Origins: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 27 Sep 21 - 03:23 PM

FYI that's: Neely, Wayne, The Great Bahamas Hurricane of 1929, (Nassau, Media Pub., 2013)

Bahamiana sorta getting lost in the merged threads:
One (1) storm; two (2) songs (this thread only) like the Ballad Index note says: NOTES [17 words]: While the storm described is the same one described in "Run Come See," this is an independent song. - PJS

The September Songs thread might/would/should list both song titles.

FYI the previous ('28) September: Lyr Add: Somebody Got Drowned (Palm Beach 1928) is one storm with a half dozen or so songs (minimum.)

Also, Bahamians don't spell like they speak any more than Texans or Londoners. The vessel was real. Her name was the Pretoria (see Neely, above.) If one is writing about the real world that's how to spell it.

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GeoffLawes
Date: 22 Sep 21 - 05:38 PM

Google Books , Info about the song     https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=0dlUAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA102&lpg=PA102&dq=A+Great+Storm+Pass+Over,+written+by+a+Bahamian+sponge+fis

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: Mysha
Date: 21 Sep 21 - 07:38 AM

Oops. Is there an elf nearby who can remove the circular reference above (and this one)?
Sorry,
Mysha

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: Mysha
Date: 21 Sep 21 - 07:29 AM

Thanks.

I have no idea how the instructions are supposed to match my browser, but the obvious September song is Run come see, Jerusalem.

Don't know what data we have about it, sorry.

Bye,
Mysha

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Aug 21 - 11:17 PM

New release from Smithsonian Folkways, in which Peter Siegel makes available previously unreleased recordings he made in 1965 of Joseph Spence. The notes here suggest it was first recorded in 1958 by Sam Charteris, but that Joseph Spence took it to heart since the succour he had provided trying to save the mariners and retrieving the dead had made such an impression on him in 1929.

His version on the album has very few lyrics but that doesn't reduce its power.

https://daily.bandcamp.com/features/joseph-spence-encore-story

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST,JeffB
Date: 26 Mar 21 - 11:05 AM

Sorry - above post is mine

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Mar 21 - 10:59 AM

Hi Phil - I didn't know that the schooner was registered as 'Pretoria', but it seems that 'Pytoria' was the way her name was pronounced locally, certainly in 'Pytoria' (sub-titled 'Run Come See') as transcribed by S. B. Charters from his recording of the song which he had from its authors, John Roberts and Frederick McQueen. The spelling and conformation of authorship I quoted was from p. 6 - 8 of the notes to the Folkways 'Music of the Bahamas, Vol. 2' by Charters. These notes happen to be on-line at https://folkways-media.si.edu/liner_notes/folkways/FW03845.pdf

Incidentally, Mr McQueen (among others) was also recorded some seven years later by Jodi Stecher and Peter Siegel of Princeton University. Their field recordings were issued on the LP (now available as CD) 'The Real Bahamas'. Again, well worth getting hold of. I believe it was this LP which brought the singer and guitarist (and sponge fisher) Joseph Spence to the attention of American audiences. A fine player and bass singer, he enjoyed a well-deserved period of fame and respect and was influential to a number of musicians. There's a little Wiki article about him.

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 24 Mar 21 - 05:03 AM

Guest Jeff: The song was written by John Roberts and Frederick McQueen a few days after the tragedy. Roberts had been a crewman on the Pytoria (which seems to be the schooner's correct name) only a week before.

Have you located any pre-Blake sources for the song? Or any source at all for the spelling? We know she was registered as the Pretoria.

"Pytoria" reads more like what a Yank trying to sound out "Pretoria" in Bahamian English would come up with. Just guessing.

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST,#
Date: 23 Mar 21 - 05:41 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqyHdsFcpwY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqyHdsFcpwY

A link to Johnny Carroll's version mentioned previously.

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST,JeffB
Date: 23 Mar 21 - 05:14 PM

Guest - See Charlie Baum's posts above of 14 July 2020. The song was written by John Roberts and Frederick McQueen a few days after the tragedy. Roberts had been a crewman on the Pytoria (which seems to be the schooner's correct name) only a week before. The format of their song was as a usual Bahamian rhyming ballad, a term coined by the researcher Peter Siegel. Blind Blake later re-worked it as a calypso for performing at the Royal Victoria Hotel in Nassau, where he was bandleader. He recorded the song in 1934.

