References To "Crossing The Burning Sands" That Are Found In Historically Black Greek Letter Fraternities And Sororities Songs & Chants

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post provides some examples of historically Black (African American) Greek letter organizations (Bglos) chants that mention "crossing the burning sands". 

The Addendums to this post presents some information about the Divine Nine (historically Black Greek Letter fraternities and sororities) as well as some information about "crossing the burning sands" in those organizations and in the Shriners organization.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those whose organization's chants are quoted in this post.

I consider fraternity & sorority chants and vernacular to be cultural artifacts which deserve to be collected, preserved, and studied. That said, I also believe that fraternity & sorority songs and chants should only be recited and/or performed by those persons who are affiliated with the specific organization that is associated with that particular chant.
-snip-
This is a complete reprint (with minor changes and a few additions) to the 2015 pancocojams post "Black Fraternities & Sororities Chants That Mention Crossing The Burning Sands."
: 
https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/01/black-fraternities-sororities-chants_16.html

That post (which is still available on this pancocojams blog) includes a comment exchange about "crossing the burning sands" and a comment exchange about why I became and remain an inactive member of  Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  

Additions of examples with this subject will only be made on the 2026 post. 

Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/03/examples-of-historically-black.html for Part I of a seven part pancocojams series of examples of historically Black Greek letter fraternities/sororities chants/songs. The links to all of these posts are included on the individual posts. 

****
SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE HISTORICALLY BLACK GREEK LETTER ORGANIZATIONS' "CROSSING THE BURNING SANDS" RITUAL
"Crossing the burning sands" is an important ritual in the pre-1990 legal "crossing" ("crossing over") ceremony that marks or refers to a person's membership in a historically Black Greek letter fraternity or in a historically Black Greek letter sorority. I don't know if crossing the burning sands is a part of the post 1990 legal initiation process for those organizations. Read the comment below by JSUAKA17 that is found in the "Definition of Sands" section.

The Greek definition list that is posted on the internet by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas gives the following definition for "crossed" that mentions crossing the burning sands":
"Crossed - the same as being initiated. The term means different things to different groups, but generally means crossing over from being a pledge to being a full member. Most groups record this time to the second. Term also refers to "Crossing the Burning Sands"
-snip-
It's interesting that this list uses the term "pledge" as a referent for a person who in the process of joining a Bglo. That word may be banned in other areas and universities, along with the term "to pledge" and "pledging" which have been replaced with the terms "to initiate" and "initiation".

Read my comments in this post about Bglo pledging/hazing. UPDATE: March 13, 2017 [link added]
Click this 2015 pancocojams post http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/01/black-fraternities-sororities-chants.html
-end of update-

Cornell University's Greek definition list doesn't mention "crossing the burning sands". However, it gives this definition for "crossing/crossing over":
"CROSSING/CROSSING OVER – The point of membership intake process when pledges officially become members.
http://dos.cornell.edu/greek/about_our_office/definitions.cfm "Greek Definitions" (Cornell University, Ithaca, New York).
-snip-
The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority line that I was part of in 1967 used the comparable term "went over". We also experienced crossing the burning sands.

****
DEFINITION OF "SANDS" (AS IN "GREETING, MY SANDS")
The ritual and phrase "crossing the burning sands" is the source of the historically Black Greek letter organization's term "sands". Contemporarily, that word is sometimes spelled "sandz".

"Sands" - "A word used to acknowledge other members that crossed over in other organizations or in the same organization, but a different chapter." http://dos.cornell.edu/greek/about_our_office/definitions.cfm "Greek Definitions" (Cornell University, Ithaca, New York).

Bglo terms may differ across regions and within different organizations. For example, here's a comment from a blogger on an interesting discussion thread about Bglo terms and other customs:
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=16727&page=4 "Question Are some phrases/words SPECIFIC to certain Greek orgs?"
"04-14-2006, 12:03 AM
JSUAKA17
"Sands
It seems strange to me to hear that some schools refer to anyone that pledged the same semester as them as their sands, regardless of the organization. When I pledged, the only people that we called our sands were our line sisters that actually crossed the sands with us. Of course that was in 1987, I realize that most organizations probably no longer physically cross burning sands, nor should they (we shouldn't have been doing it either). I just thought that the term sands was reserved for the most intimate of relationships, at least that is how it was in my day."
-end of quote-

Note that that Cornell University list of terms include such terms such as "membership intake process" and "initiation" and doesn't include the word "crossed" or crossed the burning sands", or "sands" (as a referent for a member of ones' sorority or fraternity that was initiated/joined at the same time as another member).

The Greek definitions list from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas also includes membership intake process terms. That list gives this definition for "sands":
"Sands (aka Parallel) - A member of your organization or another culturally based organization that was initiated at the same time you were." http://www.unlv.edu/getinvolved/greek-definitions.

****
SOME EXAMPLES OF CHANTS THAT MENTION CROSSING THE BURNING SANDS
For the most part, these chants are presented without explanatory notes. Almost all of these examples were found online. All of the examples of these chants that I've found to date positively refer to crossing the burning sands.

It's likely that all Divine 9 organizations have chants that mention crossing the burning sands. The number of chants in this post that are from any particular organization or the absence of chants from any organization should not be interpreted to mean anything.

Additional chants will be added if I come across them. Additions from blog readers are welcome.

A,B
AKA WHAT YA DO TO ME
AKA what ya do to me
You make me feel so good
AKA what you do to me
Just like I knew you would.

We cross the burning sands
To find something new
We cross the burning sands
To find real womanhood.
-Azizi Powell, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. pledge song (Gamma Zeta chapter, New Jersey, 1967), 10/30/2006, cocojams.com

[Cocojams was the name of my multipage cultural website. That website was online from 2001 through most of 2014 when I voluntarily deactivated it.]
-snip-
This is one of three pledge songs that I remember from my Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority line (1967).

****
ALPHA, WE LOVE YOU
(Tune: Little Liza)

Verse 1
When we were searching for the LIGHT,
We hears a WISE MAN call,
"Now Listen well! I'm going to tell
THE GREATEST FRAT OF ALL!
ALPHA! ALPHA! ALPHA! ALPHA!

(Chorus)
Alpha, we love you!
Alpha, we love you!
Love you in the springtime
and the fall.
Alpha, we love you!
Alpha, we love you!
Love you best of all!

(Repeat chorus)

Verse 2
We listened well and made our pledge.
Then crossed the burning sands,-
and entered dear old A*PHI*A,
The greatest in the land!
ALPHA! ALPHA! ALPHA! ALPHA!

