Seven Examples Of Mambo Sawa Sawa (Videos & Lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post presents six videos of the Swahili Gospel song "Mamba Sawa Sawa". Lyrics to some versions of this song are also included in this post.

This post also showcases a video of the inspirational song "Sawa Sawa".

The content of this post is presented for spiritual, informational, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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FEATURED VIDEOS & LYRICS
(These videos are presented in no particular order.)

Example #1: Songbirds - Mambo Sawa Sawa (OFFICIAL VIDEO)



Joashstilltheman,Uploaded on Jan 24, 2010

Title track by Songbirds (Ruth Wamuyu et al) from their album MAMBO SAWA SAWA
-snip-
Several comments that are found on this video's viewer comment thread http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx01ItBclGI, indicate that "Mambo Sawa Sawa" is an old song. One commenter wrote that he remembers this song from the 1990s & another person wrote that he remember this song from when he was very little. Still another person wrote that the original person who sung this song was "a Zairian".

Here's an excerpt of a newspaper article about this version's lead vocalist Ruth Wamuyu:
http://www.ajabuafrica.com/Gospel%20Artist-Ruth%20Wamuyu.html Story and pics By Harrison Maina; AjabuAfrica.com,07/10/2008
Lowell, MA
"[photograph notation]
Ecstastic Kenyans go chini Kwa chini (low for low) as they dance to the rythmic Gospel tunes by Ruth Wamuyu, who is visiting the US"
[photograph notation]
"Ruth Wamuyu, a popular Kenyan Gospel Musician who is cureently on a US tour, entertains Christians during a Live Praise event held at the CCF Church in Lowell , MA

A passionately popular Gospel artist, Evangelist Ruth Wamuyu, of the Mambo Sawa Sawa ( Kiswahili for ‘Things are already better’) hit song, attracted hundreds of fans to a fun-cum-spirit filled Sunday event at the CCF Church in Lowell, Massachusetts, USA."
-snip-
The English lyrics sung in this version are:
Things already better
Things already better
things already better
When the Lord is on the throne
Things already better now.
-snip-
The English translation for the Swahili word "mambo" is "things". In the "Mambo Sawa Sawa" songs, the word "better" appears to usually be the English translation for the Swahili phrase "sawa sawa".

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Example #2: James Okon - Mambo Sawa Sawa



Dan Zeeno, Published on Dec 18, 2012
-snip-
Here's my basic transcription of this version of "Mambo Sawa Sawa":

Mambo Sawa Sawa
Mambo Sawa Sawa
Yesu Akiwa Enzini
Mambo sawa sawa
Mambo sawa sawa
Mambo sawa sawa

(repeat several times)

May be tough
May be rough
May be bad
But I hold on to God’s promises.
From His word I’m saved from any man
I believe.
I receive.

Mambo sawa sawa etc.

Things already better
Things already better
For the Lord is on the throne
Things already better
Things already better
Things already better

I am going higher
I am going higher
For the Lord is on the throne
I am going higher
I am going higher
I am going higher

May be tough etc.

Mambo sawa sawa
Mambo sawa sawa
Mambo sawa sawa
Things already better
Things already better
Things already better

I am going higher
I am going higher
I am going higher

Lift Jesus higher
(Mambo)
Lift Jesus higher
(Mambo)

[More call & response with the words mambo and sawa; the song ends with "Mambo sawa sawa".
-snip-
This basic transcription is by Azizi Powell from the above video. Disclaimer: I don't speak any Swahili. Additions & corrections are very welcome.

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Example #4: Upendo Group Kijitonyama - Mambo Sawasawa



akongamimi, Published on Apr 15, 2012

I am well in Jesus.....
-snip-
This summary statement appears to be the translation of the phrase "Mama Sawa Sawa".

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Example #5: Eunice Njeri - Mambo Sawa



akongamimi, Uploaded on Dec 11, 2011

God is on the throne....
-snip-
Subtitles on this video screen are:
Mambo sawa
tuko sawa
mungu yuko enzini
-snip-
I don't speak or read Swahili. According to the online Swahili to English translator http://imtranslator.net/translation/swahili/to-english/translation/

Mambo sawa = Things right [mambo=things; sawa=equal; right]
tuko sawa = are similar
mungu yuko enzini = God's throne is
-snip-
"Mungu" is the Swahili word for God. The word "Yesu" in the song "Mambo Sawa Sawa" is "Jesus", but is translated in these songs as "the Lord".

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Example #5: Bethany Children's choir from Tanzania sing 'Mambo sawa sawa'



unapendo,Published on Oct 20, 2012

The Bethany Family Choir (from Tanzania) visiting the UK and singing at St Leonard's Church, Padiham on Friday 19th October 2012. The 11 children + teacher and 3 Bethany students make up the choir and are visiting various schools, colleges, churches and other organisations on their 7 week visit Oct - Dec 2012. For more information: www.bethanyonline.org

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Example #6: Mambo Sawa Sawa



Projectkenya, Uploaded on Jul 17, 2009

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Example #7: Watoto Children's Choir | Mambo Sawa



WatotoUS, Uploaded on Jan 5, 2010

Watoto Children's Choir gives an energetic performance of "Mambo Sawa" which means "Life is Good" -- Recorded Live at Springs Church in Canada

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ADDENDUM
Here's another version of the "Mambo Sama Sama" song's lyrics:
From http://www.destinyafrica.org/assets/lyrics/Things%20already%20better.pdf

Things already better
Mambo Sawa Sawa
Mambo Sawa Sawa
Yesu Akiwa Enzini
Mambo sawa sawa
Mambo sawa sawa
Mambo sawa sawa

Things already better
Things already better
When the lord is on my side
Things already better
Things already better
Things already better

Pepele Pepele (Pepele)
Pepele Na Yesu Nangayi ( pepele)

Balabala Yesu Nakopesa Emotema
Langanyoso kolatikala pepelewo ( Pepele)
Balabala Yesu Nakopesa Emotema
Langanyoso kolatikala pepelewo ( Pepele)

Oh labala yesu wee-pepelewo- pepele
Sikumesiyo wee- pepelewo pepele

Yelele, Yelele yelele yelele
(yesu mukama, Ya tuwadde obulamu, Yesu masiya)

BONUS VIDEO

Sawa Sawa



ericwainainavideos, Uploaded on Jul 22, 2011
-snip-
From this video's viewer comment thread http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH1Ji9NiBtQ , it appears that this inspirational song is almost 13 years old.
Notice that in the beginning of this video, the vocalist says "Everything is alright", everything is okay". These are English translations for the Swahili words "sawa sawa".

