Remembering Civil Rights Leader Rev. Jesse Jackson Jr.- "I Am Somebody"

 

NBCLA, Feb 18, 2026

Communities that were uplifted by the late activist Rev. Jesse Jackson reflect on how his leadership helped shape their future. Macy Jenkins and Conan Nolan report for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents information about United States civil rights leader, minister, and politician Rev. Jesse Jackson.

This post also showcases two YouTube videos about Rev. Jesse Jackson. These videos are presented with partial transcripts.

In addition, this pancocojams post presents information about Rev. Jackson's now famous call & response affirmation chant "I Am Somebody".

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Rev. Jesse Jackson, Jr. for his cultural and political legacy. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

Rest in peace Rev. Jackson Jr.

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INFORMATION ABOUT REV. JESSE JACKSON, JR.
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Jackson
"Jesse Louis Jackson (né Burns; October 8, 1941 – February 17, 2026) was an American civil rights activist, politician, and ordained Baptist minister. A protégé of Martin Luther King Jr. and James Bevel during the civil rights movement, he became one of the most prominent civil rights leaders of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. From 1991 to 1997, he served as a shadow delegate and shadow senator for the District of Columbia. He was the father of U.S. representative Jonathan Jackson and former U.S. representative Jesse Jackson Jr.

Born in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson began his activism in the 1960s and founded the organizations that later merged to form the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. Expanding his work into international affairs in the 1980s, he became a vocal critic of the Reagan administration and launched a presidential campaign in 1984. Initially viewed as a fringe candidate, he finished third for the Democratic nomination behind former vice president Walter Mondale and Senator Gary Hart. He continued his activism and mounted a second presidential bid in 1988, finishing as the runner‑up to Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis.

Jackson did not seek the presidency again, but in 1990 he was elected as the District of Columbia's shadow senator, serving one term during the Bush and Clinton administrations. Although initially critical of President Bill Clinton, he later became a supporter. Jackson hosted Both Sides with Jesse Jackson on CNN from 1992 to 2000. A critic of police brutality, the Republican Party, and conservative policies, he was widely regarded as one of the most influential African‑American activists of his era."...

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EXCERPT OF THE TRANSCRIPT FOR SHOWCASE VIDEO #1
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szoLtDvku28

{This excerpt begins at 2:50 to portions up to 4:32 in this video.]

..."Born in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson was a protégé of Doctor Martin Luther King Junior, leaning on his own skills as a great orator to carry on the torch and teach others how to fight for justice...

He was a preacher and a teacher. He would come up with sayings that nobody else would ever think of. "Down with dope. Up with hope."

...having been a black man who had run a real campaign [for President of the United States], he laid the foundation for Barack Obama. Barack Obama would not have been president had it not been for Jesse Jackson. Jackson helped reshape the Democratic Party's primary from a winner take all format to a proportional allocation of votes. …

We'll hear the words of Jesse Jackson ringing in our ears. He said "I am somebody."

Young people and generations are going to have to say more than ever, "I am somebody."...

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INFORMATION ABOUT REV. JACKSON'S CALL & RESPONSE POEM " I AM SOMEBODY"
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_%E2%80%93_Somebody
" "I Am – Somebody" is a poem often recited by Reverend Jesse Jackson, and was used as part of PUSH-Excel, a program designed to motivate black students.[1]

A similar poem was written in the early 1940s by Reverend William Holmes Borders, Sr., senior pastor at the Greater Wheat Street Baptist Church and civil rights activist in Atlanta, Georgia.[2]

History

A recording of Jackson delivering the poem appears on the album I Am Somebody published on Respect Records TAS-2601 in 1971.[3]

Jackson recited the free verse poem on Sesame Street in 1972 (taped in February, aired in May).[citation needed] It was geared to fulfilling Sesame Street’s initial curriculum for serving under-privileged city children, as well as promoting cultural understanding. On Sesame Street, lines of "I am/Somebody" or "But I am/Somebody" were recited in a call and response fashion by Jackson and the children. During the segment, children of multiple races were gathered on the Sesame Street set and led by Jackson in the poem. This performance is included on the 2006 DVD release Sesame Street: Old School.

"I Am – Somebody" was also recited by Jackson, with the assembled crowd at Los Angeles Coliseum for the famous Wattstax Music Festival on August 20, 1972.[4]

It also appears in When We Were Kings, a 1996 documentary examining the historic 1974 Rumble in the Jungle boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (which was still known as Zaire at that time). It was performed with band as part of a concert preceding the bout that was said to be the finest collection of African American entertainers ever assembled at that time.

The poem inspired the title of a 1998 book called I Am Somebody! (ISBN 0-516-26133-9) by Charnan Simon, but did not print the poem itself.

[...] 

The phrase has become so much of a calling card for Jackson that he yells it in a cameo in the movie Undercover Brother.

"I Am – Somebody" also inspired a similarly titled song on Carlos Santana's 2005 album, "All That I Am", which featured the American rapper will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas."