The musicologist Samuel Barclay Charters visited the Bahamas in 1958 and luckily was able to make a recording of the original arrangement sung by John Roberts, H. Brown, and Charles Wallace. As Charlie Baum says, you can hear this track on "Vol. 2, Music of the Bahamas" by Folkways Records. It's well worth getting hold of.

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Mar 21 - 03:55 AM

I first heard this song performed by Ethel Raim and the Pennywhistlers of Philadelphia...back in the day. 70s...

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Jan 21 - 03:32 PM

A Bahamian song written by Blind Blake. My favourite version is by the X Seamans Institue from Smithsonian Folk Ways. It's on YouTube.

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST,Greg Stephens
Date: 03 Jan 21 - 02:52 AM

A reminder of singing in bars. Hopefully covid will soon let us do this again. Here's a session in the Lazy Turtle on Carriacou (Caribbean island)
Run Come See at the Lazy Turtle

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Jan 21 - 05:25 PM

When Gordon Bok rolls this out...it is unforgettable.

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST,Jim Troy
Date: 18 Jul 20 - 08:15 PM

Thanks to whoever made a clicky of my link.

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST,Jim Troy
Date: 17 Jul 20 - 06:39 PM

Origin of the song, I do not have, but here's a version.

Run Come See Jerusalem

Acker Bilk Paramount Jazz Band '60's

this one stuck in my head ever since
that, and Willie The Weeper.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kyms6hm5XAc

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 14 Jul 20 - 09:57 PM

One more link (because the Hurricane tracking map I referenced in 2009 has since disappeared from the Web):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1929_Bahamas_hurricane

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 14 Jul 20 - 09:23 PM

From the liner notes:

SIDE II, Band 3:
PYTORIA (RUN COME SEE JERUSALEM) 4'40"
John Roberts, lead voice; H. Brown, bass; C. Wallace, treble.
Recorded at Fresh Creek Settlement, Andros, Bahamas Islands, August 10, 1958.

In nineteen hundred and twenty-nine

(REFRAIN)
Run come seek, Run come seek,

In nineteen hundred and twenty-nine
(REFRAIN)
Run come seek it, Jerusalem.

There was three sails leaving out the harbor, Etc.
I want you to tell me 'bout the three sails, Etc.
Will you name those three sails for me, Etc.
The Result, The Myrtle, the Pytoria Etc.
Now they're leaving out Nassau Harbor, Etc.
Now God send the Myrtle into Blanket Sound, Etc.
But God send Result into Staniard Creek, Etc.
Now we leave the Pytoria on the ocean, Etc.
There's a dark cloud build up in the north-east, Etc.
Now the wind and wave keep rolling down, Etc.
Pytoria couldn't hold up for the channel, (REFRAIN)
Now she's cut off for Standard Rock channel (REFRAIN) ,
When she get opposite the channel (REFRAIN) ,
Oh Lord, Captain George vas the captain (REFRAIN) ,
He spoke to the people on board her, (REFRAIN)
Said people, people what must we do? (REFRAIN)
Now everybody get confused in his mind (REFRAIN) ,
Now everybody get confused in his mind.
Oh he said, I cannot find the channel, (REFRAIN)
Oh Lord, I got to go in the channel now, (REFRAIN)
Nov the first sea hit the Pytoria, (REFRAIN)
Thank God everybody get confused, (REFRAIN)
The second sea hit the Pytoria., (REFRAIN)
Now she knock little Era to Glory, (REFRAIN)
Now she bad thirty-four souls board her, Etc.
Nov the next sea hit the Pytoria, (REFRAIN)
She leaved the people on the water, (REFRAIN)

Redacted from the liner notes below:
John Roberts composed PYTORIA. John remembered that the Pytoria sank on Wednesday, and on Sunday morning ". . . I had my song ready." John Roberts had been a crew member of the Pytoria until a week before it was destroyed on the rocks at Fresh Creek.


