The Staple Singers 1966 Gospel / Soul Song "Why (Am I Treated So Bad)" Is The Inspiration For The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Song "Tell Me Why' (Were We Treated So Bad)"

Jubilee Showcase, 13,101 views  Jan 17, 2020

The Staple Singers on Jubilee Showcase in 1966.

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a YouTube video of The Staple Singers' Gospel / Soul song "Why (Am I Treated So Bad)". Information about that song and its lyrics are included in this post.

This pancocojams post also showcases a YouTube video of an Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc .pledge song "Tell Me Why (Were We Treated So Bad)". The lyrics for that song and a few comments from that video's discussion thread are also included in this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Roebuck Staples for composing the song "Why (Am I Treated So bad". Thanks to the Staple Singers for musical legacy.

Thanks also to the composer of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity's song "Tell Me Why Were We Treated So Bad". Thanks also to Kevin McCall (and his unidentified cameraman) for singing this Omega Psi Phi Fraternity song. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post. 

*I don't know whether Kevin McCall is the composer of this Omega Psi Phi Fraternity pledge song whose tune and its "why were we treated so bad" line were clearly inspired by the 1965 Staple Singers' song. I haven't come across any other information or any other video of this fraternity song online.

For the cultural record, if you have any information about this Omega Psi Phi Fraternity song, please share that information in the discussion thread for this pancocojams post. Thanks!

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE STAPLE SINGERS' SONG "WHY (AM I TREATED SO BAD)"
From https://www.songfacts.com/facts/the-staple-singers/why-am-i-treated-so-bad
"Why Am I Treated So Bad
Album : Why [release date 1966]
Charted -95 USA

This song is about the Little Rock Nine, the first black students to attend the segregated Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas. In 1957, after in accordance with a Supreme Court ruling outlawing segregation, the nine students enrolled at the school. On the first day of school, they were met with angry protests and blocked by the Arkansas National Guard, as ordered by the governor. President Dwight D. Eisenhower responded by sending federal troops to escort the students into the school three weeks later.

The vitriol the students faced for simply trying to attend an all-white school was shocking, and made national headlines. The incident galvanized the civil rights movement, which drew support from across the nation.

"Why? (Am I Treated So Bad)" was written by the Staple Singers patriarch Roebuck "Pops" Staples in reaction to the protests.

According to Mavis Staples, this song was a favorite of Dr. Martin Luther King."
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/07/two-youtube-videos-of-staple-singers.html for the pancocojams post entitled "Two YouTube Videos of The Staple Singers "Why Am I Treated So Bad" ".
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LYRICS: WHY AM I TREATED SO BAD

(Roebuck Staples)

Why, am I treated so bad?
Why, am I treated so bad?
You know I'm all alone as I sing this song,
Hear my call, I've done nobody wrong
But I'm treated so bad

I'm gonna walk out in the master lane
Things I do, they seem to be in vain
You may be blind, you may be lame,
Walk on out in the master lane
Though you treat me so bad

Ooh ooh ooh ooooooh
Ooh ooh ooh oooooooh
Oooh ooh ooh oooooh ooh ooh oohhh
You made me blind, you may be lame
Walk on out in the master lane
Though you treat me so bad

Source: https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/mavisstaples/whyamitreatedsobad.html

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - Tell Me why? Omega Psi Phi pledge song Kevin McCall XAA FALL O6

Kevin McCall, Nov 23, 2008

mE SINGIN THE SONG THAT HELPED ME SEE IT THROUGH ROO

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE ABOUT THIS OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY SONG
Comments from the discussion thread for this YouTube video document that the pledge song "Tell Me Why Were We Treated So Bad" gave support and motivation to men who were in the process of joining Omega Psi Phi (as well as some other historically Black Greek letter fraternities.)  

It should be noted that the term "pledging" appears to have been retired as a referent for the process whereby people become members of historically Black Greek letter organizations (BGLO). "Pledging" wasn't (or isn't) always the same thing as "hazing". Furthermore, "pledging" and "hazing" was officially banned in historically Black Greek letters fraternities and sororities in 1990, but there's no doubt that physical and emotional hazing went underground and still occurs in a number of chapters of BGLOs.

