"Alabama Gal" (Play-Party Song) videos and lyrics

JEANNA LAMARR, Feb. 12, 2020

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Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision - Nov. 21, 2023

This pancocojams post provides lyrics & performance instructions for the play party song "Alabama Gal"* (also known as "Alabama Girl" and other titles.)

Four

videos of this play party song are also showcased in this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the unknown original composers of this song, and thanks to those who collected examples of this song. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.

Note: I believe that "Alabama Gal" is an example of an American play party song that has African American sources/influences. 

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LYRICS AND PERFORMANCE INSTRUCTIONS: "ALABAMA GAL"
(These two examples are presented in no order of preference or determination as to which version is closest to the "original" way this play party song was played.)

Example #1
From http://www.ecrs.org/ofplayandplayfulness/play_parties.html
1. Come thru in a hurry (3 times), Alabama girl
2. You don't know how, how, (3 times). Alabama girl.
3. I've showed you how, how (3 times). Alabama girl.
4. Ain't I rock candy, (3 times). Alabama girl.

Formation:
To play this game, the men stand in a single line and the women in another, facing each other and about six feet apart, partners opposite. The head of the set is the end of the lines to the left of the men.

Action:
(1) All the players sing. At the first word of the song the head couple steps out and dances down between the lines toward the foot of the set. This advance down between the lines occupies eight steps. During the singing of the remaining two lines of the verse, this couple retraces their steps to the head of lines, reversing position without releasing each other's hands.

(2) Reel: On the last word of the verse, the couple, having reached the head of the lines, release each other's hands and pass each other to the opposite side. The man joins left hands with the woman, who is now head of her line, and the woman joins left hands with the man who is now head of his line. This joining of hands comes exactly on the first accented syllable of the second verse of the song, and is also exactly at the same time that the left foot strikes the floor in a forward swing that turns this new couple entirely around counter-clockwise in four steps, to just one line of the song. They then release, leaving the new member of each couple back in line, and the original couple joins right hands exactly on the first accented beat of the next line, performing another complete turn in the opposite direction, clockwise. Then the left hands are presented to the next in line, and so on until the foot of the set is reached, when the two take their places in their respective lines at the foot of the set. The couple left at the head becomes the leading couple for a fresh performance of the whole game. Not more than eight couples should be used in a set.
- Reprinted from Handy Play Party Book. Copyright 1982, World Around Songs, Inc."

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Example #2
From http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=21232 "GO THROUGH AND HURRY" From: Jacob B; Date: 10 May 00 - 12:11 PM

"GO THROUGH AND HURRY

Four couple longways sets

(First couple sashay down) Go through and hurry, go through and hurry
(First couple sashay back) Go through and hurry, my Alabama gal
(1st couple allemande R once and a half) You don't know how, girl. You don't know how, girl.
(1st couple allem. L twice with 2nd couple) You don't know how, girl, my Alabama gal
(1st couple allem. R twice around) I'll show you how, girl. I'll show you how, girl.
(1st couple allem. L twice with 3rd couple) I'll show you how, girl, my Alabama gal
(1st couple allem. R twice around) Ain't I rock candy, ain't I rock candy.
(1st couple allem. L twice with 4th couple) Ain't I rock candy, my Alabama gal
(Original top couple retires to their own side of set,
new top couple starts the dance)

I have also seen this dance described as being done in longways sets for as many as will, with the top couple doing an elbow reel all the way down, and the new top couple starting the dance when "Go through and hurry" comes around in the lyrics, even though there are other couples who are still in the process of doing the elbow reel."

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Explanation of lyrics:
"Ain't I rock candy" = Aren't I as sweet as candy. In the United States, "rock candy" is commonly referred to as "hard candy".

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Explanation of terms:
From http://users.fred.net/tds/contra-the-short.answer/glossary.htm
Contra Dance Terms

"Set: The overall arrangement of couples for a given dance, such as a big circle, square formation, longways, etc.

Longways Set: Two lines, usually made up of partners facing each other in the opposite line. Used for contras and reels."

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FEATURED VIDEOS
These examples are presented in chronological order based on their posting dates or the date of the recording with the oldest examples given first.

Example #1: Alabama Gal



Laurie Rocconi, Uploaded on Mar 27, 2009

school dance
-snip-
Here's a comment from this video's viewer comment thread: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29OtTyHZrSM
Shanalikefergie. 2009o
"Aw this is cute! I did this in 4th grade. Ha ha me and one boy were the only ones who understood the dance. Hahaha. Run through the hurry, Run through the hurry. Run through the hurry, Alabama Gal. I dont know how how I dont know how how I dont know how how Alabama Gal. I'll show you how how, I'll show you how how. I'll show you how how Alabama Gal..."