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EDITORIAL NOTE:
The word "mambo" in the Swahili Gospel songs "Mambo Sawa Sawa" & the Gospel song "Sawa Sawa" doesn't have the same origin & meaning as the music/dance "mambo". That word "mambo" comes from the Kikongo language and means "conversation with the gods". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mambo_(music).

Also, the phrase "sawa sawa" in the "Mambo Sawa Sawa" songs (which may also be found as "Mambo Sawa") does not have the same origin & meaning as the Igbo phrase "sawa sawa" in the Nigerian song "Sawale", or in its recent sexually explicit version "Nwa Baby". In those songs "sawa sawa" refers to the act of walking the streets. http://www.nairaland.com/589179/what-nwa-baby-ashawo-song.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to the composers of this song, and to the vocalists, musicians, and church members who sung this song. Thanks also to the journalist who was quoted in this post, the quoted transcriber of a version of this song's lyrics, and the uploaders of these featured videos.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.

Read More

Mkhululi ft Joyous Celebration Choir - Tambira Jehovah (Video, Lyrics, & Comments)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases a video of the Zimbabwean Gospel song "Tambira Jehovah" as sung by Mkhululi featuring Joyous Celebration Choir. Also included in this post are general information about the Mkhululi, lyrics for "Tambira Jehovah", and selected comments from that featured video.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT MKHULULI & JOYOUS CELEBRATION
Mkhululi Bhebhe is a Gospel singer from Zimbabwe, South Africa who was recruited in 2011 as a member of the award winning South African choir "Joyous Celebration". Mkhululi has also released his own Gospel album.

From http://www.zimdiaspora.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8082:zimbabwes-mkhululi-bhebhe-rises-to-joyous-celebration-expectation&Itemid=297
"WHEN Mkhululi Bhebhe was born 27 years ago in Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, little did the world of gospel music know that a superstar has emerged/

Born and bred in Bulawayo’s black exclusive township of Emakhandeni, Mkhululi is one of the few Zimbabweans who have successful cracked into South Africa’s glamorous musical industry."
-snip-
From http://www.bulawayo24.com/index-id-entertainment-sc-shows-byo-3527-article-Zimbabwe+Joyous+Celebration+recruit+Mkhululi+Bhebhe+thrills+fans.html
"African Idol and CBZ A Academy contender Mkhululi Bhebhe put on a splendid performance at the Harare International Conference Centre when he featured in one of Joyous Celebration’s songs last Saturday.

He delighted Zimbabwean fans when he performed alongside this fashionable gospel outfit.

The crowd went into ecstasy when they unexpectedly saw Bhebhe feature a new version of Tambira Jehova, one of their most popular songs.

Mkhululi introduced Zimbabwean dances to his fellow Joyous members when he imitated Hosiah Chipanga and Simon Chimbetu dances in what was an outstanding performance by the 27-year-old singer who was clad in a silver suit.

"It was a magical experience performing with Joyous, I’m overwhelmed by the response Zimbabweans showed me and it was an exciting moment performing in my country."

"Singing with Joyous Celebration since I joined them in April last year has been a nice experience and I have learnt a lot in terms of spiritual and music growth," said Mkhululi...

Mkhululi, as he is now part and parcel of the group, will feature on the next Joyous Celebration album - their 15th - with his song Tambira Jehova."

FEATURED VIDEO

Tambira Jehovah Joyous Celebration 15



Gideon Mavedzenge, Uploaded on Nov 23, 2011

Mkhululi ft Joyous Celebration choir
-anip-
This song is included in Part I of Joyous Celebration choir's 15th album. That album was recorded at a concert in Durban, South Africa in April 2011. http://www.exclus1ves.co.za/music/Joyous-Celebration-Vol-15-Live-at-the-ICC--ArtistJoyous-Celebration/000000000300000000001000000000000000000000000006007124638434/.
-snip-
Here are some comments from this video's viewer comment thread
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgHK-WryPRc

Gospicnic, 2012
"I like the Chopper dance at the end. Simon Chimbetu must be smiling in his grave; who would have imagined that the dance that originated in beerhalls would some day influence worshippers."
**
maigwata1. 2012
"way to represent Zim Mkhululi...love the song"
**
Nabo Madzingo 11 months ago
"it's amazing that SA gospel Music is now incorporating Zim music, Glory be to God. a great performance by SA people and a zim brother."
**
shami88, 2012
"Tambira Jehova - Dance for the Lord (even though they are saying come and dance to the Lord Dance for the Lord is a more accurate translation) Uko Uko over there (that's where the blessings are Rikita Madinonhi- cast out demons
some version include Sing for the Lord, ( Imbira Jehovah) and Clap for the Lord, (Wombera Jehovah (looses something in translation though))

Bata musoro- touch your head
Bata musana touch your back
Tenderera spin around (thats just the choreography that goes with the song)"
**
Shonkat, 2012
"need a translation for the part yelele Iyelele
Iyelele yelele, Iyelele yelele
Tambira Jehovah (repeat)
Please help!!"
**
Buyi Mjengu, 2012
"yelele is just like ohh yeah,ohh yeah come n dance for the Lord"
**
damizztee,2012
"this is a shona song from zimbabwe, the guy leading is also zimbabwean but he sings with a south african band/choir
[Editor-meaning the "Joyous Celebration" choir from the nation of South Africa]
**
101katsi, 2012
"some of the words are similar to chichewa...thumbs up malawians...."
-snip-
-snip-
From the featured video, Mkhululi says "In Zimbabwe 'uko uko' means 'over there, over there'. That's where your blessings are, over there".