Since the 1920's the great Andros singers have composed ballads about their lives and experiences, and there has been a flowering of the ballad style. There are now five major ballads sung along the coast of Andros. McQueen composed CURRY CAMP BURNED DOWN and with John Roberts - who is mentioned in CURRY CAMP BURNED DOWN - composed PYTORIA. They are both from the settlement at Blanket Sound and John remembered that the Pytoria sank on Wednesday, and on Sunday morning ". . . I had my song ready." McQueen has certainly developed the magnificent CECIL GONE IN THE TIME OF STORM to its present form, but it was probably created by the entire community at Blanket Sound within a few weeks after Cecil's drowning. John Robert's singing of the ballad added a few details, but it was very similar to McQueen's. The other two ballads are from southern Andros and seem to have been composed by a singer from Long Bay Cay, Willie Bullard. They are HARCOURT DROWNED and CEDRIC. McQueen recorded HARCOURT DROWNED, but noone could be found in the Mangrove Cay area who could sing more than a few lines of CEDRIC. Bullard may have taken part in the development of CECIL GONE IN THE TIME OF STORM, since there is evidence that he sang the ballad in the 1930's. With the exception of CEDRIC and CURRY CAMP BURNED DOWN - which is regarded as McQueen's special song - the ballads all widely sung on Andros and are thought of as traditional.

The ballads of Andros are superb examples of a mature ballad style, and they have been collected at an early point, so that there is still a richness of detail and an intensity of mood. McQueen was on the beach at Blanket Sound when Eudie Newton was told that her son, Cecil, was drowned, and John Roberts had been a crew member of the Pytoria until a week before it was destroyed on the rocks at Fresh Creek. In their singing is the vividness with which they recall the scene. CURRY CAMP BURNED DOWN is a delightful example of that rare form, the comic ballad. Curry Camp was the ill-fated pineapple farm near Fresh Creek, run by a government official named Erwin McFee. McQueen paints a colorful picture of the confusion and excitement of the fire, and then solemnly recounts how the employees - including himself - cheated poor McFee when he was trying to make good their losses. McQueen sings the ballads with a moving sensitivity and expressiveness.

Recording by S. B. Charters, with the technical assistance of A. R. Danberg. Much of the recording was done under difficult conditions, and there is background noise from gasoline driven generators on at least two of the selections.

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Jul 20 - 09:12 PM

Oh, you gotta hear this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlhkKaOoVWU

"Run Come See Jerusalem" by Mr. Ackerbilk and the Paramount Jazzband.

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 14 Jul 20 - 08:34 PM

Link to the recording of Pytoria (Run, Come See Jerusalem):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Owh_OLGbEjg

PERFORMER CREDITS
John Roberts - Lead vocal
H. Brown - Bass vocal
Charles Wallace - Vocal

Music of the Bahamas, Vol. 2: Anthems, Work Songs and Ballads

(c) 2004 Smithsonian Folkways Recordings / 1959 Folkways Records

Released on: 1959-01-01

Liner notes available at https://folkways-media.si.edu/liner_notes/folkways/FW03845.pdf
See also my notes above from 4 March 2004

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 Jul 20 - 11:15 PM

Charlie Baum says: Song also called “Pytoria”, Smithsonian Folkways has a different version, with more history.

Any more info?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Origins: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST,GUEST
Date: 06 Mar 20 - 11:50 AM

The Raunch Hands:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7X6sbhtR14

Subject: RE: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Dec 17 - 05:09 AM

Pennywhistlers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8420cDV1Gwc

Subject: RE: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Dec 17 - 05:07 AM

The only thing I know about this song is from Ethel Raim and the Pennywhistlers which I heard in 1972: Listen here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8420cDV1Gwc

Subject: RE: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: Janie
Date: 15 Mar 17 - 08:06 AM

Sorry about that. Link works for me. Are you in the USA? If not, it may not be available in your country.

