Origins: Pete Seeger: Abiyoyo

Subject: RE: Seeger Abi Yoyo
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Jan 12 - 03:16 AM

You'll find the entire text of the story in Pete Seeger's book, Where Have All the Flowers Gone? - A Singalong Memoir. I won't post the story - Bettynh gave a link above to liner notes that have the entire text. But here's what Pete has to say about it in the "Flowers" book:

In a book of African folk tunes notated by J.N. Maselwa snd Rev. H.C.N. Smith, published (with no copyright of any sort) by St. Matthew's a missionary college in South Africa, I came across a lullaby. A footnote explained that it was sung as part of a story about a monster named Abiyoyo. "The parents get the giant dancing, and when it falls down in a fit, it is dispatched by the parents." From that hint, I improvised a new story for my own children, not realizing at the time how closely the symbolism hit home.
They wanted to hear the story the next night. And the next. I tried telling it to other kids at a summer camp, and acting it out more. Little did I know I'd tell the story, and sing the song, a thousand times in the next half century.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Seger Abi Yoyo
From: Tigger the Tiger
Date: 22 Jan 12 - 11:34 AM

Sorry about the mistake in spelling;I was busy trying to guess how to spell the song name. Thanks so much to all of you for sending the information about videos.Glad to see this again.

Subject: RE: Seger Abi Yoyo
From: Bettynh
Date: 22 Jan 12 - 11:12 AM

This CD at Smithsonian Folkways has it. You can download a PDF of the transcription without buying the album.

Subject: RE: Seger Abi Yoyo
From: Leadfingers
Date: 22 Jan 12 - 11:09 AM

But here is Pete in 1993

Subject: RE: Seger Abi Yoyo
From: Leadfingers
Date: 22 Jan 12 - 11:02 AM

The Thread title confused me too !

Subject: RE: Seger Abi Yoyo
From: GUEST,999
Date: 22 Jan 12 - 10:56 AM

There's a half dozen of Pete Seeger doing Abiyoyo on Youtube. Go to YouTube and search

Abiyoyo, Pete Seeger

(For a second I thought Bob Seger was doing it.)

Subject: RE: Seger Abi Yoyo
From: EBarnacle
Date: 22 Jan 12 - 09:41 AM

It's available as a book and is also paired with "The Foolish Frog." Pete has a book out of folk tales and storytelling. I believe both stories can also be found there.

Subject: RE: Seger Abi Yoyo
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 22 Jan 12 - 07:41 AM

It's certainly on the album ' Pete Seegers Greatest Hits ' I've still got it on vinyl.

Dave H

Subject: Seeger Abi Yoyo
From: Tigger the Tiger
Date: 22 Jan 12 - 07:08 AM

I saw him perform this at a story-telling workshop in Newport 1966. What record was this on?Does anyone have a video of him doing this story?He had a great time with this.Thanks.