner's Friend in the Sacred Harp (1844), the Southern Harmony (1835), etc.] is 'Lord, Remember Me'." (Spiritual Folk-Songs of Early America, 1937; Dover, 1964, p. 144). The first stanza with refrain (2x) is:
Jesus, thou art the sinner's friend,
As such I look to thee;
Now in the bowels of thy love,
O Lord, remember me.
O Lord remember me,
O Lord remember me;
Now in the bowels of thy love,
O Lord remember me.
~Masato
****
4.
Subject: Lyr Add: GOIN' TO OUTSHINE DE SUN
From: Dicho
Date: 10 Feb 02 - 09:09 PM
Lyr. Add: GOIN' TO OUTSHINE DE SUN
Well, my mother's goin' to heaven,
She's goin' to outshine the sun, O lord.
Well, my mother's goin' to heaven,
She's goin' to outshine the sun,
Yes, my mother's goin' to heaven to outshine the sun,
An' it's 'way beyon' the moon.
You got a home in the promise lan',
Goin' to outshine the sun, O Lord,
An' it's 'way beyon' the moon.
The crown that my Jesus gave me,
Goin' to outshine the sun, my Lord,
An' it's 'way beyond the moon.
Goin' to put on my crown in glory,
An' outshine the sun, O Lord,
'Way beyond the moon.
H. W. Odum and G. B. Johnson, 1925 (1976) The Negro and His Songs, p. 110, no music."
****
EXCERPT #5
From https://www.loc.gov/folklife/LP/NegroReligiousSongsL10_opt.pdf MUSIC DIVISION-RECORDING LABORATORY
FOLK MUSIC OF THE UNITED STATES
"Issued from the Collections of the Archive of American Folk Song
•• A. 1. DO, LORD, REMEMBER ME
A. 1. DO, LORD, REMEMBER ME
[Song and] banjo by Jimmie Strothers and Joe Lee... 1936*
[...]
BLIND Jimmie Sirothers learned his hearty minstrel style of gospel singing while traveling with a medicine [show. Joe Lee sings jubilee songs in truly spiritual fashion. Both have considerable showmanship. In the first selection Joe Lee beats two pieces of wire on the finger-board of the banjo, deftly avoiding the fingers of the player.*
For “Do, Lord, Remember Me" see Spiritual in Old and New by Edward Boatner and Mrs. Willa A. Townsend (Nashville, Tennessee, 1927), No. 54, and American Negro Songs by John W. Work (New York,1940), p. 82.*
[...]
DO,LORD,REMEMBER ME
CHORUS:
[Oh,] Do, Lord, do, Lord, Lord, remember m
Do, Lord, do, Lord, oh; Lord, remember me.
Hallelujuh!
Do, Lord, do, Lord, oh, Lord, remember me.
Oh, do, Lord, remember me.
1. Oh, when I'm in trouble,
Down on my knees,
When I was in trouble,
Lord, remember me.
Oh, when I'm in trouble,
Lord, remember me,
Lord, do, Lord, remember me.
2. Oh, when I am dyin',
Lord, remember me,
Oh, when I am dyin',
Lord, remember me,
Oh, when I am uyin',
Lord, remember me,
Oh, do, Lord, remember me.
Oh, I'm gonna take a little journey,
Lord, remember me.
I'm gonna take little Journey,
Lord, remember me.
Oh, I'm gonna take a little journey,
Lord, remember me,
Oh; do, Lord, remember me."
-snip-
*These portions have multiple misspellings. I rewrote them in this post without those misspellings to enhance their readability.
****
SHOWCASE YOUTUBE EXAMPLE: Mississippi John Hurt - Do Lord, Remember Me - field recordings
MyMoppet52, Published on Oct 3, 2014
This is from the 1963 field recordings of Thomas Hoskins when he first met Mississippi John Hurt after tracking him down through a 1920's song. Mrs. Hurt joins her husband in singing "Do Lord, Remember Me". Hurt didn't own a guitar, had not performed in years, had forgotten some of the words, AND had a sore throat that day the stranger showed up. He passed away in 1966, so all (but one recording) the wonderful music we have from him was made in 3 short years. The album, "Discovery: The Rebirth of Mississippi John Hurt" was made from tapes of March 1963, but released in 2011. Enjoy the first meeting of the musicologist and Mississippi John Hurt!
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This pancocojams post presents excerpts from two Mudcat folk music discussion threads and other online sources about early text examples of the song "Do Lord Remember Me" and other religious songs that influenced "So Lord Remember Me".
This post also includes a YouTube sound file of Mississippi John Hurt's rendition of "Do Lord Remember Me".
The content of this post is presented for historical, religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the composers and collectors of this song. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to Mississippi John Hurt for his musical legacy. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTES
From reading these excerpts, I gather that the song "Do Lord Remember Me" is dates at least from the early 1860s United States. Certain "African American*" religious songs (referred to as "jubilees") are cited below as early examples of "Do Lord Remember Me" or as songs that influenced versions of that song.
From reading these excerpts, it also appears that [White American] Julia Ward Howe (1819 – 1910), best known for composing "The Battle Hymn Of The Republic", also wrote "Do Lord Remember Me" or, at least, composed a version of that song.
These selected excerpts and quotes are given in no particular order. I've assigned numbers for these excerpts and quotes for referencing purposes only. Multiple selected quotes within an excerpt are also numbered.
*Note the referent "Negro" (also spelled with a lower case "n") is used in some of these quotes. That referent hasn't been used as a referent for African Americans since at least the late 1960s.