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LYRICS: TAMBIRA JEHOVAH
(Zimbabwe Gospel song, Language: Shona & English; composer ?)

Tambira Jehovah, Tambira Jehovah
Tambira Jehovah, Tambira Jehovah
Tambira, Tambira Jehovah (repeat)
Iyelele Iyelele
Iyelele yelele, Iyelele yelele
Tambira Jehovah (repeat)

Dance to the Lord, Come and dance to the lord
Dance to the Lord, Come and dance to the lord
Give a joyful dance to the Lord, Come and dance to the lord
Give a joyful dance to the Lord, Come and dance to the lord
(repeat)

Iyelele Iyelele
Iyelele yelele, Iyelele yelele
Come and dance to the Lord (repeat)

Uko uko uko (uko) (repeat X15)
Rikita mademoni (rikita)
Rikita mademoni (rikita)
Rikita rikita rikita (rikita,rikita,rikita)
Rikita mademoni (rikita)
Rikita mademoni (rikita)
Rikita mademoni (rikita)
Rikita mademoni (rikita)
Rikita rikita rikita (rikita,rikita,rikita) (repeat)

Dance to the Lord, Come and dance to the lord
Dance to the Lord, Come and dance to the lord
Dance to the Lord, Come and dance to the lord
Dance to the Lord, Come and dance to the lord

Give a joyful dance to the Lord, Come and dance to the lord
Give a joyful dance to the Lord, Come and dance to the lord
Dance to the Lord, Come and dance to the lord
Dance to the Lord, Come and dance to the lord

Iyelele Iyelele
Iyelele yelele, Iyelele yelele
Come and dance to the Lord (repeat)

Bata msuoro, bata musana, Bata musoro, bata musana
Bata musoro, bata musana, Bata musoro, bata musana
tenderera, tenderera, tenderera, tenderera
tenderera, tenderera, tenderera, tenderera (repeat)

Dance to the Lord, Come and dance to the lord
Give a joyful dance to the Lord, Come and dance to the lord
Dance to the Lord, Come and dance to the lord
Dance to the Lord, Come and dance to the lord (repeat)

Iyelele Iyelele
Iyelele yelele, Iyelele yelele
Come and dance to the Lord (repeat)

From http://africangospellyrics.wordpress.com/2012/03/24/tambira-jehovah-dance-to-the-lord-lyrics-by-mkhululi-and-the-joyous-celebration-choir/

For another version of this song, click http://africangospellyrics.wordpress.com/2011/11/07/tambira-jehovah-lyrics-by-celebration-choir-zimbabwe/

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to Mkhululi & other members of the Joyous Celebration Choir for their performance of this Gospel song. Thanks also to the composer of this song & the musicians who performed on this featured video. Thanks also to the authors of the articles and the quoted in this post as well as the commenters who are quoted in this post. My thanks to the transcriber of the song lyrics, and the uploader of this featured video.
Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.

Read More

Made Up YouTube User Names In Two Olatunji Comment Threads

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases two video performances of Babatunde Olatunji (April 7, 1927 – April 6, 2003) was a Nigerian drummer, educator, social activist and recording artist. Information about Babatunji Olatunji can be found by clicking this link to his Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babatunde_Olatunji.

This is a companion piece to a post on my Cocojams cultural website: http://cocojams.com/content/made-youtube-user-names-howlin-wolf-video-comment-thread "Made Up YouTube User Names In A Howlin Wolf Video Comment Thread".

This is also a companian piece to this pancocojams post: http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/03/youtube-user-names-that-refer-to-race.html YouTube User Names That Refer To Race, Skin Color, Ethnicity, Or Nationality

All of those posts focus on examples of user names that are found in the viewer comment threads of those featured video/s. By "made up names" I mean a name other than a person's first name & last name, or a person's first name, middle initial, and last name, or a person's first name & the initial of his or her last name. Those names are often referred to as a person's "full name" or a person's "real name". In this context, a person's first name could also be a nickname that is derived from that first name.

I'm interested in documenting types of made up user names on YouTube comment threads because I believe that a review of those types of names can be of folkloric & sociological value. That documentation is of particular urgency because, since June 2012, YouTube has tried to convince its commenters & its video uploaders to switch to the use of their "real names". And it appears that many people have done so.

The Cocojams post whose link is given above contains a larger list of the types of user names that I've found on YouTube comment threads. That post also includes more of my comments about made up user names.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

FEATURED VIDEOS, SELECTED USER NAMES & COMMENTS
Note: This isn't meant to be a complete listing of all of the made up user names on these videos' viewer comment threads. However, I believe that these featured user names are representative of the types of user names that are found on those particular comment threads. I also believe that this listing is also representative of many of the types of user names that are currently found elsewhere on the internet.

My failure to include any user name in this post should not be construed to mean that I didn't like those names or didn't approve of those comments.

To enrich this reading experience, I've included most of the comments these featured bloggers made on those videos' viewer comment threads.

WARNING: YouTube comment threads often contain profanity, racist, homophobic, sexually explicit, sexist, violent language , and other language that may be NSFWOCV (not suitable for work or children's viewing).

These user name examples are placed in chronological order with the oldest comments posted first, except for any response to a comment. The date of the user names for a particular year are placed under that year.

