The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #59103   Message #939514
Posted By: GUEST,Q
24-Apr-03 - 05:49 PM
Thread Name: Word meanings in a couple of songs?
Subject: RE: Word meanings in a couple of songs?
One of many Negro religious songs with mourn (moan) is "Holy Ghost, I Done Done." Note the lines;
You told me to sing, an' I done dat too,
Now I done done what you told me to do.

You told me to moan (mourn), an' I done dat too,
Now I done done what you told me to do.

You told me to weep, an' I done dat too,
Now I done done what you told me to do.

North Carolina, 1925, in White, American Negro Folk-Songs.

For My Jesus Ever More

I'm gonna mourn right on de shore,
Lord, I'm gonna mourn right on de shore,
I'm gonna mourn right on de shore,
For my Jesus, Lordy, for my Jesus ever more.
From "Honey in the Rock," Alabama religious songs.

Anywhere, Anytime

Everybody oughter pray so God can use them,
Anywhere, anytime.
Everybody oughter moan so God can use them,
Everywhere en anytime.

Sing, live, mourn, preach, etc. etc.

O mourner, you shall be free
When the good Lord set you free.

Floaters:
I'm goin' ter live on de high till I die, etc. (Alabama)

I'm going to live anyhow till I die (twice)
Stick and stones may break my bones;
'Cause I talk about a body when they are dead and gone.
I'm going to live anyhow till I die, (twice)
Sticks and stones may break my bones;
I'm going to start a graveyard of my own;
I'm going to live anyhow till I die.
(North Carolina). Both examples from White, American Negro Folk-songs.
Several examples of the razor verse.

All of the verses are from minstrel songs and Negro songs, re-cast by many singers.