Edited by Azizi Powell
This post showcases two videos of the Gospel song "Afunumu Ba" by Celicia Marfo. [Ghana, West Africa].
Information about Cecilia Marfo is provided in this post along with comments about the meaning of this song's lyrics.
This post also includes a video of the 2011 Ghana Music Awards show when Cecilia Marfo won the award for Gospel Song of the Year.
Click http://l.fienipa.com/node/7446 for the lyrics to this song in the Twi language.
The content of this post is provided for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT CECILIA MARFO
From http://www.nyamesem.com/artists/C/17-cecilia-marfo?layout=grid
"Cecilia Marfo is a gospel musician from Ghana. She made a big splash on the Ghanaian scene in 2010 and received many nominations for the Ghana Music Awards in 2011...
Her first album is Faithfulness featuring the hit “Afunum Ba”."
**
From https://www.facebook.com/AFUNUMBA/info
"Biography
Cecilia Marfo is a female musician with a POWERFUL voice and is best known for her hit songs like, ‘Afunum Ba’ and "Mammire Angu"
Cecelia maintained her faith in Christianity and remained loyal to her church and church activities until Esther Smith heard her sing at a church program and she recommended her to a music producer,Clemce Recordz, who took interest in her music and invested in her when things were not going on well in her life."
**
From http://graphic.com.gh/archive/Entertainment-News/cecilia-marfo-gets-ready-for-big-worship-concert.html.
Cecilia Marfo gets ready for big worship concert on 20 June 2013
"Some call her ‘The Afunumu Ba Woman’ and others refer to her as the lady with many scarves but whichever nickname fans attach to her, Cecilia Marfo remains a supreme tower as far as gospel music is concerned in this country.
She is one of the artistes slated to perform at the Ghana Stands in Worship Concert on July 13 at the Accra Sports Stadium...
The multiple award-winning singer has since been at her regular music ministry in churches but is feverishly preparing to rock the Accra Sports Stadium at the much-anticipated worship concert.
She will perform alongside acts like No Tribe, Mary Ghansah and Miriam of MTN Hit-Maker fame. Also due to perform are foreign musicians including Donnie McClurkin, the three-time Grammy Award winner from America; the Nigerian-born Uche Agu and Mthunzi Namba from South Africa."
****
FEATURED VIDEOS
Video #1: CECILIA MARFO - AFUNUMU BA(Worship)
CEBEXM, Uploaded on Sep 15, 2010
ALBUM:FAITHFULNESS
****
Video #2: AFUNUMU DA BY CICILIA MARFO
Paul Ackah, Uploaded on Feb 17, 2011
-snip-
Selected comments from viewers of this video about this song's meaning are found below.
****
Video #3: GMA 2011 - Cecilia Marfo Wins Gospel Song of the Year
axxoprime, Uploaded on Apr 10, 2011
Afunumu ba wins gospel song of the year at the 12th Ghana Music Awards
****
COMMENTS ABOUT THE MEANING OF THE GHANAIAN GOSPEL SONG "AFUNUMU BA"
From http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xv9GGVp9RQ
(These comments are given in chronological order based on the year that they were posted on this YouTube video viewer comment thread, with the comments in the oldest year presented first. These comments are assigned numbers for referencing purposes.)
[2011]
1. blesseddivine
"I love this song..such a blessing and Cicilia is so beautiful...what does the song mean?"
**
2. JJ1234JOHNNY
"Afunuba I am royal in the Heavenly Kingdom......I love it God bless our GH Gospel music...Amen"
**
3. luckyandloved
"im not the best with Twi but i asked my mom and this is what it means up to the chorus..."a big opportunity has opened up for me so that i can also dance what God has said concerning me today it has finally come true! (afunumuba means a donkey's child, when Jesus asked them to untie the donkey so he can ride it? well thats what she's saying, she's saying a donkey's child finally he's untied my rope and has put me on my throne, in my right place now im royalty and i can inherit from heaven" "
**
4. eaamp
"Simply put: A great avenue has been opened to me that has made me worthy today What the Lord has said about me has come true today O colt today I have been let lose from my knot and have been seated among nobles I have become a royal, a royal who reigns in the Heavenly Knigdom I will sing to my God, I will proclaim His Name to all the nations He has rescued me from the pit of death and given me eternal life."
**
[2012]
5. adelyn35
"@ mydearwanted1 is in twi and I will brief it for you. She meant she was once nobody but God has made her somebody. With that she linked it to a donkey who was once tied but God released it and made it more precious like a royal. Good for nothing donkey but now a royal . That's the brief for that n I ope it will help you."
**
6. Nana Yaa Addo
"Afunum ba is a colt (baby donkey) and i believe most of us know about the famous colt that Jesus rode on the palm Sunday. Before the disciples released it, that colt was a 'nobody' and therefore tied and left outside; unworthy to be placed within the compound of the owner. However, Jesus chose it, removed its ropes and rode on it, making it worthy. If we remember the story right, people laid their cloth and palm branches for it and Jesus. God will lift you up. He is an on-time God."
**
[2013]
7. abenaappiah1
"Hello friends here´s the translation of this song of our sis Cecilia, its compares with the donkey whisch Jesus sat upon on Palm day. Its .says donkey now im free , now i have got the oportunity and got grace. what God has said about me now its comes true. Now i have become Royal in the kingdom of God, now i will sing to my God , i will tell the Word the Name of God, also telll the world he has saved me from death and given me life. that´s what the song says."
**
8. Blessina Light
"MEANING This song simply means God has rescued her from the bondage of the evil one and has install her in the midst of the Noble. Therefore she is no longer seen as a useless person and for this reason, she will sing to the lord and proclaim His name to the whole world about His Goodness and the hope of joining God in Heaven someday as a precious child. I hope this is Good enough?"
-snip-
Also, here's a comment from the viewer comment thread for the video given here as Video #1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ83b5y5Mnc
about how viewers can help support this artist:
bluemingle, 2011
"For those of you in the US, this album can be purchased at amazon.com. Either the CD or the mp3 or the individual mp3. each mp3 is $0.89. So for less than $1, you can get this song. I bought it and i'm lovin it."
****
Thanks to Cecilia Marfo for her musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
Thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
YouTube Viewer Comments About George W. Johnson's 1891 recording "The Whistling Coon"
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post provides twenty-five selected comments from a YouTube viewer comment thread about George W. Johnson's 1891 recording "The Whistling Coon".
This post also includes a soundfile of a 1902 Victor recording of "The Whistling Coon" by George W. Johnson.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
The selected comments are from "George Johnson - The Whistling Coon - 1891 (The first recording by an African-American)" which was uploaded Feb 2, 2009 by raresoulcom - embedding disabled by request http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVYHSlEssYY&list=RD6VtHBkV2dew
Hat tip to raresoulcom for posting the sound file and a lengthy summary about George W. Johnson and that song. An excerpt of that statement is presented below. Hat tip also to malkieshort for posting verses of the lyrics to that song in that viewer comment thread. Thanks also to victrolaman for publishing the 1902 recording of "The Whistling Coon" by George W. Johnson and thanks to Jim Dixon for transcribing the words to "The Happy Whistling Coon" and posting those lyrics on the Mudcat Cafe discussion thread whose hyperlink is given below.
I'm reposting these comments, in part, because I believe that some YouTube viewer comments can be interesting, informative, and worthy of archiving in & of themselves. I'm also reposting these comments on this blog because I want to help raise awareness about this record and I want to read about this record without wading through comments that contain profanity, racist language, racial arguments, remarks about contemporary music, and other problematic and/or extraneous content.
This compilation isn't meant to represent all of what I consider to be on-topic comments from that discussion thread. For instance, I haven't included comments that provide biographical information about George W. Johnson, and I haven't ncluded most of the comments that thank the uploader of that sound file for publishing it on YouTube.
Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_W._Johnson for information about George Washington Johnson (c. October 1846 – January 23, 1914).
Also, click 1http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=47100#3256251 for the lyrics of this song which were transcribed and posted on that folk music forum by Jim Dixon. As per the Library Of Congress, the words to "The Happy Whistling Coon" were written by Sam Devere and the music was composed by Sam Raeburn. The song was published in Boston: Oliver Ditson & Co., ©1889. Both Devere and Raeburn were White Americans.
****
FEATURED EXAMPLE: The Whistling Coon - George W. Johnson - Victor Grand Prize Record 1902
victrolaman, Uploaded on Sep 17, 2009
Here is the first African American to sing on Record, George W. Johnson and his famous song the Whistling Coon, from 1902 on Victor Record
****
EXCERPT OF THE SUMMARY PUBLISHED BY raresoulcom
"George Johnson's song Whistling Coon was one of the most popular of the Coon songs of the 1850-90s. While the records and the imagery that goes along with them are offensive, these are pioneering African-American recordings and songs. There are a number of virtually lost African-American songwriters from this period who tend to be left out of the Great American Song Book. Virtually none of these recordings are available today, although at one point 1 in 15 new records released by the major phonograph companies (Edison, Victor, Columbia) were coon music."...
STATISTICS REGARDING THAT SOUND FILE PAGE
As of 8:00 A.M. ET, November 30, 2013, there were 133,419 page views to the sound file of "The Whistling Coon" that was uploaded by raresoulcom. At that same date & time there were 337 comments [not counting my comment informing readers about this pancocojams post.]
FORMAT USED FOR RE-POSTING THESE COMMENTS
All of these selected comments are grouped according to the year that they were posted. These comments are presented in chronological order with the oldest year's comments presented first. In one case, I added a correction about information that was given in that comment. For referencing purposes, sequential numbers have been assigned to these comments.
DISCLAIMER
The opinions of these commenters are their own and may not be the same as my opinions.
SELECTED COMMENTS
from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVYHSlEssYY&list=RD6VtHBkV2dew
[2009]
1. SeanElGatoTelevision
"Nearly all recordings from this era were made on Edison cylinders and the only way to mass-produce recordings in this early format was as you describe: one at a time, ON THE SPOT and sung and played perfectly each time. The more familiar disc record had been invented just four years earlier in Germany but wouldn't be introduced for another four years in America."
**
2. Neurozumim
"Forgot to say the [George W. Johnson] major hit was The Laughing Song. That record outsold any other in the early days."
[2010]
3. fnersch
"For those interested in African American contributions to recorded music in the early years get the 2 CD set on Archeophone: Lost Sounds-Blacks and the Birth of the Recording Industry 1891-1922."
**
4. ferociousgumby
"I LOVE old sound recordings. They're spooky time machines that pull you back into another era. And yes, it was another time, with very different attitudes, that allowed a title like this, but those were the standards of the era.. Sound recording has improved just a tad, and so have our attitudes, I hope."
**
5. Lumotaku
"One things for sure this guy can whistle. I hate when people from the present keep trying to force their beleifs and assumptions on the past. It was a different time you would have to live there to actually know the people. the whole idea of studying the past is to see what we can lean from it not blanket condemn after all if these people didn;t exist none of us would be here."
**
[2012]
6. sauroid1
"The rascist aspects of course are offensive, yet this slice of American history is just a gem. To think that my great grandparents were young adults when this was recorded and that they probably knew of his work is just astounding. What a treasure, sad that most of Mr. Johnson's work is lost. I bet he did a lot of stage work also. 50,000 records sold for one of his songs must have been like a smash hit today. Thanks raresoulcom for sharing this."
**
7. Samoh Kul
"The first Black EVER recorded in history. They didn't know how to make duplicates back then. What you are hearing is a MASTER COPY. He made as many as 50 recordings a day - individually, with as many recording cones as possible close to his mouth. Singing the song over and over and over again. Some of his recordings sold as many as 50,000 copies - that's 50,000 originals."
**
8. clay pendleton
in reply to Samoh Kul
"Yes, this is a very important recording in the history of recorded music in general but even more so that it is the first known solo recording of a black singer. Although, there are a couple minstrel show wax cylinders featuring black artists that may be a bit earlier."
**
9. playerpianogal
in reply to clay pendleton
"I have a couple of those earlier wax cylinders, but still haven't repaired my cylinder player. As far as the song, it's a part of our history and is a reminder of how far we've come."
**
10. ronaldinhollew
"This is superb. Like one of the top comments said, it is like going back in time, because you never expect to find things like these. It's outstanding! The title just shows how far we've come."
**
11. vulnaviadraco
"How nice that someone has saved these early recordings. They are historical works regardless of their content and losing them would be disastrous.
**
12. Shylok Dread
"@liferasta1 interesting, a good post & of historical importance to african americans & politically correct people in general, p.s, i posted this in a facebook group about the history of black music but this has partly led to me being banned from the group, with me being branded as racist by white folks no less :/"
**
13. EmmetEarwax
"I am not clear on whether this was a cylinder record or a disk record. Both back in 1891 had lots of surface noise, and started with an announcer stating artist,title and company. If they recorded each disk record independently back in the 1890's instead of making a master stamper and pressing each one from that, then when did they start the latter, much less taxing process ?"
**
14. TheSanguineOne
"I can't imagine listening to this in 1891 and not wanting better quality... It would be difficult to understand without hearing live."
**
15. LiquidSoapMusic
in reply to TheSanguineOne
"it would have been better quality, it just degraded over time."
**
16. Shawn Borri
"The thing about cylinder records, they are historic time capsules that can't be "revised" they are history as it was, be it good or bad. George W Johnson was the first African American recording artist, and I think this is an amazing piece of history. The Edison Phonograph is such a well made machine, that I make over 1000 new ""wax" phonogram blanks and recordings per year, my total is 12300 of these kinds of records since 2000."
**
17. Kirke182
"This is a valuable recording because it came out as the irish jig piano craze was ending and ragtime was just getting started. And because the artist is black, it gives us a little window into what kind of stuff the black music consumers and performers were interested in. People get all wrapped up in the racist aspect which meant nothing to people back then and miss the cultural significance of this piece."
**
18. WT Gator
"This is just an amazing recording from 1891. It's racist, offensive and an important musical recording."
**
[2013]
19. TheSanguineOne
"In order to profit from the music, he wrote a catchy song for the period with common language of the day. It was an ingenious idea and wonderful for him and the Black community to gain a foothold in the music industry at its genesis."
-snip-
Correction: George W. Johnson didn't write this song. "The Happy Whistling Coon" was composed by two White Americans around 1889. Refer to the Mudcat Cafe hyperlink given above which includes a link to the Library Of Congress cover page for that song credited to Sam Devere and Sam Raeburn.
**
20. ncisducky4ever
"I find it awe-inspiring that this tune has been recorded 122 years ago and somehow survived to be heard today. As offensive as it may be, Mr. Johnson should be recognized by the music industry as a pioneer (that is if he hasn't been already) and if he hasn't, I certainly hope it isn't because of the coon songs because that was a different era where songs like that were not only the norm but acceptable and he, himself, sang them. Fascinating piece of American history. Thank you for uploading it."
**
21. andrew123456789739
"An important piece of culture history is archived here on youtube. Much gratitude to the original poster. So why are you people debating the merits of dub step and Drake? Comments sections baffle me."
**
22. Ramona Baker
"hmm, I believe I heard Ed Meeker sing this same song in 1917, I know all the lyrics, Interesting to find out that it's older than I thought it was."
**
23. phira360
"He drifted to New York in the 1870s and attracted small bits of money whistling on ferry boats for a living, which is how he was discovered and recorded." Whistling for him was working...
**
24. Skillet Chitlins
"Culture imposes its own rules to satisfy the zeitgeist (spirit of the day).
Labeling something as offensive while listing to a golden piece of history is how revisionism happens.
Please give George Johnson the credit he is due for being a credited talent who placed his performance on record using a brand new technology.
Johnson was a pioneer, it is unfair to him to superimpose anyone's attitude as an overriding issue to his accomplishments."
**
25. Ada Jones Murray Moe
"S. H. Dodley and Billy Murray recorded this song in 1911"
****
Thanks to all those who I've quoted in this post.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post provides twenty-five selected comments from a YouTube viewer comment thread about George W. Johnson's 1891 recording "The Whistling Coon".
This post also includes a soundfile of a 1902 Victor recording of "The Whistling Coon" by George W. Johnson.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
The selected comments are from "George Johnson - The Whistling Coon - 1891 (The first recording by an African-American)" which was uploaded Feb 2, 2009 by raresoulcom - embedding disabled by request http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVYHSlEssYY&list=RD6VtHBkV2dew
Hat tip to raresoulcom for posting the sound file and a lengthy summary about George W. Johnson and that song. An excerpt of that statement is presented below. Hat tip also to malkieshort for posting verses of the lyrics to that song in that viewer comment thread. Thanks also to victrolaman for publishing the 1902 recording of "The Whistling Coon" by George W. Johnson and thanks to Jim Dixon for transcribing the words to "The Happy Whistling Coon" and posting those lyrics on the Mudcat Cafe discussion thread whose hyperlink is given below.
I'm reposting these comments, in part, because I believe that some YouTube viewer comments can be interesting, informative, and worthy of archiving in & of themselves. I'm also reposting these comments on this blog because I want to help raise awareness about this record and I want to read about this record without wading through comments that contain profanity, racist language, racial arguments, remarks about contemporary music, and other problematic and/or extraneous content.
