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Saturday, June 30, 2018

Abiezer Pentecostal Church Choir (Toronto, Canada) Offertory March - "I'm Riding On The Hallelujah Train"

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest update: Octl 16, 2021

This pancocojams post is part of an ongoing series on Black church processionals in Africa, the Jamaica, the United States, and in Canada.

This pancocojams post showcases a video of the Abiezer Pentecostal church choir (Toronto, Canada) marching during a church offering while singing "singing "I'm Riding On The Hallelujah Train".

The song's lyrics are included in this post along with selected comments from this video's discussion thread.

The content of this post is presented for historical, folkloric, and spiritual purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the composer/s of this song and thanks to the singers and musicians who performed this music. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.

****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S COMMENTS [updated June 30, 2018)
I have been interested in the subject of Black church processionals for some time. The earliest pancocojams posts on this topic is Part I of a four part 2011 pancocojams series on "Marching For Jesus" http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/11/marching-for-jesus-black-church.html.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/06/bethel-apostolic-church-jamaica-hold-on.html for a June 2018 post on this topic is entitled "Bethel Apostolic Church, Jamaica - "Hold On Out" (Church Processional Videos & Song Lyrics)". And click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/06/seven-videos-of-african-church.html-church.html for a June 2018 pancocojams post entitled "Seven Videos Of African Church Congregations' Offertory Processions (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, & Kenya)".

I decided to search for YouTube videos on African church congregations' offertory processions as a result of reading several YouTube discussion thread comments that attributed the custom and/or styles of Black church offertory marches to Africa.

The result of my search certainly indicates that there are examples of African congregation offertory processions. However, I'm not sure whether Christian church offertory processions those customs originated in Africa . However, these dance/marches conform to the traditional high value that Africans place/d upon the performance of rhythmic movements and singing in all aspects of life, including religion. Furthermore, it seems to me that African church processionals may also be expressions of Africans' love for pagentry.

Also, I believe that Black church offertory processions and other church processions in Africa may have also been influenced by the customs and particular styles of those processions- particularly the performance styles in the Pentecostal and Apostolic congregations in Jamaica.

Read my comments in the comment section for the pancocojams post entitled "Bethel Apostolic Church -Jamaica- "Hold On Out" post" whose link is given above. Those comments present the theories that circular dancing/marching in Black religious worship may have originated in Islamic "saut" ceremonies and/or the Bakongo (Central African) Cosmograph.

Any information and comments on the subject of Black church processions are welcome.

Also, if you know of other YouTube videos of Black offertory processions, please share the links to those videos in the comment section below. Thanks!

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Offering time @ Abiezer (View the choir in action)



1baw2009, Published on Apr 13, 2009

Abiezer Pentecostal Church: 96 Milvan Drive Toronto, Canada--It's offering time @ Abiezer (This is how we do it every Sunday.)
-snip-
This is the only Black Canadian church processional video that I've found on YouTube. If you know of any other Black Canadian church processional videos, please share their links in the comment section below. Thanks!

****
LYRICS
[portion of the song DON'T YOU HEAR THEM BELLS

Chorus: 1
Dont you hear the bells are ringing?
Dont you hear the angels singing?
Its the glory, hallelujah, jubilee.
In the land of sweet forever, just beyond the shining river, they will ring the golden bells for you and me.

[portion of the song]
I'M RIDING IN THE HALLELUJAH TRAIN
Chorus: 2
Im riding with Jesus, on the Alleluia Train
Im singing, Im shouting on the Alleluia Train
And when I reach the station, Heaven is my destination
Im riding with Jesus, on the Alleluia train
-snip-
These lyrics were published by 1baw 2009 in the discussion thread for the video that is showcased in this post. According to one of his or her comments in this discussion, 1baw2009 is "not in any of the videos" [but does] "the recording, editing and posting" for the videos.

I spelled the word "Hallelujah" that way instead of "Alleluia" as that is the standard way that it is spelled in the United States.


****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD.
These comments are given in relative chronological order with the oldest comments given first, except for replies. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.
1. TO ON, 2009
"the spirit of God reigns. a church that engages its people is a church that truly challenges every fiber of ones belief. praises is one such example. kudos to the choir. !!"

**
2. csneed02, 2010
""I need words." PLEASE
This is awesome! They dance like this is Africa when they give. Maybe if we do this in our Church the people will look forward to giving time."

**
3. 1baw2009, 2010
"I don't know if there is a defined theory behind this (marching at offering time). I need to think about it."

**
4. Tarahan Mackey, 2010
"I watch this EVERYDAY. I must be insane. lol"

**
REPLY
5. 1baw2009, 2010
"@killertyann No, you are not insane. I am delighted that you and other viewers enjoy this. To be honest, initially, I debated whether or not to post this clip, because it is so different from the choir singing and from the Praise & Worship Service videos. Nonetheless, I am happy that I did post; this clip is well received. To God be the glory. Please continue praying for our young people that God will keep them saved and humble."
-snip-
Notice that the commenter's name has changed. This probably was as a result of YouTube's push around that time to have commenters use full names instead of screen names.

**
6. Dannie Jackson, 2010
"I'm glad to see other apostolics online...im apart of the PAW"
-snip-
"PAW" = Pentecostal Assemblies of the World

**
REPLY
7. 1baw2009, 2010
"Yes, there are a few apostolics online. I have a few friends who fellowship with PAW; we share the same doctrine and beliefs. God bless you."

**
8. 1baw2009, 2010
"I don't know if there is a defined theory behind this (marching at offering time). I need to think about it."

**
9. leona foster, 2010
"I love the old time worship and the old old songs such as this one. If you want to reach the Lord, just sing the old hymms."

**
10. Cheryl Williams, 2010
"Marching up the King's Highway!!! Hallelujah!"

**
11. shadhom, 2010
"This is very unique, precise individual movements in time with the choir as a body, not for the faint of heart with a lot of physcial problems, although good excercise for some, while praising the Lord."

**
12. IsaiahRaymondDyer09, 2010
"OH YES MARCH & RIDE ZION! MARCH & RIDE! I LOVE this!!! GLORYYYYYYYYYYY!!"

**
13. lovejones238, 2011
"I must say I was like why am I watching this over & over then finally realized, I began to feel this just like the saints on the video were, as we say where I'm from, "they began to feel it" and so did I ..great post...I love the energy."

**
14. Marshalee Ricketts, 2011
"bLESS THE LORD AM RIDING WIT JESUS AN THE HALALUJAH TRAIN,THANK YOU JESUS HEAVEN WILL BE MY DESTINATION. THIS WHAT REALLY WORSHIP IS "

**
15. IsaiahRaymondDyer09, 2011
"LUJAH!! Mi luv dah wun deh!!! HALLELUJAH TRAIN!! GLORY!!"

**
16. Trey Cox, 2012
"I remember coming to Abiezer as a child and seeing the choir do this same march around! Simply Awesome, glory to God, and i love the songs, the choir rock is classic! Go Ahead!!!"

**
17. NYCsistahofvirtue, 2012
"march march march saints unward christian soldiers!"

**
18. precious lor, 2012
"Go Abiezer Choir. Let no one or nothing steal this joy that the Lord has given to you all. Love you all. Missionary Nichole at her best, go ahead praise Lady!!!"

**
19. John Blackwood, 2012
"This church must be Jamaican background!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish I could hear the bass player a little bit more thou! If I go to Canada.. I must find this church , where ever y'all are. GOD BLESS THIS CHURCH! AND THE CHOIR!!!!!!!"

**
20. abbi johnson, 2012
"praise jesus !!!!!!!!!!!! been listening to this clip for about a year no and it never fails to revive my spirit hallelujah "

**
21. Tonya Anderson, 2012
"This is what church is all about... giving GOD your all!!! I was truly blessed by this video."

**
22. desmarie spence, 2012
"This is how we do it in Holiness Born Again in Jamaica."

**
23. Mo W, 2013
"Its obvious that this church is jamaican .. The TRAIN!!!!!!!! HALELLUJAH TRAIN iM RUNNING JESUS ON THE HALELLUJAH TRAIN !!!!!"

**
24. Tiffi, 2013
"I feel the Jamaican in this church"

**
25. Sashagaye mannings, 2013
"i have never seen such a march i loooooooveeeeeee it


I loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove this marching!"

**
26. MJQ7688, 2013
"I was just thinking that about this church being Jamaican! They got DOWN!"

**
27.Margaret Mcpherson, 2016
"these saints just know how to trample on them serpents and demons, the action is so important keep on fighting and trampling them forces"

**
28. ddoddy76, 2016
"ok no offense .....but what was the point?"

**
REPLY
29. Miya Henry, 2016
"They make it seems they are marching into heaven... must pentecostal church do this to have a mind set of how they will be like in heaven. I don't know if I'm right but it's my idea"

**
REPLY
30. Roy Pritchard, 2016
"Yes, Miya Henry. Amen! Church of GOD march forward in the power of THE HOLY GHOST. Amen! Thank YOU, JESUS 😃"

**
REPLY
31. Makita Wilson, 2017
"Hey Ms.Henry you are 100% correct..the act of them physically marching signifies unity and strength in Jesus' name. The way they marched with such precision and power was the anointing of God on them. People don't always have to run around and speak in tongues lol..you can concentrate that power into something else"

**
32. KRISSY MCINTOSH, 2017
"This church reminds me of my church, keep praising God. Im talking about Bethel Born Again Apostolic on Oakland Road in Jamaica, thats how we worship on a Sunday morning. Love u Pastor Yvonne Codner and Bishop Barracks"

**
33. Vito Motola, 2017
"giving a offering is a type of worship to Jesus."

**
34. Mo W, 2018
"I think churcejs need to go back to the way we used to worship just like this. Marching and all why not? You can dance for the world you can dance for God. I get such a great vibe from this all these yrs later"

**
35. Lisa Jackson, 2018
"What happened to church..."

**
REPLY
36. Jessica Woods, 2018
"Lisa Jackson Nothing... Listen to the music it's Jamaican. African churches also worship in a similar manner. I think Black Americans would do close to the same if we didn't integrated."