Click https://bowiestate.edu/about/administration-and-governance/division-of-student-affairs/nphc-joint-statement-against-hazing for the National Pan-Hellenic Council's joint statement against hazing. 

Click  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz65oPb53Ek "Roland Martin on Pledging Alpha, Goes Off on Fraternity Hazing: That's the Dumbest S*** (Part 3)" for a YouTube video and discussion thread about attitudes that some members of historically Black Greek letter organizations have about pledging and hazing.
-snip-
This is how that video's title was given on YouTube.

Also, click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/01/black-fraternities-sororities-chants.html for the 2015 pancocojams post entitled "Black Fraternities & Sororities Chants That Mention Paper, Skating, & Sliding Into Their Organizations."

"Paper" (membership), "skating" into and "sliding" into their organization are colloquial terms that some members of historically Black Greek fraternities and sororities use as referents for people whose membership process after hazing was banned in 1990 didn't / doesn't include hazing.

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LYRICS- TELL ME WHY (WERE WE TREATED SO BAD)
(as sung by Kevin McCall and his cameraman)

Somebody tell me why
Why were we treated so bad
Oooh, I wanna know, I need to know, I gotta know
Why were we treated so bad.
(Zoom Zoom Zoom)

Somebody tell me why
(Zoom Zoom Zoom)
Why were we treated so bad
(Zoom Zoom Zoom)
Oooh, I wanna know, I need to know, I gotta know
Why were we treated so bad.
(Zoom Zoom Zoom)

I go to sleep at six
(Zoom Zoom Zoom)
And wake up early at eight
(Zoom Zoom Zoom)
I go to see my big brothers
(Zoom Zoom Zoom)
Oh, but I'm always late.
(Zoom Zoom Zoom)

Somebody tell me
Why were we treated so bad
(Zoom Zoom Zoom)
Oooh, I wanna know, I need to know, I gotta know
Why were we treated so bad.
(Zoom Zoom Zoom)

I gotta ache in my bones
(Zoom Zoom Zoom)
And I just wanna go home
(Zoom Zoom Zoom)
I wanna see my sweet baby
(Zoom Zoom Zoom)
Because I feel so alone
(Zoom Zoom Zoom)

Somebody tell me
Why were we treated so bad
(Zoom Zoom Zoom)
Oooh, I wanna know, I need to know, I gotta know
Why were we treated so bad.
(Zoom Zoom Zoom)

I get down on my knees
(Zoom Zoom Zoom)
Down on my knees to pray
(Zoom Zoom Zoom)
Ooh, I heard a voice, I heard a voice, I heard a voice
I heard a voice say
(Zoom Zoom Zoom)
"Don't you give up and quit
(Zoom Zoom Zoom)
Just hold your head up high"
(Zoom Zoom Zoom)
"That's what makes a man, makes a man, makes a man
Of Omega Psi Phi"
(Zoom Zoom Zoom)
-snip-
This is my unofficial transcription of this video. Additions and corrections are welcome.

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE DISCUSSION THREAD FOR YOUTUBE VIDEO #2

From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvJWPKPAlHE

These comments are given in relative chronological order, except for replies and are numbered for referencing purposes only. 

1. @chizucc,2008
"Yeah Bruh this song help me through it too!  ROO to the BruhZ!!! Keep it up team!"
-snip-
"Roo" / "rqq" = the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity signature call

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2. @frat4life, 2009
"THAT'S THE ENTHUSIASM THAT KEEPS GOOD BRUHZ GOIN! MAD PROPS FROM A 20 YR OLD(PLUS) BRUH...

ROO 2 DA GOOD BRUHZ!

MEOW MIX 2 DA CATZ.

ChrisRocK

SPR. 88

FEARLESS PHI KAPPA

2ND D."

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3. @OOTD_, 2009
"@kevinlmccalljr man you ever think about trying to be a professional singer or do you just sing for friends and family...you probably can get a deal cuz u tight man"

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Reply
4. @xxhighlandsxx, 2009
"@manansis86 he does a lot of songs with chris brown.. he produces really well too, he's a good ass rapper also. not to mention he played football at WSU.. lol talk about talented."
-snip-
Here's some information that I found online about Kevin McCall:
Kevin McCall is a Grammy nominated, singer, rapper, songwriter, and producer. His birthdate is July 25, 1985  

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5. @bralcox, 2009
"Bruh u just don't know how thIZ helped me and my lbs see it thru. Roo dawg team"
-snip-
lbs= line brothers

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6. @ligon3ice, 2010
"roo dawg. i sang this song on line to persevere through some of those hard but fair nights."