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMdMYLN9Rdg

I Am Somebody (Rev. Jesse Jackson) - Sesame Street - May 1972. Beautiful 

PeeCee, Feb 3, 2024

Remember this and never let anyone disrespect you
-snip-
Rev. Jesse Jackson leads a group of young children in a call & response affirmation centered around his now famous "I am somebody" saying. 

[EXCERPT OF THIS VIDEO'S AUTO-GENERATED TRANSCRIPT]

Rev. Jackson- "I am"

Children: -"I am"

Rev. Jackson -"somebody"

Children  "somebody"

Rev. Jackson - "I may be poor"

Children -I may be poor"

Rev. Jackson -"but I am somebody"

Children - "but I am somebody"

Rev. Jackson - "I may be young"

Children - "I may be young"

Rev. Jackson -"but I am somebody"

Children - "but I am somebody"

Rev. Jackson - "I may be on welfare"

Children -"I may be on welfare"

Rev. Jackson -"but I am somebody"

Children -"but I am somebody"

Rev. Jackson - "I may be small"

Children - "I may be small"

Rev. Jackson - "but I am"

Children - "but I am"

Rev. Jackson -"somebody"

Children - "somebody"

Rev. Jackson - "I may make a mistake"

Children -"I may make a mistake"

Rev. Jackson - "but I am"

Children - "but I am"

Rev. Jackson - "somebody"

Children - "somebody"

Rev. Jackson - "My clothes are different"

Children - "My clothes are different"

Rev. Jackson- "My face is different"

Children - "My face is different"

Rev. Jackson - "My hair is different "

Children - "My hair is different"

Rev. Jackson - "but I am"

Children - "but I am"

Rev. Jackson -"somebody"

Children - "somebody"

Rev. Jackson - I am black"

Children- "I am black"

Rev. Jackson - "I am brown"

Children - "I am brown"

Rev. Jackson - " I am white"

Children - "I am white"

Rev. Jackson - "I am somebody"

Children - "I am somebody"

Rev. Jackson - "I speak a different language"

Children -"I speak a different language"

Rev. Jackson -"but I must be respected"

Children -"but I must be respected"

Rev. Jackson - "protected"

Children - "protected"

Rev. Jackson -"never rejected"

Children - "never rejected"

Rev. Jackson -" I am

Children- " I am"

[...]

Rev. Jackson - "I am"

Children -" I am"

Rev. Jackson -"somebody"

Children -"somebody"...
-snip-
This affirmation ends with Rev. Jackson saying "Give yourselves a hand" and he and the children applauding.

This transcription omits the call & response 'I am God's child" so that this affirmation can be used in United States public schools and in other non-religious gatherings. 

The call & response "I am on welfare" may be omitted for contemporary use since the word "welfare" may no longer be used and/or that line may be considered very similar to the line "I may be poor".

I recommend that the word "and" be substituted in this "I Am Somebody" affirmation for the word "but". (For example "I am black and I am somebody" instead of "I am black but I am somebody").

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Sesame Street 1980s Clip "Girls clap out a song about K" & The Words To A 1980s Foot Stomping Cheer "L.O.V.E" That Had The Same Tune

LittleJerryFan92, Jul 11, 2007

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases the 1980s? Sesame Street clip "Girls clap out a song about K". That clip shows a group of young African American girls clapping and foot stomping (stepping) while chantin.

My unofficial transcript of this song is included in this post along with my description of the movements that the girls are doing while they chant.   

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are associated with this embedded Sesame Street video and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.  

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WORDS TO SESAME STREET "GIRLS CLAP OUT A SONG ABOUT K"*

Entire group:
kah kah kah k
kah kah kah k
kah kah kah
kah kah kah
kah kah kah k

First Soloist: 
Well my name is Keanna
My letter was K
K like a kite
and you blow me away 
K turns the key
K like Kick ah me

Entire Group:
kah kah kah k
kah kah kah k
kah kah kah
kah kah kah
kah kah kah k

Group (except the soloist Keanna)
Well her name is Keanna
Her letter is K
Second soloist:
K like a kangaroo
Hoppin all day
Entire Group:
'Cause a K a kiss
K is like this 
(The group stops stepping and forms the letter K with outstreached arms and Keanna standing in the middle of the group with her arms at her sides.)  
-snip-
This is my unofficial transcription of this song. Additions and corrections are welcome.
-snip-
The tune for the "kah kah kah k" "chorus" of this song is exactly the same tune as the "L-O-V-E" cheer*.  The other part of the song is a little bit different from the L.O.V.E. cheer.

Also, the way the girls performed the foot sliding in the front motion is different from the movements that were done for the L.O.V.E. cheer. 

* My daughter who performed the L.O.V.E. cheer in the mid 1980s confirmed what I wrote about the similarities and differences between this song and that cheer.  

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WORDS TO A VERSION OF THE FOOT STOMPING CHEER "L.O.V.E."