**
37. ItsKayTho, 2018
"I remember a church I attended, the whole choir would come down circle the church, turn around and go back up the offering aisle. & they took their time too! I love this choir’s energy"

**
28. after7pm, 2018
"Y'all Better MARCH ON IN..💘"

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Seven Videos Of African Church Congregations' Offertory Processions (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, & Kenya)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases seven videos of African church congregations church processions during offerings.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S COMMENTS [updated June 30, 2018)
I have been interested in the subject of Black church processionals for some time. The earliest pancocojams posts on this topic is Part I of a four part 2011 pancocojams series on "Marching For Jesus" http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/11/marching-for-jesus-black-church.html.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/06/bethel-apostolic-church-jamaica-hold-on.html for a June 2018 post on this topic is entitled "Bethel Apostolic Church, Jamaica - "Hold On Out" (Church Processional Videos & Song Lyrics)". And click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/06/seven-videos-of-african-church.html">http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/06/seven-videos-of-african-church.htmlfor a June 2018 pancocojams post entitled "Seven Videos Of African Church Congregations' Offertory Processions (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, & Kenya)".

I decided to search for YouTube videos on African church congregations' offertory processions as a result of reading several YouTube discussion thread comments that attributed the custom and/or styles of Black church offertory marches to Africa.

The result of my search certainly indicates that there are examples of African congregation offertory processions. However, I'm not sure whether Christian church offertory processions those customs originated in Africa and not. However, these dance/marches conform to the traditional high value that Africans place/d upon the performance of rhythmic movements and singing in all aspects of life, including religion. Furthermore, it seems to me that African church processionals may also be expressions of Africans love for pagentry.

Also, I believe that Black church offertory processions and other church processions in Africa may have also been influenced by the customs and particular styles of those processions- particularly the performance styles in the Pentecostal and Apostolic congregations in Jamaica.

Read my comments in the comment section for the pancocojams post entitled "Bethel Apostolic Church -Jamaica- "Hold On Out" post" whose link is given above. Those comments present the theories that circular dancing/marching in Black religious worship may have originated in Islamic "saut" ceremonies and/or the Bakongo (Central African) Cosmograph.

Any information and comments on the subject of Black church processions are welcome.

Also, if you know of other YouTube videos of Black offertory processions, please share the links to those videos in the comment section below. Thanks!

****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS

This pancocojams post on African church congregations' offertory processions is a compilation of most of the videos of that description that I've found online to date. Unfortunately, most of these videos have no comments in their discussion threads.

Note that one of the videos features a Ghanaian congregation in Japan, and one of the videos features members of a Cameroon women's alumni organization in the United States.

Example #1: Offering Processional - Central African Republic [Central African Republic]



Vonda Drees, Published on Sep 9, 2011

This video is part of an Advent curriculum, developed by the ELCA TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod, called "Faith Together: Come, Lord Jesus." The curriculum celebrates the synod's global partnerships with the Lutheran Churches of Peru and the Central African Republic, and explores the question, "What does it mean when the church prays, 'Come, Lord Jesus!'"
-snip-
This video is the only offering processional video out of 6 videos that are included in 2011 pancocojams post about African church processionals
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/11/marching-for-jesus-black-church_6.html


****
Example #2: Offering Processional - Central African Republic (2) [Central African Republic]



Vonda Drees, Published on Sep 28, 2011

This video is part of an Advent curriculum, developed by the ELCA TX-LA Gulf Coast Synod, called "Faith Together: Come, Lord Jesus." The curriculum celebrates the synod's global partnerships with the Lutheran Churches of Peru and the Central African Republic, and explores the question, "What does it mean when the church prays, 'Come, Lord Jesus!'"
In the Lutheran Church of the CAR, the people process their offering forward with music and dancing. The women and girls put their offering in one basket and the men and boys in another. This is meant to be quite joyous! Often, on the next Sunday, it is announced which side gave more, the men or the women, and a loud cheer goes up for whichever side won.

****
Example #3: GHANA @ 55, CHURCH OF PENTECOST, JAPAN. DANCE AFTER OFFERING (1).m2ts [Ghana]



Isaac Frimpong, Published on Mar 18, 2012

55th GHANA'S INDEPENDENCE DAY IN JAPAN, CHURCH OF PENTECOST, KAWAGUCHI ASSEMBLY

****
Example #4: LESA USA Inc. Offertory Procession, Charlotte, NC 2012



Nicoline Ambe, Published on Jun 24, 2012

Offertory Procession during Mass at the 13th Annual LESA USA Convention
-snip-
From http://lesausainc.org/
"Welcome to LESA USA Inc, a 501 (c) 3 organization…. LESA stands for Our Lady of Lourdes Ex-Students Association. Our Lady of Lourdes Secondary School is an all-girls school in Mankon, Cameroon, Africa. Opened in 1963 by the Holy Rosary sisters, this school continues to rank as the #1 Girls’ secondary school in academic excellence in Cameroon. As an organization, LESA USA’s focus is on the Girl child; supporting our alma mata with development projects, providing scholarships to current students, and serving as a social network for past students living in the United States.

There are six Chapters of LESA USA Inc in Washington DC, California, Minnesota, Georgia, Texas and the Midwest. Every year the chapters meet at a National Convention to set goals for the upcoming year and raise funds to support our projects."...

****
Example #5: African Mass - Offertory Procession [Kenya]



Harris Moriarty, Published on Sep 10, 2012

Offertory Procession

****
Example #6: I love African church offerings...! [Côte d'Ivoire]



Mark Brand, Published on Aug 6, 2013

I love offerings in African churches...because the Bible says, "God loves a cheerful giver! (2 Corinthians 9:7) This was taken during last Sunday morning's service at l'Eglise Evangélique du Réveil in Cocody, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

****
Example #7: David Reed - Offering Time, Church of Pentecost, Ghana [Ghana]



David Reed, Published on Jul 17, 2014

Dancing in worship occurs mostly during offering time. This is worship in a Church of Pentecost congregation, Akropong, Ghana, June 2014..

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Thursday, June 28, 2018

Bahian (Afro-Brazilian) Percussion Group Olodum Performing In Michael Jackson Video "They Don't Care About Us" & Paul Simon Video "The Obvious Child".

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on the Brazilian percussion group Olodum.

Part II showcases a video of Michael Jackson performing his song "They Don't Care About Us" and a video of Paul Simon performing his song "The Obvious Child". Both of these videos feature Olodum.

Information about these songs along with their lyrics are also included in this post.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-afro-brazilian-bahia-percussive.html for Part I of this series.

Part I provides information about Olodum and showcases five YouTube videos of that group.

Selected comments from the discussion threads for two of these videos are also included in this post.

****
The contents of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Michael Jackson, Paul Simon, and Olodum for these videos. Thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Michael Jackson - They Don't Care About Us



Uploaded by michaeljacksonVEVO on Oct 2, 2009
-snip-
Released -June 16, 1995

****
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SONG
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/They_Don%27t_Care_About_Us
"They Don't Care About Us" is the fifth single from Michael Jackson's album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, released on March 31, 1996. The song remains one of the most controversial pieces Jackson ever composed. In the US, media scrutiny surrounding allegations of antisemitic lyrics were the catalyst for Jackson issuing multiple apologies and re-recording the song with altered lyrics. The singer countered allegations of antisemitism, arguing that reviews had misinterpreted the context of the song, either unintentionally or deliberately.

The song was accompanied by two music videos directed by Spike Lee. The first was shot in two locations in Brazil, in Pelourinho, the historic city center of Salvador, and in a favela of Rio de Janeiro called Dona Marta,[1][2] where the state authorities had tried to ban all production over fears the video would damage their image, the area and prospects of Rio de Janeiro staging the 2004 Olympics. Still, the residents of the area were happy to see the singer, hoping their problems would be made visible to a wider audience.[2] The second video was shot in a prison and contained video footage of multiple references to human rights abuses.

Commercially, the song became a top ten hit in all European countries and number one in Germany for three weeks. In the US, radio stations were reluctant to play the controversial composition; it, however, managed to peak at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song was remixed with parts of songs such as "Privacy" (from the album Invincible) and "Tabloid Junkie", and released on the Immortal album, in November, 2011.

The song was performed during Jackson's third and final concert series, the HIStory World Tour which ran from 1996 to 1997 as part of a medley with "Scream" and "In the Closet". The song was set to be performed on Jackson's This Is It comeback concert series at The O2 Arena in London from July 2009 to March 2010 but the shows were cancelled due to his sudden death on June 25, 2009."...

****
LYRICS: THEY DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT US
(Michael Jackson)

[Intro (chanting)]
(All I want to say is that they don't really care about us)
Don't worry what people say, we know the truth
(All I want to say is that they don't really care about us)
Enough is enough of this garbage
(All I want to say is that they don't really care about us)
(Overlapping voices)

[Verse 1]
Skin head, dead head
Everybody gone bad
Situation, aggravation
Everybody allegation
In the suit, on the news
Everybody dog food
Bang bang, shot dead
Everybody gone mad

[Hook]
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us

[Verse 2]
Beat me, hate me
You can never break me
Will me, thrill me
You can never kill me
Jew me, sue me
Everybody do me
Kick me, kike me
Don't you black or white me

[Hook]
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us

[Bridge 1]
Tell me, what has become of my life?
I have a wife and two children who love me
I am the victim of police brutality now
I'm tired of bein' the victim of hate
You're rippin' me of my pride, oh, for God's sake
I look to heaven to fulfill its prophecy, set me free

[Verse 3]
Skin head, dead head
Everybody gone bad
Trepidation, speculation
Everybody allegation
In the suit, on the news
Everybody dog food
Black male, blackmail
Throw your brother in jail

[Hook]
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us

[Bridge 2]
Tell me, what has become of my rights?
Am I invisible 'cause you ignore me?
Your proclamation promised me free liberty now
I'm tired of bein' the victim of shame
They're throwin' me in a class with a bad name
I can't believe this is the land from which I came
You know, I do really hate to say it
The government don't wanna see
But if Roosevelt was livin'
He wouldn't let this be, no, no

[Verse 4]
Skin head, dead head
Everybody gone bad
Situation, speculation
Everybody litigation
Beat me, bash me
You can never trash me
Hit me, kick me
You can never get me

[Hook]
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us

[Verse 5]
Some things in life
They just don't wanna see
But if Martin Luther was livin'
He wouldn't let this be
Skin head, dead head
Everybody's gone bad
Situation, segregation
Everybody allegation
In the suit, on the news
Everybody dog food
Kick me, strike me
Don't you wrong or right me

[Hook]
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us

Source: https://genius.com/Michael-jackson-they-dont-care-about-us-lyrics

****
Example #2: Paul Simon - Obvious Child



PaulSimonVEVO, Published on Jun 16, 2011

Lyrics:

I'm accustomed to a smooth ride
Or maybe I'm a dog who's lost its bite
I don't expect to be treated like a fool no more
I don't expect to sleep through the night
Some people say a lie's a lie's a lie
But I say why
Why deny the obvious child?
Why deny the obvious child?

