The R&B Song "Fever" And Several Black Greek Letter Organizations' Song "Zoom Zoom Zoom"

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest Updat- January 29, 2024

This pancocojams post presents information about the late 1950s R&B song "Fever".

This post showcases a rendition of "Fever" by Little Willie John and a rendition of this song by Peggy Lee. In addition, this post showcases four selected videos of the historically Black fraternity & sorority song "Zoom Zoom Zoom". 

Two of these videos showcase the version of this song that is sung by members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc..One video showcases a version of this song as sung by members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, and one video showcases a version of his song that is sung byf members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

I don't know if other Black Greek Letter Organizations sing a version of "Zoom Zoom Zoom".

The content of this post is presented for cultural, folkloric, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Eddie Cooley and Otis Blackwell, the composers of "Fever" and thanks to all those who are featured in this pancocojams post. Thanks also to all the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
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I consider fraternity & sorority songs and chants to be cultural artifacts which deserve to be collected, preserved, and studied. I also believe that fraternity & sorority songs and chants should only be recited and/or performed by those persons who are affiliated with the specific organization that is associated with that particular chant. As shown in this post, several Black Greek lettered organizations have songs/chants that include the refrain "Zoom Zoom Zoom".

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/03/examples-of-historically-black_39.html for a few text (word) examples of "Zoom" as sung by members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., and Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc. 

If you are aware of any examples of this song that are sung by any other historically Black Greek letter organization, please share that example or examples in the comment section below.

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE R&B SONG "FEVER"
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fever_(Little_Willie_John_song)
" "Fever" is a song written by Eddie Cooley and Otis Blackwell, who used the pseudonym "John Davenport". It was originally recorded by American R&B singer Little Willie John for his debut album, Fever (1956), and released as a single in April of the same year. The song topped the Billboard R&B Best Sellers in the US and peaked at number 24 on the Billboard pop chart.[1] It was received positively by music critics and included on several lists of the best songs during the time it was released.

It has been covered by several artists from various musical genres, most notably by Peggy Lee, whose 1958 rendition became the most widely known version of "Fever" and the singer's signature song. Lee's version contained rewritten lyrics different from the original and an altered music arrangement. It became a top-five hit on the music charts in the UK and Australia in addition to entering the top ten in the US and the Netherlands. "Fever" was nominated in three categories at the 1st Annual Grammy Awards in 1959, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year."...

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THE MUSICAL INSPIRATION FOR BLACK GREEK LETTER ORGANIZATIONS' VERSIONS OF "ZOOM"
I have no doubt that some of the tune and a few of the words of the Black Greek lettered songs "Zoom Zoom Zoom" are based on the hit late 1950s R&B song & Pop song "Fever". However, I'm not sure when those organizations first started singing their song and why they all use the title and words "Zoom Zoom Zoom". 

The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. song that is given below is an exception to how most Black Greek Letter Organizations that I have found use the words "Zoom Zoom Zoom" in their songs. The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity uses "zoom zoom zoom"  as a refrain and doesn't mention the word "fever".

Although the R&B song "Fever" was first recorded in 1956, I haven't found any BGLO examples of "Zoom Zoom Zoom" before the early 2000s. If you know of any examples of these songs before then, please share that information in the comment section below.

Here's a YouTube example of Little Willie John's 1956 record "Fever"

FEVER - Little Willie John - 1956



cdbpdx Uploaded on Jan 23, 2009
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Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fever_(Little_Willie_John_song) for more information about Little Willie John's recording of  "Fever".

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Here's a YouTube example of Peggy Lee's singing "Fever" in the late 1960s. .Peggy Lee's first recorded that song in 1958. 

Peggy Lee - Fever!



Gareth Miller, December 5, 2007
Fever!! A classic recording from the late 60's.Featuring Peggy with Max Bennett (bass) and Jack Sperling (drums).Written originally by Davenport and Cooley , Peggy added her own lyrics and the finger snapping and beat . Little Willie John released this in its original form a couple of years before Peggys version . Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peggy_Lee.for information about Peggy Lee's version of the song "Fever".

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INFORMATION ABOUT GREEK ORGANIZATIONS' VERSIONS OF "ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM"
"Zoom Zoom Zoom" is an example of a fraternity or sorority song that is performed by multiple Black Greek lettered organizations (BGLOs). To date, I've found videos and text examples of "Zoom Zoom Zoom" that are attributed to Alpha Psi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (A Phi A), and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (DST).

I've also found an online version of this song from Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., but I've not been able to find a YouTube video version of that organization's version of that song. It's also possible that other BGLO may have versions of this song. 

I have also found video examples and text of an Omega Phi Phi Fraternity, Inc. song that includes the refrain "zoom zoom zoom", although the song itself differs significantly from the other BGLO examples of the song "Zoom Zoom Zoom".

I'm not sure which fraternity or sorority was the first to sing or chant any composition entitled "Zoom Zoom Zoom" and I haven't been able to find any information about the dates that the examples of "Zoom Zoom Zoom" featured in this post were first performed. If you have any information about this Greek lettered song, please share it for the sake of the folkloric record.

Except for the word "zoom", historically Black Greek letter organizations' song "Zoom Zoom Zoom" aren't related to the American pop song "Zoom Zoom Zoom" whose words also include the line "You make my heart go boom boom boom". Nor are those BGLO "Zoom" songs related to the Brazilian Capoeira song "Zoom Zoom Zoom Mata Um". Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/04/zum-zum-zum-mata-um-videos-lyrics.html for a post on that Capoeira song.

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FEATURED VIDEOS
These videos are posted in no particular order.

Video #1: DST Delta Zeta Chapter 2009 [Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.]



Uploaded by iseeFLICKS on Sep 30, 2009

The Ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, Delta Zeta Chapter *& all that they do...

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Video #2: Zoom Zoom (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity)



Uploaded by KrystalMauri on Apr 3, 2010

Went on a college tour & this man KILLED it I think his name is Sergio or Monte idk but I know he killed it. Oh yeah, this was at CAU(my future college(hopefully))

Editor: The lead singer is identified as "Sergio". A video of Sergio singing this song is posted on Cocojams Fraternity And Sorority Chant page whose link is given above.

"Killed it" is African American slang for "really sang [it] well".

"CAU" is probably Clark Atlanta University.

For the sake of documentation, I'd love to add Siergio's last name to this post. If he or anyone else who knows it would send it in, I'd appreciate it.

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Video #3: Delta Theta "Zoom, Zoom, Zoom"



Uploaded by GorIIIaBLACK1906 on Dec 1, 2011

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated
Delta Theta Chapter (Texas Southern University)
5/2/11

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Example #4: Tell Me why? Omega Psi Phi pledge song Kevin McCall XAA FALL O6



Kevin McCall Uploaded on Nov 22, 2008

mE SINGIN THE SONG THAT HELPED ME SEE IT THROUGH ROO
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"Zoom Zoom Zoom" is used as the refrain for this Omega pledge song.

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Five Examples Of African American Spoken Word Poetry

Edited by Azizi Powell

Updated: November 29, 2019

This pancocojams post showcases five videos of African American spoken word poetry from the USA. Links to the words for four of these poems are provided in this post.

The content of this post is presented for educational, historical, folkloric, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes. The copyrights remain with their owners.

My thanks to the spoken word artists, the musicians featured on some of these videos, and the producers & uploaders of these videos.

Enjoy and be inspired!

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FEATURED VIDEOS

Video #1: Gil Scott Heron - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised



lanklan, Jul 9, 2009

Gil Scott Heron - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
Pieces of a Man (1971)
Flying Dutchman/RCA - New York

Johnny Pate - conductor
Brian Jackson - piano
Ron Carter - bass
Pretty Purdie - drums
Burt Jones - electric guitar
Hubert Laws - flute, saxophone

[...]

pmThe Revolution Will Not Be Televised
Artist: Gil Scott-Heron
Album" The Revolution Will Not Be Televised / Home Is Where the Hatred Is
Writers: Gil Scott‐Heron
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Here's a note from the summary for the sound file that was originally embedded in this post:
"Gil Scott-Heron - The Revolution Will Not Be Televised... (RIP Gil) track 7 from The Soul of the Black Panther Era Vol 1; originally from his 1970 album, Small Talk at 125th and Lenox"

-snip-

Click http://www.gilscottheron.com/lyrevol.html for the words to this spoken word poem.

Also click
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Revolution_Will_Not_Be_Televised for more information on this spoken word composition.

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Video #2: Last Poets - Blessed are those who struggle



Uploaded by freein2339 on Dec 5, 2008

The Last Poets with Bernard Purdie...from the LP "Delights Of The Garden"...This is the tune "Blessed Are Those Who Struggle"..

Written by Suliaman El Hadi

Voices: Jalaluddin Mansur Nuriddin Suliaman El Hadi Abu Mustapha

Bass, Guitar: Mann
Drums: Bernard Purdie
Conga: Abu Mustapha Suliaman El Hadi
Percusion: Jalaluddin Mansur Nuriddin Suliaman El Hadi Abu Mustapha

This is a different lineup then the original "Last Poets"

The original Last Poets were formed on May 19, 1968 (Malcolm X's birthday), at Marcus Garvey Park (formerly Mount Morris Park, at 124th Street and Fifth Avenue) in the East Harlem neighborhood of New York City. The original members were Felipe Luciano, Gylan Kain, and David Nelson.

