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Lyr Add: 'Sigma-bet' Black Greek Fraternity Song

29 Aug 05 - 03:44 PM (#1552391)
Subject: Lyr Add: 'Sigma-bet' Black Greek Fraternity Song
From: John M.

Hello everyone,

If you are easily offended, please STOP READING.   This thread is for mature audiences only.  Please don't post "dreadful song" or "worst song written" as you are not helping. 

Below is a traditional bawdy song titled:   Sigma-bet   (recording)


                1.  Do you sing this song? 
                2.  If yes, when and where did you learn it?
                3.  Would you be willing to sing it for folklore purposes over the phone?


Any help is appreciated.

Sincerely,

John Mehlberg
john@mehlberg.com
~
Afternoons:  314.647.3883
Evenings:     314.381.0492
~
My website: www.immortalia.com
~

         SIGMA BET   (recording)

Alpha's
Fuck 'em!
Excuse me mighty Sigma
Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon

Most gracious
Sisters of Zeta
Eta, Theta, Iota
And Kappa's
Fuck 'em!
Excuse me mighty Sigma
Lambda, Mu, Nu, Xi and Omicron
Pi, Rho, almighty Sigma
Tau and Upsilon

Phi, Chi, Psi, Omega
Fuck 'em
Excuse me mighty Sigma

Phi Beta Sigma
'Til the day I die.

Phi Beta Sigma
'Til the day I die.


Notes:  This is from the singing of J.R. on the 18th of August 2005.  A bowdlerized version of this chant is found on the Black Greek Soundz Phi Beta Sigma CD.   Each of the black greek sororities & fraternities seem to have their own version of Greek alphabet which is either recited or sung.  The tune is different for each organization.

Most songs in black greek fraternities & sororities are called "chants" even if they are sung.


Field Recordings:

Commercial recordings:

I have been told by several people that the above CDs produced by Black Greek Soundz contain *authentic* chants & songs by the various fraternities & sororities but I have only field collected from one person.  If you know any of these songs or chants, could you please send me an email at john@mehlberg.com.   Thanks!

29 Aug 05 - 10:22 PM (#1552638)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: 'Sigma-bet' Black Greek Fraternity Song
From: Azizi

FYI:

I am a member of a Black Greek sorority {Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc.}.
Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities {and the fraternities' little sister groups} are serious business. There are under graduate university and graduate chapters, and some people are very very active in these groups throughout their entire adult life.

The Greek letters that have "f*** them" after them respond to the Sigma's rival university Black Greek letter fraternities: Alpha Phi Alpha {also called "Alphas"}; Kappa Alpha Psi {called "Kappas"} and Omega Psi Phi {most often called "Q's" but also called "the men of Omega"}. *

The "Most gracious Sisters of Zeta" is a reference to Zeta Phi Beta, whose sorors {members of the sorority} are considered sisters to the Sigmas.

Each fraternity and sorority has its own colors, hand gesture, chants, calls, symbols, and steps. Step {steppin} is syncopated synchronized foot stomping to chants and/or {since at least the 1990s} recorded music. A sub-set of steppin is "the party walk" which is a processional steppin to recorded music and/or chanting.

* In addition to these Pan-Hellenic incorporated groups, there is at least one more fraternity called the Iotas.

I remember when I was in college there was also a spoof on the fraternities called I Felta Thi.

29 Aug 05 - 10:27 PM (#1552641)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: 'Sigma-bet' Black Greek Fraternity Song
From: Azizi

I should also mention that none of the sorority chants that I know have any profanity in them. Though some fraternity chants probably do have curse words, I don't know any of them that do.