pancocojams

Friday, September 4, 2026

Videos Of Black Americans In New Orleans, Louisiana Second Lining While Holding A Handkerchief

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases some YouTube videos of people in New Orleans, Louisiana second lining (buck dancing) while holding a handkerchief.

Some of these videos also show second liners or musicians in bands (first lines) with a sweat towel around their neck or draped on their shoulder.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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

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INFORMATION ABOUT SECOND LINING
From https://secondlines.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqkoF_2q181jKuoH9k4A0MTMQZG57tBHAm_cGfHEMxc2O0QAa0X
"A Second Line is a cultural parade organized by Social, Aid, and Pleasure Clubs in New Orleans, Louisiana. The first line is the parade's main section, which consist of the Social, Aid, and Pleasure Club, and the brass band. The Second Line consists of people who follow the brass band to enjoy the music and dance. Second Lining is a dance form where participants dance and walk along the S.A.P.C. in an African-based, free-form style. Second Lining is one of the most African retentive cultures in the United States."
-snip-
"Buck jumping" is a referent for the type of dancing that is done by second liners.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
Handkerchiefs that are carried by New Orleans second liners serve the utilitarian purpose of wiping away the person's sweat. However, handkerchiefs carried during New Orleans second liners also can serve aesthetic purposes of enhancing the way the dancing looks.

This custom of carrying a handkerchief or some other item such as a small towel or a long scarf has spread to some other forms of African American dancing such as some examples of Soul line dancing.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/09/the-probable-ghanaian-sources-for-new.html for the pancocojams post entitled "The Probable Ghanaian Sources For The New Orleans Customs Of Twirling Parasols & Waving White Handkerchiefs During New Orleans Second Line Parades (Reprint)."

Also, click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/09/a-youtube-video-compilation-of-creative.html for Part I of the two part pancocojams series entitled "The Creative Use Of Handkerchiefs In African American (Soul) Line Dancing - From Sweat Cloths To Dance Movement Embellishment". The link for Part II of this series is given in that post.

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS OF SECOND LINING (with a focus on second liners carrying a handkerchief, or towel, or some other type of cloth)

These YouTube videos are presented in chronological order based on their publishing date with the oldest videos presented first.

Numbers are given for referencing purposes only.

SHOWCASE VIDEO #1- Buck-jumping dance-off on Oak St. during the Pigeon Town Steppers Easter Second Line

Lisa Palumbo, Apr 6, 2010

Meet my Sunday runnin' podnas, Stooges Brass Band trumpeter Eric Gordon, (blue shirt) and Jerel James Brown (white wife-beater) plus two other guys I don't know and check out their footwork with the Free Agents Brass Band providing the beat.

4-4-10, New Orleans, LA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUZEHa4x6cs

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 -2010 Lady Buck Jumpers Second Line

Come See About Me, Dec 18, 2010

The Lady Buck Jumpers strut their stuff through Uptown, New Orleans to the sounds of the Rebirth Brass Band.

Shot on a 550d, home-made camera rig and edited in Final Cut Express 4.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIHmxYjjEP0

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #3 - 'Only in New Orleans': second line flow featuring music by TBC Brass Band

BigRedCotton, Dec 12, 2012

at the Brothers of Change 2012 second line parade

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM0qzOunCJU

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #4 - "If Yo Foot Aint Hurting Then Yo Feet Aint Working." Single Ladies & Men annual Second Line.

Cik Cycles, Jun 2, 2013

http://www.onenawlins.com For more history on this wonderful and unique culture please visit and my website.

Single Ladies and Men Annual Second line Parade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHgJFutF5vs

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #5 - New Orleans' Second Line Dancers Carry Joy and History | If Cities Could Dance

KQED Arts, Apr 26, 2018 #footwork #NewOrleans #ifcitiescoulddance

Meet one of New Orleans' most beloved second line dancers, Rodrick "Scubble" Davis, known for this exuberant, athletic footwork and dancing through the Crescent City's streets. While tourists are familiar with Mardi Gras processions that attract hordes of tourists to #NewOrleans every Carnival season, for locals, the real-deal is the second line parades, which fill the streets with joyful dancing and live brass bands every Sunday, ten months out of the year.

Scubble grew up in the historic African-American neighborhood Tremé, known as the birthplace of jazz and center of second line tradition. Its parades took off after the end of slavery, when African Americans formed Benevolent Societies and Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs as a form of mutual social aid. Then, in the early 20th century, second lining merged with New Orleans’ burgeoning jazz culture.

Today, club members and their bands burst out onto the streets often wearing matching, brightly-colored outfits with elaborate hats and headdresses; they wave banners as the crowd parts to make way for them and their high-stepping dance moves. Scubble, a club member with the Tremé Sidewalk Steppers, was introduced to second-lining when he was four years old by his mother, and his love for it grew. “I was always a hyped-kid, couldn’t keep still, and anytime I heard the band, I was moving,” he says.

Watch as Scubble dances his way through historic Tremé, including in front of the popular Candlelight Lounge, and as he joins in a Sunday parade, stopping to show off his moves on raised porches and atop bus stop shelters. Featuring music by New Orleans' Rebirth Brass Band and the Big 6 Brass Band.

#ifcitiescoulddance #footwork #secondlinedance

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGhFpCc3tTw

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #6 -Perfect Gentleman Social Aid & Pleasure Club Father’s Day Secondline. Ft Da Truth Brass Band.

