Roaring Lion - Jail Them (Sound File & Lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post features a sound file of & lyrics for the early Calypso song "Jail Them" by Roaring Lion (Rafael de Leon). Some information about Roaring Lion is also included in this post.

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

INFORMATION ABOUT CALYPSONIAN ROARING LION
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roaring_Lion
"Roaring Lion (born Rafael de Leon) (22 February 1908 – 11 July 1999)[2] was a calypsonian (calypso singer/composer). His 65-year career began in the early 1930s and he is best known for his compositions "Ugly Woman" (1933), "Mary Ann" and "Netty, Netty", which are still performed today. The song "If You Wanna Be Happy", which hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on 18 May 1963, as well as the R&B singles chart,[3] is based on Roaring Lion's "Ugly Woman"...

From a young age, Roaring Lion (de Leon's adopted stage name) became known for his skill in creating calypsos (particularly in his ability to extemporize lyrics on any subject). Contrary to his humble origins, he cultivated a refined stage persona and always appeared sharply dressed...

Roaring Lion achieved fame for his linguistic prowess as much as for his catchy tunes. His lyrics, delivered in rapid-fire style, show an impeccable command of the English language (as well as Trinidadian slang), and are replete with witty turns of phrase, humorous metaphors, and clever alliteration and internal rhymes...

FEATURED SOUND FILE

Jail Them - Roaring Lion



cool4rocknroll,Uploaded on Dec 12, 2010

Jail Them
Roaring Lion
Calypso Season
Mango
T&T 1989

****
LYRICS
(Roaring Lion)

Jail them (or 'dem'), before it's too late
Jail all these back market reprobates
Murder, John public can't buy
Raising the price of foodstuffs too high.

Day after day there's a hue and cry,
They can't buy food at prices too high,
Black market is rampant through rank and file,
The bobol profiteering is no this time

No use to lament comment nor wail,
From Ceasar to Ceasar to no avail,
There's every where to be seen,
The law is being contravened,
So the police should intervene-ah

Jail them...

Bush doctors are doing a raging trade,
The charge for their bushes they are not afraid,
Sixty cents for a piece of shadow bengy
A dollar for a twig of timawi
Ninety cents for the lease of kuzay maho
The the damn bush is growing right in front your door.
There's every where to be seen,
The law is being contravened,
So the police should intervene-ah

Jail them...

Editor's Note:
These lyrics are a combination of the lyrics for this song that were posted by Guest,jail them for sure Date: 12 Jul 09 - 11:01 PM and Guest, Alexander D Great Date: 01 Aug 09 - 11:01 AM on http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=22819&messages=13 Lyr Req: Jail Them (Rafael de Leon / Roaring Lion). Any corrections or additions are welcome.

From the Guest Alexander D Great's post cited above:
"bobol"... is a common word for corruption in trinidad

"shadow bengy" ... "timawi", ..."kuzay maho" [are] all types of herbs used in cooking

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to Roaring Lion for composing this song & other Calypso songs. Thanks to the author/s of Roaring Lion's Wikipedia page. Special thanks to Guest, jail them for sure and Guest Alexander D Great for their transcription of this song, and thanks to the uploader of this sound file.

Also, thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.

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What "Fly", "Fly Girl" & "Fly Guy" Mean In African American Slang

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post focuses on the meanings of African American Vernacular English terms "fly", "fly girl", and "fly guy".

The content of this post is provided for eytmological, folkloric, historical, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

[This post was formerly entitled "Fly, Fly Girl, Fly Guy (Slang Definitions & Examples From African American Culture)"

THE SLANG MEANING OF "FLY"
"Fly" is a mid 1980s African American English adjective that was largerly retired by the early 2000s. "Fly" means being "hip" (being up to date with the latest fashion styles and urban lifestyles). "Being fly" (being hip & cool) means to be "street wise" - to act in accordance with the values and expectations of Black urban life, and being able to handle oneself in the streets.

“Fly” sometimes was used to describe something that is attractive, such as a "fly dress". The most commonly used noun form of "fly" was "fly girl" (a female who is good looking, "sexy"). Being "hip" to Black street culture was also usually considered part of the description of a "fly girl".

The term "fly guy" was used less often than fly girl. A fly guy was a male who was physically attractive. However, more importantly, a fly guy was street wise male who was very successful in physically attracting and scoring sexually with females.

It should be emphasized that "being fly” or being a “fly girl” or "fly guy" doesn't (necessarily) have anything to do with drug usage (i.e. a person or a female who is high off of drugs).