And in remembering a road sign
I am remembering a girl when I was young
And we said These songs are true
These days are ours
These tears are free
And hey
The cross is in the ballpark
The cross is in the ballpark

We had a lot of fun
We had a lot of money
We had a little son and we thought we'd call him Sonny
Sonny gets married and moves away
Sonny has a baby and bills to pay
Sonny gets sunnier
Day by day by day by day

-snip-
This video shows the Afro-Brazilian group Olodum and also shows scenes of the Afro-Brazilian martial arts, Capoeira.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/04/paranaue-videos-lyrics-meaning.html for a 2012 pancocojams post about the Capoeira song "Paranaue" which was featured in the movie "Only The Strong Survive".

****
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SONG
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Obvious_Child
" "The Obvious Child" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It was the lead single from his eighth studio album, The Rhythm of the Saints (1990), released by Warner Bros. Records. Written by Simon, its lyrics explore mortality and aging. The song is accompanied by a performance from Brazilian drumming collective Olodum in a live recording.

The single, released in September 1990, was commercially successful, performing well on charts worldwide. In the United States, it was mainly successful on the Album Rock Tracks chart, where it peaked at number 21. Outside the US, "The Obvious Child" was a top 15 hit in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. The song received highly positive reviews upon its release. Simon promoted the song alongside Olodum in a performance on Saturday Night Live. The song also influenced popular culture; it is the namesake of the 2014 film Obvious Child."...

****
This concludes Part II of this pancocojams post about the Afro-Brazilian percussion group Olodum.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

The Afro-Brazilian (Bahia) Percussion Group Olodum - Part I (information & five videos)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series on the Brazilian percussion group Olodum.

Part I provides information about Olodum and showcases five YouTube videos of that group.

Selected comments from the discussion threads for two of these videos are also included in this post.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/06/bahian-percussion-group-olodum.html for Part II of this series. Part II showcases a video of Michael Jackson performing his song "They Don't Care About Us" and a video of Paul Simon performing his song "The Obvious Child". Both of these videos feature Olodum.

Information about these two songs and the lyrics for these songs are also included in that post.

****
The contents of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Olodum for its cultural legacy. Thanks also to to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
-snip-
A version of this pancocojams post was published on March 2012.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT OLODUM
Excerpt #1

[I retrieved this information from Olodum's YouTube bio page in 2012:]

"Olodum is a cultural activism group created with the objectives of fighting racial discrimination and socioeconomic inequality. They have recorded ten LPs/CDs and have worked with Wayne Shorter, Jimmy Cliff, Herbie Hancock, Michael Jackson, Paul Simon, and Spike Lee. The group draws 4,000 people to parade in the bloco (which has about 200 musicians) at Salvador BA carnival, gives lectures on social and political issues, and publishes a monthly news journal, Bantu Nagô. The group also runs a factory for clothes and musical instruments sold to the public and a school for Salvador's poor children.

Olodum was created in Salvador, BA, in April 25, 1979. Olodum takes its name from the Yoruba deity Olodumaré ("God of Gods," in Yoruba language). Originally a bloco afro (a Bahian Carnival association devoted to research and the celebratation of black culture), the group drew 800 people to the streets in their first Carnival (1980). In the next year, they already had 2,000 affiliates. In 1983, the group constituted the Grupo Cultural Olodum. Neguinho do Samba joined the group that year as mestre (master) and is the figure responsible for the winning combination of samba and reggae that characterizes the group's musical approach. In 1984, Olodum was acknowledged as a state public utility organization, had 3,000 people parading in their bloco, was featured in the documentary Carnival Bahia. In 1987, their first LP, Egito, Madagascar, made a hit with "Faraó," by Luciano Gomes dos Santos, and sold more than 50,000 copies. Two years later, the group did their first performances in Europe and, in the next year, played again in Europe and in Japan, Argentina, and Chile."
-snip-
Yoruba is an ethnic group from Nigeria, West Africa. Click the "orisha" tag below for pancocojams posts about Yoruba orishas (orisas).

Notice that the colors that Olodum uses for their drums and clothing are red, gold (yellow), green, and black colors. This choice of colors is significant as red, green, and gold are the colors of the pan-African flag.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-history-significance-of-pan-african.html for a 2014 pancocojams post about the history and significance of the pan-African flag and its colors.

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Excerpt #2
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olodum
"Olodum is a bloco-afro from Salvador's carnival, in Bahia, Brazil. It was founded on April 25, 1979 during the carnival season as a leisure option for residents of Maciel-Pelourinho, guaranteeing them the right to play at the carnival in one block and in an organized manner. It is a non-governmental organization of the Brazilian black movement. Its headquarters are located in the historic center of Salvador, Pelourinho, which hosts most of its presentations. Its CEO is João Jorge Rodrigues.

Olodum develops activism to combat social discrimination, boost the self-esteem and pride of African-Brazilians, and defend and fight to secure civil and human rights for marginalized people in Bahia and Brazil. Currently[when?], it has a social project called Escola Olodum (Olodum School).

Just after, Olodum started to be known in the entire world as an African-Brazilian percussive group and performed in Europe, Japan, and almost all of South America. In 1988, Simone recorded “Me ama mô” live, in Pelourinho, featuring Neguinho do Samba and Olodum (this record is in Simone’s album, "Simone"). One of the biggest moments for the group was in 1996, when they participated in the Michael Jackson song, “They Don't Really Care About Us” from the album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I, and the video clip was recorded in Pelourinho and Jackson also collaborated with the 200 members of the cultural group Olodum, who played music in the video.[41] The media interest surrounding the music video exposed Olodum to 140 countries around the world. It brought them worldwide fame and increased their credibility in Brazil.[42] Lúcia Nagib, of The New Brazilian Cinema, said of the music video:. After this, Olodum recorded with famous artists from Brazil and abroad, such as Wayne Shorter, Paul Simon, Jimmy Cliff, Herbie Hancock, and Caetano Veloso. In 1996, the band appeared in Heavy Metal band Sepultura's album "Roots." In 2013, the band played live with Kimbra on Rock in Rio's sunset stage, performing a cover of "They Don't Care About Us." Beyond that, they participated in the official song, consequently in the opening, of the FIFA World Cup 2014, with rapper Pitbull and singers Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte. Parallel to the artistic success, the band takes part in social movements against racism and for civil and human rights.

[...]

Escola Olodum (Olodum School)
Since October 25, 1984, the Escola Olodum (in English, Olodum School) is a real space for participation and expression of African descent community, becoming a national and international reference for innovation in working with art, education and cultural diversity.

The Escola Olodum reveals magnitudes beyond the touch of the drum, with activities that aim to enhance the potential of children, adolescents and young people through languages that enable social and digital inclusion, working alongside the issue of ethnic and cultural citizenship.

This pioneering project of Brazilian African popular education originated in the Rufar dos Tambores project, developed in 1984 by Olodum, composed of free classes of African block percussion, and African courses - Brazilian short-lived.

Initially aimed to answer a request Maciel / Pelourinho community to be formed an integrated percussion band for children and adolescents of the neighborhood, but currently has students from throughout the city of Salvador.

It offers percussion courses (theory and practice), popular song (theory and practice) and African dance. Entries are made annually for children and adolescents aged 7 to 14 years."...

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Olodum - Oh Berimbau!



Uploaded by maxten on Mar 2, 2009

Oh berimbau
pedaço de arame pedaço de pau
juntou com a cabaça virou berimbau
-snip-
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berimbau:
"The berimbau... Brazilian Portuguese... is a single-string percussion instrument, a musical bow, from Brazil. The berimbau's origins are not entirely clear, but there is not much doubt about its African origin, as no Indigenous Brazilian or European people use musical bows, and very similar instruments are played in the southern parts of Africa. The berimbau was eventually incorporated into the practice of the Afro-Brazilian martial art capoeira, where it commands how the capoeiristas move in the roda."

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Example #2: Batucadas do olodum (BAHIA,SALVADOR)



Uploaded by MyRockpower on Sep 3, 2009
-snip-
Here's information about the meaning of the Portuguese word "batucada" from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batucada:

"Batucada is a substyle of samba and refers to an African influenced Brazilian percussive style, usually performed by an ensemble, known as a Bateria. Batucada is characterized by its repetitive style and fast pace"

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Video #3: Olodum Salvador Bahia HD



Uploaded by MrRonny63 on Feb 12, 2011
-snip-
Here are four English language comments from that viewer comment thread:
1. "michael jackson's song THAY DON'T CARE ABOUT US !! :)"
-BIRDANGAL; December 2012

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2. "@BIRDANGAL actually, it's one of the original beats created by the "olodum movement" that was born in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil. And no, the beat from MJ song is different, if you listen carefully. Check "Paul Simon Obvious Child" (that was released in 1990, meaning 15 years earlier than MJs) and there you will find this exact beat!"
-MrBrunoLKSl, December 2012

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3. "Has nearly the same ritm as paul simon the obvious child. Very nice done. Nice hd video too. super! Greetings from holland."
-ghj9018 February 2012

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4. "@ghj9018 Paul Simon borrowed the rythm from Olodum, actually, and it was Olodum that did the percussion for the song to which you are referring. They are awesome!"
-quackzinho ; February 2012

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Video #4: OLODUM CARNAVAL 2011 - RITOS DOGONS



Uploaded by marlinh0 on Oct 19, 2011

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Video #5: Olodum batuque bom



Andréia Rabello, Published on Jun 15, 2014

Este vídeo foi feito na época da Copa do Mundo de 2014, estava acontecendo uma transmissão ao vivo para a SPORT TV. Eu tive o privilégio de registrar este momento mágico, O Grupo Olodum é fantástico... Bahia encantada, pessoas, cor, som, vida!!!

