Graduado Voador - Falou (Capoeira song lyrics, translation, and information)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases a sound file and English lyrics of the Brazilian capoeira song "Falou".

Information about capoeira and persons mentioned in this song are also included in this post.

Editor's note: I've not been able to find any biographical information online about Graduado Voador. I'm not sure if he is the composer of "Falou" as well as the vocalist of this recording. I also don't know when this song was composed and first recorded. Any information about this song and about Graduado Voador would be appreciated.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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INFORMATION ABOUT CAPOEIRA (CAPOEIRA NAGO)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capoeira_music
"In capoeira, music sets the rhythm, the style of play, and the energy of a game. In its most traditional setting, there are three main styles of song that weave together the structure of the capoeira roda. The roda represents the most strict and traditional format for capoeira and is ideally suited for an introduction and discussion of the music. Though we may consider the music traditional, because it has been passed orally from one to the next until the early - mid 20th century when songs and rhythms began to be notated and recorded, there is no record of to what extent and exactly how the music has evolved over time. Capoeira's Brazilian heritage plays a heavy role in the way capoeira is perceived by its practitioners and understood at a subconscious level. It is a common feature of many Brazilian ethnic groups, for instance, as well as others throughout the world, that music is not so much a form of personal entertainment as it is a medium to bring about group cohesion and dynamic.

Music in the context of capoeira is used to create a sacred space through both the physical act of forming a circle (the roda) and an aural space that is believed to connect to the spirit world. This deeper religious significance exists more as a social memory to most capoeira groups, but is generally understood as evidenced in the use of ngoma drums (the atabaques of Yoruba candomblé), the berimbau whose earlier forms were used in rituals in Africa and the diaspora in speaking with ancestors, the ever-present term axé which signifies life force, the invocation of both Afro-Brazilian and Catholic spirituality, and certain semi-ritualized movements used in Capoeira Angola that bring "spiritual protection".
-snip-
I reformatted this passage to enhance its readability.

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FEATURED SOUND FILE: Graduado Voador - Falou (Capoeira Nago)



verča vítková Uploaded on Sep 7, 2011

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ENGLISH LYRICS: FALOU
(as sung by Graduado Voador)

I spoke, spoke of slavery, I spoke,
I spoke, spoke of oppression, I spoke,
I spoke, there in the times of Bimba, I spoke,
I spoke, was heard today…

I spoke, spoke of slavery, I spoke,
I spoke, spoke of oppression, I spoke,
I spoke, there in the times of Bimba, I spoke,
I spoke, was heard today…

The negro that suffers in the slave quarters,
And one day he heard a lament
It was Zumbi of Palmares
It was he who freed him
Today I spoke…

I spoke, spoke of slavery, I spoke,
I spoke, spoke of oppression, I spoke,
I spoke, there in the times of Bimba, I spoke,
I spoke, was heard today…

Berimbau helped the capoeiristas
There in the time, there in the time of oppression
If you heard the rhythm of Cavalaria
When the police followed, berimbau already warned me
Today I spoke…

I spoke, spoke of slavery, I spoke,
I spoke, spoke of oppression, I spoke,
I spoke, there in the times of Bimba, I spoke,
I spoke, was heard today…

Manuel was the respected master
Creator of the Regional art,
Today his name will be remembered
Now don’t forget the man that spoke Capoeira…
Today I spoke…

I spoke, spoke of slavery, I spoke,
I spoke, spoke of oppression, I spoke,
I spoke, there in the times of Bimba, I spoke,
I spoke, was heard today…

History that narrates the past
Players who we hear of until today
And the songs that take me to those times
Remembering those moments where the berimbau played
Today I spoke…

I spoke, spoke of slavery, I spoke,
I spoke, spoke of oppression, I spoke,
I spoke, there in the times of Bimba, I spoke,
I spoke, was heard today…

Source: http://capoeiralyrics.info/Songs/Details/2175
-snip-
Click that link for the Portuguese lyrics for "Falou".

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INFORMATION ABOUT ZUMBI
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zumbi
"Zumbi (1655 – November 20, 1695), also known as Zumbi dos Palmares...was the last of the leaders of the Quilombo dos Palmares, a fugitive settlement in the present-day state of Alagoas, Brazil...

Quilombo dos Palmares was a self-sustaining republic of Maroons escaped from the Portuguese settlements in Brazil, "a region perhaps the size of Portugal in the hinterland of Bahia".[1] At its height, Palmares had a population of over 30,000. Forced to defend against repeated attacks by Portuguese colonists, many warriors of Palmares were expert in capoeira, a martial arts form that was brought to and enhanced in Brazil by African slaves at about the 16th century on."

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INFORMATION ABOUT BIMBA
http://capoeira.union.rpi.edu/history.php?chapter=Bimba
"Mestre Bimba is the father of the style of Capoeira known as Regional. He was born Manuel dos Reis Machado in 1900; he was also born with the nickname "Bimba" as a result of a bet between his mother and the midwife about the sex of the baby. When he was born, the midwife cried "He is a boy! Look at his bimba [Penis]!". Bimba was taught Capoeira from the age of twelve by a ship's captain, an African named Bentinho.

Despite the intense pressure of Capoeira still being illegal, Bimba practiced and even demonstrated Capoeira, keeping the art alive. After performances for the governor of Bahí¬a and even the president of Brazil, rather than being arrested, Bimba was given permission to open a recognized, legal school of Capoeira.

In the old days, there was just one style of Capoeira... it could equally be said that there was a style of Capoeira for every Capoeirista. Mestre Bimba codified what he called the "regional fight from Bahía, with the goals of bringing Capoeira to the middle and upper classes and gaining respect for the art from the people of Brazil. He ensured his students wore clean, white uniforms and performed well in school, and gave them coloured scarves to show rank, a system adopted after the Eastern martial arts' coloured belts. Bimba made all of his students observe his academy's rules”

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INFORMATION ABOUT CAPOEIRA CALVARIA
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capoeira_toques
"In the game of capoeira, toques are the rhythms played on the berimbau. Many toques are associated with a specific game (i.e. style and speed of play), although organizations differ on how to play each toque. Capoeira toques have their roots in African rhythmic music, which was modified and further developed among the slaves of Brazil.

Some of the more important toques are described below, including; traditional toques, and those created or popularised by Mestre Bimba who was responsible for significant developments to modern capoeira...

Cavalaria

Originally used to alert players that the police were coming, the toque imitates the galloping of horses (and some say it sounds like a police siren)."
-snip-
Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berimbau for information about the berimbau musical instrument.

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Thanks to Graduado Voador for his recording of this song. Thanks also to the historical figures who are mentioned in this song. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post, and thanks to the publisher of this sound file on YouTube.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Read More

South African Struggle Songs (protest chants)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post is Part II of a two part series on performance elements in South African protests.

This post provides information and video examples of South African struggle songs. In the United States the struggle songs that are the focus of that post would be referred to as "protest chants".

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/01/toyi-toyi-south-african-protest-dance.html for Part I of this series.

Part I provides definitions, information, and video examples of South African "toyi toyi".

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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INFORMATION ABOUT SOUTH AFRICAN STRUGGLE SONGS (PROTEST CHANTS)
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amandla_(power)
"Amandla is a Xhosa and Zulu word meaning "power". The word was a popular rallying cry in the days of resistance against Apartheid, used by the African National Congress and its allies. The leader of a group would call out "Amandla!" and the crowd would respond with "Awethu"[1] or "Ngawethu!"[2] (to us), completing the South African version of the rallying cry Power to the People!.[3] The word is still associated with struggles against oppression.

Mandla, which is derived from "amandla", is also a common first name in South Africa. It is also the name of a leftist NGO that publishes a magazine by the same name.

Current use in South Africa
The word "Amandla" is also used when people make a bet, deal or promise, they say the word and hold up their hands with their thumbs up.

After Apartheid ended, people have begun to use the rallying cry 'Amandla' to express their grievances against current government policies including those of the ANC. Trade unions still use it at mass meetings and protests.

The use of the term has also become popular again during recent service delivery protests and among poor people's movements. South Africa's independent social movements such as Abahlali baseMjondolo, the Anti-Eviction Campaign and the Mandela Park Backyarders use "Amandla Ngawethu!" during their anti-government and anti-political party protests.[4][5][6] The chant is often used by the movements as a way of beginning or ending a speech as well as quieting down a crowd when a speaker has something important to say.[7] The Anti-Eviction Campaign also uses the phrase "Power to the Poor People" as a variation on "Amandla Ngawethu" and "Power to the People" to denote the need of poor people's movements to control and speak for themselves and not have wealthy leftist NGOs speak for them."

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From http://www.sapolitics.co.za/176/how-toyi-toyi-has-become-a-political-vehicle
"Against Apartheid
The toyi-toyi* combined song and dance to come up against what was at the time, the world’s most oppressive apparatus of State. “Amandla!” the people shouted, “Amandla! Awethu!” – meaning “Power to the People!” It rallied everyone who cared to show solidarity against a powerful oppressive force. Because of its anti-Apartheid nature, the toyi-toyi* is considered an ANC vehicle for an expression of freedom. This famous dance has changed the lives of many political figures and has been used to celebrate those lives too. The most famous example being when Nelson Mandela was elected President of South Africa and declared the nation “Free, at last!”, and his supporters began to toyi-toyi in celebration and joy. He couldn’t help himself, but join in.…
-snip-
*From the other uses of the word "toyi toyi" that I've read online, that word is usually used without the prefacing article "the".