Harold Enclarde, Jun 19, 2023

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPna-gccHng

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #7-New Orleans Second Line | Original Big Seven | 2026 | 30th Annual Mother’s Day Celebration

Subject Matter Experts, May 10, 2026

Experience the unforgettable energy of the 2026 Original Big Seven New Orleans Second Line, celebrating its 30th Annual Mother’s Day Parade through the historic streets of New Orleans! 🎺💐

This iconic second line is one of the city’s most beloved traditions, bringing together thousands of revelers, stunning parade fashion, live brass band music, and the unmatched culture of New Orleans.

From the dazzling suits and custom umbrellas to the electrifying dancing and soulful music, the Original Big Seven Social Aid & Pleasure Club continues to showcase the heart and spirit of the city on this special Mother’s Day celebration.

If you love New Orleans second lines, brass bands, Mardi Gras Indian culture, and authentic street traditions, this video captures it all in stunning detail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb7E2I_tNDE

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Visiting comments are welcome.

More Information About & Examples Of "I'm A Little First Grader" Children's Recreational Rhymes (reprint)

"swing swing" fun hand clapping game

KSquared, Dec 13, 2014
-snip-
Here's my transcription of the words to this version of this rhyme:

Swing Swing Swing
On a summer day
Hey, Hey.
I'm a little
First Grader
As pretty as can
Be Be
And all the boys around my house
They're chasin after
Me Me
My boyfriend's name is
Jello
He came from Ala
Bamo
With a pickle up his nose
And twenty-five toes
And this is how my story goes
One day I was
Walkin
And saw my boyfriend
Talkin
To an itty bitty girl
With strawberry clothes
And this is what he said to her
I K.I.S.S. kiss you
I M.I.S.S. miss you
I L.O.V.E. love you
Kiss
Miss
Love
STOP
-snip-
Transcription from the video by Azizi Powell. The word "clothes" [after the word "strawberry"] is usually given as "curls".

The tune for this example is somewhat different from the tune that was used for the examples of this rhyme that I've heard in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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Edited by Azizi Powell

[This pancocojams post is a complete reprint of a September 4, 2026 updated version of the pancocojams post with this title that was originally published on this blog in 2023. This 2026 post includes a small amount of additional content and also includes all of the comments that are published in that post's discussion thread as of September 4, 2026. That 2023 post remains on this blog and additional comments may still be published in its discussion thread.]

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This pancocojams post presents additional information about and examples of the evolution of the "I'm A Little Dutch Girl" * children's recreational rhymes to "I'm A Little First Grader" children's recreational rhymes.

Two other titles for these rhymes are "Swing Swing" or "Wobble Wooble Wooble". The title "Swing Swing" comes from the introductory words "Swing Swing on a summer day" that are sometimes used for these rhymes.

The title "Wobble Wooble Wooble" comes from the introductory words "Wooble wooble wooble in the deep blue sea" that are sometimes used for these rhymes.

The content of this post is presented for folkloric, recreational, and socio-cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

*There are a number of different "families" of children's recreational rhymes that begin with the line "I'm a (pretty) little Dutch girl". The family of rhymes that are the focus of this pancocojams post has the second line "as pretty as can be".

I plan to publish a post on example of different families of "I Am A Little Dutch Girl" rhymes. When it is published I'll add the link to that post here.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/08/some-changes-in-rhyme-im-little-first_22.html for the 2019 pancocojams post entitled "Some Changes In The Rhyme "I'm A Pretty Little First Grader" From Their Rhyme Source "I Am A Pretty Little Dutch Girl".

Also, click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/12/i-am-pretty-little-first-grader-variant.html for the closely related 2013 pancocojams post "I Am A Pretty Little First Grader (a variant form of "I'm A Pretty Little Dutch Girl").

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE RHYME "I AM A PRETTY LITTLE DUTCH GIRL" (As pretty as I can be)

Here's an example of that recreational rhyme:

I AM A PRETTY LITTLE DUTCH GIRL

I am a pretty little Dutch girl
As pretty as pretty can be
And all the boys around my block
Go crazy over me!
I had a boyfriend, Patty
Who comes from Cincinnati
With 48 toes and a pickle on his nose
And this is the way my story goes
One day when I was walkin'
I heard my boyfriend talkin'
To a pretty little girl with a strawberry curls
And this is what he said to her...
I L-O-V-E, love you
to K-I-S-S, kiss you
yes K-I-S-S, kiss you in
the D-A-R-K dark boom boom!
-Variation 6 of examples of "I Am A Pretty Little Dutch Girl" on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pretty_Little_Dutch_Girl
-snip-
Based on examples of this rhyme that I've read, the earliest examples of this rhyme may have only consisted of one verse that is similar to the first verse that is given above

Here's some online excerpts about this "I'm a Pretty Little Dutch Girl" family of children's recreational rhymes:

Excerpt #1
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pretty_Little_Dutch_Girl retrieved January 21, 2023
" "Pretty Little Dutch Girl" is a children's nursery rhyme, clapping game and jump-rope rhyme. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 12986.

Lyrics

The lyrics of the song vary considerably. British versions of this rhyme differ significantly, perhaps because many of the allusions in the rhyme were unknown to British children at the time."...
-snip-
That Wikipedia page continues with "common" examples of "I Am A Pretty Little Dutch Girl" in the United States and the United Kingdom while alluding to the origin of that rhyme in the United States.. A few of these examples cites where that particular example came from in the United States.

It makes sense that "I Am A Pretty Little Dutch Girl" rhyme originated in the United States since the cities that are referenced in these rhymes are from

As documented in that Wikipedia page, there are LOTS of examples of "I Am A Pretty Little Dutch Girl" (as pretty as can be), Most of the versions of that rhyme that are included on that Wikipedia page include verses from one or more stand alone rhymes.