This video was made at the time of the 2014 World Cup, there was a live broadcast for SPORT TV. I had the privilege of registering this magical moment, The Olodum Group is fantastic ... Bahia delighted, people, color, sound, life !!!
-snip-
Here are selected comments from this video's discussion thread, with numbers assigned for referencing purposes only. Translations from Portuguese to English are given via Google translate.

1. Wilmer castillo saucedo, 2014
"buenos cortes , aunque tengo una pregunta como hacen para que los tambores tengan distinta afinacion , si son del mismo tamaño y como se llaman dobladas o surdos de medio ?"
-snip-
"good cuts, although I have a question how they do so that the drums have different tuning, if they are the same size and as they are called bent or half surdos?"

**
REPLY
2. layon santos, 2014
"cada tambor tem um tipo de couro um mais fino e outro mais grosso"
-snip-
"each drum has one kind of leather one thinner and one thicker"

**
REPLY
3. layon santos,2014
"e tambem fai da bequeta de tandor quanto mais macia mais grave quanto mais dura mais agudo"
-snip-
and also fai the tandor bequeta the softer the more severe the longer the sharper
-snip-
I don't speak Portuguese but I think that this refers to how the drum sounds being determined by how the drummer beats the drum.

**
REPLY
4. Wilmer castillo saucedoM 2014
"gracias muchas gracias =) obligado"
-snip-
"Thank you very much =) obliged"

**
REPLY
5. bossa nova jazz, 2014
"+Wilmer castillo saucedo mentira..los tambores cambian de afinación por apretar tornillos no por las mazas o por el grosor del parche.."
-snip-
"+ Wilmer castle saucedo lie .. the drums change tuning by tightening screws not by the mallets or by the thickness of the patch .."

**
REPLY
6. Wilmer castillo saucedo, 2014
"gracias bossa mnova jazz, eso tambien es cierto, sin embargo creo que el tamaño de la maza tambien importa en el sonido"
-snip-
"thanks bossa mnova jazz, that's also true, however I think the size of the club also matters in the sound"

**
7. Adolfo Oliveira, 2015
"Esse som é vida!, ÁFRICA/BRASIL/BAHIA=SHOW!"
-snip-
"This sound is life !, AFRICA / BRAZIL / BAHIA = SHOW!"

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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Bethel Apostolic Church, Jamaica - "Hold On Out" (Church Processional Videos & Song Lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases two videos of Bethel Born Again Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic church choirs (Jamaica) singing "Hold On Out" during an offering procession.

The song's lyrics are included in this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the composer/s of this song and thanks to the singers and musicians who performed this music. Thanks also to Bethel Apostolic Church, Jamaica and those who filmed these videos.

Special thanks to BROTHER TENNYSON for publishing this video on YouTube and posting the song's lyrics.
-snip-
This post was originally published on pancocojams on June 9, 2012 with the title "Caribbean Church Choir Procession: Bethel Apostolic Church "Hold On Out" (Video & Lyrics)"

Links to other 2012 pancocojams posts that showcase church processionals are given in the "Related Links" section below.

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LYRICS: HOLD ON OUT
(composer/s ?)

1. When my way ways seems dark (hold on out)
And when the way gets dark (holding out)
I can call on Jesus (hold on out)
He’ll stay on my mind (hold on out)
Whenever I call him (hold on out)
He’s there on time (hold on out)

2. And if my mother won’t hold (hold on out)
I’m gonna keep on holding (hold on out)
And if my father won’t hold (hold on out)
I’ve got my hands on the wheel
And keeps on turning (hold on out)
My soul fire is burning (hold on out)
Make me feel like running (hold on out)

CHORUS
I’m going to hold, (hold out),
hold (hold out),
hold (hold out)
hold (hold out)
Hold out on out until the end,
For when my work is here in vain,
I’m gonna hold to my Jesus name
I’m going to hold, (hold out),
hold (hold out),
hold (hold out),
hold (hold out)
Hold out until the end.
-snip-
These lyrics were posted in the discussion thread for the video given as Example #1 by Brother Tennyson, the video's publisher.

"Hold out"/"Hold on" out means "to persevere".

For what it's worth, in the videos "Hold out" and "Hold on out" sound to me like the choir is saying "Holding out".

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Bethel Born Again Apostolic Church (Hold on Out)



Uploaded by BROTHER TENNYSON on Oct 22, 2010

Bethel Born Again Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic, 3 - 5 Oakland Road* ,Jamaica The offering is collecting and the Bethel Born Again Mass Choir is singing "Hold on Out"
-snip-
This song is sung during the portion of the church service where the "offering" (money from church members and other attendees) is collected.

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Example #2: Example #2: HOLD ON OUT - PART 3



choyescodner's channel, Uploaded on Nov 10, 2011

The Voices of the Overcomers of Bethel singing at International Convocation 2011

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RELATED LINKS
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/11/marching-for-jesus-black-church.html "Marching For Jesus - Black Church Processions Part 1"
This is Part I of a 4 part series. The links to the other posts in this series are given in Part I.

**
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/06/sources-art-and-purposes-of-black.html for an essay with video samples on "The Sources, Art, And Purposes Of Black Church Processionals" written by Azizi Powell 6/9/2012

**
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/11/rev-james-cleveland-lord-help-me-to.html for the African American Gospel song "Lord Help Me To Hold Out". That Gospel song which was composed by Rev. James Cleveland has a similar theme as the Jamaican song "Hold On Out".

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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.

Monday, June 25, 2018

What "You're Out Of Your Cotton Pickin Mind" REALLY Means & Where That Saying Comes From

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents information about what the saying "out of your cotton picking mind" means and where this saying came from.

This post also presents information and comments about the use of the "out of your cotton picking mind" in a June 24, 2018 Fox News television show.

Information about the political meaning of the term "dog whistles" is also included in this post as that term was used in several selected comments.

The content of this post is presented for linguistics, historical, and socio-cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
-snip-
It's important to emphasize that the Fox News discussion in which the term "out of your cotton pickin mind" was used revolved around Trump's inhumane immigration policies such as the policy of separating migrant babies and children and jailing them in tent cities and other locations.

**
Update: June 25, 2018 "Report: Fox News Suspends David Bossie For Two Weeks Over ‘Cotton Pickin’ Line
By Matt Shuham | June 25, 2018 6:34 pmhttps://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/report-fox-news-suspends-david-bossie-for-two-weeks-over-cotton-pickin-line.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
I categorize sayings such as "You're out of your cotton pickin mind" and "Wait a cotton pickin minute" as sayings that came from the American South. And, as an African American born and raised in New Jersey and, for most of my life, living in Pennsylvania, I don't recall hearing anyone- regardless of their race or ethnicity using these sayings other than in books or television or the movies.

I think that the words "cotton pickin" are euphemisms for curse words or societal taboo words, similarly or the same as "gol darn" which is a euphemism for "goddamn". The reason why these words are curse words or societal taboo words is that people feel as though there is something intrinsically negative not about the actual chore of picking cotton, but about the people who pick cotton.

In the United States anyway, enslaved Black people are the population that most people automatically think of when "picking cotton" is mentioned. As a result, all of the negative connotations that are associated with slavery and with Black people are attached to the terms "cotton picking".

Also, it seems to me that post-slavery, the negative associations that were (and still are) ascribed to poor people- regardless of their race or ethnicity, were also given to anyone who picked cotton by hand. But in spite of the fact that Black people weren't the only population who ever picked cotton by hand, it seems to me that "cotton picking" mostly refers to Black people and is loaded a way of stigmatizing Black people as a group- those of us who were from the South and who were enslaved, and those of us who weren't.

That said, I suppose it's possible to use "cotton pickin" or hear it used and think it's just a substitute for a curse word or taboo reference and not a racial put down or slur directed toward Black people. However, given the background of the words "cotton pickin" and given the growing acceptance of racism in the United States, it seems to me that people who are anti-racist and people who just want to be politically correct should recognize that saying "cotton pickin" could be considered racially offensive and therefore shouldn't use those sayings-ever.

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FULL ARTICLE REPRINT: "COTTON PICKING"
From https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/cotton-picking.html
"What's the meaning of the phrase 'Cotton-picking'?
A general term of disapproval, of something that is troublesome or a nuisance.

What's the origin of the phrase 'Cotton-picking'?
It can come as as little surprise that the term 'cotton-picking' originated in the southern states of the USA, where it is usually pronounced cotton-pickin'. It began life in the late 1700s and differs from the 19th century Dixie term, 'cottonpicker', in that the latter was derogatory and racist, whereas 'cotton-picking' referred directly to the difficulty and harshness of gathering the crop. This didn't extend to the specific expression 'keep your cotton-picking hands off of me'. This no doubt alludes to the horny, calloused (and usually black) hands that picked cotton.

Of course, 'cotton-picking' must have been in use as an English adjectival phrase for as long as English-speaking people have picked cotton. There are numerous citations of 'cotton-picking' seasons/jobs/machines etc. since the late 1700s. J & E Pettigrew's Letters has an early example, from 1795:

'One of the students was banished... for going to a cotton picking after eight at Knight.'

Manual cotton picking was tough work. The southern expression 'cutting in high cotton', which means 'have it easy', refers to the relatively easy task of cutting cotton without having to bend down.

Our folk memory of grizzled cowboys in Hollywood B-features 'fixin to run that cotton-picking greenhorn outta town' etc., might give us cause to think that the use of 'cotton-picking' as a figurative term originated in the 19th century wild west. In fact, it didn't, and it doesn't even seem to have been spoken in any of Hollywood's numerous early cowboy movies. It isn't until the 1940s that the term began to be used in any other context than that of the actual picking of cotton. The earliest such reference that I have found is in the Pennsylvania newspaper, The Daily Courier, November 1942:

It's just about time some of our Northern meddlers started keeping their cotton-picking fingers out of the South's business.