The group continued to evolve via a 1969 Harlem writers' workshop known as "East Wind." Jalal Mansur Nuriddin, Umar Bin Hassan, and Abiodun Oyewole, along with percussionist Nilaja, are generally considered the primary and core members of the group, as they appeared on the group's 1970 self-titled debut (contracted by noted Jimi Hendrix producer Alan Douglas) and, in various combinations, on subsequent releases. Luciano, Kain, and Nelson recorded separately as The Original Last Poets, gaining some renown as the soundtrack artists for the 1971 film "Right On!".

Umar Bin Hassan, and Abiodun Oyewole still perform under the name "The Last Poets".

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Click http://www.justsomelyrics.com/1346567/The-Last-Poets-Blessed-Are-Those-Who-Struggle-Lyrics for the words to this poem.

Also, click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M5W_3T2Ye4 for a video of The Last Poets' now classic spoken word composition "When The Revolution Comes".

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Video #3: 08. Blackalicious - Ego Trip by Nikki Giovanni (featuring Nikki Giovanni & Erinn Anova)



Neku Rau, Published on Sep 2, 2014

Nia
Track 8
1999/2000
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Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEyozH0EQqw for another uptempo version of this poem from the "Truth Is On The Way" album. Nikki Giovanni's poems in that album are spoken along with Gospel music. [embedding disabled].

Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/01/nikki-giovanni-ego-trippin-sound-file.html for the words to this poem.

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Video #4: Philip Allen Jr. - When I Became a Man



Uploaded by blacknblues on Oct 1, 2007

When I Became a Man spoken word video. To challenge and inspire men to put the games away, and be the powerful men of God he's called us to be...

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Click http://www.praverb.net/2009/08/philip-allen-jr-when-i-became-man.html for biographical information about Phillip Allen Jr.

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Unfortunately, I've not been able to find the words to this poem online, and I don't know if it is appropiate to transcribe & post those words here.

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Video #5:Sunni Patterson "We Know This Place"



Matthew Rosenbeck, Oct 15, 2006

Clip from live performance by Sunni Patterson
"We Know this place"
Spring 2006. New Orleans La
Produced by Matthew Rosenbeck
New Orleans La 2006
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The words to this spoken word composition can be found at http://www.democracynow.org/2007/8/31/the_resilience_of_the_people_is

Click http://www.sunnipatterson.com/#/bio/4519501310 for biographical information about Sunni Patterson.

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Black Churches Sing Old Dr. Watts Hymns

Edited by Azizi Powell

Go Down Moses - Mt Do Well



Uploaded by Hymnchoir on Aug 8, 2009

This post showcases five selected videos of Black churches singing Dr. Watts hymns. Two videos of the same song are provided for contrast. The lyrics for two of these featured songs are also included in this post.

The content of this post is presented for educational, historical, folkloric, entertainment, religious, and aesthetic purposes.

My thanks to persons shown in those videos and thanks to the uploaders of these videos.

FEATURED VIDEOS
Video #1: Go Down Moses - Mt Do Well
This video is presented at the top of this page.

"Recorded by RAM and KB in March 2001 at Mt. Do Well Baptist Church in McConnells, SC. Go to www.hymnchoir.org"

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The lyrics for this version of "Go Down Moses" are posted below.

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Video #2: I Love The Lord, He Heard My Cry



Uploaded by StampsMedia on Mar 1, 2011

Rev. Alphonso Bowens performs the classic call & response song, " I Love The Lord He Heard My Cry" filmed and recorded live in Greensboro, Alabama

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Video #3: Pastor T.L. James sings "Dr. Watts" [I Love The Lord, He Heard My Cry]



Uploaded by chj333 on May 3, 2009

Pastor T.L. James sings "Dr. Watts" in 1989 in Memphis, TN.

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Here's a viewer comment that contains the words to this version of this hymn:
chj333, 2009
"Call: I love the Lord He heard my cry.

Response: I-I love the Lord He heard my cry.

Call: And pitied every groan.

Response: A-n-d pitied e-v-e-r-y groan.

Call: Long as I live while trouble rise.

Response: L-o-n-g as I-I live while trouble rise.

Call: I'll hasten to His throne.

Response: I'll ha-asten to-o-o His throne.

Call: I-I love the Lord He bowed His head.

Response: I-I love the Lord He bowed His head.

Call: And chased my grief away.

Response: A-n-d chased my grief away."
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Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW3up6Sr65U for a contemporary version of this song by Whitney Houston & The Georgia Mass Choir.

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Video #4: Lord I Would Come to Thee



Uploaded by StampsMedia on Jan 1, 2010

The song Lord I Would Come to Thee as styled in this video is affectionately called within the African-American Church an Old Dr. Watts hymn. Old Dr. Watts hymns are sung in a slow, ornamental style, with each line being lined out by a leader before it is sung by the congregation.

Old Dr. Watts refers to Isaac Watts, an early 19th century English composer. Although these type hymns are fading from use in modern church services, Old Dr. Watts hymns enjoy a special place in the heart of the African-American church. Mourners Bench Records through its upcoming release Take Me Back to the Old Landmark hopes to preserve this part of the African-American heritage for future generations

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Video #5: When I Can Read My Title Clear



Uploaded by StampsMedia on Dec 27, 2009

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LYRICS FOR GO DOWN MOSES (Dr. Watts style hymn)
(from lyrics superimposed on video given as Video #1)

Go down Moses
Way down in Egypt land
You tell ol’ pharoah that I said to
Let my people go.

Let my people go
Let my people go
You tell ol’ pharoah that I said to
Let my people go
I’m going down to the river
I’m gonna stick my sword in the sand
I’m gonna shout my troubles all over
I done made it to the promised land
Let my people go
Let my people go
You tell ol’ pharoah that I said to
Let my people go
Would not be a sinner
I’ll tell you the reason why
I’m afraid my Lord would call me
I wouldn’t be ready to die.

Let my people go
Let my people go
You tell ol’ pharoah that I said to
Let my people go
Some say give me silver
Some say give me gold
But I say give me Jesus
To save my dying soul.
Let my people go
Let my people go
You tell ol’ pharoah that I said to
Let my people go
Weep like a willow
You can moan like a dove
But you can’t get to heaven
Lest you go by love.

I came to Jesus as I was
Weary worn and sad.
I found in Him a resting place.
And He has made me glad.

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Editor:
This version combines floating verses from African American spirituals with "standard" verses from Dr. Watts hymns.

Click http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Let_My_People_Go/ for the standard lyrics for the African American spiritual "Go Down Moses".

RELATED LINK
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/08/soulful-black-churches.html for a post that showcases the song "He Set Me Free" and three songs sung in the Dr. Watts style.

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Examples Of Traditional & Liturgical Music Of The Northwest Region Of The Cameroons

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases three videos of the traditional and liturgical music scene in the Northwest Region of the Republic of the Cameroons, West Central Africa.

Information about the Northwes Region of The Cameroons is also included in this post.

The content of this post is presented for educational, historical, folkloric, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes. The copyrights remain with their owners.

My thanks to all those who are featured in these videos. Thanks also to Manunga Studio 2 for publishing these videos on YouTube and thanks to Dr. Emmanuel Anyangwe Ngassa, who identified himself in 2012 as these videos' videographer.
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UPDATED on December 30, 2018: Three of these four videos were showcased in this post in 2012, but those copies are no longer viable. These videos have apparently been re-published later, and it appears that they were republished by the same people who originally published them.

I've added Part I of one of the videos (given as Video #3 below) and I've retained the summaries and 2012 note giving me permission to embed these videos. I also added a few comments from one of these video's discussion threads.

The original title for this post was "Traditional & Liturgical Music Of The Northwest Region Of The Cameroons."

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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE NORTHWEST REGION OF THE CAMEROONS
From http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwest_Region_(Cameroon):
The Northwest Province (since 2008 known as the Northwest Region) is the third most populated province in Cameroon. It has one major metropolitan city: Bamenda with several other smaller towns such as Wum, Kumbo, Mbengwi, Ndop, Nkambé, Batibo, Bambui and Oshie...

The population of the North-West Province is a conglomerate of many ethnic groups, comprising the native population and a significant proportion of immigrants from other provinces and from foreign countries, particularly Nigeria, with whom the province shares boundaries in the North and North-West. The native population comprises a variety of ethnolinguistic groups. However, the main ethnic groups are: Tikari, Widikum, Fulani, and Moghamo. The main languages spoken in the province include Mungaka, Bafmen, Oku, Lamnso, Ngemba, Pidgin English, Balikumbat,Papiakum, Moghamo, and Nkom. Colonial masters created administrative boundaries that cut across ethnic groups and cultures. As a result, parts of some ethnic groups now lie in different divisions and provinces. This is believed to be the cause of many land conflicts.