HOW FLY GOT ITS SLANG MEANINGS
My guess is that the word "fly" was first given the meaning "hip" (up to date with the latest urban fashions & lifestyles) in the mid 1980s as an updated adjective that had basically the same meaning as the 1960s African American adjective "out of sight". A person who is "out of sight" is "fly" since -in its literal sense- something that is flying high in the sky would eventually be out of (eye) sight.

The phrase "fly girl" was popularized by the Boogie Boys' 1985 Hip-Hop record with that title. According to the lyrics of that record, a "fly girl" wasn't always good looking or wasn't even always "up to date with the latest fashions". Given the disagreement about the meaning of "fly girl" as evidenced by the lyrics of the rappers' solos, my guess is that when that song was recorded, the slang meanings of "fly" hadn't become fixed yet. An excerpt from the Boogie Boy's "Fly Girl" record is found below.]

By at least 1991, as evidenced by Queen Latifah's Hip Hop record "Fly Girl", the word "fly" when used to describe a female clearly had the meanings “fine” (physically attractive), and "street wise" (able to handle oneself in urban street cultures). An excerpt of the lyrics of Queen Latifah's "Fly Girl" is found below.]

By at least 1993 "fly" clearly had a different "complimentary" meaning for males as evidenced by Tupac's Hip Hop record "I Get Around". In that record, Tupac brags about how he easily scores with the ladies & then leaves them:
"baby got a problem saying bye bye
Just another hazard of a fly guy"
http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/I-Get-Around-lyrics-2Pac/BF82D7758D3AF2DA4825686A000CF3B0
-snip-
My interpretation of those lyrics is that Tupac is saying that females who have a problem with him [or any fly guy] saying goodbye should realize that that's what they should expect when they become involved with a man who's deep into the urban lifestyle. To be clear, according to the use in African American culture of the term "fly girl", while that term meant that a female was "street wise" (able to handle herself in Black urban street life), the emphasis seems to have been placed on how females looked (their face, their body, their clothing). In contrast, while a "fly guy" was likely a male who was good looking (had an attractive face and sexually attractive body), the emphasis seemed to have been placed on how many females the man could sexually score with, and the view was that it was expected that the man wasn't going to be faithful with any one female, nor was he going to involve himself in a long lasting relationship with any female or females.

WARNING: This record's lyrics may not be suitable for children.

Stevie Wonder's 1966 R&B song "Uptight" begins with the words "Baby's everything's alright/uptight/out of sight". Notice that in that song "uptight" is a complimentary term that means the same thing as "out of sight". The word "uptight" is a development of the much older slang word "tight" as in the Blues song "It's tight like that." Interesting, "tight" is still currently used in African American vernacular English while "up tight", "out of sight", and "fly" have been retired.

FEATURED VIDEOS
Example #1:
{Some pictures in the collage in Example #1 may not be suitable for children's viewing]
A Fly Girl - The Boogie Boys (1985)



djbuddyloverootsrap, Uploaded on Apr 25, 2011

The Boogie Boys were an American old school hip-hop group from Harlem, New York. They scored one big hit in 1985 with "A Fly Girl", from the album "City Life", that peaked at number six on the R&B charts.
-snip-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boogie_Boys

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Example #2: Queen Latifah - Fly Girl



kaimoe, Uploaded on Sep 9, 2007

Fly Girl from the album, "Nature of a Sista" by Queen Latifah 1991.
-snip-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Latifah

PORTION OF LYRICS FROM TWO "FLY GIRL" RECORDS
From http://www.elyrics.net/read/b/boogie-boys-lyrics/a-fly-girl-lyrics.html
FLY GIRL
(as performed by the Boogie Boys)
...[Romeo JD]
Well I'm Rome JD and I have learned
Fly girl is a name that you must earn
Fly girl's a girl who speak their mind
Some sneaky some freaky some mean some kind
Cold crush waves, fly Gherri curl
Gold watch, gold ring, and a neck full of pearls
Real slim waist, a made-up face
Head turns, eyes burn when she comes in the place
Perfume from France, put you in a trance
Fly enough to mingle, to fly dance
High-stakers, big money makers
Some fly girls are cold heart breakers
Bank accounts of unbelievable amounts
Very picky bout how their name's pronounced
Designer purse, leather mini skirt
Not a speck of dirt, can't help but flirt
She'll make you choke like you inhale smoke
She gave you a number, it was dial-a-joke
You got a real nice voice, you'll be her choice
Till another man comes in a fly Rolls-Royce
The guys get jealous, how can you blame us?
You live a lifestyle of the rich and famous
To play your roll guys lose control
Picturin' you as a center fold
From the Rome JD, cest-la-vie
Each and every one a y'all too much for me
Could it be your style or the way you smile
That puts you on the top of the pile?
Queen of the Nile, o sweet child
Fly girl you drive me wild (you drive me wild
-snip-
From http://www.lyricsfreak.com/q/queen+latifah/fly+girl_10237192.html
"FLY GIRL"
(as performed by Queen Latifah)

... (desire) i know you want me
(you're fine) thank you
But i'm not the type of girl that you think i am
I don't jump into the arms of every man
(but i'm paid) i don't need your money
(i love you) you must be mad
Easy lover is something that i ain't
Besides, i don't know you from a can of paint…

(fly girl, fly girl)
(come here, cuz you're sexy and you're fine)
(and i want you to be mine)
(fly girl, fly girl)
(have no fear, your heart is in good hands)
(won't you let me be your man?)...

