From Slave Songs of the Georgia Sea Islands by Lydia Parrish (Athens, GA: University of Georgia Press, 1942, reprinted 1992), page 99 (There is a lead sheet on page 101.)


SANGAREE

This ring-play varies in action whenever I see it done. For that reason I will attempt no description. The tune, however, always remains the same.

1. If I live (Sangaree)
Don' get kill' (Sangaree)
I'm goin' back (Sangaree)
Jacksonville (Sangaree)

CHORUS: Oh Babe (Sangaree)
Oh Babe (Sangaree)
Oh Babe (Sangaree)
Oh Babe (Sangaree)

2. If I live (Sangaree)
See nex' fall (Sangaree)
Ain' goin' t' plant (Sangaree)
No cotton at all (Sangaree) CHORUS

3. Chicken in the fiel' (Sangaree)
Scratchin' up peas (Sangaree)
Dog on the outside (Sangaree)
Scratchin' off fleas (Sangaree) CHORUS

Extra verses contributed by a Darien singer:

4. My husban's got the shovel (Sangaree)
An' I got the hoe (Sangaree)
If that ain't farmin' (Sangaree)
I don't know (Sangaree) CHORUS

5. If you want t' see a nigger (Sangaree)
Cut the fool (Sangaree)
Let him ride (Sangaree)
A white man's mule (Sangaree) CHORUS