Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents information about the 1907 religious hymn "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" and information about the renown African American Gospel group the Clara Ward Singers who recorded an adaptation of this song in 1973.

This post showcases a 1973 YouTube sound file of the Clara Ward Singers' Black Gospel adaptation of that song. Some comments from that sound file's discussion thread and from the discussion thread for another YouTube sound file of that song are also included in this post.

The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the composers of the 1907 song "Will The Circle Be Unbroken". Thanks also to the Clara Ward Singers for their musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these sound files on YouTube.

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE RELIGIOUS HYMN "WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN"
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_the_Circle_Be_Unbroken%3F
""Will the Circle Be Unbroken?" is a popular Christian hymn written in 1907 by Ada R. Habershon with music by Charles H. Gabriel. The song is often recorded unattributed and, because of its age, has lapsed into the public domain. Most of the chorus appears in the later songs "Can the Circle Be Unbroken" and "Daddy Sang Bass".

Other versions
The Ballad Index [2] notes that the tune now commonly sung differs substantially from the original tune by Gabriel. It also notes the first known recording of this variant, by the Metropolitan Quartet in 1927.

Carter version
A reworked version of the song, intended as a funeral hymn, was written by A. P. Carter and released in 1935 by the Carter Family. The Carter version, titled "Can the Circle be Unbroken", uses the same music and the same verse structure but with different verse lyrics and a modified chorus. That version has often been recorded as "Will the Circle be Unbroken", including the 1972 performance by Mother Maybelle Carter and ensemble on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band album of the same title.

The original version of the song does not insert "Lord" in lines 2 and 4 of the chorus,[1] though the Carter version does. Also, the third line of the chorus is phrased as a question in the original, but as a declarative sentence in the Carter version, and the Carter version as written begins the chorus with 'Can' instead of 'Will'.

The Carter version is still under copyright."...
-snip-
This Wikipedia article includes the original lyrics for "Will The Circle Be Unbroken".

Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjHjm5sRqSA for a YouTube sound file of "Can The Circle Be Unbroken" by The Carter Family.

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE CLARA WARD SINGERS
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clara_Ward
"Clara Mae Ward[1] (April 21, 1924 – January 16, 1973)[4][5] was an American gospel artist who achieved great artistic and commercial success during the 1940s and 1950s, as leader of The Famous Ward Singers. A gifted singer and arranger, Ward adopted the lead-switching style, previously used primarily by male gospel quartets, creating opportunities for spontaneous improvisation and vamping by each member of the group, while giving virtuoso singers such as Marion Williams the opportunity to perform the lead vocal in songs such as "Surely, God Is Able" (among the first million-selling gospel hits), "How I Got Over" and "Packin' Up"”...

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RECORD INFORMATION ABOUT CLARA WARD SINGERS'"WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN"
From https://www.discogs.com/Clara-Ward-The-Clara-Ward-Singers-Will-The-Circle-Be-Unbroken-Lean-On-Me/master/953567 Clara Ward & The Clara Ward Singers ‎– Will The Circle Be Unbroken / Lean On Me
"Genre: Funk / Soul
Style: Gospel, Soul
Year: 1973"

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LYRICS FOR "WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN"
(As sung by the Clara Ward Singers)

Chorus [sung by the Lead singer with guitar accompaniment]
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord
By and by
There’s a better
Home awaitin
In the sky, Lord
In the sky

Chorus [with the group singing first, the Lead riffing, and band accompaniment]

Verse 1 [the Lead sings with the group singing the chorus in the background with the band accompaniment]
One by one our loved one leave us
Well, one by one they all pass away
Oh, but what a meeting
When we greet them
In the sky, one blessed day

Chorus [with the group singing first, the Lead riffing, and band accompaniment]

Verse 2 [the Lead sings with the group singing the chorus in the background with the band accompaniment]
Well, we’ll be talkin,
talkin ‘bout our childhood
Singin songs all our mothers love
I wonder will there be any parting
When we reach that home above

Chorus [with the group singing first, the Lead riffing, and band accompaniment and with a faster tempo]
Group - Will the circle
Lead – will the circle
Group- be unbroken
Lead – be unbroken
Group- by and by Lord
Lead -Hey Hey Hey,
Lord Lord
Group -there’s a better
Lead there-s a better
Group --Home awaitin
Lead -In the sky Lord
In the sky
Lead -Oh-o in the sky
Hey hey hey

[The chorus is repeated two additional times with the Lead singing the same or different riffs]
-snip-
This is my basic transcription of this song, given without a complete transcription of the lead singer's interjections and other riffs.

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SHOWCASE SOUND FILE - Clara Ward-Will The Circle Be Unbroken



Walter Robinson, Published on Aug 18, 2013
-snip-
This sound file only has two comments in its discussion thread. Those comments are:
1. Daniel Chisler, 2015
"Clara and the Ward singers always top notch"

**
2. Zhair Miller, 2018
"They took this too Church!!!!"
-snip-
Here's a definition for "took me to church" that I included in Part II of a 2018 pancocojams series entitled "What "Took Me To Church", "Sang", "Went In" And Other Black (African American) Church Words & Phrases Mean, Part II"http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/09/what-took-me-to-church-sang-went-in-and_1.html. Part II provides definitions for terms that begin with the letter M-Z.

"[in reference to Gospel singing or speaking about some emotive subject] the performance was so spirit filled -in the positive, religious meaning of that term- that while listening to it the person was touched by the Holy Spirit. People who feel the Holy Spirit behave in ways that are outside of their control. For example, they may weep, shout (get happy i.e. go in, do the Holy dance), testify about God's grace, speak in tongues etc.)

Similarly, "almost took me to church" means that the performance is reminiscent of church services that were/are full of the Holy Spirit"
-snip-
Another way of saying the same thing is "I almost went to church" [when I was listening to this song].

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/09/what-took-me-to-church-sang-went-in-and.html for a 2018 pancocojams post entitled "What "Took Me To Church", "Sang", "Went In" And Other Black (African American) Church Words & Phrases Mean, Part I". Part I provides definitions for terms that begin with the letter A-L.

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Here are several comments from the discussion thread for another YouTube sound file of this song. (I chose the 2013 sound file because it included photographs of Clara Ward and of the Clara Ward Singers.)

Comments from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67fYJCXsWFQ
"Will The Circle Be Unbroken"- Clara Ward Singers
Rowoches, Published on Mar 21, 2009
1. Nando Jamal Wash, 2009
"I sung this today as the Processional song for a funeral....Lawd them Saints went "slap" in...."
-snip-
"went "slap" in" = The people in attendance at that funeral service (home going service) felt the Holy Spirit as a result of that rendition of that song so much so they that they experienced involuntary movements such as slapping themselves and others. [This probably was an exaggeration.]

A definition for "went in" is found after comment #6.

**
2. Rowoches, 2009
"I'm not listening to the actual recording right now, but if I can remember correctly, she said, "Pardon""

**
REPLY
3. B R Jones, 2018
"will there be any PARTING when we reach that home above?"

**
4. Trevez Montgomery, 2009
"Yes Suh!!!"

**
5. Ephesians6:10-18, 2013
"SANG CLARA"
-snip-
"Sang" [in the context of this comment] is a present tense interjection that means "to sing very well, especially to sing soulfully very well".

**
6. Ephesians6:10-18, 2013
"GOT ME SHOUTIN ON THE OTHER half of the song"
-snip-
I think "the other half of the song" means the part when the tempo increased.
"Shouting" [in the context of this comment] means to "feel the [Holy] Spirit". Two other ways of saying that is "to go in"; or "to get happy".

**
7. Rowoches, 2013
"Clara Thomas was the first lead on "In The Morning". She was a former member of the Gospel Pearls (Bessie Griffin). This is Clara Ward leading "Will The Circle Be Unbroken.""

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8. Rowoches, 2013
"Go'head, Go'head!!"

**
9. Alan Hudson, 2014
"My Lord Clara sannng that song...she got me I almost went in went she said "Lawd have mercy"@3:30 that was getting to good to her spirit a reassurance that the circle will never be unbroken"
-snip-
Notice the on purpose use of down home (old time Southern) African American Vernacular English (for instance, . "Lawd" instead of "Lord" and "Yes Suh" instead of "Yes Sir".

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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases the song "Ngiyesaba" by the South African singer Simmy.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Simmy and all those who are associated with this song and this video. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

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LYRICS (Zulu lyrics with English translation): NGIYESABA
(as sung by Simmy)

Verse one:
Yath' izibika insizwa,
As a young man tries to pursue me,
Kungena ngapha kuphume ngale.
His words come in one ear and right out through the other.
Ung'xolele bhuti,
“Forgive me brother,”
Inkinga ayikho kuwe ikimi.
“The problem is not you but me”
Ngithi ukhona na?
Is there anyone?
Ongavum' ukuth' uthando lulula.
Who would affirm that the journey of love is an easy one?
Ngithi ukhona na?
I ask, is there anyone?
Othi othandweni kuyashelela?
Who would affirm that the journey of love is an easy one?
Pre-chorus:
Seng'phelile ukusha mina,
I’ve been burned one too many times,
Seng'khathele ukusha mina.
I’m tired of getting burnt.
Aw seng'phelile ukusha mina,
I’ve been burned one too many times.
Aw seng'khathele ukusha mina.
I’m tired of getting burnt.
Chorus:
Ngiyesaba ukuwela ngonyawo,
I am afraid to walk the journey of love barefoot,
Ngonyawo.
Barefoot.
Indlela yothando iyahlaba,
Because the journey of love is one that is not easy,
Indlela yothando iyahlaba. (*2)
Because the journey of love is one that is not easy.
Verse two:
Aning'chazeleni,
Would someone clarify something to me,
Mhlampe khona la ngimosha khona.
Maybe I’m the one who is doing something wrong.
Ngiyemumva, ngiya phambili,
I'm moving backward, and forward,
Kona kuyefana.
Everything still remains the same.
Ngithi ukhona na?
Is there anyone?
Ongavum' ukuth' uthando lulula.
Who would affirm that the journey of love is an easy one?
Ngithi ukhona na?
I ask, is there anyone?
Othi othandweni kuyashelela?
Who would affirm that the journey of love is an easy one?
Pre-chorus:
Seng'phelile ukusha mina,
I’ve been burned one too many times,
Seng'khathele ukusha mina.
I’m tired of getting burnt.
Aw seng'phelile ukusha mina,
I’ve been burned one too many times.
Aw seng'khathele ukusha mina.
I’m tired of getting burnt.
Chorus:
Ngiyesaba ukuwela ngonyawo,
I am afraid to walk the journey of love barefoot,
Ngonyawo.
Barefoot.
Indlela yothando iyahlaba,
Because the journey of love is one that is not easy,
Indlela yothando iyahlaba. (*2)
Because the journey of love is one that is not easy.

-snip-
These lyrics were posted in the discussion thread for this embedded video by ThandoAM Xaba
ThandoAM Xaba, August 8, 2019

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SHOWCASE VIDEO: Simmy - Ngiyesaba



SimmyVEVO. Published on Aug 8, 2019

Music video by Simmy performing Ngiyesaba. (C) 2019 Sony Music Entertainment Africa (Pty) Ltd/EL World Music
-snip-
Here's information about Simmy from
"Bio: Simmy (born Simphiwe Nhlangulela) is neo-soul and neo-folk music artist from Johannesburg, South Africa.

In operation since: 2014"

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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents information about the Zimbabwean born singer KWAYE and showcases his 2017 song "Sweetest Life".

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to KWAYE and all those who are associated with this song and this video. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

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INFORMATION ABOUT KWAYE
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwaye
"Kwayedza Kureya, mononymously known by his stage name KWAYE, is a Zimbabwean singer and songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. He is commonly known for getting introduced to music by the managers of Mind of a Genius record label and musician ZHU. He is also known for working with songwriter and record producer Willson and for releasing his debut extended play, entitled Solar, in 2017.

Early Life and Career
Born in Zimbabwe and raised in London, Kwaye began performing at an early age and grew up playing the viola, sax, and guitar. He later moved to Brighton, United Kingdom to study African-American studies and the music industry. Whilst on a study abroad program in LA, Kwaye played a demo of one of his recently recorded songs for an Uber driver who so happened to be a former A&R executive.

The driver sent the demo to Mind of a Genius and within a few weeks, Kwaye became the label's first UK artist. His debut single, entitled "Cool Kids", was released in March 2017. The song, once officially released, was announced to also have side-b track, entitled "Sweetest Life", but was never released onto digital streaming platforms.[1]

In May 2017, Kwaye announced the release of his second single, entitled "Little Ones". This was succeeded by its music video, which was originally intended for a release on the Friday of the Manchester shootings, but was pushed back to later date to avoid controversy. It was therefore released on 30 May 2017.

In July 2017, Kwaye announced the release of his debut extended play, entitled Solar, and revealed his third single, entitled "Sweetest Life". The song, as well as the EP, were released on the same day of 25 July 2017."...
-snip-
Here's information about the name "Kwayedza" from http://www.thisismybabyname.com/listings/kwayedza-shona-zimbabwe-baby-girl-name/
"Kwayedza is a Zimbabwe name often given to Baby Girl and it is of Shona origin.The meaning of Kwayedza in Shona is Sunrise.

Name-Kwayedza
Origin-Shona
Country-Zimbabwe
Meaning-Sunrise
Gender-Girl
Kwayedza is a Baby Girl name of Shona origin meaning Sunrise.
-snip-
The name "Kwayedza" appears to also be given to males since KWAYE is male, and that is his birth name.

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LYRICS
(Written By KWAYE & William Leong)

[Verse 1]
Elevate the tides, babe
There's no way, there's no way I could fall
When I'm in this state of mind, babe
There's no name but your name I would call
And if you feel like I do
Then there's no way, there's no way this is wrong
You're the sweetest thing about me
There's no shame in that at all

[Pre-Chorus]
Feel good feeling when I'm giving all this love to you
No mistaking it's the real thing, obviously, this is true

[Chorus]
In the sweetest life, the living is alright
And the loving is easy when you're with me
In the sweetest life, the living is alright
And the loving is easy when you're with me

Ah, sweetest, sweetest
Ah, sweetest, sweetest
Ah, sweetest, sweetest
Ah, sweetest, sweetest

In the sweetest life, the living is alright
And the loving is easy when you're with me
In the sweetest life, the living is alright
And the loving is easy when you're with me

[Verse 2]
I'll take you to my island
Let's get away, get away from it all
And if you're feeling undecided
Just take my hand and put it in yours

[Chorus]
In the sweetest life, the living is alright
And the loving is easy when you're with me
In the sweetest life, the living is alright
And the loving is easy when you're with me
Ah, sweetest, sweetest
Ah, sweetest, sweetest
Ah, sweetest, sweetest
Ah, sweetest, sweetest

[Bridge]
I'm over questioning how, baby
You know exactly who I am
(Let's elevate the tides and stay in this state of mind)
Let it all go

[Chorus]
In the sweetest life, the living is alright
And the loving is easy when you're with me
In the sweetest life, the living is alright
And the loving is easy when you're with me

In the sweetest life, the living is alright
And the loving is easy when you're with me
In the sweetest life, the living is alright
And the loving is easy when you're with me

In the sweetest life, the living is alright
(Alright)
And the loving is easy when you're with me
(And you give me the sweetest life)
In the sweetest life, the living is alright
(Alright)
And the loving is easy when you're with me
(Sweetest life, it's alright)

Ah, sweetest, sweetest
Ah, sweetest, sweetest
Ah, sweetest, sweetest
Ah, sweetest, sweetest"

Source: https://genius.com/Kwaye-sweetest-life-lyrics

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SHOWCASE VIDEO: KWAYE - Sweetest Life [Official Music Video]



KWAYE, Published on Aug 29, 2017
-snip-
A number of commenters in this video's discussion thread wrote that they were introduced to this song by hearing it on the teen television drama series On My Block. Here's one of those comments:

Jerome Walker, 2018
"Netflix show On my block brought me here ! Episode 7 I think ...dooooope track !"

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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series on the African American Gospel song "(Got On My) Traveling Shoes".

Part I showcases five YouTube examples of the song "(Got On My) Traveling Shoes" beginning with the earliest recording of that song in 1939.

Part II presents two additional videos of the Gospel song "(Got On My) Traveling Shoes" along with the lyrics to those renditions of that song.

The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the unknown composers of this song and thanks to all those who are featured in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.

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SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
[With the exception of Example #1, all of these examples are given in chronological order based on their publishing date on YouTube, with the oldest dated example given first).

Example #1: Selah Jubilee Singers - Traveling Shoes



Sliptrail, Published on Sep 28, 2015

A gospel classic (recorded by Clara Ward for example) …. This one´s from the "Selah Jubilee Singers Vol. 1 (1939-1941)". About the word "selah" here´s a quote explaining it: "the word ‘selah' is in the Hebrew bible where it is used regularly in the Psalms. It is somewhat similar to ‘amen' and can be translated roughly as ‘stop and listen' or ‘let those with eyes see, let those with ears hear'. ‘Selah' can also mean ‘forever' and sounds very like ‘sela', the Hebrew word for rock. In recent memory, the word ‘selah' has been adopted by the Rastafari..." (Arwulf Arwulf AMG).
-snip-
Here's information about this song from https://secondhandsongs.com/work/150445
"First release by Selah Jubilee Quartet (1939)
Written by [Traditional]
Language: English
Comments: An African American gospel tune in which Death calls upon sinners who indicate that they can't accompany him because they don't have their "traveling shoes." The Christian, in constrast, [sic] is eager to move along."

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Example #2: "Travelin' Shoes"- Clara Ward Singers



Rowoches, Published on Jul 25, 2012

*I don't have the copyrights to this video, but I have been given permission, by Willa Ward, to post.*
The Clara Ward Singers in Antibes, France during the 1962 Antibes Jazz Festival. Many of us who are familiar with the Ward Singers are used to hearing Vi Crowley or Madeline Thompson lead this particular song. However, in this concert, Vermettya Royster leads the group in "Travelin' Shoes." Mildred Means, soprano.

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Example #3: Traveling Shoes - The Chambers Brothers



MrShoesand, Published on Mar 25, 2013

We're ready to go but it ain't time yet.

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Example #4: The Stars of Faith in concert part 7 Travelin Shoes



Thejazzsingers Jazz in Holland, Published on Sep 13, 2013

The Stars in a tv show travelin shoes a big part for mattie Dozier Harper later much more ..... Enjoy it

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Example #5: Traveling Shoes



The Mighty Gospel Imperials – Topic, Published on Oct 16, 2015

Provided to YouTube by CDBaby

Traveling Shoes · The Mighty Gospel Imperials

After All This Time

℗ 2006 The Mighty Gospel Imperials

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This concludes Part I of this pancocojams series on the Gospel song "Travelin[g] Shoes".

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on the African American Gospel song "(Got On My) Traveling Shoes".

Part II presents two videos of the Gospel song "(Got On My) Traveling Shoes" along with the lyrics to those renditions. These versions are given in addition to the examples that are featured in Part I of this pancocojams series.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/08/five-youtube-examples-of-african.html for Part I of this series. Part I showcases five YouTube examples of the song "(Got On My) Traveling Shoes" beginning with the earliest recording of that song in 1939.

The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the unknown composers of the Gospel song "(Got On My) Travelin[g] Shoes". Thanks to those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the arrangers of this song who are quoted in this post.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
I decided to research the lyrics for the African American Gospel "Travelin Shoes" after I came across a video of the Clara Ward Singers performing this song (given as Example #3 in Part I of this series.) Although some of the online lyrics were somewhat similar, none of those lyrics were exact or near exact transcriptions for the sound files or videos that I happened upon (some of which were later showcased on Part I of this series.

These lyrics are given in no particular order.