In the province, the social organisation recognises at its head a chief, also called the Fon. The Fons, who sometimes in their tribal area may be more influential than administrative authorities, are enthroned as the living representative of the ancestors.

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FEATURED VIDEOS
Video #1: Corpus Christi Procession Bayelle, 21.11.2010



Manunga Studio 2, Published on May 14, 2016

MANUNGA STUDIO invites you to a medley of christian songs melodically demonstrated by the Christians of the Bayelle Catholic Parish in Bamenda, Cameroon, West Africa, on November 21st 2010 during the procession of Corpus Christi. This film demonstrates the harmonious co-existence of different tribes and languages in Cameroon here exemplary showed by the Bayelle parishioners. All the songs and dances honour and praise Jesus Christ as the King.
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This same video was embedded in this 2012 pancocojams post with a different year and with the permission of its videographer, Dr. Emmanuel Anyangwe Ngassa. Here is Dr. Ngassa's reply on April 25, 2012 to my request to embed this video and two other videos in this Pancocojams post:
"I write to thank you very much for the interest shown to some of my work. I come from the Republic of Cameroon and I live and work in Germany. I started my video postings on Youtube because I saw a chance to make the rich and heterogeneous traditional and liturgical music scene in the North West Region of my country known to the world. Whenever I travel to Cameroon I carry along my video camera and shoot as many videos as possible which I later edit before posting them on the web. Your work is complementary to mine and I hereby give you the permission for the three videos as requested to be embedded on your blog in due respect of the international regulations for copyrights. This permission is revocable at any time...

I just returned from another trip to Cameroon and I have brought along some new footages which I will be uploading in due course.

May God bless you"

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Video #2: Fon's Dance Tabenken



Manunga Studio 2; Published on Apr 28, 2015

This video portrays the Fon's Dance from Tabenken in the NW Region of Cameroon. It's a royal dance.
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Pancocojams Editor's note (December 30, 2018) -This same video with the same title but a different "uploader" was embedded in this post in 2012. That video was published on YouTube on December 11, 2010 and its "uploader" was given as "GhanaStreet". Here's the summary that was given with that video:
"During the Corpus christi procession of November 21st 2010 at the Catholic Parish Bayelle in Bamenda in Cameroon a traditional dance group from TABENKEN in Donga Mantung Division of the North West Province performed the Fon's Dance. MANUNGA STUDIO presents some highlights here."
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Here are four comments from the discussion thread for the 2015 copy of this video:
1. lucie valey, 2018
"thanks alot for publishing something like this
i love seeing mu culture on line
i'm proud of it"

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2. DR KHALID REVENGE, 2018
"Im from louisiana in the united snakes we do this type of procession in new orleans"

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3. DR KHALID REVENGE, 2018
"Many people from republic of benin were brought to the americas in the 16th century particularly to haiti where their culture still is strong today love my afrikan heritage"

**
4. shalimaar444, 2018
"this is BAMILEKE. period!!"

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Video #3: Menang Dance from Bafut Part 1



Manunga Studio 2, Published on May 15, 2016

MANUNGA STUDIO presents the menang dance from the Kingdom of Bafut in the North West Province of Cameroon. This dance was performed on 28th December 2007 during a Cry die (Memorial Service) held at Small Babanki (Babanki Tungo) in Ngoketunja Division.
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Update: December 30, 2018: In the original 2012 pancocojams post, I included a link to Part I of this video instead of embedding it.

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Video #4: Menang Dance from Bafut Part 2



Manunga Studio 2, Published on May 15, 2016

MANUNGA STUDIO presents the Menang dance from the Kingdom of Bafut in the North West Province of Cameroon. This dance was performed on 28th December 2007 during a Cry die (Memorial Service) held at Small Babanki (Babanki Tungo) in Ngoketunja Division.
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Update: December 30, 2018: The copy of this video which was originally embedded in this post had the title "Menang Juju Dance from Bafut Part 2". That copy of this same video was uploaded by GhanaStreet on Feb 4. 2011 with the same summary. that was given with that video:
"MANUNGA STUDIO presents the menang dance from the Kingdom of Bafut in the North West Province of Cameroons.
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Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fon_of_Bafut for information about Kingdom of Bafut and the Fon of Bafut.

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Slow Jamming The News - A Non-Political Analysis

Edited by Azizi Powell

Definition of "slow jamming" - a form of spoken word poetry in which social, political, and/or religious commentary is performed to the accompaniment of slow tempo or moderately tempo instrumental music.
-Azizi Powell

I first became aware of the term "slow jam the news" as a result of President Obama appearance on April 24, 2012 on a "slow jamming the news" segment of the American NBC television comedy/talk show Late Night With Jimmy Fallon".

As an African American with an interest in slang, I confess that I had no knowledge of the term "slow jam the news" before reading about that segment with President Obama. I knew that in African American vernacular, one meaning of "jam" is "a record" or "a song". And I knew that "slow jams" were R&B songs that have a slow or moderate tempo. But when did "slow jam" become a verb?

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WIKIPEDIA DEFINITION FOR "SLOW JAM"
Whoever wrote the Wikipedia page for the phrase "slow jam" agrees with my definition of that term:

"A slow jam is an umbrella term for music with R&B and Soul influences. Slow jams are commonly R&B ballads or downtempo songs. The term is most commonly reserved for soft-sounding songs with heavily emotional or romantic lyrical content.... The common use and possible origin of this term traces back to 1983 when Solar Records group Midnight Star recorded the song "Slow Jam" on their album No Parking on the Dance Floor."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_jam

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WHO COINED THE "SLOW JAM THE NEWS" PHRASE?
I'm uncertain who coined the phrase "slow jam the news". Maybe it was Jimmy Fallon, or maybe it was Tariq 'Black Thought' Trotter who leads the Late Night With Jimmy Fallon house band The Roots. That Hip Hop musician appears to be an integral part of that late night American show's slow jam the news" segment. Or maybe the phrase "slow jam the news" was coined by someone else who is associated with that show. It's also possible that the phrase "slow jam the news" originated elsewhere and was picked up by Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. However, if a person or persons associated with the Late Night With Jimmy Fallon show didn't actually coin the phrase "slow jam the news", that show certainly is responsible for popularizing that term.

The earliest online references that I've found for "slow jam the news" is March 2, 2009, the debut date for the NBC talk/comedy show Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Night_with_Jimmy_Fallon:

"The debut episode received mixed to negative reviews across the board and was considered to have "arrived needing plenty of work".... However, interaction with the show's house band, The Roots, was applauded and it was noted that "a bit in which Fallon sang a "slow jam" version of the news succeeded, in large part, thanks to Roots' typically taut playing and singer Tariq 'Black Thought' Trotter's impeccable voice and surprisingly good comic timing."
-snip-
Special guest Brian Williams, anchor of NBC Nightly News appears to be closely associated with the "slow jam the news" segment on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. Here's a link to a video of a Dec 16, 2010 "slow jam the news" segment that features Jimmy Fallon, Tariq Trotter, and Brian Williams: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbtm0S2Kxj4 "Late Nights:Obama's Tax Plan Gets Slow Jammed; Steele To Run For Second Term"

uploaded by NationalJournal on Dec 16, 2010

"Pres. Obama's deal with Republicans to extend the Bush-era tax cuts is too much for Jimmy Fallon to handle. Fortunately NBC "Nightly News" anchor Brian Williams steps in to help Fallon slow jam the news. Fallon, in slow jam: "Democrats say Obama can't satisfy their legislative desires 'cause he's gone soft. Is he cheating on them with the Republicans?" "
[embedding disabled by request]

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VIDEO OF PRESIDENT OBAMA SLOW JAMMING THE NEWS*
Jimmy Fallon and President Obama Slow Jams the News with The Roots



ABC News Published on Apr 25, 2012

President Barack Obama appears on the late night show to "slow jam" with host Jimmy Fallon.
-snip-
*This video was embedded on June 10, 2016 as another example of this video that I had embedded in this post is no longer available.

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A DESCRIPTION OF SLOW JAM THE NEWS SEGMENT
Since Late Night With Jimmy Fallon is a comedy/talk show, it's not surprising that "the slow jam the news" segments has comedic content & delivery. Those segments also has canned? audience laughter. But those segments also contain pointed political commentary.

The slow jam the news segments begin with this scripted introduction:
“I was going to make a joke about this news, but I don’t think it needs a joke. You know what I’m talking about, Tariq,” Fallon asks The Roots singer.

I think you’re saying you want to slow jam this news,” says Tariq.

“That’s right I want to slow jam the news. And I’m not the only one!”
-snip-
That comment serves as introduction for the main speaker (usually Brian Williams, anchor for the NBC Nightly News). Brian Williams is a very respected reporter, and participating in a comedy skit is definitely a departure from how he usually is seen on television.

The news focuses on a specific hot topic. That topic is "slow jammed" with accompaning instrumental music, and a call & response format that includes not only the lead speaker, but also two alternating respondents. Jimmy Fallon gives comedic spoken comments & interjections and Tariq Trotter sings his comments. The content is scripted and includes "in jokes" that refer to current social news as well as current political news.