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From http://www.iol.co.za/business/companies/amcu-strikers-sing-songs-as-talks-resume-1.1637348#.UuoYMK-A1v4 Amcu strikers sing songs as talks resume
January 27 2014 at 10:35am By SAPA
“Johannesburg - Striking mineworkers at Rustenburg platinum mines were gathering on Monday morning for a briefing, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) said.

“We are gathering to brief workers about what transpired at the CCMA (Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration) meeting on Friday and the continuing talks,” said Lazarus Khoza, branch shop steward at Amplats Khuselela mine.

He said the strike would continue until a resolution had been reached.

“Our demands have not changed,” he said by phone.

Workers singing struggle songs could be heard on the background”...
-snip-
(Italics were added by me to highlight this sentence.)

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FEATURED VIDEOS
These examples are presented in chronological order with the oldest dated videos posted first.

WARNING: The viewer comment threads for these YouTube videos may include racist language and profanity.

Example #1: SA [South African] Struggle Songs



nocoolspot, Uploaded on May 16, 2010

In 2010 Walter Sisulu University students use 80s struggle songs to raise awareness about gender-based violence.

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Example #2: Amandla! Awethu!



djlightbolt, Uploaded on May 18, 2011

The call & response of the anti-apartheid movement ["power"... "is ours" in Zulu]. Amandla!
-snip-
It should be noted that in the United States the very similar chant "Power to the people!" might be the source of this South African chant but it isn't done in call & response.

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Example #3: Struggle Songs for Mandela - Outside Heart Hospital Pretoria. South Africa



Josh Goodman, Published on Jun 30, 2013

Scenes form out side the Pretoria, Heart Hospital this morning. where Nelson Mandela is currently in a critical but stable condition.

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RELATED VIDEO
Song and dance in Mthatha as Mandela makes last journey home



sabcdigitalnews, Published on Dec 14, 2013

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

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Read More

Toyi Toyi (South African protest dance) information & videos

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I of a two part series on performance elements in South African protests.

This post provides definitions, information, and video examples of South African "toyi toyi".

Click
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/01/south-african-struggle-songs-protest.html for Part II of this post.

Part II provides information and video examples of South African struggle songs. In the United States the struggle songs that are the focus of that post would be referred to as "protest chants".

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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DEFINITION OF "TOYI TOYI"
From http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Toyi-toyi
toy-toy
n
1. (Dancing) a dance expressing defiance and protest

vb
2. (Dancing) (intr) to dance in this way
-snip-
Note that "toyi toyi" is also written as "toy toy". ("Toyi" appears to be pronounced like the English word "toy").

It's important to note that "toyi toyi" is used as a noun and a verb. Examples of both of those usages are given below. It's also important to note that toyi toyi is usually a non-violent expression of protest (on the part of the protesters).

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INFORMATION ABOUT "TOYI TOYI"
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyi-toyi
"Toyi-toyi is a Southern African dance originally from Zimbabwe by Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) forces that has long been used in political protests in South Africa.[1]
Toyi-toyi could begin as the stomping of feet and spontaneous chanting during protests that could include political slogans or songs, either improvised or previously created. Some sources claim that South Africans learned it from Zimbabweans.

Use during Apartheid
Toyi-toyi was often very successful in intimidating the South African troops. The toyi-toyi was also used with chants such as the African National Congress's "Amandla" ("power") and "Awethu" ("ours") or the Pan African Congress's "One Settler, One Bullet".

After the 1976 Soweto massacre, the movement became more militant in the struggle for liberation. The toyi-toyi, a military march dance and song style became commonplace in massive street demonstrations. As one activist puts it, "The toyi-toyi was our weapon. We did not have the technology of warfare, the tear gas and tanks, but we had this weapon."[2]

Current use in South Africa
After Apartheid ended, people have used toyi-toyi to express their grievances against current government policies. Use of the dance has become very popular during recent service delivery protests and among trade unions, and some South Africans have used it in violent attacks against refugees. The country's independent social movements such as Abahlali baseMjondolo and the Anti-Eviction Campaign have begun using toyi-toyi and other liberation protest strategies for their anti-government protests. [3][4] The Anti-Privatisation Forum has come out with a CD that they see as a compilation of music specially for toyi-toying.[5]”...

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From http://www.capetownmagazine.com/whats-the-deal-with/Whats-the-Deal-With-Toyitoyi/125_22_17384
”Toyi-toyi is the war dance of black South Africans, which dates back to the Mau Mau people in Kenya, who rose against the English colonialists. It is a fine example of South Africa’s rare spirit in the face of impossible conditions and abject poverty. From protests to celebrations, the chants capture the emotions of joy, pain, encouragement, heartbreak and solace. Toyi-toyi is a powerful and infectious statement, by which the oppressed may voice their grievances to the government.

“Even though South Africa has 11 official languages, toyi-toyi could be considered the 12th, since it’s nearly as old as the country itself and everyone knows it, including the government.” - a resident of Orange Farm, South of Johannesburg...

The toyi-toyi is quite a marvel to watch. Throngs of people charge forwards, stomping and chanting political slogans. Such energy struck fear into the hearts of the armed forces who tried to contain them. But toyi-toyi was also a distraction from fear during the marches because people knew that later, once the crowds had dispersed, they would suffer harassment at the hands of police."

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FEATURED VIDEOS
These examples are presented in chronological order with the oldest dated videos posted first.

WARNING: The viewer comment threads for these YouTube videos may include racist language and profanity. Also, violent scenes are included toward the end of the portion of the movie that is given in this post as Video #4.

Example #1: Township of Jo Slovo Toi Toi for their homes! (pt 1)



Charles Fraser• Uploaded on Jan 24, 2008

The People of the Township of Jo Slovo in Cape Town South Africa demonstrate outside the High Court in Cape Town for their right to stay where they have settled for the last 20 years. The government plans another housing project, but if it is anything like their last, the infamous 'Gateway project', We can all understand what the people are afraid of: Not ever getting a home as promised because they are too expensive.
-snip-
Part II of this video isn't available on YouTube.

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Example #2: Human Rights Day 2007 toyi toyi1



Sifuna Zonke, Uploaded on May 11, 2008

APF Human Rights Day protest

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Example #3: How to Toyi-Toyi



CraigiejiMakhos Uploaded on Nov 12, 2009
Stressed? Life getting you down? Or is your bum in the butter? Either way, living in South Africa, it is vital that you learn how to Toyi-toyi.

More videos related to Xhosa culture and language, search under username "UBuntuBridge"
-snip-
This is a tongue in cheek instructional video.

Here are three comments from this video's viewer comment thread that demonstrate the use of the word "toyi-toyi" as a noun and as a verb:
Anne Farnsworth, 2010
"Toyi Toyi to celebrate the anniversary of Mandela's election, May 9, 1994"
-snip-
Toyi Toyi is used here as a verb.

**
bayo akin, 2013
"Toyi-Toyi is a dance from Zimbabwe, the fighters from South Africa who went and fought with ZAPU that brought the dance to South Africa."
-snip-
Toyi Toyi is used as a noun.

**
abongile chris, 2013
"lol lol you dnt learn to toy-toy it you just move with the motion lol now will toy toy together my fellow brothers lol"
-snip-
Toy -toy is used as a verb.

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Example #4: Toyi Toyi



Patrick Balcasio, Uploaded on Feb 11, 2011

Toyi-Toyi scene from the film 'Stander'
-snip-
Here are two comments from that video's viewer comment thread:

JakeBluegrass, 2012
"The wrong songs are being sung here. These are ANC songs. Steve Biko, AZAPO and BCM were the influential organisations of the day. The slogans would have been more BCM orientated. The ANC did not feature much during this period. The ANC were caught off guard by the riots and launched a violent campaign to wrest popularity from the BCM. The ANC have been less than honest in ignoring this and have tried to whitewash BCM's role. This sequence shows how ignorant the film makers were of this period."

**
Walter Holder, 2012
"Oh Heavens Jake! Shall we appeal to Botha to have the movie banned? There are just too many mistakes for it to continue. Just a few things i noticed : Stander's hair is too long; one cop is wearing a combination belt over camo uniform; the Saracen was painted the wrong colour; there were no albinos in the clip; the cops' moustaches are drooping past the corners of their mouths: one cop's shoe-laces were untied..... ever heard of artistic license?"

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UPDATE: Additional video July 23, 2014

Video #5: African People Power : SATAWU Protest in Johannesburg



Pedro Buccellato, Uploaded on Feb 17, 2011
South African Transport & Allied Workers' Union striking workers march to the Bargaining Council offices in Braamfontein to make their point. Peaceful, well co-ordinated and disciplined: Thanks SATAWU for not trashing Braamies and thanks to the SAPS & Metro units for being cool and keeping things under control.

Johannesburg 16 February 2011
-snip-
A long segment beginning at 3:21 shows a large group of protesters singing & doing toyi-toyi. While doing toyi toyi, some of these protestors held their right arm up with their fist clenched/ Others blew vuvuzelas or symbolically held the traditional Zulu warrior weapon known as "assegai" (a short pole weapon). From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assegai "The use of various types of the assegai was widespread all over Africa and it was the most common weapon used before the introduction of firearms. The Zulu and other Nguni tribes of South Africa were renowned for their use of the assegai."