The Wikipedia page for "I'm A Little Dutch Girl" (or "I'm A Pretty Little Dutch Girl") doesn't mention the "I Am A [Pretty Little] First Grader" variant rhymes.

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Excerpt #2
From https://www.bussongs.com/songs/i-am-a-pretty-little-dutch-girl
" "I Am A Pretty Little Dutch Girl" is a children's nursery rhyme, jump rope rhyme, and a fun clapping game originating from America. The earliest record of the song is from 1940 in New York, from there it spread across the US, soon becoming one of the most popular jump rope rhymes among girls and reaching Britain by 1959"..

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INFORMATION ABOUT "I AM A LITTLE FIRST GRADER" RHYMES
"I Am A [Pretty] Little First Grader" rhymes are examples of how children's recreational rhymes can change over time and within certain populations.

"I Am A Little First Grader" rhymes are variant examples of "I Am A Little Dutch Girl" (As pretty as I can be" . Another grade level can replace the words "first grader" in these rhymes (for example, "I Am A Pretty Little Third Grader".. "I Am A Pretty Little Sixth Grader".

My guess is that these variant examples of "I Am A Little First Grader" rhymes came from African Americans, in part because of the use of introductory words for a number of these rhyme such as "Sea sea sea at the bottom of the sea" and "swing swing swing at the bottom of the sea".

Those introductory words or other similar introductory words are also found in some other African American originated rhymes such as "Tweeleelee" and "I Don't Want To Go To To Mexico No More". The introductory words "Shame Shame Shame" have been used so often for "I Don't Want To Go To Mexico" rhymes that it has become the title for that rhyme among many African American girls.

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A sub set of "I Am A Little First Grader" rhymes include the words [I saw my boyfriend talking] "to the ugliest girl in the world", the examples completely turn around the "prettiest girl with the strawberry curls" description that are standard to many of the "I Am A Little Dutch Girl" rhymes. Those words may have been changed because the chanter can't believe that there's another girl in world who is prettier than she is, and the chanter believes the ugliest girl in the world is no threat to her.

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Examples of "I Am A Pretty Little First Grader" that I've come across Dutch Girl" are combined with verses of one or more stand alone rhymes (rhymes that can be chanted by themselves or in combination with other recreational rhymes.)

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WHAT IS THE EARLIEST DATE FOR THE "I AM A PRETTY LITTLE FIRST GRADER" RHYMES?
The earliest example of "I Am A Little First Grader that I've directly (in person) come across an example of "I'm A (Pretty) Little Firs Grader" rhyme was 2000 (African American girls, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania). That example has the words: "I saw my boyfriend talking/to a very pretty girl with strawberry curls'.

I also collected another example of "I Am A First Grader" in person in 2000 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and another in 2004 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. That second example has the words "I saw my boyfriend talking/to a very pretty girl with cherry pie curls". Both of those examples were from African American girls from Fort Pitt Elementary School in the Garfield section of Pittsburgh. Click http://cocojams2.blogspot.com/2014/10/hand-clap-jump-rope-rhymes-examples-i-j.html to read those two examples.

In April 2010, I collected the same rhyme from two 9 year old African American girls (Takeya and Alexus) who live in the same neighborhood as Fort Pitt Elementary School. (The name for that Pittsburgh Publich School had changed to Fort Pitt Accelerated Learning Academy and that school has since been closed.

When the rhyme called for the girls to give their grades, one girl chanted "I am a second grader" at the same time the other girl chanted "I am a third grader". Both girls said the "get your black hands off of me" line at the end of that version of that rhyme.

I also heard the beginning of this same rhyme chanted by a third grade African American girl in the lunchroom of the same Pittsburgh public school in May 2010 when I was substitute teaching there. That girl said "I am a third grader"/as pretty as can be be be". Unfortunately, I wasn't able to hear the rest of the rhyme.

These"I Am A [Pretty Little] First Grader" rhymes usually appear to be chanted by elementary school age girls (around 6-10 years old) while performing partner hand clap routines. The grade that is mentioned in examples of the rhyme is the school grade the chanter/s are in.

A few examples that are showcased in this pancocojams post have the words "I saw my boyfriend talking to] "the ugliest girl in the whole wide world and this is how my story goes" or "this is what I said to her" or a similar ending..

In those examples the title "I Am A Little First Grader" (or similar titles) replaces the "original" title that refers to the girl being pretty (since the words "the ugliest girl in the whole wide world" replace the original words "the prettiest girl in the whole wide world".)

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AN EXAMPLE OF "I AM A LITTLE FIRST GRADER" WITH THE "PRETTIEST GIRL IN THE WHILE WIDE WORLD" WORDS

Wooble Wooble Wooble
And ah 1, 2, 3
I am a lit tle first grader
as pretty as can be be.
and all the boys around my house
go crazy over me me.

My boyfriend's name is Yel low.
He comes from Ala ba ma
with 25 toes
and a pickle on his nose
and this is how the story goes

One day I was ah walk ing
I saw my boyfriend talk ing
to a very pretty girl
with strawberry curls.
And this is what she said

"I l. o. ve love you."
"I k. i. ss kiss you"
"I a d.ore adore you"
So s .t .o .p. STOP!
-female first grade students Tarea, Kayla, Kaylin (African American), and Ha and Hung (Vietnamese, ages 5-7 years old); Fort Pitt Elementary School {Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, 2000}; collected by Azizi Powell, 2000
-snip-
This rhyme was performed as a competitive hand slap rhyme (similarly to the hand slap activity that is performed while chanting "Down By The Banks Of The Hanky Panky".

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A FEW RHYME EXAMPLES THAT INCLUDE THE WORDS "THE UGLIEST GIRL IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD

These examples are given in no particular order.