This compilation isn't meant to represent all of what I consider to be on-topic comments from that discussion thread. For instance, I haven't included comments that provide biographical information about George W. Johnson, and I haven't ncluded most of the comments that thank the uploader of that sound file for publishing it on YouTube.
Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_W._Johnson for information about George Washington Johnson (c. October 1846 – January 23, 1914).
Also, click 1http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=47100#3256251 for the lyrics of this song which were transcribed and posted on that folk music forum by Jim Dixon. As per the Library Of Congress, the words to "The Happy Whistling Coon" were written by Sam Devere and the music was composed by Sam Raeburn. The song was published in Boston: Oliver Ditson & Co., ©1889. Both Devere and Raeburn were White Americans.
****
FEATURED EXAMPLE: The Whistling Coon - George W. Johnson - Victor Grand Prize Record 1902
victrolaman, Uploaded on Sep 17, 2009
Here is the first African American to sing on Record, George W. Johnson and his famous song the Whistling Coon, from 1902 on Victor Record
****
EXCERPT OF THE SUMMARY PUBLISHED BY raresoulcom
"George Johnson's song Whistling Coon was one of the most popular of the Coon songs of the 1850-90s. While the records and the imagery that goes along with them are offensive, these are pioneering African-American recordings and songs. There are a number of virtually lost African-American songwriters from this period who tend to be left out of the Great American Song Book. Virtually none of these recordings are available today, although at one point 1 in 15 new records released by the major phonograph companies (Edison, Victor, Columbia) were coon music."...
STATISTICS REGARDING THAT SOUND FILE PAGE
As of 8:00 A.M. ET, November 30, 2013, there were 133,419 page views to the sound file of "The Whistling Coon" that was uploaded by raresoulcom. At that same date & time there were 337 comments [not counting my comment informing readers about this pancocojams post.]
FORMAT USED FOR RE-POSTING THESE COMMENTS
All of these selected comments are grouped according to the year that they were posted. These comments are presented in chronological order with the oldest year's comments presented first. In one case, I added a correction about information that was given in that comment. For referencing purposes, sequential numbers have been assigned to these comments.
DISCLAIMER
The opinions of these commenters are their own and may not be the same as my opinions.
SELECTED COMMENTS
from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVYHSlEssYY&list=RD6VtHBkV2dew
[2009]
1. SeanElGatoTelevision
"Nearly all recordings from this era were made on Edison cylinders and the only way to mass-produce recordings in this early format was as you describe: one at a time, ON THE SPOT and sung and played perfectly each time. The more familiar disc record had been invented just four years earlier in Germany but wouldn't be introduced for another four years in America."
**
2. Neurozumim
"Forgot to say the [George W. Johnson] major hit was The Laughing Song. That record outsold any other in the early days."
[2010]
3. fnersch
"For those interested in African American contributions to recorded music in the early years get the 2 CD set on Archeophone: Lost Sounds-Blacks and the Birth of the Recording Industry 1891-1922."
**
4. ferociousgumby
"I LOVE old sound recordings. They're spooky time machines that pull you back into another era. And yes, it was another time, with very different attitudes, that allowed a title like this, but those were the standards of the era.. Sound recording has improved just a tad, and so have our attitudes, I hope."
**
5. Lumotaku
"One things for sure this guy can whistle. I hate when people from the present keep trying to force their beleifs and assumptions on the past. It was a different time you would have to live there to actually know the people. the whole idea of studying the past is to see what we can lean from it not blanket condemn after all if these people didn;t exist none of us would be here."
**
[2012]
6. sauroid1
"The rascist aspects of course are offensive, yet this slice of American history is just a gem. To think that my great grandparents were young adults when this was recorded and that they probably knew of his work is just astounding. What a treasure, sad that most of Mr. Johnson's work is lost. I bet he did a lot of stage work also. 50,000 records sold for one of his songs must have been like a smash hit today. Thanks raresoulcom for sharing this."
**
7. Samoh Kul
"The first Black EVER recorded in history. They didn't know how to make duplicates back then. What you are hearing is a MASTER COPY. He made as many as 50 recordings a day - individually, with as many recording cones as possible close to his mouth. Singing the song over and over and over again. Some of his recordings sold as many as 50,000 copies - that's 50,000 originals."
**
8. clay pendleton
in reply to Samoh Kul
"Yes, this is a very important recording in the history of recorded music in general but even more so that it is the first known solo recording of a black singer. Although, there are a couple minstrel show wax cylinders featuring black artists that may be a bit earlier."
**
9. playerpianogal
in reply to clay pendleton
"I have a couple of those earlier wax cylinders, but still haven't repaired my cylinder player. As far as the song, it's a part of our history and is a reminder of how far we've come."
**
10. ronaldinhollew
"This is superb. Like one of the top comments said, it is like going back in time, because you never expect to find things like these. It's outstanding! The title just shows how far we've come."
**
11. vulnaviadraco
"How nice that someone has saved these early recordings. They are historical works regardless of their content and losing them would be disastrous.
**
12. Shylok Dread
"@liferasta1 interesting, a good post & of historical importance to african americans & politically correct people in general, p.s, i posted this in a facebook group about the history of black music but this has partly led to me being banned from the group, with me being branded as racist by white folks no less :/"
**
13. EmmetEarwax
"I am not clear on whether this was a cylinder record or a disk record. Both back in 1891 had lots of surface noise, and started with an announcer stating artist,title and company. If they recorded each disk record independently back in the 1890's instead of making a master stamper and pressing each one from that, then when did they start the latter, much less taxing process ?"
**
14. TheSanguineOne
"I can't imagine listening to this in 1891 and not wanting better quality... It would be difficult to understand without hearing live."
**
15. LiquidSoapMusic
in reply to TheSanguineOne
"it would have been better quality, it just degraded over time."
**
16. Shawn Borri
"The thing about cylinder records, they are historic time capsules that can't be "revised" they are history as it was, be it good or bad. George W Johnson was the first African American recording artist, and I think this is an amazing piece of history. The Edison Phonograph is such a well made machine, that I make over 1000 new ""wax" phonogram blanks and recordings per year, my total is 12300 of these kinds of records since 2000."
**
17. Kirke182
"This is a valuable recording because it came out as the irish jig piano craze was ending and ragtime was just getting started. And because the artist is black, it gives us a little window into what kind of stuff the black music consumers and performers were interested in. People get all wrapped up in the racist aspect which meant nothing to people back then and miss the cultural significance of this piece."
**
18. WT Gator
"This is just an amazing recording from 1891. It's racist, offensive and an important musical recording."
**
[2013]
19. TheSanguineOne
"In order to profit from the music, he wrote a catchy song for the period with common language of the day. It was an ingenious idea and wonderful for him and the Black community to gain a foothold in the music industry at its genesis."
-snip-
Correction: George W. Johnson didn't write this song. "The Happy Whistling Coon" was composed by two White Americans around 1889. Refer to the Mudcat Cafe hyperlink given above which includes a link to the Library Of Congress cover page for that song credited to Sam Devere and Sam Raeburn.
**
20. ncisducky4ever
"I find it awe-inspiring that this tune has been recorded 122 years ago and somehow survived to be heard today. As offensive as it may be, Mr. Johnson should be recognized by the music industry as a pioneer (that is if he hasn't been already) and if he hasn't, I certainly hope it isn't because of the coon songs because that was a different era where songs like that were not only the norm but acceptable and he, himself, sang them. Fascinating piece of American history. Thank you for uploading it."
**
21. andrew123456789739
"An important piece of culture history is archived here on youtube. Much gratitude to the original poster. So why are you people debating the merits of dub step and Drake? Comments sections baffle me."
**
22. Ramona Baker
"hmm, I believe I heard Ed Meeker sing this same song in 1917, I know all the lyrics, Interesting to find out that it's older than I thought it was."
**
23. phira360
"He drifted to New York in the 1870s and attracted small bits of money whistling on ferry boats for a living, which is how he was discovered and recorded." Whistling for him was working...
**
24. Skillet Chitlins
"Culture imposes its own rules to satisfy the zeitgeist (spirit of the day).
Labeling something as offensive while listing to a golden piece of history is how revisionism happens.
Please give George Johnson the credit he is due for being a credited talent who placed his performance on record using a brand new technology.
Johnson was a pioneer, it is unfair to him to superimpose anyone's attitude as an overriding issue to his accomplishments."
**
25. Ada Jones Murray Moe
"S. H. Dodley and Billy Murray recorded this song in 1911"
****
Thanks to all those who I've quoted in this post.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Friday, November 29, 2013
Mighty Sparrow - Yankees Gone (Jean & Dinah) sound files, lyrics, & comments
CanchozI, Uploaded on Sep 14, 2008
****
Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest Revision -May 20, 2023
This pancocojams post showcases Mighty Sparrow's Calypso song "Yankee Gone ("Jean And Dinah"). This post also includes information about Mighty Sparrow, information & comments about that now classic Calypso song, as well as portion of that song's lyrics & a link to the song's full lyrics.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, historical, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, historical, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Slinger Franscico (Mighty Sparrow) for his musical legacy. Thanks also to all those who I quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these sound files on YouTube.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/11/caribbean-patois-in-youtube-video.html for a clip of a video that includes an interview with Mighty Sparrow about "Jean And Dinah" and an early film clip of Sparrow singing portions of "Jean And Dinah". That post focuses on the use of Caribbean Patois in some viewer comments about that video.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT MIGHTY SPARROW
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mighty_Sparrow
"Slinger Francisco CMT (born July 9, 1935), better known as Mighty Sparrow, is a calypso singer, songwriter, and guitarist of Trinidadian citizenship. Known as the "Calypso King of the World", he is one of the best-known and most successful calypsonians. He has won Trinidad's Carnival Road March competition eight times, Calypso King/Monarch eight times, and has twice won the Calypso King of Kings title...
Slinger Francisco was born in the fishing village of Grand Roy, Grenada, West Indies on July 9, 1935. He moved to Trinidad with his mother, his father having relocated there in 1937.[1][2] He grew up in Port of Spain.[citation needed] He began singing as a small child, but his love of calpyso was discouraged while at Newton Boys Catholic School, where he sang in the choir.[1][2] At the age of 14 he joined a steel band comprising neighborhood boys, and performed with the band at Carnival.[1]
He received his performing name 'Little Sparrow' during his early career, as a result of his energetic stage performances:
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - Yankees Gone"(Jean and Dinah) The Mighty Sparrow
(Calypso Crown winner-Dimanche Gras 1956)
Glenroy Joseph, Published on Sep 14, 2012
In 1956 a young newcomer to the calypso scene won the calypso crown in his first appearance on the big stage.
From the 1956 Emory Cook album, Jump Up Carnival, here is the actual Dimanche Gras performance by the Mighty Sparrow of his winning calypso, "Yankees Gone."
-snip-
From http://www.africasounds.com/trinidad_calypso.htm
"Dimanche Gras is the Sunday before Carnival day and the official beginning to the carnival season which has been in full swing for days....
The [year's] King and Queen of Carnival and the Calypso Monarch are to be chosen on this night in Queen's Park. The event includes a pan competition as well but it is an opportunity to see the great practitioners of Calypso music in dramatic confrontation that is the draw that fills the stands."
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "JEAN AND DINAH"
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_and_Dinah
" 'Jean and Dinah' (When The Yankees Gon)is a calypso from Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean sung by calypsonian Mighty Sparrow that became an international hit in 1956. It was also his first of eight roadmarches. This calypso, Sparrow's first hit, commented on the large-scale prostitution that the bases once supported and the desperation of these prostitutes following the closure of many American military bases in Trinidad in the post-war period.[1]
-snip-
"Jean And Dinah" (1956)was the first of Mighty Sparrow’s eight road wins marches.
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roadmarch
"The Carnival Road March is the musical composition played most often at the "judging points" along the parade route during Carnival. Originating as part of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, the term has been applied to other Caribbean carnivals."
****
From https://genius.com/Mighty-sparrow-jean-and-dinah-lyrics Genius Annotation
COMMENTS ABOUT THE SONG "JEAN AND DINAH"
From http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20021127/ent/ent1.html
"Sparrow, the concerned Caribbean villager"
November 27, 2002 By Mel Cooke
..."Sparrow integrated concerns of nationalism into his music from the beginning of his recording career, which started with the immortal Jean And Dinah. He had 'words but no song' and, hearing jingles by other calypsonians on the airwaves, he was determined to do one himself. So the ambitious young lyrical Slinger did one and approached the largest company, as each jingle was sponsored by a particular business.
"I thought it was good, but after five attempts the owner of the place said 'no thanks', but we will give you two dollars for your trouble," Sparrow recalled.
However, Sparrow was totally entranced by the tune and when the Americans left the military base in Chaguaramas some time later, it was the foundation of Jean and Dinah.
"When they were here we could not get any girls. The girls were always meeting 'Joe' (as the US soldiers were called). Then when they decided to leave I wrote a song, Jean and Dinah," Sparrow said, going back in time musically and vocally, his voice going high and youthful as he sang, ending with:
'De Yankee gone
Sparrow take over now'"
****
From http://www.ecaroh.com/bmp/think/jeananddinah50.htm "'Jean and Dinah' turning 50" by Keith Smith
..."In July 2004 Keith Smith published ‘Jean and Dinah’ turning 50 “to acclaim not simply the singer [The Mighty Sparrow] but the song”. In this 2006 carnival season, we join in that acclaim to the calypsonian of the century.
...since the day following the night Sparrow sang "Jean and Dinah'' on that Savannah stage, calypso was never to be the same again, Sparrow remembering:
"I can see it as if it happening now. I got up there the night and I started to sing, the crowd, man, the crowd. From the first verse the stands were in an uproar...'', the good Dr Rohlehr, (Gordon, of course) writing for history (Calypso and Society in Pre-Independence Trinidad) that the topic (the Yankee withdrawal) "had been explored ad nauseam in the post-1945 period by Kitchener, Invader, Lion, Growler, Beginner and others. It was therefore remarkable that Sparrow was able to resuscitate it ten years later. It may be that the bitterness evoked by the presence of American soldiers as wealthier competitors in the skin-trade had outlasted them by a decade. It is, however, more likely that the calypso made its impact through the personality of Sparrow: his youth, vigour, confidence and the sense that he represented the newness of the time...Another reason for the popularity of "Jean and Dinah'' was the vitality and biting cynicism with which Sparrow was able to invest a worn-out theme. Consider the final stanza:
It's the glamour boys again
We are going to rule Port of Spain
No more Yankees to spoil the fete
Dorothy have to take what she get
All of them who used to make style
Taking their two shillings with a smile
No more hotel and Simmons bed*
By the sweat of thy brow shall thou eat bread.....
-snip-
“Simmons bed” a high quality type of mattress; From http://www.simmons.com/about “For over 140 years, Simmons has been introducing technological innovations to help the world sleep better… Today Simmons is one of the world’s leading names in bedding”…
I find this transcription interesting as that line is usually given as "No more hotel to rest your head".
Click http://www.elyrics.net/read/c/calypso-lyrics/jean-and-dinah-mighty-sparrow-lyrics.html for the complete lyrics to Mighty Sparrow's song "Yankee Gone" ("Jean And Dinah") that include that ending.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/11/caribbean-patois-in-youtube-video.html for a clip of a video that includes an interview with Mighty Sparrow about "Jean And Dinah" and an early film clip of Sparrow singing portions of "Jean And Dinah". That post focuses on the use of Caribbean Patois in some viewer comments about that video.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT MIGHTY SPARROW
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mighty_Sparrow
"Slinger Francisco CMT (born July 9, 1935), better known as Mighty Sparrow, is a calypso singer, songwriter, and guitarist of Trinidadian citizenship. Known as the "Calypso King of the World", he is one of the best-known and most successful calypsonians. He has won Trinidad's Carnival Road March competition eight times, Calypso King/Monarch eight times, and has twice won the Calypso King of Kings title...
Slinger Francisco was born in the fishing village of Grand Roy, Grenada, West Indies on July 9, 1935. He moved to Trinidad with his mother, his father having relocated there in 1937.[1][2] He grew up in Port of Spain.[citation needed] He began singing as a small child, but his love of calpyso was discouraged while at Newton Boys Catholic School, where he sang in the choir.[1][2] At the age of 14 he joined a steel band comprising neighborhood boys, and performed with the band at Carnival.[1]
He received his performing name 'Little Sparrow' during his early career, as a result of his energetic stage performances:
Your calypso name is given to you by your peers, based on your style. In the old days they tried to emulate British royalty. There was Lord Kitchener, Lord Nelson, Duke. When I started singing, the bands were still using acoustic instruments and the singers would stand flat footed, making a point or accusing someone in the crowd with the pointing of a finger, but mostly they stood motionless. When I sing, I get excited and move around, much like James Brown, and this was new to them. The older singers said "Why don't you just sing instead of moving around like a little Sparrow." It was said as a joke, but the name stuck. [3]After a couple of years he changed his stage name to 'Mighty Sparrow'. His first performance as a carnival singer came in 1954 with "The Parrot and the Monkey", and in 1956, Sparrow won Trinidad's Carnival Road March and Calypso King competitions with his most famous song, "Jean and Dinah" (aka "Yankees Gone", a song celebrating the departure of US troops from Trinidad).[5] Sparrow made his recording debut in 1956, with a live performance of "Yankees Gone" which was included in the album Jump Up Carnival in Trinidad.[5] His prize for winning the Calypso King title was $40.[ In protest of the small sum (the winner of the Carnival Queen beauty contest won $7,500), he wrote the song "Carnival Boycott" and attempted to organize other singers to boycott the competition.[5] About half of the singers followed, including Lord Melody.[3] Sparrow claims credit for succeeding improvements in the conditions of calypso and steelband musicians in Trinidad, as well as the formation of the Carnival Development Committee, a musicians' assistance organization.[6] Sparrow refused to officially participate in the competition for the next three years, but he continued to perform unofficially, even winning another Road March title in 1958 with "P.A.Y.E...