****
ONLINE EXCERPTS AND QUOTES
EXCERPT #1
From http://www.grace-notes--southern-styling-on-a-digital-piano.com/do-lord-oh-do-remember-me-way-beyond-the-blue-southern-gospel-on-piano/
Do Lord, Oh Do Remember Me (Way Beyond The Blue) Southern Gospel on Piano
Posted on December 16, 2012
" “Do Lord is such a fun song. Many think of it as a kid’s song, but the truth is, you’re never too old to enjoy it. Easy melody, simple lyrics, yes, it’s perfect for children to learn and sing along with. But I never outgrew it. Standing in church, clapping our hands, tapping our toes… having fun. Church should be a happy place...
The message is a good one, and more likely to be remembered for it’s simplicity. It’s also easy to add verses. Over my life, I’ve heard multiple variations, and there’s likely plenty that I haven’t run into yet. Some of the verses I know best are:
(of course) Do Lord, oh Do Lord, Oh Do Remember Me
I’ve got a home in Glory Land that Outshines the Sun
I took Jesus as my savior, you take him Too
Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
Do Lord Oh Do Lord Lyrics
Do Lord Oh Do Lord Lyrics
Wait, what was that last one? Yes, it’s Battle Hymn of the Republic. That’s actually a legitimate blending, because Battle Hymn and Do Lord are both credited to Julia Ward Howe (1819 – 1910). If she wrote both songs, then she can mix them up any way she wants. There’s a lot of history regarding origin of the Battle Hymn, but not much over Do Lord. And truthfully, her life was a life full of accomplishments, though she’s best remembered in association with Battle Hymn of the Republic, Julia was a speaker, a promoter of women’s rights, an author, and spent her life as an outspoken proponent of several grand causes. In many ways she was far ahead of her time, and not appreciated for it at that time. She even tried to establish an official Mother’s Day, though her attempt at that time was less than successful.
As I record these songs, I’m learning a lot. The songs themselves have deep meaning to me, but for each, some time is spent researching. Learn some history, begin to understand how and when they were written. Unexpected meanings behind the lyrics, social forces that drove the creation. For instance, Battle Hymn was written using an old folk tune, “John Brown’s Body”, for the melody. Before that, it was “Canaan’s Happy Shore”, and “Brothers Will You Meet Me”. She was requested to write new lyrics, to give fighting men a marching song to stir patriotism.
That’s just barely scratching the surface. If you’re interested Julia is worth reading about, and there’s a lot tor read, both by and about her. For me, the main point of interest is the music."
****
EXCERPT #2
From http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=32107
1.
"Subject: Lyr Add: BEULAH LAND
From: mousethief
Date: 19 Mar 01 - 06:12 PM
To the same melody,
I've got a sister in gloryland (or Beulah Land, wherever that is)
Outshine the sun
I've got a sister in gloryland
Outshine the sun
I've got a sister in gloryland
Outshine the sun
Away beyond the sky
I've got a brother/mother/father/etc.
Come and go to gloryland
Outshine the sun (etc.)
This from Mississippi John Hurt, who RULES.
Alex
**
2.
Subject: Do Lord Remember Me
From: Dicho
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 03:13 PM
DO LORD REMEMBER ME
Do Lord, do Lord, do remember me (3 times)
O do, Lord, remember me.
When I'm in trouble, do remember me, (3 times)
O do, Lord, remember me.
When I'm dyin, do remembr me (3 times)
O do, Lord, remember me.
When this world's on fire, do remember me (3 times)
O do, Lord, remember me.
1st verse of When My Blood Runs Chiller and Cold identical to 1st verse here.
John W. Work, American Negro Songs and Spirituals, 1940, p. 82.
**
3.
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Do Lord Remember Me
From: Dicho
Date: 17 Dec 01 - 02:53 PM
DO LORD REMEMBER ME
Cho.
Do Lard, do Lawd, do remember me (3 times)
Do Lawd, remember me.
When I'm sick an' by myself,
Do remember me; (sing couplet 3 times)
Do, Lawd, remember me.
When I'm crossin' Jurdon, etc.
If I ain't got no frien's at all, etc.
Paul and Silus bound in jail, etc.
One did sing while the other one prayed, etc.
When I'm bound in trouble, etc.
When I'm goin' from do' to do', etc.
Grissom, The Negro Sings a New Heaven, 1930 (Dover 1969), p. 68-69 with music.
Some different verses here.
**
4.
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Do Lord Remember Me
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 02:01 PM
1863,"Under the Palmetto," H. G. Spaulding, Continental Monthly, Vol. 4, No. 2, p. 198.
O, Lord, Do, Lord (no title)
I'm a like to die as Jesus die,
An' he die with a freely good will,
He lay in de grabe,
An' he stretchy out He arms,
O Lord, remember me.
Chorus:
O, Lord, remember me,
Do, Lord, remember me;
Remember me when de year rolls round,
O, Lord, remember me.
Brief musical score.
http://books.google.com/books?id=uzEZAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA199&dq=%22O+brudder+William%22#22&f=false *
Article found by Jim Dixon.
-snip-
This link is to a Google Books edition of “The Continental Monthly, Volume 4
J.R. Gilmore, 1868 - American periodicals"
-snip-
* That link is no longer viable.
****
EXCERPT #3
From http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=40977
Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN MY BLOOD RUNS CHILLER AND COLD
1.
"From: Dicho
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 08:24 PM
WHEN MY BLOOD RUNS CHILLER AND COLD
Cho.
Oh, do, Lord, do, Lord, do remember me,
Do Lord, do, Lord, do remember me,
Oh, do, Lord, do, Lord, do remember me,
Oh, do, Lord, remember me.
When my blood runs chiller and cold, do remember me,
Oh, when my blood runs chiller and cold, do remember me,
Oh, when my blood runs chiller and cold, do remember me,
Oh, do, Lord, remember me.
Cho.
I've got a home in Beulah Land, outshine the sun,
Outshine the sun, outshine the sun,
Oh, I've got a home in Beulah Land, outshine the sun,
'Way beyond the sky.
Cho.
