Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcases two YouTube videos of Bishop Iona Locke singing her originally composed Gospel song "Walk By Faith".
My transcription of one rendition of that song is included in this post. Additions and corrections are welcome.
The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Bishop Iona Locke for her religious and musical legacy. Thanks also to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Video #1: Bishop Iona Locke singing WALK BY FAITH with Damien Sneed & Friends at Jazz at Lincoln Center
Damien Sneed, Jan 1, 2014
Bishop Iona Locke singing her original song, WALK BY FAITH at Jazz at Lincoln Center
Damien Sneed & Friends - Jazz for Young People
Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center
New York City
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Damien Sneed, piano and lead vocals
Kenneth Whalum III, saxophone
Noah Garabedian, upright bass
Jammal Graham, Hammond B3 organ
John Matthew Clark, bass guitar
Quinn Brown, drums and lead vocals
Dr. Iona Locke, lead vocals
Tekesha Russell, lead vocals
Brianna Thomas, lead vocals
Chenee Campbell, Levites
Lynette Rhett McNeil, Levites
Djore Nance, Levites
Tiffany Stevenson, Levites
Matia Washington, Levites
[...]
-snip-
Click https://www.bishopionalocke.com/for information about Bishop Iona Locke.
****
Video #2: Call and Response in Gospel Music
Jazz at Lincoln Center's JAZZ ACADEMY, May 3, 2016
Pianist Damien Sneed talks with Dr. Iona Locke about call and response in Gospel music!
Learn more at the Jazz Academy by visiting http://academy.jazz.org
****
LYRICS- WALK BY FAITH
(Bishop Iona Locke)
Lead singer- You need to walk by faith.
Group responds “walk by faith” after every line by the lead singer until otherwise indicated
Come on and walk by faith, children.
You need to walk by faith.
Come on and walk by faith.
The book of Hebrews says
Israel walked by faith
And when they came to the Red Sea
Moses led them through the Red Sea
Ow! Oh, Oh, Oh, Oooh!
You gotta walk by faith
And then there was Abraham
He had to walk by faith
And, at the age of 100,
He and Sarah had a baby boy.
Annnnd, I know children
You gotta walk by faith
And then there was Samson
He had to walk by faith
He stepped out of the way
And they shaved off his hair
Samson went to God and said
If my life over, weell
But his hair began to grow
And he did more at the end of his life
Then he did in the beginning.
You need to walk by faith
Heey! You need to walk by faith
Step out and walk
And walk
Group sings “Keep walkin, walk by faith” after every line
And walk
Every day,
Keep trusting
Keep on believing
Keep on trusting
Trusting
Believing
Just keep on believing
Keep on stepping, stepping
You can make it
Yu can make it
Keep on trusting in Him
Trust in the Lord
Oh, aah aah ahh ah
Oh, aah aah ahh ah
Trust Him with all your might
Aahh aah ahh, Trust Him
Trust Him with all your faith
Yeeeaeh a a a, trust Him
Ahhh, trust Him
Trust Him
Trust Him
Trust Him
Trust Him
Trust Him
Trust Him
Trust Him
Trust Him
Ahhh, walk by faith
Walk by faith
Oh, walk
Walking
Oh, walk
Walk
Walk
Walk
Walk
Ahhhhhh!
Lead singer stops singing while the Group repeatedly sings
Keep walking, walk by faith
-snip-
This transcription is from .56 in of Video #1
Additions and corrections are welcome.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Showing posts with label double time hand clapping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label double time hand clapping. Show all posts
Saturday, May 2, 2020
Monday, April 6, 2020
Clapping On The 2 & 4 Beats And Not On The 1 & 3 Beats, Part I (Article Excerpt With Videos)
Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series about clapping on the 2 & 4 beats.
Part I of this pancocojams series. Part I presents an excerpt from the 2018 online article by "How to Clap in Time" by Sabrina Peña Young. Some of the videos that are embedded in that article are also included in this post.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/04/aimee-nolte-music-vlog-clapping-to-beat.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. Part II showcases a YouTube vlog by Aimee Nolte Music about clapping on the 2 & 4 beats and not on the 1 & 3 beats. My transcription of part of that video is included in that post along with selected comments from that video's discussion thread.