Where memory doesn't play tricks is when recalling the works of the sainted Bugs Bunny. While not originating the term, Bugs can claim to have done more to fix it into the language than the rest of rabbitkind, especially in its most often used form 'Wait just a cotton-picking minute'. There's an example in Bully for Bugs, 1953:

"Just a cotton-pickin' minute, this don't look like the Coachella Valley to me!"

The expression 'out of your cotton-picking mind' is no longer deemed an acceptable description of a black person in the USA. In April 2018 a white commentator (Brian Davis) said in a broadcast commentary of a basketball game that a black player (Russell Westbrook) was 'out of his cotton-picking mind'. The perceived racist connotations caused an uproar of protest. Davis, while claiming that the remark was unintentional, apologised, describing the comment as insensitive and a lapse of judgement. Davis was suspended from his position with the broadcaster."

****
ARTICLE EXCERPT:
From https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/david-bossie-joel-payne-cotton-picking-mind_us_5b2fa4dfe4b0321a01d22bb2
MEDIA 06/24/2018 11:20 am ET Updated 7 hours [later]

David Bossie, a former deputy campaign manager for President Donald Trump, used a racist phrase to attack a black panelist on “Fox & Friends” on Sunday.

Bossie, president of the conservative advocacy group Citizens United, ripped into Democratic strategist Joel Payne during a heated discussion about liberals’ reactions to the Trump administration’s contentious immigration policies.

“You don’t have to be a golden retriever to hear all the dog whistles coming out of the White House these days,” Payne said, accusing Trump of using racist rhetoric to rally his base around immigration.

“You’re out of your cotton-picking mind,” Bossie told Payne.

“Cotton-picking mind?” Payne responded. “Brother, let me tell you something: I got some relatives who picked cotton and I’m not going to sit here and allow you to attack me like that on TV. I’m not out of my cotton-picking mind.”…
-snip-
Selected comments from this article's discussion thread are given below.

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VIDEO CLIP: Trump ally says black panelist is "out of your cotton picking mind."



Taegan Goddard, Published on Jun 24, 2018

Former Trump deputy campaign manager David Bossie to Democratic strategist Joel Payne, who is black, on Fox News.
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread are given below.

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS FEATURED ARTICLE
I added numbers to these comments for referencing purposes only. All of these comments are from June 24, 2018

1. Karin Peterson
"Using Evocative rethoric and then telling everyone not to be so outraged!"

**
REPLY
2. Tony Cossio
"Karin Peterson Why should we be outraged over a term that has been historically used without regards to color?"

**
REPLY
3. Geoffrey Ponstein
"Tony Cossio
Wrong it's been used to reference slave labor as an insult to black people. It's not an innocent term. If it's normal where you come from that just says something about where you come from."

**
REPLY
4. Roger Kerr
"Tony Cossio Sorry, you don't get to decide what is or is not offensive to a black person. It's that simple"

**
REPLY
5. Dallas Aranjo
"Tony Cossio because historically it came FROM using it against people of color. Duh"

**
REPLY
6. Darlene Hantzis
"Tony Cossio because it has been used that way-very particularly and pointedly. Derogatory. Dehumanizing."

**
7. Jim Ct
"Isn't that like, a common expression used innocently by a lot of people unaware of the racial origin? In all my life I never gave it a second thought, until now."

**
REPLY
8. Precious Kapri
"Unaware of the racial origin!?! I think not. My great grandmother used the phrase pretty often and even at 10, I was aware of the racial origin. What do you think of when you think of “picking cotton”? Slaves. Please don’t be daft."

**
REPLY
9. Patti Stamper
"No, and I'm from "cotton picking" country. We don't sing "Dixie" at high school football games anymore either."

**
REPLY
10. Adam Olp
"Jim Ct When you're making an argument that "dog whistle" racism doesn't exist on national TV, you should probably ensure you are not going to use said "dog whistle" racism in your argument."

**
11. George Stevens
"We all have something to learn from this exchange. I have in the past and might have in the future used the phrase "out of your cotton-picking mind". I never would have thought about its origins. It is like my father and my first wife in an argument about the male generic "he" for any unknown person. Of all people, my father was not discriminatory in any way- but he could not see the hidden sexism in language. sometimes we need to be brought up short."

**
REPLY
12. Debra Moore
"Agreed, I have also used it in the past."

**
13. Rachel Harrison
"My mother, who was born in 1924 in rural North Carolina, used it all the time. All of her relatives did as well. I grew up hearing the phrase often."

**
REPLY
14. William Pennat
"I can recall using it though not recently. But I think I stopped more because it went out of style than anything else. However, consider my consciousness raised...."

**
REPLY
15. Bitzy Vanhouten
"For those who didn’t know this phrase may be offensive, now you do. When you know better, do better."

**
16. Jasmine Williams
"He dog-whistled, whilst saying there was no dog whistling coming from the White House. And then the host came back, and said he did not recognize it as a dog-whistle. My ears are on fire!"
-snip-
Here's an excerpt from an article about the political meaning of "dog whistles"
From https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/dog-whistle-political-meaning
"This Is the Definition of 'Dog Whistle Politics'
A message only some can hear
Update: This word was added in April 2017.

The earliest, and still most common, meaning of dog whistle is the obvious one: it is a whistle for dogs. Dog ears can detect much higher frequencies than our puny human ears can, so a dog whistle is nothing more than an exceedingly high-pitched whistle that canines can hear, but that we cannot.

[..]

Yet there's another dog whistle we've been hearing about lately: a coded message communicated through words or phrases commonly understood by a particular group of people, but not by others.

Given that the term dog whistle has been around for over 200 years, it seems odd that it only developed a figurative sense recently. After all, it’s the perfect word to use to describe something that some people can hear, but others cannot. Yet it is only within the past 20 years or so that it has seen this figurative sense take hold. And it is primarily used to describe political speech."...

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS FEATURED VIDEO
I added numbers to these comments for referencing purposes only. All of these comments are from June 24, 2018, except when otherwise noted.

1. Fozzgate
"Straight up racist slur."

**
REPLY
2. sECUREij
"Fozzgate When did Cotton Picking Mind become a racist slur."

**
REPLY
3. Alfonse Bun
"Bossie grew up in Boston in the late 60's/early 70's, was a deputy campaign manager for Trump, and co authored a memoir with Corey Lewandowski. Hardly a surprise he resorted to using such a phrase."

**
REPLY
4. Nerthus
"You Leftists are out of your "cotton picken minds". You see racism everywhere because YOU ARE RACISTS.

I guess Bugs Bunny (who popularized the phrase) is a racist KKK Nazi demons?"

**
5. Tony 'tonycuev' Cuevas
"Cotton picking mind
Originated as a descriptor for the labor of harvesting cotton crops. Later used to described the farm-workers, primarily african-american slaves, who harvested the crops. May be offensive, and perceived as derogatory or insulting, to any intelligent or enlightened audience if spoken aloud."

**
REPLY
6. Led Zepplin
"Tony 'tonycuev' Cuevas Thats a damn lie.White ppl picked those damn crops , they had large families to care for so please take a seat."

**
REPLY
7. T8fgzz
"+Led Zepplin The difference is that black people at the time were often enslaved and forced to pick cotton for other people's benefit. So the saying may not be offensive to white people repeating it among themselves who's ancestors weren't enslaved to do so. But for someone to say that to an African American and completely ignore the historical connection is insane. You don't need to be a scientist to pick up on that."

**
REPLY
8. Led Zepplin
"T8fgzz I dont believe that.infact, black ppl today have taken this mole hill of slavery and turned it into a mountain.Slavery was not as bad as you folks make it out to be.most slaves were treated very well.And they had alot of freedoms.They lived in homes, they were fed, and they had large families.Many were paid, not a hole lot but they had money.They did not work for free .It cost the masters of the house to feed them and cloth them , and to keep a roof over their head so no free labor."...

**
REPLY
9. Led Zepplin
"T8fgzz Oh and yes black ppl enslaved whites during the barbary slave trade from 1600- 1840s it was horrible to say the least."

**
REPLY
10. Led Zepplin
"I refuse to walk on egg shells around black ppls sensitive emotions why you folks crap all over mine .I refuse to apologize for slavery and i will not allow black ppl to control what i say or think."

**
REPLY
11. T8fgzz
"+Led Zepplin Hmm. I don't see anyone controlling what you say or think. You're obviously free to post whatever you want as anyone can clearly see. It seems you are merely angry that people criticize what you're saying. Sorry but you're not immune to criticism simply because you're free to say whatever you like. No form of slavery is "good", to keep someone against their will. That's your first problem. And the slaves were not indentured servants. First, You said slaves lived in homes. Well, if you count slave pens as homes I guess. Based on records, these were crowded cabins called “the quarters.” Usually bare and simple, these shelters were cold in winter, hot in summer, and leaky when it rained. Sometimes, slaves had to build their own living facilities with the little supplies they were given.

Second, you said they were fed. They were. Their food was consisting mainly of corn bread, salt pork (or bacon) often cold, and molasses. Third, you said they had large families. Well, sickness was common and the infant death rate doubled that of white babies. Marriage among slaves had no legal standing and always required the approval of the master. You said it cost the master of the house to feed and house them. Yet, slaves were very profitable for their masters. The invention of the cotton gin greatly increased the productivity of cotton harvesting by slaves. This resulted in dramatically higher profits for planters (not the slaves), which in turn led to a seemingly insatiable increase in the demand for more slaves, in a savage, brutal and vicious cycle.