—Mighty Sparrow
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - Yankees Gone"(Jean and Dinah) The Mighty Sparrow
(Calypso Crown winner-Dimanche Gras 1956)
Glenroy Joseph, Published on Sep 14, 2012
In 1956 a young newcomer to the calypso scene won the calypso crown in his first appearance on the big stage.
From the 1956 Emory Cook album, Jump Up Carnival, here is the actual Dimanche Gras performance by the Mighty Sparrow of his winning calypso, "Yankees Gone."
-snip-
From http://www.africasounds.com/trinidad_calypso.htm
"Dimanche Gras is the Sunday before Carnival day and the official beginning to the carnival season which has been in full swing for days....
The [year's] King and Queen of Carnival and the Calypso Monarch are to be chosen on this night in Queen's Park. The event includes a pan competition as well but it is an opportunity to see the great practitioners of Calypso music in dramatic confrontation that is the draw that fills the stands."
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "JEAN AND DINAH"
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_and_Dinah
" 'Jean and Dinah' (When The Yankees Gon)is a calypso from Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean sung by calypsonian Mighty Sparrow that became an international hit in 1956. It was also his first of eight roadmarches. This calypso, Sparrow's first hit, commented on the large-scale prostitution that the bases once supported and the desperation of these prostitutes following the closure of many American military bases in Trinidad in the post-war period.[1]
-snip-
"Jean And Dinah" (1956)was the first of Mighty Sparrow’s eight road wins marches.
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roadmarch
"The Carnival Road March is the musical composition played most often at the "judging points" along the parade route during Carnival. Originating as part of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, the term has been applied to other Caribbean carnivals."
****
From https://genius.com/Mighty-sparrow-jean-and-dinah-lyrics Genius Annotation
MCSmarties, 2020
"Jean and Dinah, originally known as “Yankees Gone” was
Mighty Sparrow’s first international hit and won him the first of eight
Carnival Road Marches in 1956. The song comments on the large-scale
prostitution that the American military bases in Trinidad once supported and
the desperation of these prostitutes following the closure of many of these
bases in the post-war period."
COMMENTS ABOUT THE SONG "JEAN AND DINAH"
From http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20021127/ent/ent1.html
"Sparrow, the concerned Caribbean villager"
November 27, 2002 By Mel Cooke
..."Sparrow integrated concerns of nationalism into his music from the beginning of his recording career, which started with the immortal Jean And Dinah. He had 'words but no song' and, hearing jingles by other calypsonians on the airwaves, he was determined to do one himself. So the ambitious young lyrical Slinger did one and approached the largest company, as each jingle was sponsored by a particular business.
"I thought it was good, but after five attempts the owner of the place said 'no thanks', but we will give you two dollars for your trouble," Sparrow recalled.
However, Sparrow was totally entranced by the tune and when the Americans left the military base in Chaguaramas some time later, it was the foundation of Jean and Dinah.
"When they were here we could not get any girls. The girls were always meeting 'Joe' (as the US soldiers were called). Then when they decided to leave I wrote a song, Jean and Dinah," Sparrow said, going back in time musically and vocally, his voice going high and youthful as he sang, ending with:
'De Yankee gone
Sparrow take over now'"
****
From http://www.ecaroh.com/bmp/think/jeananddinah50.htm "'Jean and Dinah' turning 50" by Keith Smith
..."In July 2004 Keith Smith published ‘Jean and Dinah’ turning 50 “to acclaim not simply the singer [The Mighty Sparrow] but the song”. In this 2006 carnival season, we join in that acclaim to the calypsonian of the century.
...since the day following the night Sparrow sang "Jean and Dinah'' on that Savannah stage, calypso was never to be the same again, Sparrow remembering:
"I can see it as if it happening now. I got up there the night and I started to sing, the crowd, man, the crowd. From the first verse the stands were in an uproar...'', the good Dr Rohlehr, (Gordon, of course) writing for history (Calypso and Society in Pre-Independence Trinidad) that the topic (the Yankee withdrawal) "had been explored ad nauseam in the post-1945 period by Kitchener, Invader, Lion, Growler, Beginner and others. It was therefore remarkable that Sparrow was able to resuscitate it ten years later. It may be that the bitterness evoked by the presence of American soldiers as wealthier competitors in the skin-trade had outlasted them by a decade. It is, however, more likely that the calypso made its impact through the personality of Sparrow: his youth, vigour, confidence and the sense that he represented the newness of the time...Another reason for the popularity of "Jean and Dinah'' was the vitality and biting cynicism with which Sparrow was able to invest a worn-out theme. Consider the final stanza:
It's the glamour boys again
We are going to rule Port of Spain
No more Yankees to spoil the fete
Dorothy have to take what she get
All of them who used to make style
Taking their two shillings with a smile
No more hotel and Simmons bed*
By the sweat of thy brow shall thou eat bread.....
-snip-
“Simmons bed” a high quality type of mattress; From http://www.simmons.com/about “For over 140 years, Simmons has been introducing technological innovations to help the world sleep better… Today Simmons is one of the world’s leading names in bedding”…
I find this transcription interesting as that line is usually given as "No more hotel to rest your head".
Click http://www.elyrics.net/read/c/calypso-lyrics/jean-and-dinah-mighty-sparrow-lyrics.html for the complete lyrics to Mighty Sparrow's song "Yankee Gone" ("Jean And Dinah") that include that ending.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Caribbean Patois In A YouTube Video Viewer Comment Thread
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post is provides a list of seventeen clean [non-vulgar] Caribbean Patois [pronounced "patwa"] words or phrases that are found in the viewer comment thread for a video interview of Calypsonian Mighty Sparrow. That video which is found below also includes a film clip of Mighty Sparrow's performance of his hit song "Jean & Dinah".
Examples of comments that include those featured words & phrases are listed in this post along with what I think are the meanings of the words & phrases as used in the context of those comments. I've also included what I think is the standard American English "translation" for some of those selected comments.
Those examples also includes Patois grammatical constructs, although no editorial comments about that grammar is included.
MY COMMENT ABOUT YOUTUBE VIDEO VIEWER COMMENT THREADS IN GENERAL
Many YouTube comment threads include profanity, explicit sexual language, and other content that may be inappropriate. None of that content is included in the examples that are featured in this post.
Although I'm mindful that many YouTube viewer comment threads include profanity, racist comments, and other content that is very problematic, I find other comments in YouTube video comment threads to be interesting and/or informative. I also believe that some YouTube comments are worthy of archiving in & of themselves as documentation of the use of particular forms of vernacular language.
MY COMMENT ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR YOUTUBE COMMENT THREAD
I believe that this comment thread about a Mighty Sparrow video includes older and newer forms of Caribbean Patois. For example, I believe that "pickney" [meaning "child" is an example of an old Caribbean Patois word and "soundbwoy" ["soundboy"] is an example of a new Caribbean Patois word.
These selected comments also contain examples of internet/texting writing such as the abbreviated words "ppl" [people] and "tnt" [Trinidad], and the acronyms "lol" and "lmao". Other examples of internet/text writing that are found in some of these featured comments are the lack of or very capitalization and punctuation which resulted in run on sentences and words with added vowels (indicating enthuiasm or intensity, for example "tuneeeeee".)
****
DISCLAIMER
I don't consider myself an etymologist, but I am interested in the origin, meaning, and uses of words & phrases. I'm not from the Caribbean -although my maternal grandfather was from Tobago & my maternal grandmother was from Barbados.
The definitions that I've included in this post come from online sites such as http://niceup.com/patois.html "Rasta/Patois Dictionary" and http://www.bigdrumnation.org/dictionary_link.htm and from other online sites. An excerpt from one of those websites is included as an Addendum to this post.
Some of these definitions and sentence "translations" are my GUESSES about what the featured words & phrases mean in the context of those featured comments.
I'm publishing this post in the hope that people from the Caribbean will take the opportunity presented in YouTube music video viewer comment threads and elsewhere on the internet to help inform those of us who aren’t from that region about the meanings of these & other Caribbean words & phrases. Furthermore, I'm publishing this post in the hope that some readers will respond to the questions that came to me about certain words & phrases as a result of reading that video's viewer comment thread.
The opinions given in these comment represent the opinions of their authors and may not be the same opinions that I hold.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/11/mighty-sparrow-yankees-gone-jean-dinah.html for a post that includes two sound files, information, and comments about Mighty Sparrow and his now classic Calypso "Yankee Gone" (better known as "Jean And Dinah".
****
All copyrights remain with their owners.
****
FEATURED VIDEO: Mighty Sparrow - Jean & Dinah
IsDePanInMe, Uploaded on Nov 17, 2007
The King tells the story of how the song developed and performs this vintage street classic from his bad boy days.
****
EXAMPLES OF CARIBBEAN PATOIS FROM THIS FEATURED VIDEO
From the Mighty Sparrow "Jean & Dinah" video viewer comment thread http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gso_y-Bqybc
1. BADMAN [noun] = a gangster, but also an adjective, when used in the context of the comment given below, something that is illegal, criminal
Comment:
Vynnette Frederick, 2009
“Is this the real story coming from Sparrow...I heard from someone who was there when he performed the song for the first time that the song belonged to someone else who happened to be in jail with sparrow at the time who was jailed for badman ting at the time...and the song was being sung inside and because sparrow was the first one to get out of the jail, he sang the song...jean and dinah were real prostitutes....is this correct?”
-snip-
This same comment is used for the entry for "ting" [thing] that is given below.
****
2. BAM BAM [verb] in the context of the comment below means to have sex or [noun] meaning prostitute
Comment:
tunafish135, 2009
"tell dem they moder bam bam, real chupidy!"
-snip-
moder = mother
I believe that the standard American English form of this sentence is "Telling them that their mothers are prostitutes is an act of real stupidity."
-snip-
"Bam Bam riddim" is a popular dancehall Reggae rhythm. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/11/dancehall-reggae-bam-bam-riddim.html for a pancocojams post that provides examples of that riddim. In the context of that usage "bam bam" is an adjective that may mean something like "sensual" or "sexual".
It may be coincidental that the word "bam bam" as it relates to sex sound likes the American rhyming saying "Wham* bam. Thank you mam'" which means a "quickie" sexual experience.
*or "Slam" bam. Thank you mam".
In the Addendum below, a Nigerian commenter shared that "bam bam" is one of many dual words in Jamaican Patois that originated from the Nigerian Yoruba language. That commenter indicated that in Yoruba "bam bam" means "complete".
Undoubtedly, a different meaning was given to that word in Jamaican Patois, although ideally the sex act can be considered completing people.
****
3. BOY [noun]
a. I think that this word is used similarly to how African Americans use “man” or “dude” or "people"
Comment:
trinisocajunkie, 2009
"1 of de greatest calypsos off all time boy
**
b. vernacular phrase “you know” [? I'm really unsure about this meaning.]
Comment:
Shivanandan Maharaj, 2012
“it have some seriously confused people here boy weyyyy sah
-snip-
“It” here means this video’s viewer comment thread.
-snip-
What does "weyyyy sah" mean? Does it mean something like "Yes indeed? (Yes sir)?
"Bwoy" is a contemporary way of saying "boy". Read more about compound forms of that word in the entry "soundbwoy" giveen below.
****
4. DA [definitive article = the]
Comment:
Father Divin3, 2010
[in reply to njreyes]
"you are so dumb....kiso/calypso n soca is da beat of the entre W.I. and all man derived from africa you clown...Sparrow was GReenz born n bred then trini raised and tuned him...if you knew anything at all trini n grenada are adjacent thats why the mix up is so common..but hey njreyes MR.TNT if you feel you bad so goto to trini wit yuh gold chain on n bracelte and lemme see you make it out da airport alive....GReenz Stand UP TRini HOld WE Hand...One People One Nation"
-snip-
I'm curious about the word "GReenz" for "a person from Grenada". Is this word used colloquially as "Trini" is used to mean "a person for Trinidad [and I think also from Tobabo, but I'm not sure about that.]
Also, I'm interested in the use of the word "tuned", which in the context of that comment I believe means "schooled (taught, inculcated) in music (forms and aesthetics). I know that the word "tune" is widely used in the Caribbean, but is the word "tuned" also colloquially used or was it just made up by this commenter?
****
5. DE [definite article] = the
Comment:
trinisocajunkie, 2009
"1 of de greatest calypsos off all time boy"
****
6. DEH [adverb] = "there"*
Comment:
upnorthsoundbwoy, 2009
"he born deh but he go a trinidad from he a small pickney how he go get grenada accent?"
-snip-
This same comment is also used as an example of a comment in that discussion thread for the word "pickney".
Read the Addendum below about the meaning of "deh" in Nigerian English Pidgin and Jamaican Patois.
****
7. DEM [pronoun] a. them; those, they're
Comment:
tunafish135, 2009
"your the one that wants to check history and work out after africa where most of you trini peps come out well the real black ones like trevor mac d. grenada has got your rootstha dont include dem indian and dem creole one dem."
-snip-
I think that "dem indian and dem creole one dem" means the Indians [them Indians], the Creoles [the Creeoles], everyone of them.
And I think the Standard American English form of that comment is:
"You’re the one that needs to study your history and realize that the Trinidadian people who contributed the most to that nation-the people who are the core of the nation- are those who are unmixed Black people like Trevor Mac d. Grenada has the same roots as Trinidad but that nation doesn’t include as many people who are Indian or Creoles [people who are racially mixed] as Trinidad does."
Is that "translation" correct?
**
Comment:
scoobaye, 2011
[expletive deleted]....I hear yuh badjohn....is a sad state...and we artiste dem so talented....i was in berlin 2010 and they had carnival dey....kmc performed and do rel damage..."
-snip-
I think that the Standard American "translation" of this comment is:
"I understand what you are saying badjohn... It's a sad state of affairs... And our artists are so talented...I was in Berlin [Germany] and they had a carnival day [event.] Kmc performed and he [or they] did really well...."
****
8. DIS [definite article] = this
Comment:
Xenakaii, 2010
“boy dis one my faves...ven tho i ain understnd wha he meant as a child hahaaaaaaaaaaa!!”
-snip-
“Faves” =favorites. I wonder if this is a a newer form of Patois that is influenced by Hip Hop African American Vernacular English
The elongated word "ha ha" is an example of internet/text writing.
****
9. FEELS TO GET SMART WITH ME [phrase]
Meaning = wants to challenge what I've said
Comment:
TriniIntel, 2010
“In regards to my comment, just in case anyone feels to get smart with me, I mean that if there was no Trinidad, then the Sparrow everyone knows and loves would not have come to be. It is entirely possible that he could have gone somewhere else as a youth and become great at another style of music.”
****
10. KAISO [noun] = calypso
Comment:
kitabwalli, 2012
"Thanks so much. The kaiso is easy to find but this commentary is great."
****
11.PICKNEY [noun] = child
Comment:
Upnorthsoundbwoy, 2009
"he born deh but he go a trinidad from he a small pickney how he go get grenada accent?"
-snip-
"Pickney" developed from the same root word as "pickaninny" in USA. However, "pickney," doesn’t have the same derogatory connotations in the Caribbean as it does in the United States.
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickaninny
"Pickaninny (also picaninny or piccaninny) is a term in English which refers to children of black descent or a racial caricature thereof. It is a pidgin word form, which may be derived from the Portuguese pequenino[1] (an affectionate term derived from pequeno, "little")...At one time the word may have been used as a term of affection, but it is now considered derogatory."
****
12. SOUNDBWOY [noun] = sound boy
From http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?
"Term [soundboy] originated in jamaican reggae/dancehall scene.
During a soundclash, the opposing soundsystems will often refer to their competitor as a soundboy. Which basically means a sound which is young in scene, has no experience, lacks skills, or just plays bad music. The term is most often used just to show disrespect to the opposing sound.
Soundboy run away, when the champion a play.
-by fyah June 17, 2010
-snip-
screen name in this video's viewer comment thread:
Upnorthsoundbwoy
-snip-
I think that some people [perhaps the person who chose this screen name] believe that "soundboy" is the equivalent of Reggae music DJ.
"Bwoy" is a contemporary way of spelling "boy". That same spelling for "boy" is found in Hip Hop African American Vernacular English. I don't know if that spelling originated in the Caribbean and then found its way to Hip Hop culture or vice versa.