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Example #2: Mountain Folk Festival, 1993 Alabama Gal



John M Ramsay, Uploaded on Feb 12, 2011

Alabama Gal is an American playparty game or dance. It is a traditional dance form which, in the old days, was popular among teenagers. The dancers supply their own music.

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Example #3: Alabama Gal



Vincent Bates, Published on Apr 5, 2012

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"Great Big House In New Orleans" (Play Party Song) Information, Lyrics, Origins

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest Update: July 21,2023

This pancocojams post presents showcases three YouTube videos of the play party song "Great Big House In New Orleans" (also known as "Great Big House"). 

This post also includes general information about play party songs and lyrics & performance directions for "Great Big House In New Orleans".

My comments about the probable African American origin of this play party song are also included in this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the performers of this song, thanks to all those who are quoted in this post, and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.

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INFORMATION ABOUT PLAY PARTY SONGS
"Play party songs" is a reference for 19th century American group movement songs that took the place of dancing at social events since dancing was prohibited in those communities. Those movement songs had no instrumental music and touching another person while playing those "singing games" was greatly regimented.

Online articles about play party songs routinely refer to the European sources of those songs and routinely omit any acknowledgement that a number of play party songs are of African American origin or have had African American influences. For example, the album notes to "American Play Parties" by Pete Seeger, Mika Seeger, and Rev. Larry Eisenberg FW07604 provides this description of play party songs:
"To evade the religious prohibition against dancing in certain American communities, young people in the 19th century devised an ingenious solution—they adapted children’s games, which were permitted. The result was so-called play parties. Participants sang creative songs to cue movements, and the events were great “mixers.” The only element lacking was instrumental music." http://www.folkways.si.edu/TrackDetails.aspx?itemid=19300 [This website is no longer available.]

The author of that album's notes wrote that "Anglo-American" as the cultural group that is the source of the play party songs which are found on that album.

However, I believe that at least three songs of the fourteen songs that are included on that album are of African American origin: "Shake Them 'Simmons Down", "Goodbye Liza Jane", and "Great Big House in New Orleans". Other songs on that album may also be of African American origin or those versions of the song may have been African American influenced. Yet no one reading those album notes would know that.

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MY STATEMENT ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH CATEGORIZING PLAY PARTY SONGS AND OTHER FOLK SONGS AS WHITE AMERICAN ORIGIN WHEN THOSE SONGS MIGHT BE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN ORIGIN OR OF CROSS RACIAL ORIGINS
For the sake of historical documentation, and for psychological reasons, I strongly believe that it's important to acknowledge that African Americans also contributed to America's play party repertoire Providing the information that some American folk songs are of African American origin helps build and reinforce group esteem in a population that is still being maligned and a population that is still experiencing the effects and consequences of personal racism and of institutional racism.

By folk songs/play party that have cross racial origins" I mean those compositions that may have been influenced by both Black and White (and/or other) cultures perhaps being shared back and forth among those cultures to the extent that it is impossible to determine which racial/ethnic group was their first or the most prominent source. 

People may think that they are being "color-blind" by not mentioning race (when they are teaching children folk songs and at other times). However, by not mentioning race they are actually reinforcing the viewpoint that only White people are responsible for accomplishments. This is because both online and offline "White" is the default race (just as "male" is the default gender). When no race is mentioned for an individual (unless the discussion is about some criminal act or something that is stereotypically considered to be the purview of a particular race/ethnicity), people automatically assume that that person is White (just as people automatically assume that people posting online are male).

Regardless of their race or ethnicity, children shouldn't be led to believe that White people were the only composers of play party songs or other folk songs.
-snip-
Added July 21, 2023:
One way that American play party songs and other American folk songs may be mislabeled as being White play party songs and/or White folk songs (only) and not Black or another American race/ethnic group is the inclusion of a topical referent as simple as "pumpkin pie" instead of "chicken pie".

Most online examples of the play party song "Great Big House In New Orleans", the lyrics refer to "every room that I been in/filled with pumpkin pie." 

"Pumpkin pie" is largely a dessert that White Americans are familiar with while Black Americans are much more familiar with the similar looking, but different tasting "sweet potato pie". Click https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/2022/11/24/pumpkin-vs-sweet-potato-pie-thanksgiving-debate/69626826007/  for the 2022 article entitled "Pumpkin vs. sweet potato pie: The epic battle of the Thanksgiving desserts" by Haadiza Ogwude . Here's one quote from that article:

 "people, predominantly in the Northeast, and sweet potato pie is eaten by Black people, mainly in the South. But that would be an oversimplification of the complex history of two iconic American desserts.

[…]

Black and white southern cooks implemented sweet potatoes into their culinary repertoire because they were easier to grow than pumpkins due to the warmer climate of the region. In turn, cooks from the North preferred to use the more accessible gourds.

Because many enslaved Africans did not have access to pumpkins or the yams they were used to, they improvised with sweet potatoes and were able to create new recipes reminiscent of home. Now this innovation has become a staple of Black American culture."..
-end of quote-.