Subject: RE: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 15 Mar 17 - 03:54 AM

I get ' video not available '

Dave H

Subject: RE: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: Janie
Date: 15 Mar 17 - 01:28 AM

Here is a recording by Jon Roberts, et. al. Made in 1959, and fairly recently available on youtube.
Jon Roberts, H. Brown and Charles Wallace, Music of the Bahamas, Vol. 2:

full album name, which won't fit in the linkmaker, is "Music of the Bahamas, Vol. 2: Anthem, Work Songs and Ballads. Pytoria (Run, Come See Jerusalem) · John Roberts, H. Brown, and Charles Wallace

Music of the Bahamas, Vol. 2: Anthems, Work Songs and Ballads

℗ 2004 Smithsonian Folkways Recordings / 1959 Folkways Records

Released on: 1959-01-01

Subject: RE: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 26 Apr 16 - 07:01 PM

This is a pretty good Blake channel. The "original":
YT: Blind Blake & Calypsonians RUN COME SEE JERUSALEM


The Pretoria was a wood-hulled 43' Bahamian schooner built for the local sponger/mailboat trade by Jeremiah Duncan Lowe, Sr. of Marsh Harbour, Abaco.

The eye of the storm passed just south of Fresh (French) Creek (24°43′15″N 77°47′20″W, or modern day Andros Town) and Staniard Creek.

[Neely, Wayne, The Great Bahamas Hurricane of 1929, (Nassau, Media Pub., 2013)]

Wiki: 1929 Bahamas hurricane

Subject: RE: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 25 Apr 16 - 07:57 PM

Run, Come, See

T'was Nineteen hundred and twenty nine,
Run, come, see, Run, come, see – (I remember that day pretty well)
Nineteen hundred and twenty nine
Run, come, see Jerusalem,

Right then they was talkin' about a storm in the island
Run, come, see, Run, come, see... (My God, what a beautiful morning)
They was talking about a storm in the island.
Run, come, see Jerusalem.

Right then it was three sail leaving out the harbour
Run, come, see, Run, come, see… (With mothers and children on board)
Was three sails leaving out the harbour
Run, come, see Jerusalem.

Those sail was the Ethel, and the Myrtle and the Pretoria
Run, come, see, Run, come, see… (My God, they were bound for Andros)
The Ethel, and the Myrtle and the Pretoria
Run, come, see Jerusalem.

Right then the Ethel was bound for Stanniard Creek
Run, come, see, Run, come, see… (with the women and children on board)
Then the Ethel was bound for Stanniard Creek
Run, come, see Jerusalem.

My God, then the Myrtle was bound for Fresh Creek
Run, come, see, Run, come, see… (My God, what a beautiful morning)
Then the Myrtle was bound for Fresh Creek
Run, come, see Jerusalem.

My God, Pretoria was out on the ocean
Run, come, see, Run, come, see… (Dashing from side to side from waves)
The Pretoria was out on the ocean.
Run, come, see Jerusalem.

Right then when a big sea build up in the northwest
Run, come, see, Run, come, see… (Then the children come holding on to mothers)
When a big sea build up in the northwest
Run, come, see Jerusalem.

My God, when the first sea hit the Pretoria
Run, come, see, Run, come, see… (Then mothers come holding on to their children)
When the first sea hit the Pretoria
Run, come, see Jerusalem.

My God, then it send her head down to the bottom
Run, come, see, Run, come, see… (Then the captain come grabbin' for the tiller)
When it send her head down to the bottom
Run, come, see Jerusalem.

My God, it was thirty-three souls on the water
Run, come, see, Run, come, see… (Swimmin' and prayin' to the Daniel God)
Thirty-three souls on the water
Run, come, see Jerusalem.

My God, then George Brown he was the Captain
Run, come, see, Run, come, see… (He shout, "My children come pray.")
Now, George Brown he was the captain
Run, come, see Jerusalem.

My God, he say "Come now witness your Judgment"
Run, come, see, Run, come, see… (He shout, "My children come pray.")
Come now witness your judgment
Run, come, see Jerusalem.

[Lyrics to Songs by Blind Blake and His Royal Victoria Calypsos, ART Records, Album – 3, Production No.1, Copyright 1951 by Songs of the Islands Productions, Nassau, Bahamas]

Five additional verses.

Subject: RE: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 11 Apr 16 - 10:10 PM

Run, Come, See Jerusalem
Words and Music by Blake Alphonso Higgs (Blind Blake)
© Copyright 1952 and 1963 by HOLLIS MUSIC, INC., New York, N.Y.

