Latest revision- June 13, 2024
This is the sixth page of a seven page alphabetical collection of chants and songs from historically Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs).
This page includes examples beginning with S-V.
Click
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/03/examples-of-historically-black.html for Numbers to B.
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/03/examples-of-historically-black_16.html for C-F
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/03/examples-of-historically-black_17.html for G-J
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/03/examples-of-historically-black_14.html for K-N
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/03/examples-of-historically-black_53.html for O-R
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/03/examples-of-historically-black_65.html for W-Z
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The majority of these chants are from the nine university based, historically Black Greek fraternities and sororities that are informally referred to as "the Divine Nine". Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Pan-Hellenic_Council for information about the fraternities and sororities which are referred to by this term.
Examples in this compilation that are given without attribution are from visitors to my now retired cultural website cocojams.com.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric and cultural purposes.
Thanks to all those organizations whose chants and songs are featured in this collection. Also, thanks to all those who directly contributed examples of these chants & songs to my now retired website.
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DISCLAIMER: This series is not meant to be a complete list of Black Greek letter organization chants and songs.
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More information about these examples and additional selected examples of historically Black Greek organization chants, songs, and culture can be found in other pancocojams posts which can be assessed by clicking the tags found below.
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Note: Greek letter organization chants should only be recited or performed by persons who are affiliated with the specific organization from which the chant comes.
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EXAMPLES (S-V)
Examples with the same title or first line are given in relative chronological order based on their posting date, their retrieval online or collection date by me, or the date that I recall learning or hearing the examples.
SAID I WASN'T GOING TO TELL NOBODY
Said I wasn't going to tell nobody
A Phi A A Phi A
But listen people I've got to shout it
A Phi A A Phi A
The Kappas and the Sigmas
They got some soul:
A Phi A A Phi A
But they just can't compare
with the black and gold.
So listen Q's you'd better step aside.
But a lot of Q's didn't and a lot of Q's died.
Oh, A Phi A A Phi A
(Repeat twice)
-Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection, permission granted to post on Cocojams.com, 3/20/2010
-snip-
The musical inspiration for this Alpha chant is the African American Spiritual "I Said I Wasn't Gonna Tell Nobody".
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STAY STRONG
It’s a long hard road to Omegaland.
Do you think that I will see you
on the other side?
Are you really worthy
of the land of the purple and the gold?
Will you succeed?
Will you cross the burning sands?
Are you worthy?
It’s a long hard road to Omega.
See it through.
Impress me.
-Anonymous, from notes in Q Pearl book, 1991 Edinboro University, posted by Azizi Powell
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SIGMA GAMMA RHO IS THE WAY TO GO
Sigma Gamma Rho is the way to go
We're going to break it down so you know.
We're not the first but that matters least
Because there's three rough drafts before the masterpiece
Sigma Gamma Rho is the way to go
We're going to break it down so you know.
We're not the first but that matters least
Because there's three rough drafts before the masterpiece
Yeeeeeeeeoooooooop!
- 1990s/1999s Black Greek Soundz CD
-snip-
This was reposted on 3/21/2010 with permission from that website's editor
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SEE THEM GIRLS OVER THERE
See them girls over there...
They lookin at the Nupes
See them girls over there...
They lookin at the Nupes
Whats up
whats down
whats all around
Nupes Nupes my brothers
we here in town
-YeahImNasty; http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=99226&page=6 Kappa/Stroller chants; 3/31/2011
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SKEE WEE MY SORORS
S-K-Double E - W Double E
Skee Wee, My Sorors. Skee Wee
Skeeeeee- Weeeeeee!
S-K-Double E - W Double E
Skee Wee, My Sorors. Skee Wee
Skeeeeee- Weeeeeee!
A-L-P-H-A
K-A-P-P-A
A-L-P-H-A
Whooo those AKA's
An Ahhka is what a Delta ain't
What a Zeta couldn't
What a SGRho can't
What the Kappas like
What the Ques loves
What APhiA can't get enough of us
S-K-Double E - W Double E
Skee Wee, My Sorors Skee Wee
Skeeeeee- Weeeeeee!
One plus one is two
Two plus one is three
You better watch you man
Because your man is watching me
Four plus four is eight
One more is nine
If you didn't pledge AKA
Then watch you waste your time
Skee Wee, My Sorors. Skee Wee
Skeeeeee- Weeeeeee!
Skee Wee, My Sorors. Skee Wee
Skeeeeeeeeeeeee- Weeeeeeeeeee!