Here's another article that notes the regional divide and often the racial divide in the United States between pumpkin pie and sweet potato pie".

https://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/2022/1122/What-s-in-a-pie-History-culture-and-a-taste-of-home
What’s in a pie? History, culture, and a taste of home.

By Kendra Nordin Beato, November 22, 2022
"If you grew up in the northern United States, it’s likely you associate pumpkin pie with Thanksgiving. But travel south of the Mason-Dixon Line, and another orange-colored pie reigns supreme on the holiday table – sweet potato pie.

Historically, pumpkins don’t grow well in the Southern heat. But that’s not the only reason for the absence of pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving was originally perceived as a holiday forced on the South by the victorious North after the Civil War. The arrival of pumpkins was just another pie in the face.

There’s more to the story. Sweet potatoes are also central to Black Southern cuisine; they’re tied up in the history of the slave trade, the yam, and plantation cooks. “…
-end of quote- 

A few online examples of "Great Big House In New Orleans" include the line "every room that I been in/filled with chicken pie" instead of that "pumpkin pie" referent.  There are other ante-bellum (before the Civil War) Black American songs that mention "chicken pie" and my sense is that "chicken pie" suggests that those songs have Black American origins and/or Black American influences. 

Read the Addendum to this post about the possible meaning/s of "chicken pie" in pre-Civil war Black American songs.   

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LYRICS AND PERFORMANCE INSTRUCTIONS: "GREAT BIG HOUSE IN NEW ORLEANS"
1. Great big house in New Orleans,
Forty stories high;
Ev'ry room that I been in,
Filled with chicken pie.

2. Went down to the old mill stream,
To fetch a pail of water;
Put one arm around my wife,
The other 'round my daughter.

3. Fare thee well, my darling girl,
Fare thee well, my daughter;
Fare thee well, my darling girl,
With the golden slippers on her.

Movements:
1. First verse: students form a circle, holding hands, walk keeping a steady beat, then stop.
2. Went down to the old mill stream,
(every other student moves to the center, holding hands with arms below waist)
To fetch a pail of water;
(outside circle moves behind inner circle, placing arms over the shoulders of the inner circle and holds hands)
Put one arm around my wife,
(keeping hands held, outside circle raises arms to ceiling, bringing them down behind the back of the inner circle)
The other 'round my daughter.
(keeping hands held, inner circle rises arms to ceiling, bringing them down behind the backs of the outer circle)
3. Third verse: keeping arms around the outer circle, the whole circle walks to a steady beat.

Source: http://musicnotes.net/SONGS/04-GREATB.html

Origin: USA - Louisiana Play Song
-snip-
Other performance instructions are given with the videos below.

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FEATURED EXAMPLES
These examples are presented in chronological order based on their posting dates with the oldest dated examples given first.

Multiple versions of a song are presented to showcase some of the different ways this singing game is sung and played.

Example #1:G3 Great Big House in New Orleans



ESMusicISB, Sep 19, 2012

Watch as Ms. H's class sing and dance to the American folk song "Great Big House in New Orleans."
-snip-
Here's instructions for this singing game written by Anthony Meehl, 2014 from a video that is no longer available:
1st vs [verse]
march to beat around circle

2nd vs
#1's march to middle and join hands (went down to the old mill stream)
#2's march to middle and join hands over the top of #1's. (to fetch a pail of water)
#2's bring hands over the top (put one arm around my wife)
#1's bring hands over the top (the other round my daughter)

3rd vs
keep hands joined and slide feet to the beat around the circle. Hope this helps :)

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Example #2: Great Big House In New Orleans



HelenIn Harmony, Published on Sep 9, 2013

Midwest Play-Party Singing Dance

Filmed November, 2010 - 3rd Grade

Great Big House in New Orleans
Forty stories high
Ev'ry room that I've been in
Filled with pumpkin pie.

Went down to the old mill stream
To fetch a pail of water
Put one arm around my wife
The other round my daughter

Fair thee well, my darling girl
Fair thee well, my daughter
Fair thee well, my darling girl...
With the golden slippers on her

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Example #3: MUSIC TEACHER RESOURCES - Great Big House



Kate Fellin, Published on Oct 18, 2013

TEACHING TIPS: Students stand in a circle alternating between boys and girls. (We used lanyards to differentiate between the groups, which also works). Boys go in four steps and back out; girls go in four steps and back out. Boys go in four and hold hands, then girls go in four steps and hold hands in front of boys. Girls raise arms over the boys' heads and put them behind their backs, then boys raise their arms and put them behind the girls' backs. The interlocked circle moves clockwise (to the left) for eight counts, then they raise their arms and step back to their original positions. For a more advanced version (that we did), the outer circle moves clockwise one window so that they are standing next to a new person for the dance. The words are "Great Big House in New Orleans/Forty stories high/Every room that I've been in/Filled with pumpkin pie./Went down to the old mill stream/To fetch a pail of water./Put one arm around my wife/The other round my daughter./Fare thee well, my darlin' girl/Fare thee well, my daughter/Fare thee well, my darlin' girl/With golden slippers on her."