Example #1: Baba Olatunji & his Drums of Passion- Ajaja



BabaOlatunjiMusic, Uploaded on Jul 17, 2008

Baba Olatunji & his Drums of Passion perform at a New Years Eve Concert in 1986 opening for The Grateful Dead. Concert intro song Ajaja.
-snip-
User Names & Comments from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51O2ymTtsR8
[Total Comments as of 10:00 am EST 3/4/2013 - 29]

[2008]
richardolatunde
"great seeing this!"
[This user name might be the blogger's real name or it might be a user name that was selected in homage to Babatunde Olatunji. "Olatunde" is a traditional Yoruba name. To figure out that name's meaning, read my comment below.]
**
kamaliyah
Ashe'!!!!!
[Ashe, "Ase"; "Ase o" can be translated to English to mean “Power”.]
**
[2009]
THEKINKS08
"yeah, reminds me his The Who's introduction in Tanglewood, Massachutes."
**
[2010/2011]
sunmanpatoo
"as we call upon the spirit of the ancestors"
Reply:
NativeToungue77
"ase o"
**
[2012]
flavorina,
ATUNDAY PLEASE
[This comment is a request for Olatunji's song "Odunde".]
**
memacken8
"absolutely beautiful. respect for sharing the sacred with all.
just want to dance now :)
om śānti śānti śānti"
**
drdreadfullyawesome pp
"KSI's DAD!!!"
Reply
confusedduckling
"I SEAD THAT GEORGE"
**
[2013]
Cosmosthemonster
"Blu Phi!"
[This is the signature call for members of the historically Black Greek lettered fraternity Phi Beta Sigma, Inc. My guess is that this comment was written because the blogger saw the blue & white colors of a drummer's top and a dancer's cloth wrap; "Royal blue and Pure white" are the colors for Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.]

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Example #2: Baba Olatunji & his Drums of Passion- Odunde



BabaOlatunjiMusic, Uploaded on Jul 17, 2008

Baba Olatunji & his Drums of Passion perform at a New Years Eve Concert in 1986 opening for The Grateful Dead. Concert intro song Ajaja.

-snip-
This is from Olatunji’s performance at a Grateful Dead concert.
In his introductory remarks for this song, Baba Olatunji described “Odunde” as a harvest song & dance
-snip-
User Names & Comments from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51O2ymTtsR8
[Total Comments as of 10:30 am EST 3/4/2013 - 26]

[2008]
Anikulapo2
"As the second commentor, I should very much like to ask: Do I see among the players the Right Honoralbe Trevor Huddleston from South Afrika? Please let me know as soon as possible as I so marvel to see the greats praising the Holy Spirit! Trevor played with Hugh Masekela, Mama Miriam Makeba; and all brought Us into a new consciousness. Yetha Moya, Oyingwele! Oh Moya Wami!"
**
[2009]
kx9x
"I had an audience recording of this performance when I just started trading Dead tapes; I played the hell out of this recording. 8 months later I was in a West African drumming class led by a master drummer from Ghana. I got to see Olatunji as part of hte Planet Drum tour in 1991; they had to carry him on and off the stage, but MAN ,what a presence. Though I never met him, Olatunji changed my life with this performance."
**
[2010]
TheReptilum
"i love AFRICA,is it mother of humans."
**
[2012]
leaflight44
"Blessings on Baba where ever he is!"
**
BuyWagDrummer
"Just incredible"
**
Tigerlin7
"I saw him at the wetlands perserved right after Jerry Garcia Died and he deadicated the show to Jerry and all the deadheads. IT WAS AMAZING
:D"
**
atomotma
"There's no doubt. Baba was the very best"
**
Sawthemdance
"such spiritual greatness!"
**
MotherLioness17
"Awesome!!!!!"

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ACKNOWLEGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to Babatunde Olatunji for his musical legacy. My thanks to all of the musicians, vocalists, and dancers who are featured on these videos. My thanks also to all of the commenters whose user names & comments are featured in this postThanks also to BabaOlatunjiMusic, the uploader of both of these videos.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

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Eight Songs Performed By Miriam Makeba

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases eight songs that are performed by South African vocalist Miriam Makeba. Miriam Makeba (4 March 1932 – 9 November 2008), nicknamed Mama Africa, was a Grammy Award-winning South African singer and civil rights activist.

Information about Miriam Makeba & information about some of these featured songs are presented in some of the video/sound files and some of the uploader summaries & hyperlinks found in this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

FEATURED VIDEOS
Example #1 Miriam Makeba - Mama Afrika



transformed122, Uploaded on Mar 2, 2009
Enjoy ~


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Example #2: Miriam Makeba "The Click Song/Qongqothwane" w/Lyrics



GingerSpice414, Published on Mar 4, 2012

Celebrate Miriam Makeba nicknamed Mama Africa. Here she sings a Xhosa Wedding Song: Qongqothwane aka The Click Song. Miriam was a Grammy Award winning South African Singer and Civil Rights Activist. She was born on March 4, 1932. She was held in exile for 30 years and not allowed to return home for speaking out and fighting for justice in South Africa. Her passport was cancelled and her music was banned from being played or bought in her own country. She continued to sing songs of hope speak out and struggled to help put a new face of order in South Africa and racial injustice all over the world. She was born March 4, 1932 and while performing in Italy she collapsed and died on November 10, 2008.
-snip-
Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onBLru8SfOk to read this video uploader's English translation of & explanation about the Xhosa words for this song.

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Example #3: MIRIAM MAKEBA 67 Pata, Pata



PEDRO HERNANDEZ Petermadison; Uploaded on Jan 10, 2011
-snip-
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pata_Pata
"Pata Pata" is a song by South African singer Miriam Makeba. The song was written by fellow southern Afr artist Dorothy Masuka and first released by Makeba in 1957 when she still lived in South Africa.[1][2] The song was released in the United States in 1967 for her studio album of the same name.[2] It was successful on the Billboard Hot 100, and peaked at #12.[3]
The song is considered by many to be Makeba's signature hit and the song has since been covered by many artists. Originally written and sung in the Xhosa language, the song's title means "touch touch" in English.[2]"

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Example #4: Miriam Makeba (Mama Africa) - Khawuleza 1966



Smallstillvoice, Uploaded on Apr 1, 2007

Recorded live at Berns Salonger in Stockholm on February 3, 1966

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Example #5: Miriam Makeba 'Oxgam/Baxabene Oxamu' w/Xhosa lyrics

GingerSpice414, Published on Apr 5, 2012
Miriam Makeba sings "Baxabene Oxamu" aka Oxgam (LIVE) w/Xhosa lyrics
-snip-
Here's a comment from the uploader of this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0QX28sXuiA

GingerSpice414, February 2013
"It's about to groups fighting and a witch doctor who is putting a spell on them. I will get it word for word very soon."