Throughout the segment, the Roots band plays moderately slow instrumental music. The music sounds kinda jazzy to me.

At the end of the segment, the microphones are purposely dropped to the floor. This adds to the comic nature of that segment. It occurs to me that the great R&B singer James Brown used to drop his micropone like that. I wonder if that's where the idea for dropping the mike came from.

****
PRESIDENT OBAMA SLOW JAMS THE NEWS TRANSCRIPT & VIDEO
Without question, the Late Night With Jimmy Fallon segment of "slow jam the news" that has received the most attention to date is the April 24, 2012 appearance by United States President Barack Obama. (I'm sure that the April 24, 2012 date wasn't coincidental as it was a primary election day in a number of USA states. Reports about President Obama "slow jamming the news" surely took some of the focus away from Mitt Romney, the presumed Republican contender for the November Presidental election.)

Here's a news report and a transcript of that segment:
From http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/tv-column/post/jimmy-fallon-and-president-obama-slow-jam-the-news/2012/04/25/gIQAjrnJfT_blog.html:

Posted at 06:00 AM ET, 04/25/2012
Jimmy Fallon and President Obama slow jam the news
By Lisa de Moraes

"President Obama made his first appearance on Jimmy Fallon’s NBC late night show at UNC-Chapel Hill Tuesday night to slow-jam the news with Fallon and The Roots.

“You guys might have seen this in the news, but President Obama has asked Congress to stop the interest rate on Stafford student loans from going up this summer,” Fallon says early in the show.

“I was going to make a joke about this news, but I don’t think it needs a joke. You know what I’m talking about, Tariq,” Fallon asks The Roots singer.

I think you’re saying you want to slow jam this news,” says Tariq.

“That’s right I want to slow jam the news. And I’m not the only one!”

Curtain opens. Out walks Obama.

“I’m President Barack Obama. And I too want to slow jam the news!” says Obama.

Obama, taking the Brian Williams role, begins

PRESIDENT OBAMA: On July first of this year the interest rate on Stafford student loans, the same loans many of you use to help pay for college, are set to double. That means some hard working students will be paying about a thousand dollars extra just to get their education. So I’ve called on Congress to prevent this from happening. What we’ve said is simple: now is not the time to make school more expensive for our young people.

JIMMY FALLON: Oh yeah. You should listen to the President – or, as I like to call him, the Preezy of the United Steezy…Things are heating up inside of Congress’s chambers, behind all those closed doors. So the president made a few discreet calls across the aisle. He said ‘Hey, let’s get together on this one.” With college getting more expensive, is it enough by itself to satisfy all your collegiate needs? Ah, Pell no!

“If Congress doesn’t act it’s the student who pay. The right and left should join on this, like Kim and Kanye,” sings Tariq Trotter, aka Black Thought.

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Now there’s some in Congress who disagree. They say keeping the interest rate low isn’t the way to help our students. They say we should be doing everything we can to pay down the national debt. Well, so long as it doesn’t include taxing billionaires. But their position is that students just have to make this rate increase work. Frankly I don’t buy it.

JIMMY FALLON: Mmm-mmm-mmm! The Barackness Monster ain’t buying it. We all know our legislative bodies in the House, tossing and turning late into the night, but still Republicans disagree and could even filibuster. But, if they do, the president said, they’re gonna feel it, buster.

“The GOP is steady saying ‘No, no no!’ They should find something new to do like Tom Tebow,” sings Tariq."

****
OTHER "SLOW JAMMING" VIDEO EXAMPLES
I'll leave the discussion about the content of President Obama's slow jam the news segment to political commenters, except to say that "Yes, our President is cool" (in the most complimentary sense of the word "cool".)

As a self-professed community folklorist, my focus here is to document what certainly appears to me the contextual change in the term "slow jam" from a noun to a verb. "Slow jams" are still certain slow to moderate tempo songs, but people "slow jamming" can now mean more than playing, singing, dancing, or listening to slow songs. And apparently, other things besides the news can be "slow jammed".

Here's a comedic video of "slow jamming the announcements":

Miami HEAT Fan Conduct Announcement Slow Jammed



Uploaded by HEATGirlWonder on Nov 30, 2009

Jason Jackson and Dangerflow slow jam the NBA Fan Conduct Announcement. Ahhhhh yeahhhhhh.....
-snip-
I consider this video to be quite creative. The content was given in a call & response format with two participants- the lead speaker (caller) and a respondent (singer). The topic of the "slow jam announcement" was in a comedic/serious manner. I believe that thhe main speaker taking off his jacket towards the beginning of that segment was (another) nod to the Godfather of Soul James Brown. I don't know what ratings Miami Heats fans gave that video, but I'd give it five stars (the highest rating in the YouTube video rating system that has been retired for at least a year now).

And "slow jamming the news" isn't just limited to the United States. I've found several YouTube videos of a Dutch program with a "slow jam the news segment. (The only way I knew that people were speaking Dutch is that I googled the acronymn for those videos). Here's one example of those segments (re-posted with fingers crossed (in a manner of speaking) in hopes that the people aren't saying anything profane or rude (in the British sense of that word):

Slow Jam The News, DWDD, 16-02-2011



uploaded by nicodijkshoornnet on Feb 17, 2011

Onder muzikale begeleiding van Nico Dijkshoorn en zijn band Hankfive, bespreekt Joop van Zijl op ludieke wijze het nieuws. http://nicodijkshoorn.net/
-snip-
There appeared to be just two participants in that DWDD "slow jam the news" segment - the main speaker, and a second person who sang while playing the guitar. Unlike the Jimmy Fallon show, apart from introducing that segment, that progran's host doesn't appear to actively participate in the "slow jam the news" segment.

The Dutch segment appeared to contain some comedy as a small amount of audience laughter could be heard from time to time. Unfortunately, the only words that aren't in Dutch during those segments are the words "slow jam the news" and "the internet". I wonder how to say "slow jam the news" in in Dutch & I wonder why those words weren't said in Dutch. Btw, I recognized references to the then Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, but I didn't know what was said about him.

****
SOURCES & CONCLUDING COMMENTS
I believe that "slow jamming the news" and alternative examples such as "slow jamming the announcements" are forms of the performance art known as "spoken word".

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spoken_word:

Spoken word is a form of poetry that often uses alliterated prose or verse and occasionally uses metered verse to express social commentary. Traditionally it is in the first person, is from the poet’s point of view and is themed in current events...

Spoken word poetry originated from the poetry of the Harlem Renaissance and blues music.

Modern day spoken word poetry became popular in the underground African-American community in the 1960s with the Last Poets. The Last Poets was a poetry and political music group that was birthed from the African-American Civil Rights movement.

Spoken word poetry came more towards the mainstream in popularity a short time later when Gil Scott Heron released his spoken word poem The Revolution Will Not Be Televised on the album, Small Talk at 125th and Lenox in 1970.

In the late 1970s Los Angeles poet Wanda Coleman brought modern spoken word poetry into written form with the release of her poetry collection, Mad Dog, Black Lady in 1979 on Black Sparrow Press.

-snip-
With regard to spoken word originating in the Blues, here's an excerpt from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talking_blues about "Talking Blues":

A talking blues typically consists of a repetitive guitar line utilizing a three chord progression which, although it is called a "blues", is not actually a twelve bar blues. The vocals are sung in a rhythmic, flat tone, very near to a speaking voice, and take the form of rhyming couplets. At the end of each verse, consisting of two couplets, the singer continues to talk, adding a fifth line consisting of an irregular, generally unrhymed, and unspecified number of bars, often with a pause in the middle of the line, before resuming the strict chordal structure.

-snip-
Spoken word with musical accompaniment can be traced to the jelis/griot cultures of West Africa and elsewhere. In the United States & the Caribbean, spoken word also has its contemporary expression in Rap & Dancehall Reggae. Many Rap & Reggae recordings feature more than one speaker (rappers), a featured singer, and background music. It also seems to me that the call & response interaction of the Black minister, the congregation, the organist, pianist, and choir particularly toward the conclusion of the minister's sermon are expressions of the same group performance that is found in "spoken word" in general & "slow jamming the news" in particular. It's not just Black folks whose music and spoken words are performed in call & response patterns. But I don't think it's coincidental that that television show which features the "slow jam the news" segment has a young, hip African American musical group as its house band. That the house band's name is The Roots is an extra special nod from the Cosmos.*

My conclusion is that “slow jamming the news” is a form of spoken word poetry in which social and/or political commentary is performed to the accompaniment of slow tempo or moderately tempo instrumental music (usually jazz). At present, slow jamming the news appears to be performed with at least two people - a main speaker & a respondent who sings and/or makes pithy comments or jokes about what the main speaker said. And at present, slow jamming the news appears to always include comedic elements. It'll be interesting to see if "slow jamming the news" is ever done on television without comedic content & delivery. Too much comedic content & comedic delivery - including the use of certain accents & word pronounciations can be reminisent of minstrelsy.

Yes, we can move beyond minstrelsy in our performance art. More power to that idea. Let's get that jam on, slow or otherwise!

*From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Roots
"The Roots is an American hip hop/neo soul band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are known for a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which includes live instrumentals."