(Chorus)
-Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection, posted on cocojams.com, 3/20/2010
-snip-
Brian A. Jackson, a cocojams reader, and a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.(Beta Chapter, Howard University, Spring 1990) shared with me a number of Alpha Phi Alpha songs & chants with me and gave me permission to post examples of Alpha Phi Alpha songs & chants on Cocojams.com. (March 2010). At that time, Brian A. Jackson was the Vice President of the Xi Nu Lambda Grad Chapter in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and had been collecting Alpha Phi Alpha songs and chants over the last 20 years. Examples from this collection are indicated by the notation "Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection".

****
BROTHERS, I DON'T KNOW (also given as "Scrollers, I Don't Know") Example #1

I was looking for the name of this but I kouldn't find it. This is the chant a Brother from "O.G." gave us:

Brothers.....
I don't know,
I don't know if I can make it into Kappa Alpha Psi
OHHHHHHHHHHHH, Big Brother said we couldn't make it,
Huhhh, but we got a big surprise
We're gonna cross those burning sands
we're gonna make into Kappa Alpha Psi
OHHHHHHHHHHH"
-K_I_A_Nupe (Tampa, Florida), http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=99226&page=2
Kappa/Scroller Chants, January 8, 2009
-snip-
I'm not sure what the title of this chant actually is.

Another commenter on that same discussion thread wrote that he also learned this same chant when he was a "scroller", and he didn't know that it was national.

****
SCROLLERS, I DON'T KNOW (Example #2)
Yup. We did the same chant as scrollers down here @GL with a few substituted words. (Gamma Lamda) Huston-Tillotson University.

Scrollers
I don't know, I don't know if we can make it over
Scrollers, I don't know if we can make it into Kappa Alpha Psi.
OHHHHHHHH, if we can make it into Kappa Alpha Psi
Big Brother said, we wouldn't make it
but we got a big suprise
we're going to cross those burning sands alive
we're going to make it into Kappa Alpha Psi
-Kappachino3Klub (Texas), http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=99226&page=2
Kappa/Scroller Chants, January 8, 2009

****
BROTHERS, I DON'T KNOW (Example #3)
I was looking for the name of this but I kouldn't find it. This is the chant a Brother from "O.G." gave us:

Brothers.....I don't know,
I don't know if I can make it into Kappa Alpha Psi....
OHHHHHHHHHHHH....
Big Brother said we couldn't make it, Huhhh....
but we got a big surprise....
We're gonna cross those burning sands,
We're gonna make into Kappa Alpha Psi....
OHHHHHHHHHHH
-K_I_A NUPE (Tampa, FL); http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=99226&page=2"
Kappa Stroller Chants; 1/8/2009
-snip-
*I used that phrase as the title, but I don't know if that is the real title of this chant.
-snip-
Notice the substitution of the letter "k" instead of the letter "c" in the would "kouldn't". I've noticed Kappas following this custom in a number of online discussion thread. The use of the letter "k" instead of the letter "c" is to honor the first Greek letter in their fraternity's name.

****
SCROLLERS, I DON'T KNOW (Example #4)
[In response to another blogger's comment that he didn't know that that was a national chant]

We did the same chant as scrollers down here @GL with a few substituted words. (Gamma Lamda) Huston-Tillotson University.

Scrollers..I don't know,
I don't know if we can make it over...
Scrollers, I don't know if we can make it into Kappa Alpha Psi..
OHHHHHHHH, if we can make it into Kappa Alpha Psi...
Big Brother said, we wouldn't make it but we got a big suprise..
we're going to cross those burning sands alive,
we're going to make it into Kappa Alpha Psi"
-Kappachino3Klub; http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=99226&page=2,Kappa Stroller Chants; 1/8/2009
-snip-
Notice the use of the letter "k" instead of the letter "c" in this blogger's screen name.

"Stroller songs" are songs that Kappa "pledges" sing before they "cross the burning sands" and become actual members of that fraternity or sorority.

****
C, D

****
E, F

****
G, H
GO DOWN
Go Down, Brother
Way down to Egypt Land

Tell the people
The light has come.

(Back in 06)
Back in 06
Many years ago

7 Black men
Couldn't take no more

They professed to have seen the light
The Light Of The World

They journeyed to
The motherland

Where they crossed
Those burning sands

Marching onward
They had to see

Just what
The end would bring
(What the end would bring)
-Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection, permission granted to post on cocojams.com, 3/20/2010
-snip-
The first part of this chant or song was inspired by the African American Spiritual "Go Down Moses". "The motherland" either refers to the continent of Africa or specifically to ancient Egypt which is located in Africa.

****
I, J

I KNOW I'VE BEEN CHANGED 
(Gamma Iota Chapter Traditional Song, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.)

I know I've been changed
I know I've been changed
I know I've been changed
The big brothers done changed my name.

On this Alpha train
On this Alpha train
I've been pledgin and I'll never be the same
Sons of Alpha are we
One in love and charity
Let our thought of sadness fly
For our own, our Alpha Phi.
Courage brothers banded we
All through life 'till eternity.
Let our hearts in* joyous praise
Sing of Alpha through endless days.

Way down in the jungle deep
Burning sands scorching my feet
Pyramids touching the sky
I'm pledgin' Alpha till the day I die
Been on line pledgin' for days
Put aside my selfish ways
Feel it deep down in my soul
My butt is burnin' and I want to be ice cold.
Own my life, and take my pride
Wood me up on my backside
Pledge me anyway you can
For when I cross I'll be an Alpha man.
-Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection; posted 4/18/2010
-snip-
Because I was aware that "I Know I've Been Changed" is the title & chorus of an African American religious song, I contacted Brian A. Jackson to ask him if the song posted above was actually three different songs that were sung one right after the other. Mr. Jackson responded to my email with the following comments:
"I have not heard it nor sung it, but I believe that is the full song. Its a song that is sung while they are Sphinxmen so "On this Alpha train" refers to them being on the way to Alpha

Read it as - Let our Hearts, and joyous praise - (2 collective entities, our hearts and our joyous praise - both of them singing Alpha through endless days)

That is how I read it. It makes sense to me."
-end of quote-
In a previous email, in response to my question about the sources of these Alpha chants, Brian A. Jackson wrote that "Some of the "older" ones probably did come from other sources. I know many of them came from old Negro spirituals as well. Some came from the military also. We even had one called Beat #122. Where each section of the line had a different beat or chant.

For example: (on my line there were 16 of us)
#1 - #4 - had the cymbal part
#5 - #8 - would scream "This is BETA"
#9 - #12 - would scream "Pledge Alpha All Night Long"
#13 - #16 - would keep the baseline
-snip-
I'm interested in knowing whether any members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. sung these words given above as three separate songs.

****
IMPRESS ME

Are you really worthy
of the land of the purple and the gold?
Will you succeed?
Will you cross the burning sands?
Are you worthy?
It’s a long hard road to Omega.
Impress me.
-Anonymous, a note in a Q Pearl song book, Edinboro University (Pennsylvania), 1991, posted by Azizi Powell on Cocojams.com
-snip-
"Q Pearl" is one name for the auxiliary ("Little sister") group of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Auxiliary groups aren't legal organizations. Yet, I believe that they still exist.