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Thanks to all those who risked and still risk their life and their livelihood in a struggle for rights and justice.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Read More

Pharrell Williams - "Happy", from Despicable Me 2 (video, lyrics, and comments)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases a video of "Happy" from the American movie "Despicable Me 2" "Happy" is one of four songs (as of January 29, 2014) that are nominees for the best original song Oscar at the 86th Academy Awards. The other nominees are "Let It Go" from Frozen, "The Moon Song" from Her and "Ordinary Love" from Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

This post also includes information about Pharrell Williams, the song's composer and vocalist. The lyrics for this song are also included in this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Pharrell Williams for his musical legacy. Thanks also to the producer of this video, and to all the other persons who are featured in video. Thanks also to the transcribers of this song and the publisher of this video on YouTube.

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INFORMATION ABOUT PHARRELL WILLIAMS, WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE SONG "HAPPY"
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharrell_Williams
"Pharrell Williams (born April 5, 1973), also known as Pharrell, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, fashion designer, and drummer. Williams and Chad Hugo make up the record production duo The Neptunes, producing soul, hip hop and R&B music...As part of The Neptunes, Williams has produced numerous hit singles for various musicians.[3] Williams has earned seven Grammy Awards including two with The Neptunes...

In July 2010, Williams composed the soundtrack to the movie Despicable Me, produced by Hans Zimmer and recorded with the Hollywood Studio Symphony...

Williams penned three new original songs, included alongside composer Heitor Pereira's score, for the sequel Despicable Me 2. These were "Just a Cloud Away", "Happy", and "Scream" (featuring Cee Lo Green). His two original songs from the first film were also reprised on the soundtrack - "Despicable Me" and "Fun, Fun, Fun".[30]

In November 2013, Pharrell released the first 24-hour music video to his Despicable Me 2 collaboration song, "Happy". Guest appearances included Magic Johnson, Steve Carrell, Jimmy Kimmel, Jamie Foxx, Steve Martin, Odd Future, Miranda Cosgrove, Janelle Monáe, and many others.[38] It has received approximately 5.5 million views as of Christmas Day, 2013.[39]

It was announced in December 2013 that Williams had been nominated for seven Grammy Awards, including Producer of the Year.[40] In the same month, a press release from Columbia Records announced that Pharrell had signed a contract with the label and is releasing an album in 2014, featuring the single "Happy" from the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack.[2] For this song, Pharrell has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song."

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LYRICS: HAPPY
(Pharrell Williams)

Verse 1:]
It might seem crazy what I’m about to say
Sunshine she’s here, you can take a break
I’m a hot air balloon that could go to space
With the air, like I don’t care baby by the way

[Hook:]
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do

[Verse 2:]
Here come bad news talking this and that, yeah,
Well, give me all you got, and don’t hold back, yeah,
Well, I should probably warn you I’ll be just fine, yeah,
No offense to you, don’t waste your time
Here’s why

[Hook]

Hey, come on

[Bridge:]
(happy)
Bring me down
Can't nothing bring me down
My level's too high
Bring me down
Can't nothing bring me down
I said (let me tell you now)
Bring me down
Can't nothing bring me down
My level's too high
Bring me down
Can't nothing bring me down
I said

[Hook 2x]

Hey, come on

(happy)
Bring me down… can’t nothing…
Bring me down… my level's too high…
Bring me down… can’t nothing…
Bring me down, I said (let me tell you now)

[Hook 2x]

Come on

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/pharrellwilliams/happy.html

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SHOWCASE VIDEO: Pharrell Williams - Happy (Official Music Video)



iamOTHER, Published on Nov 21, 2013

Performed by Pharrell Williams
Written and Produced by Pharrell Williams
Background Vocals performed by Rhea Dummett, Trevon Henderson, Ashley L. Lee, Shamika Hightower, Jasmine Murray and Terrence...

From the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack. Check out http://24hoursofhappy.com to experience the world's first 24 hour music video! Directed by We Are From L.A.

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S VIEWER COMMENT THREAD
Here are some comments from this video's viewer comment thread, including times for celebrity cameo appearances:
(WARNING: Like many other YouTube video threads, this comment thread contains profanity.)

2014
Cara Fears
"This is the best "happy" dance song I've heard in a long time. With all the bad news in the world, this song lifts your spirits. Good song Mr. Williams (and everyone elsed who worked on it). We needed this one!"
**
missletie8383
"I dare you to watch/listen to this song and not feel HAPPY or at least have a smile after this song! It sure brought up my attitude :)"
**
Den Ali1
"how great is this song. Its just all around surround me with goodness perfect. As Celiz Cruz said "la vida es un carnival." HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!!!"
**
Erin Kinchin
"The song that makes you feel great first thing in the morning. A must listen to start your day right!!!!"
**
Marty McNamara
"Take a bow Pharrell & Co. You've nailed it. Keep rollin' in this direction guys. Hats off to the production crew. :)"
**
Rose Lentine
"kelly osborn in this video @ 2:52... (girl with purple hair) this song always makes me feel uplifted! I love the ole style jam combined with newer age!"
**
Ezequiel Cai
"0:43 Miranda Cosgrove
2:49 Magic Jhonson(?)
2:56 Steve Carell :D"
**
Oriente Nulli Secundus
"2:23 the guy from the black keys lonely boy video"
**
ismail çiftci
"00:30 revolution aaron"
**
Isak Osman
"2:31 Jimmy Kimmel? Is that you?"
**
jadon netschi
"Tyler the creator and earl sweatshirt "
**
idocta12
"0:48 TYLER, EARL & JASPER <3 too dope.
-snip-
"dope"= very cool (very good) ; "too dope" = really very cool

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UPDATE: 2/2/2014
The song from the movie "Frozen" won the best song Oscar, but I believe that
Pharrell's song made the audience the happiest.

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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

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Dorothy Norwood - "Victory Is Mine" (videos & lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases lyrics and video examples of the Gospel song "Victory Is Mine".

The content of this post is presented for religious and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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LYRICS: VICTORY IS MINE
(Dorothy Norwood)

Victory is mine,
victory is mine,
victory today is mine.

I told Satan to get thee behind,
victory today is mine.

Victory is mine,
victory is mine,
victory today is mine.

I told Satan to get thee behind,
victory today is mine.

Joy is mine,
joy is mine,
I know that joy is mine.

I told Satan to get thee behind,
I know that joy is mine.

Happiness is mine,
happiness is mine,
happiness today is mine.

I told Satan to get thee behind,
happiness today is mine.

When I rose this morning,
I didn't have no doubt,
I knew that the Lord would bring me out.
I fell on my knees,
said, "Lord help me please"
got up singing and shouting “Victory”.*

Victory is mine,
victory is mine,
victory today is mine.

I told Satan to get thee behind,
victory today is mine

Victory is mine,
victory is mine,
victory today is mine.

I told Satan
I told Satan
I told Satan
I told Satan
I told Satan
I told Satan
I told Satan
I told Satan
I told Satan
to get thee behind,
victory today is mine

Source: http://www.elyrics.net/read/d/dorothy-norwood-lyrics/victory-is-mine-lyrics.html

*This is my correction of that transcript which gives that line as “got up singing and shouting the victory”
-snip-
This song is sometimes sung without the "When I Rose This Morning" verse.

****
FEATURED VIDEOS
(These examples are presented in chronological order based on their posting date with the oldest dated examples given first.)

Example #1: Victory Is Mine - Gospel Legends Volume 2 soloist Dorothy Norwood



pannellctp, Uploaded on Apr 26, 2011

Victory Is Mine - Gospel Legends Volume 2 soloist Dorothy Norwood

A medley of Victory Is Mine, I Need Thee and Shine On Me

****
Example #2: Victory Is Mine - Dorothy Norwood


Kadeem Graves Published on Jul 15, 2012

This is from the 1994 video "Feel Like..."

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Example #3: Dorothy Norwood and the Caravans Live/Victory is Mine



TrueGospelMan Published on Dec 20, 2012

Dorothy Norwood, Albertina Walker, Cassietta George, Delores Washington: The Caravans

****
EDITOR'S NOTES
A video commenter posted the Bible verse which he or she believes this song was based upon:
"1 Corinthians 15:57 New King James Version (NKJV)
"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
**
Another commenter shared that this song was included in the soundtrack of the American movie
The Help.

****
RELATED LINK
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/01/four-examples-of-gospel-song-this.html
for a pancocojams post of the song "This Morning When I Rose". Lyrics of that Gospel song include the lines "This morning when I rose/I didn't have no doubt." However, the remaining lyrics of that song are different from the "When I rose this morning" verse that is found in the song "Victory Is Mine".

Also, there are other African American Gospel songs with the title and/or lyrics "When I Rose This Morning". Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yqHK7MLoec for a video of one such song that is performed by the Kansas City Gospel Wonders.

****
Thanks to Dorothy Norwood and the Caravans for their musical legacy. Thanks also to all those vocalists and musicians featured in these videos, and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Read More

Two Praise Poems For The Orisha Ogun

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases two examples of praise poetry for the Yoruba orisha (orisa) Ogun, the god of iron.

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

All content remains with their owners.