SEVERAL ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES OF THE USE OF THE SLANG TERM "FLY" IN AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE
Example #1: Girls' foot stomping cheer*
FLY GIRL
All: Fly girl
Fly girl
Fly girl One
Fly girl Two
Pump it up Teresa
See what you do.
Soloist #1:(Oh) my name is Teresa
and I’m a fly girl.
It takes a lot of men
to rock my world.
‘cause I can fly like a butterfly
sting like a bee
and that’s way they call me
Sexy...

[The next soloist repeats the exact words of this cheer (except her name or nickname). Continue this pattern until every girl in the group has had a turn as the soloist.]
-Tazi M. Powell, (African American female, memories of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, mid 1980s)

*"Foot stomping cheers" is an informal recreational activity which is (or was) usually performed by African American girls ages 7-12 years. The text of "foot stomping cheers" are structurally distinctive from other cheerleader cheers and/or from other children's folk compositions such as handclap rhymes.

Click http://cocojams.com/content/foot-stomping-cheers-0 for information about foot stomping cheers & this particular cheer which was inspired by the Boogie Boys's "Fly Girl" record.

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Example #2: "Fly Girl" dancers on primarily African American television show In Living Color
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Living_Color
"In Living Color is a sketch comedy television series, which originally ran on the Fox Network from April 15, 1990 to May 19, 1994. Brothers Keenen and Damon Wayans created, wrote, and starred in the program...

The Fly Girls
The show employed an in-house dance troupe, known as the "The Fly Girls..."
-snip-
In Living Color Fly Girls Dancing Compilation Season 1 Episode 1


InLivingColorFan,Uploaded on Jul 9, 2010

This is a compilation of the Fly Girls from the very first episode of In Living Color. Love the outfits! lol Songs include "Walk On The Wild Side" Performed by Jaime J. Morgan, "Change" performed by Troy Johnson, and remixed by SW1.

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Example #3: Flyy Girl book by African American author Omar Tyree
From http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/290039.Flyy_Girl
Flyy Girl by Omar Tyree Published August 7th 2001 by Simon & Schuster (first published 1993)
"The bestselling urban classic novel about a young woman coming of age in the late 1980s. Tracy Ellison, a young knockout with tall hair and attitude, is living life as fast as she can. Motivated by the material world, she and her friends love and leave the young men who will do anything to get next to them. It's only when the world of gratuitous sex threatens heartbreak that Tracy begins to examine her life, her goals, and her sexuality."

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Example #4: Lyrics to a version of the Iota Phi Theta Centaur Walk Song/Chant,
From Iota Phi Theta member Dwayne Dixon in Elizabeth C. Fine: Soulstepping: African American Step Shows (Urbana & Chicago, University of Illinois Press, 2003; p 61
I say, my bro-thers....
-Yeah?
I say, Who's fly?
-I Phi!

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/01/iota-phi-theta-fraternity-inc-centaur.html for more information about the Centaur Walk and the Centaur Walk Song.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to all the composers & performers of the "Fly Girl" records. Thanks also to all those other persons whose use of the tern "fly" and "fly girl" are mentioned in this post.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.

Read More

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Centaur Chant (Videos)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post is Part II of a two part series on Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.'s signature step walk & chant the "Centaur Walk". Part II provides seven video examples of the Centaur Walk.

Part I provides information about the Centaur Walk. Lyrics to two versions of the Centaur Walk song (chant) are also provided in that post. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/01/iota-phi-theta-fraternity-inc-centaur.html for Part I of this series.

The content of this post is provided for folkloric, historical inspirational, aesthetic, and entertainment purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

I consider fraternity & sorority chants to be cultural artifacts which deserve to be collected, preserved, and studied. However, I also believe that fraternity & sorority songs and chants should only be recited and/or performed by those who are members or pledges of the specific organization that is affiliated with that particular chant.

FEATURED VIDEOS
(These videos are presented in chronological order with the oldest video being presented first.)