Like other Bglo little sister groups for other fraternities, females pledging Q Pearl (know elsewhere as Q Essence) were pledged by Big sisters (Q Pearls who had "crossed") and sometimes also by Big brothers (members of Omega Psi Phi fraternity). As is probably the case with the above chant, some of the chants that those line members learned were Omega Psi Phi chants.

****
K, L

****
M, N

****
O, P
ONE MORNING (Example #1)
I woke up one morning and what did I see?
Three mighty founders of PHI B. E.
They touched my heart and they touched my soul.
They said oh don't you pledge that black and gold.

They touched my mouth and they touched my eye
and said oh don't you pledge no K-A-Psi.

Now they looked me down form my head to my shoe
and said you sho don't want to be no Que.

Now I'm walking down that Sigma Street.
I saw some Zetas they were looking at me.
I looked to my left and I looked to my right
and all I could see was that Blue and White.

Now the closer I got to that light you see.
PHI BETA SIGMA was growing in me.

The road is hard to Sigmaland.
Before I got there I had to cross them sands.

Now that I've crossed those burning sand.

I can say I am a SIGMA MAN!!!!
- http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:3hmPQ4Qtk7wJ:pbsthe, retrieved on September 30, 2010
-snip-
This is a Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. chant. The chant also mentions Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (and that organization's colors) since the Sigmas and Zetas are official brother & sister organizations.

****
ONE MORNING (Example #2)
I woke up one morning and what did I see?
Three mighty founders of PHI B. E.
They touched heart and they touched my soul.
They said oh don't you pledge that black and gold.

They touched my mouth and they touched my eye
and said oh don't you pledge no K-A-Psi.

Now they looked me down form my head to my shoe
and said you sho don't want to be no Que.

Now I'm walking down that Sigma Street.
I saw some Zetas they were looking at me.
I looked to my left and I looked to my right
and all I could see was that Blue and White.

Now the closer I got to that light you see.
PHI BETA SIGMA was growing in me.

The road is hard to Sigmaland.
Before I got there I had to cross them sands.

Now that I've crossed those burning sand.

I can say I am a SIGMA MAN!!!!
- http://pbsthetaalpha.tripod.com/chants.html
-snip-
This is a Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. chant

*On the website from which this chant was taken, the "Zetas" in the chant was given as "Xetas". "Zetas" are the Sigma's official sister group. The colors for both this fraternity & this sorority are Royal Blue & Pure White.

****
PROBATE MAN
When I was a probate man
trying to find my way across the burning sands
come on brothers and rescue me
RELEASE! ME! FROM! MY! MISERY!
i said i oweeeeeeeeeeee
my lifeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
to SIGMA whooooo!
S-I-G-M-A!
I owe! I owe my life!
- http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:3hmPQ4Qtk7wJ:pbsthe, retrieved on September 30, 2010
-snip-
This is a Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. chant.

*****
Q, R

****
S, T
SCROLLERS, (Example #1)
I was looking for the name of this but I kouldn't find it. This is the chant a Brother from "O.G." gave us:

Brothers.....
I don't know,
I don't know if I can make it into Kappa Alpha Psi
OHHHHHHHHHHHH, Big Brother said we couldn't make it,
Huhhh, but we got a big surprise
We're gonna cross those burning sands
we're gonna make into Kappa Alpha Psi
OHHHHHHHHHHH"
-K_I_A_Nupe (Tampa, Florida), http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=99226&page=2 Kappa/Scroller Chants, January 8, 2009
-snip-
I used the title "Brothers", but I'm not sure what the title of this chant actually is.

This is a Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. chant.

**
SCROLLERS (Example #2)
Yup. We did the same chant as scrollers down here @GL with a few substituted words. (Gamma Lamda) Huston-Tillotson University.

Scrollers
I don't know, I don't know if we can make it over
Scrollers, I don't know if we can make it into Kappa Alpha Psi.
OHHHHHHHH, if we can make it into Kappa Alpha Psi
Big Brother said, we wouldn't make it
but we got a big suprise
we're going to cross those burning sands alive
we're going to make it into Kappa Alpha Psi
Kappachino3Klub (Texas), http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=99226&page=2 "Kappa/Scroller Chants", January 8, 2009

**
SOUL STEPPING SISTERS OF DST
The song we sing goes like this:

Who are we?
My Sisters and me
we are the Soul Stepping Sorors
of DST!

We have strived
and crossed the sands
over into Delta Sigma 
Theta Land

Step by step
my Delta Sorors

Step by step
for DST
Step by step
my Delta Sorors
step by step for DST

 

(The sopranos go

We are the SOul STepping Sorors of DST
We are the SOUl STepping Sorors of DST...

(This continues while the remaining Sorors sing Who are we...and is repeated 4 times, then everyone joins back into Wo are we)
-Beauty1913, Location: Chicago, Il USA, 10-07-2001,
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=10669

**
STAY STRONG
It’s a long hard road to Omegaland.
Do you think that I will see you
on the other side?

Are you really worthy
of the land of the purple and the gold?
Will you succeed?
Will you cross the burning sands?
Are you worthy?
It’s a long hard road to Omega.
See it through.
Impress me.
-Anonymous, from notes in Q Pearl book, 1991 Edinboro University (Pennsylvania),
posted by Azizi Powell on cocojams.com [Pancocojams' editor: cocojams.com was my cultural website from 2001 to 2014 which I voluntarily deactivated.]
-snip-
Read my comments for the chant entitled "Impress Me".

****
U, V

****
W, X
WHO ARE WE
Who are we
My sisters and me
We are the soul steppin sorors
Of DST.
We came here
Across the sands
Over into Delta Sigma Theta land.
-anonymous, from memory of Slippery Rock University step show (Pennsylvania late 1990s, early 2000s), posted on cocojams.com 

****
Y, Z
YOU GOT TO PLEDGE HARD
You got to pledge hard, to cross those burning sands,
You got to pay the price, to be an I-Phi Man.
I was walking along the streets one day, when I heard the word of an I-Phi Man -
HE SAID ..
Iota is Great!
HE SAID ...
Iota is Grand!
HE SAID ...
Everybody loves an I-Phi Man!
-http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/23438997/2029917769/name/chants_songs%5B2%5, "Iota Phi Theta, Fraternity song book, retrieved 1/2/2013

****
ADDENDUM- FOUNDING DATES FOR THE BGLO DIVINE NINE
From http://www.blackgreek.com/divinenine/
"There are nine historically Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs) that make up the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Collectively, these organizations are referred to as "The Divine Nine." Each of these fraternities and sororities is rich in history - ties to one or more of these organizations may be found in many college-educated Black families in the United States.
•Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Founded 1906, Cornell University
•Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Founded 1908, Howard University
•Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Founded 1911, Indiana University
•Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Founded 1911, Howard University
•Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Founded 1913, Howard University
•Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Founded 1914, Howard University
•Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Founded 1920, Howard University
•Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Founded 1922, Butler University
•Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Founded 1963, Morgan State University"
-snip-
Note that the Divine Nine (D9) is not a formal term.
The National Pan-Hellenic Council
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Pan-Hellenic_Council
"The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is a collaborative organization of nine historically African American, international Greek lettered fraternities and sororities...