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LYRICS FOR TWO VERSIONS OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN GOSPEL SONG "(GOT ON MY) TRAVELIN[G] SHOES"
Example #1: MOTHER FOX SINGING TRAVELING SHOES LORD



Greater Anointing, Published on Mar 30, 2010

FROM CHURCH OF GOD DELIVERANCE
-snip-
Lyrics "(Got On My) Travelin[g] Shoes"
(As Lead by Mother Fox, Church Of God Deliverance)

Lead: got my travelin shoes
Group: got on my travelin shoes
Got my travelin shoes
got on my travelin shoes
Got my travelin shoes
got on my travelin shoes

Lead: Lord, they fit me well
group – got on my travelin shoes
Lead – Lord they fit me well
Group – got on my travelin shoes

Lead – Lord they fit me well
Group =on my travelin shoes

Travelin shoes, Lord ( or y’all [?])
Got on my travelin shoes
Travelin shoes y’all
Got on my travelin shoes

Holy shoes, y’all
Got on my travelin shoes
Holy shoes, y’all
Got on my travelin shoes

Feel like running on
Got on my travelin shoes

Feel like travelin now
got on my travelin shoes
[3 xs]

Feel like running on
Got on my travelin shoes
Feel like runnin on
Got on my travelin shoes
Feel like runnin on

Travelin shoes, y’all
travelin shoes y’all
Travelin shoes y’all
Holy shoes y’all

[Additional verses sung in the call & response pattern given above
Lord (Well?) they fit me well

Well they fit me well

Feel like runnin on
-snip-
*This is my transcription of this rendition from the video. Additions and corrections are welcome.
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Example #2: "Travelin Shoes Spoof"- Mondo & Dwayne (Rowoches)



Rowoches, Published on Jun 23, 2009

:My cousin and I are fans of many different Golden Age Gospel singers/groups. Here we decided to do the Ward Singers' version of "Travelin' Shoes." Just cutting up and acting a fool, but still giving God the Praise in the midst of the fun!
-snip-
[Pancocojams Editor's Note: The title for discussion thread quotes the title for the YouTube video. The definition of "spoof" is "to imitate (something) while exaggerating its characteristic features for comic effect."). Notice Rowoches' (Dwayne's) comment about this "spoof".

One example of the Clara Ward Singers' renditions of "Travelin Shoes" is given as Example #2 in Part I of this pancocojams series.

Lyrics from http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php?topic=67894.0 Traveling Shoes spoof

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Rowoches, July 17, 2009, 12:10:37 PM »
"I usually don't deal with lyrics, but here are the lyrics to the song.

Travelin' shoes
(Got on my travelin shoes)
Travelin' shoes
(Got on my travelin shoes)
Travelin' shoes, Lord
(Got on my travelin shoes)
Travelin' shoes, Lord
(Got on my travelin shoes)

verse 1:

Death came riding by, by my Mother's door
He said, "Come on Mother, are you ready to go?"
Mother stooped down, began to buckle up her shoes
And she counted up her cost, she had no time to lose
Then she moved on down by the Jordan stream
And she shouted, "Hallelujah, Lord, I been redeemed"
She cried, "Lord, I done my duty!"
"Got on my travelin' shoes"

verse 2:

Death came riding by, by the sinner's door
He said, "Come on Sinner, are you ready to go?"
Sinner stooped down, he didn't have no shoes
He hadn't counted up his cost, so he could not refuse
So, he moved on down by the Jordan stream
And the water came up to the sinner's knee
Then the water came up to the sinner's thigh
He said, "Oh, my Lord, I ain't ready to die."
Then the water moved up to the sinner's neck
He said, "Oh, my Lord, please don't take me yet"
Then the water came up to the sinner's chin
And along came death and just pushed him in
He cried, "Lord, ain't done my duty"
"Ain't got no travelin shoes"

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This concludes Part II of this two part pancocojams series on the Gospel song "Travelin Shoes".

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases Langston Hughes' 1935 poem "Let America Be America Again".

The Addendum to this post presents a brief excerpt from an online article about the word "Negro" as a referent for African Americans.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, inspirational, and political purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Langston Hughes for his cultural legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

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INFORMATION ABOUT LANGSTON HUGHES' POEM "LET AMERICA BE AMERICA AGAIN"
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let_America_be_America_Again
""Let America Be America Again" is a poem written in 1935 by American poet Langston Hughes. It was originally published in the July 1936 issue of Esquire Magazine. It was later republished in the 1937 issue of Kansas Magazine and was revised and included in a small collection of Langston Hughes poems entitled A New Song, published by the International Workers Order in 1938.[1][2]

The poem speaks of the American dream that never existed for the lower-class American and the freedom and equality that every immigrant hoped for but never achieved. In his poem, Hughes represents not only African Americans, but other economically disadvantaged and minority groups as well. Besides criticizing the unfair life in America, the poem conveys a sense of hope that the American Dream is soon to come.[citation needed]

Hughes wrote the poem while riding a train from New York to his mother’s home in Ohio. He was in despair over recent reviews of his first Broadway play and his mother’s diagnosis of breast cancer. Despite being a pillar of the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s, he was still struggling for acceptance as a poet, battling persistent racism, and just eking out a living. Selling a poem or a story every few months, he called himself a "literary sharecropper." Fate, he said, "never intended for me to have a full pocket of anything but manuscripts."[3]

Hughes finished the poem in a night but did not regard it as one of his best. It did not appear in his early anthologies and was only revived in the 1990s, first in a public reading by Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall, later as a title for museum shows."...

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SHOWCASE SOUND FILE - James Earl Jones reciting "Let America Be America Again"



Rusty Brewer, Published on Jul 4, 2018

Poem by Langston Hughes (1935)

****
WORDS TO "LET AMERICA BE AMERICA AGAIN"
(Langston Hughes - 1902-1967)

Let America be America again.
Let it be the dream it used to be.
Let it be the pioneer on the plain
Seeking a home where he himself is free.

(America never was America to me.)

Let America be the dream the dreamers dreamed—
Let it be that great strong land of love
Where never kings connive nor tyrants scheme
That any man be crushed by one above.

(It never was America to me.)

O, let my land be a land where Liberty
Is crowned with no false patriotic wreath,
But opportunity is real, and life is free,
Equality is in the air we breathe.

(There's never been equality for me,
Nor freedom in this "homeland of the free.")

Say, who are you that mumbles in the dark?
And who are you that draws your veil across the stars?

I am the poor white, fooled and pushed apart,
I am the Negro bearing slavery's scars.
I am the red man driven from the land,
I am the immigrant clutching the hope I seek—
And finding only the same old stupid plan
Of dog eat dog, of mighty crush the weak.

I am the young man, full of strength and hope,
Tangled in that ancient endless chain
Of profit, power, gain, of grab the land!
Of grab the gold! Of grab the ways of satisfying need!
Of work the men! Of take the pay!
Of owning everything for one's own greed!

I am the farmer, bondsman to the soil.
I am the worker sold to the machine.
I am the Negro, servant to you all.
I am the people, humble, hungry, mean—
Hungry yet today despite the dream.
Beaten yet today—O, Pioneers!
I am the man who never got ahead,
The poorest worker bartered through the years.

Yet I'm the one who dreamt our basic dream
In the Old World while still a serf of kings,
Who dreamt a dream so strong, so brave, so true,
That even yet its mighty daring sings
In every brick and stone, in every furrow turned
That's made America the land it has become.
O, I'm the man who sailed those early seas
In search of what I meant to be my home—
For I'm the one who left dark Ireland's shore,
And Poland's plain, and England's grassy lea,
And torn from Black Africa's strand I came
To build a "homeland of the free."

The free?

Who said the free? Not me?
Surely not me? The millions on relief today?
The millions shot down when we strike?
The millions who have nothing for our pay?
For all the dreams we've dreamed
And all the songs we've sung
And all the hopes we've held
And all the flags we've hung,
The millions who have nothing for our pay—
Except the dream that's almost dead today.

O, let America be America again—
The land that never has been yet—
And yet must be—the land where every man is free.
The land that's mine—the poor man's, Indian's, Negro's, ME—
Who made America,
Whose sweat and blood, whose faith and pain,
Whose hand at the foundry, whose plow in the rain,
Must bring back our mighty dream again.

Sure, call me any ugly name you choose—
The steel of freedom does not stain.
From those who live like leeches on the people's lives,
We must take back our land again,
America!

O, yes,
I say it plain,
America never was America to me,
And yet I swear this oath—
America will be!

Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death,
The rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies,
We, the people, must redeem
The land, the mines, the plants, the rivers.
The mountains and the endless plain—
All, all the stretch of these great green states—
And make America again!


From The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes, published by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. Copyright © 1994 the Estate of Langston Hughes. Used with permission.

Online Source - https://poets.org/poem/let-america-be-america-again

****
ADDENDUM
From https://www.npr.org/2017/12/13/568317026/negro-not-allowed-on-federal-forms-white-house-to-decide
'Negro' Not Allowed On Federal Forms? White House To Decide
December 13, 20173:01 PM ET
t has been called antiquated and even insulting.

But back in 1900, "Negro" was considered modern — a term that could replace a flawed set of categories used to classify people of African descent for the U.S. census.

This was a period when a person's race was determined by a census taker, who reported the information back to the federal government based on observations. "Be particularly careful to distinguish between blacks, mulattoes, quadroons, and octoroons," census takers were instructed for the 1890 census.

"The word 'black' should be used to describe those persons who have three-fourths or more black blood; 'mulatto,' those persons who have from three-eighths to five-eighths black blood; 'quadroon,' those persons who have one-fourth black blood; and 'octoroon,' those persons who have one-eighth or any trace of black blood."

But later in a report on the 1890 census results, the government concluded: "These figures are of little value.""Quadroon" and "octoroon" have never been used again for the census. ("Mulatto," first used in 1850, made return appearances in 1910 and 1920.)

The 1900 census took a different approach to counting people of African descent. For the first time, "Negro" was added to the instructions, and census takers were trained to write "B" on their worksheets to report a person as "black (Negro or of Negro descent)." Who fit that definition was up for the census taker's interpretation.

[...]

The Census Bureau said using "Negro" for the 1900 census was "justified" by what it saw as growing acceptance for the term, as it explained in a 1904 report called "Negroes in the United States":

[...]

After decades of an ongoing debate about labels, the term "Negro"— once commonly used by Martin Luther King Jr. and other early civil rights era leaders — gave way to the rise of "black" beginning in the mid-1960s and later "African-American" in the late 1980s."...

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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases two different versions of Sudan Archives performing her composition "Come Meh Way".

Information about Sudan Archives is included in this post along with lyrics for this song.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Sudan Archives for her musical legacy. Thanks also to all those who are associated with these videos and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT SUDAN ARCHIVES
From https://www.stonesthrow.com/sudanarchives
"Violinist and vocalist, Sudan Archives writes, plays, and produces her own music. Drawing inspiration from Sudanese fiddlers, she is self-taught on the violin, and her unique songs also fold in elements of R&B, and experimental electronic music.

Sudan Archives grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she "messed around with instruments in the house" and took up violin in the fourth grade, eventually teaching herself how to play the instrument by ear. When she discovered the violin playing style of Northeast Africa, her eyes opened to the possibilities of the instrument. "The way they played it was different from classical music. I resonated with the style, and I was like, 'Maybe I can use this style with electronic music,'" she says.

This fusing of folk music and electronic production was the turning point for Sudan. "I started mixing my violin into beats,” she says, “It wasn't complicated — I'd just sing straight into the iPad." She honed her at-home style after moving to Los Angeles aged 19 to study music technology, and after a chance encounter at a Low End Theory party with Stones Throw A&R and Leaving Records owner Matthewdavid, she signed with Stones Throw. At the very start of her musical career, she's already won plaudits from the likes of the New York Times and Pitchfork, and played live at experimental festival Moogfest.

Her EP Sudan Archives is an extraordinary debut statement from a singular artist. Over six tracks, Sudan Archives layers harmonies, violin figures and ethereal vocals, grounding them all with the hip-hop beats.

****
LYRICS: COME MEH WAY
(Sudan Archives)

Land throw free throw
I can't jump high, but I hear all the notes
I can't beat you no
I can't beat you, but I can be true tho
I want to be friends
I wan't to be friends 'til time ends yes

[Chorus]
I just can't escape, I get blown away
When you come meh way, when you come meh way
I just can't escape, I get blown away
When you come meh way, when you come meh way
And I can't escape, I get blown away
When you come meh way, when you come meh way
And I can't escape, I get blown away
When you come meh way, when you come meh way

I just can't escape, I get blown away
When you come meh way, when you come meh way
I just can't escape, I get blown away
When you come meh way, when you come meh way
And I can't escape, I get blown away
When you come meh way, when you come meh way
And I can't escape, I get blown away
When you come meh way, when you come meh way


Posted by Gigi Beebee (2018) in the discussion thread for the video given as Example #2 below

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Sudan Archives - Come Meh Way



Stones Throw, Published on Jul 14, 2017

Director: Eric Coleman / Asst Dir: Yusef Taiwo
-snip-
This video was filmed at an open market in Ghana, West Africa.

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Example #2: Sudan Archives - Come Meh Way & Wake Up | A Take Away Show



La Blogothèque, Published on Jan 10, 2018

Shot at Oude Hortus' historic greenhouse - Universiteitsmuseum Utrecht in November 2017

Directed by Hugo Jouxtel
Sound direction by Henri D'Armancourt
Camera assistant & editor: Roy Jamhouri
Produced by Ondine Benetier for La Blogothèque

[...]

For more than ten years, La Blogotheque has changed the way people experience music videos. We film beautiful, rare and intimate sessions with your favorite artists, and the ones you are soon to fall in love with. Come, stay a while, and be taken away.”...

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents information about Ugandan singer Winnie Nwagi and showcases Winnie Nwagi's official YouTube video entitled "Kano Koze".

This post also includes summaries of this video along with other selected comments from this video's discussion thread and information about the Ugandan term "luwombo" that is used in two of these comments and the Ugandan term "gomesi" that is used in one of these comments.

The Addendum to this post showcases a video of a performance of traditional Kiganda dance.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Winnie Nwagi for her musical legacy and thanks to the high school students who are featured in the video presented in this post's Addendum. Thanks also to all those who are associated with this song and these showcased videos. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of these videos on YouTube.

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INFORMATION ABOUT WINNIE NWAGI
From https://www.howwebiz.ug/WinnieNwagi/biography
"Winnie "Nakanwagi" Nwagi is a Ugandan singer signed to Swangz Avenue, best known for her award winning single Musawo. She was the second runner-up in the second season of "CocaCola Rated Next" in 2014. She performed with Afrigo Band in a live performance at Guvnor called "Friday Night Live" in April 2016.

Music career
Nwagi's music career began when she became the second runner-up during the second season of "CocaCola Rated Next" music competitions in 2014. She was signed by Swangz Avenue and released a number of songs including Embeera, Katono Katono, Gwenoonya and Kyowulila.

She released her commercially successful single Musawo in early 2016. Musawo was played on both radio and television and attracted attention the Ugandan singer Irene Ntale when she did an acoustic version of the song."...

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SHOWCASE VIDEO: KANO KOZE WINNIE NWAGI



Swangz Avenue, Published on Dec 7, 2016

Produced at Swangz by Eli Arkis written by Yesse Oman. This video was shot by Swangz Film and directed by Marvin Musoke.
-snip-
Statistics as of August 15, 2019 at 5:50 PM
total # of views - 2,269,375
total likes - 6.7K
total dislikes - 611
total # of comments - 974

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD
[Pancocojams Editor's Note: I'm most interested in comments that refer to the meaning of the song/video and/or comments that refer to cultural aspects of this video.

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.]

1. Becky Nankabirwa, 2017
"That's how u engage a girl in Uganda Buganda"

**
REPLY
2. Dr Flora Williams Anders, 2019
"Yes! An African wedding that doesn't look European! Except for the sisters hair! Come on let's do it all the way home land .Our Glory is unmatched!"

**
REPLY
3. Peter Ssetumba
"but that's how we do our hair........we mix it up in everyday life"

**
4. shifrah halifah Nakayiwa, 2017
"habibi yo killing it in tht traditional wear well done love😘😘😚😘😘😚"

**
5. Milar Sejemba, 2017
"Song of the year no doubt! but the guy who ate the love portioned Luwombo is hilarious lol...he got knocked out thereafter"

**
6. libgurl01, 2017
"Uganda is blessed with a lot of beautiful talented female singers. Not understanding the language but I love the action.

**
REPLY
7. Moses Maloba, 2017
"She praises her suitor that now that he has arrived at their home(to be introduced), let her praise him"

**
8. liz oduor, 2017
"what does kano koze mean?i love this song though i'm kenyan"

**
REPLY
9. barbara prossy, 2017
"that now youve come let me tell every one.introduction for her husband to her parents

**
REPLY
10. Peter Ssetumba, 2017
"kano kkoze............now that you've come!!!............she was waiting for his delegation so that she introduces him to her family!!"

**
11. Katherine Kiconco, 2017
"the guy who ate the drugged luwombo huhuhuhu 😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃"
-snip-
https://globalpressjournal.com/africa/uganda/steamed-perfection-luwombo-healthy-dish-touch-home/
"Luwombo, a traditional Ugandan dish cooked within a banana leaf, is a party favorite. Preparing the dish is a detailed process, which requires cooking a sauce using a variety of ingredients and then carefully wrapping the mixture in a banana leaf pouch.” - Edna Namara, GPJ Uganda

**
12. Angella Basheijja, 2017
"so beautiful n a gomesi"
-snip-
Here's information about "gomesi" from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gomesi
"A gomesi or busuuti is a colorful floor-length dress. It is the most commonly used costume for women in Buganda and Busoga.[1] Traditional male attire is the kanzu.

Origins
There are many variations to the origins of the gomesi. One such is that the gomesi existed long before the missionaries and Indians came to Uganda, however, the missionaries introduced the use of cotton instead of the bark cloth, from which the gomesi was originally made. When the Indians came to Uganda, they added the various fabrics from satin/silk blends and the vibrant colors to the traditional attire.

According to some scholars, the first gomesi were made for schoolgirls in Gayaza, Uganda in the 1940s and 1950s. The Christian missionaries who ran the school hired a Catholic Goan tailor to design the dress. The tailor had the surname of Gomes hence the origin of the name. Traditional Ugandan clothing was made from barkcloth, though early photographic evidence from the nineteenth century demonstrates the arrival of cotton from the Sudan and from the East African Coast. The gomesi was originally made from imported cotton fabric, with the aim of providing a loose garment that covered the breast. The Baganda were the first nationality to wear the gomesi. Today the gomesi is the Kiganda traditional dress for women and is also worn by other ethnicities in Uganda.”...

**
13. Gaël Kingue Etame, 2017
"This song is ART ! Don't understand anything, but I'm feeling the vibe tho'
One love from Cameroon. 🇨🇲🇨🇲🇨🇲."

**
REPLY
14. Sue Iranka, 2019
"Gaël Kingue Etame thats the traditional introduction ceremony, the vbride intriduces the groom"

**
REPLY
15. Evelyne Nambozo, 2019
"Directly translated means "Now that you have officially visited home,i want to make you known by everyone.""

**
16. Jennie Daejoyoung, 2017
"Damn, felt like a real introduction! was smiling like a fool the whole time! Winnie, ignore the haters"

**
REPLY
17. Peter Ssetumba, 2018
"We've all gone through that, when a Muganda girl takes you to be introduced to her parents..........its a very stressful day in the life of a man!!"

**
REPLY
18. Peter Ssetumba, 2018
"The song video depicts a traditional introduction ceremony in Buganda one of the many tribal regions of Uganda. Winnie (Naka)nwagi is a muganda, the predominant & most influencial tribe in Uganda!
Ugandan law recognizes traditional introductions as legally valid weddings especially if they are registered with the government registrar.
Most of the girls in the video are dressed in Busutis also called 'Gomesi', Winnie at a certain point changes to West African wear to match her West African beau......most of Winnie's male relatives are dressed in Kanzus, Ugandan traditional wear!!
Kano Koze (Ow'omukwano) loosely means Now that you've come (my love)........the theme of the song stresses that Now that you've come my love, let's show them our love, let's show all and sundry how much we love each other.........

**
REPLY
19. Maximus Byamukama, 2019
""most influencial tribe in Uganda". That was unnecessary. Moreover, many people would disagree."

**
REPLY
20. Peter Ssetumba, 2019
"@Maximus Byamukama who would disagree?"

**
REPLY
21. ndhego geofrey, 2019
"Uhmm I hear the most influential tribal in Uganda.

**
REPLY
22. Rebecca Kt, 2019
"Maximus Byamukama Bagandas love themselves too much 😂😂"

**
REPLY
23. Ronald Mugisha, 2019
"@Maximus Byamukama i disagree too its not most influential."

**
REPLY
24. Ronald Mugisha, 2019
"Uganda's 50 yrs old we know which one is influential in what area. In leadership forinstance Ankole, Music baganda but is balancing with others, wealth Ankole Baganda, Education most tribes show up here, Army Ankole but is balancing with others, sports depends on which one. Buganda used to be a strong kingdom before not anymore as the executive determines the flow ever since independence. So there is no influential tribe but rather individuals and these shouldnt be measurement for influential tribe.