Oh, the shoes that my God give me, outshine the sun, etc.
Cho.
Oh, the robe that my God give me, outshine the sun, etc.
Cho.
If you don't wear no crosses, you can't wear no crown, (3 times)
'Way beyond the sky.
Cho.
Oh, the crown that my God give me outshine the sun,
Outshine the sun, outshine the sun,
Oh, the crown that my God give me outshine the sun,
'Way beyond the sky.
Cho.
Rev. J. R. Gipson and wife, Merryville, LA. John and Ruby Lomax 1939 Southern States Recording Trip. Two songs combined? Only the 1st verse and chorus seem to go with the title.
****
2.
Subject: Lyr Add: WHEN MY BLOOD RUNS CHILLY AND COL'
From: Dicho
Date: 18 Nov 01 - 06:19 PM
When my Blood Runs Chilly and Col'
Oh, when my blood runs chilly an' col',
I'se got to go, I'se got to go, I'se got to go;
Oh, when my blood runs chilly an' col',
I'se got to go, Way beyond de moon.
Cho.
Do, Lord, do, Lord, do remember me,
Oh, do, Lord, do, Lord, do remember me (twice)
Oh, do, Lord, remember me.
Ef you cain't bear no crosses, you cain't wear no crown, 3 times)
Way beyond the moon.
I'se got a mother* in de Beulah land, she's callin' me,
She's callin' me, she's callin' me,
I'se got a mother in de Beulah land, she's callin' me,
Way beyond de sun.
*Repeated for father, brother, sister, etc.
**De harder yo' crosses, de brighter yo' crown, (3 times)
Way beyond de moon.
**Or, Right under your cross, there lies your crown.
Unattributed, in American Ballads and Folk Songs, John A. and Alan Lomax, 1934, p. 610-611.
****
3.
Subject: Lyr Add: JESUS, THOU ART THE SINNER'S FRIEND
From: masato sakurai
Date: 20 Nov 01 - 03:39 AM
"Do, Lord, Remember Me" is also in Grissom, The Negro Sings a New Heaven (1930; Dover, 1969, p. 68; with music)[quoted in Jackson, White and Negro Spirituals, p. 165], and Odum and Johnson, The Negro and His Songs (1925; Negro Universities Press, 1968, p. 92). The version sung by Jimmie Strothers and Joe Lee is in Various Artists, Negro Religious Songs and Services (Rounder CD 1514).
George Pullen Jackson says, "A negro spiritual inspired by this song [Jesus, Thou Art the Sinner's Friend in the Sacred Harp (1844), the Southern Harmony (1835), etc.] is 'Lord, Remember Me'." (Spiritual Folk-Songs of Early America, 1937; Dover, 1964, p. 144). The first stanza with refrain (2x) is:
Jesus, thou art the sinner's friend,
As such I look to thee;
Now in the bowels of thy love,
O Lord, remember me.
O Lord remember me,
O Lord remember me;
Now in the bowels of thy love,
O Lord remember me.
~Masato
****
4.
Subject: Lyr Add: GOIN' TO OUTSHINE DE SUN
From: Dicho
Date: 10 Feb 02 - 09:09 PM
Lyr. Add: GOIN' TO OUTSHINE DE SUN
Well, my mother's goin' to heaven,
She's goin' to outshine the sun, O lord.
Well, my mother's goin' to heaven,
She's goin' to outshine the sun,
Yes, my mother's goin' to heaven to outshine the sun,
An' it's 'way beyon' the moon.
You got a home in the promise lan',
Goin' to outshine the sun, O Lord,
An' it's 'way beyon' the moon.
The crown that my Jesus gave me,
Goin' to outshine the sun, my Lord,
An' it's 'way beyond the moon.
Goin' to put on my crown in glory,
An' outshine the sun, O Lord,
'Way beyond the moon.
H. W. Odum and G. B. Johnson, 1925 (1976) The Negro and His Songs, p. 110, no music."
****
EXCERPT #5
From https://www.loc.gov/folklife/LP/NegroReligiousSongsL10_opt.pdf MUSIC DIVISION-RECORDING LABORATORY
FOLK MUSIC OF THE UNITED STATES
"Issued from the Collections of the Archive of American Folk Song
•• A. 1. DO, LORD, REMEMBER ME
A. 1. DO, LORD, REMEMBER ME
[Song and] banjo by Jimmie Strothers and Joe Lee... 1936*
[...]
BLIND Jimmie Sirothers learned his hearty minstrel style of gospel singing while traveling with a medicine [show. Joe Lee sings jubilee songs in truly spiritual fashion. Both have considerable showmanship. In the first selection Joe Lee beats two pieces of wire on the finger-board of the banjo, deftly avoiding the fingers of the player.*
For “Do, Lord, Remember Me" see Spiritual in Old and New by Edward Boatner and Mrs. Willa A. Townsend (Nashville, Tennessee, 1927), No. 54, and American Negro Songs by John W. Work (New York,1940), p. 82.*
[...]
DO,LORD,REMEMBER ME
CHORUS:
[Oh,] Do, Lord, do, Lord, Lord, remember m
Do, Lord, do, Lord, oh; Lord, remember me.
Hallelujuh!
Do, Lord, do, Lord, oh, Lord, remember me.
Oh, do, Lord, remember me.
1. Oh, when I'm in trouble,
Down on my knees,
When I was in trouble,
Lord, remember me.
Oh, when I'm in trouble,
Lord, remember me,
Lord, do, Lord, remember me.
2. Oh, when I am dyin',
Lord, remember me,
Oh, when I am dyin',
Lord, remember me,
Oh, when I am uyin',
Lord, remember me,
Oh, do, Lord, remember me.
Oh, I'm gonna take a little journey,
Lord, remember me.
I'm gonna take little Journey,
Lord, remember me.