Numbers have been added for referencing purposes only.

1. I am a pretty __ first grader

As pretty as can___ be be.
My boyfriend's name is__ Chris Brown
He lives in Ala__bama.
One day when I was___walking
I saw my boyfriend __ talking
To the ugliest girl in the whole wide world.
And this is what he said.
I K-I-S-S
I M-I-S-S miss you.
I L-O-V-E love you.
ABCDEFG
Get your black hands off of me.
I K-I-S-S Kiss you!
-Naijah S.; (African American female, 9 years old; Hazelwood section of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; January 14, 2011; Collected by Azizi Powell 1/14/2011
-snip-
The dash indicates that the chanter pauses one beat before saying the next word or the next syllable.

Here's some information about African American performer Chris Brown from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Chris-Brown
"Chris Brown, in full Christopher Maurice Brown, (born May 5, 1989, Tappahannock, Virginia, U.S.), American rhythm-and-blues (R&B) singer, songwriter, and actor whose melodic voice and skilled dancing propelled him to fame"...

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/10/the-get-your-black-hands-off-of-me-line.html for the pancocojams post entitled "The "Get Your Black Hands Off Of Me" Line In African American Children's Recreational Rhymes"

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2. im a pretty little first grader as pretty as can be be my boyfreinds name is je-llo he lives in ala-bamo with a pickle up his nose and 25 toes this is how my story goes one day i was walking i saw my boyfreind talking to the ugliest girl in the whole wide world and this is what he said to her k-i-s-s kiss you l-o-v-e love you d-u-m-p dump you m-i-s-s miss you.
-Anonymous, May 17, 2018, http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/12/i-am-pretty-little-first-grader-variant.html

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3. Sea sea sea at the bottom of the sea
I'm a little first grader
Pretty as can be be
And all the boys around my block
Is fighting over me me
My boyfriend name is jello
He lives in alabamo
With 65 toes
And a big fat nose
And this is how my story goes
One day I walking
I saw my boyfriend talking
To the ugliest girl in the whole wide world
And this is what I said to her
See my pinky see my thumb see my fist you better run
Peanut butter reesce cup you mess With me Ill jack you up
Wait come back you need a tik tak not One not two but the whole 6 pack
Sorry to be mean
But you need some Listerine
Not a sip not a swallow but he whole dang bottle
-unknown, August 9, 2019, http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/12/i-am-pretty-little-first-grader-variant.html

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4. Well this is the one I always used-

Sea sea sea at the bottom of the sea!
I am a little__First grader!
Who is pretty as can, be be
and all the boys around my block are fighting over, me me!
My boyfriends name is Jell-o,
He comes from alabam-o,
With 24 toes and a pocket full of gold and this is how my story goes:
I saw my boyfriend, talk-ing to the ugliest girl in the whole wide world and this is how my story goes:
Kawala-wala, A! Kawala-wala B!
Chi-bang-bag C! hi-bang bang D!
See my pinkie see my thumb, see my fist, you better run!
Wait, come back. You need a Tic-Tac. Not one, not two, but the whole six pack!
And, Sorry to be mean, but you need some Listerine.
-Unknown, September 27, 2021, http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/12/i-am-pretty-little-first-grader-variant.html

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5. 'The one we used to sing all the time was

I am a little first grader. As pretty as can be be. And all the boys around my block go crazy over me me. My boyfriend name is Jello. He lives in Alabamo. With a big fat nose and 35 toes and this is how my story goes. One day I was walking. I saw my boyfriend talking to the the ugliest girl named (insert ugly girl name) in the world and this is what he said to her. M-I-S-S miss you. K-I-S-S kiss you. L-O-V-E love you and this is what I said to her.

See my pinkie. see my thumb. See my fist you better run. Recesse's Recesse's Coco Puff mess with my man I'll mess you up."

-Cidnei Gregory, 2019; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfzHL_1PdbY&t=2s&ab_channel=EbonyJanicePeace "Let's Discuss: Black Girl Childhood Hand Games and Sing Songs"
-snip-
This commenter wrote that this example is from Chicago.

6. Growing up we sang ours a little different too:

I'm a little first grader,
pretty as can be be
& all the boys around my block go crazy over over me me
my boyfriend name is johnny, he lives in California
with 25 toes & a big fat nose & this is how my story go
one day I was walking, I saw my boyfriend talking, to the ugliest girl in the whole wide world & this is how my story go
I K I S S kiss you, I M I S S miss you, I L O V E love you, but ABCD get your broke hands off of me
-Sydney Plunkett, 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zEcsIfe6lU&t=4s 90's hands games!!!Part 1, published by Geneas, Nov. 4, 2018
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7. the second.version we be like “im a little first grader pretty as can be be & all the boys around my block are fighting over me me , my boyfriend name is jello but he live in Alabama with 25 toes & a big fat nose & this is how my story go , one day i was walking i saw my boyfriend talking to the ugliest girl in the whole wide world & this is what i said to her see my pinky see my thumb see my fist you better run whole up wait come back you need a tic tac not a one not a two but the whole dang thing “ lol alot😭😭😭
-prettyL365, 2020; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zEcsIfe6lU&t=4s 90's hands games!!!II, Part 1, published by Geneas, Nov. 4, 2018
-snip-
This commenter didn't share anything about "the first version."