1.
'Twas Nineteen Hundred and Twenty Nine,
Run, come see Jerusalem,
'Twas Nineteen Hundred and Twenty Nine,
Run, come see Jerusalem,

2.
Well, then there was a talk about a storm in our island
Run, come see Jerusalem (My God, what a beautiful morning)
They were talkin' about a storm in our island.
Run, Come, see Jerusalem.

3.
Well, then there were three sails leaving from the harbour
Run, Come, see Jerusalem (with the women and children on board)
There were three sails leaving from the harbour
Run, Come, see Jerusalem.

4.
These sails was the Ethel, and Myrtle and Pretoria
Run, Come, see Jerusalem (My god, they were bound for Andros)
The Ethel, and Myrtle and Pretoria
Run, Come, see Jerusalem.

5.
Right then, well the Ethel was bound for Stanniard Creek
Run, Come, see Jerusalem (with the women and children on board)
Yes, the Ethel was bound for Stanniard Creek
Run, Come, see Jerusalem.

6.
My God, well the Myrtle was bound for French Creek
Run, Come, see Jerusalem (My God, what a beautiful morning)
Well, the Myrtle she was bound for French Creek
Run, Come, see Jerusalem.

7.
Oh Lord, Pretoria was out on the ocean
Run, Come, See Jerusalem (Dashing from side to side from waves)
Well, the Pretoria was out on the ocean.
Run, Come, see Jerusalem.

8.
Great God, well the sea built up in the northwest
Run, Come, see Jerusalem (Well the children run looking for their mothers)
When the sea built up in the northwest
Run, Come, see Jerusalem.



[Patterson, Massie, Heyward, Sammy, eds., Calypso Folk Sing (New York: Ludlow Music, 1963, p.8)]

Subject: RE: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: greg stephens
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 03:01 PM

Not having much luck with links. How do you delete posts? Maybe an elf will help

Subject: RE: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: greg stephens
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 02:59 PM

OOps link didn't work. Try again

Run Come See in the Lazy Turtle

Subject: RE: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: greg stephens
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 02:57 PM

Session in the Lazy Turtle, Tyrrel Bay (Carriacou in the Grenadine Islands) last month
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6v2jRqjHzg&list=RDJpdqkcar1IQ

Subject: RE: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST,Jim Soule
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 02:13 PM

The Seekers have a wonderful version on their "Introducing the Seekers" album (1963) with Bruce Woodley on lead, Judith Durham, Keith Potger and Athol Guy singing the harmony.

Subject: RE: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST,Southern Dixie Belle
Date: 10 Nov 13 - 03:32 AM

Thanks to all who provided the story behind the song "Run, Come, See Jerusalem." I have listened to the ballad many times since the 1960s when I bought The Brothers Four album "In Person" which contains a version. It is actually very well performed. The accompaniment is excellent and their diction is such that it is easy to understand every word. I had always thought the song told the story of a great storm & shipwreck, but I never could find any information - until now. Thank goodness for the internet! It made easy work for the curiosity of this little ol' Southern Belle. Huge thanks to all of you who made comments! I greatly enjoyed all of them!

Subject: RE: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 15 Jun 13 - 12:03 PM

Versions by Blind Blake Higgs, and the Weavers, on youtube.

Subject: RE: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST,Clarence Stovall
Date: 15 Jun 13 - 09:48 AM

"The Seekers" recorded this song sometime between 1963 and 1964. Their version was my introduction to this song and eventually led me here.

Subject: RE: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Dec 11 - 11:58 PM

Gordon Bok's version is really great.

Subject: RE: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 29 Jul 10 - 04:56 PM

The American group Clam Chowder recorded an excellent version around thirty years ago. It is currently available on their CD "Salvaged."

Click here for more info.

Subject: RE: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jul 10 - 03:57 PM

Johnny Carroll recorded 2 versions in the late 50s early 60s trying to make a rock & roll song out of it

Subject: RE: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: GUEST,Steve Gray
Date: 10 Mar 10 - 06:59 AM

I have an excellent version of "Run Come See" recorded in 1962 by The Phoenix Singers. I'm going to post it on YouTube in the next day or two. All three members of this folk group earlier sang with Harry Belafonte groups.