"Rudeboy"("Rudebwoy") is another Jamaican compound word that includes the word "bwoy". Here's an entry from http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=rudeboy about that word:
"1. An avid listener of ska music, especially that of "traditional" and "2-tone" waves of ska.
2. A "gangster" (not to be confused with a "gangstah") usually dressed in a suit and "gangster hat" or bowler; a trouble maker of the 1960's-1980's. (often British "gangsters").
3. The original definition, Jamaican gangsters, boys who caused trouble and were known as "rude" because of their attitudes.
1. Check out that rudeboy skank to the ska music!
2. Wow that rudeboy has some really slick gangster clothes, I want a hat like that!
3. That rudeboy down the street was just arrested again!"
-Aquacadet Matt February 07, 2004
-snip-
I wonder if the "rude" in "rudeboy" originally came from its British English verncaular meaning where "rude" songs or rhymes mean "bawdy" (nasty, salacious) songs or rhymes. Could this meaning have come from the fact taht those types of songs & rhymes were troubling to "polite" society because of their salacious content? Then "troubling" was expanded to "causing trouble", i.e. "gangsters"?
****
13. TING [noun] = thing
Read the comment example found under "Badman".
-snip-
I'm respectfully curious about why it appears that many people from the Caribbean have difficulty pronouncing "th". I've found yet found any commentary about that online. Would anyone care to respond to this question?
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14. TRINI [noun] = people from Trinidad and Tobago
Comment [and screen name]
TriniIntel, 2010
"All of you folks need to look up Bomber's United Stated of the West Indies. Or listen to Rudder's Rally 'round the West Indies. As if it's not bad enough that we have to deal with folks outside the islands bad talking us. No no. We feel to compound the problem by bad talking each other. Just compromise. No Grenada, no Sparrow because he wouldn't have been born. No Trinidad, no Sparrow because he wouldn't have had the Trini influences. Simple as that. Gosh."
**
Lafarzia, 2008
"yes its true.... I never notice our accent until I moved to Canada and really heard our Trini accent. well if you like this one, u might like kitchener and look up "curry tabanca".. very very old tune, but it was huge back then!!!"
-snip-
Here's a comment from that viewer comment thread that includes an even newer contemporary referent for people from Trinidad & Tobago:
njreyes, 2009
"we are not people that come from one nation... learn your region properly... the caribbean is not an african nation & is not made up only of people with ancestors from africa... trinidad is the home of kiso/soca but it is a caribbean style & a caribbean flavor... we are not africans or indian or whatever else... we are Trinbagonians (Trinidad & Tobago people) multi cultural mixed people"
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15. TUNE [noun] = song [both the words & the melody]
Comment
adonialova, 2009
“i luv dis old tune bringin back memories”
**
Gramazone, 2008
"Hear [expletive deleted] tuneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
-snip-
The addition of multiple vowels connotes enthusiasm. [The commenter really likes this tune].
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16. YUH [pronoun] = you
scoobaye, 2011
"@Badjohn007 yuh don know and it really sad when yuh think bout it...Ah now listening some tunes from the 80`s and dem was styles....plus yuh have them older tunes from the 60`s and 70`s."
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17. WE [pronoun] = our
Comment
scoobaye, 2011
"[expletive deleted]....I hear yuh badjohn....i like hearing bout the history ah we music man,....i doh understand we trinis"
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ADDENDUM
From http://www.nairaland.com/1061872/thread-fi-jamaican-patois "A Thread Fi Jamaican Patois! - Culture - Nairaland" Rudebwoy(m): 6:41pm On Sep 30, 2012
"The presence of repetitious phrases in Jamaican Creole such as "su-su" (gossip) and "pyaa-pyaa" (sickly) mirror the presence of such phrases in West African languages such as "bam-bam", which means "complete" in the Yoruba language. Repetitious phrases are also present in Nigerian Pidgin, such as, "koro-koro", meaning "clear vision", "yama-yama", meaning "disgusting", and "doti-doti", meaning "garbage".
Furthermore, the use of the words of West African origin in Jamaican Patois, such as "boasie" (meaning proud, a word that comes from the Yoruba word "bosi" also meaning "proud" and "Unu" - Jamaican Patois or "Wuna" - West African Pidgin (meaning "you people", a word that comes from the Igbo word "unu" also meaning "you people" display some of the interesting similarities between the English pidgins and creoles of West Africa and the English pidgins and creoles of the West Indies, as does the presence of words and phrases that are identical in the languages on both sides of the Atlantic, such as "Me a go tell dem" (I'm going to tell them) and "make we" (let us). Use of the word "deh" or "dey" is found in both Jamaican Patois and Nigerian Pidgin English, and is used in place of the English word "is" or "are". The phrase "We dey foh London" would be understood by both a speaker of Patois and a speaker of Nigerian Pidgin to mean "We are in London". Other similarities, such as "pikin" (Nigerian Pidgin for "child" and "pikney" (or "pikiny", Jamaican Patois for "child" and "chook" (Nigerian Pidgin for "poke" or "stab" which corresponds with the Jamaican Patois word "jook", further demonstrate the linguistic relationship."
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RELATED LINK
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/09/how-words-chune-choon-tune-are-used-in.html
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Thanks to The Mighty Sparrow of this video and thanks to all those who I have quoted in this post.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post is provides a list of seventeen clean [non-vulgar] Caribbean Patois [pronounced "patwa"] words or phrases that are found in the viewer comment thread for a video interview of Calypsonian Mighty Sparrow. That video which is found below also includes a film clip of Mighty Sparrow's performance of his hit song "Jean & Dinah".
Examples of comments that include those featured words & phrases are listed in this post along with what I think are the meanings of the words & phrases as used in the context of those comments. I've also included what I think is the standard American English "translation" for some of those selected comments.
Those examples also includes Patois grammatical constructs, although no editorial comments about that grammar is included.
MY COMMENT ABOUT YOUTUBE VIDEO VIEWER COMMENT THREADS IN GENERAL
Many YouTube comment threads include profanity, explicit sexual language, and other content that may be inappropriate. None of that content is included in the examples that are featured in this post.
Although I'm mindful that many YouTube viewer comment threads include profanity, racist comments, and other content that is very problematic, I find other comments in YouTube video comment threads to be interesting and/or informative. I also believe that some YouTube comments are worthy of archiving in & of themselves as documentation of the use of particular forms of vernacular language.
MY COMMENT ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR YOUTUBE COMMENT THREAD
I believe that this comment thread about a Mighty Sparrow video includes older and newer forms of Caribbean Patois. For example, I believe that "pickney" [meaning "child" is an example of an old Caribbean Patois word and "soundbwoy" ["soundboy"] is an example of a new Caribbean Patois word.
These selected comments also contain examples of internet/texting writing such as the abbreviated words "ppl" [people] and "tnt" [Trinidad], and the acronyms "lol" and "lmao". Other examples of internet/text writing that are found in some of these featured comments are the lack of or very capitalization and punctuation which resulted in run on sentences and words with added vowels (indicating enthuiasm or intensity, for example "tuneeeeee".)
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DISCLAIMER
I don't consider myself an etymologist, but I am interested in the origin, meaning, and uses of words & phrases. I'm not from the Caribbean -although my maternal grandfather was from Tobago & my maternal grandmother was from Barbados.
The definitions that I've included in this post come from online sites such as http://niceup.com/patois.html "Rasta/Patois Dictionary" and http://www.bigdrumnation.org/dictionary_link.htm and from other online sites. An excerpt from one of those websites is included as an Addendum to this post.
Some of these definitions and sentence "translations" are my GUESSES about what the featured words & phrases mean in the context of those featured comments.
I'm publishing this post in the hope that people from the Caribbean will take the opportunity presented in YouTube music video viewer comment threads and elsewhere on the internet to help inform those of us who aren’t from that region about the meanings of these & other Caribbean words & phrases. Furthermore, I'm publishing this post in the hope that some readers will respond to the questions that came to me about certain words & phrases as a result of reading that video's viewer comment thread.
The opinions given in these comment represent the opinions of their authors and may not be the same opinions that I hold.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/11/mighty-sparrow-yankees-gone-jean-dinah.html for a post that includes two sound files, information, and comments about Mighty Sparrow and his now classic Calypso "Yankee Gone" (better known as "Jean And Dinah".
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All copyrights remain with their owners.
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FEATURED VIDEO: Mighty Sparrow - Jean & Dinah
IsDePanInMe, Uploaded on Nov 17, 2007
The King tells the story of how the song developed and performs this vintage street classic from his bad boy days.
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EXAMPLES OF CARIBBEAN PATOIS FROM THIS FEATURED VIDEO
From the Mighty Sparrow "Jean & Dinah" video viewer comment thread http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gso_y-Bqybc
1. BADMAN [noun] = a gangster, but also an adjective, when used in the context of the comment given below, something that is illegal, criminal
Comment:
Vynnette Frederick, 2009
“Is this the real story coming from Sparrow...I heard from someone who was there when he performed the song for the first time that the song belonged to someone else who happened to be in jail with sparrow at the time who was jailed for badman ting at the time...and the song was being sung inside and because sparrow was the first one to get out of the jail, he sang the song...jean and dinah were real prostitutes....is this correct?”
-snip-
This same comment is used for the entry for "ting" [thing] that is given below.
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2. BAM BAM [verb] in the context of the comment below means to have sex or [noun] meaning prostitute
Comment:
tunafish135, 2009
"tell dem they moder bam bam, real chupidy!"
-snip-
moder = mother
I believe that the standard American English form of this sentence is "Telling them that their mothers are prostitutes is an act of real stupidity."
-snip-
"Bam Bam riddim" is a popular dancehall Reggae rhythm. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/11/dancehall-reggae-bam-bam-riddim.html for a pancocojams post that provides examples of that riddim. In the context of that usage "bam bam" is an adjective that may mean something like "sensual" or "sexual".
It may be coincidental that the word "bam bam" as it relates to sex sound likes the American rhyming saying "Wham* bam. Thank you mam'" which means a "quickie" sexual experience.
*or "Slam" bam. Thank you mam".
In the Addendum below, a Nigerian commenter shared that "bam bam" is one of many dual words in Jamaican Patois that originated from the Nigerian Yoruba language. That commenter indicated that in Yoruba "bam bam" means "complete".
Undoubtedly, a different meaning was given to that word in Jamaican Patois, although ideally the sex act can be considered completing people.
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3. BOY [noun]
a. I think that this word is used similarly to how African Americans use “man” or “dude” or "people"
Comment:
trinisocajunkie, 2009
"1 of de greatest calypsos off all time boy
**
b. vernacular phrase “you know” [? I'm really unsure about this meaning.]
Comment:
Shivanandan Maharaj, 2012
“it have some seriously confused people here boy weyyyy sah
-snip-
“It” here means this video’s viewer comment thread.
-snip-
What does "weyyyy sah" mean? Does it mean something like "Yes indeed? (Yes sir)?
"Bwoy" is a contemporary way of saying "boy". Read more about compound forms of that word in the entry "soundbwoy" giveen below.
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4. DA [definitive article = the]
Comment:
Father Divin3, 2010
[in reply to njreyes]
"you are so dumb....kiso/calypso n soca is da beat of the entre W.I. and all man derived from africa you clown...Sparrow was GReenz born n bred then trini raised and tuned him...if you knew anything at all trini n grenada are adjacent thats why the mix up is so common..but hey njreyes MR.TNT if you feel you bad so goto to trini wit yuh gold chain on n bracelte and lemme see you make it out da airport alive....GReenz Stand UP TRini HOld WE Hand...One People One Nation"
-snip-
I'm curious about the word "GReenz" for "a person from Grenada". Is this word used colloquially as "Trini" is used to mean "a person for Trinidad [and I think also from Tobabo, but I'm not sure about that.]
Also, I'm interested in the use of the word "tuned", which in the context of that comment I believe means "schooled (taught, inculcated) in music (forms and aesthetics). I know that the word "tune" is widely used in the Caribbean, but is the word "tuned" also colloquially used or was it just made up by this commenter?
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5. DE [definite article] = the
Comment:
trinisocajunkie, 2009
"1 of de greatest calypsos off all time boy"
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6. DEH [adverb] = "there"*
Comment:
upnorthsoundbwoy, 2009
"he born deh but he go a trinidad from he a small pickney how he go get grenada accent?"
-snip-
This same comment is also used as an example of a comment in that discussion thread for the word "pickney".
Read the Addendum below about the meaning of "deh" in Nigerian English Pidgin and Jamaican Patois.
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7. DEM [pronoun] a. them; those, they're
Comment:
tunafish135, 2009
"your the one that wants to check history and work out after africa where most of you trini peps come out well the real black ones like trevor mac d. grenada has got your rootstha dont include dem indian and dem creole one dem."
-snip-
I think that "dem indian and dem creole one dem" means the Indians [them Indians], the Creoles [the Creeoles], everyone of them.
And I think the Standard American English form of that comment is:
"You’re the one that needs to study your history and realize that the Trinidadian people who contributed the most to that nation-the people who are the core of the nation- are those who are unmixed Black people like Trevor Mac d. Grenada has the same roots as Trinidad but that nation doesn’t include as many people who are Indian or Creoles [people who are racially mixed] as Trinidad does."
Is that "translation" correct?
**
Comment:
scoobaye, 2011
[expletive deleted]....I hear yuh badjohn....is a sad state...and we artiste dem so talented....i was in berlin 2010 and they had carnival dey....kmc performed and do rel damage..."
-snip-
I think that the Standard American "translation" of this comment is:
"I understand what you are saying badjohn... It's a sad state of affairs... And our artists are so talented...I was in Berlin [Germany] and they had a carnival day [event.] Kmc performed and he [or they] did really well...."
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8. DIS [definite article] = this
Comment:
Xenakaii, 2010
“boy dis one my faves...ven tho i ain understnd wha he meant as a child hahaaaaaaaaaaa!!”
-snip-
“Faves” =favorites. I wonder if this is a a newer form of Patois that is influenced by Hip Hop African American Vernacular English
The elongated word "ha ha" is an example of internet/text writing.
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9. FEELS TO GET SMART WITH ME [phrase]
Meaning = wants to challenge what I've said
Comment:
TriniIntel, 2010
“In regards to my comment, just in case anyone feels to get smart with me, I mean that if there was no Trinidad, then the Sparrow everyone knows and loves would not have come to be. It is entirely possible that he could have gone somewhere else as a youth and become great at another style of music.”
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10. KAISO [noun] = calypso
Comment:
kitabwalli, 2012
"Thanks so much. The kaiso is easy to find but this commentary is great."
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11.PICKNEY [noun] = child
Comment:
Upnorthsoundbwoy, 2009
"he born deh but he go a trinidad from he a small pickney how he go get grenada accent?"
-snip-
"Pickney" developed from the same root word as "pickaninny" in USA. However, "pickney," doesn’t have the same derogatory connotations in the Caribbean as it does in the United States.
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickaninny
"Pickaninny (also picaninny or piccaninny) is a term in English which refers to children of black descent or a racial caricature thereof. It is a pidgin word form, which may be derived from the Portuguese pequenino[1] (an affectionate term derived from pequeno, "little")...At one time the word may have been used as a term of affection, but it is now considered derogatory."
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12. SOUNDBWOY [noun] = sound boy
From http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?
"Term [soundboy] originated in jamaican reggae/dancehall scene.
During a soundclash, the opposing soundsystems will often refer to their competitor as a soundboy. Which basically means a sound which is young in scene, has no experience, lacks skills, or just plays bad music. The term is most often used just to show disrespect to the opposing sound.
Soundboy run away, when the champion a play.
-by fyah June 17, 2010
-snip-
screen name in this video's viewer comment thread:
Upnorthsoundbwoy
-snip-
I think that some people [perhaps the person who chose this screen name] believe that "soundboy" is the equivalent of Reggae music DJ.
"Bwoy" is a contemporary way of spelling "boy". That same spelling for "boy" is found in Hip Hop African American Vernacular English. I don't know if that spelling originated in the Caribbean and then found its way to Hip Hop culture or vice versa.
"Rudeboy"("Rudebwoy") is another Jamaican compound word that includes the word "bwoy". Here's an entry from http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=rudeboy about that word:
"1. An avid listener of ska music, especially that of "traditional" and "2-tone" waves of ska.
2. A "gangster" (not to be confused with a "gangstah") usually dressed in a suit and "gangster hat" or bowler; a trouble maker of the 1960's-1980's. (often British "gangsters").
3. The original definition, Jamaican gangsters, boys who caused trouble and were known as "rude" because of their attitudes.
1. Check out that rudeboy skank to the ska music!
2. Wow that rudeboy has some really slick gangster clothes, I want a hat like that!
3. That rudeboy down the street was just arrested again!"
-Aquacadet Matt February 07, 2004
-snip-
I wonder if the "rude" in "rudeboy" originally came from its British English verncaular meaning where "rude" songs or rhymes mean "bawdy" (nasty, salacious) songs or rhymes. Could this meaning have come from the fact taht those types of songs & rhymes were troubling to "polite" society because of their salacious content? Then "troubling" was expanded to "causing trouble", i.e. "gangsters"?
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13. TING [noun] = thing
Read the comment example found under "Badman".