The content of this post is presented for musical and cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks to all those who are featured in this showcase video and thanks to the publishers of the YouTube videos that are included in this post.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
This pancocojams series was prompted by this comment exchange in the discussion thread of this YouTube sound file: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-lCsv1N8RM
Alicia Faith, 2018
"Love this beautiful collection voice.
The claps on the first beat isnt authentic to afro music. That's my only criticism. 2 and 4!"
**
REPLY
Alex Krauth, 2019
"Interesting critique. Not sure how I feel about that because it's not a gospel song. It feels more like a 1 and 3 song to me, but maybe that's just me."
-snip-
"Yonder Come Day" is an African American Spiritual that was traditionally clapped in 2 &d 4 beats and double time. This Spiritual appears to be a part of many school's choral music repertoire where it is sung acapella and without any accompanying hand claps. Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOfPJASs-Is for a YouTube video of a 1960s traditional rendition of this song by the Georgia Sea Island Singers.
****
ARTICLE EXCERPT
From https://www.musical-u.com/learn/how-to-clap-in-time/# How to Clap in Time
April 22, 2018 by Sabrina Peña Young | Rhythm, Active Listening, Musicality
“For some, finding the beat can be as easy as hearing your heartbeat or breathing, but not everyone picks up on the pulse so easily. Maybe you’re that guy who can’t hear the rhythm and has two left feet, or the girl who always finds herself clapping on beats 1 and 3-ish when everyone else is jamming out on 2 and 4. Maybe you are a singer who has perfect pitch but can’t find beat 1.
If that’s you, don’t worry! While it may seem like clapping in time is something you “should” already know how to do, with some ear training skills and a little bit of practice it is a quite learnable – and valuable – skill.
Why learn to clap in time?
What if I just want to play my instrument? What’s the big deal about clapping in time anyway?
Well, it turns out that clapping in time is a foundational skill of musicality, and will enhance your performance and enjoyment in every aspect of your musical experience.
So today you will learn the basics of clapping in time step-by-step:
-Learn how to truly hear what is around you
-Learn how to sense rhythms in your environment
-Clap basic rhythms
-Learn about clapping on “2 and 4”, and “1 and 3”
-Learn how to clap to a song
Once you have learned how to truly pick out the pulse from a musical example, it only takes a little bit of practice to truly master clapping in time.
[...]
Breaking Down the Beat
Why is it important to clap in time, to find the pulse of a piece of music?
The underlying layers of rhythmic sound are what drive the music. Yes, the melody sticks in our heads and the harmony tugs our emotions. But without the steady beat, we wouldn’t be tapping our feet and feeling the groove. This steady pulse is the rock on which rhythm is built, and the measure of music’s movement forward.
[...]
Exercise 5: Clapping on beats 2 and 4
While you are listening, you may have noticed that the snare drum part falls on beats 2 and 4.
In fact, most of the time, when you clap along with a popular tune on the radio, you will want to clap on beats 2 and 4, not on beats 1 and 3 (don’t be that guy!):
Friends Don't Let Friends Clap on One and Three - "Happy" Fullerton College Jazz Band 2014
Roland Tsai, Oct 12, 2014
For those who still cannot figure out what it means, here's a good example. This video was recorded on April 26, 2014. Fullerton College Jazz band was performing "Happy" during SCSBOA Workman Jazz Festival.
[end of video summary]
In many pop, rock, hip hop, and even jazz tunes, the snare drum or tambourine falls on beats 2 and 4.
Listen to the Example below.
[An audio file of "Eye Of The Tiger" is embedded in that article. Here's a YouTube sound file:]
Eye of the Tiger
Survivor Band, Aug 11, 2015
****
-That article continues-
Count out loud
Practice clapping on beats 2 and 4
After you have done this, go back to “Eye of the Tiger” and try clapping on beats 2 and 4 along with the snare drum.