****
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Visitor comments are welcome.

"Paranaue" - Videos, Lyrics, & Meaning

Edited by Azizi Powell

Capoeira Paranaue Only the Strong HD



raniel britto - Published on Aug 9, 2013

****
This pancocojams post showcases two videos of the Brazilian Capoeira song "Paranaue". Lyrics for that song, and information about the meaning of those lyrics are also provided in this post.

The content of this post is presented for educational, historical, folkloric, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes. The copyrights remain with their owners.

My thanks to the performers, musicians, and video producers of these featured videos. Thanks also to the uploaders of these videos, the authors of the comments that are quoted.

Axe* to all capoeristas!

*Axe = Portuguese for the Yoruba (Nigeria) word "ase" [ashay] meaning power & blessings.

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF CAPOEIRA
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capoeira:

Capoeira... is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance and music. It was created in Brazil mainly by descendants of African slaves with Brazilian native influences , probably beginning in the 16th century. It is known by quick and complex moves, using mainly power, speed, and leverage for leg sweeps...

More than a fighting style, it was created as a hope of survival, a tool with which an escaped slave, completely unequipped, could survive in the hostile, unknown land and face the hunt of the capitães-do-mato, colonial agents armed and mounted in charge of finding escapees.

-snip-
Capoeira songs feature the berimbau musical instrument.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berimbau:

"The berimbau... is a single-string percussion instrument, a musical bow, from Brazil. The berimbau's origins are not entirely clear, but there is not much doubt about its African origin, as no Indigenous Brazilian or European people use musical bows, and very similar instruments are played in the southern parts of Africa."

Click http://www.jambalayah.com/node/1140 "Videos Of Traditional Musical Instruments A-C for videos of that instrument.

****
FEATURED VIDEOS

Editor: Both of these showcased videos include the version of "Paranaue" from the Capoeira movie "Only The Strong". That song was sung by Serapis Bey.

Video #1: Only the Strong - Capoeira - Paranaue

This video is presented at the top of this page.

"Paranaue" became known in the United States through the 1994 Capoeira movie "Only The Strong". Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Only_the_Strong for information that movie. The complete movie is posted on YouTube.

****
Video #2: Capoeira - Paranaue



Uploaded by PemBe55 on Jul 11, 2008

Capoeira is a combination of dance, ritual and martial arts that developed out of the Portugese trade of African slaves to Brazil the 16th century.

****
LYRICS & TEXTUAL ANALYSIS

From http://www.capsprings.com/Music/Lyrics.aspx:

Paranaue, paranaue, parana
Vou me embora enquanto e cedo
que a noite tenho medo!

Parana Paranaue, paranaue, parana
Mulher pra ser bonita, parana
Nao precisa se pintar, parana.

Paranaue, paranaue, parana
A pintura e do artista, parana,
A beleza e Deus que da, parana.

English translation:
Paranaue, paranaue, parana
I'm leaving while it's early
because at night I'm afraid!

Parana Paranaue, paranaue, parana
for a woman to be beautiful, parana
she doesn't need to paint herself, parana.

Paranaue, paranaue, parana
A painting is by an artist, parana,
Beauty is given by God, parana.

**
"Parana is the name of a state in Brazil. It has come to represent freedom and is used symbolically in many capoeira songs. Aruande and Luanda (the capital of Angola) are often used similarly representing freedom, or even heaven, and often carry a feeling of nostalgia. Of course this would be a common theme among slaves singing of desired freedoms. What types of freedom might modern capoeiristas be seeking?"

-snip-
Here's more information about why the Brazilian state of Paranaue symbolizes freedom:

From http://webpages.scu.edu/ftp/mmooney/music.htm:
"Songs are symbolic, calling on the gods of Candomble (an Afro-Brazilian religion) or elements of the natural world, citing historic locations and battles during slavery, or paying respect to famous mestres. Without an understanding of Portuguese and the history of capoeira and Brazil, it is difficult to understand the songs. One of the most beautiful songs is "Paranaue," a song commemorating the many capoeiristas who fought in the War of Paraguay to win their liberty from the Brazilian government."

****
From http://www.capoeira.com/community/forum/topic/Paranaue-song-lyrics...htm:

"Parana'e is one of these songs that are seen as a staple of trademark of Capoeira. Besides the usual chant (the one that says "E' Parana-e, parana, parana, parana-e, parana...", there are a few common verses used. Bear in mind, a lot of good capoeira singers also improvise during the song, based on what's happening in the roda or any particular situation related to capoeira.

Having said that, these are a few of the common verses (I used these a lot...):

Vou dizer minha mulher, Paraná
Capoeira me venceu, Paraná

Paraná ê, Paraná ê, Paraná

E bateu com o pé firme, Paraná
Isso não aconteceu, Paraná

Paraná ê, Paraná ê, Paraná

E Parana ê, Paraná
Paraná, Paranaguá, Paraná

Paraná ê, Paraná ê, Paraná
Vou me embora, vou me embora, Paraná
Como já disse que vou, Paraná

Paraná ê, Paraná ê, Paraná

Eu aqui não sou querido, Paraná
Mas na minha terra eu sou, Paraná

Paraná ê, Paraná ê, Paraná

Muito axe e salve!

...Verdugo."
- posted by pricansnowbrdr on 11/03/2005

****
RELATED LINKS
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/04/zum-zum-zum-mata-um-videos-lyrics.html for another Capoiera song "Zum Zum Zum Mata Um". Video #2 of that post also includes a sound file of "Paranuae".

****
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Viewer comments are welcome.

Capoeira Song "Zum Zum Zum" ("Zoom Zoom Zoom") videos, lyrics, & meaning

Uploaded by tyraj on Apr 20, 2008

Capoeira song entitled Zoom Zoom Zoom
Axe to all capoeristas from capoeirabrasil Poland

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest update - January 30, 2024

This pancocojams post showcases four videos of the Brazilian Capoeira song "Zum Zum Zum Mata Um" ("Zoom Zoom Zoom"). Lyrics for that song, and information about the meaning of those lyrics are also provided in this post.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, educational, and aesthetic purposes. T

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the performers, musicians, and video producers of these featured videos. Thanks also to the uploaders of these videos, the authors of the comments that are quoted.

Axe* to all capoeristas!

*Axe = Portuguese for the Yoruba (Nigeria) word "ase" [ashay] meaning power & blessings.

****
BRIEF OVERVIEW OF CAPOEIRA
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capoeira:
"Capoeira... is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance and music. It was created in Brazil mainly by descendants of African slaves with Brazilian native influences , probably beginning in the 16th century. It is known by quick and complex moves, using mainly power, speed, and leverage for leg sweeps...

More than a fighting style, it was created as a hope of survival, a tool with which an escaped slave, completely unequipped, could survive in the hostile, unknown land and face the hunt of the capitães-do-mato, colonial agents armed and mounted in charge of finding escapees."

**
From http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=pOUmRNnTBP0 [The YouTube viewer comment thread for the video labeled here as Video #1]
...capoeira was created by african slaves in brazil, not the USA. nonetheless, when capoeira started out it was meant to look like a dance so that the slave masters wouldn't try to kill the slaves, but that doesnt necessarily make it a dance...
-jameschatepa, 2011
-snip-
According to two commenters on the YouTube viewer comment thread for the sound file given here as Video #1, "Zum Zum Zum" is not that well known in Brazil, and "Paranaue" is the most popular Capoeira song. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/04/paranaue-videos-lyrics-meaning.html for a Pancocojams post that showcases videos & provides lyrics for & comments of the song "Paranaue".

"Zum Zum Zum Mata Um" became known in the United States through the 1993 Capoeira movie "Only The Strong" and through the 2000 Mazda car commercial which featured a version of that song. Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Only_the_Strong for information that movie. The complete movie is posted on YouTube.

Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfyTO8xLjvQ for the Mazda commercial that features a version of this song.

-snip-
Capoeira songs feature the berimbau musical instrument.

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berimbau:

"The berimbau... is a single-string percussion instrument, a musical bow, from Brazil. The berimbau's origins are not entirely clear, but there is not much doubt about its African origin, as no Indigenous Brazilian or European people use musical bows, and very similar instruments are played in the southern parts of Africa."

Click http://www.jambalayah.com/node/1140 "Videos Of Traditional Musical Instruments A-C for videos of that instrument.

****
FEATURED VIDEOS
Video #1:
This video is presented at the top of this page.

This song is sung by Serapis Bey.

****
Editor: Videos #2 & #3 feature the same Serapis Bey version of "Zum Zum Zum Mata Um" as Video #1. However, I'm also featuring those videos for their visual content.

Video #2: capoeira zum



Uploaded by marmol540yagami on Aug 12, 2007

weno es tes video

****
Here's a comment from that video's viewer comment thread http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=creOWJGnowo:
"zoom zoom zoom capoeira kills one. Its played when someone is about to get in trouble. the zoom means the sound of the berimbau and the sound of the fast kicks...search on the internet for full lyrics :) btw theres 2 songs mashed here, zum zum zum and Paranaue"
-rezZZzz, 2011

-snip-
The Capoiera song "Paranaue" begins at 2:26 of that video.