Video #1: iota phi theta centaur walk: Morgan State



mayrock1977, Uploaded on Mar 18, 2007

the brothers of Iota Phi Theta doing that centaur walk

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Video #2: IOTA PHI THETA CENTAUR WALK



andreduce, Uploaded on Oct 3, 2008
[University of Central Florida (Orlando, Florida)

Transcription of chant [Azizi Powell, additions & corrections welcome.]

[Preface: "I Know A Place" song in which brothers are exhorted to “release their soul”]*

Group- Shi shi shi shi [sound approximation]
shi shi shi shi

Lead: I said my
frat brothers
Group -(Ole Ole)
I said my hard steppin brothers
(What in the hell do you want?)
I saida we’re about to do
(What are we about to do?)
I said ah Centaur Walk for you
(He said ah Centaur Walk for you)
It goes the bow
(the bow)
And the shield
(the shield)
Godd**n it the bow
(the bow)
And the shield
(the shield)

[continues with the "Centaur laugh"]

*I'm not sure if "I Know A Place" is the actual title for this Iota song. A text version of that song's lyrics is featured in Part I of this post.

The tune for this song is the same as that used for the fraternity/sorority song "All Of My Love (My Peace And Happiness" which is sung by multiple traditional Black Greek lettered organizations. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/04/fraternity-sorority-song-all-of-my-love.html for a pancocojams posts about that song.

The "streets are paved with gold" line from the "I Know A Place" song is an adaptation of the following lyrics from the African American Spiritual "Twelve Gates To The City": "Come and go to the city/Where the streets are paved with gold". "Brown & gold" in that fraternity song refers to the Iota's official colors.

I've also heard the line "I said my hard steppin brothers given as "I said my brown and gold brothers". There are probably other versions of that line.

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Video #3: Iota Phi Theta. Psi Chapter. Fall 2008 Probate



MissWise, Uploaded on Nov 12, 2008
I know a place...

MissWise, 2008
[Coppin State University Baltimore, Maryland.]
-snip-
This video features the song "I Know A Place" & not the Centaur Chant itself. Read my comments above about this song.

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Video #4: Iota Centaur Walk VSU [Virginia State University]



georgearvan89, Uploaded on Mar 25, 2010
VSU -ETA
Spring 2k10
Is: speakerbox

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Video #5: Iota Phi Theta - Centaur Walk & UF Graduation Fall 2010



tonystark1963, Uploaded on May 6, 2010

My Fall 2010 graduation & another brother at the University of Florida (Gamma Omicron Chapter). We also did the Centaur Walk after.

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Video #6: IOTAS ON THE U OF M CAMPUS [University of Memphis]



Sedrick Askew, Published on Apr 2, 2012

CENTAUR WALKING IN MEMPHIS
-snip-
Transcription of a portion of the end of the chant:*
Lead: That bow, that bow, that big ole bow
Group: (That bow, that bow, that big ole bow)
That shield, that shield, that big ole shield
(That shield, that shield, that big ole shield)

[The chant continues with the "Centaur laugh" given in the same call & response pattern]
* transcribed by Azizi Powell, addition & corrections welcome.

****
Video #7: Massive Centaur Walk During Iota's Super Regional Conference in Memphis



zPhiiilosophy, Published on Apr 5, 2012

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. setting OWT a huge center walk after the Kings of Memphis Stepshow during their Super Regional Conference in Memphis, TN

NOTES:
Notice that prior to starting the actual chant, one after another, the brothers who are stepping raise their clasped arms above their head, and -one after another-individual members ball their fists to their sides, make a crouching motion, jump up and down, and scream. My guess is that this is done in imitation of the Centaur.

Also, notice that in a number of these videos an Iota carries another Iota on his shoulder in imitation of the Centaur.

RELATED LINK
Click http://cocojams.com/content/fraternity-and-sorority-chants for a page of my Cocojams website which features a number of text examples of fraternity and sorority chants.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to the composer of the Centaur Chant, and all the other brothers of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Thanks also to the uploaders of these featured videos.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.

Read More

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. - Centaur Walk (Information/Lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post is Part I of a two part series on Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.'s signature step walk & chant the "Centaur Walk".

Part I provides information about the Centaur Walk. Lyrics to two versions of the Centaur Walk song (chant) are also provided in this post.

Part II provides seven video examples of the Centaur Walk. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/01/iota-phi-theta-fraternity-inc-centaur_3.html for Part II of this series.

The content of this post is provided for folkloric, historical inspirational, aesthetic, and entertainment purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

I consider fraternity & sorority chants to be cultural artifacts which deserve to be collected, preserved, and studied. However, I also believe that fraternity & sorority songs and chants should only be recited and/or performed by those who are members or pledges of the specific organization that is affiliated with that particular chant.