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Example #6: jolinkomo -Miriam Makeba ( live in paris )



chester555, Uploaded on Sep 15, 2011

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Example #7: miriam makeba, Zimbabwe concert (paul simon - graceland land


Benny Bruch, Uploaded on Jan 14, 2008

miriam makeba, Graceland live concert in Zimbabwe, with Paul Simon
-snip-
Here's a comment from a commenter to this video's viewer comment thread http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgwtbeVFjb4
Björn Beck, 2010
The song is "Jikela emaweni"

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Example #8: Miriam Makeba - Ibhabhalazi 2006
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PsNO2YmLuo

Embedding disabled upon request.
-snip-
On March 4, 2013 Google honored Miriam Makeba with a doodle on its homepage in celebration of her 81st birthday. The outfit that was shown in that doodle-with the exception of the South African crown hat-was probably taken from this performance.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to Miriam Makeba for her musical legacy. My thanks to the other vocalists & the musicians who performed on this featured song. Thanks also to those who added information about Miriam Makeba which is quoted in this post. And thank you to the uploaders of these videos & sound file.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.

Read More

Ten Examples Of Malagasy Traditional Music & Dance

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post presents ten examples of traditional music from Madagascar. General information about Madagascar is also included in this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Editor's Note:
I am very unfamiliar with Malagasy music. Please accept my apology if these examples aren't considered traditional Malagasy music or dance. Corrections & identification of those examples correct music or dance genre would be appreciated.

INFORMATION ABOUT MADAGASCAR
From http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/afrimadagas.htm
" Madagascar is an island to the east of the southern part of Africa.

It is the world's fourth largest island, with 4,828 km of coastline...

Madagascar was part of the African continent but broke off and drifted to where it is now about two million years ago. This means that the plants and animals of Madagascar are unique, and different from those of Africa...

Madagascar was governed by France from 1895, but became a republic in 1958, calling itself the Malagasy Republic. It remained under French guidance until 1960, when it became a fully independent country. In 1975, the country re-named itself the Democratic Republic of Madagascar. In 1993 it became the Republic of Madagascar."

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FEATURED EXAMPLES
These examples are presented in chronological order based on the date of their posting on YouTube.

Example #1: Sabarera (Hazolahy)



antoniek, Uploaded on Oct 25, 2006

Music video by Malagasy group Hazolahy

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Example #2: Masoala Song Madagascar



errorist. Uploaded on Sep 20, 2006

On the very remote Masoala Peninsula, Eastern Madagascar, the villagers gather to sing.

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Example #3: - Monja



daveanso,Uploaded on Nov 20, 2007

Traditional music from Madagascar

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Example #4: Masoala Forest Lodge Dancers



toledo43612, Uploaded on Nov 29, 2008

These people walked 5k to dance for us at the lodge.

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Example #5: Traditional dance from Akany Avoko orphanage, Madagascar



Maureen Lee Maloney, Uploaded on Mar 21, 2009

A dance by the adorable kids at Akany Avoko orphanage in Antananarivo, Madagascar. This is such a great place.

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Example #6: Oay Lahy É (O! Dear Friend)



Krmadinkovich, Uploaded on May 9, 2009

The Music of Madagascar: Classical Traditional Recordings of the 1930's
-snip-
Here are two comments from this video's viewer comment thread:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpMa7f_wX4o

Jonnyrafa1, 2010
Very old one. Like to hear my grand Ma voice.
-"Hey ! guys, So long ! So long !...
(then answered)
-Where are you going, babe?
-So long ! so long!...
-Why? why?
**
Harivelo, 2012
"This is a classic from my country. Thank you very much for posting it."

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Example #7: Bakomanga::Ramafadrahona



Rabehasy, Uploaded on Jun 1, 2009

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Example #8: Lalatiana::Ny voninavoko



rabehasy, Uploaded on Jul 10, 2009

Lalatiana::Ny voninavoko

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Example #9: Gasikara::Telo Fangady



rabehasy, Uploaded on Aug 12, 2009
- Playliste Telo Fangady : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P503v3

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Example #10: Monja Manintsindava


andry12003, Uploaded on Feb 8, 2010

this vid shows the Manintsindava Band from Madagascar (lead by Monja on the far left with the rifle)
they perform a traditional dance from the Androy area (south of Madagascar).You can hear the lokanga( traditional violin)
myspace.com/manintsindava

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ACKNOWLEDGEMNT AND THANKS
Thanks to all those vocalists, musicians, and dancers who are featured in these examples. Thanks also to the composers of these songs, and the uploaders of this sound file and these videos.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

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A White & A Black Version of The Song "Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown"

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post is Part II of a two part series on two versions of song that are known as "Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown". Part II features the lyrics of and sound files of these two songs.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-textual-analysis-of-two-versions-of.html for Part I of this series. Part I presents my textual analysis of the original 1905 lyrics of "What You Goin' Do When the Rent Comes 'Round?" (Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown) and the 1969 Rufus Thomas version of "Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown".