Oh, I'm gonna take a little journey,
Lord, remember me,
Oh; do, Lord, remember me."
-snip-
*These portions have multiple misspellings. I rewrote them in this post without those misspellings to enhance their readability.
****
SHOWCASE YOUTUBE EXAMPLE: Mississippi John Hurt - Do Lord, Remember Me - field recordings
MyMoppet52, Published on Oct 3, 2014
This is from the 1963 field recordings of Thomas Hoskins when he first met Mississippi John Hurt after tracking him down through a 1920's song. Mrs. Hurt joins her husband in singing "Do Lord, Remember Me". Hurt didn't own a guitar, had not performed in years, had forgotten some of the words, AND had a sore throat that day the stranger showed up. He passed away in 1966, so all (but one recording) the wonderful music we have from him was made in 3 short years. The album, "Discovery: The Rebirth of Mississippi John Hurt" was made from tapes of March 1963, but released in 2011. Enjoy the first meeting of the musicologist and Mississippi John Hurt!
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Saturday, August 19, 2017
"This Little Light Of Mine" & Other Songs & Chants Heard At The August 12, 2017 Charlottesville, Va. Counterprotest Rally & Marches
Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post documents the performance of the Gospel song "This Little Light Of Mine" and other songs and chants that were sung or chanted to protest the Neo-Nazi, White nationalist march in Charlottesville, Virginia (August 12, 2017).
This post is part of an ongoing pancocojams series on protests songs and chants. Click the "African American protest chants" and the "protest songs and chants" tags for other pancocojams posts in this series.
The content of this post is presented for historical and cultural purposes.
Thanks to all those who have worked and those who are now working for equality and justice for all.
My condolences to the family and friends of Heather Heyer and all others who have lost their lives or have been injured in the Charlotteville, Virginia anti-racism protest marches.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/11/this-little-light-of-mine-information.html for a pancocojams post on the Gospel song "This Little Light Of Mine".
Here's a brief excerpt from that post from http://tincanland.wordpress.com/2011/02/14/let-history-shine-on-this-little-light-of-ours/
" "This Little Light of Mine was written in the 1920s as a song for children by a white northern pastor/music teacher, Harry Dixon Loes. Inspired by one or more of several Gospels which reference the Lord’s shining light, it became a staple of Sunday School teaching across the U.S.
It was in 1952 when The Ward Singers, legendary pioneers of the modern gospel sound, turned it into a ‘gospel’ song for adults. Soon after, Zilphia Horton adapted it further still and taught it to Pete Seeger (as she did with We Shall Overcome) and other folk singers of the 1950s. It became a Civil Rights anthem, generally assumed to be a symbolic old slave song from the south.
Not surprisingly, This Little Light of Mine can be performed in pretty much any manner you please. I’ve found over 30 distinct versions.
Some of the names will be familiar (Brenda Lee, Etta James, Neko Case, Odetta, Roger McGuinn, The Seekers, Sam Cooke, Son House)...
No matter who is singing, This Little Light of Mine remains a most powerful song of personal freedom, and no matter the style, some of the child-like jubilation and wonder found in that original children’s hymn still shines through every time."
****
ARTICLE AND BLOG EXCERPTS
These excerpts are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.
Excerpt #1:
From https://forum.astro.com/cgi/forum.cgi?num=1502594398/0 [page 1]
pisceskim
Re: White Supremacists Riot in Virgnia
« Reply #10 - on: 13.08.2017 at 10:46 [UT+1] »
..."I did hear, and the cameras captured, though, for a short time, some of the Ministers and Clergy who came to march peaceably, singing together; a gospel song, the riots and the violence overtook the song. Couldn't tell you what it was they were singing; they were overshadowed and out-rioted I guess"....
**
https://forum.astro.com/cgi/forum.cgi?num=1502594398/60
Mercurian
Re: White Supremacists Riot in Virgnia
« Reply #65 - on: Yesterday at 15:30 [UT+1] »[August 18, 2017]
"The first chart posted is meaningful and interpretations on this thread have been really interesting. For people in Charlottesville, though, the event actually began the night before. There was an important church service at St. Paul's Episcopal Church near the University of Virginia that was intended to inspire everyone to strong and peaceful witness against white supremacy the next day. It began at 7:30pm. It was an interfaith service with many clergy in attendance and the large church was so packed many people were turned away.
While that was happening, the Nazis staged a counter demonstration by marching with torches across the UVA grounds. When they arrived opposite the church in front of the symbolic Rotunda they surrounded a small group of UVA students, who were holding a banner that read, "UVA students against white supremacy." The Nazis threw lighter fluid at the students and hit them with their tiki torches. This was widely misrepresented in the media along the lines of "then the two groups ran into each other and fighting broke out." Katie Couric, who was there, tweeted a better picture of what happened: http://theweek.com/speedreads/718085/white-nationalists-march-chant-nazi-slogan- charlottesville
Meanwhile, in the church at the end of the service, people were told it wasn't safe to go out for a few minutes and then the police allowed them to leave only by the back door.
I'm not a mundane astrologer, so I wouldn't know how to create an event chart for that night, but that's when it all began.
On a more positive note, one reason I think it might be interesting to look at it from the church service is that I feel the events of the weekend have powerful spiritual potential. The clergy at the rally were singing, "this little light of mine," which seems prophetic now after more than 700 candlelit vigils for Charlottesville have been held around the world.* The candlelit vigil at the University of Virginia on the 16th, after Heather Heyer's** stirring memorial service, also conveyed a sense of peace and resilience."
-snip-
*I added italics to highlight this sentence.
**A Nazi-sympathizer drove his car into a crowd of anti-racism counter-demonstrators who were protesting the white supremacist rally, killing Heather Heyer and injuring more than a dozen others. That driver was later arrested and charged with second degree murder.