The council promotes interaction through forums, meetings and other mediums for the exchange of information and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions."

****
ADDENDUM -THE SHRINER'S RITUAL "CROSSING THE HOT SANDS (OR THE BURNING SANDS)
Note that "crossing the hot sands" (or "crossing the burning sands") is also a Shriner's ritual. (http://forum.mastermason.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4425 "What are the hot sands?"

It's important to note that Bglos (Black Greek letter organizations) are not affiliated with any Freemasonry organization, including the Prince Hall Shriners or any other organization of Shriners."

****
ADDENDUM -BLACK GREEK LETTER ORGANIZATION FORMER CUSTOMS OF PLEDGING/HAZING
2015 marks twenty-five years after pledging/hazing was prohibited by all of the Divine Nine (D9)* fraternities and sororities. However, from reading online discussions such as "What is skating?" [archive] http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/archive/index.php/t-90475.html [hereafter given as Greekchat-skating], it's clear that the old skool ways of pledging historically Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities are still very highly valued and are still very widely practiced underground (in secret). Pledging/hazing contines in spite of its illegality (as indicated by those organization's national offices), and in spite of the very real dangers of serious physical injuries and deaths that continue to result from those pledging/hazing processes. As reflected in the comments and chants that I've read online, many members of Bglos still "pledge" lines (groups of people) although doing so could cause them and those people to be banned banned by those organizations' national office if those underground activities became known. And chants that mention or allude to "paper", "skating" or "sliding" into these organizations make it abundantly clear that the Bglo membership intake process and those who are initiated into D9 organizations by way of that process are largely viewed with considerable disgust and disdain.

This post isn't meant to explore the reasons for that. However, I believe that those attitudes won't change by citing injury & death statistics, or amounts that national has to pay because of lawsuits, and/or by threatening to ban those who don't comply with prohibitions on pledging/hazing. In addition to those things, I believe that historically Black Greek letter organizations should seriously consider why pledging the old way was/is so valued, and reform the membership intake process so that it can be both safe and valued.

For the record, I went over (became a member) of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Inc. (Gamma Zeta chapter) in 1966. That said, I became inactive shortly after crossing over (becoming a member), and I've been inactive since then.

****
Added excerpt- Feb. 2, 2024

https://www.ebony.com/burning-sands-hazing/ Burning Sands Hazing, Ebony Magazine
By Syreeta Greene, Suzette Cole and Rasheed Cromwell  | March 15, 2017
"The new film Burning Sands on Netflix has ignited the Black Greek-Letter Organization (BGLO) community into a flurry of conversations about the film’s message, intent, and content. Does it expose the secret (or not so secret) “underground” pledging-hazing new member process? Is it another way to focus on the negative aspects of BGLOs? Is it an accurate portrayal of hazing in Black fraternities? Is this film condoning and supporting hazing?

What is apparent is that discussing hazing as it relates to historical, prominent and influential organizations that promote brotherhood/sisterhood, scholarship, service, and leadership is challenging. People who believe in the positives of these organizations do not always want to believe that hazing could actually take place in or by these organizations. How does one promote racial uplift in the Black community, but then turn around and physically abuse someone? Does discussing hazing in public spaces somehow air BGLO’s dirty laundry that is already on a clothesline viewed by all?

Hazing behaviors are complex issues that cannot be resolved with one solution. Additionally, one movie cannot and does not deal with the nuances involved with these issues.  Remember, movies are for entertainment purposes. Accordingly, Burning Sands should be viewed through a proper lens."...

****

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Historically Black Greek Letter Fraternities Or Sororities Songs & Chants That Are Adaptations Of Spirituals Or Black Gospel Songs

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post compiles text examples of some historically Black Greek letter fraternities or sororities songs and chants that have an African American Spiritual or a Black Gospel* songs as the source of their tune and the source of some of their lyrics.

*All Spirituals were composed before the end of the United States Civil War and it appears to me that all of these Gospel sources for BGLO (Black Greek Letter Organization) songs and chants that I've identified are "early Black Gospel songs (usually in the early or mid 20th century).

BGLO songs and chants that are adaptations of Spirituals or Black Gospel songs are usually inspirational and (group) bragging songs. Some of these fraternity songs may include disses (insults) of the four other Black Greek letter fraternities that are members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council** (NPHC, colloquial known as "The Divine Nine"). Also, some of these sorority songs may also include disses (insults) of the three other Black Greek letter fraternities that are members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC, colloquial known as "The Divine Nine")

**Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Pan-Hellenic_Council for a list of the sororities and fraternities that are members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council.

Probates (the formal introduction of new members of their Greek letter organization to the public) are one of the main events when these types of BGLO songs and chants that are performed during stepping routines.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who have composed, and/or performed the examples that are featured in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

Special thanks to Brian A. Jackson, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.(Beta Chapter, Howard University, Spring 1990). Brian A Jackson shared a number of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity songs and chants with me (via my now inactive cocojams.com cultural website) and gave me permission to post examples of Alpha Phi Alpha songs & chants on Cocojams.com. (March 2010). At that time, Brian A. Jackson was the Vice President of the Xi Nu Lambda Grad Chapter in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and had been collecting Alpha Phi Alpha songs and chants over the last 20 years. Examples from this collection are indicated by the notation "Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection".
-snip-
Most of the content of this pancocojams post was published in a 2016 pancocojams post entitled "Spirituals As Sources For Black Fraternity & Sororities Songs & Chants". That post had no comments and has been deleted and replaced with this post. 

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/03/examples-of-historically-black.html for Part I of a seven part pancocojams series of examples of historically Black Greek letter organization chants and songs.

****

DISCLAIMER
This compilation isn't meant to be a comprehensive listing of all historically Black Greek letter  organization songs and chants that are adaptations of Spirituals or Gospel songs (i.e. that have a religious song as the source of their tune and some of their lyrics.)

This compilation only includes examples that are relatively "family friendly". With the exception of the word "damn", any profanity that is found in these examples is given with amended spelling. 

This post is part of my ongoing informal research to document and share examples of historically Black Greek letter fraternity and sorority culture. Black Greek letter organizations' adaptations of religious songs are part of the cultural traditions that I believe should be preserved, documented.

Additional pancocojams posts on Black fraternity and sororities songs and chants can be found by clicking the tags that are found at the end of this post.