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RELATED SONGS
The "house in New Orleans/forty stories high/filled with chicken pie" lines in the song "Great Big House In New Orleans" reminds me of the African American old time song "Riding In A Buggy Miss Mary Jane".

Sally got a house in Baltimo',
Baltimo', Baltimo'
Sally got a house in Baltimo'
And it's full of chicken pie.

I got a gal in Baltimo',
Baltimo', Baltimo'
I got a gal in Baltimo',
And she's sixteen stories high.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/12/riding-in-buggy-miss-mary-jane-video.html for a post about that song.

"Great Big House's" verses also could serve as floaters for versions of "Li'l Liza Jane".

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/02/five-examples-of-song-lyrics-for-lil.html for a post about that song.

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ADDENDUM - WHAT "CHICKEN PIE" INSTEAD OF "PUMPKIN PIE" MIGHT SUGGEST IN BLACK AMERICAN ANTE-BELLUM SONGS

Unlike the song "Li'l Liza Jane" ("Little Liza Jane") and many other folk songs, with one interesting exception*, all the lyrics to online versions of "Great Big House In New Orleans" are the same. I'm not sure if this is because each of these websites used the same source or not. I would be very surprised to learn that there weren't any variant forms of this song when it was a naturally occurring part of children's and youth's social play and not as it is taught to students in school as is done nowadays.

*The exception to the lyrics is the substitution of "pumpkin pie" for "chicken pie", giving the lyrics "Ev'ry room that I been in/Filled with chicken pie."

The "chicken pie"* lyric is important because among 19th century African Americans, chicken was considered a luxury. As such, the reference in the song "Great Big House In New Orleans" to the each room of a forty story high house being filled with chicken pie is a grandiose image that reflects more than the singer's desire for comfort and good living. In that song, to fantasize about chicken pie is important because the singer might have experienced a number of days without adequate food. 

Chicken pie would have satisfied the hunger of the enslaved people singing that song much more than a dessert would, particularly a dessert that he or she might not have been that familiar with. The change in the lyrics of this song from "chicken pie to pumpkin pie" might still have cultural implications in the 21st century United States  as it appears from online discussions (and from my experience) that  pumpkin pie isn't a dessert that African Americans are familiar with. My sense is that we African Americans prefer the similar dessert of sweet potato pie - a dessert which many White Americans apparently aren't that familiar with.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-cultural-regional-racial.html for a post about the cultural, regional, and racial associations of sweet potato pie.
-snip-
It's also important to note that when chicken was available during slavery in the southern United States, it appears that it was served as a pie and not fried as is stereotypically attributed to Black Americans. Nowadays, "chicken pie" is most commonly known in the United States as "chicken pot pie".

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Seven Videos Of "Li'l Liza Jane" (Little Liza Jane)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part series on the song "Li'l Liza Jane"(also given as "Little Liza Jane"). This post presents showcases seven YouTube videos of "Li'l Liza Jane".

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/02/five-examples-of-song-lyrics-for-lil.html for Part I of this series. That post provides information about "Li'l Liza Jane" and presents five text examples (lyrics)for that song.

These two posts showcase only a small sample of the renditions of this song as sung by and performed by African Americans since the huge family of "L'l Liza Jane" songs originated with African Americans. Multiple versions of a song are presented not to rank which one is best, but to experience different interpretations of the same song.

There are numerous versions of "Li'l Liza Jane". New two lined rhyming verses for this song are improvised every day and/or floating verses from other old time songs are combined to make new renditions of "Little Liza Jane". Also, additional instrumental renditions of this song are performed and recorded daily.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to these featured performers of this song and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.

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FEATURED EXAMPLES
These examples are presented in chronological order based on their posting dates with the oldest dated examples given first.

Multiple versions of a song are presented not to rank which one is best, but to showcase some of the different interpretations artists have given of this song.

Example #1: Chuck Perkins - Lil Liza Jane



iching64 Uploaded on Oct 27, 2009
More at: http://www.ChuckPerkinsVoices.com
-snip-
This is a New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian version of "Li'l Liza Jane". My partial transcription of the lyrics can be found in Part I of this pancocojams series.

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Example #2: Kermit Ruffins Li'l Liza Jane DEC 29 2009 New Orleans



BiGGMIKE429, Uploaded on Dec 31, 2009

Kermit Ruffins, Li'l Liza Jane ... A visit to New Orleans would not be complete without seeing Kermit. What a Cool Ass Smooth Ass Brother, My Homie ,, He told me Man,,, you got me on video, but I'm gonna let you slide this time,, lol ,, He said you got the whole show,,!! but what I say is You have to see him yourself in person. Google his name to purchase his Music, a must have for your collection.
-snip-
This video is presented without any transcription.