**
25. colate nyambura, 2018
"Am a kenyan bh i really enjoy this song tho i dont know the meaning bh i blv its abt luv"

**
REPLY
26. Gloria, 2018
"she is singing about a traditional marriage where she's happy that since her fiance has arrived, she will compliment him even though there are some people who envy her. She goes on to say that she will inform the parents about his arrival."

**
REPLY
27. Peter Ssetumba, 2018
"its a Kiganda introduction ceremony with all sorts of plots like jealousy from a supposedly close friend, etc"

**
28. Nessa duh, 2019
"okay in this video is her husband Nigerian cos at 3:15 she's wearing a wrapper similar to the ones Nigerians wear? and also his attire is similar to the one Nigerian men wear. someone help me"

**
REPLY
29. Nessa duh, 2019
"never mind i watched the ending lol"

**
REPLY
30. Tonny Okello, 2019
"That is what the video is depicting , I doubt she is married though. Just recreating an imagined marriage between a Ugandan girl and a Nigerian man I think. Nigerian brothers have high affinity for Ugandan girls though."

**
31. Kibuuka Godfrey, 2019
"love the spice of the kiganda dance boom"

**
32. Belinda Tafadzwa Makwanda, 2019
"I don't understand a word she is saying but i love this song so much, you sing very well Winnie keep it up!!!"

**
REPLY
33. Peter Ssetumba, 2019
"kano kozze ow'omukwano love njagala nkuwane=now that you've come my love, I wanna show you off"

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ADDENDUM: KIGANDA DANCE BY GOMBE HIGH SCHOOL CULTURAL DANCE TROUPE



Nakabugo Catherine, Published on Feb 15, 2017

ST .ANDREW KAGGWA GOMBE HIGH SCHOOL KAWAALA KAMPALA UGANDA..

The Gombe troupe performing kiganda dance

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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Edited by Azizi Powell

Part I of this pancocojams post showcases the song "Hello" that is sung by K-2nd grade students of Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School (New York).

Part II of this pancocojams post showcases the text (words only) to a circle game that I adapted in 1990 from an old African American children's game called "Green Sally Up". Some of the words in those circle game songs are similar to the "if you have on [name a color]" verse in the "Hello" song that is showcased in Part I of this post.

The content of this post is presented for recreational and educational purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the students and staff of Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School. Thanks also to the unknown composer/s of the "Green Sally Up" game song and thanks to Moby for helping to revive interest in that song.

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PART I

SHOWCASE VIDEO:
Hello Song by Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade Students



SyracuseAcademy, Published on Sep 23, 2011

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LYRICS TO HELLO SONG
(Syracuse Academy of Science Charter School, New York)

Part I
Hello, hello
How do you do
How do you do
How do you do
Hello, hello
How do you do today.

Part II
slightly slower tempo and different tune
If you're wearing [name a color]
Stand up
If you're wearing [name the same color]
Stand up

Part III
the same tempo almost the same tune as Part II
Pat pat pat your legs
Pat pat pat your legs
Pat pat pat your legs
Pat your legs today

repeat entire song changing the color in Part II and the action word in Part III (for instance, change to "clap clap clap your hands")

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PART II
From http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/09/green-sally-up-various-related-rhymes.html"Two Versions Of "Green Sally Up", A Related Rhyme, & Moby's Tune "Flowers" (information, examples, & commentary)

[Note: "Green Sally Up" is also given as "Bring Sally Up" although I think that title is erroneous.]

Here's the tune and lyrics for the African American circle game "Green Sally Up" as recorded by Moby:

Flowers (with Lyrics) - Moby (Bring Sally Up and Bring Sally Down Song)



All In One, Published on Mar 10, 2017

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GREEN COLOR UP (a contemporary circle game based on the African American children's circle game "Green Sally Up"
(created by Azizi Powell, 1990, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

Performance Directions For "Green Color Up":
1. Players form a large circle.

2. A person is designated as the "Caller". The same person remains the caller throughout the entire rendition of this game.

3. The Caller calls out the color "Green". (If no one in the group has on an outfit with the color "green", the game start with another color).

4. Everyone who has the color "green" on quickly moves to the center of the circle. (People wearing an outfit that has that color can also remain where they are if they so choose.) **

5. Everyone claps their hands and stomp their feet to the beat while singing.

6. The people who have on the color that is called out raise both of their hands in the air and sway back and forth while singing this portion of the song.

6. The people who don't have that color on, strike a pose while folding their arms.

7. The Caller randomly calls out another color. The people in the center of the ring who don't have an outfit on that has that color in it quickly leave the center of the circle. At the same time, people who do have that color on quickly enter the center of the circle.

8. Follow the directions that have already been given, and continue this pattern until all of the colors (for outfits in that people are wearing) are called out.

** I made this rule because I noticed that some children were shy about moving to the center when they were there alone, or even when there were other people in the center.

"GREEN COLOR UP" LYRICS:
Caller - Green!
Caller & Group - Green color up.
Green color down.
Green color all around the town.
If you have on green, just raise your hands.
If you do not, just fold your arms.

Caller- Yellow!
Caller - Green!
Caller & Group - Green color up.
Green color down.
Green color all around the town.
If you have on green, just raise your hands.
If you do not, just fold your arms.
-composed by Azizi Powell, 1999 (c)Azizi Powell, 1999

I created this game in 1990 after unsuccessfully trying to introduce "Green Sally Up" to the children in my Alafia Children's Ensemble game song groups. Unfortunately, I don't have any sound files or videos of this game.

I became aware of the 1950s "Green Sally Up" game after someone gifted me with the multi-CD Sounds Of The South album. Before teaching this game to the group of children and their accompanying adults (who attended these sessions and were always encouraged to join in the play), I explained its background and the meaning of the song's words. However, I gave up after several tries as I could see that the children didn't like the game and particularly had difficulty with the "last one squat gotta tear the ground" line. I think that might have been because "squatting down to the ground" is something that little children might be allowed to do in selected places outside when they have to pee and they aren't near any bathroom.

While playing "Green Color Up" some children would complain that another child or other children shouldn't go into the center of the circle because that child or children only had a little bit of a certain color in their shirt, pants, or hat. I redirected them, advising them to focus on themselves and not on other people. Also, some children wanted to count the color of their underwear. I told them that that doesn't count.

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post documents examples of the children's recreational rhyme "I Am A Little First Grader" which is an adaptation of the rhyme "I'm A Little Dutch Girl". This rhyme may also be called "I Am A Pretty Little First Grader" or "Swing Swing" or other titles.

The content of this post is presented for recreational and cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and featured in these videos.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/12/i-am-pretty-little-first-grader-variant.html for a closely related 2013 pancocojams post "I Am A Pretty Little First Grader (a variant form of "I'm A Pretty Little Dutch Girl").

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTES
Here are some thoughts I have about some versions of the rhyme "I'm a Little First Grader":
Rhyme Title
The rhyme "I Am A Pretty Little First Grader" is an adaptation of the rhyme "I'm A Pretty Little Dutch Girl". The referent "first grader" probably replaced "Dutch girl" because
1. the most likely school grade for girls chanting this rhyme was/is the first grade (ages 6 years/7 years)*

2. the girls chanting this rhyme weren't/aren't familiar with the referent "Dutch" (meaning someone from the Netherlands).

I've also collected examples of "I'm A Little First Grader" in which some chanters say "I'm A Little Second Grader" or "I'm A Little Third Grader" or "I'm A Six Grader" depending on which school grade they are in.

Note that in the United States, the usual ages for "first graders" are 6 years and 7 years old.

****
Introductory lines
Many examples of "I'm A Little First Grader" that I've collected from face to face interactions of found online begin with an introductory line such as
"Wooble wooble wooble and the deep blue sea"

or
"Zing Zing Zing at the bottom of the sea"

or
"Swing swing swing on a summer's day"

I've found these exact same introductory verses/lines or very similar verses/lines in other (African American originated) children's recreational hand clap rhymes. The hand movements for the introductory line are different from the movements that are done for the rest of the rhyme. I actually I don't consider the rhyme to begin until after that line has been chanted and therefore I don't use that introductory line as the titles for these rhymes.

****
Cheating boyfriend
I believe that children's recreational rhymes reflect the lives that children see all around them and help children prepare themselves for adulthood. I therefore find it disturbing that the second part of "I'm A Little First Grader" is about a cheating, unfaithful boyfriend.

****
The description of the girl the boyfriend was talking to changed from "the prettiest girl" to "the ugliest girl"
In some of the examples of "I Am A Little First Grader" that I've collected, the description of the "other" girl changed from "prettiest girl in the whole wide world" to "the ugliest girl in the whole wide world".

****
A name of a then popular young Black R&B singer or Hip Hop artist may be used instead of "Jello" or some other nickname for the boyfriend

Example:
imma little six grader
as pretty as can be be
my boyfriend name is bow wow
he lives in ohio
and this is how my story goes
one day I was walking
I saw my boyfriend talking
to the ugliest girl
in the whole wide world
and this is how my story goes
k-i-s-s kiss you
l-o-v-e love you
m-i-s-s miss you
and this is how my story goes
a b c d
so keep yo hands away from me.
- http://www.home-school.com.au/resource/skipping-rope-jump-rope-hopscotch , March 21, 2005
-snip-
*"Bow wow" is probably the stage name of the young African American R&B singer.

The R&B singer Chris Brown's name is found in another example of this rhyme that is given in the 2013 pancocojams post whose link is found above.

****
"Get your black hand off of me" line
I've collected two versions of "I'm A First Grader" rhymes that end with the line "get your black hand off of me".
Here's one example (along with my notes):

I am a pretty __ first grader
As pretty as can___ be be.
My boyfriend's name is__ Chris Brown*
He lives in Ala__bama.
One day when I was___walking
I saw my boyfriend __ talking
To the ugliest girl in the whole wide world.
And this is what he said.
I K-I-S-S
I M-I-S-S miss you.
I L-O-V-E love you.
ABCDEFG
Get your black hands off of me.**
I K-I-S-S Kiss you!
-Naijah S.; (African American female, 9 years old; Hazelwood section of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; January 14, 2011; Collected by Azizi Powell 1/14/2011
-snip-
The dash indicates that the chanter pauses one beat before saying the next word or the next syllable.

I met Naijah and her mother and baby sister when they came early for a community African story telling session that I was asked to do in a local Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania library. That session was sponsored by a chapter of a historically Black Greek lettered sorority. While we were waiting for other children to come, Naijah was playing with her computer tablet and I asked her to share with me some rhymes that she knew. Naijah recited this rhyme without my asking for it by name. She said "Girls say the grade they are in when they say this rhyme (like first grade or second grade or fifth grade)." Naijah also said that when she was in the second grade she forgot and said "I am a pretty first grader".

*"Chris Brown" is a currently popular young African American R&B singer and actor. Besides his popularity, I think that Chris Brown's last name "Brown" is one reason why he joins a long line in children's playground rhymes of other people or characters whose last name is "Brown"-for instance "Buster Brown", "Charlie Brown", "James Brown", and probably others.

**Naijah said "The reason why the girl in the rhyme said "Get your black hands off of me" is "because she was mad at him because he was cheating on her".

Another rhyme that Naijah recited for me "ET From Outer Space" also included the "Get your black hand off of me" line. I said to Naijah that I heard that "get your Black hands off of me" line before in other rhymes, and I wondered if if meant that people were ashamed of being Black. Naijah looked shocked and said "I enjoy my

heritage".

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/10/get-your-black-hands-off-of-me.html for my comments about that "get your black hands off of me" line in certain African American children's recreational rhymes.

The other example that I collected is given in the 2013 pancocojams post whose link is found above.

****
VIDEO EXAMPLE & TRANSCRIPTION
Here's a video example of a relatively standard version of "I'm A Little First Grader":

"swing swing" fun hand clapping game



KSquared, Published on Dec 13, 2014
-snip-
Here's my transcription of the words to this version of this rhyme:
Swing Swing Swing
On a summer day
Hey, Hey.
I'm a little
First Grader
As pretty as can
Be Be
And all the boys around my house
They're chasin after
Me Me
My boyfriend's name is
Jello
He came from Ala
Bamo
With a pickle up his nose
And twenty-five toes
And this is how my story goes
One day I was
Walkin
And saw my boyfriend
Talkin
To an itty bitty girl
With strawberry clothes
And this is what he said to her
I K.I.S.S. kiss you
I M.I.S.S. miss you
I L.O.V.E. love you
Kiss
Miss
Love
STOP
-snip-
Transcription from the video by Azizi Powell. The word "clothes" [after the word "strawberry"] is usually given as "curls".

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series on Missy Elliot's 2003 video "Pass That Dutch".

Part I presents information about Missy Elliott and showcases a censored official YouTube video of that Hip Hop artist's record "Pass That Dutch". Although that video features three songs from Missy Elliott's album This Is Not A Test!, this post only presents the lyrics for the "Pass That Dutch" record. Information about that song from https://genius.com/ is also included in this pancocojams post.

Part II showcases the same YouTube video of Missy Elliott's "Pass That Dutch" record. Selected comments from that video's discussion thread are also included in that post.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Missy Elliott for her musical legacy and thanks to Timbaland and all those who were associated with this record, album, and video. Also, thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT MISSY ELLIOTT
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missy_Elliott
Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott (born July 1, 1971)[1] is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and philanthropist. She embarked on her music career with all-female R&B group Sista in the early-mid 1990s and later became a member of the Swing Mob collective along with childhood friend and longtime collaborator Timbaland, with whom she worked on projects for Aaliyah, 702, Total, and SWV. Following several collaborations and guest appearances, she launched her solo career on July 15, 1997 with her debut album Supa Dupa Fly, which spawned the top 20 single "Sock It 2 Me". The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200, the highest charting debut for a female rapper at the time.[2]

Elliott's second album, Da Real World, was released on June 22, 1999 and produced the singles "She's a Bitch", "All n My Grill", and top five hit "Hot Boyz." The remix of the latter song broke the record for most weeks at number-one on the US R&B chart on the issue dated January 15, 2000; as well as spending 18 weeks at number one on the Hot Rap Singles chart, from December 4, 1999 to March 25, 2000. With the release of Miss E... So Addictive (2001), Under Construction (2002), and This Is Not a Test (2003), Elliott established an international career that yielded hits including "Get Ur Freak On,""One Minute Man,""4 My People,""Gossip Folks," and "Work It." The latter won her a Grammy Award for Best Female Rap Solo Performance.

Elliott went on to win five Grammy Awards and sell over 30 million records in the United States.[3][4][5] She is the best-selling female rapper in Nielsen Music history, according to Billboard in 2017.[6] In 2019, she became the first female rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and to receive the MTV VMAs Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award for her impact on the music video landscape.[7][8]

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: #THROWITBACK
Missy Elliott - Pass That Dutch [Official Video]



Missy Elliott, Published on Jan 19, 2017
-snip-
This is the “clean” [censored] version of this video. This video doesn't include a curse word and also (for whatever reason) doesn't include a portion that Pop artist featured Michael Jackson.

Statistics as of August 24, 2019 at 11:13 AM
total # of views - 2,166,282
total # of likes - 23K
total # of dislikes - 529
total # of comments - 839

****
LYRICS: PASS THAT DUTCH
(Missy Elliott)

[Intro]
Listen up, everyone!
We have been just informed that there's an unknown virus that's attacking all clubs
Symptoms have been said to be: heaving breathing, wild dancing, coughing
So when you hear the sound "who-di-whoooo!"
Run for cover, motherf&&ker!*
Woooooo! Ahh, daddy! Ooooo! Ah! oh, ooh!
Pass that dutch (ah), pass that dutch (ooh)
Pass that dutch (ah), pass that dutch (ah)
Pass that dutch (ah), pass that dutch (ah)
Pass that dutch (whoo), pass that dutch

[Verse - 1]
Misdemeanor on the flow, pretty boy, here I come
Pumps and a bump make you wanna hurt something
I can take your man, I don't have to sex 'em
Hang 'em out the window, call me Michael Jackson (hehehee!)
I'm a pain in your rectum, I am that bitch y'all slept on
Heavy hitter, rhyme spitter, call me Re-Run
Hey, hey, hey, I'm what's happ'nin
Hpnotiq in my drink (That’s right!)
Shake ya ass 'til it stink (That's right!)
Mr. Mos' on the beat (That's right!)
Put it down for the streets (That's right!)

[Hook]
(Who-di-whooooooooooooo!)
Pass that dutch, pass that dutch
Pass that dutch, pass that dutch, pass that dutch
Come on, pass the dutch, baby! (ahh!)
Shake-shake shake ya stuff, ladies!
(Who-di-whooooooooooooo!)
Pass that dutch, pass that dutch
Pass that dutch, pass that dutch
Pop that, pop that, jiggle that fat (ahh!)
Don't stop, get it 'til ya clothes get wet

[Verse - 2]
Number one; drums go bump, bump, bump
This beat here will make your pum pum jump
If you's a fat one, put your clothes back on
Before you start putting pot holes in my lawn
Oh my gosh, oh my gosh
I'm under attack like my name was Saddam
I am the bomb from New York to Milan
And I can write a song sicker than Jeffrey Dahm'
(Woop woop!) Don't touch my car alarm
Break in my car, you will hear "Viper Armed"
I've been a superstar since Daddy Kane was raw
I'm live on stage, c'mon and give me some applause
"Thank you! Oh, thank you, you all are so wonderful!"

[Hook]
(Who-di-whooooooooooooo!)
Pass that dutch, pass that dutch
Pass that dutch, pass that dutch, pass that dutch
Come on, pass the dutch, baby! (ahh!)
Shake-shake shake ya stuff, ladies!
(Who-di-whooooooooooooo!)
Pass that dutch, pass that dutch
Pass that dutch, pass that dutch
Pop that, pop that, jiggle that fat (ahh!)
Don't stop, get it 'til ya clothes get wet

[Interlude]
Listen up, motherfuckers
You have five seconds to catch your breath
Five, four, three, two, one

[Verse - 3]
Pop that, pop that, make that money
Just keep it going like the Energizer Bunny
Shake that, shake that, move it all around
Spank that, yank that, dutch back now
Freak him, freak her, whatever your choice
Didn't come to judge, I came to get ya moist
Scream "Who-di-whooooooo!", now my voice is lost
Can I get a ride on the white horse?

[Hook]
(Who-di-whooooooooooooo!)
Pass that dutch, pass that dutch
Pass that dutch, pass that dutch, pass that dutch
Come on, pass the dutch, baby! (ahh!)
Shake-shake shake ya stuff, ladies!
(Who-di-whooooooooooooo!)
Pass that dutch, pass that dutch
Pass that dutch, pass that dutch
Pop that, pop that, jiggle that fat (ahh!)
Don't stop, get it 'til ya clothes get wet

[Outro]
Pop that
Pass that dutch, baby!
Jiggle that fat

Source: https://genius.com/Missy-elliott-pass-that-dutch-lyrics
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in the lyrics.

Here's information about Missy Elliott's "Pass That Dutch" from that site:
"Following quickly on the heels of her 2002 album Under Construction with its international smash hit “Work It,” Missy Elliott delivered “Pass That Dutch,” the lead single from her 2003 album This Is Not A Test!. The 808-laden, clap happy, and readily twerkable song was produced by Timbaland.

The dark-humored music video features the cartoonish special effects Missy has come to be known for. In one scene, she’s rapping as scarecrow in a corn field, while black-clad dancers execute choreography around her. Just as quickly, Missy morphs into a Fred “Rerun” Berry styled pop-lock dancer in a retro TV show. The following scene finds Missy riverdancing in a cheerleader outfit. Oddly, the video begins with the interlude “Baby Girl” as a introduction and ends with a verse of “Wake Up” essentially introducing the viewer to the first 3 tracks on Missy’s album in the course of one music video.

****
"What does Jiggle that fat, pum pum, and white horse mean?
When Missy says, “pop that, pop that, jiggle that fat” she’s referring to dancing – and the most obvious kind to involve “popping” and “jiggling” would be, good old fashioned twerking.

As for “pum pum,” that’s Jamaican slang for vagina.

And “white horse” has a long established nickname for cocaine, though Missy’s reference to it on this song is more her typical nonsensical nonsequitur than an endorsement of or reference to the drug itself. My guess is that it just happened to fit the rhyme scheme."
-end of quote-

****
Pancocojams Editor's Note:
In the context of this Missy Elliott record, "Pass that Dutch" means to pass (share) a reefer (blunt; marijuana) cigarette.

****
This concludes Part I of this pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on Missy Elliot's 2003 video "Pass That Dutch".