INFORMATION ABOUT IOTA PHI THETA FRATERNITY, INC.
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iota_Phi_Theta
"Iota Phi Theta Fraternity (ΙΦΘ) is a nationally incorporated, predominantly African-American collegiate fraternity. It was founded on September 19, 1963 at Morgan State University (then Morgan State College) in Baltimore, Maryland . At present, it consists of over 70,000 members. There are currently around 300 undergraduate and alumni chapters, as well as colonies located in over 40 US states, the District of Columbia, the Bahamas, Japan and South Korea.

The fraternity holds membership in the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), an umbrella organization comprising nine (9) International Historically African-American Greek letter Sororities and Fraternities, and the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC)"
-snip-
From http://www.iotaphitheta.org/about/symbols-insignia
"THE OFFICIAL COLORS
The Official Colors of Iota Phi Theta are Charcoal Brown...and Gilded Gold....

THE CENTAUR
"Besides the Fraternity Shield, the next most readily identifying symbol of Iota Phi Theta is The Centaur. A Mythical beast with the head and torso of a man, and the body of a stallion, The Centaur is near and dear to all Men of Iota Phi Theta and its mythology, characteristics, and legacy are a binding force within the Brotherhood. Additionally, Iota Phi Theta intakees are referred to as Centaurs. (Note: The Centaur can appear in Green, Brown, or Gold but must ALWAYS have Red eyes.)"

INFORMATION ABOUT THE CENTAUR WALK
From Elizabeth C. Fine: Soulstepping: African American Step Shows (Urbana & Chicago, University of Illinois Press, 2003; pps 61, 62)
"As stepping evolved. many of the nine Greek-letter societies developed distinctive and characteristic steps and chants known as “trade” or “signature” steps that embody the ethos or character of a group and are nationally known by all its chapters…Audiences instantly recognize [these signature steps] as “belonging” to a particular group. Different societies may refer to rivals in either a salutary or derogatory way by how they imitate these trade steps...

Members of Iota Phi Theta, the newest fraternity to be admitted to the NPHC, still recall the name of the person who invented their “Centaur Walk” and the year he did so. According to Dwayne Dixon, the “Centaur Walk” was invented in 1966 by Brother Robert Young at Morgan State University in Baltimore. Because the Centaur, after the shield, as one of Iota’s “most readily identifying symbol”, embodying the symbol through stepping is important. The Iota Web-page carries the information that the Centaur, a “mythical beast with the head and the torso of a man, and the body of a stallion,” is “near and dear to all Men of Iota Phi Theta. The mythology, characteristics, and legacy of The Centaur are a binding force within the Brotherhood”. The Iota shield displays the image of a centaur, about to release an arrow from a bow. To evoke that image, the brothers mime pulling on a bow while they typically step three times to the left and three times to the right...
Even though trade steps are traditional, they change over time. When I asked [Iota Phi Theta member Dwayne Dixon] to provide a few verses of the "Centaur Walk" chant, he said it involves a call-and-response piece ("My brothers, what do you want?") and functions "like a framework, for other little mini-steps or breaks inside of it." Although "it has evolved", it is "a traditional step":

I say, my bro-thers....
-Yeah?
I say, Who's fly?
-I Phi!
I say my....Iota-Phi brothers...
I say we're going to do...
-What are we going to do?
I say the Norfolk Slide!
-He said the Norfolk Slide!

At this point the "Norfolk Slide", which is a kind of "break," is executed. These breaks are usually four or eight bars long, and at the completion of the break the "Centaur Walk" resumes. Other examples of these breaks are "The Old Time Sound", "The Scramble", "The Lookabout", "The Replace", and on and on. That's one of the nice things about the "Centaur Walk". Because of this structure, the basic framework retains the traditional aspects of the step and provides the links to the past. On the other hand, these breaks allow for creativity and keeping the step fresh and up to date."
-snip-
"Fly" is a mostly retired adjective from the mid 1980s African American vernacular English whose meaning is the same as or similar to "cool", "hip", "dapper", "in style" (i.e. someone or something that is up to date with the latest Black urban fashions, vernacular, and/or lifestyle/s").

AN EXAMPLE OF THE CENTAUR WALK SONG (CHANT)
From http:/www.potomaccentaurs.com/109/the-centaur-walk/

Video summary*:
"Brothers from the Eastern Region demonstrate the famous Centaur Walk.

Video was made possible by the Zulu Zeta Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Incorporated Hosted the 5th Annual Stroll Competition in Moore Gym.

Zulu Zeta Chapter is located in North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University (Greensboro, NC)

The Centaur Walk was created in 1966 by IOTA brother Robert Young in celebration of the Centaur, a binding symbol which unites all members of the fraternity.

Brothers from the Eastern Region demonstrate the famous Centaur Walk.