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Example #3: Huey Piano Smith & the Clowns - Little Liza Jane



delwoodjef, Uploaded on Aug 7, 2010

Let's kick the tempo up a lot with Huey Piano Smith & the Clowns and "Little Liza Jane." This one really ROCKS. Enjoy!
-snip-
The lyrics to this song can be found in Part I of this pancocojams series.

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Example #4: Preservation Hall Jazz Band - Little Liza Jane (2004)



postmaster1, Uploaded on Oct 21, 2010

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Example #5: Nina Simone- Little Liza Jane



Achiko Kinkladze, Uploaded on May 5, 2011
-snip-
The lyrics to this song can be found in Part I of this pancocojams series.

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Example #6: White Eagles Mardi Gras Indians: Little Liza Jane, camera A (1982)



AlanLomaxArchive, Uploaded on Nov 15, 2011

Big Chief Jake Millon and the White Eagles Mardi Gras Indians rehearse "Little Liza Jane" at Darrell's Lounge, 7th Ward, New Orleans. Shot by Alan Lomax and crew, May 1982...
-snip-
This video is presented without any transcription.

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Example #7: Wynton Marsalis - Lil Liza Jane



Austin Casey, Published on Jan 6, 2013

Wynton Marsalis Tentet live at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola Dec. 31st 2012
Wynton Marsalis - Trumpet
Jon Erik Kellso - Trumpet
Victor Goines - Clarinet,
Andy Stein - Alto Saxophone, Violin
Chris Crenshaw - Trombone, Vocals
Vince Giordano - Bass Saxophone, Tuba, Tenor Guitar, Vocals
Ken Salvo - Banjo, Tenor Guitar
Dan Nimmer - Piano
Carlos Henriquez - Bass
Ali Jackson - Drums
Ricky "Dirty Red" Gordon - Washboard, Percussion
-snip-
In this version, the only lines that are sung are "Oh Eliza, Little Liza Jane"."

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BONUS VIDEO
Example #8: The Preservation Hall Jazz Band "Little Liza Jane" @ Bonnaroo 2013



steve holmes, Published on Jun 19, 2013

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band "Little Liza Jane" @ That Tent Bonnaroo 2013
http://www.preservationhall.com/band/
-snip-
The lyrics for this version of "Little Liza Jane" are given as part of the video's summary statement http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMli70II9F8

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Five Examples of Song Lyrics For "Li'l Liza Jane" (Little Liza Jane)

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision - January 24, 2024

This is Part I of a two part series on the song "Li'l Liza Jane"(also given as "Little Liza Jane"). This post provides information about "Li'l Liza Jane" and presents five text examples (lyrics) for that song.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/02/seven-videos-of-lil-liza-jane-little.html for Part II of this series. That post showcases seven YouTube videos of "Li'l Liza Jane".

These two posts showcase only a small sample of the renditions of this song as sung by and performed by African Americans since the huge family of "L'l Liza Jane" songs originated with African Americans.

There are numerous versions of "Li'l Liza Jane". New two lined rhyming verses for this song are improvised every day and/or floating verses from other old time songs are combined to make new renditions of "Little Liza Jane". Also, additional instrumental renditions of this song are performed and recorded daily.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the unknown original composers of this song, and thanks to those who collected examples of this song. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "LITTLE LIZA JANE"
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li'l_Liza_Jane
"Li'l Liza Jane", also known as "Little Liza Jane" and "Liza Jane", is a song dating back at least to the 1910s. It has become a perennial standard both as a song and an instrumental in traditional jazz, folk music, and bluegrass, and versions have repeatedly appeared in other genres including rock and roll. It is one of the standards of the New Orleans brass band tradition.

Origin
"Li'l Liza Jane" was first published in 1916 by Sherman, Clay & Co of San Francisco, California as a composition by Countess Ada de Lachau. It was described as a "Southern dialect song". The tune was featured in the 1916-1917 show "Come Out of the Kitchen".

The song's origins, however, seem to go back even earlier. The tune's similarity to the 1850 Stephen Foster standard "Camptown Races" has been observed.[citation needed] The name "Liza Jane" or "Eliza Jane" was a standard female character name in minstrel shows. A tune "Goodbye, Liza Jane" was published by Eddie Fox in 1871. Harry Von Tilzer published "Goodbye, Eliza Jane" in 1903, which has some similarity to the later "Li'l Liza Jane".

Natalie Curtis Burlin's book Negro Folk-Songs, published in 1918, documents a version said to be a Negro folk song with an associated dancing game. In the "Liza Jane" dance, couples would dance in a circle, with an extra man in the middle. The extra man would "steal partners" with one of the couples, and the odd man out would go into the center and do a solo dance, then in cut in on another couple and the process would repeat."