More Practice:
You can practice clapping on beats 2 and 4 every time you turn on the radio. There are many examples of pop and rock songs, especially, that have a clear drum part that will help you find the pulse and clap on beats 2 and 4.
Clap it Off
Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” is another great example of clapping on beats 2 and 4...
Now, not all genres have the audience clapping on beats 2 and 4. There are many popular folk genres where beats 1 and 3 are emphasized or even every beat, but in most popular music cases, you will want to clap on beats 2 and 4.
Taylor Swift - Shake It Off
Taylor Swift, Aug 18, 2014
[...]
All About That Clapping on 2 and 4
Here’s another online clapping tutorial disguised as a hit song:
In the intro clap along on 2 and 4 with the dancers. Wait, what was that double clap thing? You heard right! Here’s the pattern: “1 2 3 4, 1 2& 3 4”. Don’t worry if you can’t catch the double clap – learning to clap on 2 and 4 is quite enough for now.
Once you can clap along with the intro, work on keeping the same pattern going through the verse. When the clapping returns in the chorus, you’ll see if you were able to keep it up."
Meghan Trainor - All About That Bass (Official Music Video)
Meghan Trainor, Jun 11, 2014
-snip-
This is the end of that article excerpt.
****
This concludes Part I of this two part pancocojams series.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series about clapping on the 2 & 4 beats.
Part I of this pancocojams series. Part I presents an excerpt from the 2018 online article by "How to Clap in Time" by Sabrina Peña Young. Some of the videos that are embedded in that article are also included in this post.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/04/aimee-nolte-music-vlog-clapping-to-beat.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. Part II showcases a YouTube vlog by Aimee Nolte Music about clapping on the 2 & 4 beats and not on the 1 & 3 beats. My transcription of part of that video is included in that post along with selected comments from that video's discussion thread.
The content of this post is presented for musical and cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks to all those who are featured in this showcase video and thanks to the publishers of the YouTube videos that are included in this post.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
This pancocojams series was prompted by this comment exchange in the discussion thread of this YouTube sound file: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-lCsv1N8RM
Alicia Faith, 2018
"Love this beautiful collection voice.
The claps on the first beat isnt authentic to afro music. That's my only criticism. 2 and 4!"
**
REPLY
Alex Krauth, 2019
"Interesting critique. Not sure how I feel about that because it's not a gospel song. It feels more like a 1 and 3 song to me, but maybe that's just me."
-snip-
"Yonder Come Day" is an African American Spiritual that was traditionally clapped in 2 &d 4 beats and double time. This Spiritual appears to be a part of many school's choral music repertoire where it is sung acapella and without any accompanying hand claps. Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOfPJASs-Is for a YouTube video of a 1960s traditional rendition of this song by the Georgia Sea Island Singers.
****
ARTICLE EXCERPT
From https://www.musical-u.com/learn/how-to-clap-in-time/# How to Clap in Time
April 22, 2018 by Sabrina Peña Young | Rhythm, Active Listening, Musicality
“For some, finding the beat can be as easy as hearing your heartbeat or breathing, but not everyone picks up on the pulse so easily. Maybe you’re that guy who can’t hear the rhythm and has two left feet, or the girl who always finds herself clapping on beats 1 and 3-ish when everyone else is jamming out on 2 and 4. Maybe you are a singer who has perfect pitch but can’t find beat 1.
If that’s you, don’t worry! While it may seem like clapping in time is something you “should” already know how to do, with some ear training skills and a little bit of practice it is a quite learnable – and valuable – skill.
Why learn to clap in time?
What if I just want to play my instrument? What’s the big deal about clapping in time anyway?
Well, it turns out that clapping in time is a foundational skill of musicality, and will enhance your performance and enjoyment in every aspect of your musical experience.
So today you will learn the basics of clapping in time step-by-step:
-Learn how to truly hear what is around you
-Learn how to sense rhythms in your environment
-Clap basic rhythms
-Learn about clapping on “2 and 4”, and “1 and 3”
-Learn how to clap to a song
Once you have learned how to truly pick out the pulse from a musical example, it only takes a little bit of practice to truly master clapping in time.