All: L-O-V-E. [clap- not spoken]
L-O-V-E. [clap
L-O-V.
L-O-V.
L-O-V-E.[clap]

Soloist #1: Well, Kayla’s my name. [clap]
And love is my game.[clap]
I got this boy on my mind [clap].
And Lord knows he’s fine. [clap]
He calls me his girl. [clap]
His number 1 girl.[clap]
I don’t know his sign, [clap]
But Taurus is mine. [clap]

All: L-O-V-E. [clap]
L-O-V-E. [clap]
L-O-V. 
L-O-V. 
L-O-V-E. [clap]

Soloist #2: Tamika's my name. [clap]
And love is my game. [clap]
I got this boy on my mind. [clap]
And Lord knows he’s fine. [clap]
I got his name on my shirt. [clap]
And don't call it dirt.[clap]
Don’t you worry bout my lover. [clap]
Cause there is no other. [clap]

All: L-O-V-E. [clap]
L-O-V-E. [clap]
L-O-V. 
L-O-V. 
L-O-V-E. [clap]

(Return to beginning and repeat with a new soloist. That soloist repeats the same verses or similar verses. This pattern continues until everyone in the group has had one turn as the soloist with this cheer.)
-Tazi.M. Powell,.(African American female; remembrance of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the mid 1980s; performed by African American girls ages around 8-12 years old;  Collected by Azizi Powell, 2/1996 although I had observed it performed in the 1980s.
-snip-
Here's what my daughter shared with me about how she and her friends performed this cheer*.

The movement routine for "L.O.V.E" differs from the other foot stomping cheers that my daughter and her friends showed me. My daughter wrote down these performance instructions for me on October 28, 2018:

1.Right leg stomp forward - for the letter "L"

2. Jump open with both legs - "O"

3. Jump close with both legs -"V"

4. Right leg stomp forward" - "E"

Then clap your hands one time. 

Continue this pattern for the entire cheer.

-snip-
The girls stood in a circle. The order of soloist was determined by who was the fastest to yell out "first", "second", "third" etc. Pne way that girls used to know when it was their turn was to remember who they came after.

Each soloist remained standing where she was for her solo part. (She didn't move into the center of the circle.). When it was the soloist's turn, the rest of the girls contined doing the same movement routine, but were silent while the soloist chanted. 

The beat is continual,  like a metronone. The object was to remain "on beat" throughout the entire cheer without any interruptions. (The cheer immediately begins with the next soloist and continues until everyone has a turn as the soloist.) If anyone goes "off -beat" -by messing up the foot stomping routine or forgetting what to say or otherwise messing up the flow of the chant- the cheer stops and has to begin all over again. Usually girls who didn't know a particular cheer would sit out that cheer until they were confident that they really knew it. One way that girls gained respect and status regardless of their age or what grade they were in school was being "really good at" doing cheers. 

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The Children's Song "There's A Hole In The Bucket" (with information & lyrics, & YouTube examples))

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents information about the folk song "There's A Hole In The Bucket" and presents the contemporary lyrics for that song. This post also showcases two YouTube videos of that  song.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the composers of this song and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.  

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "THERE'S A HOLE IN THE BUCKET"
Excerpt #1:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/There%27s_a_Hole_in_My_Bucket

"There's a Hole in My Bucket" (or "...in the Bucket") is a children's song, based on a dialogue between two characters, called Henry[a] and Liza, about a leaky bucket. The song describes a "deadlock" situation: Henry has a leaky bucket, and Liza tells him to repair it. To fix the leaky bucket, he needs straw. To cut the straw, he needs an axe. To sharpen the axe, he needs to wet the sharpening stone. To wet the stone, he needs water. But to fetch water, he needs the bucket, which has a hole in it.

[...]

Origins and development

The earliest known archetype of this song seems to be in the German collection of songs Bergliederbüchlein (c 1700). It is set as a dialogue between a woman named Liese, and an unnamed man.

[…]

In later German sources the song is reproduced under the title of Heinrich und Liese and credited as a folk song from Hesse

[…]

In George Korson's "Pennsylvania Songs and Legends" (1949) there is a song with meter closer to the modern English version …

This was collected in 1940, and is earlier than any known English-language version. This suggests that it might be a traditional "Pennsylvania Dutch" (i.e. German) song. Ed McCurdy recorded it in 1958 on "Children's Songs". Harry Belafonte recorded it with Odetta in 1960. It reached No. 32 in the UK Singles Chart in September 1961.[5] In his book Where Have All the Flowers Gone: A Singer's Songs, Stories, Seeds, Robberies (1993), Pete Seeger refers to it as an originally German song, "Lieber Heinrich"….

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Excerpt #2
From https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/There%27s_a_Hole_in_the_Bucket

"There's a Hole in the Bucket" is a traditional children's song. It was performed by the Anything Muppets on Sesame Street in the mid-1970s.

Henry (played by Jim Henson) is about to fetch a bucket of water from his well, but realizes that his bucket has a hole. Liza, his wife (voiced by Rita Moreno), explains how to fix it, but she grows frustrated with having to tell him everything he needs to do.”…

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LYRICS: THERE'S A HOLE IN THE BUCKET

There's a hole in the bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza,

There's a hole in the bucket, dear Liza, a hole.