****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
Example #1
From http://archive.org/stream/OralLiteratureInAfrica/OralLiteratureInAfrica_djvu.txt Oral Literature in Africa by Ruth Finnegan
"In West Africa, apparently unlike other areas, formal praises are addressed to supernatural beings. Hausa bori spirits for instance, each have their own praise songs (taki, kirari). When the spirit is to be called, its praise songs are played through one after another until it takes possession of one of its worshippers (Smith 1957: 33). The Yoruba praise poems to deities in Nigeria and Dahomey (as well as from the Yoruba in Brazil) are particularly famous. 2 Each of the many Yoruba deities (orisha) has a series of praises expressed in figurative and obscure language, sung by the priest. Here, for instance, is a praise poem about Ogun, the god of iron, one of the most powerful deities, worshipped particularly by warriors, hunters, and blacksmiths:

Ogun kills on the right and destroys on the right.

Ogun kills on the left and destroys on the left.

Ogun kills suddenly in the house and suddenly in the field.

Ogun kills the child with the iron with which it plays.

Ogun kills in silence.

Ogun kills the thief and the owner of the stolen goods.

Ogun-kills the owner of the slave — and the slave runs away.

Ogun kills the owner of thirty 'iwofa' [pawns] — and his money wealth and
children disappear.

Ogun kills the owner of the house and paints the hearth with his blood.

Ogun is the death who pursues a child until it runs into the bush.

Ogun is the needle that pricks at both ends.

Ogun has water but he washes in blood.

Ogun do not fight me. I belong only to you.

The wife of Ogun is like a tim tim [decorated leather cushion].

She does not like two people to rest on her.

Ogun has many gowns. He gives them all to the beggars.

He gives one to the woodcock — the woodcock dyes it indigo.

He gives one to the coucal — the coucal dyes it in camwood.

He gives one to the cattle egret — the cattle egret leaves it white.

Ogun is not like pounded yam:

Do you think you can knead him in your hand

And eat of him until you are satisfied?

Ogun is not like maize gruel:

Do you think you can knead him in your hand ti&x*

And eat of him until you are satisfied?

Ogun is not like something you can throw in your cap:

Do you think you can put on your cap and walk away with him?

Ogun scatters his enemies.

When the butterflies arrive at the place where the cheetah excretes,

They scatter in all directions.

The light shining on Ogun's face is not easy to behold.

Ogun, let me not see the red of your eye.

Ogun sacrifices an elephant to his head.

Master of iron, head of warriors,

Ogun,great chief of robbers.

Ogun wears a bloody cap.

Ogun has four hundred wives and one thousand four hundred children.

Ogun,the fire that sweeps the forest.

Ogun's laughter is no joke.

Ogun eats two hundred earthworms and does not vomit.

Ogun is a crazy orisha [deity] who still asks questions after 780 years.

Whether I can reply, or whether I cannot reply,

Ogun please don't ask me anything.

The lion never allows anybody to play with his cub.

Ogun will never allow his child to be punished.

Ogun do not reject me!

Does the woman who spins ever reject a spindle?

Does the woman who dyes ever reject a cloth?

Does the eye that sees ever reject a sight?

Ogun, do not reject me! [Ogun needs his worshippers].

(Gbadamosi and Beier 1959: 21-2)
-snip-
*ti&x - This is probably a typo but I don't know what the corrected word is or even if a word was meant to be there.

****
Example #2: Mayowa Adeyemo praises Ogun (God of Iron)



Yoruba Poetry, Published on Jan 4, 2014

Ògún onírè ọkọ ò mi
Irúnmolè tí ń rù mìnìmìnì
Òlómi nílé fèjè wè
Òlása nílé fìmọ̀bímọ̀ bora
Ògún aládàá méjì
Ó fìkán sánko, ó fìkán yènà
Ojó Ògún ń fìkòlé òrun bò wá s'ílé ayé
Asa iná ló mú bora
èwù èjè ló wọ̀ sọ́rùn o
Ògún onílé owó ọlọ́nà ọla
Ògún onílé kángun kàngun òde òrun
Méje l'Ògún mi
Ògún alárá nií gbajá
Ògún onírè a gbàgbò
Ògún ìkọlà a gbà 'gbín
Ògún elémoná nií gbèsun asu
Ògún akirun á gbà wo àgbò
Ògún gbénàgbénà eran ahun níí je
Ògún mákinde ti d'Ògún léhìn odi
Bí ò bá gba tápà á gbàbókí á gba húnkùnhúnkùn
á gba tèmbèrí o jàre
mo ní e má bógúnrún fìjà seré
Ògún òlódodo l'Ògún tèmi
Ọmọ Orórínà, ọmọ Tàbúfú
Morú nítorípé l'ójó Ògún kó délé ayé,
Emu ló kó bèrè o ḿgbà tó délè ìrè o
Ògún onílé owó, Olónà olà
Ògún ónile, kángunkàgun òde òrun
Mo ní e má aàbógùn fìjà sére o o
Ara Ògún kan gó gó gó
-snip-
Here's the English translation from the sub-titles that are included in the video:

Ogún oh!
Ogun god of iron, my husband.
A deity that strikes heavily.
He has water at home but bathes with blood.
He has clothes but wears palm fronds.
Ogun possesses two cutlasses:
One for cutting grass, the other for making marks.
Since Ogun came down from heaven to earth,
He uses robes of fire as his cover.
A shirt of blood is what he puts on.
Ogun has a house of riches, a house of wealth.
Ogun has a house of war in the great beyond.
My god of iron is seven.
Worshippers of Ogun bring him a dog.
Ogun also accepts a ram as a sacrifice.
The Ikola offers Ogun snails.
The Elemona offer Ogun roasted yam.
The brave brings Ogun a ram.
The carpenter offers Ogun tree sap.
Makinde, Ogun has become.
If he sells Tapa, he will sell his friend
He will collect three.
Eh, do not use the sword to play with the god of iron.
My Ogun is a truthful deity.
The son of Ororina, son of Tabafu.
I tell you because when Ogun came into this world,
He asked first for palmwine when he got to Ire.
Ogun’s house is full of money.
His pathway is full of wealth.
The owner of the ugly house in heaven,
I tell you, do not fight playfully with Ogun.
Ogun isn’t smiling at all.

****
RELATED LINKS
Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ogoun and http://www.orishanet.org/ocha.html for information about Ogun.

****
Maferefún ("praises to the spiritual energy of") Ogun.

Thanks to Ruth Finnegan, the editor of Oral Literature in Africa. Thanks also to Mayowa Adeyemo and the publisher of this video on YouTube.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Read More

Congolese singer Tabu Ley Rochereau - "Kaful Mayay" (sound file & comments)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases Congolese singer Tabu Ley Rochereau (also known as Tabu Ley) singing his song "Kaful Mayay". Information about Tabu Ley, and information about Soukous music (also known as African Rhumba) are also included in this post. In addition, this post includes an English translation and summary of this song from that sound file's viewer comment thread.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT TABU LEY ROCHEREAU
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabu_Ley_Rochereau
"Pascal-Emmanuel Sinamoyi Tabu (13 November 1937 or 1940 – 30 November 2013),[1][2] better known as Tabu Ley Rochereau, was a leading African rumba singer-songwriter from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was the leader of Orchestre Afrisa International, as well as one of Africa's most influential vocalists and prolific songwriters. Along with guitarist Dr Nico Kasanda, Tabu Ley pioneered soukous (African rumba) and internationalised his music by fusing elements of Congolese folk music with Cuban, Caribbean and Latin American rumba. He has been described as "the Congolese personality who, along with [the dictator] Mobutu, [most] marked Africa's 20th century history."[3] He was dubbed the "African Elvis" by the Los Angeles Times.[4] After the fall of the Mobutu regime, Tabu Ley also pursued a political career.

During his career, Tabu Ley composed up to 3,000 songs and produced 250 albums."

****
INFORMATION ABOUT SOUKOUS (AFRICAN RHUMBA) MUSIC
From http://www.scaruffi.com/history/african.html "A brief summary of African Popular music"
by Piero Scaruffi excerpted from "The History of Popular Music"
"During the 1950s, when they experienced rapid urbanization and a relatively booming economy, the two French-speaking colonies of the Congo area (capitals in Brazzaville and Kinshasa) witnessed the birth of an African version of the Cuban rumba played by small American-style orchestras (called "kasongo", "kirikiri" or "soukous") with a touch of jazz and of local attitudes: Joseph "Grand Kalle" Kabasselleh's African Jazz (that counted on vocalist Tabu Ley, guitarist "Docteur" Nico Kasanda, saxophonist Manu Dibango), Jean-Serge Essous' O.K.Jazz (featuring the young Franco), Orchestre Bella Bella, etc. Each orchestra became famous for one or more "dances" that they invented. So soukous (as Ley dubbed it in 1966) is actually a history of dances, rather than one monolithic genre (Ley's definition originally applied only to a frenzied version of rumba). A guitarist named Jimmy Elenga introduced "animation": instructions yelled to the crowd in order to direct their dances. Animation eventually became part of the dance, delivering both the identity of the dance, the (ethnic) identity of the band and a (more or less subtle) sociopolitical message. As dictators seized power in both Congos, musicians emigrated to other African countries, to Europe and to the USA, thus spreading soukous around the world, while in Zaire (Congo Kinshasa) soukous bands were used for Maoist-style propaganda purposes ("l'animation politique").
-snip-
Click http://myafricanmusic.com/mycustomradio_d1c.php for a link to Soukous music radio.