Part II showcases the same YouTube video of Missy Elliott's "Pass That Dutch" record that was featured in Part I of this series. Selected comments from that video's discussion thread are also included in that post.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/08/missy-elliott-pass-that-dutch.html for Part I presents information about Missy Elliott and showcases a censored official YouTube video of that Hip Hop artist's record "Pass That Dutch". Although that video features three songs from Missy Elliott's album This Is Not A Test!, this post only presents the lyrics for the "Pass That Dutch" record. Information about that song from https://genius.com/ is also included in this pancocojams post.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Missy Elliott for her musical legacy and thanks to Timbaland, Hype William, and all those who were associated with this record, album, and/or this video. Also, thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: #THROWITBACK
Missy Elliott - Pass That Dutch [Official Video]



Missy Elliott, Published on Jan 19, 2017
-snip-
This is the “clean” [censored] version of this video. This video doesn't include a curse word and also (for whatever reason) doesn't include a portion that Pop artist featured Michael Jackson.

"Throw it back" = showcase a record from the past, usually a record that is now considered a classic

This record/video was first released in 2003.

Statistics as of August 24, 2019 at 11:13 AM
total # of views - 2,166,282
total # of likes - 23K
total # of dislikes - 529
total # of comments - 839

****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD
(with numbers added for referencing purposes only, and a few added notes for informational purposes)

2017
1. Pablo Sergio Rivera
"This is one of the greatest rap songs ever recorded. It's up there, it's truly remarkable. Dat beat, dat flo, dat video, everything about this is PERFECT. Absolutely legendary."

**
REPLY
2. Pablo Sergio Rivera
"And of course, the shoutout to Aaliyah (BabyGirl, R.I.P.) is beautiful. I miss her. I was a true stan."
-snip-
Click https://genius.com/Missy-elliott-baby-girl-interlude-intro-lyrics for the lyrics to the spoken word (poem) entitled "Baby Girl" which features Mary J Blige. The title for that song is "Baby Girl", a referent for beloved R&B singer Aaliyah who died in a plane crash August 2001 as well as tributes to some other deceased R&B and Hip Hop artists.

**
3. SHARE H!S V!S!0N
"Even after the song starts... Im singing mary j's part of the intro. Love this whole video, these 3 songs were FIREEEEE!!!!!"

**
4. James Del Rey
"I like that when she swears she usually reverses it. That's so creative!"
-snip-
"reverses it" = reverses her dance moves and other dancers' moves

**
5. Ognjen Pavlovic
"So does the Dutch have to do anything with the Dutch people or is it some slang word for something?"

**
REPLY
6. Azizi Powell
"@ Ognjen Pavlovic
From https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Pass%20the%20Dutch
"Pass the Dutch
A "dutch" in this context, is a spliff, or hand rolled marijuana cigarette. The phase is used when requesting that a comrade lend you his for a sample toke.
-snip-
Here's the rest of that entry from urbandictionary.com
"(Thanks, Missy Elliot!)
Cmon, pass the dutch baby!
by Gordon October 03, 2003"

**
"pass the dutch
drugs
Pass the Blunt to someone
That song..."Pass the dutchie on de left han side..."
by Mel & Kris November 05, 2003
-snip-
Here's the link for the "Pass The Dutchie" Reggae video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFtLONl4cNc [1982]
Musical Youth Pass the Dutchie
B MOORE, Published on Feb 11, 2008"

**
7. Patrick Douglas
"The ending: "wake up ..wake up ..wake up!". Truth !!!"

**
8. RCH 32
"What's wake up from at the end"

**
REPLY
9. Azizi Powell
"@Rch32, Dap screaming, “Wake Up!” at the end of Spike Lee's film School Daze (1988)"

**
REPLY
10. Azizi Powell
"Here's what "woke" ["stay woke", "get woke"] means in African American Vernacular English and elsewhere by extension:
https://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/woke/
"Woke means being conscious of racial discrimination in society and other forms of oppression and injustice. In mainstream use, woke can also more generally describe someone or something as being "with it.""

**
11. Aisha
"Bow down to the queen yoooo!!!"

**
12. John Vermette
"This is real rap slay missy 👸"

**
13. Blanca
"Missy elliott has the most creative videos ever"

**
REPLY
14. Nicole Newsome
"Blanca I agree. That's one a lot of the reasons I love her. Her videos are dope."

**
REPLY
15. Carolina Murtha, 2018
"Her music is amazing, her lyrics are brilliant, and her videos are what won me over completely. I've always loved hip hop but all the videos were very similar. Missy brought a much needed creative surge. Her, Ludacris and Busta Rhymes are the trifecta of creative hip hop videos."

**
REPLY
16. Dreaxil, 2019
"Real talk. She out there with it."

**
REPLY
17. Karin Melón, 2019
"So true! Love her creativity in her music too."

**
REPLY
18. Michael Scott, 2019
"You can thank Hype Williams for that..he is THE man when it comes to creative videos like this"

**
19. Jessie Fraser
"I wish Missy Elliot wud make a HUGE!!! come back. I miss Missy💔😕"

**
REPLY
20. One Word Away, 2019
"Jessie Fraser she’s dropping an album in 2019"

**
REPLY
21. taz zed, 2019
"Dropped last night!🤗
-snip-
August 23, 2019 "Missy Elliott took a page from Beyoncé's book overnight by dropping a surprise five-track album called "Iconology."

It's the rapper's first album in 14 years, and she let everyone know about it at midnight with a tweet saying, "Let's #ThrowItBack to a time when music just felt good and made us want to dance!"
-snip-
Click https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/23/entertainment/missy-elliott-new-album-video-trnd/index.html. Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rOKdATrV4g for the YouTube video of Missy Elliot's 2019 video "Throwitback".

**
22. MurvMuzik
""U aint got a celluar phone. Its all right" Nowadays impossible"

**
23. Sunny North
"The little kids dancing lol"

**
REPLY
24. Sunny North
"2:09"

**
25. Dengee
"Love the part where Missy the scarecrow drops in with the dancers!!! DAYUM GO GURL!!! or whoever created this!!! ;-)"

**
26. Its_just_chris 1990
"this beat is beyond hard"

**
27. JKF23
"Actually this video came out back in 2003. It was on TV back then but Youtube was only created in 2007 so it was never officially uploaded till now."
-snip-
Actually, YouTube started February 2005.

**
28. Fabienne Boughton
"That intro gives me goosebumps every damn time... it's so profound, it doesn't get the credit it deserves. Such a beautiful, melancholy tribute."

**
REPLY
29. Jamel Watson
"This comment right here. I'm here just playing back the beginning over an over smh"
-snip-
"smh" = shake my head"

**
REPLY
30. tochiRTA
"yeah. it's crazy - never paid much attention to it and I've been into Missy for decades. It's hitting me now in 2018, lol. I think it's because I got new headphones and I'm hearing something I never heard: the girl softly humming in the background of the beat. It's just gorgeous and sad."

**
REPLY
31. Dallas Delgado
"tochiRTA y’all know that it’s a separate standalone song on that album, right?

**
REPLY
32. Ana Clara
"I loved the tribute to Aaliyah"

**
REPLY
33. Shannon Curtis
"wasn't she lisa from TLC in that tribute along with 2Puc, Biggie, jam Master, and Pun ?"

**
REPLY
34. Diana Mojanoff
"@Shannon Curtis It was all of them, she addresses Aaliyah when she says "Aaliyah, Baby Girl, I've learned to love those who are still awake. Sleep, Sleep" while having her face from the We Need a Resolution video. So many talented people lost.. may they continue to rest in peace"

**
REPLY
35. Shannon Curtis
"@Diana Mojanoff
Yeah I figured that out a while later

I just thought she meant the TLC sister but I figured she meant that goddess who died on the plane crash 😣😢😭"

**
REPLY
36. tochiRTA
"man... when this came out.... there was nothing like it. Felt like the club walls were trembling."

**
REPLY
37. jtsbbsps8000
"oh man, that micheal jackson balcony reference, that's some old school epicness"
-snip-
A commenter noted that part of the clip that featured Michael Jackson was deleted from this video.

**
REPLY
38. backcue
"Scarecrows, locking dance, King Kong, aliens this music video has it all including Missy Elliot! Missy how do you make your videos so crazy lol? Keep up the good work!

**
2018
REPLY
40. Carlo J. Morisset III
"backcue What about the Barbie dolls in the video?"

**
REPLY
41. s m b x
"backcue in the beginning the white guy who grabs her x takes her away was the music video director x creative assistant to MissE on this video x pretty much all her videos during her career; Dave Meyers! he also did Ludacris’ videos! genius, to say the least."

**
REPLY
42. Michael Scott, 2019
"Hype Williams!"

**
43. B Gray
"YOO #Missy been WAAAY ahead of the game before we were woke lol"

**
43. Jasmine Espy
"Iconic - Afrofuturism"

**
44. Nicholette Casey's Trains
"Love that the video is a nod to Close Encounters of the Third Kind"
-snip-
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Close_Encounters_of_the_Third_Kind
Close Encounters of the Third Kind is a 1977 American science fiction film written and directed by Steven Spielberg... It tells the story of Roy Neary, an everyday blue-collar worker in Indiana, whose life changes after an encounter with an unidentified flying object (UFO)."...

**
45. Ignasty
"This was like 14 years ago, and i am still memorized by the idea of having a bunch of dancers dutch clogging in a cornfield under a UFO searchlight to a bass heavy chorus singing pass that dutch.... just amazing, I miss original music videos like this."

**
46. Tip Aly
"Just shows how much we need the old school queen mc's to come back and preach it. Tired of the drama queen rapers....."

**
47. Carolina Murtha
"Her music is amazing, her lyrics are brilliant, and her videos are what won me over completely. I've always loved hip hop but all the videos were very similar. Missy brought a much needed creative surge. Her, Ludacris and Busta Rhymes are the trifecta of creative hip hop videos."

**
REPLY
48. Dreaxil, 2019
"Real talk. She out there with it."

**
REPLY
49. Karin Melón, 2019
"So true! Love her creativity in her music too."

**
REPLY
50. Michael Scott, 2019
"You can thank Hype Williams for that..he is THE man when it comes to creative videos like this"

**
51. Manny Shaikh
"Everything about this song is art."

**
52. OhtheSuffering
"I remember being so excited for the release of this video. Sadly, it didn't stay on MTV that long due to them censoring "Dutch" and essentially screwing up the flow of the song."

**
53. East Fun
"The details are what makes this video so right. From the moving resolution photograph on the desk to the dream Missy has where everyone is wearing an Aaliyah shirt while planes surround the city, Mary J Looking up towards the skyscrapers who planned their Illuminati.. Not to mention-Missy lookin snatched while dance crew on pointe. Iconic Jeep scene. Choreography Masterclass. Lyrical ganja etiquette. Legends only"

**
54. prefershe
"So this is where Kevin Hart from his movie Soul Plane got the "hootie ho!" call from, I'm guessing, lol!"

**
55. Munkle
"who's the 5th guy in the portraits?"

**
REPLY
56. The Prince of Cookies
"big pun was a rapper but did more spanish rap than anything"

****
2019
57. shadowfallenable
"The most creative female in hip-hop history!!!"

**
58. jumbeeTV
"shes literally the only person that would have two or three songs in one video and it always flow..."

**
59. Balbi Francesca PY
"When this hit in the club we all went wild! Oh the teen years were so much fun! Also when the song came up in mean girls i screamed in the theater ❤️they just don’t make moments like this anymore 🔥🔥💖"
-snip-
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mean_Girls
Mean Girls is an American teen comedy film directed by Mark Waters, written by Tina Fey, and released in April 2004

**
60. Hatsune miku
"This opening monologue is actually so deep, the lyrics she says really hit you. Love Missy."

**
61. Jordan Anderson
"The dancing the effects the bratz dolls the ending and beginning what not to love about missy Elliott💓💓"

**
62. Davon Loftin
"Straight fire!!! This Joint is TIMELESS"

**
63. Nathaniel Marion
"The first minute in this video is the greatest piece of work I know that Missy has ever made."

**
64. devans00
"Appreciate the calligraphy shoutout. ✌🏾

This video was a whole fashion show. I’m here for the sexy black leather shorts outfits near the beginning. 😬"

**
65. G.A.E.E GUNS AMMO and EVERYTHING ELSE
"Missy is a beast....happy shes back at it...best female mc of all time"

****
This concludes Part II of this two part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents information about Namibia, South African record artist Gazza and showcases the official YouTube video of Gazza's record "Chelete".

This pancocojams post also chronologizes the successful movement by commenters on the YouTube discussion thread for Gazza's "Chelete" video to reach one million YouTube views for that video - the first Namibian record to reach that number on YouTube.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Gazza for his musical legacy and thanks to all those who are associated with this song and its official video. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT NAMIBIAN RECORDING ARTIST GAZZA
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gazza_(musician)
"Lazarus Shiimi (born 10 March 1977), known by his stage name Gazza, is a Namibian musician.

Career
Born in Oshikuku,[1] Gazza grew up in a family of seven. As a soccer lover, he nicknamed himself Gazza after famous English soccer player Paul Gascoigne.[1] After completing high school he went to study marketing at Boston College in Cape Town, South Africa where he advanced his love for Kwaito music.

[...]

His music can be defined as a mix of several influences namely kwaito, dancehall, reggae, and hip hop,[1] and his lyrics are about township life.

His twelfth full-length album, Misunderstood, is set for release in November 2018.[7]

[...]

Awards
Gazza won an award for best Kwaito Music Video at the Channel O Spirit of Africa Music Awards held in Johannesburg. JCC Namibia also honoured him with the most outstanding young Namibian Award shortly after his return from South Africa.

[...]

Cosa Nostra: Lafamilia won three awards at the Namibian Annual Music Awards (NAMAs) with "Shukusha" from the album winning 'Best Music Video of the year 2011'.[8] [9]

The Boss album won three NAMAs in 2013, best house, best music video and best collaboration with Cho Cho, L'vovo, Bah, Big Nuz and Shota.

[...]

On 2017, he won four Namibia Annual Music Awards (NAMA) - Male Artist of the Year, Best Collaboration, Best Album of the Year (for Pumumu), and a Special Recognition Award for his contribution to the Namibian Music industry over the past 15 years.[12]"...

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Gazza - Chelete (Official Music Video)



GMP467, Published on Oct 26, 2018

(C) 2018 Gazza Music Productions
-snip-
A number of commenters in the YouTube discussion thread for "Chelete" refer to Gazza's record company GMP or GMP 467. "467/GMP Till I Die" is the name of Gazza's best selling 2007 album. "Gazlam" is another referent used by commenters for Namibian recording artist Gazza. Some commenters also use the Afrikaan terms "groot man" (big man; great man) or "groot" as a referent for Gazza.

"Chelete" is

-snip-
Statistics as of August 28, 2019 at 5:23 AM
total # of views - 1,478,989 views
total # of likes - 18K
total # of dislikes -710
total # of comments - 1,484

****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE DISCUSSION THREAD FOR GAZZA'S VIDEO "CHELETE"
Most of the following comments from this YouTube video's discussion thread refer to the commenter led drive to reach one million views.

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

October 2018
1. Kerstin Waris
"This Song is🔥🔥🔥! I'm from Germany and I only understand the English parts but I love this song and Gazza!🇳🇦🇳🇦🇳🇦"

**
REPLY
2. theo derrich, November 2019
"Aikongo money-im looking for money
Aikongo cherete-im looking for money."

**
3. Jameson Bacon
"who's here before 1000 view"

**
REPLY
4. Lucia kanutus Tangi
"me..lol"

**
5. Joyce Mona
"5.9k views in 2
Hours 😍👏🏾"

**
6. Tanson Elias
"1million here we come ....."

**
7. Genevieve Cloete
"🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥here before 1 million views."

**
8. sekano strauss
"Goal is to reach 1 million views
Level up
Level up
Level up
#gazzamilli

SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🇳🇦💪💪💯💯👊🔥🔥🔥"

**
9. israel Nhuleipo
"Was here before 10K views. Now 1M views NAM"

**
10. Elrico Wentura
"467 aka Gazza,aka Grootman. Well done boss"

**
11. SamGee
"Karandu Kaasino'haShiimi, WE all know him by now.. SINGING
ERR'THIN LIT. START TILL END.. Team 1Million Views."

**
12. Onesmus Shikongo
"🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥here before 1 million views.Keep them nice tracks coming Big Boss 🔥🔥Fayaaa🔥"

****
November 2018
13. Azo Akweenda
"Patiently waiting for a 100K!!!!!"

**
14. ultimate sandboarding
"million views yes we can, only stand together as one, lets support our own first"

**
15. Nita M
"Taking this to 1million 💃🏿💃🏿💃🏿"

**
16. Martha Dorren
"I shared this link 126 times☺☺☺☺"

**
REPLY
17. OB Dubb
"cool lets get this to 1,000,000!!!!! Gazza hala at your boi OB DUBB"

**
18. Tracey Shaahamange
"Lets make it a mil guysz"

**
19. Zhahida Tjizera
"We’re halfway there Boeti Gazlam💕 #millionviews💪🏾💪🏾"

****
December 2018
20. WS V.H98
"500K soon"

**
21. Immo br_vke
"The video is🔥🔥🔥
Love the energy and vibe
#1mili views in a few boss👊"

****
January 2019
22. Natasha Snyder
"500k strong 😝🙌"

**
23. Danté Ilovu-Just
"We are pushing that 1 million"

**
24. Ali shikundiko
"Now half a million viewers"

**
25. Lionel Lilungwe
"Impressive. A million views is attainable. 👏👏👏"

**
26. WS V.H98
"We onto million views soon✊"

**
27. vick vicky
"legend ,milli views in this thang .NA to the world"

****
February 2019
28. Junior Khalifa_NA
"Video deserves to reach 1m views GMP all the way."

****
March 2019
29. THE-LAST-BORN N
"here before one million views 😍😍😍😍 CHELETE 👌✌✌"

**
30. Gabriel Media
"50 to a milli🔥 rn"

**
31. Ali shikundiko
"The road to 1 million is possible now"

**
32. Laban Junior
"1000000 is the aim...boety Gazlam."

**
33. Hilma Fillipus
"961 940 views almost at 1mill💃💃💃

**
34. Ronaldo Roelph
"Not a day has gone by without watching the video. And I know I'm not the only one. The aim is to get a milion views. #GazzaMili"

**
35. Gad Kakukuru
"1 million views, is that you I see around the corner? The GMP Family can’t wait to welcome you in style 🤙🏿"

**
36. Black Unicorn
"We about to hit a Million views 🤧😭🔥"

**
37. Nicky Amwele
"Almost there, 1 million I see you!🤪"

**
38. Quintus Izecson bendos bendoly
"I think we will hit those 1M views in April/May. Let's do this guys ....

Let me correct my mistake looks like we're gonna hit a million views sooner than I thought 😆"

**
REPLY
39. Mx3 news
"Now or never we will hit it today or early tomorrow"

**
40. Mclean Uwuses
"When You Basically Listen To This Song Every Day So That It Can Get To 1M😂❤"

**
REPLY
41. Albertina Nelumbu
"true story lol"

**
REPLY
42. Mclean Uwuses
"We Are So Close👏👏❤😆"

**
REPLY
43. Victoria Naatye
"We are there🙌🏽🙏"

**
REPLY
44. Fenny Shapwanale
"😂😂😂😂Lol bra"

**
REPLY
45. Mclean Uwuses
"We Did It Fam❤😆👏👏👏"

**
46. Emma Kamati
"We almost there,big things popping!! 1 mill💃💃

**
47. Kenny Mndawe
"I'm seriously going to take this song over the million views mark on my own...... that shows how much i like the track... Love from Durban RSA.


Edit: I told you peeps that I'll take this to over 1million views and I have delivered."