-snip-
I'm respectfully curious about why it appears that many people from the Caribbean have difficulty pronouncing "th". I've found yet found any commentary about that online. Would anyone care to respond to this question?
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14. TRINI [noun] = people from Trinidad and Tobago
Comment [and screen name]
TriniIntel, 2010
"All of you folks need to look up Bomber's United Stated of the West Indies. Or listen to Rudder's Rally 'round the West Indies. As if it's not bad enough that we have to deal with folks outside the islands bad talking us. No no. We feel to compound the problem by bad talking each other. Just compromise. No Grenada, no Sparrow because he wouldn't have been born. No Trinidad, no Sparrow because he wouldn't have had the Trini influences. Simple as that. Gosh."
**
Lafarzia, 2008
"yes its true.... I never notice our accent until I moved to Canada and really heard our Trini accent. well if you like this one, u might like kitchener and look up "curry tabanca".. very very old tune, but it was huge back then!!!"
-snip-
Here's a comment from that viewer comment thread that includes an even newer contemporary referent for people from Trinidad & Tobago:
njreyes, 2009
"we are not people that come from one nation... learn your region properly... the caribbean is not an african nation & is not made up only of people with ancestors from africa... trinidad is the home of kiso/soca but it is a caribbean style & a caribbean flavor... we are not africans or indian or whatever else... we are Trinbagonians (Trinidad & Tobago people) multi cultural mixed people"
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15. TUNE [noun] = song [both the words & the melody]
Comment
adonialova, 2009
“i luv dis old tune bringin back memories”
**
Gramazone, 2008
"Hear [expletive deleted] tuneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
-snip-
The addition of multiple vowels connotes enthusiasm. [The commenter really likes this tune].
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16. YUH [pronoun] = you
scoobaye, 2011
"@Badjohn007 yuh don know and it really sad when yuh think bout it...Ah now listening some tunes from the 80`s and dem was styles....plus yuh have them older tunes from the 60`s and 70`s."
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17. WE [pronoun] = our
Comment
scoobaye, 2011
"[expletive deleted]....I hear yuh badjohn....i like hearing bout the history ah we music man,....i doh understand we trinis"
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ADDENDUM
From http://www.nairaland.com/1061872/thread-fi-jamaican-patois "A Thread Fi Jamaican Patois! - Culture - Nairaland" Rudebwoy(m): 6:41pm On Sep 30, 2012
"The presence of repetitious phrases in Jamaican Creole such as "su-su" (gossip) and "pyaa-pyaa" (sickly) mirror the presence of such phrases in West African languages such as "bam-bam", which means "complete" in the Yoruba language. Repetitious phrases are also present in Nigerian Pidgin, such as, "koro-koro", meaning "clear vision", "yama-yama", meaning "disgusting", and "doti-doti", meaning "garbage".
Furthermore, the use of the words of West African origin in Jamaican Patois, such as "boasie" (meaning proud, a word that comes from the Yoruba word "bosi" also meaning "proud" and "Unu" - Jamaican Patois or "Wuna" - West African Pidgin (meaning "you people", a word that comes from the Igbo word "unu" also meaning "you people" display some of the interesting similarities between the English pidgins and creoles of West Africa and the English pidgins and creoles of the West Indies, as does the presence of words and phrases that are identical in the languages on both sides of the Atlantic, such as "Me a go tell dem" (I'm going to tell them) and "make we" (let us). Use of the word "deh" or "dey" is found in both Jamaican Patois and Nigerian Pidgin English, and is used in place of the English word "is" or "are". The phrase "We dey foh London" would be understood by both a speaker of Patois and a speaker of Nigerian Pidgin to mean "We are in London". Other similarities, such as "pikin" (Nigerian Pidgin for "child" and "pikney" (or "pikiny", Jamaican Patois for "child" and "chook" (Nigerian Pidgin for "poke" or "stab" which corresponds with the Jamaican Patois word "jook", further demonstrate the linguistic relationship."
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RELATED LINK
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/09/how-words-chune-choon-tune-are-used-in.html
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Thanks to The Mighty Sparrow of this video and thanks to all those who I have quoted in this post.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
The Origins & Connections Between The Nicknames "Devil Dogs" (for United States Marines) & Que Dogs (for members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity)
Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest Update - March 19, 2024 [title change]
This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on the influence of the United States military on historically Black Greek lettered fraternity & sorority steppin.
This post provides information about the military referent "devil dogs" and the informal referent "Que Dogs" for persons associated with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
This post also includes comments about the term "dog" being used by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and the term "dogmatic" being used by members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
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Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/11/military-influences-on-fraternity.html for Part I of this series.
Part I provides excerpts about this subject and several videos that illustrate points that were made in those excerpts.
This content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and historical purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
EDITOR'S COMMENT
The reason/s why persons associated with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. call themselves Q Dogs may be one of the secrets that only members of that organization know- or only fully know. Yet, there's published information online and off-line that purports to explain why "Que Dog" is used, while emphasizing that this is not an official term for members of that fraternity. Some of those excerpts are cited or linked to in this post.
I respect that BGLO members have the right to keep their secrets. But, as a self-described community folklorist, I'm interested in searching for, documenting, and sharing cultural content, including speculation. I'm concerned that too much secrecy in historically Black Greek letter organizations may mean that what is known and experienced now may be lost to future generations, just as I'm sure we've lost or forgotten much of our cultural past.
As as an admittedly long inactive member of a historically Black Greek letter organization-Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Gamma Zeta chapter, 1966), I debated for some time whether to publish a post on this subject, but I've decided to go ahead and do so in the interest of the folkloric record.
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INFORMATION EXCERPTS
(These excerpts are presented in no particular order and are numbered for reference purposes.)
Excerpt #1
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil_Dog
"Devil Dog is a motivational nickname for a U.S. Marine. It is said to be based on the apocryphal use of "Teufel Hunden" [sic] by German soldiers to describe Marines fighting in World War I...
...The April 27th article from the LaCrosse Tribune was probably referring to the action on April 20, 1918, the first action between the Marines and the Germans. The Germans made several attacks against the Marines on that date and were unable to dislodge them. The article states that it was the first scrap between the Marines and the Germans, showing that it was prior to the major fighting in June.
The term "Devil Dog" is a very common nickname for all Marines. "Devil Dog" is historically a well-accepted term of endearment, as a title of honor. The "dog" in the phrase is usually associated with the bulldog, in line with the original 1918 poster, such as the bulldog being a common mascot in the Corps."...
-snip-
Culturally, bulldogs are considered to be tenacious & ferocious when challenged or when called upon to protect someone or something. I think that this is the core attributes of the miltary nickname "devil dog" and I think that this may be one of the reasons why persons associated with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. are called "Dogs". Note that the bulldog is also the breed of dog that is associated with that fraternity. Read Part I of this series about the influence of the United States military on historically Black Greek lettered organizations. I would be surprised if persons associated with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity weren't aware of the history of and the positive associations of the military devil dogs. However, there is a historical reason for the use of "dogs" in association with Ques besides the possible connection with the Marine "devil dog" nickname.
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Excerpt #2
From Soulstepping: African American Step Shows by Elizabeth C. Fine (University of Illinois Press (2007, p 167)
“Pledging rituals photographed during the 1940s and 1950 reveal the linear formations of pledges marching in line. The first pictures of Greek activities appeared in the 1940s. The 1943 [Howard Year Book] Bison included several unlabeled photographs of fraternity and sorority pledges on-line and a fraternity engaged in a public skit. Twelve young men in suits and ties, with dog collars and long chains around their necks, pose behind the university’s sundial (“the Dial”), traditional gathering spot for Omega Psi Phi (the “Q dogs”). The Omegas unofficially adopted the dog as their mascot (the mascot of Howard University before 1920 was a bulldog), and many members howled and used canine symbols.
-snip-
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity was founded November 17, 1911 on the campus of Howard University. http://www.omegapsiphifraternity.org/
-snip-
I wonder if the bulldog was selected as Howard University's mascot before 1918, that is before the Marine's devil dog nickname was coined or was it selected after that nickname & its bulldog poster were publicized. It may be just a coincidence that Howard University's mascot before 1920 was a bulldog and that same breed of dog is the symbol of the Marine's devil dog referent. But maybe this isn't a coincidence at all...
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Excerpt #3
From http://www.opp2d.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=267853&module_id=24958
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity: The Mighty Second District
“Myths abound about the meanings of certain words, phrases and activities often practiced by Omega men. One myth is the origin of the title “Quedog”. To date, no documented proof of the initiation of this term to describe members of the fraternity has been found. The term used by many as a term of endearment is not an official term in the Omega vocabulary. Also of note is the reference to the symbol of the Bulldog. The origins of this symbol are as mysterious as the myths of the ancient Egyptian Pyramids. No matter what you hear, the bulldog is not the official mascot of the fraternity.”
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Excerpt #4
From http://pages.uoregon.edu/nphc/bglos.html University of Oregon: Black Greek Letter Organizations
4. What's the distinction between an "Omega Man" & a "Que Dog"?
An "Omega Man" is the name sake term bestowed upon members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. once their members join the organization. A "Que-Dog" is a mythical term used to identify pledges while on line during the final stage of the pledge process. It's important to understand that "Que Dogs", canine calls, and camouflage paraphenelia doesn't directly reflect the enitre outlook of the organization as set in the guideline by the Grand Chapter. *Please note* Never address or call a member of Omega a "Que-Dog" for it is rather disrespectful. In essence "MEMBERSHIP HAS IT'S PRIVLEDGES!"
4b. "Why the DOG image"?
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. does not have, nor has it ever endorsed, a mascot of any type to be representative of the organization. So why do so many Omega Men like the "dog" image? "WE ARE NOT DOGS even though those who misunderstand us would view us otherwise because we possess a dawg-matic determination to make changes and the tenacity to see them through, the loyalty of man's best friend and the guardianship to protect the ones we truely love."
This analogy was written by the chapter members of Fayetteville State.
-snip-
In addition to the attributes mentioned above, there's no question that another cultural meaning attributed to "men as dogs" is closely tied with masculinity and heterosexual attraction and sexual activity. There's also no doubt that -at least publicly- those sexual connotations are a prominent part of the Q nickname as evident in the widely heard term "Nasty Dawgs" that Ques use for themselves. Witness the Ques's reaction to George Clinton's 1982 massive hit Funk record "Atomic Dog". That record is widely considered the Ques' unofficial anthem. Perhaps that record is the reason why the "nasty dog" connotation of "Q dogs" appears to be the symbolism for dog that is most publicly emphasized by Ques and by other BGLO members regarding Ques. Or perhaps that record was just a fortuitous, perfect fit that reflected the public ascendancy of that sexual connotation over all the other symbolism associated with the word "dog".
Perhaps those of us who aren't members of Omega Psi Phi, Inc. will never know what "dogs" really mean with regard to that organization, but I bet it means more than nasty dogs.
****
ADDED - August 5, 2016
Comment #1:
From the discussion thread for this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4ZAKFLTcJQ Omega Psi Phi Que Doggs
George m, 2016
"These POGES need to stop barking, they STOLE that Bulldog bark from us the Marine Corps, they are NOT a TRUE brotherhood WE ARE! throw a grenade in the middle of that crowd and see if a q dog belly flops on top of it, I THINK NOT! The Marine Corps have been doing that WAR BARK a lot longer than you have, THATS WHY WE ARE DEVIL DOGS!!!! You guys are Pathetic, do something constructive instead of Hazing and popping each other in the Ass which is what you guys do seeing as you are a Greek club."
**
Comment #2:
From http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=15583&page=8*
PerroLoco, 11-17-2005
..."Omegas carried canes while on line at one time, but we do not claim that as our heritage or tradition. It belongs to the Nupes, because they kept it and made it an integral part of their CONTINUOUS persona.
At one time all freshman at Howard were called "dogs" til they achieve upperclassmen status. The Omegas and the Sigmas continued that designation with their pledges during Hell Week, but it was Omega who incorporated the DOG as an integral poart of who they are and what they stand for. For the Sigmas that I have known personally from roomates to co-workers of every era, neuther the DOG, nor the CANE was that Significant to their SENSE OF SELF AS A SIGMA.
So all of the PBS claiming these things as part of their history may be true but it was never a huge or defining part from what Sigmas made in the 50's, 60's, 70's and '80's tell me or what I experienced with my dorm-mate. I saw my dorm-mate as a Dog during his Hell Week, but that is where any canine reference ended or association with PBS. His Hell Week was completely different from mine as a Dog of Omega. Night and Day."...
**
Comment #3: Senusret I, 11-17-2005
"Canine is the word that means of or relating to dogs.
Dogmatic has nothing to do with dogs. It basically means when someone holds tight to an opinion. (Like religious dogma.)
Not trying to be a smart ass, it's just one of my top five pet peeves about Greek life, including the misuse of words "discrete" and "discreet.""
**
Comment #4: marquise1911, 12-08-2006
Location: Miami, FL
"Umm. I hate for this to be my come back post, but WT_**?? Sigmas were not the first with the canes, not the first to step with them, not the first to use them. Go ahead, check Howard's history. Our first colored canes appeared in 1953, but our founders and members have been carying them since the early history of our fraternity. Sigmas didn't even start using canse until the late 60's. I dare you to find anything with PBS and canes older than that.
Now as far as being Dogmatic or using the dog. WE ALL DID!!! At one point in time all pledges were called dogs and that's why some Omegas get offended when u call them Q-dogs. To be a dog means ur still pledging. The Ques took that image and ran with it. We let it go. They can have it. so stop crying about it."
-snip-
In case it's not clear, this blogger is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
**This profanity abbreviation is fully spelled out in that comment.
**
Comment #5:
DSTCHAOS, 12-08-2006
"LOL. Senruset, I wonder why folks started using "dogmatic" like this. Was there a song lyric that confused people, or something? Who can I blame...George Clinton? Snoop Dog?"
-snip-
*Some of the Greekchat.com comments that are quoted here are included in another pancocojams series on stepping with canes. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/11/cane-kane-performances-in-black.html for the first post of this three part series. The other links are found in that post.
****
FEATURED VIDEOS
These videos are given in no particular order.
In these videos notice the vertical line with one person on the side giving commands, similar to a military drill sergeant. Also, notice the army (military) fatigues and the combat boots (although the boots are sprayed gold since gold and purple are the colors of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity).
In addition, notice the gold chain dog collars the men joining Omega wear in their probate (i.e. their introduction to the world as new members of that fraternity.) And notice the bark that is one of the signature calls of Omega Psi Phi.
Example #1: Atomic Dog at the Centennial Conclave
.
Darryl Blackwell, Uploaded on Aug 21, 2011
The Bruhs hoppin' to Atomic Dog in DC at the Centennial Clave.
-snip-
**
Example #2: Omega Psi Phi (Fall 2012 SCSU Bulldog Showcase)
Terrell Harmon, Published on Aug 21, 2012
Xi Psi Chapter
**
Example #3: Motivation: Que Dogs Step
SundogQ , Uploaded on May 26, 2011
Que Dogs Step @ benefit Car Wash hype up party
**
Example #4: Best Probate Ever!!! Omega Psi Phi
thesouthjerseyrock , Published on Dec 19, 2014
Best Probate Ever!!! Omega Psi Phi on the campus of Rowan University! Omega Psi Phi pledge song in the spirit of Kevin McCall by Trevant McCloud.
****
Example #5: Que Probate (Raw footage) - University Of West Georgia
West Georgia Highlights, Published on Apr 9, 2014
Raw footage of the Que Probate at The University Of West Georgia.
****
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post, to those who are featured in these videos and to the publishers of these videos.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Latest Update - March 19, 2024 [title change]
This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on the influence of the United States military on historically Black Greek lettered fraternity & sorority steppin.
This post provides information about the military referent "devil dogs" and the informal referent "Que Dogs" for persons associated with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
This post also includes comments about the term "dog" being used by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and the term "dogmatic" being used by members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
****
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/11/military-influences-on-fraternity.html for Part I of this series.
Part I provides excerpts about this subject and several videos that illustrate points that were made in those excerpts.
This content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and historical purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
EDITOR'S COMMENT
The reason/s why persons associated with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. call themselves Q Dogs may be one of the secrets that only members of that organization know- or only fully know. Yet, there's published information online and off-line that purports to explain why "Que Dog" is used, while emphasizing that this is not an official term for members of that fraternity. Some of those excerpts are cited or linked to in this post.
I respect that BGLO members have the right to keep their secrets. But, as a self-described community folklorist, I'm interested in searching for, documenting, and sharing cultural content, including speculation. I'm concerned that too much secrecy in historically Black Greek letter organizations may mean that what is known and experienced now may be lost to future generations, just as I'm sure we've lost or forgotten much of our cultural past.
As as an admittedly long inactive member of a historically Black Greek letter organization-Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Gamma Zeta chapter, 1966), I debated for some time whether to publish a post on this subject, but I've decided to go ahead and do so in the interest of the folkloric record.
****
INFORMATION EXCERPTS
(These excerpts are presented in no particular order and are numbered for reference purposes.)
Excerpt #1
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil_Dog
"Devil Dog is a motivational nickname for a U.S. Marine. It is said to be based on the apocryphal use of "Teufel Hunden" [sic] by German soldiers to describe Marines fighting in World War I...
