Lyr Req/Add: Stole and Sold From Africa

Subject: STOLE AND SOLD FROM AFRICA
From: black walnut
Date: 05 Sep 99 - 09:14 AM

martin simpson plays an amazing instrumental version of 'Stole and Sold from Africa' on his album 'Cool & Unusual'[Red House Records: RHR CD 110/ 1997].

in the liner notes, martin writes:

'Stole and Sold from Africa is a white abolitionist song which Mike Seeger learned from Addie Grahame of Kentucky. Mike recorded a version playing fiddle and harmonica, which is truly scary, and I was compelled to learn it. At first I sang it with slide accompaniment, but it went in an unexpected direction. The banjo style here is pragmatic, rather than traditional, and the slide part replaces the voice. Rick Walker plays calabash.'

thanks ~black walnut

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: STOLE AND SOLD FROM AFRICA
From: Barbara
Date: 05 Sep 99 - 11:29 AM

I have that on a John McCutcheon (at Wolftrap, I believe, with some of the DC people singing on the chorus) tape around here somewhere. If no one else comes up with the words, I'll see if I can transcribe them, but I'll bet the locals have it (when they get back from the Labor Day holiday Tuesday). Blessings,
BArbara

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: STOLE AND SOLD FROM AFRICA
From: black walnut
Date: 05 Sep 99 - 11:41 AM

thanks barbara, we'll wait and see what happens... tony burns provided me with this additional information:

We're Stole and Sold from Africa Graham, Addie. Been a Long Time Traveling, June Appal JA 0020, LP (1978), cut# 12

methinks martin simpson was the one who cut the title short...

~black walnut

Subject: ADD: STOLE AND SOLD FROM AFRICA
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Sep 99 - 02:18 AM

Here are the lyrics, from Mccutcheon's Website, www.folkmusic.com

Stole and Sold from Africa
traditional

From the singing of Addie Graham, of Cynthiana, KY

We're stole and sold from Africa
Transported to America
Like hogs and sheep we march in drove
Suffer the heat, endure the cold

We're almost naked, as you see
Almost bare-footed as we be
Suffer the lash, endure the pain
Exposed to sun, both wind and rain

See how they take us from our wives
Young children from their mother's side
They take us to some foreign land
Make slaves to wait on gentlemen

Oh Lord, have mercy and look down
Upon the race of the African kind
Upon our knees pour out our grief
And pray to God for some relief

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: STOLE AND SOLD FROM AFRICA
From: Ferrara
Date: 20 Aug 05 - 01:23 PM

There's a very fine version of this song on Ginny Hawker and Kaye Justice's album "Pathway to West Virginia." Beautiful and moving.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: STOLE AND SOLD FROM AFRICA
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 20 Aug 05 - 10:38 PM

Addie's grandson, Rich Kirby, still sings her songs. He runs the radio station at Appalshop, Whitesburg, KY. I don't think he would mind if folks wrote to him there, if interested in Addie's music.

I remember the two of them standing on a little stage at Berea College, some 20+ years ago- Addie clutching pretty tightly onto Rich's arm because she was nervous being onstage. When they sang, "We're Stoled and Sold From Africa," you could hear a speck of dust falling to the floor, it was so quiet. That night Addie came to the hotel room I was sharing with my sister Edna- Addie had brought her hymnal, The Sweet Songster (Old Reg. Baptist wordbook) and we got ours out, and sang the old hymns into the wee hours.

Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Stole and Sold from Africa
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 21 Aug 05 - 03:44 PM

Are there any indications of where and when it originated - where Addie got it, any record of it being sung by other people and so forth?

Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Stole and Sold from Africa
From: Ferrara
Date: 31 Oct 05 - 07:51 PM

Jean, thank you for the additional information. And thank you for the slightly revised title. I had been thinking it might originally have been called "Stoled and Sold" rather than "Stole and Sold," but had nothing to go on and didn't want to change it arbitrarily.

Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Stole and Sold from Africa
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 31 Oct 05 - 09:12 PM

There is an address on Folk Index:
June Appal
Appalshop
Box 743
Whitesburg, KY 41858
The website doesn't work, but the email is [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Req/ADD: Stole and Sold from Africa
From: Ferrara
Date: 30 Nov 05 - 04:19 PM

To see the June Appal web site, go to
the University of Kentucky Appalachian Center ,
click on Links, then on Appalshop.

They are sold out of Addie Graham's recordings on vinyl but will be re-releasing them in the spring or thereabouts on CD. I've asked them to phone me when they're ready. I will post to this thread once I know it's available.

To hear some recordings of Addie Graham, go
here
(courtesy of the Digital Library of Appalachia).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: STOLE AND SOLD FROM AFRICA
From: Goose Gander
Date: 24 Feb 09 - 02:38 PM

Addie Graham - Been a Long Time Traveling CD is now available from June Appal Recordings, and it's well worth purchasing. The packaging is beautiful, liner notes are great, and it's an excellent selection of songs.