Third, you said they had a "lot of freedoms and were treated very well". FALSE. Slaves had no constitutional rights; they could not testify in court against a white person; they could not leave the plantation without permission. Slaves often found themselves rented out, used as prizes in lotteries, or as wagers in card games and horse races. The sexual use of black slaves by white men, either slave owners or those who could purchase the temporary services of a slave, took various forms. It was not unusual for a "house" female slave — a housekeeper, maid, cook, laundress, or nanny — to be used by one or more white males of the household for their sexual enjoyment. Separation from family and friends was probably the greatest fear a black person in slavery faced. When a master died, his slaves were often sold for the benefit of his heirs. By law, slaves were the personal property of their owners in all Southern states. In Louisiana the slave master held absolute authority over his human property as the Louisiana law of the time made clear: “The master may sell him, dispose of his person, his industry, and his labor; [the slave] can do nothing, possess nothing, nor acquire anything but what must belong to his master.” It seems as if you want to do a great deal of willful ignorance and ignore what you don't want to hear. Using other historical instances of slavery or someones comments as a reason to excuse slavery make your point irrelevant. The Barbary slave trade doesn't make slavery in the united states any less significant. What you're doing is essentially equivalent to someone saying, "if the slaves converted to Islam then they were generally freed, so see it wasn't that bad". That doesn't excuse the practice of slavery. You are essentially saying when "black people enslave whites, then slavery is bad. When white people enslave blacks, slavery is good or at least "not that bad". Moronic babble at its best."

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12. Jenjen 100000
"Oh please, it wasn't just blacks who picked cotton so did poor white American, and I bet Bossie had ancestors who picked cotton in the past."

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REPLY
13. Darth Scipio
"Jenjen 100; That was a direct reference to slavery my friend and an insult to any Black person."

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REPLY
14. Ed Wuncler
"Exactly, Irish people were picking cotton in America long before the first black slaves got here."

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REPLY
15. Darth Scipio
"Ed Wuncler: The first black slave was brought to America in 1619 so I don't what the hell you're talking about. Black slaves were the main labor force in Tobacco and Cotton commodities while they weren't getting Paid. While whites may have worked in Tobacco and Cotton, it was small percentage of the work force and probably got paid for their services."

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REPLY
16. T8fgzz
"And yet.....a very HUGE difference between 'poor white American who picked cotton': "Throughout the 17th century onward, European settlers in North America turned to African slaves as a cheaper, more plentiful labor source than indentured servants (who were mostly poor Europeans that signed contracts to pay with work for their passage). The indentured laborers were not slaves and were often young people who intended to become permanent residents. Slave owners sought to make their slaves completely dependent on them, and a system of restrictive codes governed life among slaves. They were usually prohibited from learning to read and write, and their behavior and movement was restricted. Many masters took sexual liberties with slave women, and rewarded obedient slave behavior with favors, while rebellious slaves were brutally punished. The invention of the cotton gin greatly increased the productivity of cotton harvesting by slaves. This resulted in dramatically higher profits for planters, which in turn led to a seemingly insatiable increase in the demand for more slaves, in a savage, brutal and vicious cycle."

"Slaves had no constitutional rights; they could not testify in court against a white person; they could not leave the plantation without permission. Slaves often found themselves rented out, used as prizes in lotteries, or as wagers in card games and horse races. Separation from family and friends was probably the greatest fear a black person in slavery faced. When a master died, his slaves were often sold for the benefit of his heirs."

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REPLY
17. Darth Scipio
"T8fgzz: I couldn't have said it better my friend, as they were property like cattle. I can't believe our fellow citizens think is OK to insult people like this."

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18.healthdios
"He didn't repeat that cotton picking phrase afterwards , he knew he crossed the line...

Unconsciously he's putting himself on the European heritage group while looking a little dark himself.....talking about being out of his mind..."

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REPLY
19. bretert
"Lol only white people can call blacks cotton pickers?

Every race can be racist you dimwit."

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REPLY
20. healthdios
"bretert you have no idea what race I am.
I don't care what race you are either but, by defending a bigot who just got himself exposed on TV you're giving yourself up. Btw, calling me a dimwit doesn't help your cause either..."

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REPLY
21. bretert
"healthdios No, your race is irrelevant your the one equating racial slurs to European heritage...

A black man can use racial insults against hispanics and vice versa."

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REPLY
22. healthdios
"I'm not putting racial slurs under racial exclusivity...this guys was completely wrong by bringing that expression in the middle of a heated debate and like I pointed it out, he realized of his mistake and didn't do it again through the rest of his rant. Please don't make up excuses for a person you share the same point of view if you and everybody knows he was wrong for insulting another human being."

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REPLY
23. Nerthus
" "crossed the line" there is no line you f&&king* word bully. "cotton picken mind" (a Bugs Bunny term) has never been a racist term before today."
-snip-
* This word was fully spelled out in this comment.

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REPLY
24. healthdios
"Nerthus is that why he didn't repeat those words while ranting like lunatic...?
or he felt like apologizing on Twitter for no reason afterwards..? Even the host came back and made clear that wasn't how his show and Fox news don't agree with hot head guests insulting remarks"

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25. Cody Dale
"As a conservative Republican I can totally see the outrage in this. He stooped to a very low level here... I'm against a lot of PC culture but my God you don't say that on TV, Jesus Christ what a mess..."

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REPLY
26. Smokey Mo
"Exactly, throwing insults while at work in a professional environment, especially where I work, will get you fired on the spot. There's a time and place for everything"

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REPLY
27. Amanda Bigogna, June 25, 2018
"You don't say it ANYTIME. not on tv, not with your friends, never. And if anyone thinks there's an appropriate time to say this, they should take a good hard look at their conscience and open a history book or look at what's happening on our watch in 2018, 2017, 2016."

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REPLY
28. Affinity. June 25, 2018
"Its not a racist phrase. White people picked cotton too. I don't see the outrage. Stop consuming the soy."

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29. jon laymon
"I'm a conservative and that was a vile and outrageous comment."

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REPLY
30. FiddlerBear
"I guess Bugs Bunny is a racist."

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REPLY
31. AmericanNohbuddy ™
"FiddlerBear Yes it was but it was normal at the time. Like when they'd have him dress up in black face"

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REPLY
32. Yvonne Moultrie
"yeah bugs bunny did a lot of racist stuff in those cartoons, actually. there's a whole history about it on youtube. do a search."
-snip-
Here's a link to a YouTube video entitled "A Look At Bugs Bunny's Racist Past" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSSkeb6qdCI.

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REPLY
33. You know what, you’re absolutely right.
"He blends right into this administration."

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REPLY
34. bdxhsc
"Womp Womp"
-snip-
Click Corey Lewandowski: "Womp Womp" About Child With Down Syndrome Being Taken From Family "Corey Lewandowski: "Womp Womp" About Child With Down Syndrome Being Taken From Family" for information about the words "Womp Womp" in the context of this discussion.

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Visitor comments are welcome.


Sunday, June 24, 2018

Marvin Gaye Asks "Who Really Cares?" In His 1971 Song "Save The Children"

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post provides information about Marvin Gaye and showcases his 1971 song "Save The Children".

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Marvin Gaye for his musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/03/songs-from-marvin-gayes-whats-going-on.html for a 2012 pancocojams post entitled "Five Songs From Marvin Gaye's 1971 "What's Going On" Album". A link to a 2017 pancocojams post showcasing two Marvin Gaye songs is also included in that post.

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INFORMATION ABOUT MARVIN GAYE
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvin_Gaye
"Marvin Gaye born Marvin Pentz Gay Jr.; April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984)[2] was an American singer, songwriter and record producer. Gaye helped to shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s, first as an in-house session player and later as a solo artist with a string of hits, including "Ain't That Peculiar", "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", and duet recordings with Mary Wells, Kim Weston, Diana Ross and Tammi Terrell, later earning the titles "Prince of Motown" and "Prince of Soul".

During the 1970s, he recorded the albums What's Going On and Let's Get It On and became one of the first artists in Motown (joint with Stevie Wonder) to break away from the reins of a production company. His later recordings influenced several contemporary R&B subgenres, such as quiet storm and neo soul.[3] Following a period in Europe as a tax exile in the early 1980s, he released the 1982 Grammy Award-winning hit "Sexual Healing" and its parent album Midnight Love.

On April 1, 1984, Gaye's father, Marvin Gay Sr., fatally shot him at their house in the West Adams district of Los Angeles.[4][5] Since his death, many institutions have posthumously bestowed Gaye with awards and other honors—including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[6]

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From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What%27s_Going_On_(Marvin_Gaye_album)
"What's Going On is the eleventh studio album by soul musician Marvin Gaye, released May 21, 1971, on the Motown-subsidiary label Tamla Records.[1] Recording sessions took place in June 1970 and March–May 1971 at Hitsville U.S.A., Golden World and United Sound Studios in Detroit and at The Sound Factory in West Hollywood, California. What's Going On was the first Marvin Gaye album for which Gaye is credited as producer and Motown Records' main studio band, the session musicians known as the Funk Brothers, received a credit.

What's Going On is a concept album consisting of nine songs, most of which segue into the next. It has been categorized as a song cycle; the album ends with a reprise of the album's opening theme. The story is told from the point of view of a Vietnam veteran returning to the country he had been fighting for, and seeing only hatred, suffering, and injustice. Gaye's introspective lyrics discuss themes of drug abuse, poverty, and the Vietnam War. He has also been credited with promoting awareness of global warming before the public outcry against it had become prominent.

What's Going On was an immediate success, both commercially and critically. Having endured as a classic of 1970s soul, a deluxe edition set was released on February 27, 2001, and featured a recording of a May 1972 concert shot at Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center. Worldwide surveys of critics, musicians, and the general public have shown that What's Going On is regarded as one of the landmark recordings in pop music history, and one of the greatest albums of the 20th century.[2] The album was ranked number six both on Rolling Stone's 2003 list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time", and in the magazine's update nine years later.[3]"

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LYRICS: SAVE THE CHILDREN
(Marvin Gaye)

[Verse 1]
I just want to ask a question:
Who really cares, to save a world in despair?
Who really cares?
There'll come a time (There'll come a time)
When the world won't be singing (When the world won't be singing)
Flowers won't grow (flowers won't grow, no)
Bells won't be ringing (the bells won't be ringing)
Who really cares? (Who really cares?)
Who's willing to try? (Who is willing to try?)
To save the world, (to save the world)
That's destined to die (that is destined to die)
When I look at the world (when I look at the world)
It fills me with sorrow (it fills me with sorrow)
Little children today (children today)
Are really going to suffer tomorrow (really suffer tomorrow)
(Oh!) What a shame (what a shame)
Such a bad way to live (such a bad way to live)
Oh, who is to blame? (Who is to blame?)
We can't stop living, (when we can't stop living)
Live, (Live)
(Live for life) Live for life
(But let live everybody)
Live life for the children (live life for...the children. Oh, for the Children)
You see, let's...let's save the children
Let's...let's save all the children, (Save the babies, save the babies!)
(And if you want to love, you got to....save the babies)
(Oh you've got the feeling, you've got the feeling)
(You will save the babies, all of the Children)


Source: https://genius.com/Marvin-gaye-save-the-children-lyrics

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SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
Example #1: Marvin Gaye - LIVE Save The Children 1972



Nicolas Bouhelier, Published on Sep 14, 2017

Marvin Gaye LIVE Save The Children
At The Kennedy Center
1972

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Example #2: What's Going On + Save the Children LIVE



ClassicSoulRadio, Published on Feb 1, 2012

From his Live in Amsterdam 1976 concert.