...The April 27th article from the LaCrosse Tribune was probably referring to the action on April 20, 1918, the first action between the Marines and the Germans. The Germans made several attacks against the Marines on that date and were unable to dislodge them. The article states that it was the first scrap between the Marines and the Germans, showing that it was prior to the major fighting in June.
The term "Devil Dog" has its origins at Belleau Wood. It was in a dispatch from the German front lines to their higher headquarters explaining the current battle conditions that described the fighting abilities of the new, fresh Americans as fighting like "Teufel Hunden" or "Hounds from Hell".
The term "Devil Dog" is a very common nickname for all Marines. "Devil Dog" is historically a well-accepted term of endearment, as a title of honor. The "dog" in the phrase is usually associated with the bulldog, in line with the original 1918 poster, such as the bulldog being a common mascot in the Corps."...
-snip-
Culturally, bulldogs are considered to be tenacious & ferocious when challenged or when called upon to protect someone or something. I think that this is the core attributes of the miltary nickname "devil dog" and I think that this may be one of the reasons why persons associated with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. are called "Dogs". Note that the bulldog is also the breed of dog that is associated with that fraternity. Read Part I of this series about the influence of the United States military on historically Black Greek lettered organizations. I would be surprised if persons associated with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity weren't aware of the history of and the positive associations of the military devil dogs. However, there is a historical reason for the use of "dogs" in association with Ques besides the possible connection with the Marine "devil dog" nickname.
****
Excerpt #2
From Soulstepping: African American Step Shows by Elizabeth C. Fine (University of Illinois Press (2007, p 167)
“Pledging rituals photographed during the 1940s and 1950 reveal the linear formations of pledges marching in line. The first pictures of Greek activities appeared in the 1940s. The 1943 [Howard Year Book] Bison included several unlabeled photographs of fraternity and sorority pledges on-line and a fraternity engaged in a public skit. Twelve young men in suits and ties, with dog collars and long chains around their necks, pose behind the university’s sundial (“the Dial”), traditional gathering spot for Omega Psi Phi (the “Q dogs”). The Omegas unofficially adopted the dog as their mascot (the mascot of Howard University before 1920 was a bulldog), and many members howled and used canine symbols.
-snip-
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity was founded November 17, 1911 on the campus of Howard University. http://www.omegapsiphifraternity.org/
-snip-
I wonder if the bulldog was selected as Howard University's mascot before 1918, that is before the Marine's devil dog nickname was coined or was it selected after that nickname & its bulldog poster were publicized. It may be just a coincidence that Howard University's mascot before 1920 was a bulldog and that same breed of dog is the symbol of the Marine's devil dog referent. But maybe this isn't a coincidence at all...
****
Excerpt #3
From http://www.opp2d.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=267853&module_id=24958
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity: The Mighty Second District
“Myths abound about the meanings of certain words, phrases and activities often practiced by Omega men. One myth is the origin of the title “Quedog”. To date, no documented proof of the initiation of this term to describe members of the fraternity has been found. The term used by many as a term of endearment is not an official term in the Omega vocabulary. Also of note is the reference to the symbol of the Bulldog. The origins of this symbol are as mysterious as the myths of the ancient Egyptian Pyramids. No matter what you hear, the bulldog is not the official mascot of the fraternity.”
****
Excerpt #4
From http://pages.uoregon.edu/nphc/bglos.html University of Oregon: Black Greek Letter Organizations
4. What's the distinction between an "Omega Man" & a "Que Dog"?
An "Omega Man" is the name sake term bestowed upon members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. once their members join the organization. A "Que-Dog" is a mythical term used to identify pledges while on line during the final stage of the pledge process. It's important to understand that "Que Dogs", canine calls, and camouflage paraphenelia doesn't directly reflect the enitre outlook of the organization as set in the guideline by the Grand Chapter. *Please note* Never address or call a member of Omega a "Que-Dog" for it is rather disrespectful. In essence "MEMBERSHIP HAS IT'S PRIVLEDGES!"
4b. "Why the DOG image"?
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. does not have, nor has it ever endorsed, a mascot of any type to be representative of the organization. So why do so many Omega Men like the "dog" image? "WE ARE NOT DOGS even though those who misunderstand us would view us otherwise because we possess a dawg-matic determination to make changes and the tenacity to see them through, the loyalty of man's best friend and the guardianship to protect the ones we truely love."
This analogy was written by the chapter members of Fayetteville State.
-snip-
In addition to the attributes mentioned above, there's no question that another cultural meaning attributed to "men as dogs" is closely tied with masculinity and heterosexual attraction and sexual activity. There's also no doubt that -at least publicly- those sexual connotations are a prominent part of the Q nickname as evident in the widely heard term "Nasty Dawgs" that Ques use for themselves. Witness the Ques's reaction to George Clinton's 1982 massive hit Funk record "Atomic Dog". That record is widely considered the Ques' unofficial anthem. Perhaps that record is the reason why the "nasty dog" connotation of "Q dogs" appears to be the symbolism for dog that is most publicly emphasized by Ques and by other BGLO members regarding Ques. Or perhaps that record was just a fortuitous, perfect fit that reflected the public ascendancy of that sexual connotation over all the other symbolism associated with the word "dog".
Perhaps those of us who aren't members of Omega Psi Phi, Inc. will never know what "dogs" really mean with regard to that organization, but I bet it means more than nasty dogs.
****
ADDED - August 5, 2016
Comment #1:
From the discussion thread for this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4ZAKFLTcJQ Omega Psi Phi Que Doggs
George m, 2016
"These POGES need to stop barking, they STOLE that Bulldog bark from us the Marine Corps, they are NOT a TRUE brotherhood WE ARE! throw a grenade in the middle of that crowd and see if a q dog belly flops on top of it, I THINK NOT! The Marine Corps have been doing that WAR BARK a lot longer than you have, THATS WHY WE ARE DEVIL DOGS!!!! You guys are Pathetic, do something constructive instead of Hazing and popping each other in the Ass which is what you guys do seeing as you are a Greek club."
**
Comment #2:
From http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=15583&page=8*
PerroLoco, 11-17-2005
..."Omegas carried canes while on line at one time, but we do not claim that as our heritage or tradition. It belongs to the Nupes, because they kept it and made it an integral part of their CONTINUOUS persona.
At one time all freshman at Howard were called "dogs" til they achieve upperclassmen status. The Omegas and the Sigmas continued that designation with their pledges during Hell Week, but it was Omega who incorporated the DOG as an integral poart of who they are and what they stand for. For the Sigmas that I have known personally from roomates to co-workers of every era, neuther the DOG, nor the CANE was that Significant to their SENSE OF SELF AS A SIGMA.
So all of the PBS claiming these things as part of their history may be true but it was never a huge or defining part from what Sigmas made in the 50's, 60's, 70's and '80's tell me or what I experienced with my dorm-mate. I saw my dorm-mate as a Dog during his Hell Week, but that is where any canine reference ended or association with PBS. His Hell Week was completely different from mine as a Dog of Omega. Night and Day."...
**
Comment #3: Senusret I, 11-17-2005
"Canine is the word that means of or relating to dogs.
Dogmatic has nothing to do with dogs. It basically means when someone holds tight to an opinion. (Like religious dogma.)
Not trying to be a smart ass, it's just one of my top five pet peeves about Greek life, including the misuse of words "discrete" and "discreet.""
**
Comment #4: marquise1911, 12-08-2006
Location: Miami, FL
"Umm. I hate for this to be my come back post, but WT_**?? Sigmas were not the first with the canes, not the first to step with them, not the first to use them. Go ahead, check Howard's history. Our first colored canes appeared in 1953, but our founders and members have been carying them since the early history of our fraternity. Sigmas didn't even start using canse until the late 60's. I dare you to find anything with PBS and canes older than that.
Now as far as being Dogmatic or using the dog. WE ALL DID!!! At one point in time all pledges were called dogs and that's why some Omegas get offended when u call them Q-dogs. To be a dog means ur still pledging. The Ques took that image and ran with it. We let it go. They can have it. so stop crying about it."
-snip-
In case it's not clear, this blogger is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
**This profanity abbreviation is fully spelled out in that comment.
**
Comment #5:
DSTCHAOS, 12-08-2006
"LOL. Senruset, I wonder why folks started using "dogmatic" like this. Was there a song lyric that confused people, or something? Who can I blame...George Clinton? Snoop Dog?"
-snip-
*Some of the Greekchat.com comments that are quoted here are included in another pancocojams series on stepping with canes. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/11/cane-kane-performances-in-black.html for the first post of this three part series. The other links are found in that post.
****
FEATURED VIDEOS
These videos are given in no particular order.
In these videos notice the vertical line with one person on the side giving commands, similar to a military drill sergeant. Also, notice the army (military) fatigues and the combat boots (although the boots are sprayed gold since gold and purple are the colors of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity).
In addition, notice the gold chain dog collars the men joining Omega wear in their probate (i.e. their introduction to the world as new members of that fraternity.) And notice the bark that is one of the signature calls of Omega Psi Phi.
Example #1: Atomic Dog at the Centennial Conclave
.
Darryl Blackwell, Uploaded on Aug 21, 2011
The Bruhs hoppin' to Atomic Dog in DC at the Centennial Clave.
-snip-
**
Example #2: Omega Psi Phi (Fall 2012 SCSU Bulldog Showcase)
Terrell Harmon, Published on Aug 21, 2012
Xi Psi Chapter
**
Example #3: Motivation: Que Dogs Step
SundogQ , Uploaded on May 26, 2011
Que Dogs Step @ benefit Car Wash hype up party
**
Example #4: Best Probate Ever!!! Omega Psi Phi
thesouthjerseyrock , Published on Dec 19, 2014
Best Probate Ever!!! Omega Psi Phi on the campus of Rowan University! Omega Psi Phi pledge song in the spirit of Kevin McCall by Trevant McCloud.
****
Example #5: Que Probate (Raw footage) - University Of West Georgia
West Georgia Highlights, Published on Apr 9, 2014
Raw footage of the Que Probate at The University Of West Georgia.
****
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post, to those who are featured in these videos and to the publishers of these videos.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Military Influences On Fraternity & Sorority Steppin
Edited by Azizi Powell
[Revised August 7, 2016]
This is Part I of a two part series on the influence of the United States military on historically Black Greek lettered fraternity & sorority steppin. Video clips are added throughout this post to illustrate the points that are made in the excerpts.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/11/devil-dogs-q-dogs-are-there-connections.html for Part II of this series. In that post I speculate about the possible relationship between the military referent "devil dogs" and the "Que dog" referent for persons associated with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
****
UPDATE August 12, 2016
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-military-influences-on-historically.html for an expanded excerpt from the 2005 book African American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and the Vision by Tamara L Brown, Gregory Parks, Clarenda M. Phillips, et. al. as well as an except from a Phi Beta Sigma fraternity website.
****
DISCLAIMER
By no means is this meant to be a comprehensive presentation of information on the subject of the influence of the United States military on fraternity & sorority steppin. For instance, this post only features videos of two historically Black Greek lettered organizations: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Furthermore, the huge influence of military cadences on fraternity step chants and vice versa isn't discussed in these posts.
The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
****
INFORMATIONAL EXCERPTS
(These excerpts are presented in no particular order and are numbered for reference purposes.)
Excerpt #1
From African American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and the Vision edited by Tamara Brown
Google Books, p 327-329
"The military has played a large part in the formation and continuation of BGLO chants and steps. One might even say that the performance behaviors of both the military and BGLOs exist in a type of symbiotic relationship.... As a result of blacks entering the military before, during, and after attending college, one find BGLO behavior in the military, and military behavior in BGLO system.
The brothers of Omega Psi Phi with their paramilitary garb, trace stepping back to the military influence of the 1900s. Ex-soldiers attending college would incorporate marches and drills into their BGLO performance…Shannon Rawls of Kappa Alpha Psi elaborated: “Members of black organizations, brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi...who went to the military for World War II in the late ’30s and early ‘40s would come back home and incorporate some of the same cadence and military style back into....the stepping style, or into the dancing style that they did.”
Stepping during that early period was called lining, descriptive of the formation in which soldiers march. Some Omegas and other BGLO members still refer to stepping as marching on account of this early military influence.
This military behavior is further observed in the clothing, stance, and marching of BGLO members. Part of the basic working military wardrobe consists of camouflage pants, or fatigues, and combat boots. These garments, though found in all fraternities, are especially prevalent in brothers of Omega Psi Phi..."
-snip-
"BGLO" = Black Greek letter[ed] Organizations
****
Excerpt #2
From Soulstepping: African American Step Shows by Elizabeth C. Fine (University of Illinois Press (2007, pp 56-57)
"Perhaps the most striking nonverbal facial expression that reveals the lowly, liminal status of pledges is what students throughout the country refer to as “the grit”.
Appearing to grit their teeth, pledges performing in their first steep show, called a “probate” or “neophyte” show, frequently affect a stoic demeanor as they stand in line with fellow pledges, their lower lips often thrust out...When questioned, examined, and sometimes taunted or criticized by members of the society they want to join, they strive to keep their cool and show respect by staring straight ahead without moving or showing any emotion. The stance closely resembles that required by the military when new recruits stand stiffly at attention under review by their superiors. It is possible that returning Black G.I.’ brought the grit to campuses when they joined fraternities after World War I and the Korean War. The compulsory ROTC participation requited by Howard and other land grant universities may also have contributed a military influence to stepping....
In addition to ROTC and the influence of returned service men and women, military influences were perhaps from a tradition of the mock military reviews that were held among slaves. During “Training Day” performances, slaves “lampooned white military practices”. “Burlesque" military-style parades flourished in the 1830s from New England to Georgia and later became a standard feature of minstrel shows and other forms of entertainment. Many African American benevolent and secret mutual aid societies enjoyed elaborate public parades and encouraged youth to participate in drill teams….Because of their emphasis on piety and respectability, the black schools established by northern missionaries after the Civil War refused to allow students to dance. Some, however, “permit[ed] them to ‘march’ on social occasions, E. Franklin Frazier notes.”
****
Excerpt #4
From http://students.washington.edu/pbskl/step.htm
The history of Stepping according to the Temple of Blue [Phi Beta Sigma] SOURCES:
Brother Terrence A.B. Lewis
Brother Ahab El'Askeni
..."Other elements of stepping formed after the return of brothers from World War II. Various elements of military marching and line formations were implemented into fraternities with the end of the war and the advent of peace time. This, along with the founders influence, are some of the origins for the use of the cane by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. in many regions. To this day the military influence as well as Masonic influences can still be seen in the step process as well as the pledge process of most Black Greek Lettered Organizations. It is through these and many other factors that stepping began to become an intimate part of Black Greek Lettered Organizations...
For Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, in many regions, canes were used due, in part, to the influence of the founders, but for the most part by the military drill sergants who were members. In the late 40's and early 50's, for the purpose of identification, many black drill sergants carried canes. These canes allowed other black soldiers to identify with their rank, which was neccessary on many bases where racism was prevalent. Of course there were some drill sergants that were members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. as well as Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and it is possible that these were some of the influences for using canes as a part of the step process."
****
Comment (added on August 5, 2016)
Here's a comment from the discussion thread of the video given below as Video #3:
George m, 2013
"These POGES need to stop barking, they STOLE that Bulldog bark from us the Marine Corps, they are NOT a TRUE brotherhood WE ARE! throw a grenade in the middle of that crowd and see if a q dog belly flops on top of it, I THINK NOT! The Marine Corps have been doing that WAR BARK a lot longer than you have, THATS WHY WE ARE DEVIL DOGS!!!! You guys are Pathetic, do something constructive instead of Hazing and popping each other in the Ass which is what you guys do seeing as you are a Greek club."
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Video #1: Omega Psi Phi 2013 Atlanta Greek Picnic Hop team @atlgreekpicnic
Atlanta Greek Picnic Published on Jun 10, 2013
2013 Atlanta Greek Picnic Omega Psi Phi Hop team/ Stroll Off ||
Follow us http://twitter.com/atlgreekpicnic
-snip-
The video that was initially showcased is no longer available.
Notice these men's military fatigue pants.
****
Video #2: NCCU Homecoming 2012 Step Show- Phi Beta Sigma
NCCULife, Published on Nov 9, 2012
This video is uncut, raw footage filmed by NCCU students. Congratulations to the men of Phi Beta Sigma on their 1st place win for the second year in a row!
****
Video #3: Omega Psi Phi Que Dogs
.
mrchangeurlife, Uploaded on Jul 18, 2008
Gamma Sig Ques Settin' It Out 75th Conclave 2008
-snip-
Note the Step master standing on the side of the step team, similarly to how the Drill Sergeant stands to the side of his unit.
****
Video #4
Phi Beta Sigma WINS 2013 Atlanta Greek Picnic $10,000 step show @Atlgreekpicnic
Atlanta Greek Picnic·Published on Jun 10, 2013
Phi Beta Sigma WINS 2013 Atlanta Greek Picnic $10,000 step show
****
OTHER RELATED LINKS
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/11/cane-kane-performances-in-black.html This is Part I of a three part series about cane (kane) twirling by historically Black fraternities & sororities. Part I provides some historical information about that subject.