****
Excerpt #2
From http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/torch-wielding-white-supremacists-march-university-virginia-n792021
August 12, 2017 "Charlottesville White Nationalist Rally Violence Prompts State of Emergency" by Marianna Sotomayor, Phil McCausland, and Ariana Brockingtom
...."Supporters gathered in Emancipation Park Saturday morning in anticipation of a noon rally held by "Unite the Right." The aim of the rally was to protest the removal of a statue honoring Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. The park was formerly known as Lee Park.
State police and members of the Virginia National Guard surrounded the park after McAuliffe declared a state of emergency and the city of Charlottesville declared the alt-right protest an unlawful assembly — effectively cancelling the demonstration before its planned start time.
Later in the day, a car plowed into a group of counter-protesters, witnesses said. Charlottesville Police Chief Al Thomas said a 32-year-old woman crossing at an intersection was struck and killed, a suspected driver was arrested.
[..]
White nationalists, as well as apparent neo-Nazis and Ku Klux Klan members, were met in opposition by clergy members and other groups, who stood in a line singing "This Little Light of Mine" to drown out the profanity and slurs.*
"Love has already won. We have already won," the counter-protesters responded early Saturday.…
But as the violence intensified with shoving and punching, demonstrators covered their mouths after tear gas was apparently released into the crowd.
Two people were also treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries near Emancipation Park, the city of Charlottesville tweeted, as tensions flared with back-and-forth shouting and physical posturing.
A large group of counter-protesters wore black shirts and masks and carried shields, yelling to the white nationalists: "We have replaced you. Strong, united, interracial crew."...
-snip-
*I added italics to highlight this sentence.
In addition to Heather Heyer, two Virginia state troopers- H. Jay Cullen and Berke M.M. Bates -were also killed when their helicopter which was monitoring the protest crashed.
****
Excerpt #3
From http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/charlottesville-white-supremacist-rally-erupts-in-violence-w497446 "After Charlottesville Rally Ends in Violence, Alt-Right Vows to Return"
White supremacists and counterprotestors clashed in Virginia on Saturday, resulting in one death and dozens of injuries
By Sarah Posner, August 13, 2017
"In Charlottesville on Saturday, after the city council and Virginia governor declare a state of emergency and police disband the Unite the Right rally organized by white supremacists, I am following a growing group of demonstrators against the rally, who have begun marching east down Water Street, the southern perimeter of the city's historic downtown mall. Just a few blocks from Emancipation Park, where the white supremacist rally had been scheduled, the marchers appear nonviolent but raucous, chanting, "Whose streets? Our streets!" and holding signs like, "Nazi carpetbaggers go home."
Moments later, the crowd hears a loud, sharp thud. People start screaming and running north, up 3rd and 4th streets to Main Street, a seven-block pedestrian-only stretch of restaurants, shops, and bars.
[...]
On Saturday, Richard Spencer, the president of the white nationalist National Policy Institute, who popularized the term "alt-right" to describe a movement that advocates for a "white ethno-state," depicts the Friday night torch march as an "amazing, spectacular demonstration" (Steve Bannon, Trump's top strategist, has boasted that as head of Breitbart News, he provided "the platform for the Alt-Right.") The Alt-Right has marched with torches before, at a previous demonstration in Charlottesville in May. "I love the torches," Spencer tells Rolling Stone. "It's spectacular; it's theatrical and mystical and magical and religious, even."
[...]
Despite Spencer's claims that his group was attacked by members of Antifa, a loose, anarchist movement of anti-fascist protesters that has clashed with the alt-right in other cities, many of the rally opponents in Charlottesville were religious liberals, Black Lives Matter activists and others who showed up to protest racism and white supremacy. The visible religious presence includes clergy and congregants who march, offer people food and water, and set up space at the First United Methodist Church for people to seek respite. In the parking lot, people link arms and sing, "We Shall Overcome."*...
And while there were certainly Antifa protesters who carried sticks and clubs, others were not armed, and say they were attacked by white supremacists. Renee, who declines to give her last name, has a long, deep vertical gash on her forehead, which she tells me she received by being "clocked" by a wooden shield wielded by a "Nazi;" she describes a shield like the one carried by the Vanguard America group.
John Carico, and Antifa organizer from Chattanooga, Tennessee, who is with Renee, has for four years protested outside the annual meeting of American Renaissance, a white supremacist group that rents a rural Tennessee venue for its conference, says he was also attacked. He says his group was chanting, "no hate, no KKK, no fascist USA." The group that attacked them, he says, was chanting, "Jews will not replace us."
This weekend in Charlottesville appeared to be the largest – and most violent – public gathering the white supremacist alt-right has had thus far. But Trump, who reportedly thrills to chaos and conflict, can't muster the words to condemn racism, white nationalism, or the alt-right. No surprise there – he did the same thing during his campaign, winking and nodding with the Alt-Right through tweets, retweets, dog-whistling, and half-hearted disavowals.
In other words, Trump is the president he signaled he'd be – the one who emboldened the alt-right, and then stood by while they wreaked havoc on America.
-snip-
*I added italics to highlight that sentence.
“Antifa” = antifascists protestors
****
Excerpt #4:
From https://www.vox.com/2017/8/12/16138460/charlottesville-unite-right-rally-violence-protests
"Charlottesville Unite the Right rally: what’s happened so far"
Updated by Libby Nelson and Dara Lind Aug 12, 2017, 3:29pm EDT
"A planned Unite the Right white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, drew nationwide attention as neo-Nazis with torches marched on the University of Virginia campus Friday night and officials called for a state of emergency amid protests Saturday morning.
Many Unite the Right protesters wore white nationalist and Nazi paraphernalia, a militia arrived armed with heavy weaponry and some individuals wore Ku Klux Klan imagery. Former KKK leader David Duke attended.