****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLE: Tabu Ley Rochereau - Kaful Mayay



Malala1974, Uploaded on Jun 13, 2008

A song of Tabu Ley Rochereau

****
ENGLISH TRANSLATION & SUMMARY OF "KAFUL MAYAY"
From http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cboj9LPHbOk

Queenlez, 2013
"Translation...

This song is about domestic violence song...
Tabu Ley was a great women advocate...he was a voice for women...he sang a lot about women issues specially with Mbilia Bel....

The song is about all the abuse this woman is subject to in the hands of her husband...

She's crying...saying I am going back home...
I am tired of a life with a husband who doesn't love me...
It's hard to live in a loveless marriage...

I am doing everything he wants...
I am cooking, cleaning the house, doing his laundry...
But he still beats me up, calls me name...and mistreats me...

I am eating but I am still losing weight because of this stressful marriage...
I have decided to go back home...God forbid he kills me....
I am not going to risk my life just for the sake of being married..."

****
Agréable djo, 2014
"une femme parle un certain DIBUANA dans cette chanson de Papa Tabu ley: Dibuana , suis devenu l' offrande , je rentre au village parceque mon marie me rend la vie difficile . Dibuana je m'en vais , je rentre au village de mes parents parceque mon marie me menace, j'évite la honte pour ce grand problème qu'il m'a fait, moi l'enfant de maman, je ne dors pas la nuit , mon mari me tappe tout le temps, laisse moi partir, ça me fait très mail au coeur , s'il faut que reste ici ,ça sera ma mort , bien que le mariage c'est pas mauvais . Dibuana je suis devenu l'offrande , parceque je suis envouté par mes parents. je commence a maigrir , mon marie m'insulte tu le temps, je ne mange plus comme il faut de peur que mon marie me tue, oh mon Dieu ça m'étonne, c'est malhereux pour ce mariage contre ma volonté Mayay( le non de son mari) . je fais la cuisine et le ménage , la lessive comme il faut, je faits tout ce qu'il me demande , oh mon Dieu je ne supporte plus ce mariage sans amour. j'ai peur parceque nous sommes marié selon les normes de la notre coutume, oh mon coeur je suis devenu l'offrande , le mari de Kitshoul je refuse (kitsoul : une forme de mariage chez les Bayanzi une tribu du congo dont Papa Tabu fait parti) Mayay un petit qui s'est marié avec sa femme de coutume(kitshoul) Kaful Mayay c.a.d. pose la question à Mayay. elum'akua me Kalumayay é ne alélél ( pose la question à Mayay si tu veux savoir le jour de ma mort, et y aura des pleurs) . mieul epar epar Kaful Mayay ( il à des chiques dans ces pieds) . il dit ds sa parôle que je t'émbette et je t'insulte dans ma langue maternelle et tu me mettra nul part"
-snip-
Translation from French to English (from Google translate)
a woman speaks in a DIBUANA this song Papa Tabu ley: Dibuana, became the offering, I returned to the village becaufe my marie makes life difficult for me. Dibuana I go, I go back to my parents' village becaufe my marie threatens me, I avoid the shame for this great problem that was me, the child mom, I do not sleep at night my husband off with me all the time, let me go, it makes me very mail to heart, whether that stays here, it will be my death, although marriage is not bad. Dibuana I got the gift, because I am captivated by my parents. I began to lose weight, you insult my married me time, I can not eat it right lest my marie kill me, oh my God I'm surprised it is Malhereux for marriage against my will Mayay (the not her husband). I do the cooking and cleaning, washing as it should, I made everything he asks me, oh my God I can not stand this loveless marriage. I'm afraid because we are married according to the standards of our custom, oh my heart I became the offering, the husband of Kitshoul I refuse (kitsoul: a form of marriage in Bayanzi a tribe of Congo which is Papa Tabu party) a small Mayay who married his wife usual (kitshoul) Kaful Mayay cad raises the question Mayay. elum'akua me Kalumayay é do alélél (Mayay ask the question if you want to know the day of my death, and will cry). mieul separated separated Kaful Mayay (it classy with these feet). ds he said his word and I'll émbette I insult you in my mother tongue and you put me anywhere
-snip-
Here is the comment that I posted in response to that summary:
"Agréable djo, thank you so much for this summary of this song. Here’s what I think you wrote in standard American English:

The song is about a young bride who returns to her parent’s village because of a difficult marriage. In the song the woman describes being unable to sleep at night because she , never knows where her husband is. S he says that although marriage itself isn’t bad, if she stayed there that would have been her death. She began to lose weight, she couldn’t eat right. She was married against her will [but] she did everything her husband asked of her. She said “ I do the cooking and cleaning, washing as I should. I made everything he asks me. Oh my God, I can not stand this loveless marriage. I'm afraid because we are married according to the standards of our custom, oh my heart I became the offering, the wife of Kitshoul. I refuse (kitsoul: a form of marriage in Bayanzi a tribe of Congo which Papa Tabu belonged). Mayay ask the question if you want to know the day of my death, and [you] will cry”

[or is it "I will cry?]”
-snip-
I don’t understand the rest of this summary. Also, I don’t know what the word "Dibuana". Is that a personal name? And is "Mayay" a personal name (Is that the husband's name?) I’m still unsure what the title “Kaful Mayay” means.

****
Thanks to Tabu Ley Rochereau for his music legacy. Thanks also to those who are quoted in this post and to the publisher of this sound file on YouTube>

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Read More

The REAL Meaning Of The R&B Song "Cool Jerk"

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases a sound file of The Capitols' 1966 R&B song "Cool Jerk" and a video of Bootsy Collin's cover of that song. Special consideration in this post is given to what the song "Cool Jerk" really means.

This post also includes two videos of The Larks performing their 1964 hit song "The Jerk".

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "COOL JERK"
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cool_Jerk
"Cool Jerk" is a popular song written by Donald Storball and originally performed by The Capitols. Released in 1966, it reached No. 2 on the American R&B chart, No. 7 on the pop chart[1] and No. 9 on the Canadian Singles Chart.[2] The backing track for this song was actually recorded (secretly) by the Motown house band The Funk Brothers.

Per one of the Funk Brothers, the song was originally to be called "Pimp Jerk." This was taken from watching neighborhood pimps, who would dance in the clubs, but were too "cool" to do the jerk like regular folks. Their version was subsequently named "the Pimp Jerk." The producer was afraid that a song with the word pimp in the title would be banned or not receive much positive attention, and had the title changed to its current form."
-snip-
Note: The Cool Jerk dance isn't the same as the 2000s dance called “jerking”.

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SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
Example #1: The Capitols - Cool Jerk



bricomaligno. Uploaded on Mar 7, 2010

****
Example #2: Cool Jerk by Bootsy Collins



Bootsy Collins Uploaded on Oct 10, 2009

Have'n a lil fun wit Cool Jerk

****
COMMENT ABOUT THE LYRICS TO COOL JERK THAT ARE FOUND ONLINE
"Cool Jerk" lyrics can be found on a number of online sites. However, the lyrics to a couple of lines to that song are WRONG. Here's one way you can tell that they are wrong - They don't make any sense. (The wrong lyrics are given in italics)
1. From http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/t/the_capitols/cool_jerk.html
"Cool jerk, cool jerk, cool jerk, cool jerk
We know a cat who can really do the cool jerk
We know a cat who can really do the cool jerk
This cat they're talking about
I wonder who could it be
'Cause I know I'm the heaviest cat
The heaviest cat you ever did see
When you see me walking down the street
And they clapping and they speak
All the business they wish to whisper it
But they know I'm the king of the cool jerks
Cool jerk, cool"
-snip-
Note the the second to the last line given above is also wrong. It should be "Cause they know I'm the king of the cool jerk.

These lyrics (given in italic) from that same website are also wrong:
"Look at them guys looking at me like I'm a fool
Ah but deep down inside they know I'm cool...
When you see me walkin down the street
Then you think twice and then the next beat
On the chance that they don't make it work
Cause they know I'm the king of the cool jerk

****
2.[sung by the Go Go's, a women's group]
Well they see me walkin' down the street
The say hey!
All them fellas drop to their knees
I'm the reason that they don't smirk
Cuz they know I'm the queen of the cool jerk

****
Here’s the correct transcription of the lines which are sung beginning at .047 of the sound file given here as Example #1:
"When they see me walkin down the street
all the fellas they want to speak
on their faces they wear a silly smirk
‘cause they know I’m the king of the cool jerk"
-snip-
Hint: These words (which come later in the song) provide a clue to the song's REAL meaning:
"Look at them guys looking at me like I'm a fool
Ah but deep down inside they know I'm cool...
-snip-
Explanation:
When fellas see a "cat" who is heavy (one who has a big street rep [reputation], they want to greet him because doing so and having that cat return their greeting gives them some street cred (credibility). But now those fellas are questioning whether that cat is really all that heavy. He's lost "cool points" because they heard about him doing the Jerk or they saw him do that dance, and doing the Jerk is no longer cool* or it never was cool ("hip") to do that dance). That's why the fellas wear (what the singer calls) "a silly smirk".

* The Lark's "The Jerk" record was released in 1964, and The Capitol's "Cool Jerk" was released in 1966. Doing a dance that was popular two years ago is looked down upon, unless you announce that you're doing an "old school dance" just for fun.