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

FEATURED SOUND FILE AND LYRICS
"Rufus Rastas Johnson Brown" (Von Tilzer) Ragtime song by Arthur Collins Victor 4432 C 1905



EMGColone, Published on Jun 3, 2012

"What you going to do when the Rent comes 'Round " Ragtime Song sung by Arthur Collins Victor 4432 [song starts at .31]
-snip-
LYRICS:

What You Goin' To Do When the Rent Comes 'Round? (Rufus Rastas Johnson Brown)
music by Harry von Tilzer; words by Andrew B. Sterling

First verse:
Who dat a knockin' at the door below,
Who dat a shivrin' in the hail and snow,
I can hear you grumblin' Mister Rufus Brown,
Just keep on a knockin' babe, I won't come down,
I wants to tell you that you can't get in,
Have you been a gamblin'
Honey, did you win?
what's that you tell me,
coon you lost your breath?
I hopes you freezes to death

(Chorus)

Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown,
what you goin' to do when the rent comes ‘round,
What you goin' to say,
how you goin' to pay,
You'll never have a bit of sense till judgement day;
You know, I know, rent means dough,
Landlord's goin' to put us out in the snow,
Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown,
what you goin' to do when the rent comes ‘round.

Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown,
what you goin' to do when the rent comes ‘round,
What you goin' to say,
how you goin' to pay,
You'll never have a bit of sense till judgement day;
You know, I know, rent means dough,
Landlord's goin' to put us out in the snow,
Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown,
what you goin’ to do when the rent comes ‘round.

Second verse:
Keep on a bangin’ on the old front door,
In just a minute babe you’ll hear me snore,
If I goes to bed without a bite or sup,
You will be an icicle when I wakes up,
Where’s all the money that you said you’d bring,
Melted all away just like the snow last Spring,
Rufus I loves you, but this serves you right,
Guess that’s sufficient, “goodnight.”

(Chorus)

Disclaimer:
The derogatory terms, images, and ideas that appear in some of this sheet music are not condoned by the University of Mississippi. They do represent the attitudes of a number of Americans at the times the songs were published. As such, it is hoped that the sheet music in this collection can aid students of music, history, and other disciplines to better understand popular American music and racial stereotypes from the 19th- and early 20th-centuries.
http://clio.lib.olemiss.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/sharris/id/1645/rec/6
item date 1905
-snip-
Click http://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu/levy-cgi/display.cgi?id=150a.018.000;pages=4;range=0-3 for a larger image of this song's cover. The cover shows a drawing of an urban, middle age Black couple standing outside a house. The couple are wearing what I would call "dress up" clothes. Both the man & the woman are drawn with large, red lips, and the man has a cigar in his mouth.

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Rufus Thomas -- Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown



HoYeahcorp, Published on Oct 13, 2012

"Do The Funky Chicken"Album.
1969.
-snip-
LYRICS: RUFUS RASTUS JOHNSON BROWN
(Rufus Thomas)

Background singers -Oh! Rastas! [with additional words ???]
Lead Singer: Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown,
what you goin' to do when the rent come around,
Second Male voice: “I don’t know. I don’t know”.
Ain’t got no money, you can’t pay.
Ain’t gonna have no money till judgement day.
Second male voice: I’m broke. I’m broke.
Lead:Way down yonder about a mile and a half
I can see ole Rastus comin down the path.
He’s runnin, and skippin, and a-jumpin, and a yellin.
He got a pot full of chitlins and they are smellin.
Background singers – Pot!

Lead: Oh, Rufus!
What you been doin ole Rufus
Oh, Rufus,
What in the world do you want from me.

Lead Singer & background singers
Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown,
what you goin' to do when the rent come around,
Ain’t got no money, you can’t pay.
Ain’t gonna have no money till judgment day.

Lead: Oh, Rufus!
Oh, Rufus!
Oh, Rufus,
What in the world do you want from me?

Lead Singer & background singers
Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown,
what you goin' to do when the rent come around,
Ain’t got no money, you can’t pay.
Ain’t gonna have no money till judgment day.

Lead singer,
Oh, baby!
I gotta get a movin
Oh, baby!
I gotta get a movin

Rufus Rastus
Johnson Brown,
Rufus Rastus
Johnson Brown

[The Lead singer begins to scat while the background singers continue to sing the words “Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown”]
-snip-
Transcription by Azizi Powell from the sound file. The words in brackets with question marks mean that I was unable to decipher what was sung. The words in italics mean that I'm not sure about what I transcribed. Additions & corrections are very welcome.

ADDENDUM
I want to be clear that these two versions of "Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown" aren't the only two versions of that song that exists. Some people are very familiar with versions of "Rufus Rastus etc" that ends with a portion of a song called "C. H. I. C. K. E. N." Here's a comment from the Mudcat Cafe discussion thread on "Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown" about those versions:

In case anyone is still confused about why some versions of RUFUS RASTUS… have verses about chickens and some don't—it's because two different Tin-Pan-Alley songs somehow got blended together by the folk process. The songs are:

DAT'S DE WAY TO SPELL CHICKEN by Sidney L. Perrin and Bob Slater, 1902;

and

WHAT YOU GOIN' TO DO WHEN THE RENT COMES 'ROUND? by Andrew B. Sterling and Harry Von Tilzer, 1905

http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=50037#1451385 Origins: C-H-I-C-K-E-N. [Mudcat: Rufus Rastus; Jim Dixon, Date: 04 Apr 05 - 12:15 AM]

-snip-
That comment & both the Mudcat threads cited contain examples of the 1902 song "C-H-I-C-K-E-N".

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to the transcriber who is quoted in this post. Thanks also to the uploaders of these sound files.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Read More

A Textual Analysis Of Two Versions Of "Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown"

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post is Part I of a two part series on two versions of the song that are known as "Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown".

Part II features lyrics and sound files of the original 1905 version of this song and of Rufus Thomas' 1969 version of this song.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-white-black-version-of-song-rufus.html for Part II of this series.

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PART I
I first heard about the 1905 Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown in 2007 when I read about him on this Mudcat Cafe discussion thread: http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=37834 "What You Goin' Do When the Rent Comes 'Round?" [hereafter given as Mudcat: Rufus Rastus].