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8. There’s a another version of swing when it goes swing swing swing at the bottom of the sea I’m a little 5thgrader pretty as can be be and all the boys around my block are fighting over me me my boyfriend name is Jell-O and he lives in Alabama with 25 toes and a big red nose & this is how the story goes One day I was walking and I saw my boyfriend talking to the ugliest girl in the whole wide world and this is what I said to her See my pinky see my thumb see my fist you better run peanut butter Reese cup you mess with me a jack you up wait come back you need a TicTac not a one not a two but the whole six pack sorry to be mean but you need some Listerine not a sip not a swallow but the whole damn bottle 😂
- OmgitsGrace, 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zEcsIfe6lU&t=4s 90’s hands games !!!!! Part 1 published by Geneas, Nov 4, 2018

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9. Our swing swing sing game went like “ swing swing swing, at the bottom of the swing,I am a little 8th grader as cute as I can be be and all the boys around my house go crazy over me me. My boyfriend name is Jello he lives in Alabama, with 25 toes and a big fat nose and this is how our story goes... one day I was walk-in, I saw my boyfriend talk-in, to the ugliest girl in the whole wide world and this is what I said to her...” I forgot the rest but it go sum like get away from my boyfriend and I’ll punch u in da face or sum😂😭
-TINKK LUV, 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zEcsIfe6lU&t=4s 90’s hands games !!!!! Part 1 published by Geneas, Nov 4, 2018

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10. imma little six grader
as pretty as can be be
my boyfriend name is bow wow
he lives in ohio
and this is how my story goes
one day I was walking
I saw my boyfriend talking
to the ugliest girl
in the whole wide world
and this is how my story goes
k-i-s-s kiss you l-o-v-e
love you m-i-s-s miss you
and this is how my story goes
a b c d
so keep yo hands away from me.
-http://www.home-school.com.au/resource/skipping-rope-jump-rope-hopscotch-songs.html , 3/21/2005
-snip-
Here's information about Bow Wow: "Shad Gregory Moss (born March 9, 1987), better known by his stage name Bow Wow (formerly Lil' Bow Wow), is an American rapper and actor.", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bow_Wow_(rapper)

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11. Swing swing swing on a summary day hey hey I’m a little first grade as pretty as a meme and all the boys around my school go crazy over me me my boyfriend name in bowwow and he lives in Alabama with a tik tak toe and 3 in a row and this is how my story goes one day I was walking and I saw my boyfriend talking to the ugliest girl in the whole wide world and this is what he said to her

L-O-V-E love you with a K-I-S-S kiss you with a S-T-O-P

STOP! now don’t stop till your hands get hot.
-Laterri Ward, 2021, https://www.answers.com/music-and-radio/The_swing_swing_on_a_summer_day_hand_clapping_game

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12. then theres-sea sea sea at the bottom of the sea i am a lil (say ur grade) 6th grader as pretty as can be be and all the boys around my house go crazy over me me my boyfriends name is jell-o he lives in ala-bama with a pickle on his nose and 25 toes this is how my story goes 1 day i wuz walkin i saw my bf talkin to the ugliest girl in the whole wide world an this is wut he said to her l-o-v-e love you k-i-s-s kiss you l-o-v-e k-i-s-s keep your fat hands off of me
-the11yearoldknowz, http://www.inthe00s.com/archive/inthe80s/smf/1109960765.shtml "Those Clapping Games

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Comments from the discussion thread for this 2023 pancocojams post:

Azizi PowellJanuary 21, 2023 at 11:42 PM
Here's a link to a YouTube video example of "I'm A First Grader": ."swing swing" fun https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9nqHZRA-w published by KSquared, Dec 13, 2014.

Here's my transcription of the words to this version of this rhyme:
Swing Swing Swing
On a summer day
Hey, Hey.
I'm a little
First Grader
As pretty as can
Be Be
And all the boys around my house
They're chasin after
Me Me
My boyfriend's name is
Jello
He came from Ala
Bamo
With a pickle up his nose
And twenty-five toes
And this is how my story goes
One day I was
Walkin
And saw my boyfriend
Talkin
To an itty bitty girl
With strawberry clothes
And this is what he said to her
I K.I.S.S. kiss you
I M.I.S.S. miss you
I L.O.V.E. love you
Kiss
Miss
Love
STOP
-snip-
Transcription from the video by Azizi Powell. The word "clothes" [after the word "strawberry"] is usually given as "curls".

The words "swing swing on a summer day" that begin that rhyme is a variant form of "swing swing to the bottom of the sea" or similar words. Those words serve as an introductory phrase that I've come across in a number of different children's rhymes.

It's likely that commenters had posted other examples of that rhyme on that video's discussion thread. If so, those examples have been deleted because of YouTube's decision to disallow comments on children's videos.
ReplyDelete
Replies
Azizi PowellJanuary 24, 2023 at 12:23 PM
There are a number of children's rhymes that end with the words "keep your __ hands off of me". Examples of those rhymes in this post about "I Am A Little First Grader" are
#1. "Keep your black hands off of me"
#6. "get your broke hands off of me"
#10. "keep yo hands away from me."
#11. "keep your fat hands off of me"
-snip-
My guess is that "keep your black hands off of me" was the earliest version of that line and that it originated from Black children.
I believe that other versions of that line knowingly or unknowingly replaced the "black hands" version because that line was socially unacceptable.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/10/get-your-black-hands-off-of-me.html for a pancocojams post entitled The "Get Your Black Hands Off Of Me" Line In African American Playground Rhymes.
****

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Thursday, September 3, 2026

The Creative Use Of Handkerchiefs In African American (Soul) Line Dancing - From Sweat Cloths To Dance Movement Embellishment, Part II

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series that presents a YouTube video compilation about the custom during African American (soul) line dancing of holding, waving, twirling, and otherwise manipulating hand held handkerchiefs, small towels, and other cloth items during line dance routines.

I refer to these cloth items as "dance cloths".