CENTAUR WALK SONG
(First part sung by 1st Brother on line. Number 1′s Song)

I know a place
Where the Centaurs Roam
And I know a place
Where the Centaurs call Home
And In that Place
The Streets are paved
In Brown and Gold
In Brown and Gold
And so I say
Release the Centaur
From Your Soul
From
Your
Soul….
(Sung by all brothers in unison)
I-O-T-A
P-H-I
T-H-E-T-A!!!
I Say
My Frat Brother
He Say
OLE! OLE!
I Say
My Brown and Gold Brothers
What in the H#$@
Do you want?
I Say
We’re Going to do…
What are We Going to Do?
I Say
that Centaur Walk for You
He Say
that Centaur Walk for You
It Goes
the Bow, the Bow
Nah, It Goes
the Shield, the Shield
God D#$* It,
it’s the Bow, the Bow
Nah, it’s
the Shield, the Shield

Break It Down (Centaur Laugh: Bruhahahaha!)

That Bow,
That Bow
That Big Old Bow
That Shield,
That Shield
That Big A*# Shield
That Bow,
That Bow
That Big Old Bow

*The video from which these lyrics were transcribed is no longer available on YouTube because the uploader's account was closed.

RELATED LINK
Click http://cocojams.com/content/fraternity-and-sorority-chants for a page of my Cocojams website which features a number of text examples of fraternity and sorority chants.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to the composer of the Centaur Chant, and all the other brothers of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. Thanks also to those whose information & transcriptions I quoted in this post.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.

Read More

Seven Videos Of Botswana Music Group "Culture Spears"

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases seven videos of the music & dance group "Culture Spears" from Botswana, South Africa. Information about this group is also provided in this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

INFORMATION ABOUT CULTURE SPEARS
From http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=7&aid=186&dir=2012/October/Tuesday9 "Culture Spears now includes a live band" by Lekipanye Mooketsi,
Correspondent, 09 October 2012 | Issue: Vol.29 No.149
"Culture Spears is one of Botswana's most successful music groups and was formed in Kasane but moved to Gaborone in 2006 following the release of their debut album. They made a significant impact on the local music scene in 2005 following the release of their album, Korone which featured the hit track Selonyane and Mmadikokwana. They became an instant hit with music lovers when they made their maiden appearance on Btv's Mokaragana show. After the release of their first album, the group relocated to Gaborone.

In 2006, they released Kulenyane, another chart busting album which took the music world by storm; Kulenyane is believed to be the highest selling local album. The album was even selling beyond Botswana's borders in countries like South Africa.

Culture spears released their third album, Khudu, in 2008 while last year they came up with Kuweletsana. But none of these albums' sales could surpass Kulenyane. During their peak, Culture Spears has also performed in European countries like France."

FEATURED VIDEOS

Example #1: Botswana - Culture Spears – Mmadikokwana



molamu13, Uploaded on Jul 8, 2011

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Example #2: Culture Spears-kulenyane



yogerta, Uploaded on Oct 12, 2007
the vid quality is not that great,still working on it, in the min time
enjoy that.....
setlhakonyana se sa mpelaetsa waitse!
-snip-
Here's a comment from this video's viewer comment thread explaining the song's meaning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voLtt8n6ufk

ASPRINALARD, 2010
"This is about a man (the lead singer) who suspects that his wife is cheating on him with some guy called Kulenyane, a soldier with military boots that always leave a mark on the ground to and from his home , but his wife says that the suspect guy is her cousin but her parents don't know him! He says that he eats all his food and his children are left with nothing that's why they are so skinny! He goes on to say that if he ever catches him, he will clobber him to pulp! A gem of a song!"

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Example #3: Culture Spears - Borikiriki


yogerta, Uploaded on Dec 12, 2007
e nkgopotsa nako tsele..early 90's.nako tsa bo blackmampatile..
-snip-
Here are two comments from this video's viewer comment thread:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mdegk9V4bwA

reshkeip2000, 2008
respect! now i see why these guys are the most successfull Artistes in Bots. Respect and the songs s really nice and original..... I love it.... keep em coming Yorgeta
-snip-
ASPRINALARD, 2010
'Borikiriki' could mean 'shenanigans' or 'crap' In the song the girl is protesting that she does not want to be touched in any way funny but it's ok to play! 'I don't want crap, i don't want shenanigans! Don't touch me like that!' she says! A beautiful song this!