[...]
Breaking Down the Beat
Why is it important to clap in time, to find the pulse of a piece of music?
The underlying layers of rhythmic sound are what drive the music. Yes, the melody sticks in our heads and the harmony tugs our emotions. But without the steady beat, we wouldn’t be tapping our feet and feeling the groove. This steady pulse is the rock on which rhythm is built, and the measure of music’s movement forward.
[...]
Exercise 5: Clapping on beats 2 and 4
While you are listening, you may have noticed that the snare drum part falls on beats 2 and 4.
In fact, most of the time, when you clap along with a popular tune on the radio, you will want to clap on beats 2 and 4, not on beats 1 and 3 (don’t be that guy!):
Friends Don't Let Friends Clap on One and Three - "Happy" Fullerton College Jazz Band 2014
Roland Tsai, Oct 12, 2014
For those who still cannot figure out what it means, here's a good example. This video was recorded on April 26, 2014. Fullerton College Jazz band was performing "Happy" during SCSBOA Workman Jazz Festival.
[end of video summary]
In many pop, rock, hip hop, and even jazz tunes, the snare drum or tambourine falls on beats 2 and 4.
Listen to the Example below.
[An audio file of "Eye Of The Tiger" is embedded in that article. Here's a YouTube sound file:]
Eye of the Tiger
Survivor Band, Aug 11, 2015
****
-That article continues-
Count out loud
Practice clapping on beats 2 and 4
After you have done this, go back to “Eye of the Tiger” and try clapping on beats 2 and 4 along with the snare drum.
More Practice:
You can practice clapping on beats 2 and 4 every time you turn on the radio. There are many examples of pop and rock songs, especially, that have a clear drum part that will help you find the pulse and clap on beats 2 and 4.
Clap it Off
Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” is another great example of clapping on beats 2 and 4...
Now, not all genres have the audience clapping on beats 2 and 4. There are many popular folk genres where beats 1 and 3 are emphasized or even every beat, but in most popular music cases, you will want to clap on beats 2 and 4.
Taylor Swift - Shake It Off
Taylor Swift, Aug 18, 2014
[...]
All About That Clapping on 2 and 4
Here’s another online clapping tutorial disguised as a hit song:
In the intro clap along on 2 and 4 with the dancers. Wait, what was that double clap thing? You heard right! Here’s the pattern: “1 2 3 4, 1 2& 3 4”. Don’t worry if you can’t catch the double clap – learning to clap on 2 and 4 is quite enough for now.
Once you can clap along with the intro, work on keeping the same pattern going through the verse. When the clapping returns in the chorus, you’ll see if you were able to keep it up."
Meghan Trainor - All About That Bass (Official Music Video)
Meghan Trainor, Jun 11, 2014
-snip-
This is the end of that article excerpt.
****
This concludes Part I of this two part pancocojams series.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Andrae Crouch - Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus (from the Jeffersons TV Show)
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post showcases a clip from a 1981 episode of the American television show The Jeffersons. In this clip Andrae Crouch sings a version of the praise song that he composed "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus".
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, historical, religious, aesthetic, and entertainment purposes.
In addition to the song itself, I'm particularly interested in how this television clip documents, sometimes humorously, the use of call & response in African American churches. I'm also interested in how this clip documents double time and other types of handclapping as accompaniment to Gospel singing & music playing.
FEATURED VIDEO
The Jeffersons featuring Gospel Singer Andrae Crouch - Men of the Cloth (Part 2 of 2)
Uploaded on Jun 21, 2010
George tries to fool gospel singer Andrae Crouch into singing at his grand-daughter's baptism. (1981)
-snip-
Andrae Crouch sings his composition "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus". That title means "no one can take care of me [care for me] like Jesus.