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Example #3: Save The Children Marvin Gaye



showzono100, Published on Feb 22, 2011

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Example #4: What's Going On + Save the Children LIVE



ClassicSoulRadio, Published on Feb 1, 2012

From his Live in Amsterdam 1976 concert.

Three Examples Of The Gospel Song "Oh Lord, Have Mercy"

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post is part of an ongoing pancocojams series on "old school African American church songs and church traditions.

This song showcases three examples of the Gospel song "Oh Lord, Have Mercy"; The Caravans, the Racy Brothers, and Gene Martin.

Selected comments from these YouTube examples are included in this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the unknown composer/s of this song and thanks to all of those who are featured in these renditions of this song. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and also thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/06/cannonball-adderley-quintet-mercy-mercy.html for definitions of the word "mercy".

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
"Old school" is a African American Vernacular English term that refers to something from the past that is usually considered favorably. Whether something is "old school" or not depends on who is doing the defining.

In the context of [Black] Gospel music, I usually consider "old school" music to be from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, but younger people might consider Gospel music from the 1980s and 1990s to be "old school".

I believe the styles of Black Gospel music that are showcased in this post are from the late 1950s, the 1960s, and perhaps also the 1970s.

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LYRICS: OH LORD, HAVE MERCY
(unknown composer/s; various arrangers]

1 Oh, Lord have mercy.
Oh, Lord have mercy.
Oh, Lord have mercy,
Have mercy on me.

2 While I am praying,
While I am praying,
While I am praying,
Have mercy on me.

3 While I am waiting,
While I am waiting,
While I am waiting,
Have mercy on me.

4 When I'm in trouble,
When I'm in trouble,
When I'm in trouble,
Have mercy of me.

5 I am Your child,
I am Your child,
I am Your child,
Have mercy on me.

Source: https://hymnary.org/hymn/AAHH2001/448 African American Heritage Hymnal‎ #448
[given as Oh, Lord Have Mercy]
-snip-
This is the basic pattern for this song's lyrics. Other verses [besides verse #1] can be substituted or added to these verses.

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SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
Example #1: Tribute to Delores Washington- "Oh Lord, Have Mercy"



Rowoches, Published on Jun 10, 2008

One of my personal favorite members of the Caravans, Ms. Delores Washington. "Oh Lord, Have Mercy" is one of the songs she led with the James Herndon Singers, and ain't she sangin it tho? LOL!! Go'head!! I thought that one of the hollerers in the background was Josephine Howard, but I was corrected by one of the members. It was another member, Ms. Roxie Bibbs! Let Him have His way, Ms. Roxie!! The other person who yells is Rev. James Herndon and he jumps off of the piano as well! Hammercy Lawd!
-snip-
Selected comments from this sound file's discussion thread (numbers added for referencing purposes only)

1. Zsanese, 2008
"Wow! God Bless you and thank you for sharing. I so wished I had these on CD's. I am a senior with such fond memories of these songs from my youth. My parents didn't realize the value of their records and we don't know what became of them. Thank God for you. I will try and visit this site more often for inspirational songs. Thank you again."

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2. direfranchement, 2008
"This is interesting. Delores's soprano was very youthful and bright, as opposed to Johneron Davis who sounded like a much older, and sometimes frailer woman than her years during her tenure with the Caravans. I didn't know Delores could get this gritty, but there are a few squalls in this performance. It's great to hear her on a solo, because there aren't very many of them to be found. Thanks for adding this record Rowoches!"

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3. alwayssupafly, 2009
"I love this song. Ms. Washington has such a blessed, powerful voice! WOW!"

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4. direfranchement, 2009
"There is a fairly recent video on YouTube of Delores Washington singing "Jesus Is the Best Thing", the gospelized version of the Gladys Knight hit. I was stunned at how amazing she sounds, not only to have had a lung removed, but to have been singing for over 50 years. I don't think she employs those glorious head notes very much anymore, but she has a very intact chest voice to work with. Less celestial, more earthy...look it up."

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REPLY
5. Zionsinger1, 2009
"Yea Delores can still get up there, not like in this song ,but she still has range. I know tht she testifys about the removal of a lung but there were other issues that causes her not to sing in the upper registers.. she says she doesnt even try to sing up there any more, but every now and then she'll hit a couple. I'd like to be one of the first to congratulate the Caravans on being invited to sing at the Inauguration of President Elect OBAMA!"

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6. Jerrell Bess, 2012
"Sang it just sang it. Sister Delores is on of the Caravans that didn't do too much leading, but, she should have because she is powerful"
-snip-
"Sang it" here may mean "to sing very well, especially to sing soulfully very well". This definition also fits the comment given after Example #2" which includes the word "sangin".

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7. Shell Harris, 2015
"Lord, as a teenager, I use to listen to this song over, and over again!!! I really need mercy!!!"

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8. M Lewis, 2018
"I agree Ms Washington was the Queen of Sopranos! This song ,I can't express how it makes me feel, like an inner explosion of the Holy Spirit. WOW"

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Example #2: Oh Lord Have Mercy



Pannellctp Traditional Gospel Music, Published on Sep 27, 2010

Racy Brothers There's Not A Friend Live In Little Rock album
-snip-
Here's a comment from this video's discussion thread:
Arlene Rogers Wilhite, 2012
"One of my favorite songs...thanks for the post these guys are great! I love that old time singing not all that wailing and hollering...just goold soulful sangin'"

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Example #3: Gene Martin--Oh Lord, Have Mercy



boofitts, Published on Oct 4, 2010

Gospel legend Gene Martin sings classic song with 1969 Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Gospel choir at AA Allen crusade.

Gene was featured soloist and choir director with renowned healing evangelist AA Allen during 60's and 70's.
{I put together pics and special effects in this video}
-snip-
Selected comments from this sound file's discussion thread (numbers added for referencing purposes only)
1. wpwcradio, 2012
"This is reminds me of sinners walking to the Mourners Bench during the revival service at a hot, fiery, baptist church. Have mercy on me!"

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2. dallaskenn, 2012
"The year of that recording was Summer 1966."

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3. c eb, 2018
"Although I'm still in my younger years this is the gospel music I was raised with . Brings back many memories and takes me back quite a few years .you can just feel it"

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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Saturday, June 23, 2018

Cannonball Adderley Quintet - "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" & Speculation About What The Saying "Mercy Mercy, Mercy" Means

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents information about the 1966 Jazz classic "Mercy Mercy Mercy" and showcases a YouTube sound file of Cannonball Adderley Quintet's 1966 performance of that composition.

Information about the meaning of the words "Mercy", Mercy, Mercy" in that composition are included in this post along with selected comments from that sound file's discussion thread.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Joe Zawinul for composing this song and thanks to him and other members of the Cannonball Adderley Quintet for their musical legacy. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this sound file on YouTube.

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MEANING OF THE WORD "MERCY"
From https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mercy
"Definition of mercy; plural: mercies
"1 a : compassion or forbearance (see forbearance 1) shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one's power; also : lenient or compassionate treatment begged for mercy
b : imprisonment rather than death imposed as penalty for first-degree murder
2 a : a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion May God have mercy on us.
b : a fortunate circumstance it was a mercy they found her before she froze
3 : compassionate treatment of those in distress works of mercy among the poor
— mercy adjective
— at the mercy of
: wholly in the power of : with no way to protect oneself against"
-snip-
"Lord have mercy [on my soul], also found as "Lord have mercy [on me]", are plaintive pleas for God's mercy.

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=laud%20have%20mercy presents this definition for "Laud Have Mercy" [Lord have mercy] *
"laud have mercy
Lawd have mercy is the phonetic spelling of the expression "Lord have mercy". The pronunciation of the word "lawd" is a cultural colloquialism, historically common within rural blacks in the South. It can still be heard today especially among the older generations. "Lord have mercy on us" has origins from the Biblical scripture Psalm 123:3-4 & is usually expressed in times of trouble or worry. Also, a broader more generic usage can denote surprise or wonder.
Example 1: "laud have mercy or Lord have mercy! What is the world coming to?"
Example 2: "laud have mercy or Lord have mercy! How did he do that so quickly?"
#lord'a mercy!#laus'a mercy!#help me jesus!#oh my god!#heaven help us!

by wordsworld December 20, 2014"
-snip-
"Laud have mercy" is an incorrect approximation of African American Vernacular English exclamation "Lawd have mercy" and "Laus'a mercy" is an offensive representation of how some African Americans have pronounced and/or continue to pronounce "Lord have mercy".

Derived from African American culture, "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy!" may also mean that you are feeling God's mercy, i.e. you are being moved by (feel) the Holy Spirit) and are in a state of exaltation, although this may be limited to folks over fifty.
From https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exaltation
: an act of exalting : the state of being exalted
2 : an excessively intensified sense of well-being, power, or importance
3 : an increase in degree or intensity"

In that sense, the exclamation "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy!" can be the same as or very similar in meaning to the exclamations "Amen!" and "Hallelujah!".

As stated in Cannonball Adderley's introduction to this composition (quoted as comment #2 below), I think that definition 1a and 2a as given above for the word "mercy" are probably the original meaning of the word "mercy" in the Jazz composition "Mercy Mercy Mercy".

However, I believe that the saying "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy!" can [also] refer to the same or similar states of exaltation in non-religious contexts such as during a superlative Jazz performance.