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7. @KillKyle712, 2010
"Thumbs up if you were doing the "zoom zoom zoom"

 

Lol"

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8.@fcalloway19, 2013
"RQQ dawg this song brought me through too"

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9. @bamenner89, 2011
"respect to the video. PBS is what i rep but i must say this song would help anybody make it through the troubles of getting in an organization"
-snip-
"PBS" = Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. is another historically Black Greek letter fraternity

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11. @justincarpenter1271, 2011
"Bruh if you Pledged you definitley can relate to what this Ni—a* singing about..Que Alpha Kappa Sigma . Don't matter"
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.
This comment refers to four of the five fraternities that are members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) which is colloquially referred to as "the Divine Nine".
"Que" = Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Alpha" = Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
"Kappa" = Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (also referred to as "Nupes")
"Sigma" =Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
-snip-
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity ("The Iotas") is the fifth historically Black Greek letter fraternity. That fraternity isn't mentioned in some BGLO comments and songs/chants because it wasn't founded until 1963, it didn't become a member of the NPHC until 1996, and (according to comments that I've read online) it doesn't have many chapters outside of the Northeastern and parts of the Midwestern part of the United States.

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12. @DameBrown, 2011
"im not a que but i feel this song"

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13. @shsmorgan23, 2012
"this video would be nothing without the cameraman's "zoom zoom zoom" "

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14. @Jmiahsonfire, 2017
"I cry everytime I hear this. Internalize the words"

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{Southern Soul/Blues/Humor) Bishop Bullwinkle - "Hell To Da Naw Naw "(video, information, & lyrics)

Bishop Bullwinkle, March 1, 2016 -snip- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdKI1wj-JpI&ab_channel=OfficialBronshay is a different video of the same 2014 song. That video was posed in 2015 and immediaely went viral.

-snip-

Statistics for this embedded video of January 13, 2022 at 8:55 AM ET total views - 67,727,105 total likes - 571K total dislikes -This feature's results isn't working. total comments - 36,687

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Edited by Azizi Powell This pancocojams post presents information about the saying "Hell to da naw" and showcases a 2016 video of Bishop Bullwinkle singing his song "Hell To Da Naw Naw ". Information about Bishop Bullwinkle is also included in this post along with the lyrics to this song. The content of this post is presented for cultural and entertainment purposes. All copyrights remain with their owners. Thanks to Bishop Bullwinkle for his cultural legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. RIP Bishop Bullwinkle. **** WHAT "HELL TO THE NAW" MEANS From https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/hell-to-the-naw/ 
Published April 13, 2018
"Hell to the naw is an expressive and intensive slang way to say “no.”

WHERE DOES HELL TO THE NAW COME FROM?

English speakers have been exclaiming hell no since at least the 1930s. Naw is a dialect variant of no evidenced in print in the late 1600s. Hell to the naw is recorded in black slang in the 2000s, notably appearing in hip-hop and R&B lyrics. The words to the, here, intensifies the phrase’s sense of rejection.

The expression was popularized in 2014 with the release of a viral song and video, “Hell 2 Da Naw Naw” by a Southern singer and pastor who goes by Bishop Bullwinkle. In it, Bullwinkle sings: “I ain’t gonna preach too long / Ain’t gonna take this service too far / My sermon in the morning / Hell to the naw naw naw,” variously repeating hell to the naw in the chorus.

The video was uploaded to YouTube in August, 2014 and went viral immediately, spawning Vine compilations and another viral video of a grandmother dancing to it. In comedic Vine videos, clips from the hook of “Hell 2 Da Naw Naw” were used as reaction images. For instance, a Vine user might show a son asking his father for some money and then play the chorus of the song as the father’s reply.

[…]

WHO USES HELL TO THE NAW?