****
PARTIAL LYRICS
Can’t nobody do me like Jesus
Can’t nobody do me like the Lord
Can’t nobody do me like Jesus
‘Cause He’s my friend
[other words sung by the Lead]
I came to Jesus just as I was
weary worn and sad
I found in Him a resting place
and He has made me glad
He’s my friend over troubled waters
He’s my joy in the midst of sorrow
-snip-
After it appeared that the song had ended, the singing begins again with double time clapping accompaniment. This common feature of Gospel singing can lead to extended "Praise breaks" -Definition of "Praise Break":
A praise break is an unscripted portion of a Christian worship service when individuals feel the [Holy] Spirit and spontaneously praise & worship God by “getting happy” (shouting). When people feel the spirit during a praise break they may testify (give praise to God), do a holy dance, jump up and down, speak in tongues (speak words that aren’t part of any language), cry, become distraught, lift their hand/s to heaven, etc. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/05/black-church-praise-break-videos-part.html for videos of praise breaks.
****
RELATED LINKS
Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUsL47G5FMg for Part I of this television episode.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/11/cant-nobody-do-me-like-jesus-black-talk.html for a video of this song aws performed by the Reverend James Cleveland & Choir.
****
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to Andrae Crouch for composing "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus". My thanks also to the actors and actresses, producers, writers, and staff associated with the Jeffersons. Thanks also to the uploader of this featured video (as well as Part I of this episode whose hyperlink is given above.)
Finally, thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post showcases a clip from a 1981 episode of the American television show The Jeffersons. In this clip Andrae Crouch sings a version of the praise song that he composed "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus".
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, historical, religious, aesthetic, and entertainment purposes.
In addition to the song itself, I'm particularly interested in how this television clip documents, sometimes humorously, the use of call & response in African American churches. I'm also interested in how this clip documents double time and other types of handclapping as accompaniment to Gospel singing & music playing.
FEATURED VIDEO
The Jeffersons featuring Gospel Singer Andrae Crouch - Men of the Cloth (Part 2 of 2)
Uploaded on Jun 21, 2010
George tries to fool gospel singer Andrae Crouch into singing at his grand-daughter's baptism. (1981)
-snip-
Andrae Crouch sings his composition "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus". That title means "no one can take care of me [care for me] like Jesus.
****
PARTIAL LYRICS
Can’t nobody do me like Jesus
Can’t nobody do me like the Lord
Can’t nobody do me like Jesus
‘Cause He’s my friend
[other words sung by the Lead]
I came to Jesus just as I was
weary worn and sad
I found in Him a resting place
and He has made me glad
He’s my friend over troubled waters
He’s my joy in the midst of sorrow
-snip-
After it appeared that the song had ended, the singing begins again with double time clapping accompaniment. This common feature of Gospel singing can lead to extended "Praise breaks" -Definition of "Praise Break":
A praise break is an unscripted portion of a Christian worship service when individuals feel the [Holy] Spirit and spontaneously praise & worship God by “getting happy” (shouting). When people feel the spirit during a praise break they may testify (give praise to God), do a holy dance, jump up and down, speak in tongues (speak words that aren’t part of any language), cry, become distraught, lift their hand/s to heaven, etc. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/05/black-church-praise-break-videos-part.html for videos of praise breaks.
****
RELATED LINKS
Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUsL47G5FMg for Part I of this television episode.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/11/cant-nobody-do-me-like-jesus-black-talk.html for a video of this song aws performed by the Reverend James Cleveland & Choir.
****
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to Andrae Crouch for composing "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus". My thanks also to the actors and actresses, producers, writers, and staff associated with the Jeffersons. Thanks also to the uploader of this featured video (as well as Part I of this episode whose hyperlink is given above.)
Finally, thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus (Black talk in Gospel song & comments)
Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest revision: December 23, 2019
This post showcases a 1980 video of Rev. James Cleveland & choir singing an arrangement of Andrae Crouch's song "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus".
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, linguistic, historical, religious, and aesthetic purposes.
As a means of folkloric documentation, I've included in this post my transcription of Rev. Cleveland's comments that he made as an introduction to this song. Also as a means of folkloric and linguistic documentation, I've presented selected comments from this video's YouTube comment thread which include certain words or phrases from African American English. That section of this post also includes a definition of the sentence "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus".
All copyrights remain with their owners.