**
REPLY
48. Chili Bite
"Kenny Mndawe salute"

**
49. Ricky Nchindo
"Almost there...keep sharing!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥"

**
50. Nita M
"🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿 I’m the one millionth viewer. You’re welcome"

**
51. ultimate sandboarding
"Million views in 4/5 months, first namibian artist to ever do it, #GMPgang#"

**
52. Leonard Johannes
"mission completed"

**
53. Shikongo Tully
"One million...what the heck!!!!
....................This is great achievement to Namibia
Woooooooooo ....................wish I was in the video"

**
54. Johanna Shiimi
"We've done it fam. The milli is here"

**
55. Mx3 news
"1mill views we have done it Namibia"

**
56. Levi Katire
"I knew GMP will do but just didn't expect so soon. Big up to you history maker."

**
57. monika shivolo
"We did it 1Mil views 🙏🙏🙏"

**
58. Sakeus H Wilbard
"1mil and I am still here"

**
59. John Lenga
"I doubted he'd hit the million. Never again 🙌🏾"

**
REPLY
60. Haludilu Gabriel
"Never say never"

**
REPLY
61. Helen Kambonde
"Why so negative??"

**
62. Aluta Nongauza
"The YouTube ad totally worked!!"

**
63. Orben Muluti
"1 Million!!!! The 1st but definitely not the last."

**
64. Paulina Naupu
"1M and still counting 💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾"

**
65. Tomas Shiindi
"A million views 🙏🏽🔥🔥🔥 let’s take it higher 🔥"

**
66. Junior Khalifa_NA
"Yes finally reach 1million views GMP 4 life well deserved😎👏🏽"

**
67. Petrus Nghipangelua
"Now over a million views, I saw it coming."

**
68. THE-LAST-BORN N
"finally one million view 😘😘😘❤❤❤❤🔥🔥🔥🔥"

**
69. daniel imalwa
"1 Million views, guess this is the first ever video made by a Namibian artist to rich such views.. Congrats my G."

**
70. Big Man
"Proud to be part of the history
#1 MILLION VIEWS"

**
71. Victor skinny fella
"1 million views reached.
Shout out to everyone for making it happen including me."

**
72. dorald mathias
"Hit like if u play'd your part in #gazza_chelete1mill"

**
73. Elizabeth Mukulu
"Congratulations #Gazza for hitting 1million views.
#Wemadeittoamill"

**
74. Sakaria Namwandi
"Who else is here to celebrate the million views... 🙌🙌🙌👌👌
Congratulations Grootman!"

**
75. Mathew Amunkete
"1 Million Done and dusted. 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽"

**
76. Nigell Toby
"1 million views congrats Gazza.. 🙌🏾🙌🏾.. Namibia 🇳🇦.. GMP for Life. 🎶🎧🎶"

**
77. Ricardo Avelinos
"Mil and counting. H I S T O R Y I N T H E M A K I N G"

**
78. Franciska Matroos
"Congrats gazza 1m views Namibian muzic is getting there.. Just hang on"

**
79. Leonard Hamunyela
"Was here before a milli. Legendary stuff. Congratulations groote."

**
80. Johannes Munango
"Let's take it to 1.5 Mill then 2 mill views real quick!!"

**
81. Fillemon atutyeke
"lets make history in the namibian music industry guys .. lets hit two mil before nama's
... so that history justify us!!!!"

**
82. Draus Simon
"can we make it to 2milli guys pls"

**
REPLY
83. Risto Nakale
"Please!!"

****
April 2019
84. SHAPUMBA ERASMUS
"1 million views cerebrate there 👌👌👌ALL the way from SA"

**
85. M.U Royalty
"Wow 1 million views we did it👏👏"

**
86. Ronn-EL, April 2019
"@Victoria Naatye now we-re at 1.1 mil"

****
May 2019

****
June 2019
87. Mervin Martins
"The boy made Namibia proud over a milli views what a great song."

**
88. Vilho Valla
"This video is prove that anything is possible..big ups groote ✊🇳🇦👏🙌🎯

****
July 2019
89. Gebhard Taddeus
"@gmp otai kalele ..I can stop myself from watching this video, congratulations to@gazza @shoza_shimii @Samlee-Jones @max467 @tequila en to the whole gmp crew"

****
August 2019
90. Melda Williams
"Im a proud Namibian!!!



Its horrible that some countries dont know or see us.."

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents information about the music group The Silhouettes and information about their hit song "Get A Job".

A YouTube sound file of "Get A Job" is showcased in this post along with selected comments from the discussion thread of that sound file.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copy rights remain with their owners.

Thanks to The Silhouettes for their musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this sound file on YouTube.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SILHOUETTES
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Silhouettes
The Silhouettes were an American doo wop/R&B group whose single "Get A Job" was a number 1 hit on the Billboard R&B singles chart and pop singles chart in 1958. The doo-wop revival group Sha Na Na derived their name from the song's lyrics.
[...]

The Silhouettes toured with Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, Clyde McPhatter and others but the group never reached the top of the charts again. They disbanded in 1968, but the four original members reformed the group in the 1980s and continued to work until 1993.[2]

Group members
Richard "Rick" Lewis, tenor (September 2, 1933 – April 19, 2005)
Bill Horton, lead (December 25, 1929 – January 23, 1995)
Earl T. Beal, baritone (July 18, 1924, Donora, Pennsylvania – March 22, 2001)
Raymond Edwards, bass (September 22, 1922, Virginia. – 1997, Philadelphia)
John "Bootsie" Wilson, lead (July 18, 1940 – September 21, 2009)"...

****
LYRICS- GET A JOB
Get A Job - The Silhouettes - 1957
Written by The Silhouettes

Sha na na na - sha na na na na
Sha na na na - sha na na na na
Sha na na na - sha na na na na
Sha na na na - sha na na na na
Dip dip dip dip dip dip dip dip
Mum mum mum mum mum mum
Get a job
Sha na na na - sha na na na na

Every morning about this time
She gets me out of my bed a-crying
Get a job

After breakfast every day
She throws the want ads right my way
And never fails to say
Get a job

Sha na na na - sha na na na na
Sha na na na - sha na na na na
Sha na na na - sha na na na na
Sha na na na - sha na na na na
Dip dip dip dip dip dip dip dip
Mum mum mum mum mum mum
Get a job
Sha na na na - sha na na na na

And when I get the paper
I read it through and through
And my girl never fails to say
If there is any work for me

And when I go back to the house
I hear the woman's mouth
Preaching and a-crying
Tell me that I'm lying
About a job
That I never could find

Sha na na na - sha na na na na
Sha na na na - sha na na na na
Sha na na na - sha na na na na
Sha na na na - sha na na na na
Dip dip dip dip dip dip dip dip
Mum mum mum mum mum mum
Get a job
Sha na na na - sha na na na na


*The song was written by Richard Lewis before he joined the group, but writing credits were always shared.

Source: https://www.thesilhouettes.org/lyrics/get-a-job.htm

****
SHOWCASE SOUND FILE - THE SILHOUETTES - "GET A JOB" (1957)



MANNY MORA, Published on Nov 6, 2013

The Silhouettes were formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1956, at first using the name The Thunderbirds. Their classic hit "Get A Job" - originally the B-side to "I Am Lonely" - was issued by their manager Kae Williams on his own Junior Records label before being sold to the nationally distributed Ember label in late 1957. It reached number 1 on both the R&B and pop charts in U.S. and the group performed it on television's American Bandstand. The song sold more than one million copies, and was awarded a gold record.

The lyrics of "Get a Job" are notable for the depiction of a household in tension because of unemployment, despite the man's desperate attempts to find work, all delivered in a relentlessly upbeat style. A second release, "Heading for the Poorhouse", continued the economic theme. It was one of the few songs to allude to inflation, the trip to the poorhouse being because "all our money turned brown". This single and all their subsequent singles sold poorly and the group never entered the national charts again, making them a classic example of "one hit wonders".

"When I was in the service in the early 1950s and didn't come home and go to work, my mother said 'get a job' and basically that's where the song came from," said tenor Richard Lewis, who wrote the lyrics. The four members shared the credit, jointly creating the "sha na na" and "dip dip dip dip" hooks later imitated by other doo-wop groups.

The song was recorded at Robinson Recording Laboratories in Philadelphia in October 1957. Rollie McGill played the saxophone break and the arranger was Howard Biggs. It was released on the Junior label and Doug Moody who later formed Punk/Thrash label Mystic Records brought it to Ember Records where it was licensed for national distribution. Moody then worked with Dick Clark to get the group on American Bandstand.

The Silhouettes performed the song several times on Dick Clark's American Bandstand in early 1958, the single sold more than a million copies.

The song was later featured in the soundtracks of the movies American Graffiti, Stand By Me, the end credits for Trading Places and Joey (in which the group also performed it). The revival group Sha Na Na derived their name from the song's catchy doo-wop introduction. "Get a Job" inspired a number of answer songs, including "Got a Job", the debut recording by The Miracles."...

****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE DISCUSSION THREAD OF THIS EMBEDDED SOUND FILE
(With numbers added for referencing purposes only)

1. The Great Toucan, 2014
"The vocal harmonies are wonderful, classic R & B. The saxophone gets a lot of attention on this hit, and is the typical jazz treatment of the time. But just listen to the piano in the background. Some awesome and HEAVY R & B piano licks being thrown down there, and no credit to the player anywhere. The rhythm section is solid. Overall, a huge tune and worthy to sell a million!"

**
REPLY
2. Bill Simpson, 2016
"+The Great Toucan The saxophone was the lead instrument in all those early rock & roll songs."

**
3. Phil Newton, 2015
"What makes this, original, version so great is how rough it is. Very little production value on it, the bass singer stomps all over everyone and is just a tad behind his bandmates. Any producer worth their salt would have made them do another take--but that would have ruined it. Perfect as it is."

**
REPLY
4. Rekkn_, 2015
"@Phil Newton i couldnt agree more. this could be applied to a lot of bands in my opinion. the 'raw' version is often the best, then you listen to the cd version and everything is just to .... clean. To the point that the magic is partially gone."

**
REPLY
5. Brutus Mars, 2015
"@Rekall _ Yeah, music nowadays is all about trying to sound perfect, no mistakes whatsoever."

**
REPLY
6. alman54, 2016
"+Phil Newton I've always thought the bass singer was the "lead" in those "sha na na" parts. His voice is most prominent. The bass singer "stomping" all over everyone" might have been intentional."

**
REPLY
7. Arthur Workman, 2017
"Man it was customary for the bass singers to be vocally that far out in front. Listen to any of these fine songs and you'll hear how more pronounced the bass man is in comparison to the other members of the group. Just as the high soprano voices lead when they were supposed the bass man was allowed to take over certain lead positions all the while still staying comfortably behind somewhere in the middle range so to speak. If that makes any sense. I hope it does."

**
REPLY
8. Matt James, 2018
"You're so right, man! At the song's end, the bass totally stomps on the lead. I thought that the bass was supposed to support the lead. Nope, not on this song! Yes, the bass is behind the rest. You make a killer observation. I love how you realize that in the final analysis, it takes on a life of its own. you have one of the coolest observations on YouTube. Respect!"

**
REPLY
9. Chortle Chortle Chortle, 2018
"@alman54 I think it was intentional."

**
10. DetroitLove4U, 2015
"Which one was the one with deep voice ..... his name?"

**
REPLY
11. scrumsie, 2016
"+DetroitLove4U Leroy Brown"

**
REPLY
12. DetroitLove4U, 2016
"+scrumsie Thank You"

**
REPLY
13. Azizi Powell, 2019
"@+DetroitLove4U, the bass singer was Raymond Edwards.

The answer "Leroy Brown" is wrong. I think it was meant to be a joke riffing off of Jim Croce's hit song "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" (The name "Leroy Brown" in the United States if not in that Jim Croce song is stereotypically considered to be a "Black name" and The Silhouettes are/were a Black music group)."

**
14. Rob Mitchell, 2017
"Thanks for sharing the background information to song. Very interesting and informative."

**
15. Linda Dee, 2017
"4th grade, gettin' ready for school in the morning, if I heard this song on our old Philco radio in the kitchen, I'd be singing it all day at school, til I'd get in trouble with the teacher. I just couldn't help myself!"

**
16. uknow who, 2018
"The woes of black unemployment set to a rocking beat."

**
17. DrBongos, 2018
"I love that song. It inspired my bass doo wop style. The first time I saw Sha Na Na, they were a support band and I had no idea what they sounded like. When they came on stage dressed like 50s rockers and open with Get a Job, I was blown away. I prefer the original, but Shan Na Na was a great act."

**
18. Jenny N, 2018
"I'm re-reading Stephen King's Christine, and there's a part where Arnie turns on the radio, and "The Silhouettes were kip-kip-kipping and boom-booming through 'Get A Job.'" And I thought, "I don't think that's right. It's yip-yip and num or mum or something." I had to come here to make sure I was right. Get it together, Stephen!"

**
19. Andrew Parrish, 2018
"Back when music was music. They don't make it like this anymore. That's for sure"

**
20. r winters, 2019
"Such a unique song in the history of Motown. Great vocals plus a really suave jazz interlude. Going to have to look up other Silhouettes songs."

**
21. G Q, 2019
"If they recorded it here in New Jersey it would be entitled get 2 jobs."

**
22. valerie campbell, 2019
"Richard "Rick" Lewis, tenor (September 2, 1933 – April 19, 2005)
Bill Horton, lead (December 25, 1929 – January 23, 1995)
Earl T. Beal, baritone (July 18, 1924, Donora, Pennsylvania – March 22, 2001)
Raymond Edwards, bass (September 22, 1922, Virginia. – 1997, Philadelphia)
John "Bootsie" Wilson, lead (July 18, 1940 – September 21, 2009)

**
REPLY
23. MrOystein1977, 2019
"Are all of those guys gone? 😞"

**
24. SONJA BATH BANYAMAN, 2019
"Uncle Richard Wrote this song .. That' what grandmom said to him GET A JOB.... She's the woman hes talking about in the song.. According to my Mommy his little sister The former Jannette Lewis. Rest in POWER uncle Richard..."

**
25. mrkrojo, 2019
"This is just one of those perfect, shivers-down-your-spine rock n' roll songs. You can tell the guys are having fun singing it. Even with all the little tricks of harmony, hand-clapping, acapella parts, deep baritones and high falsettos, it's all done effortlessly and it's so natural. It still sounds a little goofy and raw making it accessible to toddlers and geezers alike. Love this one."

**
26. Daniel Cropp, 2019
"I listened to this song on cassette tape in my Mom's car as a kid."

**
27. Appen Zeller, 2019
"Amazing the music made without special effects, correctors and all the fancy stuff they have now. Just soul....and talent !!"

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents information about The Platters and showcases their R&B classic song "The Great Pretender".

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the Platters for their musical legacy. Thanks also to Buck Ram, the composer of "The Great Pretenders" for his musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this film clip on YouTube.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PLATTERS
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Platters
"The Platters are an American vocal group formed in 1952. They were one of the most successful vocal groups of the early rock and roll era. Their distinctive sound was a bridge between the pre-rock Tin Pan Alley tradition and the burgeoning new genre. The act went through several personnel changes, with the most successful incarnation comprising lead tenor Tony Williams, David Lynch, Paul Robi, Herb Reed, and Zola Taylor. The group had 40 charting singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart between 1955 and 1967, including four number-one hits. The Platters are one of the first African-American groups to be accepted as a major chart group and were, for a period of time, the most successful vocal group in the world.[1]

[...]

Charting hits
... Released in the summer of 1955, [“only You”] became the group's first Top Ten hit on the pop charts and topped the R&B charts for seven weeks. The follow-up, "The Great Pretender", with lyrics written in the washroom of the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas by Buck Ram,[6] exceeded the success of their debut and became the Platters' first national #1 hit. "The Great Pretender" was also the act's biggest R&B hit, with an 11-week run atop that chart. In 1956, the Platters appeared in the first major motion picture based around rock and roll, Rock Around the Clock, and performed both "Only You" and "The Great Pretender".[9]

The Platters' unique vocal style had touched a nerve in the music-buying public, and a string of hit singles followed, including three more national #1 hits and more modest chart successes such as "I'm Sorry" (#11) and "He's Mine" (#23) in 1957, "Enchanted" (#12) in 1959, and "(You've Got) The Magic Touch"[6] (#4) in 1956. The Platters soon hit upon the successful formula of updating older standards, such as "My Prayer",[6] "Twilight Time", "Harbor Lights", "To Each His Own", "If I Didn't Care", and Jerome Kern's "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes".[10] This latter release caused a small controversy after Kern's widow expressed concern that her late husband's composition would be turned into a "rock and roll" record. It topped both the American and British charts in a Platters-style arrangement.

[...]

The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in its inaugural year of 1998. The Platters were the first rock and roll group to have a Top Ten album in the United States. They were also the only act to have three songs included on the American Graffiti soundtrack that fueled an oldies revival already underway in the early to mid-1970s: "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes", "The Great Pretender", and "Only You (and You Alone)"."...

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG THE GREAT PRETENDER
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Pretender
""The Great Pretender" is a popular song recorded by The Platters, with Tony Williams on lead vocals, and released as a single on November 3, 1955. The words and music were written by Buck Ram,[1] the Platters' manager and producer who was a successful songwriter before moving into producing and management. "The Great Pretender" reached the number one position on both the R&B and pop charts in 1956.[2] It also reached the UK charts peaking at number 5.

Platters' version
Buck Ram reports that he wrote the song in about 20 minutes in the washroom of the Flamingo Hotel in order to have a song to follow up the success of "Only You (And You Alone)"….
In 2004, the song was voted 360th greatest song of all time by Rolling Stone.[3] Plas Johnson played tenor saxophone.”...

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LYRICS- THE GREAT PRETENDER
Oh oh, yes I'm the great pretender
Pretending that I'm doing well
My need is such I pretend too much
I'm lonely but no one can tell

Oh oh, yes I'm the great pretender
Adrift in a world of my own
I've played the game but to my real shame
You've left me to grieve all alone

Too real is this feeling of make believe
Too real when I feel what my heart can't conceal

Yes I'm the great pretender
Just laughin' and gay like a clown
I seem to be what I'm not, you see
I'm wearing my heart like a crown
Pretending that you're still around

Too real is this feeling of make believe
Too real when I feel what my heart can't conceal

Yes I'm the great pretender
Just laughin' and gay like the clown
I seem to be what I'm not, you see
I'm wearing my heart like a crown
Pretending that you're still around
(Still around)
Writer/s: BUCK RAM
Publisher: Peermusic Publishing

Source: https://www.songfacts.com/lyrics/the-platters/the-great-pretender

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YOUTUBE VIDEO: The Platters - The Great Pretender (Original Footage HD)



Solrac Etnevic, Published on Sep 18, 2013

(P)(C) Mercury Records (USA) 1955

"The Great Pretender" is a popular song recorded by The Platters, with Tony Williams on lead vocals, and released as a single on November 3, 1955. The words and music were created by Buck Ram, the Platters' manager and producer who was a successful songwriter before moving into producing and management. The Great Pretender reached the number one position on both the R&B and pop charts in 1956.[1] In 2004, the song was voted 360th greatest song of all time by Rolling Stone.

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post is part of a new ongoing pancocojams series on non-Black members of historically Black Greek lettered fraternities and sororities.

This excerpt is from the Google review of the 2009 book Brothers and Sisters: Diversity in College Fraternities and Sororities edited by Craig LaRon Torbenson and Gregory Parks. The portion of the book that is quoted was written by Matthew W. Hughley.

The content of this post is presented for socio-cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Dr. Matthew W. Hughley and all others who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
Dr. Matthew W. Hughley is a White member of the historically black Greek-letter organization, Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. He pledged and “crossed over” to Sigma at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro in 1996.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Hughey

Click the "non-Black members of Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs)" for subsequent posts in this pancocojams series.

****
REVIEW OF BROTHERS AND SISTERS: DIVERSITY IN COLLEGE FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES
Edited by Craig LaRon Torbenson, Gregory Parks (Associated University Presse, 2009 - Education - 320 pages)
From https://books.google.com/books?id=lJ0hFQlKx4oC&dq=Gregory+Parks+white+Alphas&source=gbs_navlinks_s
"The 1950s are arguably the watershed era in the civil rights movement with the landmark Supreme Court decision of Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, and the desegregation of Little Rock (Arkansas) High School in 1957. It was during this period--1955 to be exact--that sociologist Alfred M. Lee published his seminal work Fraternities without Brotherhood: A Study of Prejudice on the American Campus. Lee's book was the first and last book to explore diversity within college fraternal groups. More than fifty years later, Craig L. Torbenson and Gregory S. Parks revisit this issue more broadly in their edited volume Brothers and Sisters: Diversity in College Fraternities and Sororities. This volume draws from a variety of disciplines in an attempt to provide a holistic analysis of diversity within collegiate fraternal life. It also brings a wide range of scholarly approaches to the inquiry of diversity within college fraternities and sororities. It explores not only from whence these groups have come but where they are currently situated and what issues arise as they progress."

****
GOOGLE BOOK CHAPTER EXCERPT: "Crossing The Sand: NonBlacks In Black Greek-Letter Organizations" from the 2009 book Brothers And Sisters: Diversity In College Fraternities And Sororities
[chapter author] Matthew W. Hughley

[page 258]

[...]