**
http://zumalayah.blogspot.com/2013/05/prince-hall-shriners-riding-doing-camel.html This post shows the similarities between steppin and the camel walk performed by Prince Hall Shriners
**
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-chain-gang-cadence-soul-patrol.html This post shows a movie version of Black military cadence marching.
**
Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/08/branding-mean-mugging-grittin-in-omega.html for a pancocojams post on branding and "mean mugging".
****
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post, to those who are featured in these videos and to the publishers of these videos. Thanks also to all members past and present of historically Black Greek lettered organizations.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
[Revised August 7, 2016]
This is Part I of a two part series on the influence of the United States military on historically Black Greek lettered fraternity & sorority steppin. Video clips are added throughout this post to illustrate the points that are made in the excerpts.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/11/devil-dogs-q-dogs-are-there-connections.html for Part II of this series. In that post I speculate about the possible relationship between the military referent "devil dogs" and the "Que dog" referent for persons associated with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
****
UPDATE August 12, 2016
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-military-influences-on-historically.html for an expanded excerpt from the 2005 book African American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and the Vision by Tamara L Brown, Gregory Parks, Clarenda M. Phillips, et. al. as well as an except from a Phi Beta Sigma fraternity website.
****
DISCLAIMER
By no means is this meant to be a comprehensive presentation of information on the subject of the influence of the United States military on fraternity & sorority steppin. For instance, this post only features videos of two historically Black Greek lettered organizations: Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Furthermore, the huge influence of military cadences on fraternity step chants and vice versa isn't discussed in these posts.
The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
****
INFORMATIONAL EXCERPTS
(These excerpts are presented in no particular order and are numbered for reference purposes.)
Excerpt #1
From African American Fraternities and Sororities: The Legacy and the Vision edited by Tamara Brown
Google Books, p 327-329
"The military has played a large part in the formation and continuation of BGLO chants and steps. One might even say that the performance behaviors of both the military and BGLOs exist in a type of symbiotic relationship.... As a result of blacks entering the military before, during, and after attending college, one find BGLO behavior in the military, and military behavior in BGLO system.
The brothers of Omega Psi Phi with their paramilitary garb, trace stepping back to the military influence of the 1900s. Ex-soldiers attending college would incorporate marches and drills into their BGLO performance…Shannon Rawls of Kappa Alpha Psi elaborated: “Members of black organizations, brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi...who went to the military for World War II in the late ’30s and early ‘40s would come back home and incorporate some of the same cadence and military style back into....the stepping style, or into the dancing style that they did.”
Stepping during that early period was called lining, descriptive of the formation in which soldiers march. Some Omegas and other BGLO members still refer to stepping as marching on account of this early military influence.
This military behavior is further observed in the clothing, stance, and marching of BGLO members. Part of the basic working military wardrobe consists of camouflage pants, or fatigues, and combat boots. These garments, though found in all fraternities, are especially prevalent in brothers of Omega Psi Phi..."
-snip-
"BGLO" = Black Greek letter[ed] Organizations
****
Excerpt #2
From Soulstepping: African American Step Shows by Elizabeth C. Fine (University of Illinois Press (2007, pp 56-57)
"Perhaps the most striking nonverbal facial expression that reveals the lowly, liminal status of pledges is what students throughout the country refer to as “the grit”.
Appearing to grit their teeth, pledges performing in their first steep show, called a “probate” or “neophyte” show, frequently affect a stoic demeanor as they stand in line with fellow pledges, their lower lips often thrust out...When questioned, examined, and sometimes taunted or criticized by members of the society they want to join, they strive to keep their cool and show respect by staring straight ahead without moving or showing any emotion. The stance closely resembles that required by the military when new recruits stand stiffly at attention under review by their superiors. It is possible that returning Black G.I.’ brought the grit to campuses when they joined fraternities after World War I and the Korean War. The compulsory ROTC participation requited by Howard and other land grant universities may also have contributed a military influence to stepping....
In addition to ROTC and the influence of returned service men and women, military influences were perhaps from a tradition of the mock military reviews that were held among slaves. During “Training Day” performances, slaves “lampooned white military practices”. “Burlesque" military-style parades flourished in the 1830s from New England to Georgia and later became a standard feature of minstrel shows and other forms of entertainment. Many African American benevolent and secret mutual aid societies enjoyed elaborate public parades and encouraged youth to participate in drill teams….Because of their emphasis on piety and respectability, the black schools established by northern missionaries after the Civil War refused to allow students to dance. Some, however, “permit[ed] them to ‘march’ on social occasions, E. Franklin Frazier notes.”
****
Excerpt #4
From http://students.washington.edu/pbskl/step.htm
The history of Stepping according to the Temple of Blue [Phi Beta Sigma] SOURCES:
Brother Terrence A.B. Lewis
Brother Ahab El'Askeni
..."Other elements of stepping formed after the return of brothers from World War II. Various elements of military marching and line formations were implemented into fraternities with the end of the war and the advent of peace time. This, along with the founders influence, are some of the origins for the use of the cane by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. in many regions. To this day the military influence as well as Masonic influences can still be seen in the step process as well as the pledge process of most Black Greek Lettered Organizations. It is through these and many other factors that stepping began to become an intimate part of Black Greek Lettered Organizations...
For Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, in many regions, canes were used due, in part, to the influence of the founders, but for the most part by the military drill sergants who were members. In the late 40's and early 50's, for the purpose of identification, many black drill sergants carried canes. These canes allowed other black soldiers to identify with their rank, which was neccessary on many bases where racism was prevalent. Of course there were some drill sergants that were members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. as well as Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and it is possible that these were some of the influences for using canes as a part of the step process."
****
Comment (added on August 5, 2016)
Here's a comment from the discussion thread of the video given below as Video #3:
George m, 2013
"These POGES need to stop barking, they STOLE that Bulldog bark from us the Marine Corps, they are NOT a TRUE brotherhood WE ARE! throw a grenade in the middle of that crowd and see if a q dog belly flops on top of it, I THINK NOT! The Marine Corps have been doing that WAR BARK a lot longer than you have, THATS WHY WE ARE DEVIL DOGS!!!! You guys are Pathetic, do something constructive instead of Hazing and popping each other in the Ass which is what you guys do seeing as you are a Greek club."
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Video #1: Omega Psi Phi 2013 Atlanta Greek Picnic Hop team @atlgreekpicnic
Atlanta Greek Picnic Published on Jun 10, 2013
2013 Atlanta Greek Picnic Omega Psi Phi Hop team/ Stroll Off ||
Follow us http://twitter.com/atlgreekpicnic
-snip-
The video that was initially showcased is no longer available.
Notice these men's military fatigue pants.
****
Video #2: NCCU Homecoming 2012 Step Show- Phi Beta Sigma
NCCULife, Published on Nov 9, 2012
This video is uncut, raw footage filmed by NCCU students. Congratulations to the men of Phi Beta Sigma on their 1st place win for the second year in a row!
****
Video #3: Omega Psi Phi Que Dogs
.
mrchangeurlife, Uploaded on Jul 18, 2008
Gamma Sig Ques Settin' It Out 75th Conclave 2008
-snip-
Note the Step master standing on the side of the step team, similarly to how the Drill Sergeant stands to the side of his unit.
****
Video #4
Phi Beta Sigma WINS 2013 Atlanta Greek Picnic $10,000 step show @Atlgreekpicnic
Atlanta Greek Picnic·Published on Jun 10, 2013
Phi Beta Sigma WINS 2013 Atlanta Greek Picnic $10,000 step show
****
OTHER RELATED LINKS
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/11/cane-kane-performances-in-black.html This is Part I of a three part series about cane (kane) twirling by historically Black fraternities & sororities. Part I provides some historical information about that subject.
**
http://zumalayah.blogspot.com/2013/05/prince-hall-shriners-riding-doing-camel.html This post shows the similarities between steppin and the camel walk performed by Prince Hall Shriners
**
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-chain-gang-cadence-soul-patrol.html This post shows a movie version of Black military cadence marching.
**
Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/08/branding-mean-mugging-grittin-in-omega.html for a pancocojams post on branding and "mean mugging".
****
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post, to those who are featured in these videos and to the publishers of these videos. Thanks also to all members past and present of historically Black Greek lettered organizations.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
The Chain Gang Cadence (The Soul Patrol Shuffle)
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post showcases a video clip from the 1990 American movie "Cadence" [also known as "Stockade" in Europe.]
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: CADENCE
cadence 1990 chain gang march (soul patrol shuffle)
CJDone, Published on Jul 3, 2013
cadence 1990 chain gang march (soul patrol shuffle)
-snip-
Comment from this video's viewer comment thread:
Francesca Van der Geld via Google+
2013
"Cadence is a 1990 film directed by (and starring) Martin Sheen, in which Charlie Sheen plays an inmate in a United States Army military prison in West Germany during the 1960s. Sheen plays alongside his father Martin Sheen and brother Ramon Estevez. The film is based on a novel by Gordon Weaver.
PFC Franklin Bean (Charlie Sheen) gets drunk and goes AWOL upon the death of his father. As punishment, he is thrown into a stockade populated entirely by black inmates. But instead of giving into racism, Bean joins forces with his fellow inmates and rises up against the bigoted prison warden, MSgt. Otis McKinney (Martin Sheen).
This comes from a great but underrated movie called Cadence in the USA and Stockade in Europe."
****
RELATED LINKS
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/10/sam-cooke-otis-redding-chain-gang.html for videos of the song "Chain Gang" as well as the lyrics to that song.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/11/military-influences-on-fraternity.html for a pancocojams post on the influence of the United States military on fraternity & sorority steppin.
****
OTHER USES OF "SOUL PATROL"
"Soul Patrol" is also a referent for a military unit of African Americans in the American Vietnam War.
From http://www.amazon.com/Soul-Patrol-Riveting-African-American/dp/0891418172
Soul Patrol: The Riveting True Story of the First African American LRRP Team in Vietnam by Ed Emanuel(Author)
Publisher: Presidio Press (July 29, 2003)
Book Review by Kregg P Jorgenson on February 11, 2004
"Soul Patrol by Ed Emanuel is a fine tribute to the LRRP/Rangers he served with during the Vietnam War. More than that, it also offers an indepth look at the bravery and heroism of black American soldiers who not only served honorably but with proud distinction. The motto that 'Rangers Lead The Way' is clearly evident in Emanuel's book and one that speaks to the sacrifice and service of those who wore the patch."
-snip-
This review is not a recommendation of this book by this blog editor, but is given to point out that use of the phrase "Soul Patrol".
****
"Soul Patrol" is also the name of vocalist Taylor Hick's fans. Taylor Hicks is a White American soul singer who was the winner of the 2006 "American Idol" television show.
From http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1532468/taylor-wins-idol-shouts-out-soul-patrol.jhtml
“ 'Soul Patrol!' Hicks screamed upon learning he'd won the competition and a recording contract to boot.... Hicks' devotees have picked up his trademark chant — an homage to the music that the singer thrives on — as their nickname.”
****
Thanks to the composer of the "Chain Gang" song and the choreographer & performers of "The Soul Patrol Shuffle". Thanks also to all those who were quoted in this post & thanks to the publisher of this movie clip on YouTube.
Thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post showcases a video clip from the 1990 American movie "Cadence" [also known as "Stockade" in Europe.]
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: CADENCE
cadence 1990 chain gang march (soul patrol shuffle)
CJDone, Published on Jul 3, 2013
cadence 1990 chain gang march (soul patrol shuffle)
-snip-
Comment from this video's viewer comment thread:
Francesca Van der Geld via Google+
2013
"Cadence is a 1990 film directed by (and starring) Martin Sheen, in which Charlie Sheen plays an inmate in a United States Army military prison in West Germany during the 1960s. Sheen plays alongside his father Martin Sheen and brother Ramon Estevez. The film is based on a novel by Gordon Weaver.
PFC Franklin Bean (Charlie Sheen) gets drunk and goes AWOL upon the death of his father. As punishment, he is thrown into a stockade populated entirely by black inmates. But instead of giving into racism, Bean joins forces with his fellow inmates and rises up against the bigoted prison warden, MSgt. Otis McKinney (Martin Sheen).
This comes from a great but underrated movie called Cadence in the USA and Stockade in Europe."
****
RELATED LINKS
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/10/sam-cooke-otis-redding-chain-gang.html for videos of the song "Chain Gang" as well as the lyrics to that song.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/11/military-influences-on-fraternity.html for a pancocojams post on the influence of the United States military on fraternity & sorority steppin.
****
OTHER USES OF "SOUL PATROL"
"Soul Patrol" is also a referent for a military unit of African Americans in the American Vietnam War.
From http://www.amazon.com/Soul-Patrol-Riveting-African-American/dp/0891418172
Soul Patrol: The Riveting True Story of the First African American LRRP Team in Vietnam by Ed Emanuel(Author)
Publisher: Presidio Press (July 29, 2003)
Book Review by Kregg P Jorgenson on February 11, 2004
"Soul Patrol by Ed Emanuel is a fine tribute to the LRRP/Rangers he served with during the Vietnam War. More than that, it also offers an indepth look at the bravery and heroism of black American soldiers who not only served honorably but with proud distinction. The motto that 'Rangers Lead The Way' is clearly evident in Emanuel's book and one that speaks to the sacrifice and service of those who wore the patch."
-snip-
This review is not a recommendation of this book by this blog editor, but is given to point out that use of the phrase "Soul Patrol".
****
"Soul Patrol" is also the name of vocalist Taylor Hick's fans. Taylor Hicks is a White American soul singer who was the winner of the 2006 "American Idol" television show.
From http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1532468/taylor-wins-idol-shouts-out-soul-patrol.jhtml
“ 'Soul Patrol!' Hicks screamed upon learning he'd won the competition and a recording contract to boot.... Hicks' devotees have picked up his trademark chant — an homage to the music that the singer thrives on — as their nickname.”
****
Thanks to the composer of the "Chain Gang" song and the choreographer & performers of "The Soul Patrol Shuffle". Thanks also to all those who were quoted in this post & thanks to the publisher of this movie clip on YouTube.
Thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Thanksgiving Songs For Young Children (videos & lyrics)
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post showcases two Thanksgiving songs & one Thanksgiving chant for young children. The featured compositions are "A Bunch Of Fat Turkeys", "The Turkey Ran Away", and "A Turkey Named Bert". [Update: July 11/2015] The copyright owner of "A Turkey Named Bert" has not given permission for the video of that song to be included. My apologies.
The content of this post is presented for entertainment and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owner.
EDITOR'S COMMENT
By posting these songs on this blog that focuses on music and dance from African Americans and from other Black cultures around the world, I'm not stating or implying that these songs were composed by Black people.
I'm showcasing these songs because I like them because they are easy to learn and fun for children, teens, and/or adults to sing, regardless of their race or ethnicity.
I also like these Thanksgiving songs & chant because they contain no stereotypical references to Indians wearing feathers. Hopefully, no adults will make children performing these compositions dress up that way.
****
FEATURED SONGS
(These songs are presented in no particular order.)
Example #1: Kindergarten Turkey Songs
.
The Baldwin School, Published on Nov 27, 2012
At the 2012 Thanksgiving Assembly, Baldwin's Kindergarteners sang "A Bunch Of Fat Turkeys." With the help of the Baldwin 13 Year Club and alumnae, the Kindergarteners sang the song twice more.
-snip-
LYRICS: A BUNCH OF FAT TURKEYS
(composer ?)
A bunch of fat turkeys are we
We slept all night in a tree
When the cook came around
We couldn’t be found
So that’s why we’re here you see
-snip-
Source: My transcription from the video.
****
Example #2: The Turkey Ran Away song
heathermp1 Uploaded on Nov 17, 2011
This is Hannah singing a song from pre-school, The Turkey Ran Away before Thanksgiving Day...
-snip-
LYRICS: THE TURKEY RAN AWAY
(composer ?)
The turkey ran away
Before Thanksgiving day
He said "They will make a roast of me
If I should stay."
The pumpkin rolled away
Before Thanksgiving day
She said "They will make a pie of me
If I should stay."
The cranberry rolled away
Before Thanksgiving day
He said "They will make a sauce of me
If I should stay."
-snip-
I've also read versions of this song that include a verse for "potato" [She said they'll make mash potatoes of me], and a verse for cabbage [He said they'll make slaw *out of me if I should stay.]
*cole slaw.
One of the earliest school songs that I remember is "A Turkey Ran Away" [in the 1950s in Atlantic City, New Jersey]. The tune used for that song is basically the same as the tune that's used in the above video, but after the words "He said" the tune & the words are different. Unfortunately, I can't find any video of that version, but here's the words that I remember:
A turkey ran away
Before thanksgiving day
He said “Gooble google gooble gooble gooble gooble gooble
I don’t like Thanksgiving day
He said “Gooble google gooble gooble gooble gooble gooble
I am going to run away-a-a*
*The word "away" is elongated.
****
Example #3: The Turkey Ran Away
saritschube, Uploaded on Dec 1, 2008
Thanksgiving Extravaganza part 3
-snip-
The tune for this rendition of "The Turkey Ran Away" is the same tune as "The Farmer In The Dell".