Counter-protesters were out in force, too, chanting progressive slogans and singing civil rights-era songs.*
Police called the protest an unlawful gathering and attempted to disburse the white nationalists and counter protesters from a central location. Both sides began to march throughout Charlottesville, despite skirmishes and the use of tear gas.
Several counter-protesters were injured when a car rammed into a crowd of them marching through the streets. The car fled the scene.
The rally was ostensibly a protest against removing a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee from a Charlottesville park. From its original base of right-wing “patriot” groups, the rally started drawing a growing number of neo-Nazis — and become a flashpoint for a resurgent, outspoken white nationalism that drew strength from the campaign and presidency of Donald Trump.
[...]
Friday night, the night before the planned rally was scheduled to begin, a group of about 100 white nationalists marched on the University of Virginia carrying tiki torches and chanting Nazi slogans. Police dispersed the crowd, and one protester was arrested.
Saturday morning, the scheduled rally began at Emancipation Park, where white nationalists; counter-protesters, including church groups; and unofficial “militias” carrying weapons and dressed in camouflage assembled. Fights broke out between rallygoers and counter-protesters
[...]
Police declared the gathering an unlawful assembly. Not long after the rally began, Charlottesville declared a local emergency, and Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a statewide state of emergency. McAuliffe already had the state National Guard on standby, according to ABC News.
As the rally dispersed, white nationalist groups went on the march through Charlottesville, chanting anti-Semitic, anti-immigration, and racist slogans — including “one people, one nation, end immigration, according to the Washington Post’s Joe Heim. They targeted spectators specifically for abuse"...
-snip-
*I added italics to highlight these sentences.
****
Excerpt #5
WARNING: This post includes profanity in documenting White nationalist signage.
From https://www.indy100.com/article/charlottesville-virginia-far-right-protests-clergy-religious-singing-white-supremacists-7890176
Anti-racism protesters sing 'This Little Light of Mine' in front of armed white supremacists
Posted August 12, 2017 by Narjas Zatat in videos
..."Huffington Post reporter Christopher Mathias captured the moment counter-protesters held hands and sang ‘This Little Light of Mine’ to white supremacists marching by
Joe Heim ✔ @JoeHeim
Faith groups at Emancipation park singing "this little light of mine." White supremacists chanting 'blood and soil'.
9:31 AM - Aug 12, 2017
[embedded video]
The remarkable moment left a mark on people:
I'm Peachy. @rebmy75
Replying to @letsgomathias
I am so thankful for their strong presence. Hide it under a bushel ? No ! I'm gonna let it shine !! Amen !!
9:57 AM - Aug 12, 2017
[embedded video]
Many of the counter-protesters were clergymen and clergywomen:
12 Aug
Joe Heim ✔ @JoeHeim
Faith groups at Emancipation park singing "this little light of mine." White supremacists chanting 'blood and soil'. pic.twitter.com/EEs7HTKFwr
Follow
Sue Bingham @suebingham4
Love these clergy! All Respect.
10:18 AM - Aug 12, 2017"
-snip-
These two video clips are of mostly White protestors singing “This little light of mine”
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: How the Violence Unfolded in Charlottesville | The New York Times
The New York Times, Published on Aug 15, 2017
White nationalists and counterprotesters blamed each other and the police for the violence that erupted in Charlottesville, Va., on Saturday. Amateur video verified by The New York Times paints a picture of how the events led to one death and multiple injuries.
-snip-
The line of counterprotestors singing "This Little Light Of Mine" is occurs around .43 in this video
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This pancocojams post documents the performance of the Gospel song "This Little Light Of Mine" and other songs and chants that were sung or chanted to protest the Neo-Nazi, White nationalist march in Charlottesville, Virginia (August 12, 2017).
This post is part of an ongoing pancocojams series on protests songs and chants. Click the "African American protest chants" and the "protest songs and chants" tags for other pancocojams posts in this series.
The content of this post is presented for historical and cultural purposes.
Thanks to all those who have worked and those who are now working for equality and justice for all.
My condolences to the family and friends of Heather Heyer and all others who have lost their lives or have been injured in the Charlotteville, Virginia anti-racism protest marches.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/11/this-little-light-of-mine-information.html for a pancocojams post on the Gospel song "This Little Light Of Mine".
Here's a brief excerpt from that post from http://tincanland.wordpress.com/2011/02/14/let-history-shine-on-this-little-light-of-ours/
" "This Little Light of Mine was written in the 1920s as a song for children by a white northern pastor/music teacher, Harry Dixon Loes. Inspired by one or more of several Gospels which reference the Lord’s shining light, it became a staple of Sunday School teaching across the U.S.
It was in 1952 when The Ward Singers, legendary pioneers of the modern gospel sound, turned it into a ‘gospel’ song for adults. Soon after, Zilphia Horton adapted it further still and taught it to Pete Seeger (as she did with We Shall Overcome) and other folk singers of the 1950s. It became a Civil Rights anthem, generally assumed to be a symbolic old slave song from the south.
Not surprisingly, This Little Light of Mine can be performed in pretty much any manner you please. I’ve found over 30 distinct versions.
Some of the names will be familiar (Brenda Lee, Etta James, Neko Case, Odetta, Roger McGuinn, The Seekers, Sam Cooke, Son House)...
No matter who is singing, This Little Light of Mine remains a most powerful song of personal freedom, and no matter the style, some of the child-like jubilation and wonder found in that original children’s hymn still shines through every time."
****
ARTICLE AND BLOG EXCERPTS
These excerpts are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.
Excerpt #1:
From https://forum.astro.com/cgi/forum.cgi?num=1502594398/0 [page 1]
pisceskim
Re: White Supremacists Riot in Virgnia
« Reply #10 - on: 13.08.2017 at 10:46 [UT+1] »
..."I did hear, and the cameras captured, though, for a short time, some of the Ministers and Clergy who came to march peaceably, singing together; a gospel song, the riots and the violence overtook the song. Couldn't tell you what it was they were singing; they were overshadowed and out-rioted I guess"....