The first collegiate fraternity for African American men still exists today. Alpha Phi Alpha was established in 1906 at Cornell University. However, like their white counterparts, fraternities for nonwhite groups often excluded students who were not members of their particular racial group. Accordingly, when questioned about the need for fraternities for nonwhite students in 1949, Alpha Phi Alpha president Wilbert Whisett responded “If we are not permitted to join other fraternities, we must form a fraternity of our own. We have no other choice. “ E. Franklin Frazier affirms in Black Bourgeoise that BGLOs were founded in direct response to the refusal to allow blacks to join white Greek organizations. So too, Swedish economist Gunner Myrdal, in his classic study An American Dilemma remarked that “America has an unusual proliferation of social clubs, recreational organizations, lodges, fraternities and sororities…. Despite the fact that they are predominately lower class Negroes are more inclined to join associations than are white….in this respect, Negroes are “exaggerated” Americans…With rare exceptions, these associations have only Negroes as members, and their large number is in some measure a product of the prohibitions against having Negroes as members of white organizations.

While Myrdal praised black fraternal organizations for their “exaggerated” Americanness of civic participation, he went on to decry black fraternal organizations as “pathological” and “a poor substitute [for] political activity”. Sadly ironic, he missed how BGLOs were vehicles for political and social change. Skocpol, Liazos, and Ganz argue “To gain critical leverage against US white racism and build as much black solidarity as possible…African American fraternalists have always been internationalists. They became human rights universalists, as it were, long before this stance was fashionable…and thus enhanced the power and dignity of appeals for racial equality inside the United States.” Accordingly, while many white Greek organizations were excluding black members, BGLOs were breaking the color-line. Even though BGLOs were either changing their constitutions early on in

[259]

their organizational history, or never possessed racial restrictive clauses, nonblack membership (especially for whites) was often framed as a taboo topic. Walter Kimbrough writes “Whites who goes against the grain of societal norms and seek membership in groups founded to serve the Black community. This is definitely a controversial subject”.

Instances in nonblack membership in BGLOs started to make headlines in the 1940s. Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity pledged Bernard Levin, a senior at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry on June 21, 1946. “Pledging a white student, the opposition maintained, would violate an ancient Alpha tradition of seeking recruits from the cream of college-bred Negroes. Supporters of the admission of Bernard Levin attacked these arguments as smug bigotry. To oppose reaction of an interracial fraternity amounted to justifying Jim Crow, they said. After hours of heated wrangling, the interracialists finally triumphed and Levin was pledged. In 1949 Mrs. Marjorie T. Ware and Miss Olive Young became the first two white women into Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Both members attributed their choice of membership in the black sorority to their belief in human rights and racial integration. In 1953 at the University of Kansas, a white man named Roger L Youmans pledged Alpha Phi Alpha and moved into the fraternity house during the next fall semester. After Youmans gained media attention for his move, a cross was burned in the front lawn of the fraternity house.

Chi Delta Mu (one of the first BGLOs, no longer exists today), along with Omega Psi Phi fraternity at Howard University, admitted white members in 1949. In 1954 at Philander Smith College, Georg Iggers (who fled Nazi Germany when he was twelve years old when the German army began rounding up Jewish citizens to put in concentration camps) became the first white member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. Five years later in 1959 at the Omega Psi Phi conference, Herbert F. Tucker, the assistant attorney general of Massachusetts, urged all BGLOs to encourage interracial membership and challenged the members in attendance by stating “Negro fraternities had only token white membership.” These patterns of sporadic nonblack membership continued into more recent years. As a corollary to the University of Alabama (UA) attempts at cross-racial membership that were discussed in the preceding section, several BGLOs have succeeded in obtaining white membership before the aforementioned Twilley, Johnson, and Houston examples at UA. In 1986 a white student made headlines when she joined the UA chapter of Zeta Phi Beta sorority at UA. In 1987, Mark Brafford became a white member of Zeta Phi Beta’s brother organization-Phi Beta Sigma. Jeff Choron became a white member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity at the UA in 1990 because he felt “they were more tolerant, because differences are to be

[260] This page is not part of this [Google book] review.

[261]
“Most people didn’t want me to be part of the chapter. They didn’t want to be known as the ones who allowed a White soror to slip in”. Davina Brown, a black member of Zeta Phi Beta sorority remarked “we service the special needs of our black communities- it just makes me uncomfortable in knowing that, here again, is a tradition that is slowly being taken away from us. Yet, Lawrence C. Ross, Jr, author of The Divine Nine, argues that the fear of whites taking over BGLOs is unfounded and almost impossible, and that even though white membership in BGLOs has grown, it is far from a “white stampede”. Accordingly, a white professor at the University of Central Oklahoma, Jere Robinson, pledged Omega Psi Phi in 1977 and stated that his fraternity brothers “made me feel at home, comfortable, and happy.” Many feel that contemporary racial politics would be an impediment to cross-racial amity due to prejudicial attitudes based on white stereotypes. However, Damian L Duchamp, who became a white member of Phi Beta Sigma at Clemson University in 1997 stated “Some of my brothers would say that I’m the Whitest gay they know…I grew up in a very Caucasian environment.“

Despite these differences, most white BGLO members report substantial accord and unity. Writing in the Cornell Sun online discussion forum in conjunction with the one-hundredth year anniversary of Alpha Phi Alpha, White Alpha member Karl Rainhold stated “While it would be understandable if I were not well received amongst the ranks of the organization given the still persistent divisions and inequities in our society today, my experience for the last 15 years has been quite to the contrary. Does it raise eyebrows? Yes, but not with the feelings of animosity or exclusion, only curiosity at the visual singularity of my presence. I am welcomed and embraced as a Brother in the organization, an inspiring testament to working by example, fellowship, and brotherhood, without preoccupation or undue regard to my racial or cultural background.”...

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post is Part II of a new ongoing pancocojams series on non-Black members of historically Black Greek lettered fraternities and sororities.

This post showcases four online articles and one discussion forum about this subject. Selected comments from three of these online pages are also included in this post.

The content of this post is presented for socio-cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Click the "non-Black members of Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs)" for subsequent posts in this pancocojams series.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

****
FIVE ONLINE POSTS AND COMMENTS ABOUT NON-BLACK MEMBERS OF HISTORICALLY BLACK GREEK LETTER FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES
These articles/forum post, and comments are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.

ARTICLE #1 [complete article]
From http://progressivegreek.com/news_events/alumni/whites-have-growing-interest-in-black-greek-organizations-experts-say/ Whites have growing interest in black Greek organizations, experts say
by kevin1914, Alumni Newswire, published 2009
Whites have growing interest in black Greek organizations, experts say
"Former President Bill Clinton’s announcement last month that he will join the Black fraternity Phi Beta Sigma sent shockwaves through the Black community—but he’s far from the only White to cross the color line.

Many Blacks wondered why any president other than Barack Obama would want to join a Black Greek Letter organization, given the benefits that many White social organizations offer. But according to Dr. Matthew Hughey, an assistant professor of Sociology and African American Studies at Mississippi State University and a White member of Phi Beta Sigma, Clinton’s actions aren’t a first.

Hughey pledged and “went over” to Sigma at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro in 1996.

“President Clinton becoming a Sigma is an indication that Black Greek Letter organizations are being looked at by non-Blacks,” said Hughey, who has written an article on the subject, “Crossing the Sands, Crossing the Color Line: Non Black Members of Historically Black Greek Organizations,” for the Journal of African-American Studies.

“In my research on this topic, [we] do not know how many Whites are in the traditional nine Black Greek Letter Organizations because the demographic information is not there. But I can say that there are a few Whites here and there,” Hughley said. “Obviously, there are more Whites in Black Greek organizations on predominantly White campuses than on HBCUs [Historically Black Colleges and Universities].”

The traditional Black Greek organizations are Alpha Phi Alpha, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma and Zeta Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Psi and Sigma Gamma Rho and Iota Phi Theta.

Prominent Whites have joined Black Greek organizations through the honorary route, becoming a member by the support of the general membership body without going through a formal pledge process. The late former first lady and human rights activist Eleanor Roosevelt was an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha.
The late Hubert Humphrey, the vice president of the United States under President Lyndon Johnson, was inducted as an honorary member of Alpha Phi Alpha, and former Ambassador to the Vatican and ex-member of Congress Lindy Boggs is an honorary member of Sigma Gamma Rho.

“Soror Boggs was made a Sigma in July, 1978,” Rachel E. Morris, the executive director of the sorority, told the AFRO. Boggs served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1973 to 1990, representing New Orleans. She is the mother of ABC News commentator Cokie Roberts and lobbyist Thomas Boggs, and was succeeded in the House by William Jefferson in 1990.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton almost became an AKA but withdrew her application when informed that she could not join other Black Greek sororities.

Dr. William Kimbrough, the president of Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Ark., and an expert on Black Greek organizations, said that the White presence in Black Greek organizations is there but small.

“I would venture to say that only about two or three percent of Black Greek organizations have White members,” said Kimbrough, author of a book, “Black Greek 101: The Culture, Customs and Challenges of Black fraternities.”

“Those Whites who choose to join do so because they are attracted to the community service aspects of the Black Greeks,” Kimbrough said. “Both Black and White Greeks work in the community, but it seems that the Black Greeks take it more seriously. It would seem that White Greeks tend to be more socially-oriented.”

Hughey agrees with Kimbrough.

“White Greek Letter organizations are not as serious about service as the Black Greeks are,” he said. “Black Greeks do way more hours of community service than the Whites.”

Hughey also said that Whites are interested in the cultural aspects of Black Greek life.

“It seems to be more of bond while in college and after college,” he said. “Also, stepping, the pledge process and line jackets seem to appeal to Whites who join Black Greek organizations.”

Nevertheless, Hughey acknowledges that there are problems with Whites in Black Greek organizations.

“You get it from both sides,” he said. “The Blacks see you coming into ‘their’ fraternity and think that ‘they are taking over.’ The Whites wonder what is wrong with you with being in an organization of Blacks.”

Kimbrough, who is an Alpha, said that when he worked with student organizations at Emory University in Atlanta he found an interesting perception about Greek Letter organizations and race.

“It seemed to me that the White fraternities were more open to having members of other races as brothers than the White sororities,” he said. “I could not explain why but that is the way it was.”

It is the matter of brotherhood that seems to attract Whites the most, said Hughey.

“Today, Whites are looking for something more lasting than the four-year experience,” he said. “Black Greeks offer a lifetime of brotherhood and friendship.”

Also, he said members may feel more social pressure in White organizations based on status, money and other things.

“With the Black Greeks once you are in, you are accepted regardless of who you are.”
-snip-
Dr. Matthew Hughey who is quoted in this article is a White American.

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ARTICLE #2
From https://www.watchtheyard.com/back-in-the-day/meet-first-white-alpha-dr-benard-levin/
Meet The First White Member of Alpha Phi Alpha – Dr. Bernard Levin
"Did you know that Alpha Phi Alpha crossed its first non-Black member in 1946?

His name was Bro. Dr. Bernard Levin, and he was the first white person to be initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha ever. He crossed at the Theta Chapter in Illinois and has since made his transition into Omega Chapter after working for over 40 years as a professor of dentistry at the University of Southern California. Bro. Levin passed away at the age of 84 on May 28, 2008.

[...]

Alpha Phi Alpha voted to end racial discrimination in its membership in 1945, just one year before Bro. Dr. Levin crossed. The word “Negro” was struck from the constitution’s, membership clause where it stated, “any Negro male student” and was changed to, “any male student.” Eleven years later, Roger Youmans became the first white member to address the fraternity at a general convention in 1954. In 1965, Vice-President Hubert Humphrey as given the title of Honorary Life Member."

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ARTICLE #3
From https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/experiences-leading-white-males-join-historically-black-butts-edd?trk=related_artice_Experiences%20Leading%20White%20Males%20to%20Join%20a%20Historically%20Black%20Fraternity%3A%20Finding%20the%20Seven_article-card_title Experiences Leading White Males to Join a Historically Black Fraternity: Finding the Seven by Calvin Butts, Published on February 13, 2018

[Pancocojams Editor's Note: This is the second of a series of linkedin.com articles on this subject that Calvin Butts published. Click https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/d974/fee31e910442fe59bbc023c58218be282a70.pdf for Dr. Calvin Butt's University of Central Florida's 2012 dissertation "White Males In Black Fraternities: Life Experiences Leading White Males To Join A Historically Black Fraternity"]
"[...]

My initial intention in interviewing had been to interview White members in the state of Florida so I could interview them face-to-face. I asked the Director of Membership Services for a current list of White members, both alumni and undergraduate, in the state of Florida. He found, in reviewing his membership list, that I was the only White member in the state of Florida. When I mentioned expanding my potential pool of participants to White members in the southern region, he indicated that number would also be very low. I informed him of my need to have between 5 and 20 possible participants to interview and also inquired as to the number of White members nationwide. When he informed me that his listing revealed 17, I was in disbelief because I know I have run into a number of White Alphas over the years, and this number seemed to be very small. When I inquired about the small number, he indicated that (a) members have to self-identify on the application and (b) some information was lost when the national office updated their database in 2005. Knowing that I had no alternative to the database, I requested the list of White members along with their contact information. He emailed a file containing the White members’ names, alumni or undergraduate status, email address, and year and state where initiated to me. I must admit I was surprised by how easy it was to obtain the participant information I needed, but I was also surprised at how few members the national office had identified as White members in their database. “...

Selected Comments [out of 30 total; Numbers added for referencing purposes only]
1. Jay Reynolds (LION), 2018
Principal at WolfCreek Consulting
"Chris , There are far more than 17 white Alphas in the state . Perhaps active is the minimizing factor. In the last 3 years I have watched at least 5 cross in South Florida . What is the ultimate goal of the research ? 06!"

**
Reply
2. Christopher Butts, EdD, 2018
Speaker, Trainer, Facilitator, Leadership, Strategic Planning, Organizational Dev., Diversity & Inclusion, Professor
"Jay Reynolds Lion 1200+ I know there are more than 17 White Alphas throughout the State of Florida. When I conducted my research years ago, I was surprised at the number of White brothers identified by the National Headquarters. However, to receive IRB approval I had to use what the governing body had on official file. I knew many in the State of Florida during my time in undergrad and beyond. Yet, they were not identified through National Headquarters and because of this, I was limited to only those 17 as possible participants in my study."

**
3. Nicholas M. Browner, 2018
Investor-backed Entrepreneur seeking to acquire and run a small-to-medium sized business
"Pretty interesting articles. I've always wondered myself about not just white but other non-black Fraternity brothers - their motivations for pledging Alpha, their experiences, and how has our great Fraternity help shape their perspectives on life, race, culture, and brotherhood. At the end of day we are not only brothers in the same Fraternity, but also brothers in Christ. I look forward to reading other articles you plan on publishing. Whenever you're in Atlanta , let's link up."

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ARTICLE #4
From https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/7-surprising-themes-leading-white-males-join-black-butts-edd?trk=related_artice_7%20Surprising%20Themes%20Leading%20White%20Males%20to%20Join%20a%20Historically%20Black%20Fraternity_article-card_title 7 Surprising Themes Leading White Males to Join a Historically Black Fraternity
Published on April 1, 2018 by Christopher Butts, Speaker, Trainer, Facilitator, Leadership, Strategic Planning, Organizational Dev., Diversity & Inclusion, Professor

[Pancocojams Editor's Note: This is the latest of a series of linkedin.com articles on this subject that Calvin Butts published. Click https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/d974/fee31e910442fe59bbc023c58218be282a70.pdf for Dr. Calvin Butt's University of Central Florida's 2012 dissertation "White Males In Black Fraternities: Life Experiences Leading White Males To Join A Historically Black Fraternity"]

"This study was conducted to identify and investigate the life experiences that influenced the decision of White males to seek membership in a historically Black fraternity and to consider the concept of social identity theory as it influenced study participants to seek membership and participate in this organization. Understanding the experiences of White males in a Black fraternity may give insight to fraternity personnel and higher education professionals about the White male experience in these organizations. Results and implications that emerged from study findings are discussed in this article.

[...]

Four of the seven participants were raised in culturally diverse environments. They all attended diverse high schools and had diverse friend groups. The participants played on high school sports teams, dated interracially, and shared time at work or on a sporting team with close friends of different cultural backgrounds. Though they were aware of racial differences, none of the participants viewed race as an important factor when choosing their friendships, dating partners, or team sports. Participants did not have confrontational experiences in their friend groups or other personal relationships.

Participants were assimilated into the Black culture and were influenced by it. Yet they maintained a good sense of identity as White men. They did not join Alpha Phi Alpha because it was Black. Rather, they joined the group because they believed it was the best “fit” for them in terms of individuals with whom they would feel comfortable and relaxed and to whom they could relate.

[...]

Limitations of the Study

There are a number of limitations that must be acknowledged in regard to this study. The first limitation would be in regard to the accuracy of the number of White male members identified by the national headquarters of the Black fraternity. Because information was lost at the national headquarters in a 2005 database update, the population for this study may have been, in reality, greater than was provided to the researcher. Given the inability to obtain an accurate count of White male members, negative stories that may exist were not able to be accessed. The 10 White members who did not respond to the initial email may reflect this population. It is possible that without their participation another dimension of this study was left unexplored.

[...]

Closing Remarks and Reflections of a White Alpha

I started this study asking a question to which I believed I already knew the answer. I believed this because I had lived the White male seeking membership in a Black fraternity experience. I knew, logically, that not all experiences are the same but I expected the experiences of other White Alphas to be so similar to mine that interview responses would be like listening to my own story. I was definitely surprised at how different the participants’ experiences were from my own, but they, too, had sought membership in a Black fraternity. For the participants, race did not seem to play a factor leading to their decisions nor did it play a large role in their being accepted or not. In my experience, it was something that had to be overcome by long-term interactions and continuous demonstration of my character.

The study I have conducted was something I wanted documented for others to read about and know that White males in Black fraternities do exist. However, I did not want to disgrace my fraternity. I was pleasantly overwhelmed by the quick responses to my initial email from the seven participants and their eagerness to participate. I hoped that the stories of the participants would reflect only the great ideals I know Alpha and the brothers of Alpha uphold. I was proud to learn the experiences of the participants reflected brotherhood and fraternal companionship, no matter the color of their skin. It reemphasized the decision I made in 1999 to join this great fraternity knowing the aims of scholarship, manly deeds, and love for all mankind were not just words the fraternity spoke but words they truly lived.

This article shares the study conducted to identify and investigate the life experiences that influenced the decision of White males to seek membership in a historically Black fraternity and to consider the concept of social identity theory as it influenced study participants to seek membership and participate in this organization. Understanding the experiences of White males in a Black fraternity may give insight to fraternity personnel and higher education professionals about the White male experience in these organizations. Results and implications that emerged from study findings are discussed in this article."

Selected Comments [out of 41 total; Numbers added for referencing purposes only]
1. Frank Johnson, PhD, LCSW, 2018
"I'd rather believe that the 10 brothers who didn't respond to your request simply didn't get the email instead of not responding due to negative experiences. You may want to consider reaching out to them again. '06!"

**
2. Stormey Collins, 2018
Former Fortune 1 Marketing Rock Star. Currently Rocking in eCommerce.
"Loved this. Many observations and reports from your research are very much in line with my experience (very much positive) and Greek journey (AKA ‘00). Too many layers to describe here, but excellent work! It really hit home. Thanks for delving into it and sharing. Keep it up! 💥"

**
3. Gregory Parks, 2018
Associate Dean of Research, Public Engagement, & Faculty Development and Professor of Law at Wake Forest University
"Nice work. There's an article in a back-issue of The Sphinx on white Alphas. I wrote it and interviewed about a dozen of them--including Bernard Levin (the first white brother) and Roger Youmans (first white brother to speak at a General Convention. You might also check the work of Matthew Hughey, on non-black BGLO members and Rashawn Ray and Kevin Spragling on diversity within Alpha."

**
4. Allegra Grice, 2018
Veteran Health Administrator, Practice Manager, Nonprofit Management
"Very intriguing study frat. Was this the basis for your dissertation? Some studies can convert between qualitative and quantitative and vice versa. Any benefit to making this quantitative?"

