Paul Robeson; Kathleen Battle & Jessye Norman - Scandalize My Name

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases a rendition of the African American Spiritual "Scandalize My Name" by Paul Robeson, and a rendition of that Spiritual by Kathleen Battle & Jessye Norman. The lyrics to that Spiritual and explanations of certain phrases in those lyrics also given in this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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LYRICS: SCANDALIZE MY NAME
(African American Spiritual, composer unknown)

I met my brother the other day
And gave him my right hand
As soon as ever my back was turned
He scandalized my name

Now do you call that a brother?
No, no
You call that a brother?
No, no
You call that a brother
No, no
Scandalize my name

I met my sister the other day
And gave her my right hand
As soon as ever my back was turned
She too scandalized my name

Now do you call that a sister?
No, no
You call that a sister?
No, no
You call that a sister?
No, no
Scandalize my name

I met my preacher the other day
And gave him my right hand
As soon as ever my back was turned
He too scandalized my name

Now do you call that religion?
No, no
You call that religion?
No, no
You call that religion?
No, no
Scandalize my name.

http://www.lyrics007.com/Paul%20Robeson%20Lyrics/Scandalize%20My%20Name%20Lyrics.html
-snip-
"scandalize my name = spread malicious gossip about me [thus creating a scandal about me]

"gave her [him] my right hand"
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_hand_of_Christian_fellowship
"The Right Hand of Fellowship is a ritual intended to welcome a new member into the fellowship of a congregation or welcoming a new minister into the fellowship of ministers. It is based on Paul's letter to the Galatians, chapter 2 verse 9, where Paul says that three disciples of Jesus "gave me and Barnabas their right hands of fellowship" (Greek: δεξὰς ἔδωκαν ἐμοὶ καὶ Βαρναβᾷ κοινωνίας), bonding them together as members of the new Christian church. John Stott follows the New English Bible in suggesting that the phrase means the other apostles "accepted Barnabas and myself as partners, and shook hands upon it."[1] Herman Ridderbos, however, believes that the "giving of right hands represents more than a reciprocal acknowledgment or testimony of friendship: it suggests rather a covenant."[2]"
-snip-
This is also referred to in churches as "extending the right hand of fellowship"

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FEATURED EXAMPLES

Example #1: Scandalize My Name! - Paul Robeson



varadero1839, Uploaded on Dec 8, 2009

Mr. Robeson sings the truth, in his own inimitable way, and what a superb rendition!
-snip-
Here's a comment from this sound file's viewer comment thread:

TheReturnOfStephan, 2009
Brilliant, as always!! There's an incredibly fascinating, terrifying documentary of the same name, about the blacklisting of African-American entertainers during McCarthy's Red Scare. It's definitely a must-see.
-snip-
I wonder if the name for the "Scandalize My Name" Spiritual had any influence on the title for the American television political drama series Scandal http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scandal_(TV_series). That series was created and is produced by African American Shonda Rhimes.

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Example #2: Kathleen Battle, Jessye Norman: "Scandalize My Name" 15 / 22



Opera Buff, Published on Mar 30, 2012

Spirituals in Concert
Amazing performance by two Opera Greats:
Kathleen Battle & Jessye Norman
Both shine throughout the concert and it should leave no doubt to anyone that Kathleen Battle and Jessye Norman are indeed two of the finest sopranos.
James Levine (Conductor)
Sylvia Olden Lee (Piano)
Live from Carnegie Hall
March 18, 1990
-snip-
I also want to say that I LOVE Jessye Norman's dress.

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Thanks to Paul Robeson, Kathleen Battle, and Jessye Norman for their musical legacy.
And thanks to the publishers for these examples on YouTube.

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