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/09/a-youtube-video-compilation-of-creative.html for Part I of this pancocojams series.

These posts showcase YouTube video examples of this African American (soul) line dance custom of mostly men line dancers holding, twirling, and otherwise manipulating a dance cloth as embellishment of the way that they perform that particular dance routine.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/09/information-about-dancing-and-waving.html for Part I of a four part pancocojams series about Ghanaian, Togolese, Nigerian (and other African cultures) customs of waving or twirling white handkerchiefs while dancing or while worshipping in church. I believe that these West African and Central African source of the custom of African Americans dancing with (mostly white colored) handkerchiefs. The links to the other posts in that series are given in each of these posts.

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

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

****
A VIDEO COMPILATION OF THE CREATIVE USE OF HANDKERCHIEFS AND OTHER "DANCE CLOTHS" IN AFRICAN AMERICAN (SOUL) LINE DANCING [PART II-2022-2026]

DISCLAIMER- This compilation isn't meant to be a comprehensive documentation of the subject of the use of creative use of handkerchiefs and other cloths/towels in soul line dancing.

This post also doesn't mean to imply that this African American custom of holding and waving a handkerchief or some other cloth while dancing originated with soul line dancing. My guess is that this custom dates from enslaved Black American dances such as the ring shout.

Please share YouTube video links in the discussion section for this post for early examples of this custom. Thanks you.

****
I conducted this informal YouTube video review in September 2026 for this soul line dancing custom of holding a handkerchief while dancing. 2011 was my the start date since that was the earliest date that I came across on YouTube for this custom.

It also appears to me that the custom of Soul line dancing holding a handkerchief or another type of dance cloth is becoming rarer and rarer. (Females holding a handkerchief while soul line dancing seems to have already been rare by 2011).

Even when more male Soul line dancers held a handkerchief while dancing, that custom wasn't followed by all the male dancers. Yet, it does appear to me that nowadays (2025 and 2026) more male dancers are holding fans or not holding anything than are holding a handkerchief.

**
I've found that the publishers of African American (soul) line dance videos usually feature the same group of line dancers. That means that the dancers (usually men) who are shown holding handkerchiefs or another type of dance cloth in one video that is published by that person are almost always shown holding handkerchiefs or another type of dance cloth in other videos published by that same person.

In contrast to Part I of this pancocojams series, I'm not including any descriptions of the ways that these line dancers embellish their dance moves by twirling, waving, or otherwise manipulating their dance cloths in front of them or behind them.

Instead, selected comments from the discussion thread for these videos are presented after each video.

These selected examples are given in chronological order with the earliest example given first.

SHOWCASE VIDEO #1 -FLEX LINE DANCE

Jero Green, May 17, 2022

"Flex Line Dance

Choreographed by CUPID

Artist CUPID

Song FLEX"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjR3SUz-M10
-snip-
This video shows line dancers at a white party. In the United States, a "white party" is a usually formal or semi-formal occasion when attendees are expected to only wear clothing that is the color white.

Here are selected comments from this video's discussion thread. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

1. @warrenwatson6589,2023
"Always that one dude that gotta be extra lol"

**
Reply
2. @JamesTheBaddie, 2023
"You can tell he got some serious moves. When you're a dancer, you can't help but add your own swag."

**
Reply
3. @porchlightchronicles220, 2023
"He's the one that makes it fun... it's a catchy dance. Lol 😂"

**
Reply
4. @ctya72, 2023
"He's needed. Lol"

**
Reply
5. @londagail3402, 2023
"He makes it not to be an ordinary line dance 🕺🏾"

**
Reply
6. @blackqueen2me396, 2023
"Love it"

**
Reply
7. @Mr.Staggers, 2024
"Me. I have to be that one to add a lil sum sum on the end. Lolzzzzzzz"

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #2- THIS LINE DANCE IS PRETTY SMOOTH 😍
So KOLD LINE DANCE

Frances - Lady Snapshot 😍, Nov 22, 2022 SONS OF ITALY LODGE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYTabBaFZuw
-snip-
Here are two comments from this video's discussion thread. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

1. @theresac2944, 2023
"I am obsessed with your videos!- so much love and fun goes into your dancing Mr. Kold Always a class act ,choreography,music and clothes ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️"

**
2. @patriciaduarte7039, 2023
"Yes. Groovin' song 🎶 & line dance. Kold & Lady Glam you're the best, smooth moves and dance steps. Thanks for video Frances."

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #3 - I Don't Need It (Jaime Foxx) Line Dance

Tomika Brooks, May 19, 2023

Choreographer: Jero Kold Green [information added by a commenter]

Song: I Don't Need It

Artist: Jaime Foxx

Performed by: Hallback's Dress & Cover Crew"...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6Szcn_BcYs
-snip-
Here are two comments from this video's discussion thread (with numbers added for referencing purposes only)

1. @Mizzshron82, 2025
"It’s so many versions of this but this is the one i know ❤️‍❤️‍❤️‍

**
2. @joyl332, 2026
"Lots of version but like this one bec of clap, kick and dip roll !!"

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #4 - OOH WEE LINE DANCE

Jero Green, Apr 24, 2026

"Choreographed by Jero KOLD Green

Artist MS YANNI

Song OOH WEE"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2Qonox8M_8
-snip-
This video has no comments as of September 3, 2026.

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #5 - 🤍 Five Mo Minutes Line Dance at the White Party! 💃🏾🕺🏾 #LineDance

@LineDancingwithmaya, Jun 11, 2026

"Get ready to hit the dance floor! 🤍✨ We brought the energy to the White Party with the popular Five Mo Minutes Line Dance. Watch the crowd step, slide, and groove as the caller keeps everyone moving with the dance instructions. If you love line dancing, soul line dancing, and party vibes, this one is for you!