        Then mend it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,

        Then mend it, dear Henry, dear Henry, mend it.

With what shall I mend it, dear Liza, dear Liza?

With what shall I mend it, dear Liza, with what?

        With straw, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,

        With straw, dear Henry, dear Henry, with straw.

The straw is too long, dear Liza, dear Liza,

The straw is too long, dear Liza, too long.

        Then cut it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,

        Then cut it, dear Henry, dear Henry, cut it.

With what shall I cut it, dear Liza, dear Liza?

With what shall I cut it, dear Liza, with what?

        With a knife, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,

        With a knife, dear Henry, dear Henry, a knife.

The knife is too dull, dear Liza, dear Liza,

The knife is too dull, dear Liza, too dull.

        Then sharpen it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,

        Then sharpen it, dear Henry, dear Henry, sharpen it.

With what shall I sharpen it, dear Liza, dear Liza?

With what shall I sharpen it, dear Liza, with what?

        With a stone, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,

        With a stone, dear Henry, dear Henry, a stone.

The stone is too dry, dear Liza, dear Liza,

The stone is too dry, dear Liza, too dry.

        Then wet it, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,

        Then wet it, dear Henry, dear Henry, wet it.

With what shall I wet it, dear Liza, dear Liza?

With what shall I wet it, dear Liza, with what?

        With water, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,

        With water, dear Henry, dear Henry, with water.

In what shall I fetch it, dear Liza, dear Liza?

In what shall I fetch it, dear Liza, in what?

        In a bucket, dear Henry, dear Henry, dear Henry,

        In a bucket, dear Henry, dear Henry, in a bucket.

But there's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza,

There's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, a hole.

online source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/There%27s_a_Hole_in_My_Bucket

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SHOWCASE YOUTUBE EXAMPLES

Example #1: A Hole in the Bucket by Harry Belafonte and Odetta [sound file]

brendandawna, Jan 20, 2010

From Belafonte Returns to Carnegie Hall

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Example #2: Classic Sesame Street - Song: "There's a Hole in the Bucket" [video]

MonsterpieceTheatre, Aug 16, 2012

-snip-
At least one commenter in this video's discussion thread wrote that segment first aired on Sesame Street in 1976. 

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Sesame Street's Elmo Performing A Kwanzaa Dance Featuring A Musical Bow Instrument

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a clip from a Sesame Street "Elmo's World" episode.

In that episode Elmo performs an African dance in celebration of the African American originated "Kwanzaa" holiday. Special attention in this post is given to the African musical bow that is among the musical instruments that is played by the musical ensemble. The Brazilian (South America) berimbao that is based on African musical bows is probably the most widely known example worldwide of these types of musical instruments.

Addendum #1 to this post provides information about Kwanzaa.

Addendum #2 provides information about African musical bows and Brazilian (South American) berimbaos.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those associated with this "Elmo's World" episode. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO: Sesame Street: Kwanzaa Dancing With Elmo



Sesame Street, Uploaded on Dec 11, 2009

From the Sesame Street DVD "Elmo's World: Happy Holidays"
-snip-
While performing "African dances" is often part of Kwanzaa celebrations, in my experience, those dances that are usually performed are representative or imitative of traditional Nigerian or Senegalese dance styles. Based on the inclusion of the musical bow instrument and the dancer's clothing and maybe also his head gear, my guess is that the dance that is performed in this video is based on Angola (South Central Africa). In my experience, few African Americans are familiar with the costuming and musical bow instrument that are found in this video.

Here's one video example of an Angolan musical bow:

Roots of Capoeira 1, Balthazar Tchatoka plays M'bulumbumba and sings to Cobra Mansa



mirrordemocracy, Published on Dec 13, 2012

Balthazar Tchatoka plays M'bulumbumba and sings "Ove Katunga" to Cobra Mansa in southern Angola .....of interest to Berimbau players.
-snip-
Notice the criss-crossed beads that are traditionally worn by male musicians and dancers in Angola and other South African nations.

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ADDENDUM #1
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwanzaa
"Kwanzaa (/ˈkwɑːn.zə/) is a week-long celebration held in the United States and in other nations of the Western African diaspora in the Americas. The celebration honors African heritage in African-American culture, and is observed from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a feast and gift-giving.[1] Kwanzaa has seven core principles (Nguzo Saba). It was created by Maulana Karenga and was first celebrated in 1966–67...

In 2004, BIG Research conducted a marketing survey in the United States for the National Retail Foundation, which found that 1.6% of those surveyed planned to celebrate Kwanzaa. If generalized to the US population as a whole, this would imply that around 4.7 million people planned to celebrate Kwanzaa in that year...