For the cultural and folkloric record, please add to this compilation by sharing examples of these songs that you know (along with information about when and where you learned them and what BGLO they are a part of.).Thanks in advance.

****


*Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/03/examples-of-historically-black.html for the first page of pancocojams' compilation entitled "Examples of Black fraternity and sorority songs and chants". That page includes links for six other pages in that compilation. Multiple example of a specific chant may be found on that page.

****
HISTORICALLY BLACK GREEK ORGANIZATION GUIDELINES ABOUT WHO SHOULD PERFORM THESE SONGS AND CHANTS
In accordance with historically Black Greek letter organizations' traditions and guidelines, only people associated with those specific organizations should sing, chant, and perform these compositions.

****
A, B

ALPHA TRAIN (also known as "Traveling") - (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.)
Spiritual source - African American Spirituals that refer to the Gospel train such as "Get On Board, Little Children" and I'm Going Home On The Morning Train".

R&B source : The Impressions, "Keep On Pushing", 1964

ALPHA TRAIN (also known as "Traveling")
Alpha train is slowly coming
To keep on pushing,
If you hurry you might get on it;
Got to keep on pushing,
Got my ticket right in my hand;
Got to keep on pushing.
Soon we'll be in Alpha land;
Got to keep on pushing,
This train we're waiting for is black and gold.
We're in love with dear old Alpha
No time for looking back...
A Phi A
-Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection, permission granted to post on Cocojams.com received on 3/20/2010
-snip-
Editor's Note: All of the examples from the Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection are given as they were sent to me for posting on my no longer active cultural blog cocojams.com website.

I wonder if the word "to" in the second line is a typo for the word "so".

Brian A. Jackson sent these examples to cocojams.com of his own volition, without any prior request. My sincere thanks to him and to all others who sent in examples of fraternity/sorority songs and chants to cocojams.com.

Here's part of an email that I received from Brian A. Jackson in response to my question about the source of these Alpha chants: "Some of the 'older' ones probably did come from other sources. I know many of them came from old Negro spirituals as well. Some came from the military also."...
-snip-
"Negro" is an old, no longer used referent for the population now known as "African American".

When I voluntarily deactivated my multi-page Cocojams website, I retrieved as much content as I could and eventually reposted much of it on pancocojams and my other Google blogs. By that time I had lost contact with Brian A Jackson and was therefore unable to ask his permission to repost elsewhere the content he had given me permission to post on cocojams. Since this 2026 post is a reprint of a 2016 pancocojams post, and I haven't heard from him, with any concerns about that reposting, I'm assuming that I have his permission to include these examples from his collection. Thanks again Brian A Jackson. 

****
C, D

DEEP IN MY HEART (Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.)
Spiritual sources:
"I don't know what you've been told/But the best of the colors are blue and gold" - is from the Spiritual floating verse "I don't know but I've been told/the streets of heaven are paved with gold" that is found in a number of Spirituals such as "Morning Train” (also known as “I’m Goin Home On The Morning train”) and "Ride On King Jesus".

[Pancocojams readers, please share other examples of Spirituals with this floating verse. Thanks!]

Note: Floating verses in African American Spirituals are also found in a number of different genres including military cadences, work songs (such as track lining songs), R&B songs, and children's rhymes.

**
Spiritual source for the lyrics "Deep in my heart" - the Spiritual (early African American Gospel song?) "Deep Down In My Heart"

Click http://www.authentichistory.com/1600-1859/3-spirituals/1926_Deep_Down_In_My_Heart-WM_Givens.html for a sound file of a 1926 rendition of this Spiritual (or early African American Gospel).


DEEP IN MY HEART
I've got Sigma to the left of me
Gamma to the right of me
Rho to the back of me

S-I-G-M-A
G-A-M-M-A
R-H-O

I don't know what you've been told
But the best of the colors are blue and gold

Deep in my heart
I love SG...Rho
Deep in my heart
I love SG...Rho
Deep in my heart
I love SG...Rho
Deep in my heart
I love SG...Rho
I love, love, love, love SGRho.

[repeat entire song]
-Black Greek Soundz CD; my transcription from a 1990-1999 Black Greek Soundz CD as found in the Jack Horntip Collection, used with permission.

This is probably four independent songs/chants that are performed by this sorority.

****
E, F

****
G, H

GIVE ME THAT OLD ALPHA SPIRIT (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.)
Spiritual source - "Give Me That Old Time Religion".


GIVE ME THAT OLD ALPHA SPIRIT
Give me that Old Alpha Spirit
Give me that Old Alpha Spirit
Give me that oooooooold Alpha Spirit.
It's good enough for me.

It was good for Brother [insert Jewel last name]
It was good for Brother [insert Jewel last name]
It was gooooood for Brother [insert Jewel last name]
It's good enough for me.
-Brian A Jackson; Alpha Phi Alpha collection; permission granted to post on Cocojams.com 3/20/2010

****
GO DOWN (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.)
Spiritual source- "Go Down Moses)

GO DOWN
Go Down, Brother
Way down to Egypt Land

Tell the people
The light has come.

(Back in 06)
Back in 06
Many years ago

7 Black men
Couldn't take no more

They professed to have seen the light
The Light Of The World

They journeyed to
The motherland

Where they crossed
Those burning sands

Marching onward
They had to see

Just what
The end would bring
(What the end would bring)
-Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection, permission granted to post on Cocojams.com, 3/20/2010

****
HUSH HUSH SOMEBODY'S CALLIN YOUR NAME (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.)
Spiritual source: "Hush Hush Somebody's Callin My Name"

HUSH HUSH SOMEBODY CALLIN YOUR NAME
Hush Hush somebody callin' your name
Hush Hush somebody callin' your name
Hush Hush somebody callin' your name
Oh my Lord, Oh my Lord, what shall we do.
-snip-
The lyrics for the Spiritual are "somebody's callin my name and "what shall I do.


AKA "Sweet" Mu Pi Chapter Fall 2K10 Probate



James Francis, Published on Nov 25, 2010
AKA Probate

****
I, J

i DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'VE BEEN TOLD  (Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. song] Example #1

Spiritual source- floating verse "I don't know but I've been told/The streets of heaven are paved with gold"

i don't know
what you've been told
but the REAL pretty girls
wear the blue and gold

EE-YIP
-RHOyal-Silence (Augusta, Georgia), 2/22/2001,  https://greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=6876 "Chants"

****

i DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'VE BEEN TOLD  (Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. song] Example #2

Spiritual source- floating verse "I don't know but I've been told/The streets of heaven are paved with gold"

I don't know what you been told

But the streets of heaven are rhoyal blue and gold.

And if you get to heaven and can't get in

That's because Peter and Paul are Kappa men.

Sigma Love

I love my S.

I love my S.

I love my S G Rho!