**
https://forum.astro.com/cgi/forum.cgi?num=1502594398/60
Mercurian
Re: White Supremacists Riot in Virgnia
« Reply #65 - on: Yesterday at 15:30 [UT+1] »[August 18, 2017]
"The first chart posted is meaningful and interpretations on this thread have been really interesting. For people in Charlottesville, though, the event actually began the night before. There was an important church service at St. Paul's Episcopal Church near the University of Virginia that was intended to inspire everyone to strong and peaceful witness against white supremacy the next day. It began at 7:30pm. It was an interfaith service with many clergy in attendance and the large church was so packed many people were turned away.
While that was happening, the Nazis staged a counter demonstration by marching with torches across the UVA grounds. When they arrived opposite the church in front of the symbolic Rotunda they surrounded a small group of UVA students, who were holding a banner that read, "UVA students against white supremacy." The Nazis threw lighter fluid at the students and hit them with their tiki torches. This was widely misrepresented in the media along the lines of "then the two groups ran into each other and fighting broke out." Katie Couric, who was there, tweeted a better picture of what happened: http://theweek.com/speedreads/718085/white-nationalists-march-chant-nazi-slogan- charlottesville
Meanwhile, in the church at the end of the service, people were told it wasn't safe to go out for a few minutes and then the police allowed them to leave only by the back door.
I'm not a mundane astrologer, so I wouldn't know how to create an event chart for that night, but that's when it all began.
On a more positive note, one reason I think it might be interesting to look at it from the church service is that I feel the events of the weekend have powerful spiritual potential. The clergy at the rally were singing, "this little light of mine," which seems prophetic now after more than 700 candlelit vigils for Charlottesville have been held around the world.* The candlelit vigil at the University of Virginia on the 16th, after Heather Heyer's** stirring memorial service, also conveyed a sense of peace and resilience."
-snip-
*I added italics to highlight this sentence.
**A Nazi-sympathizer drove his car into a crowd of anti-racism counter-demonstrators who were protesting the white supremacist rally, killing Heather Heyer and injuring more than a dozen others. That driver was later arrested and charged with second degree murder.
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Excerpt #2
From http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/torch-wielding-white-supremacists-march-university-virginia-n792021
August 12, 2017 "Charlottesville White Nationalist Rally Violence Prompts State of Emergency" by Marianna Sotomayor, Phil McCausland, and Ariana Brockingtom
...."Supporters gathered in Emancipation Park Saturday morning in anticipation of a noon rally held by "Unite the Right." The aim of the rally was to protest the removal of a statue honoring Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. The park was formerly known as Lee Park.
State police and members of the Virginia National Guard surrounded the park after McAuliffe declared a state of emergency and the city of Charlottesville declared the alt-right protest an unlawful assembly — effectively cancelling the demonstration before its planned start time.
Later in the day, a car plowed into a group of counter-protesters, witnesses said. Charlottesville Police Chief Al Thomas said a 32-year-old woman crossing at an intersection was struck and killed, a suspected driver was arrested.
[..]
White nationalists, as well as apparent neo-Nazis and Ku Klux Klan members, were met in opposition by clergy members and other groups, who stood in a line singing "This Little Light of Mine" to drown out the profanity and slurs.*
"Love has already won. We have already won," the counter-protesters responded early Saturday.…
But as the violence intensified with shoving and punching, demonstrators covered their mouths after tear gas was apparently released into the crowd.
Two people were also treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries near Emancipation Park, the city of Charlottesville tweeted, as tensions flared with back-and-forth shouting and physical posturing.
A large group of counter-protesters wore black shirts and masks and carried shields, yelling to the white nationalists: "We have replaced you. Strong, united, interracial crew."...
-snip-
*I added italics to highlight this sentence.
In addition to Heather Heyer, two Virginia state troopers- H. Jay Cullen and Berke M.M. Bates -were also killed when their helicopter which was monitoring the protest crashed.
****
Excerpt #3
From http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/charlottesville-white-supremacist-rally-erupts-in-violence-w497446 "After Charlottesville Rally Ends in Violence, Alt-Right Vows to Return"
White supremacists and counterprotestors clashed in Virginia on Saturday, resulting in one death and dozens of injuries
By Sarah Posner, August 13, 2017
"In Charlottesville on Saturday, after the city council and Virginia governor declare a state of emergency and police disband the Unite the Right rally organized by white supremacists, I am following a growing group of demonstrators against the rally, who have begun marching east down Water Street, the southern perimeter of the city's historic downtown mall. Just a few blocks from Emancipation Park, where the white supremacist rally had been scheduled, the marchers appear nonviolent but raucous, chanting, "Whose streets? Our streets!" and holding signs like, "Nazi carpetbaggers go home."
Moments later, the crowd hears a loud, sharp thud. People start screaming and running north, up 3rd and 4th streets to Main Street, a seven-block pedestrian-only stretch of restaurants, shops, and bars.
[...]
On Saturday, Richard Spencer, the president of the white nationalist National Policy Institute, who popularized the term "alt-right" to describe a movement that advocates for a "white ethno-state," depicts the Friday night torch march as an "amazing, spectacular demonstration" (Steve Bannon, Trump's top strategist, has boasted that as head of Breitbart News, he provided "the platform for the Alt-Right.") The Alt-Right has marched with torches before, at a previous demonstration in Charlottesville in May. "I love the torches," Spencer tells Rolling Stone. "It's spectacular; it's theatrical and mystical and magical and religious, even."
[...]