According to University of Minnesota Professor Keith Mayes, the author of Kwanzaa: Black Power and the Making of the African-American Holiday Tradition, the popularity within the US has "leveled off" as the black power movement there has declined, and now between half and two million people celebrate Kwanzaa in the US, or between one and five percent of African Americans. Mayes adds that white institutions now celebrate it.[11]

The holiday has also spread to Canada and is celebrated by Black Canadians in a similar fashion as in the United States.[20] According to the Language Portal of Canada, "this fairly new tradition has [also] gained in popularity in France, Great Britain, Jamaica and Brazil".[24]

In Brazil, in recent years the term Kwanzaa has been applied by a few institutions as a synonym for the festivities of the Black Awareness Day, commemorated on November 20 in honor of Zumbi dos Palmares,[25][26] having little to do with the celebration as it was originally conceived."...

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ADDENDUM #2 AFRICAN MUSICAL BOWS
From http://music.africamuseum.be/determination/english/instruments/musical%20bow.html
A larger version of the mouth bow is the musical bow, which is also widely distributed around the Congo. The basis of this instrument is the hunting bow, which has here been converted into a musical instrument by adding two adaptations: a calabash attached to the bow serves as a sound box and the strings are pulled through a loop, tied and attached, dividing them into two unequal parts so that two underlying tones can be played. By moving the loop, the distance between the two tones can be changed at will. Both segments of the string are struck with a thin rod. More experienced players can control the back of the string with the index finger, enabling a third undertone to be played. The calabash is half open and in the convex upper side is a small hole through which the loop runs that is attached to the string. This direct contact with the string results in greater resonance. A piece of cloth is often inserted between the calabash and the bow to reduce unwanted vibrations. The musician can change the timbre of the instrument by pushing the half-open calabash against or away from his chest or stomach. An important difference with the mouth bow is that it is played vertically.

The musical bow too is played primarily to add music to everyday stories and events.

Type: musical bow open string
[Various African nations with their names for musical bows given in parenthesis]
Angola (Chihumba)

Congo DRC (Lunzenze, Nguem)

Gabon (Ngwomi (Tsambi), Nsambi)

Ghana (Jinjelin, Jinjeram)

Liberia (Gbon-kpala)

Madagascar (Dzeedzu, Jejolava)

Swaziland (Ligubu)

Folk republic of the Congo (Ngwomi, Nsambi, Nsâmbi, Nsambi kizonzolo)

Zambia (Kalumbo)

Zimbabwe (Kalumbo)

South Africa (Hadi, Isigankuri, Ugubu (ugubhu))

Type: braced musical bow

Angola (Mbulumbumba)

Bénin (Tiéporé)

Burundi (Idono, Igubu (igobore), Umuduri)

Central African Republic (E.ngbiti, Mbela)

Congo DRC (Ekibulenge, Lakwemi, Lokombi (Longombe), Longombe, Longombi, Lungungu, Nzenze, Rukung, Umuduri)

Rwanda (Umuduri (umunahi)

Swaziland (Makhweyane, Makweyana)

Uganda (Egobore, Umunahi)
South Africa (Makhweyana)

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From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berimbau
From The berimbau (/bərɪmˈbaʊ/; Brazilian Portuguese: /beɾĩˈbaw/) is a single-string percussion instrument, a musical bow, from Brazil. Originally from Africa where it receives different names,[1] the berimbau was eventually incorporated into the practice of the Afro-Brazilian martial art capoeira, the berimbau (the soul of capoeira) leads the capoeiristas movement in the roda—the faster the berimbau is playing the faster the capoeirista moves in the game...

History
The berimbau's origins have not been fully researched, though it is most likely an adaptation of African gourde musical bows, as no Indigenous Brazilian or European people use musical bows.[1][2]

The way the berimbau and the m'bulumbumba of southwest Angola are made and played are very similar, as well as the tuning and basic patterns performed on these instruments. The assimilation of this African instrument into the Brazilian capoeira is evident also in other Bantu terms used for musical bows in Brazilian, including urucungo, and madimba lungungu.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/04/paranaue-videos-lyrics-meaning.html for a pancocojams post of the Capoeira song "Paranue" for examples of berimbao music.

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Classic Sesame Street - "B Is For Bubbles" (film clip & lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases the classic 1970s Sesame Street film clip "B Is For Bubble".

The content of this post is presented for nostalgic and entertainment purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the producer/s of this film clip.

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SHOWCASE EXAMPLE: Sesame Street: B is for Bubble



Sesame Street, Uploaded on Sep 18, 2009

If you're watching videos with your preschooler and would like to do so in a safe, child-friendly environment, please join us at http://www.sesamestreet.org

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LYRICS: B IS FOR BUBBLE
"(Hint: Sing the song as if it was "3 Blind Mice")

B is for bubble, B is for bubble
Bubble, bubble, bubble
Bubble, bubble, bubble
B is for bubble & bubblegum
And B is for brother who bought you some
And B is better than any letter for bubblegum

*To sing it again in a special way, have one person to start singing the 1st line (B is for bubble, B is for bubble). Next, have a different singer start from the beginning while the first singer continues. Then, so on with another singer after the previous singer resang the 1st line. When the last singer starts to sing the last line, everyone could sing it together to "bring it home"/finish the song with style, like it originally did.