I confess that I really don't like the image of Rufus Rastus that was drawn by Andrew B. Sterling, that song's lyricist. Sterling's description of Rufus Rastus fits the stereotype of a Negro coon, only he-Von Tilzer-following the customs of his time-would have written "Negro" with a small "n". Sterling's caricature of Rufus Rastus was that of a good for nothing man who stayed out late, and didn't have the sense to not gamble away his rent money. Von Tilzer's Rufus Rastus also fit the stereotype of a coon in that he was dominated by his wife - or at least his woman- who is actually the one who speaks in that 1905 song. The reason why I'm not sure if that was his wife or not was that Rufus Rastus didn't have a key to his own home. But maybe in the beginning 20th century USA folks, or just struggling poor folks didn't have keys to their homes. Maybe they secured the door with some kind of latch, and that is why that 1905 Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown couldn't get in to his house unless someone from the inside let him in.

And it seems to me that Rufus Rastus must have stayed out late more than just that one time that is recorded in that song. And it seems to me that he must have done some other real triflin things for his wife -or his woman- to have such a strong reaction to him staying out late that time. Maybe Rufus Rastus had a habit of gamblin away his money, even down to the rent money. Otherwise why did she jump to that conclusion that Rufus had been gambling just because he stayed out real late that night? But am I right in detecting some acceptance of Rufus Rastus gambling since she asked him "Did you win?" and "Where’s all the money that you said you’d bring"? Isn't that enabling Rufus Rastus' gambling habit? Hmmm.

Yet, according to how Andrew B. Sterling tells it, even before she asked if Rufus Rastus had won any money from his gamblin, his wife or woman- who was given no name in that song- was clearly not happy with Rufus Rastus. She called him out of his name (by calling him a coon), and she said that he didn't have any sense, and he wouldn't have sense to judgment day-which after all, is probably still a long time coming. And Rufus Rastus' wife (I'll give her that benefit of the doubt) called her husband "Honey" and "babe" and said she loved him. But she also said that she wished that he would freeze out in the snow. That was some strange kinda love...

While Andrew B. Sterling's depicted the silent Rufus Rastus as a coon, and even has Rufus Rastus' wife referring to him as such, Sterling's characterization of Rufus Rastus also has elements of the pretentious, living above his means, urban Zip Coon. It seems to me that the main thing in the song that implies that Sterling pictured Rufus Rastus as a Zip Coon was the fact that he gave that character four names instead of a total of three names that most Americans have. Three names - regular. Four names - pretentious. Not only that, I'm sure that it was no accident that Andrew B. Sterling gave that character the names "Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown".

It's possible that in 1905 the name "Rufus" didn't bring to mind a picture of a poor, country Black man. However, although I only have anecdotal proof to back up this assertion, I believe that the name "Rufus" has carried those connotations for some time. My claim that the name "Rufus" is largely associated with Black males is supported by this comment by a blogger on that Mudcat Folk & Blues discussion thread that I referred to earlier:

In _A Death in the Family_ by James Agee, a little white boy whose name happens to be Rufus is taunted by the neighborhood bullies for having a "n****r name"*, and they use that song. That would have been about 1915.

Then there was

"What does you lahk bestes', Rastus?"
"Ah lahks asbestos, Rufus."

So, yes, the names carry some baggage. Maybe they will manage to shed it by & by." [Mudcat: Rufus Rastus; Joe_F, Date: 11 Sep 07 - 09:21 PM]

-snip-
* The "n word" is fully spelled out in this comment.

The name "Rastus" has a long tradition of being associated with Black males. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rastus:

"Rastus" has been used as a generic, often derogatory, name for black men at least since 1880, when Joel Chandler Harris included a Black deacon named "Brer Rastus" in the first Uncle Remus book. However, "Rastus" has never been particularly popular as a Black name. For example, the 1870 census reported only 42 individuals named "Rastus" in the United States, of whom only four were Black or mulatto.[2]

Rastus—as a stereotypically happy black man, not as a particular person—became a familiar character in minstrel shows. This is documented in Every Time I Turn Around: Rite, Reversal, and the End of Blackface Minstrelsy,[3] and Racism and Poverty in Ford City, PA, 1959: Minstrel Show,[4] and in fiction such as Adventures of Rufus Rastus Brown in Darktown (1906)[5] and Rastus Comes to the Point: A Negro Farce,[6] and in popular songs such as Rastus, Take Me Back (1909)[7] and (Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown) What You Going to Do When the Rent Comes 'Round (1905),[8] on radio,[9] and in films, most notably the Rastus series of short films,[10] with titles that included How Rastus Got His Chicken[11] and Rastus Runs Amuck.[12]

I'm not sure whether in the late 19th century and the early 20th century the surnames "Johnson" and "Brown" were associated with Black Americans more than with Americans of any other race or ethnicity. However, if people make that connection now they might be surprised to know that, according to the 1990 United States census, "Johnson" is the second most common last name, and "Brown" is the fifth most common last name in that nation ("Smith" is the #2 most common last name in the USA).
http://names.mongabay.com/most_common_surnames.htm. Yet, however many White "Browns" there are, I've no doubt that Sterling selected the last name "Brown" for Rufus Rastus as a reference to that character's race. The name "Rufus Rastus Johnson Smith" doesn't have the same connotations as "Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown".

By the way, in one line of that song, another way that Rufus Rastus' wife showed her disrespect for her man was by sneeringly referring to him as "Mister Rufus Brown", and not by his full name. I read the use of the title "Mister" as a taunt, as if Rufus Rastus' wife was implying that he really wasn't man enough to use the title "Mister". And, indeed, the use of "titles" for Black Americans was a new custom, particularly in the South, where before the end of slavery, the only "honorific" that could be used for a Black adult was "auntie" or "uncle".