EE-YIP, EE-YIP, EE-YIP!

(repeat)
-mpsgr22 (Richton Park, Illinois), 
3/12/2001,  https://greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=6876 "Chants"
-snip-
Members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. have a special connection that is referred to as "Indiana love". That's because Sigma Gamma Rho was founded on the Butler University campus in Indianapolis, Indiana and Kappa Alpha Psi was founded at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. 

****

I KNOW I'VE BEEN CHANGED (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.)
Spiritual source for the four lines given below beginning with "I know I've been changed" - the Spiritual entitled "I Know I've Been Changed"

Spiritual source for "on this Alpha train" - Spirituals that mention the "Gospel train"

I KNOW I'VE BEEN CHANGED (video) [Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. song]

Zeta Phi Beta- Long Island Tribute



Uploaded on Dec 22, 2006

A tribute to my SOOO SWEEEEET Sorors of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Long Island Undergraduate Chapters. "I'm not just a Zeta, I'm a LONG ISLAND Zeta!"
-snip-
This sound file includes a series of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. songs including that a version of that sorority's "I Know I've Been Changed" (at .19 - 1.20)

An adapted version of "I Know I've Been Changed" is often sung as part of a sorority's or fraternity's probate (program). In the context of fraternities and sororities a "probate" (noun) is a program in which new members of that organization are first introduced to other members of the organization and to the general public. Here's a comment from that Zeta Phi Beta sound file's viewer comment thread:

lover7gurl, 2011
"I Know I've Been Changed" is the song we came out on at my probate! I bleed blue and white!!! Z Phi to all of my sophisticated sorors!!!

Spr. 2010
Tre Club
Sigma Mu
Columbus, MS"

**
I KNOW I'VE BEEN CHANGED  [Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. song]
I know I've been changed
I know I've been changed
I know I've been changed
The big brothers done changed my name.

On this Alpha train
On this Alpha train
I've been pledgin and I'll never be the same
Sons of Alpha are we
One in love and charity
Let our thought of sadness fly
For our own, our Alpha Phi.
Courage brothers banded we
All through life 'till eternity.
Let our hearts in* joyous praise
Sing of Alpha through endless days.

Way down in the jungle deep
Burning sands scorching my feet
Pyramids touching the sky
I'm pledgin' Alpha till the day I die
Been on line pledgin' for days
Put aside my selfish ways
Feel it deep down in my soul
My butt is burnin' and I want to be ice cold.
Own my life, and take my pride
Wood me up on my backside
Pledge me anyway you can
For when I cross I'll be an Alpha man.
-Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection (Gamma Iota Chapter Traditional Song, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.), 4/18/2010, used with permission and given as it was sent to me.
-snip-
Pancocojams' editor- This example from the Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection probably combines more than one independent song/chant which may have been sung together.

I contacted Brian A. Jackson to ask him if the song posted above was actually three different songs that were sung one right after the other. Mr. Jackson responded to my email with the following comments:
"I have not heard it nor sung it, but I believe that is the full song. Its a song that is sung while they are Sphinxmen so "On this Alpha train" refers to them being on the way to Alpha...

****
I LOOKED OVER JORDAN [Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. chant]
Spiritual Source - "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" (lyrics: "I looked over Jordan and what did I see")


I LOOKED OVER JORDAN
I looked over Jordan, and what did I see
I saw Kappa Alpha Psi looking up at me
I said, "Tell me Nupe, what do you say?"
He said "Damn I shoulda pledged that A Phi A"
I looked over Jordan, and what did I see
I saw Omega Psi Phi looking up at me
I said tell me Que, to save your soul,
Why did you steal the PHI and Old Gold
I looked over Jordan, and what did I see
I saw Phi Beta Sigma looking up at me
I said "Tell me Blue, what do you see?"
"I see Alpha Phi Alpha shining brighter than me"
Cause we're the ICE COLD brothers of A Phi A
And pledging our frat is the only way!
-ColdFront06, http://www.stophazing.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000243, Frat/Soror Chants, 9/28/2005

Note: This blogger also posted this same example on http://onolympus.proboards.com/thread/1471, Feb 29, 2008

****
IN THE BEGINNING [Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. chant]
 "I don't know what you've been told/But the streets of heaven are rhoyal blue and gold" has its source in the floating verse "I don't know but I've been told/the streets of heaven are paved with gold". That verse is found in a number of Spirituals.

IN THE BEGINNING
In the Beginning
Yes, in the beginning there were only two.
Yes, Eve was Delta and Yes Adam was a Que.
But they messed up and what do you know
To fix it-was KAPsi and SGRho.
I don't know what you been told
But the streets of heaven are rhoyal blue and gold.
And if you get to heaven and can't get in
That's because Peter and Paul are Kappa men.
- http://ms_quiet.tripod.com/chants.html, retrieved 12/8/2012
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/03/examples-of-historically-black_17.html for an Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity version of this chant from Lawrence C. Ross, Jr., author of The Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities. That version doesn't include the "I don't know but I've been told..." verse. Adam and Eve are obviously the names of the first man and woman in the Christian Bible.

****
K, L

****
M. N

MAKE WAY THE QUE TRAIN IS COMING [Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. song]
Spiritual source/s - Spirituals about the Gospel train such as "Good News. Chariot Comin", 

Make way the Q train is comin
Make way the Q train is comin
Make way the Q train is comin
And you don’t want to be left behind.
- words sung with chanted interjections; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Clo2cLue28o
-snip-
I also heard Ques sing this song in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania step shows in the 1990s.
-snip-
Make Way...the Que train is coming.....BETA chapter 2013 entering the circle



Clyde Ashley Sherman, Published on Sep 15, 2013

****
N, O

****
P, Q

****
R, S

SAID I WASN'T GOING TO TELL NOBODY [Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. chant]
Spiritual Source- "Said I Wasn't Gonna Tell Nobody"

SAID I WASN'T GOING TO TELL NOBODY
Said I wasn't going to tell nobody
A Phi A A Phi A
But listen people I've got to shout it
A Phi A A Phi A

The Kappas and the Sigmas
They got some soul:
A Phi A A Phi A
But they just can't compare
with the black and gold.

So listen Q's you'd better step aside.
But a lot of Q's didn't and a lot of Q's died.
Oh, A Phi A A Phi A
(Repeat twice)
-Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection, permission granted to post on Cocojams.com, 3/20/2010
-snip-
This is how that example was sent in to my no longer active cocojams.com website. It may be a combination of three songs/chants that were sung at the same time.

****
T, U

THIS TRAIN (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority)
Spiritual or Early Gospel source song - "This Train Is Bound For Glory"
-snip-
This train don't carry no Zetas.
This train.
This train don't carry no Zetas
This train.
No.
This train just carries the Akas
The [name of chapter] of Alpha Kappa Alpha
This train.