The word are slightly different than those given above:
1. The turkey ran away...They said they'd make a roast of me...
2. The corn ran away...They said they'd make bread of me...
3. The cranberry ran away...They said they'd make sauce of me...
4. The pumpkin ran away...They said they'd make pie of me...
****
Thanks to all the composers of these songs. Thanks also to all those who are featured in these videos, and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post showcases two Thanksgiving songs & one Thanksgiving chant for young children. The featured compositions are "A Bunch Of Fat Turkeys", "The Turkey Ran Away", and "A Turkey Named Bert". [Update: July 11/2015] The copyright owner of "A Turkey Named Bert" has not given permission for the video of that song to be included. My apologies.
The content of this post is presented for entertainment and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owner.
EDITOR'S COMMENT
By posting these songs on this blog that focuses on music and dance from African Americans and from other Black cultures around the world, I'm not stating or implying that these songs were composed by Black people.
I'm showcasing these songs because I like them because they are easy to learn and fun for children, teens, and/or adults to sing, regardless of their race or ethnicity.
I also like these Thanksgiving songs & chant because they contain no stereotypical references to Indians wearing feathers. Hopefully, no adults will make children performing these compositions dress up that way.
****
FEATURED SONGS
(These songs are presented in no particular order.)
Example #1: Kindergarten Turkey Songs
.
The Baldwin School, Published on Nov 27, 2012
At the 2012 Thanksgiving Assembly, Baldwin's Kindergarteners sang "A Bunch Of Fat Turkeys." With the help of the Baldwin 13 Year Club and alumnae, the Kindergarteners sang the song twice more.
-snip-
LYRICS: A BUNCH OF FAT TURKEYS
(composer ?)
A bunch of fat turkeys are we
We slept all night in a tree
When the cook came around
We couldn’t be found
So that’s why we’re here you see
-snip-
Source: My transcription from the video.
****
Example #2: The Turkey Ran Away song
heathermp1 Uploaded on Nov 17, 2011
This is Hannah singing a song from pre-school, The Turkey Ran Away before Thanksgiving Day...
-snip-
LYRICS: THE TURKEY RAN AWAY
(composer ?)
The turkey ran away
Before Thanksgiving day
He said "They will make a roast of me
If I should stay."
The pumpkin rolled away
Before Thanksgiving day
She said "They will make a pie of me
If I should stay."
The cranberry rolled away
Before Thanksgiving day
He said "They will make a sauce of me
If I should stay."
-snip-
I've also read versions of this song that include a verse for "potato" [She said they'll make mash potatoes of me], and a verse for cabbage [He said they'll make slaw *out of me if I should stay.]
*cole slaw.
One of the earliest school songs that I remember is "A Turkey Ran Away" [in the 1950s in Atlantic City, New Jersey]. The tune used for that song is basically the same as the tune that's used in the above video, but after the words "He said" the tune & the words are different. Unfortunately, I can't find any video of that version, but here's the words that I remember:
A turkey ran away
Before thanksgiving day
He said “Gooble google gooble gooble gooble gooble gooble
I don’t like Thanksgiving day
He said “Gooble google gooble gooble gooble gooble gooble
I am going to run away-a-a*
*The word "away" is elongated.
****
Example #3: The Turkey Ran Away
saritschube, Uploaded on Dec 1, 2008
Thanksgiving Extravaganza part 3
-snip-
The tune for this rendition of "The Turkey Ran Away" is the same tune as "The Farmer In The Dell".
The word are slightly different than those given above:
1. The turkey ran away...They said they'd make a roast of me...
2. The corn ran away...They said they'd make bread of me...
3. The cranberry ran away...They said they'd make sauce of me...
4. The pumpkin ran away...They said they'd make pie of me...
****
Thanks to all the composers of these songs. Thanks also to all those who are featured in these videos, and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
You Can't Beat God's Giving (lyrics & examples)
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post showcases five renditions of the Gospel classic "You Can't Beat God's Giving". This song's lyrics and information about this song' composer Doris Akers are also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for religious and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT DORIS AKERS
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doris_Akers
"Doris Mae Akers (May 21, 1923 - July 26, 1995) was an American Gospel music composer, arranger and singer. Known for her work with the Sky Pilot Choir, she was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2001.[1]...
She learned to play the piano by ear at age six wrote her first song, "Keep The Fire Burning In Me" when she was ten years old...
In 1945, at the age of 22, Akers moved to Los Angeles. She was recruited by Sallie Martin in 1946 as a pianist and vocalist for The Sallie Martin Singers. (They would later have a recording contract with Capitol Records.) Sallie Martin was famous for touring nationally with Professor Thomas Dorsey to sell gospel sheet music and this collaboration early in her career gave Doris insight into the business end of the music industry...
While in Los Angeles, she became director of the Sky Pilot Choir, an integrated choir, which was also featured on recordings, television shows, and radio broadcasts across the country. Her fresh, modern arrangements of traditional Negro spirituals drew large crowds from far and near and increased attendance at the church dramatically. They released three albums, "The Sky Pilot Choir", "The Sky Pilot Choir Vol. 2" (with the Sutton Sisters), and "Doris Akers Sings with The Sky Pilot Choir". Their organist on many occasions was a young Billy Preston. She ended her collaboration with the Sky Pilot Choir in 1965, but they reunited again in 1974 to record their fourth effort, "Doris Akers and the Original Members of the Sky Pilot Choir"...
She was affectionately known as "Miss Gospel Music" because she was admired and respected by everyone in the music industry over the years, she had mastered every aspect of gospel music including vocals, keyboards, choir directing, arranging, composing and publishing, she had worked with many of the pioneers of the Golden Age of Gospel Music, she had authored many standard gospel compositions, and she moved freely and successfully in all spheres of gospel music. She had mastered her art completely as a solo artist, composer and producer. Many of her compositions such as "Lead Me and Guide Me", "I Cannot Fail The Lord", "You Can't Beat God Giving", and "Sweet, Sweet Spirit", sold millions for other gospel artists and evangelists."
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES & LYRICS
(These examples are presented in chronological order based on their posting date, with the oldest dated examples posted first.)
Example #1: Sky Pilot Choir - You Can't Beat God Giving
Linda Mercado, Uploaded on May 14, 2009
Sky Pilot Choir singing another great song written by Doris.
[LYRICS: YOU CAN'T BEAT GOD'S GIVING
Composer: Doris Akers, 1957]
You can't beat God giving,
No matter how hard you try
And just as sure as you are living
And the Lord is in heaven on high
The more you give the more He gives to you
But keep on giving because its really true that
You can't beat God giving,
No matter how you try
Should we receive and never give
The Saviour died that we might live
His life on Calvary He gladly gave
Our sinful souls to save
He gives me health, He keeps me strong
He guides me when I would go wrong
He gives me everything that I need
My every hunger feeds
He gave me peace, He made me whole
And when in sin, He saved my soul
And what I give could never be compared
With the blessings that I share
-snip-
In this sound file, the Sky Pilots' sing the first verse, the last verse, and then end with the first verse.
Here's a comment from this sound file's viewer comment thread that was written in response to a comment that this song was composed by the Caravans:
Linda Mercado, 2009
"Hi and thanks for your comment :-) But actually, Ms Akers DID IN FACT write this song in 1957 and it was published by Manna Music. She was a very, very gifted composer and went on to write over 500 songs, many of which are still in the hymnals of many denominations. She never really got the recognition she deserved, and that's why I made my channel in honor of her. Please look around and get to know more about this anointed composer, pianist, singer, and choir director!! God bless you!"
****
Example #2: Doris Akers & Gospel Legends - You Can't Beat God Giving
PrazHymn83, Uploaded on Mar 22, 2010
The Gospel Legends minister with Doris Akers' "You Can't Beat God Giving"
The pianist is the late, great Rev. Donald Vails and the organist is the late, great Billy Preston
You also see Dr. Margaret Douroux, Richard Smallwood, Billy Preston, Jesse Dixon, Al Hobbs, Danniebelle Hall, The Barrett Sisters, The Caravans, Debbie Austin, Richard "Mr. Clean" White, Bishop Walter Hawkins, Jennifer Holiday and many, many more!!
****
Example #3: "You Can't Beat God Giving" - The Caravans feat, Albertina Walker & Eddie Williams
Emmanuel Jones, Uploaded on Jun 23, 2011
The Caravans
You Can't Beat God Giving, MARY DON'T YOU WEEP (ALBUM)
Albertina Walker & Eddie Williams, Lead
Recorded October 9th,1958
-snip-
Here's the words to the verse that The Caravans sing in addition to the "chorus" of this song:
Verse:
He sends the sun and He sends the rain
He sends the harvest golden grain
He comes to see me every now and then
Because He’s my best friend
****
Example #4: Gene Martin-You Can't Beat God Giving (Video)
boofitts,·Uploaded on Jul 8, 2011
Legendary gospel artist with heavenly voice sings classic.
Gene Martin was featured soloist with A.A. Allen Miracle Revivals
during the 60's and 70's,
Bro. Martin is accompanied by Miracle Valley (Arizona) choir at Miracle Valley Church. David Davis on organ, Richard Page on piano.
Gene Martin is still preaching and singing with his Action Revivals, based in Atlanta Ga.
****
Example #5: God's GIving-The Soul Stirrers
tinascaravans, Published on Jan 26, 2013
Gospel classics are songs that are special, they've been around for a long time. We all know them word for word, love them; they have a special meaning in our lives, and they will never be forgotten...
[Information about Doris Akers from her Wikipedia page]
The group-The Soul Stirrers was formed by Roy Crain, in Trinity, Texas. Among the members of that group was R. H. Harris, Jesse J, Farley, and T.L. Brewster. Harris who soon became the groups musical leader, brought several changes to the Soul Stirrers that affected gospel quartet singing generally. Over the years some notable's have passed through the Soul Stirrers; Sam Cooke, Lou Rawls, Johnny Taylor, Paul Foster, and Julius Cheeks. The legacy of the Soul Stirrers continues to echo through the parallel worlds of gospel and soul music, and their urgent, expressive recordings never sound outdated. The Soul Stirrers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, and they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000.
From their 1967 album The Soul Stirrers: The Golden Gospel, God's Giving aka You Can't Beat God's Giving.
Disclaimer: Photographs and music copyright are owned by their originators. No infringement intended.
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Thanks to Doris Akers, the composer of this Gospel song for her musical legacy. Thanks to all the Gospel vocalists who are featured in these videos for their musical legacies. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos, and those who I quoted in this post.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post showcases five renditions of the Gospel classic "You Can't Beat God's Giving". This song's lyrics and information about this song' composer Doris Akers are also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for religious and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
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INFORMATION ABOUT DORIS AKERS
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doris_Akers
"Doris Mae Akers (May 21, 1923 - July 26, 1995) was an American Gospel music composer, arranger and singer. Known for her work with the Sky Pilot Choir, she was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2001.[1]...
She learned to play the piano by ear at age six wrote her first song, "Keep The Fire Burning In Me" when she was ten years old...
In 1945, at the age of 22, Akers moved to Los Angeles. She was recruited by Sallie Martin in 1946 as a pianist and vocalist for The Sallie Martin Singers. (They would later have a recording contract with Capitol Records.) Sallie Martin was famous for touring nationally with Professor Thomas Dorsey to sell gospel sheet music and this collaboration early in her career gave Doris insight into the business end of the music industry...
While in Los Angeles, she became director of the Sky Pilot Choir, an integrated choir, which was also featured on recordings, television shows, and radio broadcasts across the country. Her fresh, modern arrangements of traditional Negro spirituals drew large crowds from far and near and increased attendance at the church dramatically. They released three albums, "The Sky Pilot Choir", "The Sky Pilot Choir Vol. 2" (with the Sutton Sisters), and "Doris Akers Sings with The Sky Pilot Choir". Their organist on many occasions was a young Billy Preston. She ended her collaboration with the Sky Pilot Choir in 1965, but they reunited again in 1974 to record their fourth effort, "Doris Akers and the Original Members of the Sky Pilot Choir"...
She was affectionately known as "Miss Gospel Music" because she was admired and respected by everyone in the music industry over the years, she had mastered every aspect of gospel music including vocals, keyboards, choir directing, arranging, composing and publishing, she had worked with many of the pioneers of the Golden Age of Gospel Music, she had authored many standard gospel compositions, and she moved freely and successfully in all spheres of gospel music. She had mastered her art completely as a solo artist, composer and producer. Many of her compositions such as "Lead Me and Guide Me", "I Cannot Fail The Lord", "You Can't Beat God Giving", and "Sweet, Sweet Spirit", sold millions for other gospel artists and evangelists."
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FEATURED EXAMPLES & LYRICS
(These examples are presented in chronological order based on their posting date, with the oldest dated examples posted first.)
Example #1: Sky Pilot Choir - You Can't Beat God Giving
Linda Mercado, Uploaded on May 14, 2009
Sky Pilot Choir singing another great song written by Doris.
[LYRICS: YOU CAN'T BEAT GOD'S GIVING
Composer: Doris Akers, 1957]
You can't beat God giving,
No matter how hard you try
And just as sure as you are living
And the Lord is in heaven on high
The more you give the more He gives to you
But keep on giving because its really true that
You can't beat God giving,
No matter how you try
Should we receive and never give
The Saviour died that we might live
His life on Calvary He gladly gave
Our sinful souls to save
He gives me health, He keeps me strong
He guides me when I would go wrong
He gives me everything that I need
My every hunger feeds
He gave me peace, He made me whole
And when in sin, He saved my soul
And what I give could never be compared
With the blessings that I share
-snip-
In this sound file, the Sky Pilots' sing the first verse, the last verse, and then end with the first verse.
Here's a comment from this sound file's viewer comment thread that was written in response to a comment that this song was composed by the Caravans:
Linda Mercado, 2009
"Hi and thanks for your comment :-) But actually, Ms Akers DID IN FACT write this song in 1957 and it was published by Manna Music. She was a very, very gifted composer and went on to write over 500 songs, many of which are still in the hymnals of many denominations. She never really got the recognition she deserved, and that's why I made my channel in honor of her. Please look around and get to know more about this anointed composer, pianist, singer, and choir director!! God bless you!"
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Example #2: Doris Akers & Gospel Legends - You Can't Beat God Giving
PrazHymn83, Uploaded on Mar 22, 2010
The Gospel Legends minister with Doris Akers' "You Can't Beat God Giving"
The pianist is the late, great Rev. Donald Vails and the organist is the late, great Billy Preston
You also see Dr. Margaret Douroux, Richard Smallwood, Billy Preston, Jesse Dixon, Al Hobbs, Danniebelle Hall, The Barrett Sisters, The Caravans, Debbie Austin, Richard "Mr. Clean" White, Bishop Walter Hawkins, Jennifer Holiday and many, many more!!
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Example #3: "You Can't Beat God Giving" - The Caravans feat, Albertina Walker & Eddie Williams
Emmanuel Jones, Uploaded on Jun 23, 2011
The Caravans
You Can't Beat God Giving, MARY DON'T YOU WEEP (ALBUM)
Albertina Walker & Eddie Williams, Lead
Recorded October 9th,1958
-snip-
Here's the words to the verse that The Caravans sing in addition to the "chorus" of this song:
Verse:
He sends the sun and He sends the rain
He sends the harvest golden grain
He comes to see me every now and then
Because He’s my best friend
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Example #4: Gene Martin-You Can't Beat God Giving (Video)
boofitts,·Uploaded on Jul 8, 2011
Legendary gospel artist with heavenly voice sings classic.
Gene Martin was featured soloist with A.A. Allen Miracle Revivals
during the 60's and 70's,
Bro. Martin is accompanied by Miracle Valley (Arizona) choir at Miracle Valley Church. David Davis on organ, Richard Page on piano.
Gene Martin is still preaching and singing with his Action Revivals, based in Atlanta Ga.
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Example #5: God's GIving-The Soul Stirrers
tinascaravans, Published on Jan 26, 2013
Gospel classics are songs that are special, they've been around for a long time. We all know them word for word, love them; they have a special meaning in our lives, and they will never be forgotten...
[Information about Doris Akers from her Wikipedia page]
The group-The Soul Stirrers was formed by Roy Crain, in Trinity, Texas. Among the members of that group was R. H. Harris, Jesse J, Farley, and T.L. Brewster. Harris who soon became the groups musical leader, brought several changes to the Soul Stirrers that affected gospel quartet singing generally. Over the years some notable's have passed through the Soul Stirrers; Sam Cooke, Lou Rawls, Johnny Taylor, Paul Foster, and Julius Cheeks. The legacy of the Soul Stirrers continues to echo through the parallel worlds of gospel and soul music, and their urgent, expressive recordings never sound outdated. The Soul Stirrers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, and they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2000.
From their 1967 album The Soul Stirrers: The Golden Gospel, God's Giving aka You Can't Beat God's Giving.
Disclaimer: Photographs and music copyright are owned by their originators. No infringement intended.
****
Thanks to Doris Akers, the composer of this Gospel song for her musical legacy. Thanks to all the Gospel vocalists who are featured in these videos for their musical legacies. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos, and those who I quoted in this post.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
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