**
Reply
5. Christopher Butts, EdD, 2018
Speaker, Trainer, Facilitator, Leadership, Strategic Planning, Organizational Dev., Diversity & Inclusion, Professor
"Hi Allegra Grice, Ph.D. yes this was the basis for my dissertation. I used a qualitative approach due to the small number of White members in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. I only used one fraternity due to my membership and my expected ability to ensure a level of comfort with the members for our discussion. If this were converted into a quantitative study, I imagine it would have to span all of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. fraternities to have enough participation for analysis. However, documenting those who completed the survey as White members would be an additional challenge."

**
6. Daphne Means, SPHR, 2019
Global HR Solutions North America Market Lead—East at Cargill
"This article was sent to me by one of my Sorors, and as a white member of a predominately black sorority myself (ΔΣΘ), I have to say this accurately explains the circumstances around my own decision to commit to my organization. Very refreshing to see this articulated so well and also awesome to know we have shared experiences! Thanks for your work!"

**
7. Ramon Taylor, 2019
M.S., DAWIA SE I
IT Specialist at U.S. Census Bureau
"Recently came across this article, great job! but I am pretty sure there are more than 17 white brothers in Alpha, personally knowing two, once from my college chapter and another from a different university. Thank you for the study.

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ARTICLE #5
From https://bossip.com/978836/white-members-of-black-greek-letter-organizations/
What Is Wrong With This Picture????
Posted on June 13, 2014 - By Bossip Staff
"“Heyyyyyyy white Kappa!

For Discussion: Is There Anything Wrong With These White Members Of Black Greek Letter Organizations?
The Atlanta Greek Picnic is continuing to be a hot topic of discussion on social media and a picture of white sorority and fraternity members is raising eyebrows.

Last weekend ATL was flooded with members of the divine 9 including a few caucasian devotees to Sigma Gamma Rho, Delta Sigma Theta and Kappa Alpha Psi.

#HeyBoo

And while some people were happy to see non-blacks representing the orgs, others were outraged and noted that blacks joining white fraternities and sororities would not be as readily accepted.

What do YOU think…what is wrong with this picture????

No really we’re asking, what’s wrong with it???"
-snip-

Selected Comments [out of 348 total; Numbers here added for referencing purposes only]
1. Redman1911, 2014
"First and Foremost, let me clarify that not all BGLO's were conceived or founded at an HBCU. Now as a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. I can tell you the BROTHER in the picture is not the first, nor will he be the last to join our illustrious organization. I know a whole lot of people feel some kind of way when they run across non black members, and that is between them and their feelings. I factually know without ever meeting the BROTHER in the photo several things; 1) He met the criteria to join 2)he went through a stringent vetting process with his chapter 3) He has Heart 4) He is strong in will and a PROUD card carrying member 5)More than likely active and financial. With all that being said he subscribed to a set of ideologies followed his own convictions and achieved his intended purpose of gaining membership. KUDOS! It should not matter what your skin looks like, because if we remain separate in all that we do, we will never make any progress from the human perspective. FYI I went to school in the Kappa Mecca ----INDIANA"

**
2. gmail, 2014
"But what is the problem.. I DONT GET IT? Are people bored and just need something to talk about? As a member of a D9, I just don't understand why this is getting so much attention especially when the comments that are being made have NOTHING to do with the service that this young man and women contribute to their communities. ( I am not assuming they do the work of their organizations, however, the comments I have been reading do not indicate that that is the issue so therefore... why is this an issue?) The attention this picture is getting is sadly attracting trolls of the worst type and it is disheartening (and yes I am speaking to you D9 folks as well) This has turned into a complete circus and these 3 individuals are being gawked at and stared as if they are some freak show. People should really be questioning themeselves and who they chose to surround themselves with rather then questioning why these three chose to join a D9. Why? How diverse is your circle if you have never seen a non-black member of a D9 organization? How intelligent are you if you are questioning the intentions of someone you have NEVER met? #HaveAseat#severalAtThat"

**
3. Bahamas242, 2014
"If they have pledged thats fine I have white frat brothers in my chapter. I am an Iota Sweetheart. Of Iota Phi Theta its all good if they have crossed....OW SWEET!!!"

**
4. Lyris, 2014
"There is nothing wrong. We all deserve equal opportunities, period. If other races want to partake in our culture, there is nothing wrong with that."

**
Reply
5. disqus_BIhiXjr7Ep, 2014
"cool if they want to show but white people always exclude us from theirs, I don't know why blacks are thirsty to include whites in everything. I believe in black pride and we should have our own stuff."

**
6. lol, 2014
"all i see is a bunch of non dancing white people copying blk people dances."

**
7. ImJustAGirl, 2014
"As a member of BGLO, I don't have a problem with someone of another race joining my beloved org, however, i do have a problem with people of any race joining for all the wrong reasons. Greek letter orgs period have gotten so far removed from its original purpose, that now people join to become popular entities on campus, dubbing the phrase "t-shirt wearer". My biggest question is, did you really feel compelled by what our sisters and brothers have done or did you see the strolling and the stepping and the fun side of it (and believe me that's just one side) that you wanted to join? When i look at this picture I see something bigger. I see 3 white individuals who probably don't know each other who were chosen to take a picture together. Not because the photographer wanted to show Greek Unity, but more so because of the color of their skin and because they knew this pic alone would spark controversy. Although the pic represents the strides that we are making in the Greek community ie making it more diverse, it also shows just how far we have to go. While I don't discredit the work that these individuals are doing for their orgs, I do have an issue with them becoming our token brothers and sisters. I personally think people get more caught up in whites or ppl of any other race in a black organizations, than the actual work they are putting in. Because lets face it you can do the same work ( which is what you're there for) in any organization be it predominantly white, Latino, Asian etc. Hell you can do work by yourself. You don't have to be a part of something to give back. I used to say you'd have to give me a really good reason why you'd want to join a black organization as a white individual, but then i realized how closed minded that was. All I can say is, hold your orgs near and dear to your heart and if you wholeheartedly joined for all the right reasons, not because you wanted to cause a stir by being the token white, not because your black roommate was in th"

**
8. sophia, 2014
"I don't see what the issue is....as long as they embrace being a part of the frat/soro and not try to poke fun or bring any negativity......then who the hell cares?????"

**
9. Joe Broadnax, 2014
"Exactly,Dont do what was done to you"

**
10. CoCoKisses, 2014
"IDK...My family is legacy Deltas, and to be honest, I wouldnt feel 100% comfortable that the legacy of an all Black Sorority is become interracial. But at the same time, I can't demand equality and not give it at the same time. It would be initially uncomfortable, but over time I would treat her as family :)"

**
11. c_nc, 5y, 2014
"Black people love giving away our cultural legacy. This is why jazz and hip-hop are largely controlled by, created for and marketed to white people. Nowadays white boys are receiving awards for R&B and concurrently blacks are being shut out. A couple of years ago an uproar ensued when some white girl group received a top award for an extraordinarily mediocre step routine. That was remedied by making them co-winners with a more deserving black group. In a few years white people will be taking over the black college experience and remaking our creations in their own image I.e. the Harlem Shake."

**
12. Anonymous, 2014
"I'm a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and I don't see a problem with other races joining BLGO's. I live in a diverse neighborhood and my children attend a diverse private school. My husband and I moved to this area due to the diversity and the great family atmosphere it provided our family. African Americans, especially the older generation have been so scarred by the "past" that they pass on this "segregate yourself" mentality to the next generation. Which is so sad.... Think "progressively" people and everything else will fall in place according to God's order and his plan. Also, that Kappa is a cutie, I would defiantly set him up on a date with my niece who's in college and about the same age as him......."

**
13. DuBois, 2017
"Here is the story of Joan Trumpauer Holland, Freedom Rider, sit-in activist, Tougaloo College graduate, and first white member of Delta Sigma Theta.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Trumpauer_Mulholland
-snip-
Here's an excerpt from that page:
“Tougaloo College
Soon after [Joan Trumpauer Holland Mulholland's release [in 1961 from Mississippi’s infamous Parchman Penitentiary where she and others were arrested for refusing to leave a bus sit in area] , Charlayne Hunter-Gault and Hamilton E. Holmes became the first African-American students to enroll at the University of Georgia. Mulholland thought, "Now if whites were going to riot when black students were going to white schools, what were they going to do if a white student went to a black school?" She then became the first white student to enroll in Tougaloo College in Jackson, where she met Medgar Evers, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Reverend Ed King, and Anne Moody.[12]

... Two years later [in 1963], Mulholland was the first white student accepted into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.”...

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I of a two part series on Prince Hall Masons And Prince Hall Shriners.

This series is subtitled "for African Americans and other people in the general public" to emphasize the historical and present day fact that Prince Hall Shriners is an important (and I believe usually overlooked) part of African American history and culture.

Part I presents general historical information about Prince Hall Masons and presents historical information and other general information about Prince Hall Shriners (A.E.A.O.N.M.S).

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/09/racial-integration-between-mainstream.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. Part II presents excerpts about some similarities and differences between Prince Hall Shriners and mainstream Shriners, with particular attention to the historical and contemporary racial composition of those two fraternal organizations.

The content of this post is presented for historical and cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Prince Hall for his cultural legacy and thanks to all who are quoted in this post.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/09/prince-hall-shriners-tradition-of.html for the closely related pancocojams post entitled "Prince Hall Shriners' Tradition Of "Riding" (Performing Processional Versions Of The Camel Walk Dance)"

Click the Prince Hall Shriners tag for additional pancocojams posts about this predominately African American organization.

****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S DISCLAIMER
I have no affiliation with the Prince Hall Masons's female auxiliary "The Eastern Star" or with the Prince Hall Shriners' female auxiliary "The Daughters of Isis". Nor do I have any direct or indirect contact with any Masons or Shriners.

I'm revisiting this subject [after posting videos in this blog in 2017 of Prince Hall Shriners "riding"] because of my continued cultural interest in historically Black Greek letter organizations. [I'm a long ago inactive member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.] I strongly believe that Masons and Prince Hall Masons/Prince Hall Shriners in particular have heavily influenced some of the strolling performance styles of historically Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs), and other cultural features of some BGLOs, including the pyramid symbolism that is a part of the oldest BGLO, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

My latest pancocojams series on BLGOs provides information and comments about non-Black People in those historically Black Greek letter organizations (Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/08/non-blacks-in-historically-black-greek.html for Part I of that series.). This prompted me to search online for information about racial composition in Mason and Shriner organizations. Although I found some articles on that subject, I realized that I had to go back and clarify the differences between "mainstream" Masons and Prince Hall Masons, the differences between Masons and Shriners, and the differences between mainstream Shriners and Prince Hall Shriners. The result is Part I of and Part II of this pancocojams series.

All material presented in this pancocojams series is gleaned from the internet.

Corrections are welcome.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT PRINCE HALL MASONS
From https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/prince-hall-masons-1784/
"The Prince Hall Masons are the oldest and largest group of Masons of African origin in the world. Today there are forty Grand Lodges of Prince Hall Freemasonry in the United States, Canada, the Bahamas, and Liberia. These Grand Lodges preside over more than 5,000 lodges. All of them claim descent from the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts which is traced back to the African Lodge No. 459.

Prince Hall, a native of Bridgetown, Barbados, West Indies, was freeborn on September 12, 1748, the son of Thomas Prince Hall, an Englishman, and a free colored woman of French heritage. In 1765, at the age of 17, Hall worked for his passage on a ship to Boston where he became a leatherworker. Eight years later, he had acquired property and was eligible to vote.

On March 6, 1775, Hall, who was a minister with a Methodist Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts, joined fourteen other free blacks of Boston who all became Masons at British Army Lodge, No. 58, then attached to one of General Thomas Gage’s regiments stationed in Boston. Hall and the other newly initiated Masons were granted the authority to meet as a separate lodge, to march in parades, and to bury their dead. They were not granted permission to confer degrees or perform any other Masonic work.

Nine years later on March 2, 1784, Hall petitioned the Grand Lodge of England, asking for a warrant for a charter that they had been denied by the white Masons of Massachusetts. The warrant was approved and Hall established the first lodge of African American Masons in North America known as African Lodge No. 459.

Although the status of the African American Masons improved, they were not considered a “full” Masonic lodge until 1787 when Prince Hall received a charter from the Grand Lodge of England, the mother of all Freemasonry. In 1787, African Lodge No. 459 became African Lodge No. 1 with Prince Hall as its leader. The Masons were independent of the United Grand Lodge of England. They created separate jurisdictions comprised of mostly African American members. In 1791, the Prince Hall Grand Lodge was founded to govern the three then existing black Masonic lodges with Prince Hall as its first Grand Master, a position he held until his death in December 1807. Black Freemasonry evolved from the establishment of this Grand Lodge.

Due to prevalent racism and segregation in North America, it was impossible for African Americans to join most mainstream Masonic lodges until the late 20th century. Yet, because Prince Hall Mason lodges were African American, North American Grand Lodges denounced Prince Hall Lodges and Prince Hall Masons, deeming them illegitimate and refusing to recognize their authority. Until 1865 most Prince Hall lodges were in the North, but after the Civil War, black Masonry quickly spread across the South, often led by Northern-born Masons who became active in Reconstruction politics.

From Reconstruction until 1900, Prince Hall Masonry remained a highly prestigious but small fraternity. In the early twentieth century the membership rapidly expanded, lessening its exclusivity. Although all Masonic Lodges today are theoretically racially integrated, white Grand Lodges in Mississippi, Florida, Arkansas, Louisiana, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, and West Virginia still do not recognize Prince Hall Grand Lodge members as legitimate Masons. Nonetheless, the Prince Hall Masons include tens of thousands of black and some non-black members throughout the United States, Canada, the Bahamas, and Liberia."
-snip-
Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Hall_Freemasonry for a more comprehensive article about the history of Prince Hall Masons.

****
ONLINE EXCERPTS ABOUT PRINCE HALL SHRINERS
These excerpts are given in no particular order. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

Excerpt #1
[Pancocojams Editor's Note: This article is written by a member of "mainstream Shriners" but [I believe] also pertains to Prince Hall Masons and Prince Hall Shriners].

From https://www.shrinersinternational.org/Shriners/MasonShriners/Masons
"All Shriners are Masons, but not all Masons are Shriners.

Shriners International is a spin-off from Freemasonry, the oldest, largest and most widely known fraternity in the world. Freemasonry dates back hundreds of years to when stonemasons and other craftsmen gathered after work in shelter houses, or lodges. Over time, the members organized into Masonic guilds and the tools of their trade – the square and compass – became the symbol of their brotherhood.

Over time, Masonry evolved into an organization that began to accept members who were not craftsmen. Today, Masonry is built upon a foundation of improving character and strengthening communities, though the square and compass are still the symbols of the fraternal brotherhood.

When Shriners International was first founded in 1872, the organization built on the principles that guided Freemasonry, while adding an element of fun and ultimately, philanthropy, that set Shriners International apart. The two organizations are also structured similarly:

Shriners have temples; Masons have a Blue Lodge or Craft Lodge
Members of the Masonic lodges are required to learn about their fraternity and earn a series of Masonic degrees.
When a member has completed the third and final degree he becomes a Master Mason and is then eligible to become a Shriner."....

****
Excerpt #2
[Pancocojams Editor's Note: This article is written by a member of "mainstream Shriners" but [I believe] also pertains to Prince Hall Masons and Prince Hall Shriners].

From https://www.dummies.com/religion/spirituality/how-shriners-and-freemasons-relate/
"How Shriners and Freemasons Relate
The Shrine has often been called the “playground of Freemasonry.” Before a man can become a Shriner, he must become a Freemason. In fact, if you look carefully at the full name — Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine — you can rearrange the letters A.A.O.N.M.S. and spell “A MASON.”

All Shriners are Freemasons, but not all Freemasons become Shriners. The Shrine isn’t a Masonic organization — it doesn’t confer any degree that continues or enlarges on the Masonic degrees. It’s simply an organization that requires Masonic lodge membership as a prerequisite for joining.

From the beginning, the Shrine was intentionally designed to be fun — actually, even a bit juvenile. Freemasons looking for deep, intellectual symbolism and knowledge won’t find it in the Shrine. What they will find is old-fashioned, back-slapping, glass-raising, cigar-puffing, high-volume socializing. Their history is filled with tales of the antics of Shriners, especially when collected together at their annual conventions.

Temples: Shrine temples (or centers, as more of them are referred to these days) are often very large, and only a few exist in any given state. So, each temple draws on dozens or even hundreds of Masonic lodges for their membership. Shrine temples often have thousands of members.

The Shrine built its own dedicated buildings during prosperous times, and they were generally designed with Middle Eastern architectural details. In keeping with the functions of the Shrine, they often have large auditoriums, plus social rooms, dance halls, restaurants, and bars.”...
-snip-
Notice that the official name for "mainstream Shriners" is "Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine" (A.A.O.N.M.S.) and the official name for Prince Hall Shriners (PHA) is Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine (A.E.A.O.N.M.S)

****
Excerpt #3
From https://www.aeaonms.org/about_us.htm
"Who We Are
PRINCE HALL SHRINEDOM embraces all of the basic fundamental concepts of the Masonic Order, but is more colorful, with a broader spectrum of visibility by the manner in which it dispenses charity in the community, and the care for its own.

John George Jones, the founder, is said to have been introduced to the ritualistic mysteries of the Order by one Ali Rofelt Pasha, Deputy and representative from the Grand Council of Arabia, during the World's Colombian Exposition in Chicago in 1893.

Shrinedom, because of its pageantry, has on occasions been referred to as the "Display" House in Masonry, causing men to sometimes join the prerequisite Houses solely with the intent on becoming a Shriner.

There are 224 Constituent Temples throughout the Imperial Domain (the World), with a membership of over 25,000 - and growing.

Shrinedom is thought of as a Fraternal, Social, and Charitable Organization: FRATERNAL in the sense of using passwords and symbols to remind the members to ever strive for inner self-improvement; SOCIAL from the standpoint of the enjoyment of good times within its own ranks; and CHARITABLE for its unselfish giving of goods and services on both the local and national level.

Heading the list of recipients is the NAACP, the Legal Defense Fund, the Urban League, and United Negro College Fund, along with Annual Grants to several institutions of higher learning and hospitals throughout the land, for medical and other research projects.

Substantial grants are awarded to colleges annually to supplement the education of economically deprived youth, along with a program of financial aid to fight drugs, crime and delinquency. There is also a national scholarship grant program for young ladies between the ages of 17 and 24 to attend colleges and universities of their choice. They also strongly endorse the Assault on Illiteracy (AOIP), amid an engagement in development programs with Third World Countries.

The Shrine Organization is 123 years old and takes great pride in its Auxiliary, which is composed of wives, sisters, mothers and daughters of the membership - officially styled, the Imperial Court.

They are 106 years old and mirror, in some respect, the activities of the parent body. Both share offices in the organization's Headquarters Building located in Memphis, Tennessee.

The Shrine is headed by the Imperial Potentate, and the Imperial Court by the Imperial Commandress. The red Fez is worn by the men and the white Fez by the women, both of whom are community oriented - and definitely on the move!

History
The Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine of North and South America and Its Jurisdictions, Inc. has a long and colorful history. The order was established as an Imperial Council of Prince Hall Shriners on June 3, 1893, in Chicago, Illinois, by 13 Prince Hall Masons under the leadership of John George Jones. They met in the Apollo Hall on State Street where Palestine Temple was organized. On June l0, 1893, Jones and his associates organized the Imperial Grand Council of Prince Hall Shriners. Jones, who was an attorney, immediately went about organizing Prince Hall Shrine Temples in Los Angeles, California, Washington D.C., Jacksonville, Florida, Indianapolis, Indiana, Baltimore, Maryland, Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri, New York City, New York, Cleveland, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Providence, Rhode Island, Alexandria and Richmond, Virginia. In September of 1889, Isaac L.W. Holland, the Illustrious Potentate of Pyramid Temple in Philadelphia, sent out a call to members of Prince Hall Shrine Temples within the nation to meet with him for the purpose of reorganizing the Imperial Grand Council. On December 12, 1900, a meeting was held in Philadelphia with officers and members attending from Temples in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and from Alexandria, Virginia, At this meeting the Imperial Council was reorganized and the order adopted a new name: Imperial Council of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine of North and South America and its Jurisdiction, Incorporated.

The first annual session of the newly organized Imperial Council was held on September 25, 1901, in Newark, New Jersey, it was here that a Constitution was formally adopted, establishing the fraternity as it is today, and designating the Imperial Council as a charitable, benevolent, fraternal. and social organization, dedicated to the welfare and extension of Prince Hall Freemasonry, and decreeing that membership in the order be confined to regular freemasons who were members of lodges descended from African Lodge #459 (African Lodge #459 established on September 29, 1784, was formally African Lodge #l formed on July 3, 1776; Massachusetts).