Subject: RE: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: greg stephens
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 02:33 PM

Like all the best seasongs, this is also available from the Boat Band: on "Take Me Over the Tide" Harbourtown Records HARCD 053.

Subject: RE: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 01:42 PM

This song has been part of my repertoire for about 9 months. Thanks to Odetta on The Tin Angel.

Subject: RE: History of 'Run, Come See Jerusalem'
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 06:49 PM

The Blake Higgs recordings have been re-released on CD. Available from CAMSCO. Of course.

J.P. Morgan, A Conch Ain't Got No Bone,

Jones! Oh. Jones,

Gin And Coconut Water, Yes! Yes! Yes!,

Sara Jane, Pretty Boy,

Foolish Frog,

Run-Come-See Jerusalem,

Hold'em. Joe,

Love Alone,

Goombey Drum,

Lord Got Tomatoes,

Eight Babies in Mind,

My Pigeon Gone Wild,

Noise In The Market,

Watermelon Spoiling On the Vine, Boat Pull Out / Bahama Mama, Never Interfere With Man And Wife,

Run, Joe, Peas and Rice,

Delia Gone,

Eighteen Hundred And Ninety One,

Curley Coy, John B. Sail,

Brown Skin Gal-Mary Ann

Subject: RE: History of 'Run, Come See Jeruselem
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 22 Oct 09 - 01:03 AM

This hurricane tracking map from the "weather underground" archives shows the path of the 1929 Category 3 to 4 hurricane that swept over the Bahamas in late September. (They're the islands to the right of Florida on the map. Clicking on the map enlarges it.)

--Charlie Baum

Subject: RE: run come see jerusalem origins
From: GUEST,robert
Date: 29 Dec 07 - 02:29 AM

Thankyou everyone. HNY

Subject: RE: run come see jerusalem origins
From: Azizi
Date: 28 Dec 07 - 06:57 PM

Unfortunately, I couldn't find any YouTube video of this song. However, there's a short sound clip on this site:

http://www.smithsonianglobalsound.org/trackdetail.aspx?itemid=8480 Smithsonian Global Sounds

Music of the Bahamas, Vol. 2: Anthems, Work Songs and Ballads
Various Artists

Pytoria (Run, Come See Jerusalem)   
John Roberts, H. Brown, and Charles Wallace
Duration: 4:52

****

Jerusalem,the capital and largest city of Israel, is considered a holy city by followers of Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.

In my opinion, based on referents to "the New Jerusalem" in African American spirituals & gospel songs, in the context of the song
"Run, Come See Jerusalem", I believe that "Jerusalem" refers to heaven-the final resting place and peaceful abode of those who died in those tragic shipwrecks.

Subject: RE: run come see jerusalem origins
From: Azizi
Date: 28 Dec 07 - 06:17 PM

Run Come See, Jerusalem
Blind Blake Higgs (Blake Alphonso Higgs) c. 1940s

"Written by Blake Higgs (he recorded it in 1951), a Bahamian calypso singer who was well known for entertaining tourists in Nassau, this song has been covered by many American folk singers including The Weavers. It's about a devastating hurricane in the Bahamas in 1929 that caught people unaware and destroyed many ships. Alan Lomax documented another song also about the same store, called A Great Storm Pass Over, written by a Bahamian sponge fisherman called Tappy Joe; it was recorded in 1935."

http://www.chivalry.com/cantaria/lyrics/run_come_see.htm

That website includes a hyperlink to this Mudcat thread that was started in Sept 25, 1997:

thread.cfm?threadid=67533#1128870 History of 'Run, Come See Jeruselem

Subject: run come see jerusalem origins
From: GUEST,robert
Date: 28 Dec 07 - 03:42 AM

What is the story behind "Run Come See Jerusalem"?

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Run Come See
From: Stewie
Date: 14 May 07 - 06:06 PM

Yeah, I should have probably put 'Unknowwn'. Evidently, it was popularised by Blind Blake (Higgs), but there is no evidence that he composed it.

--Stewie.