This train don't carry no Sigmas.
[Sing same words as above but substitute the word "Sigmas".]

This train don't carry no Deltas.
[Sing same words as above but substitute the word "Sigmas".]
-online source https://www.wattpad.com/44876415-alpha-hard-greek-life-our-night
-snip-
Alpha Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated 63 P.R.O.D.I.G.Y. AKA
Spring 2009-7



hudrmodel, Uploaded on Apr 16, 2009

Alpha Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated 63 P.R.O.D.I.G.Y. AKA Spring 2009
-snip-
Decledra Corbett, 2016
@jbbullard1992 : This train don't carry no sigmas this train. This train don't carry no zetas this train. This train don't carry no deltas this train. This train just cares* the alpha. The lovely alpha chapter of alpha kappa alpha. This train just carries the AKA** this train!!! This is the whole chant!!
-snip-
*"cares" is a typo for "carries"

**AKAs is pronounced "ah kahs" in this song.

****
V, W

WADE IN THE WATER (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority song)
Spiritual source - "Wade In The Water"

WADE IN THE WATER - DST100- Wade in the Water



Jami E, Jan 14, 2013 -snip-
Based on comments in this video's discussion thread, this chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is from Clark Atlanta University.  The other YouTube examples of this song that I've found have also been from Clark Atlanta University.

I haven't found any lyrics to this song online and have only been able to transcript the chorus (that is consistent in each of the online YouTube examples that I've found.

Here are those lyrics (Additions and corrections are welcome.)
"Wade in the water
Wade in the water, sorors
Wading in the water
Wading in the water for DST".

****
WALKING 'CROSS THE YARD (Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority song)
[The line "I don't know, but I been told" etc. is a floating verse that is found in a number of Spirituals].

I was walking 'cross the yard
Just the other day;
I heard girl say in a funny way,
She said "I don't know, but I've been told,
That the baddest thing around is the blue and the gold."
So I tapped her on the shoulder and she turned around.
I said "Don't you utter another sound."
Let me tell you about the blue; let me tell you about the gold-
BLACK, BEAUTIFUL, and BOLD!
mpsgr22 (Richton Park, Illinois), 3/12/2001, https://greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=6876 "Chants"

****
WE ARE SORORS (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority)
early Gospel song source - "We Are Soldiers"
-snip-
"We are Sorors and we’re striving
We have to work
Sometimes we have to cry (we have to cry)
We have to hold on to Alpha Kappa Alpha,
And we’ll keep holding on until we die."
-snip-

AKAs Setting up-HOWARD UNIVERSITY 2014



Adande Piggott, Published on Jan 15, 2014

-snip-
Here's a comment from another YouTube video of AKAs' neophytes (new members) singing this adapted religious song suggest that it was sung at least twenty years ago:

gotmypearls, 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVxOO7FkClI
"20 years later and this song still gives me chills..."

****
WE LOVE OMEGA - [Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. song]
The Spiritual source of the verses "so high you can't get over it...etc...You must go through the door- Spiritual "My Lord Is So High
-snip-
WE LOVE OMEGA*
Lead – Well, we love
Group- We love Omega
Lead – Oh we love
Group- We love Omega
Lead- Ooh we love
Group- We love Omega
Lead and Group - Because it’s deep down in our heart
We said it’s deeper, deeper, deeper, deeper
down, down down ,down
Deep down in our hearts
We said it’s deeper, deeper, deeper, deeper
Down, down down down
Deep down in our hearts
Lead – Omega’s so high
Group- So high you can’t get over it
Lead- Omega’s so low
Group- so low you can’t get under it
Lead &Group- Omega’s so
Lead and Group – wide
Lead & Group -You must go through that door
-snip-
*I'm not sure if this is the actual title of this song.
Transcription by Azizi Powell from the video. Additions and corrections are welcome.
-snip-
Omega Psi Phi Songs - Terrible x3 Tau Lambda Lambda Chapter



KingJames432, Uploaded on Nov 17, 2009

Neos setting owt some songs on their initiation... and NO.. they will never wear that much 'nalia at the same time again lol. Their voices were a bit hoarse.
-snip-
This featured song is #2 in this video [begins at 1:46]

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/04/darling-omega-song-two-other-omega-psi.html for a pancocojams post that features this song and other Omega Psi Phi Fraternity songs.

Here's a partial statement from the summary of another video that is included in that post and is from that same event:"The '70s Bruhs would always woo the women with their vocal abilities... passing down the tradition"

***
WHO'S THAT KNOCKING AT MY DOOR (Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc chant)
Spiritual Source- "Somebody's Knockin At Your Door"
-snip-
WHO'S THAT KNOCKIN AT THE DOOR
Who's that knockin at the door
Well it's the Ques.
We're gonna break it on down.

[Repeat several times.]
-posted by Azizi Powell, heard at various step shows in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1990s

****
X,Y,Z

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Song "When I Was A Little Girl" (videos & lyrics)

taywill78, Jan 31, 2009

Alpha Kappa Aka on founders day in 08 at UF..shout out to Andre S.
-snip-
"UF" = University of Florida

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases two YouTube videos of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.'s song
"When I Was A Little Girl". 

This post includes my attempt to transcribe the lyrics for that song as sung in Showcase Video #1.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the composers of Alpha Kappa Alpha's versions of "When I Was A Little Girl" and thanks to  all those who are featured in the YouTube videos that are embedded in this post and thanks to the publishers of those videos on YouTube. 
-snip-
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is the first historically Black Greek letter sorority. That sorority was founded at Howard University in 1906.

Click the tag below for other pancocojams posts about Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Also, read the lyrics for a very similar Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. song and click the tag below for other pancocojams post about Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.  

****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
Lpaha Kappa Alpha Sorority's song "When I Was A Little Girl" brags about being a member of that historically Black Greek letter sorority and disses (insults) membership in any other historically Black Greek letter sorority. 

I don't think that my transcription of the lyrics for this song is correct. I know that the song disses being a "Delta" (a member of "Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.", or being a "Sigma" (a member of "Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.", or being a "Zeta", (a member of Zeta Phi Beta" Sorority Inc.).

The only two online sources that I've come across to date for this song are given as "Showcase Video #1 from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the University of Florida in 2008 and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Beta Alpha Chapter from FAMU 2016. 

These two videos of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's "When I Was A Little Girl" song are sung in an up tempo manner while standing in place and performing accompanying movements (not stepping or strolling) . 

I wonder if Alpha Kappa Alpha' Sorority's versions of "When I Was A Little Girl" is an adaptation of the  English language pop song "Que Sera Sera" tt sorority's versions of "When I Was A Little Gurl"? (Is the English language song "Que Sera Sera ("Whatever Will Be Will Be" that was written in 1955 and  popularized in 1956 by Doris Day.

Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Que_Sera,_Sera_(Whatever_Will_Be,_Will_Be) 
for information about that song

I'm interested in documenting when (year/decade) and where (which AKA chapter) versions of the song  "When I Was A Little Girl" was first sung by members of Alphra Kappa Alpha Sorority.

I'm also interested in finding out if any other historically Black Greek letter sorority or fraternity and/or any other university based sorority or fraternity sings adapted versions of this "When I Was A Little Girl" song. if so,  who, when, and where was those versions of that song first sung and what are the lyrics to those versions?

 Please share any information about this song or songs in the comment section below. Thanks in advance.

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #2

Sharayne, MFT, Jun 18, 2016

Alpha Kappa Alpha Beta Alpha Chapter from FAMU Singing After Spring 2016 Graduation
-snip-
This song begins at .018 in this video.

****
LYRICS - WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL
(as sung by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.)*

 When I was a little girl

My momma said to me
[some of the sorors say “She said”]

I was a Delta
A Sigma you should be
I said “No no mama

That ain’t the way

AKA is the only way

A KA KA KA KA 
A KA KA KA K AKA

When I was a little girl

my momma said to me

[some of the sorors say “She said”]

I was a Delta

A Zeta you should be

I said “No no mama

That ain’t the way

AKA is the only way

 A KA KA KA KA 
A KA KA KA K AKA

When I was a little girl

my momma said to me

[some of the sorors say “She said”]

I was an Alpha

An Alpha you should be

I said “Yes Yes  mama

That is the way

AKA is the only way

 A KA KA KA KA 

A KA KA KA K AKA

 

A KA KA KA KA 

A KA KA KA K AKA

-snip-
*This is my transcription of this song as sung in the video given as Showcase Video #1 in this pancocojams post. Additions and corrections are very welcome.

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Information About The Song "Lift Every Voice And Sing" That Is Called "The Black National Anthem" & Why It Is Performed During Super Bowl Halftime

Entertainment Tonight, Feb 8, 2026

Coco Jones belts a powerful rendition of 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' at Super Bowl LX (airing on NBC, Telemundo and Peacock), rocking an outfit that pays tribute to Whitney Houston. The look, designed by Coco and Karl Kani, is a nod to the tracksuit Whitney wore when she sang the National Anthem in 1991.

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a performance of the song "Lift Every Voice And Sing" during Super Bowl half time. "Lift Every Voice And Sing" Is Called "The Black National Anthem".

This post presents the lyrics to "Lift Every Voice And Sing" along with some information about why it has become a tradition to perform that song during the Super Bowl halftime.

In addition, this pancocojams post lists the performers of "Lift Ever Voice And Sing" during Super Bowl halftimes and the year that they performed that song. 

The Addendum to this post showcases a YouTube video of Whitney Houston singing "The Star Spangled Banner" during Super Bowl half time in 1991. Coco Jones, who sang "Lift Every Voice And Sing" at the Super Bowl half time in 2026 designed her dress in tribute to Whitney Houston.  

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to James Weldon Johnson, the composer of "Lift Every Voice And Sing" in 1900 for his musical and cultural legacy. Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
-snip-

Click https://civilrightssongs.blogspot.com/2014/11/lift-every-voice-and-sing-lyrics.html for information, lyrics, and videos of "Lift Every Voice And Sing". "Civil Rights Songs" is another blog that I curate.

****
LYRICS -LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING

(James Weldon Johnson)

Lift every voice and sing,
Till earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the list’ning skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chast’ning rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered.
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past,
Till now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who hast by Thy might,
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,
Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand,
May we forever stand,
True to our God,
True to our native land.
-snip-
From http://www.shmoop.com/lift-every-voice-and-sing/meaning.html
...“Lift Every Voice and Sing” was written by a school principal and first performed by 500 children in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1900.Though unveiled as part of a community celebration in honor of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, the song quickly spread outside the community of Jacksonville. Within a decade, black school children across America were singing the song, and in 1919, the recently formed National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) adopted “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as its official song. Today, the song is frequently described as the “African American National Anthem.”

****
WHY "LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING" IS PERFORMED DURING THE SUPER BOWL HALF TIME 
From https://www.nbcdfw.com/super-bowl/coco-jones-black-national-anthem-super-bowl/3980493/

Grammy winner Coco Jones sang the tune ahead of the Super Bowl on Sunday.

By NBC Staff • Published February 8, 2026 • Updated on February 8, 2026
" "Lift ev'ry voice and sing," a song often called the Black national anthem, was sung before the Super Bowl for the sixth year in a row Sunday.

This year, Grammy winner and former Disney child star Coco Jones had the honor of singing the song before America's big game.

The inclusion of the Black national anthem, along with "The Star Spangled Banner" and "America The Beautiful," has been met with both praise and criticism.

But the tradition continues nonetheless.

[...]

Why is the Black national anthem sung before the Super Bowl?

The NFL began having a singer perform "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" before the Super Bowl in 2020, in the wake of racial and social justice protests in the United States following the death of George Floyd.

At the time, the NFL committed to singing the Black national anthem before the "Star Spangled Banner" ahead of every NFL game during Week 1 of that season.

What is the Black national anthem and why is it important?

"Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" was originally written as a poem by James Weldon Johnson, but his brother J. Rosamond, turned it into music. The song was performed for the first time in 1900, not long after it was written.

The NAACP dubbed “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as the Black national anthem in 1919, more than a decade before "The Star Spangled Banner" was named the national anthem.

The song quickly became a popular song during the civil rights movement, and was even sung by crowds following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963.”…

****
AI OVERVIEW - HOW OFTEN HAS "LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING" BEEN PERFORMED DURING SUPER BOWL HALFTIME?

AI Overview

"Lift Every Voice and Sing" has been performed at the Super Bowl for six consecutive years, starting in 2021 and continuing through 2026. The song, often referred to as the Black national anthem, has become a regular pre-game performance to promote social justice and diversity.

Performers by Year:

2026 (Super Bowl LX): Coco Jones

2025 (Super Bowl LIX): Ledisi

2024 (Super Bowl LVIII): Andra Day

2023 (Super LVII): Sheryl Lee Ralph

2022 (Super Bowl LVI): Mary Mary

2021 (Super Bowl LV): Alicia Keys (pre-recorded)

****

ADDENDUM - Whitney Houston - Star Spangled Banner (National Anthem) - Super Bowl 1991 - 4K REMASTERED

WhitneyandMariahRemasters, Premiered Jan 7, 2024

[...]

I edited the video and took me more than 4 weeks for that. Also, I edited the color, put more bright, and I upscale the video to a 4k60fps quality. I also, edited the audio to make something a little new that is different from youtube. I don't want money, all the rights belong to Sony Music. I also gonna credit the owners by putting the link to buy the official CD: **** Thanks for visiting pancocojams. Visitor comments are welcome.