Origins: Little Johnny Brown

Subject: ADD: Little Johnny Brown
From: Joe Offer
Date: 18 Nov 15 - 07:22 PM

I haven't found much information on this play-party song. What can we come up with? These are the lyrics we have in the Rise Again Songbook:

LITTLE JOHNNY BROWN

Little Johnny Brown
Spread your comfort [blanket] down (repeat)

Fold one corner, Johnny Brown
Fold another corner, Johnny Brown (3x)

Take it to your lover [Give it to your friend now]… (4x)
Show him [her] your motions [Make a little motion]… (4x)
Float [look, hop] like a buzzard… (4x)

——trad. (African-Amer party song)

On Bessie Jones Put Your Hand on Your Hip, Ella Jenkins Little Johnny Brown, Linda Tillery & the Cultural Heritage Choir Say Yo' Business, Sandy & Carolyn Paton I've Got a Song!

Circle singers, put blanket/towel on the floor, spread & fold it, & give it away. Next person floats like a buzzard into the
circle & begins again.

Subject: RE: Origins: Little Johnny Brown
From: GUEST,#
Date: 19 Nov 15 - 12:50 PM

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3b4d0_bessie-jones-and-children-from-the_news

Click the More button. May take some copy-paste translation, but it's a start.