In colloquial speech and writing, hell to the naw, as spread in the popular lexicon by Black English, is used as a dramatic way to say “absolutely not”! It’s often issued in response to an overwhelming, confusing, disgusting, or otherwise upsetting situation a speaker does not want to deal with or wishes to distance themselves from. For instance, “Beyoncé is going to be in town when I have to be away for a work trip?! Oh, hell to the naw.“.

Online, people may incorporate clips or stills from Bishop Bullwinkle’s “Hell 2 Da Naw Naw” as a humorous negative reaction to some content or to emphasize a refusal or rejection.”…
-snip-
Contrary to what this writer wrote, I don't think that "Bishop Bullwinkle" was ever a pastor. That was a character that Bernard Thomas (Bishop Bullwinkle) created and acted out. 

**** LYRICS- "HELL TO THE NAW NAW"

[Intro]

Mmm (C'mon, Bishop) Mmm-mm-mmm, yeah (Yeah) Mmm-mm-mmm (Listen) (Let it go, let it go)

[Verse 1] My name Bishop Bullwinkle I got the First Church of Nothing but the Truth (What you say?) Deacon Kyle, Deacon George, Deacon Clay Open the door, let em' in, turn em' loose First I want to thank God For the blood running warm in my veins (Yeah) I thank God for my life, health and strength I got a sound mind, I'm not insane (Come on) I ain't gonna preach too long Ain't gonna take this service too far My sermon's in the morning Hell to the naw, naw, naw Come on, come on

[Chorus]

Hell naw, to the naw, naw, naw (Hell to the naw) Hell to the naw, to the naw, naw, naw (Listen)

[Verse 2]

Sister Ella, Sister Ruth, make sure that everybody get a seat

(C'mon, y'all)

Sister Lilly may go back in the kitchen 'Cause she when it get through, I need to eat (I mustn't) Fix me collard greens and cornbread and rice Chicken breast, ox tails on the side (That's what I'm talkin' 'bout) Deacon Underwood, get my Bentley ready 'Cause when it get through, I need a ride Doctor West, count the money, count the money Come back and tell us what ya raised (Well, had to find another, did you?)

I got the people, they looking for some blessings First God gotta get the praise (C'mon, y'all) See, there's an old saying When the praises go up, you get the blessing coming down

I got some peoples in the church God almighty look at 'em, they messing around [Chorus]

Hell naw, to the naw, naw, naw (Hell to the naw) Hell to the naw, to the naw, naw, naw (Listen)

[Verse 3]

I got peoples in the church smokin' weed, drinkin' whiskey They drinkin' a lot of gin (What you say?) I got the preacher with the night prayer leading Talking about, "Can I get a amen?" (C'mon) Early Sunday morning 'Bout a quarter and a half past the ten (Yeah)

I got some people, they comin' off the street God almighty look at 'em, they strollin' in (They need help) They layin' at the altar They confessin' their sins, yeah (Come my way) Time you see 'em Monday morning Doing the same thing again (Hypocrite, hypocrite)

[Chorus]

Hell naw, to the naw, naw, naw (Hell to the naw) Hell to the naw, to the naw, naw, naw (Listen)

[Verse 4]

Got kids dropping out of school Talking about they don't want to learn Yet they're standing on the corner rolling blunts Talking about, come on let's burn (Y'all better get back to school) I got kids walking up and down the street Pants hanging down around their knees (Pull them pants up) Talking about that they're looking for a job When I see 'em jitter bug, I say please See all they ever talk about, brag about Who got the biggest and the baddest gun Time they see the copper with the bubble top They drop the gun, they want to run (Put them guns down) And now the sheriff got 'em locked up, hah They sitting in the county jail (It's a shame) I heard their mama, she was crying all night She can't get no money for the bail And now they're mad with the home boys 'Cause they didn't put no money in the commissary (Free to go, naw) Be glad you're in the jail, brother man You were sure headed for the cemetery (C'mon, wait) There's an old saying That a hard head make a soft behind (Yeah) Well, since you did the crime, go on and do the time Stop the baby crying, come on, come on

[Chorus]

Hell naw (Come on, wait) To the naw, naw, naw (Come on, come on) Hell to the naw, to the naw, naw, naw Hell naw-naw, to the naw-naw, to the naw-naw, naw-naw To the naw-naw, to the naw-naw, hell to the naw-naw, hah To the naw-naw, naw, naw, hell to the naw Naw, naw, naw, naw, hell to the naw-naw

Online source: https://genius.com/Bishop-bullwinkle-hell-to-da-naw-naw-naw-lyrics

About this song  by Donnyst, 2015
"Bishop Bullwinkle’s real name is Bernard Thomas. At the time of this song going viral, around 2014, he was 68 years old and residing in Plant City, Alabama."