POW! (giggle)"

Source: http://www.lyricsplanet.com/lyrics.php?id=60509

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Vintage Sesame Street - "We All Sing With The Same Voice" (information, video, & lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell
This post showcases the song "We All Sing With The Same Voice" that aired on a 1982 episode of Sesame Street. That song promotes racial harmony.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the composers of this song and thanks to all those who are responsible for this film clip. Thanks also to the publishers of this video on YouTube.

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "WE ALL SING WITH THE SAME VOICE"
From http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/We_All_Sing_with_the_Same_Voice
"We All Sing with the Same Voice" is a Sesame Street song that first appeared in Season 14.

The song, performed by children, is about racial harmony. The lyrics are about how, despite differences in every imaginable category – world regions and ethnic backgrounds, different skin colors and physical attributes and so forth – everyone is really the same, as in singing with the same voice and song.

Part of the accompanying footage was shot in Playground #2 at the Peter Cooper Village housing complex in the Gramercy section of Manhattan.

Written by: Sheppard Greene and J. Philip Miller
Date: 1981
Publisher: Sesame Street Inc.
First: Episode 1708"
-snip-
Sesame Street Season 14th dates
First Episode in that season- Episode 1706: November 22, 1982
Last Episode in that season - Episode 1835: May 20, 1983 [information from Sesame Street Seasons wiki]

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SHOWCASE VIDEO:
Sesame Street: We All Sing the Same Song



Sesame Street, Uploaded on Jul 31, 2009

If you're watching videos with your preschooler and would like to do so in a safe, child-friendly environment, please join us at http://www.sesamestreet.org

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LYRICS: WE ALL SING WITH THE SAME VOICE
(Sheppard Greene and J. Philip Miller)

My hair is black and red
My hair is yellow
My eyes are brown and green and blue

My name is Jack and Fred
My name's Amanda Sue
I'm called Kareem Abdul
My name is you

I live in southern France
I'm from a Texas ranch
I come from Mecca and Peru
I live across the street
In the mountains, on a beach
I come from everywhere
And my name is you

We all sing with the same voice
The same song, the same voice
We all sing with the same voice
And we sing in harmony

Sometimes I get mad and mean
Sometimes I feel happy
And when I want to cry, I do

When I'm by myself at night
I hold my teddy tight
Until the morning light
My name is you

I have sisters one, two, three
In my family there's just me
I've got one daddy
I've got two

Grandpa helps me cross the street
My cat walks on furry feet
I love my parakeet
My name is you

We all sing with the same voice
The same song, the same voice
We all sing with the same voice
And we sing in harmony

I like to run and climb
I like to sit and read
I like to watch my TV, too

And when it's time for bed
I like my stories read
"Sweet dreams" and "Love you" said
My name is you

We all sing with the same voice
The same song, the same voice
We all sing with the same voice
And we sing in harmony

Source: http://www.metrolyrics.com/we-all-sing-with-the-same-voice-lyrics-sesame-street.html

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Sesame Street African Alphabet Song (with selected viewer comments)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcase the 1987 Sesame Street segment of Kermit the frog and Muppets singing the English alphabet in the isicathamiya style of singing. The voices of the Muppets were sung by the award winning South African (Zulu) isicathamiya group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Information about isicathamiya singing is included in the Addendum to this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO
Sesame Street: African Alphabet


SesameStreet, Uploaded on Dec 29, 2009

...Kermit and a Zulu tribe sing an alphabet song

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SELECTED COMMENTS
WARNING: Many comments in this video's viewer comment thread are NSFWOCV (not suitable for work or children's viewing) because of racist statements and profanity.

This is a representative sample of what I consider to be appropriate comments from that video's viewer comment thread. The oldest comments are posted first, except for some responses to questions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl8pxaxxReo

[2009]

Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Kermit made a wonderful combination for a fantastic song.
-Brendan Richards
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Absolutely LOVE this!!!!
Does anyone have the text of what Kermit is saying when using each letter of the alphabet? Also what do the other muppets say at the end and what does it mean? Anyone???
-MrsMika
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Reply:
Amazing Beautiful Creatures Dancing Excites the Forest Glade in my Heart how I do Jump like a Kudu Listen to the Music so Nice the Organ Plays Quietly Rest the Sleepy Tiger Under the Vine tree at the Water side and X marks the place neath the Yellow moon where the Zulu king and i did hide.
-Paris Henare [2010]
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Reply:
- "Kuddu" - a kind of antelope :)

Kumnandi "it's nice" (Kumndandi kwelakithi - it's nice in our place, loosely translated).