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From http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=152 Lyric Request: O Eliza, little Liza Jane"
From: PoppaGator ; Date: 10 May 07 - 02:47 PM
"This is a VERY popular song in the New Orleans Brass Band repertoire, played and sung at every social-and-pleasure-club second line parade, every jazz funeral, etc. It has survived for decades, through many evolving changes in musical trends. People just love it, and no other song inspires a comparable level of audience-participation sing-along-ing on the chorus.

"Liza Jane" generally serves as a vehicle for newly improvided* lyrics; you hear new two-line rhyming couplets every time you hear the song.

I was a little surprised to see the name "Eliza" in the title here. We generally pronounce it "L'il Liza," as in "HO! L'il Liza, L'il Liza Jane," with a very emphatic, percussive first-syllable "HO!"..."
-snip-

*Pancocojams Editor's Note: This is probably a typo for "improvised"

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From: Q ; Date: 27 Nov 07 - 05:52 PM
"In http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=2777 Dale Rose said "The whole Liza Jane family of songs could probably make a good thesis.:
That thread has these posted lyrics:
Good Bye, Liza Jane, 1871, by Eddie Fox
Good Bye Eliza Jane, 1903, Andrew B. Sterling and Harry Von Tilzer
Good-by Liza Jane, Rutledge and Rogers Circus, in Sandburg 1927, "An American Songbag."
This thread has:
Li'l Liza Jane, 1916, Ada De Lachau...
Liza Jane, or Mountain Top, in Sandburg, 1927, "An American Songbag," two versions.
Sandburg says "There are as many Liza songs in the Appalachian Mountains as there are species of trees on the slopes of that range."

Al of the above have scores; I haven't compared them to see similarities or differences, but the choruses of the Fox, Von Tilzer and Ada De Lachau songs are quite different.

There are several other songs with Liza Jane in stanzas or combined in a title."
-snip-
Pancocojams Editor's Note- "By" here means "collected by".

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From: Q; Date: 27 Nov 07 - 08:37 PM
"...The Susan Jane songs belong on the same tree"...
-snip-
Pancocojams Editor's note- "Tree" here means "family of songs"

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FEATURED EXAMPLES
These examples are presented in chronological order based on their posting dates or the date of the recording with the oldest examples given first. When the posting date isn't given, the example is posted at the end of the featured examples in the order of their recording dates.

Since "Lil Liza Jane" is a folk song, there are no right or wrong lyrics, but there are earlier and later versions of that song. I'm posting multiple versions with their collection dates or their recording dates to show some of the different interpretations of this song over a period of time.

Example #1: From The Lester S. Levy Collection of Sheet Music:

"LI'L LIZA JANE: Southern Dialect Song
Composed by Countess Ada de Lachau
San Francisco: Sherman, Clay & Co., 1916.

1. I'se got a gal an' you got none, Li'l Liza Jane.
I'se got a gal an' you got none, Li'l Liza Jane.

CHORUS: Ohe Liza, Li'l Liza Jane.
Ohe Liza, Li'l Liza Jane.

2. Come, my love, an' live with me, Li'l Liza Jane.
I will take good care uv thee, Li'l Liza Jane.

3. Jimmy John is layin' low, Li'l Liza Jane.
Honey, take me for you beau, Li'l Liza Jane.

4. Gwine ter th'ow the dice away, Li'l Liza Jane.
When yo' name the happy day, Li'l Liza Jane.

5. Bumble bee he out for sips, Li'l Liza Jane.
Takes mah sweetmeats from yo' lips, Li'l Liza Jane.

6. Liza Jane done cum ter me, Li'l Liza Jane.
Bof as happy as can be, Li'l Liza Jane.

7. Ev'y mawnin' when I wakes, Li'l Liza Jane.
Smell de ham an buckwheat cakes, Li'l Liza Jane.

8. House an' lot in Baltimo', Li'l Liza Jane.
Lots of chilluns roun' de do', Li'l Liza Jane.

9. Nevermo' from you I'll roam, Li'l Liza Jane.
Bestest place is home sweet home, Li'l Liza Jane.

[Another edition--with the same author, publisher, date, and (I think) music, but a different cover and verses--can be found at Duke University's 'Historic American Sheet Music' collection. It bears the notation "used as incidental music in the three-act comedy 'Come Out of the Kitchen' ", and has only verses 1, 6, 2, and 8 of those shown above (in that order).]"
-snip-
Source: http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=152 Subject: Lyr Add: LI'L LIZA JANE (Countess Ada de Lachau); From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 May 07 - 04:00 AM

" "bof"= both

Very little information is available about collector and song arranger named Countess Ada de Lachau. However, it appears from what is known that she was an African American woman. I think that she probable gave herself that title and a nobility sounding last name. (Similarly, the Jazz musicians Count Basie and Duke Ellington gave themselves or were given royalty titles as did many Calypso singers.)"

