Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part III of a three part pancocojams series on the 1979 award winning theater production "When Hell Freezes Over, I'll Skate".
Part III showcases the song "When Hell Freezes over I'll Skate" from the play with that name. The lyrics for that song are included in this post along with my thoughts about what that title/idiom means.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/03/information-about-youtube-video-of-1979.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. Part I presents information about this theater production and includes the full YouTube video of this play.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/03/showcasing-three-love-poems-love-song.html for Part II of this series. Part II showcases three love poems from "When Hell Freezes Over, I'll Skate"; "Benign Neglect", "I Thought You knew", and "It's time". Part II also showcases the song "You Get Into Me With Your Touch" which is performed immediately after that third poem.
Thanks to Vinnette Carroll, who conceived and directed "When Hell Freezes Over, I'll Skate" and thanks to all those who starred in that production or were associated with that production. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
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SHOWCASE VIDEO: When Hell Freezes Over, I'll Skate (1979 Stage Play Drama)
TheeSymphony85'AliveAgain Channel, Published on May 17, 2018
This lively, spirit-lifting musical celebrates the sheer-joy----and----survival---of black music, song and poetry since the days of America's Civil War. With utter grace and ease, the gifted eight-member singing ensemble glides from gospel to disco and from slave quarter sermons to contemporary black poetry. Stars Tony winners Cleavant Derricks and Lynne Thigpen.
Starring: Cleavant Derricks, Lynne Thigpen, Clinton Derricks-Carroll,, Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter, Marilyn Winbush, Brenda Braxton, Lynne Clifton-Allen, Reginald VelJohnson. Directed by Vinnette Carrol & Emile Ardolino.
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The portion of this video that is highlighted in this post begins is shown at 47:58 - 51:24
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LYRICS FOR THE SONG: "WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER, I'LL SKATE"
[Prelude]
[woman's voice] So here we stand on the edge of hell in Harlem
and look out on the world
and wonder what we gonna do
In the face of what we remember.
[Leader] Inflation is on the rise
Let’s find ah solution quick
Everything is sky high
and God help you if you get sick.
My landlord is on my back
because my rent is late.
Well, you can’t get blood
from a turnip bulb.
So when hell freezes over,
I’ll skate.
[Group] - When hell freezes over, that’s when I skate [2x]
[Leader]- Yeeeeah, y’all
[Leader] You say I’m not satisfied.
Well, I must agree.
I can’t dance to the beat of the band
when the music doesn’t suit me.
You claim that you try to please
and you ask why I demonstrate.
Well, I been too long in your tight squeeze
So when hell freezes over, I’ll skate.
[woman’s voice:]- I’m tired of waiting for the sweet bye and bye
Now I’m gonna strive to make things better.
No more reaching for that pie in the sky
In spite of what you do
I’ll be getting me together.
[Group]- Hey Hey Hey
[Leader] History tells me of your peace with the red nation.
And now I only see them televised or in some reservation.
Hey, it’s not that I don’t want to be friends,
but this one thought carries weight.
Well there’s more buffalos than Indians
So, when hell freezes over I’ll skate.
[Group] When hell freezes over, that’s when I skate [2x]
[Leader] Yeeeeah, ya’ll
[Leader] You say the population is getting a little cramped
Well, I want you to know that I can’t wind up
in some concentration camp.
You’re sending colonies to Mars
and I’m not included in the freight?
Don’t ask for my help
when you’re lost in the stars
‘Cause when hell freezes over, I’ll skate
[All of the women in the group] I’m tired of waiting for the sweet bye and bye
Now I’m gonna strive to make things better.
No more reaching for that pie in the sky
In spite of what you do
I’ll be getting me together.
[Group]- Hey Hey Hey
I can’t go into a store
without being depressed.
It seems I’m taking in much more
And bringing out less.
Yu ask how do I stay so slim
How do I watch my weight
I can’t help to be slim
with the shape that I’m in
So when hell freezes over, I’ll skate
[Group] When hell freezes over
That’s when I’ll skate [2x]
[Leader] Yeah, y’all
[Leader] I’m so tired of empty promises
I really done lost my cool
And, speaking of promises,
Where’s my forty acres and my mule?
Still you have the gall to ask me
Why am I being so irate
Well, when I’m content with the establishment
When hell freezes over I’ll skate
[Group] When hell freezes over, that’s when I skate [multiple times]
[Leader]- Yeeeeah, y’all
[Group] Wnen hell freezes over
[Group & Leader] WE'LL SKATE!
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*This is my transcription of this song from this video. Additions and corrections are welcome.
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According to https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/when%20hell%20freezes%20over, the definition for "when hell freezes over" is an "("informal + impolite) [idiom] used to say that one thinks that something will never happen"
"When Hell Freezes Over, I'll Skate" may be a play on the words "when hell freezes over", however it doesn't have the same meaning.
It's possible that "When hell freezes over, I'll skate" may have been or may still be an idiom that is used by some African Americans and/or other Americans. However, I've never heard or seen "When hell freezes over, I'll skate" apart from the play and song with the same words.
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WHAT "WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER, I'LL SKATE" MEANS
I believe that the song title/idiom* "When hell freezes over, I'll skate" means "being resourceful, creative, and inventive and otherwise doing whatever you need to do to get through crazy and difficult times".
A contemporary American sayings with a similar meaning is "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."
A contemporary African American saying that has a similar meaning is "I'm doing me." (My focus is how something effects me, and not other people). In the context of this song "other people" means "racist White people".
Notice in the video that the play's performers have a determined expression on their face while they imitate the motions of skating on ice.
Here are two specific portions of the song "When Hell Freezes Over, I'll skate" that support my conclusion about the meaning of this title/idiom (with numbers added for referencing purposes only) :
1. "So here we stand on the edge of hell in Harlem
and look out on the world
and wonder what we gonna do
In the face of what we remember.
2. I’m tired of waiting for the sweet bye and bye
Now I’m gonna strive to make things better.
No more reaching for that pie in the sky
In spite of what you do
I’ll be getting me together.
-snip-
"The sweet bye and bye" means "heaven"
"Pie in the sky" means "the reward Christians expect to receive when they die and go to heaven"
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This concludes Part III of this three part series.
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