Thanks friend!
-Coderoid [2010]
-snip-
The correct spelling for that word is "kudu".
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[2010]

Out of the billions of alphabet sketches throughout the years on Sesame Street, this one by far is the greatest!
-dknights411
**
I taught my cousin the sign language alphabet to this.
-janetlover304
**
Just love this....teaches children their ABC's and shows different cultures from all over the world. Brings peace and harmony.
-TheAvonlady588
**
Very creative. It is actually exposing kids to the rich tradition of African singing so full with syncopation, deep tones, and catchy tunes. This video is NOT racist at all.
-1969Chronos
**
Actually, that was not the African alphabet, but I liked it, anyway. :) It was an African rendition of the English Alphabet...
-AGoodWomanDiji
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Where is an assumption made that ALL Africans live out in the tall grass, from this video?!?!?! I see no such assertion. I see singing puppets, that are singing in front of a backdrop of nature. I clearly hear Kermit use the term Zulu, which tells us who they are. They are in traditional Zulu attire, which appears more or less authentic (for a puppet) and yes such ceremonial song/dances STILL take place and are huge tourist attractions in the area. For instance The Zulu Reed Dance
-frankensteinmoneymac
**
Anyone claiming this is racist should probably look in the mirror. This is Sesame Street doing what it's been doing for decades,using artistic,stylized skits that appeal to children in an effort to teach them important things such as knowing the alphabet. This is cool.
-1019drummer
**
What everyone is forgetting is that this is SESAME STREET!!!! They try to make learning entertaining while bringing a variety of different cultures in the Mix.
-Jazzy9964
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[This was written in response to a comment indicating that Kermit was a Muppet and not a character on Sesame Stree]

@Buzette123 Kermit is a Muppet but Kermit premiere on Sesame Street before the Muppets were created. then again, Sesame Street are all Muppets since they were created by the same person
-Elli21486
**
[2013]

According to the Muppet Wikia, this debuted in 1987, which means that it's quite possible Jim Henson himself is puppeteering Kermit for this segment.
-TheMjallemand

**
The original scene had the original singers, not puppets, this was a remake of that scene..
-807004407

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ADDENDUM - INFORMATION ABOUT ISICATHAMIYA
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isicathamiya
"Isicathamiya (with the 'c' pronounced as a dental click) is a singing style that originated from the South African Zulus. In European understanding, a cappella is also used to describe this form of singing.

The word itself does not have a literal translation; it is derived from the Zulu verb -cathama, which means walking softly, or tread carefully. Isicathamiya contrasts with an earlier name for Zulu a cappella singing, mbube, meaning "lion". The change in name marks a transition in the style of the music: traditionally, music described as Mbube is sung loudly and powerfully, while isicathamiya focuses more on achieving a harmonious blend between the voices. The name also refers to the style's tightly-choreographed dance moves that keep the singers on their toes."
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/04/ladysmith-black-mambazo-wentombunecala.html
for a pancocojams post that showcases the singing & dancing style of Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to Jim Henson for his Sesame Street & Muppets legacy. Thanks also to Ladysmith Black Mambazo and all other persons who were associated with this Sesame Street segment. Also, thanks to those whose comments were featured on this page & to the publisher of this video on YouTube.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

More Classic Sesame Street Guest Appearance Videos

Edited by Azizi Powell

Classic Sesame Street - Cab Calloway sings "Hi De Ho Man"



sawing14s | July 16, 2007

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This post showcases five videos of guest stars who appeared on the award winning American children's television show Sesame Street.

The content of this post is presented for historical, folkloric, entertainment, educational, and aesthetic purposes. The copyrights remain with their owners.

My thanks to the performers, musicians, and producers of these featured videos. Thanks also to the uploaders of these videos, the authors of the information that is quoted in this post.

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FEATURED VIDEOS
(These videos are posted in no particular order.)

Video #1: Classic Sesame Street - Cab Calloway sings "Hi De Ho Man"

This video is presented at the top of this page.
-snip-
"Sesame Street has had guest stars from nearly all eras of the 20th century. It's extremely hard these days to find an entertainer with the impact and talent of someone like "Cabby" Calloway"

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Video #2: Sesame Street: Monster in the Mirror



Uploaded by SesameStreet on Sep 4, 2009

...Grover sings Monster in the Mirror with celebrities...

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Video #3: Sesame Street: Celebrities Sing Alphabet Song



Uploaded by SesameStreet on Jul 30, 2008

New season of Sesame Street premiering Monday Sept 26th 2011! New episodes weekday mornings on PBS! (Check local listings.)

For more videos and games check out our new website at http://www.sesamestreet.org.

In this video different celebrities sing their A, B, C's.

Sesame Street is a production of Sesame Workshop, a nonprofit educational organization which also produces Pinky Dinky Doo, The Electric Company, and other programs for children around the world

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Video #4: Alicia Keys with Elmo on Sesame Street - Dancin' (Fallin')



Uploaded by floydrosad on Aug 4, 2010

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Video #5: Sesame Street: Will.i.am Sings "What I Am"



Uploaded by SesameStreet on Sep 13, 2010

Will.i.am sings "What I Am" as part of Sesame Street's 41st season

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Seven Vintage Videos Of Black Celebrities On Sesame Street

Edited by Azizi Powell

Gladys Knight & The Pips "Sesame Street Theme" (1988)


Uploaded by Largo3point0 on Jun 28, 2008

Gladys Knight & The Pips put their spin on the theme song from the long-running children's TV show.

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This post showcases seven vintage videos of Black celebrities on the American children's television show Sesame Street from the 1970s and 1980s.*

I selected these videos because they are some of my favorite Sesame Street celebrity segments. I'm particularly interested in the different genres of music that are showcased in these segments.