****
Here’s the correct transcription of the lines which are sung beginning at 2:00 of the sound file given here as Example #1:
"When they see me walkin down the street
They think twice and then they speak
On their faces they don’t wear a smirk
‘Cause they know I’m the king of the cool jerk"
-snip-
Rather than being defeated by the smirks he received from others, the singer turns around the criticism directed toward him by saying that his "cool" (smooth, slow, not frenetic) style of doing the Jerk is the epitome of coolness. So although the fellas he sees on the street pause before speaking to him, his ploy works and they speak and they don't wear any smirks. So the formerly "heaviest cat that you ever did see" regained all-or at least most-of his street reputation and even added to it by proclaiming himself (and presumably others proclaiming him to be) the the "king of the cool jerk" [dance].

****
ADDENDUM: THE JERK
Here are two videos of the Larks performing "The Jerk":

Example #1: The Larks "The Jerk"



NRRArchives2, Published on Dec 8, 2012
American Bandstand. October 21, 1964

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Example #2: The Larks-The Jerk (1965)



Aintnobigthing Uploaded on Jun 17, 2010
one of my favorites! enjoy!
-snip-
The beginning of this video is defective. Start the video at .019

****
Thanks to The Capitols, The Larks, and Bootsy Collin for their musical legacy. Thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

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Macklemore & Ryan Lewis , featuring Mary Lambert - Same Love (videos & lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases the song "Same Love" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, featuring Mary Lambert.

Included in this post are the official video of that song, a video of its 2014 Grammy performance, and the lyrics to that song. In addition, this post includes my transcription of the comments that Queen Latifah made as an introduction to the Grammy performance of "Same Love" and the weddings of thirty-three couples -some same-sex — in the middle in the performance as Queen Latifah officiated.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Note: Although pancocojams focuses on music, dance, and other features from African American cultures and other Black cultures throughout the world, I'm showcasing the song "Same Love" which is composed by & performed by non-Black artists. I'm doing so because I strongly support this song's message. That said, the official "Same Love" video includes Black people, as does its Grammy performance.
Even if it did not, that song's message would make it a winner and very worthy of being showcased on this blog.

****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS:

Example #1: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Same Love -featuring Mary Lambert (Official Video)



Ryan Lewis, Published on Oct 2, 2012

...SONG:
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Same Love feat. Mary Lambert
(B. Haggerty, R. Lewis, M. Lambert)
Macklemore Publishing BMI, Ryan Lewis Publishing BMI
Produced by Ryan Lewis for Macklemore DBA Ryan Lewis LLC
Written by Macklemore, Mary Lambert
Piano performed by Josh Rawlings
Violin by Andrew Joslyn
Cello by Natalie Hall
Trombone by Greg Kramer
Recorded and Mixed by Ryan Lewis, Ben Haggerty
Macklemore/RyanLewis Studios, Seattle, WA
Mastered by Sterling Sound, New York City, NY

****
Example #2: Macklemore - Same Love Performance Ft. Mary Lambert & Ryan Lewis At The Grammys 2014



Ali Reda, Published on Jan 26, 2014

Macklemore - Same Love Performance Ft. Ryan Lewis, Queen Latifah Mary Lambert, Madonna at The Grammys 2014
-snip-
Transcription of Queen Latifah's introductory remarks:
"When we say music has the power to bring people together at the Grammys we mean it. One of the most inspiring success stories in music this past year has been Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, already four time Grammy winners tonight.

This song is a love song, not for some of us, but for all of us. And tonight we celebrate the commitment to love by some very beautiful couples.

Joined by Mary Lambert and New Orleans own Trombone Shorty, here's Macklemore and Ryan Lewis and the uplifting song song that says "Whatever God you believe in, we come from the same one. Trip away the fear, underneath it's all the same love".
-snip-
Transcription by Azizi Powell. Additions and corrections are welcome. I wonder if Queen Latifah meant to say "Strip away the fear etc." instead of "trip away"...

****
LYRICS: SAME LOVE
(Written by Macklemore, Mary Lambert)

When I was in the third grade I thought that I was gay,
'Cause I could draw, my uncle was, and I kept my room straight.
I told my mom, tears rushing down my face
She's like "Ben you've loved girls since before pre-k, trippin' "
Yeah, I guess she had a point, didn't she?
Bunch of stereotypes all in my head.
I remember doing the math like, "Yeah, I'm good at little league"
A preconceived idea of what it all meant
For those that liked the same sex
Had the characteristics
The right wing conservatives think it's a decision
And you can be cured with some treatment and religion
Man-made rewiring of a predisposition
Playing God, aw nah here we go
America the brave still fears what we don't know
And God loves all his children, is somehow forgotten
But we paraphrase a book written thirty-five-hundred years ago
I don't know

And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
My love
My love
My love
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm

If I was gay, I would think hip-hop hates me
Have you read the YouTube comments lately?
"Man, that's gay" gets dropped on the daily
We become so numb to what we're saying
A culture founded from oppression
Yet we don't have acceptance for 'em
Call each other faggots behind the keys of a message board
A word rooted in hate, yet our genre still ignores it
Gay is synonymous with the lesser
It's the same hate that's caused wars from religion
Gender to skin color, the complexion of your pigment
The same fight that led people to walk outs and sit ins
It's human rights for everybody, there is no difference!
Live on and be yourself
When I was at church they taught me something else
If you preach hate at the service those words aren't anointed
That holy water that you soak in has been poisoned
When everyone else is more comfortable remaining voiceless
Rather than fighting for humans that have had their rights stolen
I might not be the same, but that's not important
No freedom till we're equal, damn right I support it

(I don't know)

And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
My love
My love
My love
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm

We press play, don't press pause
Progress, march on
With the veil over our eyes
We turn our back on the cause
Till the day that my uncles can be united by law
When kids are walking 'round the hallway plagued by pain in their heart
A world so hateful some would rather die than be who they are
And a certificate on paper isn't gonna solve it all
But it's a damn good place to start
No law is gonna change us
We have to change us
Whatever God you believe in
We come from the same one
Strip away the fear
Underneath it's all the same love
About time that we raised up... sex

And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
My love
My love
My love
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm

Love is patient
Love is kind
Love is patient
Love is kind
(not crying on Sundays)
Love is patient
(not crying on Sundays)
Love is kind
(I'm not crying on Sundays)
Love is patient
(not crying on Sundays)
Love is kind
(I'm not crying on Sundays)
Love is patient
(not crying on Sundays)
Love is kind
(I'm not crying on Sundays)
Love is patient
Love is kind

Source:
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/macklemore/samelove.html
-snip-
"trippin" - acting or saying something silly, from the phrase "acid trip" ("acid"- a type of illegal drug
**
"Have you read the YouTube comments lately?
"Man, that's gay" gets dropped on the daily" = The offensive American vernacular saying that something is "gay" equates "gay" with being "stupid" and/or un-hip.

"dropped on the daily" = said every day

****
Thanks to the composers of this song, to all the vocalists and musicians featured in these videos, and to the producers of the official video. Thanks also to Queen Latifah for her introductory comments. And thanks to the transcribers of this song, and the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Read More

Grizzly Bear - Black Texas Inmates, led by Benny Richardson, 1966

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I of a two part series about the African American work song entitled "Grizzly Bear".

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/01/grizzly-bear-as-sung-by-black-texas.html for Part I of this series.

Part I showcases a sound file of &lyrics to a rendition of this song by Black Texas Prison inmates which was collected by Pete & Toshi Seeger in 1951.

Part II showcases a sound file of and lyrics to a rendition of this song by Black Texas prison inmates led by Benny Richardson in 1966. That post also includes an excerpt of comments written by Bruce Jackson about the "Grizzly Bear" song.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners

****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLE

Benny Richarson - Grizzly Bear


JoannaWezymordowa Published on Oct 23, 2012

Wake Up Dead Man - Black Convict Worksongs From Texas Prisons

****
Thanks to the men who sang this song. Thanks also to Bruce Jackson for collecting this prison work song and others and for transcribing & commenting about this song. Thanks also to the publisher of this sound file on YouTube.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome

Read More

Grizzly Bear (as sung by Black Texas Prison Inmates, 1951)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I of a two part series about the African American work song entitled "Grizzly Bear".
Part I showcases a sound file of & lyrics to a rendition of this song by Black Texas Prison inmates which was collected by Pete & Toshi Seeger in 1951.


Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/01/grizzly-bear-black-texas-inmates-led-by.html for Part II of this post.

Part II showcases a sound file of & lyrics to a rendition of this song by Black Texas prison inmates led by Benny Richardson in 1966. That post also includes an excerpt of comments written by Bruce Jackson about the "Grizzly Bear" song.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLE: Grizzly Bear



Matias Karystiano Uploaded on Dec 2, 2011

V/A - Negro Prison Camp Worksongs

Recorded by Pete & Toshi Seeger in the winter of 1951 at two Texas prison farms, this album represents some of the oldest and most traditional work songs found among African American prison communities in the southern United States. Traditionally a participatory art form, these songs were typically sung while groups of 10-30 prisoners performed tasks such as chopping and hoeing. With origins reaching back to their West African ancestry as well as during the era of African American slavery, work songs served the purpose of alleviating the mundane nature of repetitive tasks as well as providing a forum for the song leader to keep the group together through rhythms and lyrics. 10 songs, 40 minutes, with liner notes featuring an introduction by Pete Seeger and song lyrics.

Year of Recording 1956
Record Label Folkways Records
-snip-
"Recorded by" here indicates the persons who made a recording of others singing that song.