Whether you’re learning the dance, looking for line dance inspiration, or just enjoying the atmosphere, you’ll love the energy in this video.

📍 White Party Line Dance Event

🎵 Song: Five Mo Minutes

💃🏾 Featuring an amazing crowd of line dancers having a great time

#LineDancingWithMaya #FiveMoMinutes #LineDance #WhiteParty #SoulLineDancing #LineDanceCommunity #DanceFloorVibes #BlackLineDancing #PartyDance #StepInTheNameOfLove #DanceChallenge #LineDancers #SouthernSoul #DanceVideo #JacksonvilleLineDance"

https://youtube.com/shorts/sH36HyV95tQ?si=Sn9yd_B59T5EyFIl
-snip-
Here are two comments from this video's discussion thread (with numbers added for referencing purposes only)

1. @tdc4christ, 2026
"Smooth!"

**
2. @glorialowrie9626, 2026
"💃👠🕺👞💃👠🕺Old School you Are Looking Real Good 🕺👠💃👞🕺👠💃👞"

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #6- Wipe it Down Line Dance

Sharita Pippins aka RED and SandM Line Dancers, Feb 6, 2026 #linedance

This is a community fun day that I do each year in August for my community. I pay for everything and give back to my Flint community [Michigan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sfb2R_djW3Q
-snip-
A woman is line dancing with a long red dance cloth.

There are no comments yet for this video.

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #7 - #12 John Woodhouse - We Cappin' Line Dance Event Chicago

Dee Mohaugany, Aug 29, 2026

Music- Lay It Down by Dwele

Some Kinda. (album)"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYhu_AvEYTU
-snip-
This video doesn't have any comments yet.

Notice the woman dancing in the front who is holding a small fan (not the popping style fan) that she uses to fan herself while she line dances. Also, notice that she carries a very small handkerchief in hr other hand. My guess is that that handkerchief isn't for aesthetic pur[oses, but is actually intended to wipe off any sweat.

Also notice the man in the blue shirt and blue pants who is line dancing with a long white towel slumped over one shoulder. That towel is also probably not what I refer to as a "dance cloth" since a dance cloth since it (even more than the small handkerchief that the woman is carrying) is probably not intended for aesthetic purposes.

I think that the other examples of dance cloths in this two part pancocojams video compilation were intended for aesthetic purposes, even if some of them may have also been used to wipe off the dancer's sweat.

****
This concludes Part II of this pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

The Creative Use Of Handkerchiefs In African American (Soul) Line Dancing - From Sweat Cloths To Dance Movement Embellishment, Part I

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest update - September 4, 2026

This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series that presents a YouTube video compilation about the custom during African American (soul) line dancing of holding, waving, twirling, and otherwise manipulating hand held handkerchiefs, small towels, and other cloth items during line dance routines.

I refer to these cloth items as "dance cloths".

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/09/the-creative-use-of-handkerchiefs-in.html for Part II of this pancocojams series.

These posts showcase YouTube video examples of this African American (soul) line dance custom of mostly men line dancers holding, twirling, and otherwise manipulating a dance cloth as embellishment of the way that they perform that particular dance routine.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/09/information-about-dancing-and-waving.html for Part I of a four part pancocojams series about Ghanaian, Togolese, Nigerian (and other African cultures) customs of waving or twirling white handkerchiefs while dancing or while worshipping in church. I believe that these West African and Central African source of the custom of African Americans dancing with (mostly white colored) handkerchiefs. The links to the other posts in that series are given in each of these posts.

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

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

****
A VIDEO COMPILATION OF THE CREATIVE USE OF HANDKERCHIEFS AND OTHER "DANCE CLOTHS" IN AFRICAN AMERICAN (SOUL) LINE DANCING [PART i: 2011-2018]

DISCLAIMER- This compilation isn't meant to be a comprehensive documentation of the subject of the use of creative use of handkerchiefs and other cloths/towels in soul line dancing.

This post also doesn't mean to imply that this African American custom of holding and waving a handkerchief or some other cloth while dancing originated with soul line dancing. My guess is that this custom dates from enslaved Black American dances such as the ring shout.

Please share YouTube video links for early examples of this custom in the discussion section for this post . Thanks.

****
I conducted this informal YouTube video review in September 2026 for this soul line dancing custom of holding a handkerchief while dancing. 2011 was my the start date since that was the earliest date that I came across on YouTube for this custom.

It also appears to me that the custom of Soul line dancing holding a handkerchief or another type of dance cloth is becoming rarer and rarer. (Females holding a handkerchief while soul line dancing seems to have already been rare by 2011).

Even when more male Soul line dancers held a handkerchief while dancing, that custom wasn't followed by all the male dancers. Yet, it does appear to me that nowadays (2025 and 2026) more male dancers are holding fans or not holding anything than are holding a handkerchief.

**
I've found that the publishers of African American (soul) line dance videos usually feature the same group of line dancers. That means that the dancers (usually men) who are shown holding handkerchiefs or another type of dance cloth in one video that is published by that person are almost always shown holding handkerchiefs or another type of dance cloth in other videos published by that same person.

**
These selected examples are given in chronological order with the earliest example given first. My brief description of the presence of one or more "dance clothes" in each video is given below that video.

SHOWCASE VIDEO #1 -Zydeco shuffle

Jeterated, Feb 4, 2011

Music "It's Allrite" by J Paul and the Zydeco New Breed

NC's Largest Line Dance Party 1-22-11 [North Carolina]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMWMGreKPdI
-snip-
A woman dancer in the center of the front line is holding a bottle of water in one hand and a large black cloth in her other hand. She’s the only dancer with a cloth. At certain parts of the song while she is dancing she briefly twirls the cloth above her head.