Before I turn to Rufus Thomas' 1969 version of "Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown", I feel compelled to note the 19th century, early 20th century stereotypical "Negro" dialect that Andrew B. Sterling used in his lyrics to that song. Sure, some poor Black folks then said "dat" instead of "that". And some Black folks - then and now-incorrectly use incorrect grammar such as "I hopes you freezes to death", "If I goes to bed without a bite or sup", and what you goin' to do when the rent comes ‘round". But non-Black Americans also use such incorrect standard Emglish grammar. Nevertheless, that dialect is associated with negative stereotypes of Black folks. And because of the negative stereotypes associated with the depiction of Rufus Rastas & his wife, including the dialectic English, I believe that it would be very problematic if this 1905 version of "Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown" were to be sung to the general public nowadays in any way except a part of an educational historical presentation.

Also, before turning to my briefer analysis of Rufus Thomas' Rufus Rastus song, here's an interesting comment from another Mudcat blogger which provides some background about how Harry Von Tilzer came up with the idea for this song:

This rent lament is a classic from the late 19th century minstrel song school, and is also known by the compound name of its protagonist, Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown. Music historian Sigmund Spaeth describes how the author became inspired to write this song:

Harry Von Tilzer was standing on the platform of the railway station at Miami listening to the conversation of two negroes. The woman was berating the man, and after using every possible adjective to describe his low-down shiftlessness, she worked up to a climax with the question, "What you goin' to do when de rent comes 'round?" The rest was easy." [Mudcat: Rufus Rastus; Charley Noble, Date: 01 Sep 01 - 03:25 PM]

In contrast to that 1905 depiction of Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown, Rufus Thomas' 1969 character of the same name is much more sympathetically drawn. In that 1969 song there is no mention of Rufus Rastus gambling, nor is there any wife taunting him- callin him out of his name- and refusing to let him in out of the cold. Unlike that earlier song, in Rufus Thomas' record, Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown actually says something. He says "I'm broke. I'm broke". And as any American of any race or ethnicity could tell you, there's more ways of being broke in the US of A then gambling. However, I get the impression from that R&B song that Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown must have been broke quite often, and that the lead singer is used to him coming to him to give him some money to help him pay his rent and his other bills. Yet, the picture I get from this song is that the lead singer is shaking his head and saying to himself or to Rufus Rastus "What am I going to do with you". He's not taunting Rufus Rastus, refusing to help him, or wishing that Rufus Rastus were dead.

Rufus Thomas' song is written in a form of African American vernacular English, for example the lines "Ain’t got no money, you can’t pay/Ain’t gonna have no money till judgment day." Then again, the Rufus Rastus character in that 1969 song says "I'm broke" and not "I'se broke". And the lead singer says "what you goin' to do when the rent come around" and not "what youse gwine do when the rent come 'round". As a 20th/21st century African American, that latter pronuciation and the rest of that 19th century/early 20th century "Negro dialect" associated with that 1905 "Rufus Rastas" song isn't at all funny to me.

I don't think that Rufus Thomas' depiction of Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown has any elements of Zip Coon. Those four names & some of the lyrics are lifted from that earlier song, and those names don't appear to be meant to convey pretentiousness as I believe they are meant to convey in that 1905 song. But, while I wouldn't say that Rufus Thomas' depiction of Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown is that of a coon, I believe that that 1969 depiction definitely has some coonish elements. Notice that the 1969 Rufus Rastus isn't described as a hard-working man or a man who has tried to find work and for some reason is down on his luck. Instead, Rufus Thomas says that "I can see ole Rastus comin down the path/He’s runnin, and skippin, and a-jumpin, and a yellin/He got a pot full of chitlins and they are smellin." That description fits the happy-go-lucky, irresponsible coon stereotype. However, when Rufus Thomas refers to Rufus Rastus as "ole Rufus", I think that word "ole" softens that description, and shows that singer has some affection for that man. (Of course, that may be an incorrect transcription of that word, and Rufus Thomas may have said "old" instead of "ole". Even so, I think that word also conveys some affection toward Rufus Rastus".)

I wonder whether the lead voice in that 1969 song was supposed to be a friend of Rufus Rastus or if he was supposed to be kin to Rufus Rastus. If that lead voice and Rufus Rastus were related, then the implication that Rufus Rastus hoped to get help from that lead voice fits the findings in one recent study that one reason why the household wealth of middle class Black American families is so much lower than the household wealth of middle class White American families is that Black American families give more money to assist their poor relatives. [http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2013/02/18/family-members-in-need/ Family Members in Need: Why Some Middle Class Blacks Can’t Get Ahead, Lisa Wade, Feb 18, 2013, at 12:00 pm]

There are many causes for poverty besides people gambling their money and otherwise being irresponsible. That brings me to my first reaction to the 1905 song "What You Goin' To Do When the Rent Comes 'Round? (Rufus Rastas Johnson Brown)" when I first read about it on that Mudcat Cafe discussion thread that I've previously cited:

...Fwiw, I've never heard this song or the chicken song. And I doubt very much that many contemporary African Americans sing this song as the name "Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown" is quite stereotypical and the names "Rufus" and "Rastus" in particular remind folks of what weren't good ole days for many people. Maybe Rufus Rastus would have been able to pay his rent if there wasn't so much institutional and personal racism around.

And yes, I know this song is to be sung just for fun. But still....
[Mudcat: Rufus Rastus; Azizi, Date: 11 Sep 07 - 02:39 PM]

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RELATED LINKS
Information about the coon and Zip Coon stereotypes are given in these articles http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/news/jimcrow/coon/ and http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/10/deconstructing-caricature-of-zip-coon.html "Deconstructing The Caricature of Zip Coon & Other Minstrel Black Dandies"

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ACKNOWLEGEMENT AND THANKS
I can't bring myself to thank the composer & lyricists of that 1905 song. Yet, I recognize that in the early 20th century, the characterizations of Black people found in that song may have even been thought to be progressive. At least, the n word wasn't used in that Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown song.

I do acknowlege Rufus Thomas' writing and performance & I thank him for his musical legacy. I also thank each of the commenters and authors who are quoted in this post.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

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