****
LYRICS: GRIZZLY BEAR
(as sung in 1951 by Black Texas prison inmates)

Lead -Oh that Grizzly Grizzly
Group -(Grizzly Bear)
Lead -Oh that Grizzly Grizzly,
(Grizzly Bear)
Tell me who was that Grizzly
(Grizzly Bear)
Tell me who was that Grizzly
(Grizzly Bear)
Oh Jack o’ Diamond was that Grizzly
(Grizzly Bear)
Oh Jack o’ Diamond was that Grizzly
(Grizzly Bear)
He had great long tushes just like ah
(Grizzly Bear)
He had great long toes just like ah
(Grizzly Bear)
He made ah track in the bottom just like ah
(Grizzly Bear)
He made ah track in the bottom just like ah
(Grizzly Bear)
Well that Grizzly Grizzly
(Grizzly Bear)
Oh that Grizzly Grizzly
(Grizzly Bear)
Tell me who was that Grizzly

[continue with same pattern as above]

Jack o’ Diamond was that Grizzly...
He made a noise in the bottom like ah...
Well, my mama was scared of that...
Well my papa went-ah huntin for the...
Well, my brother wasn’t scared of that...
Oh that Grizzly, Grizzly...
Well, I’m gone kill that...
Well, that Grizzly, Grizzly...
Well, I looked in Lou’sana for that...
Oh that Grizzly, Grizzly...
I’m gonna tell you a story bout...
Jack O’ Diamond wasn’t nothin but ah...
He come ah huffin and ah blowin like ah...
He had great long tushes just like ah...
He come ah wabblin and ah squabblin like ah...
And Jack o’ Diamond was ah great big...
He was ah great big Grizzly...
Everybody was scared of that...
Oh the Grizzly, Grizzly...
Jack o’ Diamond was ah great big...
He come ah wabblin and ah squabblin like...
He come ah huffin and ah blowin like...
He come ah walkin and ah talkin like ah...
He had great long toes just like ah...
He had big blue eyes like...
He had great long hair like...
Oh the Grizzly Grizzly...
I’m gonna tell you peoples bout...
I’m gonna warn you, gonna tell you bout...
You betta watch that Grizzly...
Oh well the bad gonna get you now...
Oh the Grizzly Grizzly...
Oh that great big Grizzly...
Oh Jack o’ Diamonds was ah nothing but ah
(Grizzly Bear)
-snip-
Transcription by Azizi Powell from the recording embedded above. Additions and corrections welcome.

****
NOTES
"Grizzly" is pronounced "grizzily" throughout this song.
**
ah = the word "a"
**
He made ah track in the bottom = "track" (footprints); "bottom" (fertile land near one of the rivers) definition of "bottom" from Bruce Jackson's glossary in his book Wake Up Dead Man: Afro-American Worksongs from Texas Prisons (Harvard University Press, 1972)
**
He had great long tushes = great long claws [This was previously given as "he had long toes". I corrected that word per the comment sent in by Joy Sedley' Thanks!]
**
Lou'sana = the state of Louisiana
**
wabblin = wobbling

**
I believe that this version of "Grizzly Bear" is a song in which the inmates expressed their opinions in coded fashion about the man known as "Jack of Diamonds" and "Grizzly Bear". The early references to hunting an actual animal and a description of the grizzly bear having "long toes" serve to hid the true meaning of that referent in this song. If that song was actually (or mostly) about a prison guard and/or a prison warden, it would have been in the inmates best interest to hide that fact by singing lines about hunting a grizzly bear.

In his notes for his album Wake Up Dead Man Bruce Jackson wrote that Texas prison inmates in 1966 told him that "Grizzly Bear" was a name used for a (White) prison guard and that "Jack O' Diamonds" was a name used for the (White) prison warden. An excerpt of those notes are given in Part II of this pancocojams series on "Grizzly Bear".

Notice the lines ("Jack o’ Diamond was that Grizzly"...; "Oh Jack o’ Diamonds was ah nothing but ah Grizzly Bear"; "He had blue eyes like ah Grizzly Bear" and "he had great long hair like ah Grizzly Bear".)

Also, note this referent to a Texas prison guard named "Bullin Jack O’ Diamonds" in the Google Book American Folklore: An Encyclopedia
edited by Jan Harold Brunvand (Routledge, Apr 4, 2006; page 1247)
“Prison folklore is rich in stories about local characters, men who escape, stupid guards, clever convicts, and how it was in the old days. These tales are rarely migratory Inmates in Texas told of “Bullin Jack O’ Diamonds”, the meanest guard on Central Farm, a man so mean he had to be chained down to die. “If he catch you”, one inmate said, “a dark cloud would go over”. One story has him tell Satan, “Stand aside. I’m gonna rule hell myself”.
-snip-
I don't know the name of the Texas prison farm that the inmates were in that Pete & Toshi Seeger recorded singing that 1951 version of "Grizzly Bear". Jan Harold Brunvand refers to a guard at "Central Farm", but doesn't give a date for that reference at least not in that comment for when that guard was on Central Farm). The versions of "Grizzly Bear" collected by Bruce Jackson were from the Texas prison known as "Ellis Farm" in the mid 1960s.

In contrast, in the Blues songs "Jack Of Diamonds (Is A Hard Card To Beat)", "Jack o’ Diamonds" refers to the card in a card game. Click the Jack Of Diamonds tag below for pancocojams posts about that song.
**
Notice that in this song (as indicated in lines of the song) the singer warns people about "the Grizzly Bear". The song also warns people that "the bad gonna get you now" (Doing bad things will get you in trouble.) I think those lines further support my theory that this song refers to the prison guard known as "The Grizzly Bear".

****
Thanks to the men who sang this song. Thanks also to the collectors of this song and the publisher of this sound file on YouTube.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome

Read More

Odetta - Jack O' Diamonds (sound file & lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases the Blues song "Jack of Diamonds" (Is A Hard Card To Play) as recorded by Odetta in 1956. Odetta's lyrics for this now classic Blues song are also included in this post.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/01/blind-lemon-jefferson-jack-of-diamonds.html for a companion post of Blues singer Blind Lemon Jefferson's 1926 version of this song.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLE: Odetta - Jack O' Diamonds



Nostalgicjukebox, Published on Aug 19, 2013

From the album Odetta - "Sings Ballads And Blues" [1956 Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues Tradition TLP1010]
-snip-
Here's information about Odetta from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odetta
"Odetta Holmes (December 31, 1930 – December 2, 2008), known as Odetta, was an American singer, actress, guitarist, songwriter, and a civil and human rights activist, often referred to as "The Voice of the Civil Rights Movement".[4] Her musical repertoire consisted largely of American folk music, blues, jazz, and spirituals. An important figure in the American folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s, she was influential to many of the key figures of the folk-revival of that time, including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Mavis Staples, and Janis Joplin"..."

****
LYRICS: JACK OF DIAMONDS (IS A HARD CARD TO PLAY)
(as recorded by Odetta)

Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play
Jack O' Diamonds is a card
Sending many poor man to his grave
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play

Put your Jack on the Queen
It'll turn your money green
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play
Put your Jack on the Queen
And it'll turn your money green
Your Jack is a hard card to play

[Humming]

Put your Jack on the Queen
It'll turn your money green
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play

Well I tell you
[?] its old enough to change
keep on playing
Man you're far to win
Keep your Jack on the Queen
It'll turn your money green
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play

Source: http://www.lyrics59.com/lyrics-1417548/odetta/jack-o%5C'-diamonds.html

****
COMMENTS ABOUT THIS SONG
According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_of_Diamonds_(song).
"It [Jack o'Diamonds] was sung by railroad men who had lost money playing Coon can.[2]."
-snip-
From http://www.rummy-games.com/rules/conquian.html
"Conquian (also known as "Cooncan", "Coon Can", and "Coon-Can") is generally regarded as the earliest form of Rummy (see Rummy History). It features all of the basic features common to all Rummy games.
-snip-
Note that the name "Coon Can" isn't related to the [now always highly derogatory] referent for Black people "coons".

****
COMMENTS ABOUT CERTAIN LYRICS
"Jack of Diamonds is a hard card to play"

From http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=1102696

02-01-2001, 12:14 PM puddleglum
"...since the Jack is the lowest of the face cards it is hard to play because for it to win all of the other face cards have to have been played and by then someone might have run out of diamonds and use the trump. So it is a card that looks important but has little real value. Also it is a one eyed jack. It seems the metaphor is of feeling of having something but of not having enough to make a difference."

**
Johnny Angel
"I'm with puddleglum on this. The significance of the Jack of Diamonds is that it's the lowest ranked face card, and therefore a tempting but lousy bet. Like the old song says:

Jack of Diamonds, Jack of Diamonds, well I know you of old
Robbed my poor pockets of silver and gold.
If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck
I'd dive to the bottom and never come up.
But the ocean ain't whiskey and I ain't a duck.
I play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck."
-snip-
Click http://planetpeschel.com/the-wimsey-annotations/the-short-stories/the-queens-square/
for information about & analysis of the Jack of Diamonds song that includes the line "
Here's a brief excerpt from that page: [This is] "A 19th century American folk song, with the melody based on the Scottish song “Farewell to Tarwathie.”.