-1990s/1999 Black Greek Soundz (CD), re-posted on 3/19/2010 with permission from that website's editor
-snip-
Other examples of "one plus one is two" are found in the "O" page of this collection.
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SGRHO IS IN THE HOUSE
Stop what ya doin
SGRHO is in the house!
and when we're on the floor,
u know we ALWAYS turn it out!
As I flipped my hair,
I made a Kappa stare-
As I turned it out
I made a Alpha shout-
Sigmas,Iotas and Ques?
Yeah, they want me too!
EEE-YIP!
I love my Gold and Blue!
- 3xthelady1922, http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?s=ccb66641f027f73cbecde, 02-23-2006,
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SWEET AS CANDY
The Elephants are mad
The Ivy’s are sad
The doves have flown away
That’s just too bad
Sweet as candy Sweet as pie
I love Sigma Gamma Rho until I die!
- from http://ms_quiet.tripod.com/chants.html, retreived 12/8/2012
-snip-
This Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority chant disses the other historically Black Greek letter sororities by mentioning their mascot/symbols: "elephants" = Delta Sigma Theta, "ivy" = Alpha Kappa Alpha, Zeta Phi Beta = dove.
T,U,V
TAKE IT SLOW
Soloist: Ladies, sometimes you've got to...
Sololist & Group: Take it slow
Admire the blue and gold
You've got to take a rest
To view the very best
You've better take your time
So it won't blow your mind
And when we come to the end
We just might just do it again.
Yeeeeoooop!
- 1990s/1999 Black Greek Soundz (CD), Sigma Gamma Rho chants, reposted on
on 3/19/2010 with permission from that website's editor
-snip-
Sigma Gamma Rho's colors are royal blue and gold.
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TESTIFY
(Song for Serenade - Tune "I Want To Testify")
Friends, inquisitive friends are asking what's come over me.
Change, there's been a change and A Phi A.
Girls are walking around me, and taking me by surprise,
And I'm a brown-eyed Alpha, You can see it in my eyes.
Now it was just a little while ago, my life was incomplete.
I was just so doggone low and Alpha pulled me to my feet. A Phi A
Chorus
Don't you know that I just want to testify
What Alpha has done for me.
(Repeat)
Hm---- Hm----
Alpha, Soul Fraternity.
(Repeat)
-Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection, permission granted to post on Cocojams.com, 3/20/2010
-snip-
The musical inspiration for this song is the 1967 R&B song "I Just Want To Testify" by the Parliaments. "Testify" here is used in its African American church context of publicly sharing examples of what God (The Lord) has done in your life. That meaning is expanded to refer to publicly sharing good news with others, and is also expanded to mean telling the truth about something or someone.
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THE ONLY FRATERNITY
Don't let my son go Alpha,
A dying mother said.
Don't let him go Kappa,
I'd rather see him dead.
Don't let him go Sigma!
It's just a club you see.
But let him go Omega!
It's the only Fraternity.
-http://eoques.com/files/reclamation-retention_handbook.pdf
The Episolon Omega Chapter Reclamation Kit Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. 2008, retrieved
8/12/2012]
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THEIR SORORITY HAS A FIRST NAME (Example #1)
Their Sorority has a first name
(it's A-L-P-H-A)
Their Sorority has a second name
(it's K-A-P-PA)
Their Sorority has a third name
(it's A-L-P-H-A)
THEIR SORORITY, AS YOU CAN SEE, ACCEPTS THE REJECTS OF DST!
-Guest,OO-OOP; http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=103135, Fraternity & Sorority Chants & Songs; 1/3/2010
-snip-
This version of this chant is from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. "DST" is the initials for the historically Black Greek letter sorority Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. "OO-OOP" is Delta Sigma Theta Sorority's signature call. This example insults another historically Black Greek letter organization, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Example #2 for a very similar chant from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's point of view.
Among the university based African American (Greek lettered) sororities, DST (the Deltas) and AKA (Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc.) have a "history" that has created a rather intense rivalry.
This 'dissin' chant is based on the rather widely known Oscar Mayer hot dog jingle.
