Three Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Adaptations Of The African American Spiritual "I Know I've Been Changed"

Eddison Arnold May 21, 2020

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Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest edition - December 9, 2024

This pancocojams post showcases several YouTube examples of adaptations of the African American Spiritual "I Know I've Been Changed" by the historical Black Greek letter fraternity Omega Psi Fraternity, Inc. 

The lyrics for some versions of this Omega Psi Phi Fraternity adaptation of this Spiritual are included in this post along with selected comments from one of these YouTube  discussion threads.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the unknown composers of this Spiritual and thanks to all those who are associated with these adaptations and these showcases videos. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.

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Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/12/i-know-ive-been-changed-excerpt-of.html for a pancocojams post about the history of the African American Spiritual "I Know I've Been Changed".

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LYRICS - I KNOW I'VE BEEN CHANGED
(Omega Psi Phi Fraternity adaptation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZiAzdj8w9o Video #1 above)

Refrain:
Soloist:
I know I been changed
I know I been changed
I know I been changed
Omega Psi Phi done signed my name

Soloist and group:
I know I been changed
I know I been changed
I know I been changed
Omega Psi Phi done signed my name

Verse #1
Soloist- If you don’t know that I been redeemed
Group-Omega Psi Phi done signed my name
Soloist-Just follow me down to Omega stream
Group-Omega Psi Phi done signed my name

Verse #2
Soloist-Oh I stepped in the sands and they were not cold
Group-Omega Psi Phi done signed my name
Soloist -They healed my body and warmed my soul
Group-Omega Psi Phi done signed my name

Verse #3
Soloist-Oh, the travel was hard and we crossed the sand
Group-Omega Psi Phi done signed my name
Soloist-And the founders opened the gates to Omega land
Group-Omega Psi Phi done signed my name

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WHAT HISTORICALLY BLACK GREEK LETTER ORGANIZATIONS ADAPTATIONS OF "I KNOW I'VE BEEN CHANGED" MEAN
The African American Spiritual "I Know I've Been Changed" states that a person who accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior has changed his or her life and has their name written in Heaven's rolls (i.e. the book in Heaven that has the names of all Christians).

In historically Black Greek letter organizations adaptations of "I Know I've Been Changed", a person who completes the process of becoming a member of their organization also has changed his or her life and has their name written in that organization's membership list. .

In some religious songs, a person who is baptized is said to have been reborn. A new name is given to a new Christian in recognition that he or she is beginning a new life. In other Christian songs such as "I Know I've Been Changed", tthe new Christian may not be given a new name and he person's old name is the name that is written in the Heavenly rolls.

The lyrics for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.'s adaptation of the African American Spiritual "I Know I've Been Changed" are composed of "floating verses" that are found in a number of Spirituals, except that the secular term "Omega psi Phi" and "Omega land" replaces the religious term "angels" and "Heaven".  

The lyrics for this adaptation's verses and for refrain #2 either replaces or adds to the lyrics for "I Know I've Been Changed" with secular references that have special meanings for members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and all other members of historically Black Greek letter fraternities and sorority. For example, the lyrics "crossing the sand*" replaces the religious lyrics "went to the water".  

* "Crossing the burning sands" is a reference in historically Black Greek letter organizations for the ritual completion of the process to be a member of that specific organization.   

An Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. discussion thread about their adaptation of the Spiritual "I Know I've Been Changed" criticized that fraternity song as being blasphemous. However, two commenters replied to that criticism, stating that that Omega Psi Phi is a Christian organization.

It should also be noted that there are lots of historically Black Greek letter organizations that have songs which are adaptations of African American Spirituals. Examples of secular versions of religious songs are commonly found throughout past and present African American culture. 

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ADDITIONAL VIDEOS
Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.


SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - I Know I've Been Changed



Orlando Williams Jr. Mar 1, 2020

RAMADA BY WYNDHAM SOUTHFIELD

Song at the Tau Kappa Kappa "State of the Fraternity" Luncheon
soloist sings: “I know I ‘ve been changed/since Omega Psi Phi done signed my name

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #3 - I Know I’ve Been Changed (Omega Psi Phi Done Signed My Name)

Pastor Patrick Dennis & Bright Star Baptist Church

Aug 24, 2020  #OmegaPsiPhiFraternityInc

While sitting at home one night after being released from the hospital after having COVID-19, I decided to play around on the Acapella App singing I Know I’ve Been Changed (Omega Psi Phi Done Signed My Name). RQQ to the Good Bruhz of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, The Mighty Ninth D., and my home chapter, Oldest Grad Chapter in the Ninth District, Rho Omega Chapter in Shreveport, Louisiana. #OmegaPsiPhiFraternityInc #TheSingingBruhz
-snip-
The lyrics for this rendition are the first two verses of the song as given in  showcase video #1.
-snip-
Here are some comments from this video's discussion thread (with numbers added for referencing purposes only.)

1.@julianboykin8707, 2020
"RQQ 4 psi kappa kappa 2011 charter line redstone arsenal military ques 7th d Alabama" 

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2. @keithhall9429, 2020
"Set it Owt 05!!"

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3. @waynestackhouse7652, 2021
"RQQ Dawg!!"

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4. @waynestackhouse7652, 2021
"RQQ!! This kept me going!!"

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5. @cmonetsevans123, 2022
"you know the singing is good when you scrunch your face and rock to the melody."

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6. @jbwarnock4758, 2022
"RQQ to the greatest Fraternity ever.

T-Bone Wtr 84

1 Tuff Que from Ferocious Philly

North Broad Street Bullies"

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7. @marseewaddell8100, 2023
"Sing Bishop"

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8. @tawannaroland5889, 2023
"The gospel song 🎶 Ques🤔"

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9. @mwn1552, 2023
"Ok, brothers no judgement. But I don't understand why you, want to be apart of an organization that doesn't truly believe in the true Alpha and Omega, The beginning and the End. No disrespect brothers, I think your name is written on the wrong road.  Your singing is beautiful. 💞😶 The true way: go down Straight Street, true right, merge into the right lane, get on the highway, keep driving until you see the King's Highway. Keep driving exit King and Country. At the light make a right. Go up two blocks and the True King house is seating on the right. If you are scared to get out your car, to knock on the door. Just call him from your car. He is always available!

Are just call him the old fashion way. He response to that too. Be blessed my Brothers.

Revelation 22:13 Try him!"

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Reply
10. @ricardohenry4336, 2024
"We’re a Christian organization. Please do your research."

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11. @Vil-qp6xl, 2024
Those Omega Men. Yassss this is how it's done...Men of God.

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12. @hirammckinney8688, 2024
"Creative Uplift: To the North East South and West world wide may the Blessing of Heaven continue to shine upon you. So mote it be ✝️. Amen. RQQ ✨."

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