****
"Put [or "keep"] your Jack on your Queen/ It'll will turn your money green"

I think that the verse signifies that in the card game of coon can (the card game that this song is said to refer to as per the Wikipedia article cited above) the Jack of Diamonds beats the Queen (note that in the United States all paper money is the color green) and the person playing the Jack would therefore win the money that was betted.

Click http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=5267.30 for a discussion about these lines. Here's one entry from that discussion that was posted by blueshome; February 08, 2009, 03:08:01 PM:
"In Bob Campbell's "Dices Blues" he has the line:
"My buddy played the Jack when he give me that hard-luck queen"

and in the following stanza:
"Jack o'diamonds, jack o'diamonds will turn your money green"

This would seem to refer to the same game with the jack beating the queen."

****
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/01/grizzly-bear-as-sung-by-black-texas.html for the song "Grizzly Bear" that refers to "Jack Of Diamonds". In that song "Jack Of Diamonds refers to a particular man and not a card.

****
Thanks to Odetta for her musical legacy.

Thanks also to the publisher of this sound file on YouTube and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Read More

Blind Lemon Jefferson - "Jack of Diamonds" (Is A Hard Card To Play) sound file and lyrics

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases the Blues song "Jack of Diamonds" (Is A Hard Card To Play) as recorded by Blind Lemon Jefferson in 1926. Information about Blind Lemon Jefferson and that Blues man's lyrics for this song are also included in this post. This post also includes some comments about the meaning of certain lines of this song.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/01/odetta-jack-o-diamonds-sound-file-lyrics.html for a companion post of folk singer Odetta's version of this song.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLE: Blind Lemon Jefferson, "Jack of Diamonds"



TheLadyEmerald, Uploaded on Jul 19, 2011

Jack of Diamonds is a traditional folk song. It is a Texas gambling song that was popularised by Blind Lemon Jefferson in 1926.
-snip-
Here's information about Blind Lemon Jefferson from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blind_Lemon_Jefferson
"Blind" Lemon Jefferson (Lemon Henry Jefferson; September 24, 1893 – December 19, 1929) was an American blues singer and guitarist from Texas. He was one of the most popular blues singers of the 1920s, and has been titled "Father of the Texas Blues".[3]

Jefferson's singing and self-accompaniment were distinctive as a result of his high-pitched voice and originality on the guitar [3] Although his recordings sold well, he was not so influential on some younger blues singers of his generation, who could not imitate him as they could other commercially successful artists.[4] Later blues and rock and roll musicians attempted to imitate both his songs and his musical style."

****
LYRICS: JACK OF DIAMONDS (IS A HARD CARD TO PLAY)*
(as recorded by Blind Lemon Jefferson)

Jack O' Di, Jack O' Diamond,
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play.

Jack O' Diamonds once in time,
He did rob a friend of mine.
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play.

Jack O' Di, Jack O' Diamond,
Jack O' Diamonds a hard card to play.

Bet the Jack against the Queen,
It's gonna turn your money green.
Jack O' Diamond is a hard card to play.

Bet the Jack agin the Four,
You're gonna win right in the dough.
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play.

Jack O' Di, Jack O' Diamond,
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play.

Jack O' Diamonds made me cry,
I expect to gamble until I die.
Jack O' Diamonds is a hard card to play.

Jack O' Di, Jack O' Diamond,
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play.

Jack O' Di, Jack O' Diamond,
Jack O' Diamond's a hard card to play.
-snip-
*These lyrics were given as subtitles in the sound file that is embedded in this post.

****
COMMENTS ABOUT THIS SONG [revised January 25, 2014]
According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_of_Diamonds_(song).
"It [Jack o'Diamonds] was sung by railroad men who had lost money playing Coon can.[2]."
-snip-
From http://www.rummy-games.com/rules/conquian.html
"Conquian (also known as "Cooncan", "Coon Can", and "Coon-Can") is generally regarded as the earliest form of Rummy (see Rummy History). It features all of the basic features common to all Rummy games.
-snip-
Note that the name "Coon Can" isn't related to the [now always highly derogatory] referent for Black people "coons".

****
COMMENTS ABOUT CERTAIN LYRICS
"Jack of Diamonds is a hard card to play"

From http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=1102696

02-01-2001, 12:14 PM puddleglum
"...since the Jack is the lowest of the face cards it is hard to play because for it to win all of the other face cards have to have been played and by then someone might have run out of diamonds and use the trump. So it is a card that looks important but has little real value. Also it is a one eyed jack. It seems the metaphor is of feeling of having something but of not having enough to make a difference."

**
Johnny Angel
"I'm with puddleglum on this. The significance of the Jack of Diamonds is that it's the lowest ranked face card, and therefore a tempting but lousy bet. Like the old song says:

Jack of Diamonds, Jack of Diamonds, well I know you of old
Robbed my poor pockets of silver and gold.
If the ocean was whiskey and I was a duck
I'd dive to the bottom and never come up.
But the ocean ain't whiskey and I ain't a duck.
I play Jack of Diamonds and trust to my luck."
-snip-
Click http://planetpeschel.com/the-wimsey-annotations/the-short-stories/the-queens-square/
for information about & analysis of the Jack of Diamonds song that includes the line "
Here's a brief excerpt from that page: [This is] "A 19th century American folk song, with the melody based on the Scottish song “Farewell to Tarwathie.”.

****
"Put [or "keep"] your Jack on your Queen/ It'll will turn your money green"

I think that the verse signifies that in the card game of coon can (the card game that this song is said to refer to as per the Wikipedia article cited above) the Jack of Diamonds beats the Queen (note that in the United States all paper money is the color green) and the person playing the Jack would therefore win the money that was betted.

Click http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=5267.30 for a discussion about these lines. Here's one entry from that discussion that was posted by blueshome; February 08, 2009, 03:08:01 PM:
"In Bob Campbell's "Dices Blues" he has the line:
"My buddy played the Jack when he give me that hard-luck queen"

and in the following stanza:
"Jack o'diamonds, jack o'diamonds will turn your money green"

This would seem to refer to the same game with the jack beating the queen."

****
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/01/grizzly-bear-as-sung-by-black-texas.html for the song "Grizzly Bear" that refers to "Jack Of Diamonds". In that song "Jack Of Diamonds refers to a particular man and not a card.

****
Thanks to Blind Lemon Jefferson for his musical legacy. Thanks also to the publisher of this sound file on YouTube and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Read More

An African Rendition & An African Belgium Rendition Of The African American Spiritual "You Better Mind"

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases an example of the African American Spiritual "You better Mind" as sung by a Seventh Day Adventist Choir from Zimbabwe, and an example of that sung that is sung by an African Belgium musical group. The lyrics for those renditions are also included in this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
(These videos are presented in chronological order with the oldest dated video given first.)

Example #1: You Better Mind - UNSHAKEN


mrvals, Uploaded on Apr 30, 2007

Video clip of Unshaken recorded at Aspindale SDA Church in March 2007.[Harare, Zimbabwe]
-snip-

BASIC LYRICS:
Chorus
You better mind
(You better mind)
You better mind
(You better mind)
You gonna give an account on the judgment*
You better mind


You better mind how you preach
You better mind what you're preaching about
You gotta give an account of the judgment
You better mind

Additional verses following that same pattern:
You better mind how you sing...

You better mind how you talk...

You better mind how your think...

****
Example #2: The Brothers United, You Better Mind (Medley)




C Ndamnsa, uploaded on Mar 12, 2010

The Brothers United, Belgium, Gospel, Christian, Africa, African Acapella, Acappella, You Better Mind, Male, Choir, Cameroon, Antwerpen, Interview
-snip-
LYRICS

[Chorus:]
You better mind
(You better mind)
You better mind
(You better mind)
You got to give an account on the judgment
You better mind
[repeat 1x beginning with Oh you better mind]

You better mind
How you speak
(Yes)
You better mind what you speaking about
(Sure)
You got to give an account on the judgment
You better mind

Chorus 3x
You better mind how you preach etc.

[1:56 begins a version of the song “Good News”]

There is a Hallelujah songs
Hallelujah songs in the heaven I know [repeat 3 times]
And I don’t wanna be left behind

Chorus:
Good news
(Good news my Lord is coming)
So glad
(So glad my Lord is coming)
Ha Ha
(Ah ha my Lord is coming)
And I don’t wanna be left behind

[repeat chorus 1x]

There is a Hallelujah songs
Hallelujah songs in the heaven I know [repeat 3 times]
And I don’t wanna be left behind

Chorus [2x]

There is a Hallelujah songs etc

You better mind
(You better mind)
You better mind
(You better mind)
You got to give an account on the judgment
You better mind
-snip-
Transcription by Azizi Powell. Additions and corrections are welcome.

****
EXPLANATION OF CERTAIN PHRASES
“You better mind” = be mindful of (be careful about, be aware of)
Give an account on the judgment= be judged by what you’ve done on judgment day;
In the version of "You Better Mind" that I learned and in other African American versions I've heard those words are "you gotta give an account at the judgment.
(Italics to highlight the difference in that word from those two versions given above.)

****
RELATED LINK
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/10/bessie-jones-you-better-mind-with-lyrics.html for a sound file of "You Better Mind" as sung by the Georgia Sea Island Singers (United States).

That post also includes the lyrics of that renditions and my comments about why I think it is a Spiritual and not a Gospel song.

****
Thanks to these showcases vocalists for their renditions of "You Better Mind". Thanks also to the publishers of those videos on YouTube.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

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