****
Video #3: zum zum zum - capoeira song (legenda-caption in Brazilian portuguese)



Uploaded by Alessandrobrs on Mar 1, 2009

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Video #4: Capoeira Mata Um (Zum Zum Zum) - Hardhouse Banton Bootleg



Uploaded by HardhouseBanton on Apr 11, 2011

Quick little something I found listening to some samba! Chopped it up, added bits n pieces and it sounded tuff lol!

Obviously its not an original piece, so all rights reserved to mr Jackson! Check it out! For more of my stuff check out my soundcloud!

http://soundcloud.com/hardhousebanton

****
LYRICS & TEXTUAL ANALYSIS
From http://www.capsprings.com/Music/Lyrics.aspx:

Portuguese version:
Zum, zum, zum,
Capoeira mata um!
Zum, zum, zum,
Capoeira mata um!
Onde tem marimbondo
Tem zum, zum, zum
Onde tem marimbondo
Tem zum, zum, zum

**
English translation:
Zum, zum, zum,
Capoeira kills one!
Zum, zum, zum,
Capoeira kills one!
Where there is a wasp
There is a zum, zum, zum
Where there is a wasp
There is a zum, zum, zum

**
"
Zum, zum, zum, describes both the sound of the berimbau, and the quick movements of the capoeiristas. The chorus responds "where there is a wasp there is a zum, zum, zum." In English we might say "where there is smoke there is fire!" Watch out, if you can hear the sound of the berimbau there is probably a capoeirista nearby."
-snip-
Here are several comments about the meaning of this song from the YouTube viewer comment thread for the sound file that is presented here as Video #1 http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=pOUmRNnTBP0:

it's 'bout some insects in the jungle

their bites are very dangerous... and when slaves were practicing capoeira they could hear 'zum zum zum' made by wings of these bugs passing by

so they had to kill it before it bite a man

and the song is about it
-oleyullah, 2009

**
yoo i hate when people say thats from the movie ONLY THE STRONG and from the mazda commercial.... that song has been around for more than 150 years...
-malandrodenwk, 2010

**
... They say "Capoeira mata um" and the zoom zoom zoom, hes not reffering to a knife, but to a "maribondo" which is a large brazilian fly that at times can be dangerous...
-malandrodenwk, 2009

****
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Visitor comments are welcome.

Two Archival Lindy Hop (Swing) Dance Videos

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post provides information about The Lindy Hop (Swing) and showcases two archival Lindy Hop (Swing) dance videos.

My thanks to Whitey's Lindy Hoppers, the choreographers, dancers, musicians, and producers of these film clips. Thanks also to the uploaders of these videos and the authors of the information that is quoted.

PART I: BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE LINDY HOP

The Lindy Hop is an American dance that evolved in Harlem, New York City in the 1920s and 1930s and originally evolved with the jazz music of that time. Lindy was a fusion of many dances that preceded it or were popular during its development but is mainly based on jazz, tap, breakaway and Charleston. It is frequently described as a jazz dance and is a member of the swing dance family.

In its development, the Lindy Hop combined elements of both partnered and solo dancing by using the movements and improvisation of black dances along with the formal eight-count structure of European partner dances...

Revived in the 1980s by American, Swedish, and British dancers, the Lindy Hop is now represented by dancers and loosely affiliated grass roots organizations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania

Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindy_Hop

-snip-
The name "Lindy Hop" is said to have been coined by Savoy dancer "Shorty" George Snowden as a referent to aviator Charles Lindberg, although the Hop dance was performed years before Lindberg's trans-Atlantic flight. Read about the history of the Lindy dance (Swing)on that Wikipedia page given above, including this quote from African American writer Langston Hughes:

As white people began going to Harlem to watch black dancers, according to Langston Hughes: "The lindy-hoppers at the Savoy even began to practice acrobatic routines, and to do absurd things for the entertainment of the whites, that probably never would have entered their heads to attempt for their own effortless amusement. Some of the lindy-hoppers had cards printed with their names on them and became dance professors teaching the tourists. Then Harlem nights became show nights for the Nordics.

Source: Langston Hughes (1940). The Big Sea. New York: Hill and Wang. - cited in Lynne Fauley Emery (1972). Black Dance in the United States from 1916 to 1970. National Press Books. ISBN 0874842034.

SELECTED VIDEOS

Video #1: Hellzapoppin' (1941) - Whitey's Lindy Hoppers w/ Dancers' Names - Harlem Congaroos



SwingcatVB, Published on Aug 10, 2012
Lindy Hop / Swing Dance scene from the movie - Hellzapoppin' - One of the top lindy hop swing dance scenes complete with aerials ever in the movies. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033704/
-snip-
Film Clip Description:
This scene depicts various Black employees spontaneously interrupting their work to play musical instruments & dance. When the Black men & women realize that they are being viewed by their White employees, they stop dancing & playing music, and return to their assigned work.

Were it not for racism, these dancers & musicians would have been the stars of the planned show instead of backstage laborers & other support people.

****
Video #2: Day At The Races Movie [swing dance scene]



Uploaded by themindstripper on Sep 1, 2007

The whole beautiful, inspiring dancing scene of Whitey's Lindy Hoppers.

-snip-
Film Clip Description:
The scene begins with a White pied piper figure [one of the Marx brothers who were stars of that movie] playing his flute for a White couple who ignore him. He then moves on to the barnyard where he interrupts Black girls jumping rope, and other Black children at play [The longest focus is of boys engaged in the lower class pastime of shooting dice. ]The children ask "Who dat man?" and answer "It's Gabriel!' (meaning the Biblical archangel) singing a Gospel tinged song.

Unlike the White couple who brush the pied piper off, the Black children and adults quickly drop what they are doing, form a circle and dance for the pied piper, and supposedly for themselves.

In my opinion, the set up for this dancing, and some of the antics found in the dancing displays and reinforces a prevailing White view at that time of Black people as coons, meaning immature, happy, care-free, non-threatening, and superstitous people who love to dance.

Click http://cocojams.com/content/comments-about-racism-movie-day-races to read a compilation of YouTube comments about whether the Whitey's Lindy Hoppers dance scene in the "Day At The Races" film is racist or not.

Also, for a largely non-dance related critique of this film clip and a non-dance related critique of neo-Swing in general, click http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2011/07/05/race-appropriation-lindy-hop-how-to-honor-our-heroes/ Race, Appropriation, & Lindy Hop: How to Honor our Heroes.

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OTHER RELATED LINKS
http://www.jambalayah.com/node/1146 African American Jazz Dances

This compilation post features videos of Jazz Dances such as The Big Apple, The Black Bottom, The Charleston, and more.

**
http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=knW1hGwmEXQ Gap Commercial - Khaki Swing

This 1998 commercial for The Gap stores feature White "Swing" dancers. Contrary to the uploader's comments, several viewers indicated that this commercial helped to occurred toward the end of the Swing dance trend (in the USA), and may have even helped to usher in the end of that trend (although there are still some people in the USA & elsewhere who are avid Swing dancers).

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Viewer comments are welcome.

Seven Jamaican Ska Music Videos (information, and examples)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post provides information about Ska music and showcases seven video examples of that music genre.

The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all the musicians, vocalists, and video producers for uploading these featured videos. Thanks also to the video uploaders.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT SKA
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ska:
"Ska... is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues. It is characterized by a walking bass line accented with rhythms on the upbeat. In the early 1960s, ska was the dominant music genre of Jamaica and was popular with British mods. Later it became popular with many skinheads.

Music historians typically divide the history of ska into three periods: the original Jamaican scene of the 1960s (First Wave), the English 2 Tone ska revival of the late 1970s (Second Wave) and the third wave ska movement, which started in the 1980s (Third Wave) and rose to popularity in the US in the 1990s."

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FEATURED VIDEOS
These videos are presented in no particular order.

Video #1: The Story of Jamaican Music - From Ska to Reggae - Part 1\2



Uploaded by ratajana on May 3, 2008

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Video #2: Reggae The Story Of Jamaican Music, Part 2



Uploaded by detroitreggae on Feb 13, 2011

A Music History education documentary

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Video #3: Ska Ska Ska Part 1 - A Regular Ska Session at the Sombrero Club in Jamaica - various artists



Uploaded by pablowkingstoned on Dec 24, 2008

This is ska,, there were little pieces of this film on you tube now its complete in 4 parts hope you like this one its a great documentary about a ska party in jamaica in that time at the sombrero club ..so if you want to learn how to dance the ska see this video ...on part 2 3 and 4 you can .see jimmy clif, the blues busters ,the maytals prince buster and some other artists doing there best to make a good video ,lots of energie introduced by byron lee ....enjoy!!!...

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Video #4: Ska Ska Ska Part 2 - A Regular Ska Session at the Sombrero Club in Jamaica - various artists



Uploaded by pablowkingstoned on Dec 24, 2008

This Is Ska Part 2 Live at the Sombrero Club in Jamaica...ENJOY!!!