****
[UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTION OF] REVEREND JAMES CLEVELAND'S COMMENTS INTRODUCING THE SONG "CAN'T NOBODY DO ME LIKE JESUS"
I went to ah little sanctified church* one night
And they sang ah little song. And I wanna sing it for you tonight.
That little song stayed on my mind.
And the words of the little song that I heard the saints singin
said “Can’t nobody… can’t noooobody….can’t nobody do me like Jesus.
I wonder if I could getcha to do me ah favor for ah minute.
[audience member – Go head. Go head]
Wonder if I could getcha
[more comments from the congregation]
to put yah pocketbooks down.
Make sure you got yah money now.
Don’t never shout without your money
‘Cause everybody around you is not saved, you know
[enthusiastic audience responses, including handclapping].
I love the sanctified church
[audience responses after each of the following comments]
‘Cause the saints don’t mind clappin their hands.
They don’t mind pattin their feet.
They don’t mind daaaancin*
Hallelujah!
I want you to come on in the balcony,
down here on the main floor,
put your hands together,
let’s praise God for ah minute,
come on.
[Song begins]
-snip-
This transcription by Azizi Powell from the video.
The organist plays in response to the words that Rev. Cleveland speaks. This is an example of a call & response pattern that is familiar in African American churches, particularly towards the end of the pastor's sermon.
*sanctified church - Generally speaking, a "sanctified church" is a referent to a Christian church whose members [saints] are saved [have taken Jesus as their Lord & Savior] and show that they feel the Holy Spirit.
"Santified church" is often used as a referent for Holiness churches, and/or other Pentecostal churches.
**The type of dancing that Rev. Cleveland refers to is "holy dancing" when people move [including dancing] as a result of feeling the [Holy] Spirit. The word "shout" used to refer to a form of moving to evoke the Holy Spirit and/or as an expression of the Spirit. However, nowadays "shout" usually means "to sing and shout [to exclaim loudly confirming statements such as "Amen! and "Hallelujah!"].
**
Corrections & additions to this transcription and Editor's notes are welcome.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Rev. James Cleveland-Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus
Walter Robinson, May 21, 2018
-snip-
The video that was originally embedded in this post is no longer available. I believe this is another copy of that same video.
This is only one arrangement of the Gospel praise song "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus". According to several commenters, this video is from the 1980 movie "The Gospel" [The Legends Of ospel] which was recorded in Oakland, California.
In addition to the singing and musicians' playing, I love the double time handclapping that the choir does.
****
MEANINGS OF SELECTED AFRICAN AMERICAN ENGLISH WORDS & PHRASES
(found in the song's title and in selected YouTube comments)
"Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus" = No one can take care of me like Jesus
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/DO
"a phrasal verb
do for
To care or provide for; take care of. [no sentence given]"
Example- song title
**
"old school" = the old way of doing things. Calling music [in particular] "old school" is often a compliment, In contrast, calling something "old fashioned" is usually at least mildly insulting.
Examples [All of these examples are from the discussion thread for the video's [the original video used]
"I admire you for being 16 yrs old and saying the new school music just not it! You are so right. See i am old school and my pastor was my uncle so i practically LIVED at church, and boy we sang all these kind of songs. But believe me we have some churches out their still praising God like the old school ones! I am in one still like this , i pray that God leads you to one in your city thats praising God just like this too! They are out there you just have to find it sweetie, be blessed!"
-bgw48, 2012
**
"Why can't my generation gospel artist make a song like this every now and then. I love old school gospel.."
-Kaprice Parker, 2012
**
"get down" = [In this context] to take things to their elemental, basic essential level; to be real (for real) without artificial words or actions
(I believe that "get down" is a shortened form of “get down to the real nitty gritty” which means the same as the above. Another common expression is [was?]"It's about to get real up in here". In this context, "real" is the opposite of "fake".
Example:
"I'm 16 years old and I have never been to a church that can get down like this. I guess because too many of em' play church nowadays. I can't stop dancing in my chair the music is so good. We need more people who can get down like this! New school music just ain't getting like this is! And the CHURCH!"