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THEIR SORORITY HAS A FIRST NAME (Example #2)
[Sung to the Oscar Meyers song]
Their Sorority has a first name
Its d-e-l-t-a
Their sorority has a second name
Its s-i-g-m-a
Their sorority has a third name
Its t-h-e-t-a
Cuz dst has a way of accepting rejects of AKA
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Epsilon Sigma chapter, http://orgs.tamu-commerce.edu/esig1908/chants.htm, Retrieved 3/7/2010
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THE WAY I FLIP MY HAIR
The way I flip my hair I make the Kappa’s stare
The way I turn it out I make the Alphas shout
The Sigma’s and the Que’s, Yeah they want me too
EEEE-YIP I LOVE MY GOLD AND BLUE!!!!!
THEY TELL US WE'RE SMART
-http://greeks.astate.edu/sigmagammarho/chants.htm, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. chants, retrieved 6/22/2010
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THEY TELL US THAT WE'RE SO SMART
Here is a chant that we used in step shows and it became a signature step for Sigma Gamma Rho because we stepped with books.
They tell us that we’re smart as if something is wrong,
Knowing that good grades is what everyone wants.
They tell us aiming high is really not that great,
And then we turn to say: at least we make our grades ( or “at least we graduate”)
-rhoyalty22 5/5/2005
-snip-
This contributor's name signals that she is a member of the historically Black Greek letter organization ty Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
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THEY WANT SOME SKEE-WEE
Loved by the Alphas
Chased by K A Psi
Wanted by the Sigmas
Now the Qs want to try
They want some skee-wee, skee-wee (skeeee-weeee)
Skee-wee, skee-wee (skeeee-weeee)
You wish you had a nickel
You wish you had a dime
You wish you had an AKA
To love you all the time
You wish you had a quarter
You wish you had a dollar
You wish you had an AKA
To make you scream and holler.
They want some skee-wee, skee-wee (skeeee-weeee)
Skee-wee, skee-wee (skeeee-weeee)
A-skeet-on, skeet-skeet, skeet-skee-wee
A-skeet-on, skeet-skeet, skeet-skee-wee
A-skeet-on, skeet-skeet, skeet-skee-wee
A-skeet-on, skeet-skeet, skeet-skee-wee
-snip-
Here's a sound file of this Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority chant:
They want some skee-wee
Alisha Lola Jones, PhD, Jan 14, 2012
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THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER (Version #1)
This is a Serious Matter
Yes
This is a Serious Matter
Yes Yes
Alpha Kappa Alpha
A-K-A
Sororities take note
We paved your way
So if your not AKA
You went the wrong WAY!
-AKA soror, (Pittsburgh, PA), from private electronic email to Azizi Powell, 8/13/04
-snip-
"This Is A Serious Matter" appears to be the most widely known traditional Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. (AKA) chant. This chant and its accompanying side to side signature step movement have become signature parts of the culture of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. sorority.
The complete lyrics to "This is a Serious Matter" chant vary among different chapters or within the same chapter at different points in time. "This Is A Serious Matter" is usually composed of two line rhyming verses that state the history of the sorority, praise the sorority and its members, and/or diss (insult) other sororitiies.
Many versions of this chant start with the step team saying "1 9 0 8" . This is the date that Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was founded. Most versions of "This Is A Serious Matter" include a reference to the fact that Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc was the first Black sorority. Each version of this chant includes the refrain "This Is a SERIOUS matter". However, a step team may only repeated the words "This is a serious matter; this is a serious, serious, serious matter".
My sense is that what "is a serious matter" is the sorority itself- its history, its ideals, its present activities, and its members' commitment to that organization.
"This Is A Serious Matter" is performed using a distinctive step movement. Each member of the step team holds their hands in an "Egyptian dance" pose [with their hands held palms down and sideways right below their waist]. Other "Egyptian-like" poses are performed throughout this routine while the steppers move from side to side to the beat of the chant.
For the record, I "went over" (became a member of AKA Sorority, Inc) in 1967-Gamma Zeta chapter, New Jersey. Members of the state's graduate chapter pledged my line. We only stepped a couple of times, and I don't remember learning "This is a Serious Matter".
I'm not sure when the "This Is A Serious Matter" chant was first composed. If anyone remembers this chant from the late 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, please share that information.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/08/alpha-kappa-alpha-sorority-inc-this-is.html for a pancocojams post on "This Is A Serious Matter".
-snip-
Here's a video of one version of this Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority chant:
AKA Step...A Serious Matter
Jasmin Whittington, Uploaded on Jan 31, 2009
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THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER (Version #2)
We are the first black greek sorority.
Not DST, Not ZPhiB.
Sigma Gamma Rho. I don't think so.
Is it red and white? Is it red and gold?
Delta Sigma Theta you don't even know
Because on one bright and sunny day
all of your founders pledged AKA.