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Example #4: Botswana Culture Spears - Nchandinyana



Emmanuel John, Uploaded on May 17, 2010

Culture Spears - Nchandinyana Botswana Borankana Traditional Dance

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Example #5: CULTURE SPEARS MASTER



jasondlane, Published on Sep 16, 2011

No description available
-snip-
A commenter from this video's viewer comment thread, Agatha Muzira, 2012, wrote that the name of this song is "Mmapula".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vk9th2mGHVE

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Example #6: Culutre Spears_Kuweletsana - 05 Shadimme.flv



Madubuze Murombo, Uploaded on Feb 10, 2012

From Kuweletsana Album, The Culture Spear's return.
-snip-
Here's an explanation about this song from this video's viewer comment thread:
hluuvnn, 2012: "it is talking about a young gal who is causing me troubles, so her mother is complaining about it. as every one around is talkng abt her."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXKf58QSdIQ

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Example #7: Culutre Spears_Kuweletsana - 06 Hosanna Magodimo.flv



Madubuze Murombo, Uploaded on Feb 10, 2012

From Kuweletsana Album, The Culture Spear's return.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
My thanks to the Culture Spears musicians, vocalists, and dancers. Thanks to those who produced these videos, those who provided information & comments about this group and their songs. Also, thanks to those who uploaded these sound files.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.

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Five Recordings of "Take The A Train"

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcase five recordings of Billy Strayhorn's composition "Take The A Train". The lyrics of that Jazz song are also included in this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

LYRICS - TAKE THE A TRAIN
(Billy Strayhorn); as sung by Ella Fitzgerald

You must take the "A" train
To go to Sugar Hill, way up in Harlem
If you miss the "A" train
You'll find you missed the quickest way to Harlem

Hurry, get on, now it's coming
Listen to those rails a-thrumming all aboard
Get on the "A" train
Soon you will be on Sugar Hill in Harlem

You must take the "A" train
To go to Sugar Hill, way up in Harlem

You must take the "A" train
To go to Sugar Hill, way up in Harlem
If you miss the "A" train
You'll miss the quickest way to Harlem

Hurry, get on board, it's comin'
Listen to those rails a-thrumming all aboard
Get on the "A" train
Soon you will be on Sugar Hill in Harlem

Harlem, boy
Next stop is Harlem

Next stop, Harlem
Come on, get aboard the "A" train

Get aboard
Next stop is Harlem
Take the "A" train

Lyrics from http://www.lyricsfreak.com/e/ella+fitzgerald/take+the+a+train_20045910.html

FEATURED EXAMPLES
Example #1: Duke Ellington - Take The A Train (1964)



Bob Hardy, Uploaded on Jun 30, 2009

Lots of chat from Duke and also rare shot of Billy Streyhorn. This version of 'A-Train' features Ernie Shepard (aka. Sheppard) on vocals and bass.

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Example #2: Ella Fitzgerald & Duke Ellington: Take The A Train



phalenopsis, Uploaded on Feb 16, 2011

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Example #3: Take the A Train - Sarah Vaughan



direfranchement, Uploaded on Aug 21, 2008
Recorded 1967. Sassy swings.
-snip-
Sarah Vaughn's nickname was "Sassy". Notice the title "Sass & Brass" of the television program from which a clip is given in Example #4. "Brass" (instruments) refers to the general musical name for horns.

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Example #4: Maynard Ferguson & Sarah Vaughn -- Take The "A" Train



David Palombo, Uploaded on May 22, 2009

with Don Cherry, Al Hirt, Chuck Mangione, Dizzy Gillespie
-snip-
Here's a comment from this video's viewer comment thread
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Br5GUgynS0
hibob4, 2012
If I remember right, this was from an HBO Special called, "Sas and Brass," and I saw it when it aired in around '84 or '85. So glad to see this clip again. I'd forgotten that Dizzy was on here too. Thanks for posting!
-snip-
Another posting of this same video gives the year as 1986.

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Example #5: Charles Mingus - Take the 'A' Train - Live At Montreux (1975) [12-12]



Julio Cortázar, Uploaded on Mar 28, 2010

Charles Mingus: bass
George Adams: tenor saxophone and vocals
Don Pullen: piano
Jack Walrath: trumpet
Dannie Richmond: drums
Gerry Mulligan: baritone saxophone
Benny Bailey: trumpet

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to Billy Strayhorn for composing "Take The A Train", and thanks to all the musicians and vocalists for their performance of that Jazz standard. Also, thanks to the transcriber of that song's lyrics, and the commenter who is quoted in this post.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.

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Music By Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou (Benin, West Africa)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases seven recordings by Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou. Information about that Beninese band is also provided in this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

INFORMATION ABOUT ORCHESTRE POLY RHYMO DE COTONOU
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchestre_Poly_Rythmo_de_Cotonou
"Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou are a band from Benin, which plays Afrobeat, Funk, Soukous and other styles, often based on Vodun ryhtmns. Active since the late 1960s, and having recorded around 500 songs, they are still touring around the world today, playing in venues such as London's Barbican Centre. Compilations of their work have recently been issued through Analog Africa, Soundway Records and Popular African Music."
-snip-
"Contonou" is the largest city in Benin, West Africa.