Despite Spencer's claims that his group was attacked by members of Antifa, a loose, anarchist movement of anti-fascist protesters that has clashed with the alt-right in other cities, many of the rally opponents in Charlottesville were religious liberals, Black Lives Matter activists and others who showed up to protest racism and white supremacy. The visible religious presence includes clergy and congregants who march, offer people food and water, and set up space at the First United Methodist Church for people to seek respite. In the parking lot, people link arms and sing, "We Shall Overcome."*...
And while there were certainly Antifa protesters who carried sticks and clubs, others were not armed, and say they were attacked by white supremacists. Renee, who declines to give her last name, has a long, deep vertical gash on her forehead, which she tells me she received by being "clocked" by a wooden shield wielded by a "Nazi;" she describes a shield like the one carried by the Vanguard America group.
John Carico, and Antifa organizer from Chattanooga, Tennessee, who is with Renee, has for four years protested outside the annual meeting of American Renaissance, a white supremacist group that rents a rural Tennessee venue for its conference, says he was also attacked. He says his group was chanting, "no hate, no KKK, no fascist USA." The group that attacked them, he says, was chanting, "Jews will not replace us."
This weekend in Charlottesville appeared to be the largest – and most violent – public gathering the white supremacist alt-right has had thus far. But Trump, who reportedly thrills to chaos and conflict, can't muster the words to condemn racism, white nationalism, or the alt-right. No surprise there – he did the same thing during his campaign, winking and nodding with the Alt-Right through tweets, retweets, dog-whistling, and half-hearted disavowals.
In other words, Trump is the president he signaled he'd be – the one who emboldened the alt-right, and then stood by while they wreaked havoc on America.
-snip-
*I added italics to highlight that sentence.
“Antifa” = antifascists protestors
****
Excerpt #4:
From https://www.vox.com/2017/8/12/16138460/charlottesville-unite-right-rally-violence-protests
"Charlottesville Unite the Right rally: what’s happened so far"
Updated by Libby Nelson and Dara Lind Aug 12, 2017, 3:29pm EDT
"A planned Unite the Right white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, drew nationwide attention as neo-Nazis with torches marched on the University of Virginia campus Friday night and officials called for a state of emergency amid protests Saturday morning.
Many Unite the Right protesters wore white nationalist and Nazi paraphernalia, a militia arrived armed with heavy weaponry and some individuals wore Ku Klux Klan imagery. Former KKK leader David Duke attended.
Counter-protesters were out in force, too, chanting progressive slogans and singing civil rights-era songs.*
Police called the protest an unlawful gathering and attempted to disburse the white nationalists and counter protesters from a central location. Both sides began to march throughout Charlottesville, despite skirmishes and the use of tear gas.
Several counter-protesters were injured when a car rammed into a crowd of them marching through the streets. The car fled the scene.
The rally was ostensibly a protest against removing a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee from a Charlottesville park. From its original base of right-wing “patriot” groups, the rally started drawing a growing number of neo-Nazis — and become a flashpoint for a resurgent, outspoken white nationalism that drew strength from the campaign and presidency of Donald Trump.
[...]
Friday night, the night before the planned rally was scheduled to begin, a group of about 100 white nationalists marched on the University of Virginia carrying tiki torches and chanting Nazi slogans. Police dispersed the crowd, and one protester was arrested.
Saturday morning, the scheduled rally began at Emancipation Park, where white nationalists; counter-protesters, including church groups; and unofficial “militias” carrying weapons and dressed in camouflage assembled. Fights broke out between rallygoers and counter-protesters
[...]
Police declared the gathering an unlawful assembly. Not long after the rally began, Charlottesville declared a local emergency, and Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe declared a statewide state of emergency. McAuliffe already had the state National Guard on standby, according to ABC News.
As the rally dispersed, white nationalist groups went on the march through Charlottesville, chanting anti-Semitic, anti-immigration, and racist slogans — including “one people, one nation, end immigration, according to the Washington Post’s Joe Heim. They targeted spectators specifically for abuse"...
-snip-
*I added italics to highlight these sentences.
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Excerpt #5
WARNING: This post includes profanity in documenting White nationalist signage.
From https://www.indy100.com/article/charlottesville-virginia-far-right-protests-clergy-religious-singing-white-supremacists-7890176
Anti-racism protesters sing 'This Little Light of Mine' in front of armed white supremacists
Posted August 12, 2017 by Narjas Zatat in videos
..."Huffington Post reporter Christopher Mathias captured the moment counter-protesters held hands and sang ‘This Little Light of Mine’ to white supremacists marching by
Joe Heim ✔ @JoeHeim
Faith groups at Emancipation park singing "this little light of mine." White supremacists chanting 'blood and soil'.
9:31 AM - Aug 12, 2017
[embedded video]
The remarkable moment left a mark on people:
I'm Peachy. @rebmy75
Replying to @letsgomathias
I am so thankful for their strong presence. Hide it under a bushel ? No ! I'm gonna let it shine !! Amen !!
9:57 AM - Aug 12, 2017
[embedded video]
Many of the counter-protesters were clergymen and clergywomen:
12 Aug
Joe Heim ✔ @JoeHeim
Faith groups at Emancipation park singing "this little light of mine." White supremacists chanting 'blood and soil'. pic.twitter.com/EEs7HTKFwr
Follow
Sue Bingham @suebingham4
Love these clergy! All Respect.
10:18 AM - Aug 12, 2017"
-snip-
These two video clips are of mostly White protestors singing “This little light of mine”
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SHOWCASE VIDEO: How the Violence Unfolded in Charlottesville | The New York Times
The New York Times, Published on Aug 15, 2017
White nationalists and counterprotesters blamed each other and the police for the violence that erupted in Charlottesville, Va., on Saturday. Amateur video verified by The New York Times paints a picture of how the events led to one death and multiple injuries.
-snip-
The line of counterprotestors singing "This Little Light Of Mine" is occurs around .43 in this video
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