So greet me Delta and step back in line
because you don't know who you are
and you can't make up your mind." ...
This is a serious matter! YES!
This is a serious matter!
-The "Sensational" Sigma Epsilon Chapter' Spring 2003 [?]; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmvCmuFfycM&feature=related
-snip-
This transcription was posted as a comment by video viewer Psionix9 in 2008.
That video is no longer accessible.
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THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER (Version #3)
I woke up this morning, jumped out of bed,
looked in the mirror and i SHOOK my pretty head
Okay they say i'm conceited, that is no lie....
I'LL BE A CONCEITED AKA UNTIL THE DAY THAT I DIE!
Pretty in pink, gorgeous in green
Since 1908, We've rained supreme!
This is a serious matter! YES!
This is a serious matter! YES, YES!
Alpha Kappa Alpha! (Alpha Kappa Alpha!)
SWEET AKA! (SWEET AKA!)
The first black sorority (echo)
WE PAVED THE WAY! (echo)
THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER!
-Guest, Fraternity & Sorority Chants and Songs; http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=103135&messages=76,
3/10/2010
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THIS IS MY PINKIE
This is my pinkie (hold up pinkie)
And this is my hand (hold out hand)
It's just like an AKA to take your man
You're mad about your boyfriend
And that's no lie
It takes a real ALPHA Woman to keep him satisfied
So get yourself together and put your man on a leash
because he'd rather be with beauty (sorors hold up your pinkie)
Than to be with the beast!
(sorors do the Delta's hand sign upside down. Should be an upside down triangle)
-soulforealAKA, http://www.stophazing.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000243
-snip-
This is a Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority chant dissing Delta Sigma Theta Sorority members.
"This is my pinkie" is a line from a children's playground taunt.
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THIS TRAIN
This train don't carry no Zetas.
This train.
This train don't carry no Zetas
This train.
No.
This train just carries the Akas*
The [name of chapter] of Alpha Kappa Alpha
This train.
This train don't carry no Sigmas.
[Sing same words as above but substitute the word "Sigmas".]
This train don't carry no Deltas.
[Sing same words as above but substitute the word "Sigmas".]
-online source https://www.wattpad.com/44876415-alpha-hard-greek-life-our-night
*"Akas" is pronounced "ahkahs" in this song.
-snip-
This song is an adaptation of a Spiritual or Early Gospel song "This Train (Is Bound For Freedom").
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TO THE LEFT
this goes to to the song Irreplacable by beyonce
to the left to the left
aka's yall went the wrong way
yall should of went rit wit tose delta's
yall know thats wats up.
yall went left with them sidissy akas
yall sould of went right
get yall minds rigt
yall cant even step
i bet yall cant even step to this tune
i bet yall couldnt talk and step at the same time
theres more
-Delta ; 8/13/2007
-snip-
The blogger identified the musical inspiration for this chant as "Irreplaceable" by Beyoncé.
"tose" is probably a typo for "dose". "Dose" is an exaggerated African American Vernacular English form of the word "those".
"Sidissy" is a form of the African American vernacular word "saditty" which is from the word "society" and means "stuck up".
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There are no examples in this collection that begin with the letter "u" or the letter "v".
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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER (Version #1)
This is a Serious Matter
Yes
This is a Serious Matter
Yes Yes
Alpha Kappa Alpha
A-K-A
Sororities take note
We paved your way
So if your not AKA
You went the wrong WAY!
-AKA soror, (Pittsburgh, PA), from private electronic email to Azizi Powell, 8/13/04
-snip-
"This Is A Serious Matter" appears to be the most widely known traditional Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. (AKA) chant. This chant and its accompanying side to side signature step movement have become signature parts of the culture of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. sorority.
The complete lyrics to "This is a Serious Matter" chant vary among different chapters or within the same chapter at different points in time. "This Is A Serious Matter" is usually composed of two line rhyming verses that state the history of the sorority, praise the sorority and its members, and/or diss (insult) other sororitiies.
Many versions of this chant start with the step team saying "1 9 0 8" . This is the date that Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was founded. Most versions of "This Is A Serious Matter" include a reference to the fact that Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc was the first Black sorority. Each version of this chant includes the refrain "This Is a SERIOUS matter". However, a step team may only repeated the words "This is a serious matter; this is a serious, serious, serious matter".
My sense is that what "is a serious matter" is the sorority itself- its history, its ideals, its present activities, and its members' commitment to that organization.