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Example #2: "Af-Am version, collected by Natalie Curtis-Burlin, published 1919.

Lyr. Add: 'LIZA-JANE
("Stealin' Partners," Dance-song game)

Come ma love an' go wid me,
L'il 'Liza Jane
Come ma love an' go wid me,
L'il 'Liza Jane.

Chorus
O Eliza (or O Miss 'Liza)
L'il 'Liza Jane
O Eliza
L'il 'Liza Jane.

I got a house in Baltimo',
L'il 'Liza Jane
Street-car runs right by ma do',
L'il 'Liza Jane

I got a house in Baltimo',
L'il 'Liza Jane
Brussels carpet on* de flo'
L'il 'Liza Jane

I got a house in Baltimo'
L'il Liza Jane
Silver door-plate on* de do'
L'il 'Liza Jane

"When a number of people are dancing, all join in the chorus, and sometimes "O Eliza" is shouted at the top of their lungs. As this is a dance-song, dynamics are all broad, and consist chiefly in vociferous rhythmic accentuation. "O, Miss 'Liza" is sometimes sung..."

on* pronounced 'ohn.'
The provenance is not stated, but it may have been a song of the Calhoun Industrial School, which in some respects was modeled on the Hampton Institute.

Natalie Curtis-Burlin, 1918-19, "Negro Folk-Songs, The Hampton Series, Book IV, Work and Play-songs, pp. 158-167, with score. Dover reprint, 2001."
-posted by Q http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=8346 Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Little Liza Jane (kids' version) ; 5 Dec 07 - 10:44 PM

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Example #3: Huey Piano Smith & The Clowns - Lil Liza Jane [1956]
Hey, little girl would you tell me your name?
(Little Liza Jane)
If I love you baby, would you feel the same?
(Little Liza Jane)

(Oh, Eliza, little Liza Jane)
(Oh, Eliza, little Liza Jane)

Take ya downtown, buy you ev'rything
(Little Liza Jane)
If you be my girl you can wear my ring
(Little Liza Jane)

(Oh, Eliza, little Liza Jane)
(Oh, Eliza, little Liza Jane)

Hey pretty baby can we go strollin'?
(Little Liza Jane)
Yes, you got me rockin'
When I ought to be rollin'
(Little Liza Jane)

(Oh, Eliza, little Liza Jane)
(Oh, Eliza, little Liza Jane)

Take ya downtown, buy you ev'rything
(Little Liza Jane)
If you be my girl you can wear my ring
(Little Liza Jane)

(Oh, Eliza, little Liza Jane)
(Oh, Eliza, little Liza Jane)

Look at that girl, can we go strollin'
(Little Liza Jane)
You got me rockin'
When I ought to be rollin'
(Little Liza Jane)

(Oh, Eliza, little Liza Jane)
(Oh, Eliza, little Liza Jane).

Source: http://www.rockol.com/uk/lyrics-3270865/huey-piano-smith-the-clowns-little-liza-jane"
-snip-
Pancocojams Editor's Note: - This recording is featured on Part II of this pancocojams series.

"Can we go strollin'? = "Can we go for a stroll (a walk)

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Example #4: Nina Simone -Lil Liza Jane: 1960 album Nina Simone at Newport
"[spoken]
Where is my tambourine wait a minute I'll get your tambourine
Got my tambourine get your thing baby
What's wrong with you what is it you want
Can't forget my tambourine boy want a minute
This is a folk tune and it's called little liza jane
We get some rhythm started here and see what happens

[song begins]
I got a beau you ain't got none little liza jane
I got a beau you ain't got none little liza jane
I got a beau you ain't got none little liza jane
I got a beau you ain't got none little liza jane
Oh little liza liza jane oh little liza liza jane
Oh little liza liza jane oh little liza liza jean

Come my love and live with me
I will take good care of thee little liza jean
Come my love and live with me
I will take good care of thee little liza jane
Oh little liza liza jane oh little liza liza jane
Oh little liza liza jane oh little liza liza jane

Hambone hambone where you've been
Down by the creek and makin gin
I know a man that's three feet tall
Drink his liquor and has a ball
Saw him just the other day
He had a horse and a bale of hay

Little liza jane jane little liza
Little liza jane jane little liza
Little liza jane jane little liza
Little liza jane little liza jane
Little lisa jane jane little liza
Little lisa jane jane little liza
Little lisa jane jane little liza
Little liza jane little liza jane
Oh little liza liza jane oh little liza liza jane
Oh little liza liza jane oh little liza liza jane

He took me to this great big town
Lots of people standing around
They were listening to a great big band
The bestest music in the land
I tell you once and tell you twice
Enjoy yourself and live your life

Little liza jane jane little liza
Little liza jane jane little liza
Little liza jane jane little liza
Little liza jean little liza jane
Little liza jane jane little liza
Little liza jane jane little liza
Little liza jane jane little liza
Little liza jane little liza jane

Oh little liza liza jane oh little liza liza jane
Oh little liza liza jane oh little liza liza jane"

Source: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/ninasimone/littlelizajane.html 
-snip-
Pancocojams Editor's note- given with slight corrections to the transcription

“beau” – lover ; romantic partner

This recording is featured on Part II of this pancocojams series.