-skaterjorji12, 2012
**
"a dead church" = According to many African Americans (and other Black people) a "real church" is one in which people aren't stiff or silent,[dead] but freely and enthusiastically express their faith. Read the meaning for "get down".
Example:
"NOW THIS WHAT YOU CALL HAVING CHURCH,I CANT STAND A DEAD CHURCH,JESUS IS NOT DEAD HE STILL ALIVE,THANK YOU JESUS FOR SAVING ME!!!!!!!!"
-tamika porter, 2012
**
"about to go down" = something real is going to happen [read the definition above for "get down"
Example:
"I love the fact that he is sweating before he even starts singing... OH YOU KNOW ITS ABOUT TO GO DOWN love good old Church"
-vanpackbobo, 2012
**
"to get my praise on" = to praise God
Example:
"Oh my GOD I simply love it this is the kinda Holy ghost music that use to get me through some tough times in my younger years and now that Iam older and finally got a computer and youtube upload and can find alot of the back in the day gospel I use to listen, get my praise on like crazy and stomp on that devil on a constant in Jesus name amen!!!"
Tammy112359, 2012
**
"a beast" = someone who does something very well (someone whose performance is powerful and extraordinary)
This is a high compliment.
Examples:
"that bass player is a beast!"
-rayj1013, 2011
"WOW!!!!!!!! This video is so POWERFUL HOLYGHOST FILLED, I loved it and That Drummer is a BEAST!!"
musiqlover1, 20112
****
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND THANKS
My thanks to Andrae Crouch for composing "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus", and thanks to Rev. James Cleveland for this arrangement. Thanks also to the singers and musicians, the uploader of this video, and those whose comments are quoted in this post.
Finally, thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Latest revision: December 23, 2019
This post showcases a 1980 video of Rev. James Cleveland & choir singing an arrangement of Andrae Crouch's song "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus".
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, linguistic, historical, religious, and aesthetic purposes.
As a means of folkloric documentation, I've included in this post my transcription of Rev. Cleveland's comments that he made as an introduction to this song. Also as a means of folkloric and linguistic documentation, I've presented selected comments from this video's YouTube comment thread which include certain words or phrases from African American English. That section of this post also includes a definition of the sentence "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus".
All copyrights remain with their owners.
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[UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTION OF] REVEREND JAMES CLEVELAND'S COMMENTS INTRODUCING THE SONG "CAN'T NOBODY DO ME LIKE JESUS"
I went to ah little sanctified church* one night
And they sang ah little song. And I wanna sing it for you tonight.
That little song stayed on my mind.
And the words of the little song that I heard the saints singin
said “Can’t nobody… can’t noooobody….can’t nobody do me like Jesus.
I wonder if I could getcha to do me ah favor for ah minute.
[audience member – Go head. Go head]
Wonder if I could getcha
[more comments from the congregation]
to put yah pocketbooks down.
Make sure you got yah money now.
Don’t never shout without your money
‘Cause everybody around you is not saved, you know
[enthusiastic audience responses, including handclapping].
I love the sanctified church
[audience responses after each of the following comments]
‘Cause the saints don’t mind clappin their hands.
They don’t mind pattin their feet.
They don’t mind daaaancin*
Hallelujah!
I want you to come on in the balcony,
down here on the main floor,
put your hands together,
let’s praise God for ah minute,
come on.
[Song begins]
-snip-
This transcription by Azizi Powell from the video.
The organist plays in response to the words that Rev. Cleveland speaks. This is an example of a call & response pattern that is familiar in African American churches, particularly towards the end of the pastor's sermon.
*sanctified church - Generally speaking, a "sanctified church" is a referent to a Christian church whose members [saints] are saved [have taken Jesus as their Lord & Savior] and show that they feel the Holy Spirit.
"Santified church" is often used as a referent for Holiness churches, and/or other Pentecostal churches.
**The type of dancing that Rev. Cleveland refers to is "holy dancing" when people move [including dancing] as a result of feeling the [Holy] Spirit. The word "shout" used to refer to a form of moving to evoke the Holy Spirit and/or as an expression of the Spirit. However, nowadays "shout" usually means "to sing and shout [to exclaim loudly confirming statements such as "Amen! and "Hallelujah!"].