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Video #5: The Skatalites - Live At Lokerse Feesten



Uploaded by quiquecr1984 on Oct 30, 2011
-snip-
Another video of this performance identifies Lokerse Feesten as in Belgian in 1997.

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Video #6: 100% EXPLOSIVE SKA MIX (16min) + tracklist



Eagles FanPublished on Dec 2, 2012

TRACKLIST

00:00 Toots & The Maytals - Broadway Jungle (aka Dog War)
01:12 Justin Hinds & the Dominoes - Carry Go Bring Come
02:07 The Wailers - Simmer Down
02:50 The Maytals - My Daily Food
03:41 Prince Buster - Madness
04:50 Jimmy Cliff - Miss Jamaica
05:45 Alton Ellis - Dance Crasher
06:30 The Wailers - Put It On
07:36 Tommy McCook & The Supersonic- Ska Jam
08:17 The Wailers - Go Jimmy Go
09:05 Baba Brooks - Portrait Of My Love
10:10 Millie Small - My Boy Lollypop
11:24 Byron Lee & The Dragonaires - Behold
12:31 Prince Buster - 30 Pieces Of Silver
13:32 Blues Buster - Donna
14:40 Byron Lee & The Dragonaires - Jamaica Ska

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Video #7: The Skatalites - Ska Boo Da Ba



JABLESPANOLPublished on Dec 22, 2013

The Skatalites - Ska Boo Da Ba
género : Ska
origen:Jamaica


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Thanks for visiting this page.

Viewer comments are welcome.

Borborbor Performances - Ghana & Togo, West Africa

Edited by Azizi Powell

[Revised April 1, 2015]

This pancocojams post showcases eight selected videos of Borborbor dance & music performances from the Ewe ethnic group of the West African nations of Ghana and Togo. This dance is also called "Bobobo Akpesse", "Bobobo", and "Akpessee".

The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, religious, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in this post. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the producers and publishers of these videos.

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INFORMATION ABOUT BORBORBOR
From http://www.bridgingdevelopment.org/culturepages/musicpages/borborbor.htm:
"Borborbor is the most popular style of recreational music in the Volta Region [of Ghana]. It links traditional drumming rhythms with proverbial lyrics that frequently include Christian themes. It is the ultimate blend of old and new. Borborbor is often played at celebrations and funerals. Borborbor drummers weave moderate beats while women dancers and singers revolve around them. Women singers carry two white handkerchiefs that they twirl in the air at the end of a drumming period. A bugle may be used to add spice to the music. There is usually one song leader who will sing the first line of a song and lead the people from one song to the next by combining the meanings of different songs in unique ways to evoke the spirit of the particular occasion. Everyone in the community may participate in these performances which usually begin at dusk and can continue well into the night and even until dawn. Borborbor dance is very suggestive and many boy-girl liaisons develop during these events."

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From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borborbor
"Borborbor is Ghanaian and Togolese traditional dance performed by the Ewes from mid Volta region of Ghana. The dance is specially performed during the festival of the chiefs and peoples of communities."
-Reference http://www.travel-to-discover-ghana.com/hogbetsotso-festival.html
-snip-
Here's that reference article [posted in full for folkloric purposes]
HOGBETSOTSO FESTIVAL
Hogbetsotso Festival is a festival of the people of Anlo in the Volta Region of Ghana. The theme behind this festival is to mark their journey from their former home in Togo, to their present settlement in Ghana.

The festival is a great time for the people, as this marks a great time in their history and is a time for settling disputes and getting to know each other.

ORIGIN:
History has it that before coming to their present settlement. The Anlo lived under a cruel and wicked ruler, King Agorkoli of Notsie, somewhere south of present day Sudan.

The Anlo people devised a way to escape from the town. They were led by a brave warrior known as the Red Hunter.

hogbetsotso-festival-celebration
The town [where] they were was fenced with a mud wall, so the Anlo women were told to pour water on one side of the wall anytime they had to dispose off any water.

This made the spot soft, and the people were able to break the wall and escape. To avoid being caught, they "walked backwards" so as to confuse their pursuers and even legend has it that “The Red Hunter” turned himself into a rat and walk over all their footprints to make them look old.

When they got to their present home, they created the festival Hogbetstso (Festival of Exodus) to mark this event.

CELEBRATION:
The festival has a host of other celebrations associated with it. There is a period of peace making. During this period, all outstanding disputes must be resolved. The aim is to bring the people together to live in harmony with each other.

There is also a general cleaning in the town. The whole town is swept, gutters cleaned, bushes are cleared and everywhere is kept clean. The cleaning which starts at the estuary of the Volta River, goes on until it reaches the Mono River in Benin.

This cleaning exercise is all inclusive and everyone in the town is supposed to take part. The people of Anlo believe that if they keep their surroundings clean, and they live in harmony with each other, no evil can befall.

They believe that their ancestors lived in harmony with each other all throughout their journey and that is what helped them to arrive at their destination. Therefore if they also want to be able to live in harmony, they must love one another. The cleaning continues for days until everywhere is well kept.

SUMMARY:
The highlight of the Hogbetsotso Festival celebration is a grand durbar of the chiefs and people of the town. There is drumming and dancing and merry making. The dancing is the most intriguing part, with the very popular “BORBORBOR” dance which is very intense and fun filled."
-snip-
I'm not sure from this passage if the "borborbor" dance is integrally associated with the Hogbetsotso celebration or is just a popular dance that is performed at that celebration.

The examples given below attest to the fact that borborbor (and its other names) is danced to religious and non-religious music.

Additional comments about this dance are included in the summary statements of the videos found below and in comments after those videos.

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FEATURED VIDEOS
These videos are presented in no particular order.

Video #1: Africana Bobobo Akpesse De Totsigan A Hedjranawoe Lome Togo Pourquoi Pas Sur



Uploaded by nestani365 on Oct 17, 2009
-snip-
Here are two viewer comments about this video from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2bf_sriWTA&feature=related:

"i love this dannce soooooooooooooooooo much can some on tell me what the dance is called please????"
-gbb3b, 2011

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"the name is AKPESSE South of Togo dance"
-nestani365l, 2011
-snip-
In this discussion thread I asked if "Borborbor", "Bobobo Akpesse", & "Bobobo" were the same. Marquange wrote on 12/27/2012 to confirm this.

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Video #2: Akpesse Bobobo - Dunenyo Bobobo , a Agomé-Kpodzi Kloto part1



Uploaded by Mawuakpe on Aug 3, 2010

Le 20/06/10 a Agomé Kpodzi dans la préfecture de Kloto au Togo , par le groupe Dunenyo Bobobo.
Regardez par vous meme

-snip-
Here are two viewer comments about this video from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH_Wj9rO1L8:
"Awesome!!!! I truly love this traditional African dancing, music, and unity of spirit the people show.
Can someone tell me what type of celebration it is. What is the topic of the song.
-ecmiddle1; 2011

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"@ecmiddle1 this is called bobobo. it is not a celebration.. this is what is done for fun in Togo"
loloremorem; 2012

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Video #3: Borborbor.AVI



Uploaded by LaurenLevine415 on Feb 22, 2010

I was very lucky to stumble upon this group of people in Ho, Ghana, who were dancing the Borborbor in their backyard-- which is a traditional Ewe cultural dance. It is usually performed after someone has died, and because many of the people are wearing black and red, the traditional funeral colors in Ghana, I suspect that this is the case.

The villagers were especially welcoming to me, even though I was by myself, and simply wandered into their yard uninvited. Many of them beckoned for me to join in, but I was shy and did not know the dance sequence. Instead, to chose to sit on the sidelines and film this video. I'm glad that I did, as it makes me smile each time I watch it.

-snip-

Here's an excerpt from a very informative post about borborbor in which the author takes the position that the color of the handkerchiefs used in this dance should always be white:
"A traditional Borborbor group consists of a pair of castanets, container rattles, small drums (vuvi), supporting drum (asivu), and a master drum (vuga) but many bands now use between two and four drums. The castanets go ”kor kor kor, kor kor kor”, in triple beat in almost all borborbor music. The smaller drums basically just keep the rhythm going. It is the bass drum that provides the distinctive borborbor sound. That is why the master drummer must be good. In a typical borborbor number, the lead singer may start alone or with the accompaniment of the castanets. The drums and the chorus follow after some singing. The interchange between lead singer and chorus go on for some time through different songs. Then the bugler blows his first two notes, usually drawing out the second one as long as possible (pa paaaaaa) whereupon the dancing girls will bend down (it is not called borborbor for nothing) adding some more styles to their movements. The master drummer will raise his act sometimes following the melody of the horn, at other times inter-lacing rhythmically with it. The bugler ends his long solo on a note that cues the lead singer to take up the singing again at the same time as the dancing girls will rise up, their white handkerchiefs fluttering in the air. I have seen a group use black and red handkerchiefs. That is ugly. It is an abomination that will be sternly frowned upon by the borborbor aficionados. Anything other than white handkerchiefs detracts from the purity of the dance..." Source: http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=201101

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Video #4: Dela Delali -Amenuveve



Uploaded by BIGDAVOLK on Dec 11, 2007

Gospel togolais de la reine, la doyenne
-snip-
I particularly love the way Dela Delali includes children in her videos. As an African American, I’m not used to seeing this type of dancing with religious songs. In the USA dancing like that is only reserved for non-religious music and would be frowned upon as sacrilege. But I realize that USA attitudes shouldn’t determine how other people combine music & dance.

Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/04/videos-of-toga-west-african-gospel.html for more videos of this vocalist.

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Video #5: Borborbor Troupe - Tema, Ghana



Uploaded by Ghanapedia on Feb 21, 2010

This clip shows a borborbor troupe near Tema, in January 2007. This was the day before I left Ghana, and the taxi driver I had used a lot in my travels offered to take me to meet his friends to perform for me, so I obliged. They played for about half an hour, most of which I filmed, and afterwards I gave them a donation so they could buy themselves some drinks afterwards.

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Video #6:[Ghana]Efo Senyo - Akpesse Borborbor - Ghana Denyigba /Etsome manya



Uploaded by Mawuakpe on Aug 23, 2010

Interprété par Efo Senyo . Extrait de l'album "Etsome Manya "
Sur cet extrait les morceaux : "Mega Tsidzi O , Ghana Denyigba , Dukplolawo , Etsome Manya "

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Video #7: Borborbor



EweDanceEnsemble Uploaded on Aug 14, 2011

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Video #8: Peki Venononyo borborbor group.mp4



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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcomed.

Sally Brown & Sally Sue Brown - Sea Shanty, Ska, & Blues Part II

Edited by Azizi Powell

This psncocojams post is Part II focuses on "Sally Brown" Ska and Blues songs. Part II of this series showcases videos of & lyrics for songs about "Sally Brown" from the Ska, and Blues genres.

Part I focuses on "Sally Brown" sea shanties. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/04/sally-brown-sally-sue-brown-sea-shanty.html for Part I. "Sally Brown" shanties are also given as "Shallow Brown" ("Shiloh" and "Challo").

Thanks to the known and unknown composers of "Sally Brown" songs. Thanks also to the singers, musicians, and the video producers, and video uploaders.

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PART II - SALLY BROWN & SALLY SUE BROWN

OVERVIEW OF SKA MUSIC
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ska:
"Ska... is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues. It is characterized by a walking bass line accented with rhythms on the upbeat. In the early 1960s, ska was the dominant music genre of Jamaica and was popular with British mods. Later it became popular with many skinheads."

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LYRICS [Ska]

SALLY BROWN
(Laurel Aitken)

She boogie, she boogie down the alley

Make me tell you about Sally Brown,
Sally Brown (x2)

Sally Brown is a girl in town
She don't mess around

Make me tell you about Sally Brown,
Sally Brown (x2)
Sally Brown is a girl in town (x2)
She don't mess around

Sally Brown is a slick chick
If you mess around with Sally
She hits you with ah coocoomaka stick
Ah coocoomaka stick
Ah coocoomaka stick (x4)
Hits you with ah coocoomaka stick
Ah coocoomaka stick
Coocoomaka stick (x4)
Hits you with ah coocoomaka stick

Make me tell you about Sally Brown,
Sally Brown (x2)

Make me tell you about Sally brown

sally brown is a girl in town
you don't mess around

Sally Brown is slick chick
If you mess around with Sally
She hits you with ah coocoomaka stick
Coocoomaka stick (x4)
Hits you with ah coocoomaka stick
Ah coocoomaka stick
Coocoomaka stick (x4)
Hits you with ah coocoomaka stick
Sally Brown, wickedest chick in town

Sally Brown (x2)
Sally, Sally, Sally
She boogie down the alley (x2)
What a Sally Brown (x2)

Make me tell you about Sally Brown,
Sally Brown (x2)

Sally Brown is ah girl in town
She don't mess around

Sally Brown is a slick chick
If you mess around with Sally,
She hits you with ah coocoomaka stick

Oh, and she hits you with ah boogie stick
Coocoomaka stick (x4)
Hits you with ah coocoomaka stick
Coocoomaka stick (x4)
Hits you with ah coocoomaka stick

Sally Brown
What ah gal in town
Sally Brown

Make me tell you about Sally Brown,
Sally Brown (x2)

Sally Brown is ah girl in town
She don't mess around
She don't mess around,
This chick is not ah boogie-yaga chick

Coocoomaka stick (x4)
Hits you with ah coocoomaka stick
Coocoomaka stick (x4)
Hits you with ah coocoomaka stick

She boogie, she boogie down the alley
What ah Sally Brown (x2)

Make me tell you about Sally Brown,
Sally Brown (x2)
Sally Brown is ah girl in town

Coocoomaka stick (x4)
Hits you with a coocoomaka stick
- Source: http://www.lyricsmania.com/sally_brown_lyrics_laurel_aitken.html with my revisions largely based on viewer comments from http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=SZk0HgG-TUU.

Corrections or additions are appreciated.

Editorial comments:
"She boogie down the alley" = "She dances down the alley (or street).
**
"Make me tell you" = "Let me tell you"
**
mess with = bother, make her angry
**
Here's the meaning of coocoomaka stick from http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=SZk0HgG-TUU:
"it is a club with prickles on it. did you watch the passion of the christ? use your imagination as to what it is. makka is the Jamaican (patois) word for prickle."
-ninjaguy3, 2010
**
chick = female
**
boogie stick = stick used to make music (to dance (boogie to), such as a dulcimer?, or a walking stick?
**
"This chick is not ah boogie-yaga chick" = She's not a girl to be played with (treated unfairly, treated ligthly, provoked, messed with.)
-snip-
With the exception of any racial references, the characterization of "Sally Brown" in the Ska song "Sally Brown" by Laurel Aitken is true to the traditional characterization of that woman in the 19th century Jamaican shanties with that title. [See Part I of this series for text examples.]

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"SALLY BROWN" [Ska Video]

Laurel Aitken - Sally Brown



Uploaded by OneSoundUk on Nov 10, 2010

"The godfather of ska performing despite illness in 2005 - taken from the dvd 'Laurel Aitken live at Club Ska 2005' - a fitting tribute to a proper legend"

-snip-
Instead of "she's a slick chick", in this version of that song, that line is "she's a sexy chick".

**
Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurel_Aitken for information about Laurel Aitken.

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BLUES SONG "SALLY SUE BROWN"
The Blues song "Sally Sue Brown" is another contemporary descendant of the 19th century shanty character "Sally Brown". "Sally Sue Brown" is composed by African American June [Junior] Alexander (Arthur Alexander) and recorded by him in 1960.

An Overview of Blues music
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blues:
"Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads. The blues form, ubiquitous in jazz, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll is characterized by specific chord progressions, of which the twelve-bar blues chord progression is the most common."

Click that link for more information about Blues music.

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INFORMATION ABOUT ARTHUR ALEXANDER
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Alexander:
"Arthur Alexander (May 10, 1940 – June 9, 1993) was an American country soul singer...

Alexander was born in Sheffield, Alabama. Working with Spar Music in Florence, Alabama, Alexander recorded his first single, "Sally Sue Brown", under the name of June Alexander (short for Junior), which was released in 1960 on Jud Phillips' Judd Records...

Alexander is the only songwriter whose songs have been covered by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan (who recorded "Sally Sue Brown" on his 1988 LP Down in the Groove.) "Go Home Girl" was also recorded by Ry Cooder on his 1979 album, Bop Till You Drop".

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"SALLY SUE BROWN" LYRICS
([June] Arthur Alexander)

Look who's back in town
Ain't nobody but Sally Sue Brown
All you boys better run for cover
If you don't a-wanna be a hearted broken lover.

See her in that very tight skirt
Got what it takes
Just to make you hurt
Don't you see by those big bright eyes
Prefer to treat her nasty and low down lies.

Makes no difference where she's been
I'm go in south and doin' them things again
Bake in a hot tub, down the line
I'd rather see you ruin this a-heart of mine.

I'll go see them come down my way
Like a fool you're gonna hear me say:
"I'll lay at your bed Sally Sue Brown
Please let me love you, baby
Don't put me down".

Makes no difference where she's been
I'm go in south and doin' them things again
Bake in a hot tub, down the line
I'd rather see you ruin this a-heart of mine.

I'll go see them come down my way
Like a fool you're gonna hear me say:
"I'll lay at your bed Sally Sue Brown
Please let me love you, baby
Don't put me down.
From http://www.lyricstime.com/bob-dylan-sally-sue-brown-lyrics.html; as performed by Bod Dylan.

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"SALLY SUE BROWN" VIDEO
(June) Arthur Alexander / Sally Sue Brown



Sophisticated Savage, Uploaded on Feb 25, 2010

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RELATED LINK
http://cocojams.com/content/sea-shanties-chanteys-neglected-area-black-history
Sea Chanteys- A Neglected Area Of Black History

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TRIVIA INFORMATION
"Sally Brown" is the name of the comic character Charlie Brown's sister. Who knows...She might be an actual descendant of the 19th century shanty character or the 20th century Blues & Ska character "Sally Brown". :o)

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My thanks to the composers of these songs. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the performers, and video uploaders of this song.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.