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INFORMATION ABOUT BISHOP BULLWINKLE
Excerpt #1
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishop_Bullwinkle
"Bernard Thomas (August 22, 1948 – June 16, 2019), better known as Bishop Bullwinkle, was an American singer/comedian best known for appearing in the viral YouTube video "Hell to the Naw Naw".

Background

Bishop Bullwinkle's real name was Bernard Thomas. The Bullwinkle part of his name came from a childhood nickname; while in school, a classmate of his wrote on the bulletin board, "Bernard Thomas is funny like Bullwinkle the moose".[1] He was based in Florida.[2] He had mixed reactions to his style and song content, drawing both praise and condemnation.[3]"...

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Excerpt #2
From https://blavity.com/bishop-bullwinkle-gives-us-the-perfect-response-to-any-bad-situation/bishop-bullwinkle-gives-us-the-perfect-response-to-any-bad-situation?category1=black-twitter
by Candice Crutchfield, August 11, 2015
"In case you missed it, the internet was recently blessed with the musical stylings of Alabama’s next hit artist, Bishop Bullwinkle. Also known as “Bull Winka,” his first original single, “Hell 2 Da Naw Naw” might literally be the best response to any trying situation. Spitting occasional fire and some questionable lyrics, Bullwinkle has managed to accumulate over 570,000 video views as of Tuesday night. The rising sensation has no intent to stop. Since his video went viral, he’s posted not one, but three music videos. The song title alone pretty much sums up any and every daily struggle.

Are you ready to go back to school? Hell naw

Will you have that report in by Friday? Hell to da naw naw

The gas prices went up again? Hell naw, to the naw naw naw

I don’t know about you, but I’ll be singing “Hell 2 Da Naw Naw” at work for the next few weeks. Be sure to watch him throw shade in, “Some Preachers” and other Bullwinkle specials on his YouTube channel and Facebook page.”
-snip-
*This is the complete article except for a link that now leads to a discussion thread about a completely different topic. 

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Excerpt #3
From https://chicagoreader.com/music/both-revered-and-condemned-for-his-brazen-humor-bishop-bullwinkle-is-a-meme-ready-bluesman/
"Both revered and condemned for his brazen humor, Bishop Bullwinkle is a meme-ready bluesman
by David Whiteis, February 23, 2017 [This is the complete article.]
"Bishop Bullwinkle’s profanity-laced takedowns of roguish churchmen and their hypocritical flocks on “Hell 2 Da Naw Naw” and “Some Preachers [Ain’t Sh-t*]” have made him a cult, meme-ready YouTube celebrity quite apart from the praise and condemnation he’s received from modern-day southern-soul aficionados. And his shows go even further: they’re basically an unexpurgated barrage of toasts, dozens-style insult routines, and sexual throwdowns. Seemingly designed to both amuse and offend as wide a spectrum of listeners as possible, Bullwinkle’s act represents a long-standing “underground” strain of black folk humor, similar to what Rudy Ray Moore did with Dolemite—though Bullwinkle’s “Bishop” gimmick adds a new layer of transgressiveness. He provides a glimpse at one of the vernacular roots of hip-hop, a living history so to speak, while simultaneously pushing the envelope and being riotously funny (at least to those who aren’t easily offended). None of this is to mention that both “Hell 2 Da Naw Naw” and “Some Preachers” also ignited a little controversy: the former lifted the backing track from singer Bigg Robb’s “Looking For a Country Girl,” while “Some Preachers” appropriated elements of Sheba Potts-Wright’s “The Real Deal.” Still, Bullwinkle doesn’t edit either of those songs when he performs them live."
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this article.

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