**
Corrections & additions to this transcription and Editor's notes are welcome.
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SHOWCASE VIDEO: Rev. James Cleveland-Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus
Walter Robinson, May 21, 2018
-snip-
The video that was originally embedded in this post is no longer available. I believe this is another copy of that same video.
This is only one arrangement of the Gospel praise song "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus". According to several commenters, this video is from the 1980 movie "The Gospel" [The Legends Of ospel] which was recorded in Oakland, California.
In addition to the singing and musicians' playing, I love the double time handclapping that the choir does.
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MEANINGS OF SELECTED AFRICAN AMERICAN ENGLISH WORDS & PHRASES
(found in the song's title and in selected YouTube comments)
"Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus" = No one can take care of me like Jesus
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/DO
"a phrasal verb
do for
To care or provide for; take care of. [no sentence given]"
Example- song title
**
"old school" = the old way of doing things. Calling music [in particular] "old school" is often a compliment, In contrast, calling something "old fashioned" is usually at least mildly insulting.
Examples [All of these examples are from the discussion thread for the video's [the original video used]
"I admire you for being 16 yrs old and saying the new school music just not it! You are so right. See i am old school and my pastor was my uncle so i practically LIVED at church, and boy we sang all these kind of songs. But believe me we have some churches out their still praising God like the old school ones! I am in one still like this , i pray that God leads you to one in your city thats praising God just like this too! They are out there you just have to find it sweetie, be blessed!"
-bgw48, 2012
**
"Why can't my generation gospel artist make a song like this every now and then. I love old school gospel.."
-Kaprice Parker, 2012
**
"get down" = [In this context] to take things to their elemental, basic essential level; to be real (for real) without artificial words or actions
(I believe that "get down" is a shortened form of “get down to the real nitty gritty” which means the same as the above. Another common expression is [was?]"It's about to get real up in here". In this context, "real" is the opposite of "fake".
Example:
"I'm 16 years old and I have never been to a church that can get down like this. I guess because too many of em' play church nowadays. I can't stop dancing in my chair the music is so good. We need more people who can get down like this! New school music just ain't getting like this is! And the CHURCH!"
-skaterjorji12, 2012
**
"a dead church" = According to many African Americans (and other Black people) a "real church" is one in which people aren't stiff or silent,[dead] but freely and enthusiastically express their faith. Read the meaning for "get down".
Example:
"NOW THIS WHAT YOU CALL HAVING CHURCH,I CANT STAND A DEAD CHURCH,JESUS IS NOT DEAD HE STILL ALIVE,THANK YOU JESUS FOR SAVING ME!!!!!!!!"
-tamika porter, 2012
**
"about to go down" = something real is going to happen [read the definition above for "get down"
Example:
"I love the fact that he is sweating before he even starts singing... OH YOU KNOW ITS ABOUT TO GO DOWN love good old Church"
-vanpackbobo, 2012
**
"to get my praise on" = to praise God
Example:
"Oh my GOD I simply love it this is the kinda Holy ghost music that use to get me through some tough times in my younger years and now that Iam older and finally got a computer and youtube upload and can find alot of the back in the day gospel I use to listen, get my praise on like crazy and stomp on that devil on a constant in Jesus name amen!!!"
Tammy112359, 2012
**
"a beast" = someone who does something very well (someone whose performance is powerful and extraordinary)
This is a high compliment.
Examples:
"that bass player is a beast!"
-rayj1013, 2011
"WOW!!!!!!!! This video is so POWERFUL HOLYGHOST FILLED, I loved it and That Drummer is a BEAST!!"
musiqlover1, 20112
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND THANKS
My thanks to Andrae Crouch for composing "Can't Nobody Do Me Like Jesus", and thanks to Rev. James Cleveland for this arrangement. Thanks also to the singers and musicians, the uploader of this video, and those whose comments are quoted in this post.
Finally, thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
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