With the exception of the first showcased video, these videos are presented in relative chronological order.

My thanks to all the celebrities, other artists/performers, and video producers. My thanks also to these videos uploaders.

This post is presented for its historical, educational, and musical value.

Enjoy!

*Video #7 also features non-Black celebrities.

INFORMATION ABOUT SESAME STREET
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sesame_Street:
"Sesame Street is an American children's television series created by Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett. The program is known for its educational content, and creativity communicated through the use of Jim Henson's Muppets, animation, short films, humor, and cultural references. The series premiered on National Educational Television (NET) stations on November 10, 1969 to positive reviews, some controversy, and high ratings."

Click that link for more information about Sesame Street.

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FEATURED VIDEOS
Video #1: Gladys Knight & The Pips "Sesame Street Theme"
This video is posted at the top of this page.

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Video #2: Sesame Street: U Really Got A Hold On Me



Uploaded by SesameStreet on Jan 2, 2010

Smokey Robinson sings about the letter 'U'. [1970s]

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Video #3: Sesame Street - Believe in your Self


Uploaded by Justdizzy on Mar 2, 2008

Diana Ross & Big Bird (1979)

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Video #4: Sesame Street - The Pointer Sisters Alphabet Song



Uploaded by wattamack4 on Nov 29, 2007

The Pointer Sisters sing a catchy version of the Alphabet song. (late 1970s)

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Video #5: Patti LaBelle Singing The Alphabet Gospel Style!!



Uploaded by imonkazaa on May 26, 2007
[1980s]?

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Video #6: Celia Cruz on Sesame Street - ZunZun Babae



Uploaded by BuddyBoy600alt on Mar 10, 2010

Big Bird and Celia Cruz sings Cuban Spanish song.

(Originally posted by NantoVision)
Sesame Street © by Children's Television Workshop. (FAIR USE)
[1987]?

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Video #7: Sesame Street - Put Down the Duckie (with epilogue) (1988)


Uploaded by NantoVision1 on Mar 11, 2010
An all star celebrity sing-along from the 1988 prime time PBS pledge drive special. The catchy song was written by Chris Cerf and Norman Stiles. The celebrities, in order of appearance: John Candy (as Yosh Schmenge from SCTV), Andrea Martin (as Edith Prickley from SCTV), New York Mets Keith Hernandez & Mookie Wilson, Jane Curtin (of SNL and Kate & Allie), Madeline Kahn, Joe Williams, Paul Reubens (as Pee Wee Herman), Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Wynton Marsalis, Celia Cruz, Ihtzak Perlman, Gordon Jackson & Jean Marsh (as Angus Hudson and Rose Buck of Upstairs Downstairs), Paul Simon, Jeremy Irons, Pete Seeger, Rhea Perlman and Danny Devito, and NY Giants Sean Landeta, Mark Ingram, Karl Nelson and Carl Banks

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RELATED LINK
http://friedababbley.hubpages.com/hub/Famous-Celebrities-Sing-the-Alphabet-Song "Sesame Street - The Alphabet, Songs, Famous People and Celebrities - YouTube Finds76"

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Viewer comments are welcome.

Remembering Sesame Street's Roosevelt Franklin

Written by Azizi Powell

The oldest memory that I have of Sesame Street is watching that children's television show in 1970 along with twin toddlers who I took care of. Since Sesame Street first aired in November 1969, that makes me part of the earliest audience for that show. And while I admit to having a fondness for Cookie Monster along with my daughter who watched the show in the mid 1970s, the character who I liked the most was Roosevelt Franklin. Years after those video clips stopped airing on Sesame Street, I can still remember the words & tune to the theme song that you heard before the actual clip started (Roosevelt Franklin was such a cool teacher that they named the school after him).

"Hail to thee our alma mater
Roosevelt Franklin
High!
Elementary School
Elementary School."

-snip-

This post has no heavy duty message. I just felt like sharing the following two videos of Roosevelt and his "crew":

Sesame Street - Roosevelt Franklin's picture story



Uploaded by jonnytbirdzback on Mar 7, 2008
The story of a big ol' bone in the doghouse.

-snip-

Classic Sesame Street - Roosevelt Franklin Africa



Uploaded by BipBippadotta on Aug 5, 2006

-snip-

My thanks to the talented writers and puppeteers for the good times (though admittedly these classroom scenes don't convey all that positive an image of African American schools). Yet I really like these two videos. As a storyteller, I love the call & response pattern of the "big ole bone in the dog house" story and I wonder if it's an adaptation of a traditional African American or African story. And I like how that story left the students (and viewers/listeners) with the message about how they should leave things alone that are not their own. As Roosevelt said "This is another golden rule from the Roosevelt Franklin Elementary School".

Also, I give points to that second video's goal of sharing some positive information about the African continent.

I really wish Roosevelt Franklin were back on Sesame Street, although I'd prefer a classroom of characters who acted much less rambunctions but still retained their heart warming characteristics.

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