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #2- "Let's Get It Poppin'" Soul Line Dance

Tamar “LADYT” Simmons, May 6, 2011

"Fun new beginner soul line dance. Choreographer: Bernadette Burnette, Philadelphia, PA. Music:" "Get It Poppin'" by Fat Joe featuring Nelly. Copyright: Warner Music Group. Soul Line Dance Video Performed at Elk's Lodge, 7350 Temple Hill Road, Camp Springs, Maryland. Thursday Night Line Dance Party Hosted by DJ Lady D. Instructor: Candy Djsweets Truss. Thursday, May 5, 2011. Dance originally showcased at The Stepper's Weekend in Miami 2011. Videographer: Adrienne Jenkins."
-snip-
In the beginning of this video, a woman dancer stands on the dance floor with other line dancers and wipes her face with a red cloth. Presumably, she did this after one line dance before this line dance showcased in the video begins. (Note that most of the dance cloths that I've seen in YouTube videos are the color white.)

There are only a few male dancers in this group. This woman is the only one in this group with a dance cloth. This performance occurred before hand held fans became a popular item in soul line dancing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-GkiANyWdk

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #3 - "DO IT WITH YOUR BOOTS" ON SHUFFLE 07 16 13

thearchiebexperience, Sep 24, 2013

THE ARCHIE B. EXPERIENCE LINE DANCERS DOING

DANCE: "DO IT WITH YOUR BOOTS ON" CREATED BY CUPID

SONG: "DO IT WITH YOUR BOOTS ON" BY CUPID

"Join us at The Archie B. Experience Line Dancing if you want to meet people, exercise mind & body, and just have fun learning soul line dances in a "NO ONE LEFT BEHIND ATMOSPHERE". We meet every Tuesday, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM( line dance w/ instruction), then 7:30 PM- 9:00 PM (non-stop line dancing) at UPTOWN 78 LOUNGE, 8280 FM 78, Converse, TX, 78109"…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_86ZkoJgsJU
-snip-
This instructor described this dance as a “country zydeco”.

The instructor in the video describes the clicking heels step as “Dorothy” (in reminisce of The Wizard Of Oz book, play, and movie character who had to click her heels three times to return home to Kansas). After that step is done, the dancers wave their dance cloth over their head in time with the 1-2 beat.
-snip-
This YouTube video is an outlier since I haven't come across any other African American (Soul) line dance video where each dancer has her or his own dance cloth.

Holding handkerchiefs and other types of dance cloths was a custom in Soul line dancing before the custom of holding fans that were [are] popped to add to the music being danced to.

In contrast to the variety of the almost always solid colors of these hand held popping fans, the handkerchiefs/dance cloths in Soul line dancing were [are] almost always the solid color white, or the solid color black or the solid color red.

This video is also unique because of the dancers perform with a handkerchief that is the solid color blue, or yellow, or (in one case) the solid color orange.

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #4 - TRIPLE ABC LINEDANCE CREATED BY JOHN WOODHOUSE

GOLDIE MOJICA, Jul 29, 2018

"SOUTHSIDE STEPPERS 10TH ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND SATURDAY JULY 28 2018" [Chicago Illinois ?]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLw1uzk4nsY
-snip-
Notice that one man in the front has a large white dance cloth and a large white towel hanging from his pocket A dancer who had [has] a towel hanging from his (or her) back or side pocket signifies that the dancer needs something to wipe off the sweat because he or she really "gets down" on the dance floor (i.e. he or she really gets funky- in both meanings of the word "funky")

That dancer and the male instructor/caller in the center of the first line are the only ones who are holding anything except for a woman dancer who fans herself with a yellow fan. Notice that she doesn’t "pop" her fan.

****
ADDENDUM - TWO BONUS VIDEOS

This bonus video doesn't show any line dancer performing while holding a handkerchief or another type of dance cloth. However, I'm showcasing it for the points mentioned in my comments below the video.

BONUS VIDEO #1- Bus Stop 7 25 15

brjohn11, Jul 27, 2015

"Denise Bryant "Music2Your Feet", teaching Bus Stop at DJ Freckles line dance work shop at the Hampton Inn in Stafford Va [Virginia]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqjcIE6XM4g
-snip-
In the very beginning of this video a male dancer is shown wiping his face with his handkerchief. However, I don't think that he is shown line dancing in this video.

Notice that in this video a woman is holding a fan while she is line dancing. However, she isn't popping the fan (opening it and quickly closing it so that it makes a brief popping/ clicking sound. Instead, she’s just constantly fanning herself through a portion of that dance. In another portion of the dance she shuts the fan and dances while holding it shut.

Notice that the woman showcased in Video #4 in this pancocojams video compilation is also just holding her fan or fanning herself and not "popping" her fan. It's likely that these were the ways that hand held fans were first used in African American "soul" line dancing. However, the "popping fan" motion was probably relatively commonly done before the "Pop That Fan" song became popular.

****
BONUS VIDEO #2 - SO KOLD LINE DANCE *☆ The Smooth Groove Heritage Award 2018

.

Lady Snapshot, Aug 27, 2018 PHILADELPHIA

Song-Music ,By Walter Beasley.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5GXRrMdGK8
-snip-
This is a video of Jero 'Kold' Green (also known as "Mr. Kold") and Lady Glam performing Chicago stepping at a white party (a party where everyone wears clothing that is the color white). Notice that Mr. Kold is holding a white handkerchief.

****
This concludes Part I of this two part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

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