The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #24137   Message #273125
Posted By: Irish sergeant
07-Aug-00 - 05:21 PM
Thread Name: International call and response songs
Subject: RE: International call and response songs
Mrrzy: I have For the first verse for Kemo Kimo: In South Carolina the Darkeys go, Sing song Kitty can't you ki' me oh! That's where the White folks plant the to, Sing song Kitty can't you ki' me oh! Cover the ground all over with smoke, Sing song Kitty can't you ki' me oh! And up the Darkies heads the poke, Sing song Kitty can't you ki' me oh!

I hadn't heard the verse about the frog but I believe it is an earlier varient verse to the last verse; There was a frog who lived in a pool, sing song kitty can't you ki'me oh! Sure he was the biggest fool, Sing song kitty can't you ki' me oh! For he could dance and he could sing, Sing song Kitty can't you ki' me oh! And make the woods around him ring, Sing song Kitty can't you ki' me oh!

The tune is an 18th century marching song called the frog in the well and your verse may be the original first verse to the song. Kemo Kimo is a later adaptaion of the frog in the well and was used as a work song in much the same way sea chanteys were used, that is to set up a rhythem to work by (But you guys knew that) Kindest reguards, Neil