In other words, I think that someone exclaiming "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" may mean that he or she is experiencing (or has experienced) something that is painfully good, i.e. something that results in such a heightened sense of joy, (rapture, pleasure). You are "at the mercy" of those feelings (" wholly in the power of") those feelings, but you aren't asking for mercy (relief/help) from those feelings or those experiences. In religious as well as non-religious contexts, people might "shout" or exclaim "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy!" and/or other African American associated affirmation/s of appreciation such as "(Well), Alright now!", "Preach!" and "Yeah!".*

*Read a number of such comments below from the YouTube discussion thread for the Cannonball Adderley Quintet's "Mercy Mercy Mercy!" sound file which include these types of African American originated exclamations.

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE JAZZ COMPOSITION "MERCY, MERCY, MERCY!"
Excerpt #1:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercy,_Mercy,_Mercy
"Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" is a jazz song written by Joe Zawinul in 1966 for Julian "Cannonball" Adderley and his album Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! Live at 'The Club'. The song is the title track of the album and became a surprise hit.[1] "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" went to #2 on the Soul chart and #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[2]

Original version
The original version was performed by: Cannonball Adderley (alto saxophone), Nat Adderley (cornet), Joe Zawinul (piano, electric piano), Victor Gaskin (bass) and Roy McCurdy (drum)"...

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Excerpt #2:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercy,_Mercy,_Mercy!_Live_at_%22The_Club%22
"Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! Live at "The Club" is a 1966 album by jazz musician Julian "Cannonball" Adderley.[1] It received the Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Jazz Performance – Group or Soloist with Group in 1967.[2] Though the original liner notes state that it was recorded at the Club DeLisa in Chicago, it was actually recorded at Capitol's Hollywood studio with an invited audience and an open bar.[3] The reason for this discrepancy, according to the liner notes in the CD reissue, is that Adderley and the new manager of Club DeLisa (which had been renamed "The Club", after operating for years in Chicago under its old name) were friends, and Adderley offered to give the club a bit of free publicity.

The title track became a surprise hit, reaching #11 on the Billboard Hot 100. On this album, Joe Zawinul played a Wurlitzer electric piano; however, subsequent live performances saw him taking up the new and mellower-sounding Fender Rhodes instrument.

The title track has been covered numerous times (usually with lyrics added), perhaps most successfully by the Buckinghams in 1967.[citation needed]

[...]

Reception
The Allmusic review by Steve Huey awarded the album 5 stars and states: "Adderley's irrepressible exuberance was a major part of his popularity, and no document captures that quality as well -- or with such tremendous musical rewards -- as Mercy, Mercy, Mercy."[6] The Penguin Guide to Jazz awarded the album 3 out of 4 stars, stating: "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy is a hard swinging live album with one of Cannon's hottest outings on 'Sticks'.".[7]"...

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SHOWCASE EXAMPLE: Cannonball Adderley Quintet - "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" (1966)



Anthony Valente's Jazz Channel, Published on Nov 15, 2012
Cannonball Adderley Quintet: Cannonball Adderley (alto saxophone); Nat Adderley (cornet); Joe Zawinul (acoustic & electric pianos); Victor Gaskin (bass); Roy McCurdy (drums).

Recording information: Capitol studios, Los Angeles, CA (10/20/1966).
-snip-
Selected comments from this discussion thread, with numbers added for referencing purposes only. With the exception of comments #1 -#3, these selected comments are given in relative chronological order based on the year of their publication (with the oldest comments given first except for replies)

1. Giorgio De Marco, 2015
"what does cannonbal say at the beginning of the song? thanks for the answers"

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REPLY
2. Rodolfo Pérez, 2015
"Mercy, Mercy, Mercy...
You know, sometimes we're not prepared for adversity, When it happens sometimes we’re caught short. We don’t know exactly how to handle it when it comes up. Sometimes we don’t know just what to do when adversity takes over and I have advice for all of us. I got it from my pianist Joe Zawinul who wrote this tune and it sounds like what you’re supposed to say when you have that kind of problem and its called Mercy, Mercy, Mercy."

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3. Dbravius Blackwell, 2016
"This song sings a million words without having one being spoken. It has that "What's Goin' On" feeling (of course this being earlier) and it seems to evoke images of everyday struggles of life during that time with the civil rights movement, the vietnam war, and many other problems that in the end, all one could say was.....mercy, mercy, mercy!"
-snip-
"What's Goin On"= Marvin Gaye's 1971 R&B/Soul composition with that title; video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppvBWIzvPvU

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4. Bob Benham, 2012
"This tune oozes with soul and brings a smile : )"

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5. Max Films, 2013
"That's just the jazz I need to make it through adversity."

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6. Thomas Romine, 2014
" "sometimes we are caught short" meaning without all you need."

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7. JSMN, 2014
"this had to have been recorded in a church"

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8. franzia1499, 2014
"It was actually recorded in a normal studio, but to give it that live feel, they let about 20-30 people in and provided an open bar."

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9. Jack Guariento, 2014
"+franzia1499 actually guys, hate to break it to ya, but this is a live recording from Newport Jazz Festival"

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10. Doc Brown, 2014
"+Jacky .g actually franzia is right, it was originally listed as the club delisa on the album, but it is actually in studio"

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11. franzia1499, 2014
"+Doc Brown Thanks for backing me up on my claim. It's even acknowledged on the band's official site. Cannonball was friends with the owner of The Club DeLisa in Chicago at the time, so he wanted to offer the establishment some more publicity, even though it was recorded at Capitol studios in Los Angeles."

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12. Anakin Dey, 2017
"It's not recorded at that club actually. It was in studio but they invited 20-30 people into the studio with an open bar. Cannonball just put the name of the club on because he was friends with the owner and wanted to give them some publicity"

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13. Beau Jan Gels, 2018
"I'm not sure if Adderley's next crossover success, Country Preacher, was recorded in a church or not. It was recorded at a fundraiser for a project associated with Jesse Jackson in the days when Jackson was known more as a preacher than a politician. The crowd on that recording has much the same vibe."
-snip-
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0948NjaL3iIfor a YouTube sound file of the Cannonball Adderley Quintet's 1969 performance of "Country Preacher".

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14. poetcomic1, 2014
"I remember when black fans actually patronized jazz clubs and audiences didn't sit reverently silent like white audiences do NOW. OH BABY, SAY IT!"

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15. Levon Peter Muhammad Salah Setyowan Poe, 2014
"So beautiful and appropriate for the times. Joe Zawinul - future weather report co-founder -composed this timeless tune"

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16. BuckshotLaFunke1, 2015
"'Walk Tall', Cary Ginell's biography on Cannonball, states that this was recorded before an audience of friends and families at Capitol Towers (the record company), called 'the Capitol Club' for that occasion."

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17. smoked fish/chicken, 2016
"Always remember to persevere."

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18. Robert Karanja, 2016
"An amazing song. Preach, preacher, preach!"
-snip-
"Preacher" here means Cannonball Adderley (in his introduction to this composition), and (I believe) the musicians who are preaching ["telling it like it is"] in their performance of this composition.

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19. Jim Hendricks, 2016
"I love it - at 2:04 "Play that thing!"
This the best slow burn groove...

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20. Bogus Smogus, 2016
"What does he yell at 0:45?"

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21. kurt11110, 2016
"Brian Jones he said "go joe !"
-snip-
"Go Joe" is an exhortation to pianist Joe Zawinul to continue playing so well

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22. T K, 2016
"what a recording! you can really feel the atmosphere and how the audience is feeding off of zawinul's every note..."

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23. Luke Vaughan, 2017
"Cool, when cool was cool !"

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24. Mathieu Deraspe, 2017
"What I wouldn't give to have been present during this live recording, in the crowd, watching a brief piece of musical history..."

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25. Vincent Franklin, 2017
"Really dig this!"
-snip-
"Really dig this" means "I [really] like this!"

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26. blessedchica, 2018
"Vincent Franklin I hear you, man!"
-snip-
"I hear you" = I hear what you are saying [what you said] and I agree with you."

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27. Ethel Stevens Love, 2017
"What a great smooth jazz classic....."

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28. Reagan McCann, 2017
"It's definitely not smooth jazz lol, but it is indeed a classic."

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29. blessedchica, 2018
"Ethel Stevens Love ...def not smooth jazz; its the real thing--Jazz! :-)"

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30. Jude F., 2018
"This is such a soulful tune and performance, I don't know how the song got transformed into a perky uptempo jazz standard (Buddy Rich's version is one of the worst) or pop tune (the lyrics to that Buckinghams version sure don't jibe with Cannonball's introduction). Joe Zawinul's solo is really minimalist but it fits the mood of the song perfectly--which makes sense seeing that he wrote it."

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31. Below Average Joe, 2018
"This was Smooth Jazz before Smooth Jazz. It blows my mind how perceptive Joe Zawinul was. He wrote a song that was about as Gospel feeling as possible when he was raised in an entirely different tradition. The man to truly soak up African America culture to create the way he did."

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32. sauquoit13456, 2018
"On this day in 1967 {March 4th} 'Cannonball' Adderley performed "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy"* on the Dick Clark ABC-TV Saturday-afternoon program 'American Bandstand'...
At the time the song was in it's second of two weeks at #11 on Billboard's Top 100 chart, that was also it's peak position on the chart, plus it spent eleven weeks on the Top 100...
The following week it peaked at #3 {for 1 week} on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart...
Besides "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy", the Florida native had four other Top 100 records, "African Waltz" {#41 in 1961}, "The Jive Samba" {#66 in 1963}, "Why? (Am I Treated So Bad)" {#73 in 1967}, and "Country Preacher" {#86 in 1970}...
Julian Edwin 'Cannonball' Adderley passed away at the young age of 46 on August 8th, 1975 {cerebral hemorrhage}...
May he R.I.P.
*Three other versions of "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" also charted in 1967; the Buckinghams {#5}, Marlena Shaw {#58}, and Larry Williams & Johnny Watson {#96}..."

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33. Crunkboy415, 2018
"Who knew the two greats of jazz, Cannonball Adderley and Joe Zawinul create a great 60s soul hit."

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