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Example #5: Chuck Perkins - Lil Liza Jane; A Mardi Gras Indian version of "Li'l Liza Jane"
"Chorus:
Ooh Lil Liza.
Little Eliza Jane.
Ooh Lil Liza.
Little Eliza Jane.

Ooh Lil Liza.
Little Eliza Jane.
Ooh Lil Liza.
Little Eliza Jane.

Tell you somethin that you don't know.
Lil Liza Jane
If you wanna be an Injun betta learn to sew.
Lil Liza Jane

They runnin and jumpin. They think they slick.
Lil Liza Jane
But we be the gang that makes them sick.
Lil Liza Jane

Chorus:
In the mornin
Ooh Lil Liza.
Little Eliza Jane.
In the evenin
Ooh Lil Liza
Little Eliza Jane.

[sing entire chorus two times]

Told my papa when I left home.
Lil Liza Jane
I'mma mass in the mornin and I won't go wrong.
Lil Liza Jane

He said if you meet the boys better treat them right.
Lil Liza Jane
They may got the gun but we got the knife.
Lil Liza Jane

Chorus:
In the mornin
Ooh Lil Liza.
Little Eliza Jane.
In the evenin
Ooh Lil Liza
Little Eliza Jane.

[sing entire chorus two times]

Early in the mornin when the sun comes up.
Lil Liza Jane
Said drink the fire water from the silver cup.
Lil Liza Jane

Honey honey come sing this song.
Lil Liza Jane
If you sing this song you won't go wrong.
Lil Liza Jane

Chorus:
In the mornin
Ooh Lil Liza.
Little Eliza Jane.
In the evenin
Ooh Lil Liza
Little Eliza Jane.

[sing entire chorus two times]"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx8yQL6o2mA&feature=related
This video is featured in Part II of this series.

[Partial transcription by Azizi Powell, January 12, 2011; Additions and corrections are welcome]
Ooh is elongated and rhymes with "so". It almost sounds to me like the word "Whoo!"

"mas" comes from the word "masquerade" and means put on the Indian regalia that you sewed

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Riding In A Buggy Miss Mary Jane (video & lyrics)

amynicho1, Uploaded on Mar 25, 2010

Maria singing Riding in a buggy Miss Mary Jane

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Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision: Feb.21, 2022

This post showcases a video of & lyrics for the African American folk song "Riding In A Buggy Miss Mary Jane".

The content of this post is presented for folkloric, recreational, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the anonymous composers of this song and thanks to Dorothy Scarborough & other collectors of 19th century/early 20th century African American folk songs. Thanks also to Maria who was videotaped singing this song, and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube..

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LYRICS: RIDING IN A BUGGY MISS MARY JANE
These are some standard lyrics for this song from
http://www.folklorist.org/song/Miss_Mary_Jane_(Riding_in_the_Buggy,_Who_Moan_for_Me)

From Dorothy Scarborough, On the Trail of Negro Folk-Songs (oublished in 1925),
p. 117. "As recalled from the singing of South Carolina slaves by Dr. W. F. More when he was a boy."

Ridin' in the buggy,
Miss Mary Jane,
Miss Mary Jane,
Miss Mary Jane,
Ridin' in de buggy,
Miss Mary Jane,
I'm a long ways from home.

Chorus
Who moan for me?
Who moan for me?
Who moan for me, my darlin'?
Who moan for me?

(2 additional stanzas)
-snip-
The two additional verses (stanzas) that are usually given are the floating verses

Sally got a house in Baltimo',
Baltimo', Baltimo'
Sally got a house in Baltimo'
And it's full of chicken pie.

I got a gal in Baltimo',
Baltimo', Baltimo'
I got a gal in Baltimo',
And she's sixteen stories high.

*Floating (or traveling) verses are those that are found in a number of other rhymes/songs.

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RELATED INFORMATION
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_and_buggy
"A horse and buggy (in American English) or horse and carriage (in British English and American English) refers to a light, simple, two-person carriage of the late 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, drawn usually by one or sometimes by two horses. Also called a roadster, it was made with two wheels in England and the United States, and with four wheels in the United States as well. It had a folding or falling top."

RELATED LINKS
Click http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=146581&messages=10 for information about play party performances that teachers have devised to be performed while singing "Riding In A Buggy Miss Mary Jane".

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