"This Is A Serious Matter" is performed using a distinctive step movement. Each member of the step team holds their hands in an "Egyptian dance" pose [with their hands held palms down and sideways right below their waist]. Other "Egyptian-like" poses are performed throughout this routine while the steppers move from side to side to the beat of the chant.
For the record, I "went over" (became a member of AKA Sorority, Inc) in 1967-Gamma Zeta chapter, New Jersey. Members of the state's graduate chapter pledged my line. We only stepped a couple of times, and I don't remember learning "This is a Serious Matter".
I'm not sure when the "This Is A Serious Matter" chant was first composed. If anyone remembers this chant from the late 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, please share that information.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/08/alpha-kappa-alpha-sorority-inc-this-is.html for a pancocojams post on "This Is A Serious Matter".
-snip-
Here's a video of one version of this Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority chant:
AKA Step...A Serious Matter
Jasmin Whittington, Uploaded on Jan 31, 2009
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THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER (Version #2)
We are the first black greek sorority.
Not DST, Not ZPhiB.
Sigma Gamma Rho. I don't think so.
Is it red and white? Is it red and gold?
Delta Sigma Theta you don't even know
Because on one bright and sunny day
all of your founders pledged AKA.
So greet me Delta and step back in line
because you don't know who you are
and you can't make up your mind." ...
This is a serious matter! YES!
This is a serious matter!
-The "Sensational" Sigma Epsilon Chapter' Spring 2003 [?]; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmvCmuFfycM&feature=related
-snip-
This transcription was posted as a comment by video viewer Psionix9 in 2008.
That video is no longer accessible.
****
THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER (Version #3)
I woke up this morning, jumped out of bed,
looked in the mirror and i SHOOK my pretty head
Okay they say i'm conceited, that is no lie....
I'LL BE A CONCEITED AKA UNTIL THE DAY THAT I DIE!
Pretty in pink, gorgeous in green
Since 1908, We've rained supreme!
This is a serious matter! YES!
This is a serious matter! YES, YES!
Alpha Kappa Alpha! (Alpha Kappa Alpha!)
SWEET AKA! (SWEET AKA!)
The first black sorority (echo)
WE PAVED THE WAY! (echo)
THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER!
-Guest, Fraternity & Sorority Chants and Songs; http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=103135&messages=76,
3/10/2010
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THIS IS MY PINKIE
This is my pinkie (hold up pinkie)
And this is my hand (hold out hand)
It's just like an AKA to take your man
You're mad about your boyfriend
And that's no lie
It takes a real ALPHA Woman to keep him satisfied
So get yourself together and put your man on a leash
because he'd rather be with beauty (sorors hold up your pinkie)
Than to be with the beast!
(sorors do the Delta's hand sign upside down. Should be an upside down triangle)
-soulforealAKA, http://www.stophazing.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000243
-snip-
This is a Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority chant dissing Delta Sigma Theta Sorority members.
"This is my pinkie" is a line from a children's playground taunt.
****
THIS TRAIN
This train don't carry no Zetas.
This train.
This train don't carry no Zetas
This train.
No.
This train just carries the Akas*
The [name of chapter] of Alpha Kappa Alpha
This train.
This train don't carry no Sigmas.
[Sing same words as above but substitute the word "Sigmas".]
This train don't carry no Deltas.
[Sing same words as above but substitute the word "Sigmas".]
-online source https://www.wattpad.com/44876415-alpha-hard-greek-life-our-night
*"Akas" is pronounced "ahkahs" in this song.
-snip-
This song is an adaptation of a Spiritual or Early Gospel song "This Train (Is Bound For Freedom").
****
TO THE LEFT
this goes to to the song Irreplacable by beyonce
to the left to the left
aka's yall went the wrong way
yall should of went rit wit tose delta's
yall know thats wats up.
yall went left with them sidissy akas
yall sould of went right
get yall minds rigt
yall cant even step
i bet yall cant even step to this tune
i bet yall couldnt talk and step at the same time
theres more
-Delta ; 8/13/2007
-snip-
The blogger identified the musical inspiration for this chant as "Irreplaceable" by Beyoncé.
"tose" is probably a typo for "dose". "Dose" is an exaggerated African American Vernacular English form of the word "those".
"Sidissy" is a form of the African American vernacular word "saditty" which is from the word "society" and means "stuck up".
****
There are no examples in this collection that begin with the letter "u" or the letter "v".
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
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