Additional information about Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou can be found in the uploader's comment from the sound file that is given in this post as Example #1. Also, read the band's biography (written in French but with translation options) on the group's official website http://www.polyrythmo.com/html/biography.html

FEATURED EXAMPLES
(These musical examples are presented in no particular order.)

Example #1: Orchestre Poly Rythmo De Cotonou - Mi Ni Non Kpo



mojorisings,Uploaded on May 23, 2009

"Benin lies on the West coast of Africa and butts up against Nigeria in the south, Niger in the east, and equally tiny Togo to the north. What distinguishes Benin from its neighbours is the fact that it happens to be home to Vodoun - or as we know it over here Voodoo. So it should be no surprise that the popular music of Benin draws heavily upon the rhythms of Vodoun rituals, but what is surprising is the other influences that have come into play. The Vodoun Effect: Funk & Sato From Benin's Obscure Labels 1973-1975 a recent release on the Analog Africa from Germany, that has collected together fourteen tracks by one of Benin's most popular bands, Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou. Recorded in the 1970s on a variety of small independent labels, they show not only the Vodoun influence but how music from both South and North America found its way back across the Atlantic Ocean.

According to the publicity material that came with the disc, in the late 19th century a group of freed slaves from Brazil returned to Benin and over the years their dances and songs were incorporated into Beninese ritual, and from there worked their way into the popular culture. In the 1960s and 1970s American soul and funk music started making its presence felt in Africa, and along with the sounds of pop music from neighbouring Nigeria were assimilated into the popular music scene in Benin."

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Example #2: T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo - Hwe Towe Hun



reedumful, Uploaded on Jun 2, 2010

An absolutely brilliant track from The Kings of Benin Urban Groove 1972-80 release. This is a heavy one!...

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Example #3: T.P.Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou.Benin.mov -Zizi



DonVan58, Uploaded on Jun 30, 2011

Zizi -T.P.Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou.Benin
1983. language: Fon
-snip-
Update 2/14/2013- This information was posted to this sound file's YouTube viewer comment thread in response to my request for more information:
From koffitoss - 2/14/2013
"Zizi" is the name of the girl he's singing abt.basically.he is in love with her and that had made some people jealous.so he is tellin did you hear and what people are doin to me.if I wasn't careful they would hav killed me coz of u.They try to kill me but "zizi" is today in my home(in order words marry to me).he is also talkin abt been chased by snake when he goes to the market coz of "Ojoujou" (which is a mystic way of killin someone mostly west African stuff). hope this help!"
-snip-
Thanks Koffitoss!

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Example #4: Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou "Se Ba Ho"



AnalogAfrica,Uploaded on Mar 26, 2010

"Se Ba Ho" is the opening track from the new Poly-Rythmo compilation "Echos Hypnotiques". It is without doubt one of the most powerful "Sato" tracks ever recorded (Sato is a vodoun rhythm played during burial ceremonies) . I hope you´ll enjoy – Samy

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Example #5: Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou -- Minkou E So Non Moin



zimgonner, Uploaded on Mar 11, 2011

Funky instrumentation, haunting vocals.

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Example #6: Benin: Zoundegnon Bernard (T P Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou) - Mille Fois Merci



Agbaataaa, Published on Jul 13, 2012

Juste pour la promotion des oeuvres de l'artiste ,de la musique Beninoise voire Dahomeenne et non pour une cause pecuniaire.
En voici une autre des merveilles en matiere de discographie du feu Zoundegnon Bernard alias " Papillon ",principal guitariste du groupe
-snip-
My French is barely rudimentary, but I believe that the statement above indicates that this is recording is for promotional purposes and it features Zoundegnon Bernard (also known as "Papillon") who is the group's principal guitarist.

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Example #7: T.P. Orchestre Poly Rythmo - Dety Motema



soukousman Uploaded on Jan 19, 2012

Brilliant composition by Theo Blaise Kounkou he spent an year in T.P. Orchestre Poly Rythmo before joining Sam Mangwana, Lokassa Ya M'Bongo and others in the band African All Stars (1977).
-snip-
In response to my request for information about this song, the sound file uploader soukousman wrote that Theo Blaise Kounkou is from Congo DRC and also that he is singing in Lingala.

Soukousman indicated that he only knew a little bit of Lingala and that he would share additional information about this song if he learned more about it.

Thanks, Soukousman!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
My thanks to the musicians & vocalists of Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Cotonou. Thanks to those who provided information about this group, and thanks to those who uploaded these sound files.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.

Read More