The Worldwide Fraternal Shrine Family has a membership of approximately 35,000 in some 227 Shrine Temples and 200 Courts, its women's auxiliary, the Imperial Court, throughout the Continental United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, England, Spain, Hawaii, Japan, Korea, Guam, Thailand, Panama, and the Bahamas. The Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine is primarily a benevolent, charitable and fraternal organization, Its membership is dedicated to the principle of fostering civic, economic and educational development programs throughout the world.

The Fraternal Order has fostered the following programs:

Annual grants of thousands of dollars to the Prince Hall Shrine Health and Medical Research Foundation.

Annual grants to several institutions of higher learning and to hospitals throughout the United States for Medical research.

A National Scholarship Grand Program for young ladies between the ages of 17-24 to attend college and universities of their choice,

Annual Educational Grants for economically deprived youths.

A program of financial aid to youth in their fight against drugs, crimes, and delinquency.

Annual grants to the N.A.A.C.P., the Legal Defense Fund, and the United Negro College Fund.

Support summer camps for youth,

Voter education and registration drives.

Establishment of and maintaining dialogue with White House officials, Congress men, and national leaders on various issues affecting African-Americans and others
Pledge of the Nobility
WE PLEDGE OURSELVES, as citizens, to conduct ourselves with due propriety, conforming to our established laws, in cooperation with our nation and its authorized officials.

WE PLEDGE OURSELVES, to maintain exacting high standards in our respective community life, that "DEMOCRACY" may become a living reality.

WE PLEDGE OURSELVES, to the promotion, along with other thoughtful citizens, of modern and practical legislation enacted by any government agency, that will redound to the benefit of our "AMERICAN" way of life.

WE PLEDGE OURSELVES, to support duly constituted authority for the elimination of anti-social conditions, wherever found to exist, that we and all other people may enjoy a rich, round and full life.

WE PLEDGE OURSELVES, to morally support and encourage every social agency, that has for its purpose the maintenance of the highest ideals of the people of the nation.

WE PLEDGE OURSELVES, to cooperate fully in disseminating "TRUTH", among the people of the earth, to the end that "DEMOCRACY" shall prevail forever, and the peace of every nation be preserved."

****
Excerpt #4
From http://www.desertofvirginislands.org/prince-hall-shrine-history.html
"Prince Hall Shrine History:
The Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine of North and South America and Its Jurisdictions, Inc. has a long and colorful history. The order was established as an Imperial Council of Prince Hall Shriners on June 3, 1893, in Chicago, Illinois, by 13 Prince Hall Masons under the leadership of John George Jones. They met in the Apollo Hall on State Street where Palestine Temple was organized. On June l0, 1893, Jones and his associates organized the Imperial Grand Council of Prince Hall Shriners. Jones, who was an attorney, immediately went about organizing Prince Hall Shrine Temples in Los Angeles, California, Washington D.C., Jacksonville, Florida, Indianapolis, Indiana, Baltimore, Maryland, Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri, New York City, New York, Cleveland, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Providence, Rhode Island, Alexandria and Richmond, Virginia. In September of 1889, Isaac L.W. Holland, the Illustrious Potentate of Pyramid Temple in Philadelphia, sent out a call to members of Prince Hall Shrine Temples within the nation to meet with him for the purpose of reorganizing the Imperial Grand Council. On December 12, 1900, a meeting was held in Philadelphia with officers and members attending from Temples in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and from Alexandria, Virginia, At this meeting the Imperial Council was reorganized and the order adopted a new name: Imperial Council of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine of North and South America and its Jurisdiction, Incorporated.

The first annual session of the newly organized Imperial Council was held on September 25, 1901, in Newark, New Jersey, it was here that a Constitution was formally adopted, establishing the fraternity as it is today, and designating the Imperial Council as a charitable, benevolent, fraternal. and social organization, dedicated to the welfare and extension of Prince Hall Freemasonry, and decreeing that membership in the order be confined to regular freemasons who were members of lodges descended from African Lodge #459 (African Lodge #459 established on September 29, 1784, was formally African Lodge #l formed on July 3, 1776; Massachusetts).

The Worldwide Fraternal Shrine Family has a membership of approximately 35,000 in some 227 Shrine Temples and 200 Courts, its women's auxiliary, the Imperial Court, throughout the Continental United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, England, Spain, Hawaii, Japan, Korea, Guam, Thailand, Panama, and the Bahamas. The Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine is primarily a benevolent, charitable and fraternal organization, Its membership is dedicated to the principle of fostering civic, economic and educational development programs throughout the world."...

****
This concludes Part I of this two part pancocojams series on Prince Hall Shriners.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part series on Prince Hall Masons And Prince Hall Shriners.

Part II presents excerpts about some similarities and differences between Prince Hall Shriners and mainstream Shriners, with particular attention to the historical and contemporary racial composition of those two fraternal organizations.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/09/general-information-about-prince-hall.html for Part I of this series. Part I presents general historical information about Prince Hall Masons and presents historical information and other general information about Prince Hall Shriners (A.E.A.O.N.M.S).

This series is subtitled "for African Americans and other people in the general public" to emphasize the historical and present day fact that Prince Hall Shriners is an important (and I believe usually overlooked) part of African American history and culture.

The content of this post is presented for historical and cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Prince Hall for his cultural legacy and thanks to all who are quoted in this post.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/09/prince-hall-shriners-tradition-of.html for the closely related pancocojams post entitled "Prince Hall Shriners' Tradition Of "Riding" (Performing Processional Versions Of The Camel Walk Dance)"

Click the Prince Hall Shriners tag for additional pancocojams posts about this predominately African American organization.

****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S DISCLAIMER
I have no affiliation with the Prince Hall Masons's female auxiliary "The Eastern Star" or with the Prince Hall Shriners' female auxiliary "The Daughters of Isis". Nor do I have any direct or indirect contact with any Masons or Shriners.

I'm revisiting this subject [after posting videos in this blog in 2017 of Prince Hall Shriners "riding"] because of my continued cultural interest in historically Black Greek letter organizations. [I'm a long ago inactive member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.] I strongly believe that Masons and Prince Hall Masons/Prince Hall Shriners in particular have heavily influenced some of the strolling performance styles of historically Black Greek letter organizations (BGLOs), and other cultural features of some BGLOs, including the pyramid symbolism that is a part of the oldest BGLO, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

My latest pancocojams series on BLGOs provides information and comments about non-Black People in those historically Black Greek letter organizations (Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/08/non-blacks-in-historically-black-greek.html for Part I of that series.). This prompted me to search online for information about racial composition in Mason and Shriner organizations. Although I found some articles on that subject, I realized that I had to go back and clarify the differences between "mainstream" Masons and Prince Hall Masons, the differences between Masons and Shriners, and the differences between mainstream Shriners and Prince Hall Shriners. The result is Part I of and Part II of this pancocojams series.

All material presented in this pancocojams series is gleaned from the internet.

****
ARTICLE EXCERPTS ABOUT RACIAL INTEGRATION BETWEEN MAINSTREAM SHRINERS AND PRINCE HALL SHRINERS
These excerpts are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.

Excerpt #1
From http://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/2009/12/black-shriners-meet-in-tampa-for.html
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Black Shriners Will Meet in Tampa For Convention
“Like the more than two centuries of separation between black and white Freemasons, the appendant Masonic organizations followed the same path. The historically black Prince Hall Affiliated Shriners are the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine, and are headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. While they have contributed to the historically white Shriners Hospitals over the years, they are not officially part of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, now known as Shriners International, based in Tampa, Florida. A year ago, the AEAONMS began a partnership with the American Diabetic Association as their predominant charity.

The Prince Hall Shriners are headed to Tampa for their annual Imperial Session next year. In August 2010 an estimated 15,000 members are expected.

From an article today in the St. Petersburg times by Amanda Zayas:

In 1872, for fun and charity, the white Masons started a fraternity called the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. The black Masons formed their own Shrine group in 1893, the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order. Both groups referred to their chapters as "temples." Both called their leader "imperial potentate."

They coexisted, sometimes in the same cities, for at least two decades. But then, the lawsuits began. In 1914, a white Georgia lodge tried to bar a black lodge from imitating its name, constitution titles, emblems and regalia. The same then happened in Arkansas. When a white Houston group sued its local black counterpart in 1918, the case expanded to include Shriner groups throughout the United States and landed in the U.S. Supreme Court.

The legal battle lasted more than a decade.

On June 3, 1929, the Supreme Court concluded that even though the black Shriners formed their group out of imitation, the white Shriners knew about the group's existence and didn't take legal action for years.

In fact, evidence showed that the white groups sold their paraphernalia to black groups for ceremonial use. The black Shriners were not trying to pass themselves off as white Shriners and it was too late for the whites to claim the symbols as exclusively theirs. The black Shriners celebrate this decision every year. They call it the Jubilee Day.

Eighty years later, Tampa's historically-black Harram Temple has no white members. The spokesman for the local historically-white Egypt Shrine doesn't think his group has any black members. Both groups say they would welcome a member of the other race.

The racial divide happens naturally, not by exclusion, says Hillsborough County Judge Eric R. Myers, an officer in the black Shriners group. Think of college fraternities and sororities. Think of sons following in their fathers' footsteps.

"Think about it across the board in a lot of organizations," he says. "Churches — come on, let's be real."

Myers, who is slated to become the chief of the worldwide black Shriners group in eight years, said he was in charge of the local temple in 1995 when he met a member with the white Shriners temple.

"Nobody had ever really talked to one another," Myers said.

The white Shriners invited the black Shriners to their circus, and the tradition has continued ever since. The black Shriners are also nationwide contributors to Shriners Hospitals, the major philanthropy of the historically-white group.

Eight years ago, the worldwide leaders of the white Shriners invited the leaders of the black group to their headquarters to trade ideas about attracting members and working together, remembers Jack Jones, imperial potentate for the historically-white group. That meeting concluded with an agreement that members of both groups could visit each others' temples throughout the organizations.

"We do have good discourse with them," Jones says. "They work toward the betterment of mankind as well as we do."

There are no serious discussions to fuse the two. What would happen to all those guys in line to become imperial potentate?

"If you come together," said Warren Spears, spokesman for the worldwide black Shriners, "that means somebody's going to be on the short end."

Expect to see much of what you saw three years ago in Tampa starting on Aug. 13 and lasting approximately a week. The city will be covered with red fezzes.

The Daughters of Isis, the female counterpart to the black Shriners, will celebrate its 100th anniversary here during the convention. They're all planning service projects. Ybor City's Seventh Avenue will make way for a huge parade.

And one of those days, maybe, the leaders of the black Shriners will visit the historically-white Shriners headquarters in Tampa to trade ideas again.

The white Shriners say they plan to extend an invitation.

[...]

Selected comments from this article:
Moose, December 30, 2009 3:54 PM
"I'm so disheartened to see that the old Prejudiced still is present in this day and age regarding skin color within lodge. I'm happy to see that some states are "recognizing" prince hall lodges, but cant we all just meld together and practice Masonry together? I live in California and I know SEVERAL Afro-American brothers who are in lodge with me who are either in line or are WM. I have no fear of any brother of any race creed or color. My heart is Masonic and all I have seen has been the Lights."

**
Reply
Tommy Desmond, November 26, 2010 11:39 AM
"Yes, in Detroit we have black guys in our Lodges (non-PH) and we all have a great time together... Blue Lodge, Scottish Rite and York... along with asians, indians and even *gasp* CANADIANS! OMG! Lol"

****
Excerpt #2:
From https://onnidan1.com/forum/index.php?topic=54407.0 Shriners still mostly segregated by choice
[re-published by] Brother Tony, August 08, 2011, 05:20:20 PM
"City, area tourism officials hope to lure primarily White organization to Daytona Beach for 2017 convention
BY JAMES HARPER
DAYTONA TIMES
"Imagine thousands of White men parading down A1A, intoxicated, wearing funny hats, with some dancing in the streets.

"That’s probably what you will see," said Illustrious Potentate Noble John Ranglin about the International Shriners if the Daytona Beach area tourist officials and city leaders are successful in luring members here for their 2017 convention.

The scene described is not unusual in this area, especially during the Daytona 500 weekend, Bike Week, Spring Break and NASCAR Racing that occurs during the Fourth of July weekend.

Ranglin, a Black Shriner, is not a member of the International organization, whose membership is mostly White. Ranglin is a member of the Ancient City Temple No. 63 located in Daytona Beach. It’s part of the historically Black Prince Hall Affiliated Shriners, headquartered in Memphis, Tenn.

While they have contributed to the historically White Shriners Hospitals over the years, the Prince Hall Shriners are not officially part of Shriners International, based in Tampa.

In 1872, the White Masons started a fraternity called the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. The Black Masons formed its own Shrine group in 1893, the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order. Both groups referred to their chapters as "temples." Both called their leader the "imperial potentate."

‘It’s about power’

Even though at one time, Blacks were not allowed to become members of the International Shriners, times have changed and the two organizations exist for different reasons besides color.

"It’s about power. In order for us to come together, one has to surrender to the other. There’s room for only one grand master. Power has been taken away from us (Blacks) too many times over the years. We’re segregated but not racist," Ranglin explained.

Ranglin says the local Black group is planning a hospitality dance on Sept. 2 and a ball on Sept. 3 at the Daytona Beach Hilton, where hundreds are expected to attend. The fundraising event is open to the public.

He added, "We want our funds to stamp out crime, drugs, health issues that affect community. That also continues to keep us separate.
[…]
.
When the Shriners were started in America, most Blacks were slaves and the logic, according to White members at that time, was in order to be freemasons you had to be free men.

Who was Prince Hall?

Also, in order to be a member of the organization, there had to be a unanimous vote by its members, therefore it was difficult for Blacks to join the group.

Prince Hall, who was Black, born in 1735, was an abolitionist and a leader of the free Black community in Boston.

Hall tried to gain New England’s enslaved and free Blacks a place in some of the most crucial spheres of society – freemasonry, education and the military.

He is considered the founder of "Black Freemasonry" in the United States, known today as Prince Hall Freemasonry.

Hall formed the African Grand Lodge of North America and was unanimously elected its Grand Master and served until his death in 1807.

Both sides have Blacks and Whites

Ranglin, who lives in Deltona, said though the local group is based out of Daytona Beach, the Prince Hall group meets in Ormond.

He said the organization is working to start Shriners clubs in Palm Coast and Ocala.

Ranglin said the organization does not discriminate based on color when inviting men to join the group, which includes Whites and other races.

"I was a grand officer for International Shriners," said Ranglin until he realized there was another brand of masonry – Prince Hall in 1990.

"Both sides have both races. There are no longer barriers. Within the last 20 years, there has been mutual respect, more so in the last five years," he explained.

The Times attempted to reach a spokesman for International Shriners but did not get a response by deadline.”...

****
Excerpt #3
From https://www.reddit.com/r/Shriners/comments/1b6hdd/are_there_black_shriners/
Posted byu/hankypinky, 2013
"Are there black Shriners?
Is the organization segregated as many of the State Grand Lodges are?

Should it be?"

**
Beezelbubba, 2013
"We have several Nobles at my Temple that happen to be black, there is also a separate institution for the PH Brothers if thats the route they want to go
Its not segregated in MOST states, there are only like 7 Grand Lodges that do not recognize the PH Lodges, and they are all below the Mason-Dixon line under the excuse that PH was improperly chartered from the GLE, GLE has came out and stated this is not the case and that PH is regular and is properly chartered by them."

****
defjamblaster, 2013
"short answer: yes, it's segregated. just like each grand lodge, and all the houses in masonry. there are Prince Hall Shriners, who were once sued by the "mainstream" Shriners to try to stop them from being Shriners. that being said, i don't think there's anything today that prohibits membership of any race other than perhaps voters. here's our Prince Hall site http://www.aeaonms.org.

****
Excerpt #4
From https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-Prince-Hall-masonry-and-other-types-of-masonry
What is the difference between Prince Hall masonry and other types of masonry?

[Pancocojams Editor: Here are the seven answers to this question with alphabetical listing added for referencing purposes only.]

a) Carl Weaver, Freemason
Answered May 26, 2016
"I am not a Prince Hall member, but many of the Prince Hall Affiliated (PHA) grand lodges are recognized by my own GL, so I can say a few things here with that disclaimer.

Prince Hall Freemasonry was started by a freed slave named Prince Hall. It was started as a Black lodge and overseen by a British military lodge in Massachusetts. After a while, Prince Hall petitioned the Grand Lodge of England for a charter so they could become a “real” working independent lodge, and that charter was granted, but due to the American Revolution, the charter was supposedly lost at sea. As such, the PHA lodges operated without a charter for some time, and this reason is often given for why the Prince Hall lodges are not recognized. The PHA Grand Lodges have since rectified that over the last 200+ years, so that is no longer a valid reason to not recognize them. Sometimes that excuse is given because it is easier to say than to make a racist comment, at least in my opinion.

The big difference today is that Prince Hall Masons are mostly Black and the others are mostly white. This is not something enforced. In fact, in my lodge we have a number of African American members, and I have met white brothers who were PHA Masons. It is more just tradition. The PHA Masons generally seem to be more regimented and in touch with their Masonic history, and typically from what I have seen, they have higher dues. However, the members get a lot of value for their dues money and are more than willing to pay it.

If you are thinking of joining, I recommend checking out a number of lodges in both camps and seeing which lodge you feel most comfortable in or most pulled toward."

**
b) Peter Renzland, Toronto Society for Masonic Research. Governance, Constitution, Founding Texts.
Answered Jul 11, 2016
"1. Prince Hall lodges have always explicitly been open to people of all races, unlike the other lodges, which have, for 200 years, explicitly excluded black people. Peace and Harmony (Mackey's Encyclopedia of Freemasonry and Kindred Sciences) … Prince Hall Freemasonry Recognition
2. Today, Prince Hall Masons are predominantly black. “Mainstream” Masons are predominantly white.
3. Prince Hall Masonry has a close connection with OES.
4. Prince Hall Masonry has more of a Christian character.
5. Prince Hall Masonry is deeply conscious of the history, culture, and social condition of black people in the US. Lift Every Voice and Sing.
6. Prince Hall Masons are more serious and earnest about their Masonry. They were* black suits and white gloves. They are very competent in ritual.
7. Prince Hall Grand lodge Annual Communications are genuine and democratic.
8. Prince Hall lodge dues are higher.
9. Prince Hall Masons can only belong to one lodge at a time. There are only two exceptions: CT and MN.
10. Prince Hall Masons in their meetings and activities have a warmth and genuineness that is uncommon in mainstream Grand Lodges.
-snip-
*wear

**
c. Jeffrey S Hertig PM, studied at Purdue University
Answered May 27, 2016
"Very little actually, here in CA where we consider PHA to be "brothers" and we can attend each other’s meetings. Which I have done and when I was master had a group visit us. I have seen bigger differences while traveling in other jurisdictions then in the PHA lodges here.

The biggest difference that I noticed however, is that while Freemasons make every attempt to be "religiously generic", the PHA lodges here seem to be decidedly Calvinistic, Protestant Christian based.

While PHA brothers are mostly black, Freemasons (at least here in CA) are a little more “color blind”. I think this is a result the beginnings of PHA and probably a little, I'm ashamed to say, because of lingering bigotry in the 1800's.

The story I got, after time and old age memory has eroded the facts from my memory, is:
Back in 1775 in Boston, 13 Black men (Prince Hall included) joined a Military lodge consisting of British soldiers. (Think about it! One year before this country declared independence, Back and White men calling themselves brothers.)

During the war the British were forced to evacuate and left just the Black men in the lodge. As with all American lodges theirs lodge didn’t pay their dues to the GLE during the ware and when it was over, not being wealthy as you might imagine and like many lodges, they didn’t pay their back dues.

Eventually in 1808, I believe, the GLE pulled the charter of all American lodges that hadn’t paid up, including theirs. So they continued to operate without a charter. But in 1823, I believe again, when the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was founded they petitioned it for membership. However, when it was discovered that they still owed the GLE money the petitioned was revoked pending the settling of the debt.

Sometime in the 1830’s they gave up, and formed the PHA which grew among the black population. I couldn’t tell you if bigotry in the Freemason lodges, or just that they felt more comfortable among other blacks was the reason. I suspect it was a little of both.

In the 1920’s, (again I think), there was an attempt to merge the two but when the subject of the debt came up it failed.
Finally, sometime in the 90’s many Freemason jurisdictions in the US decided to forgive the debt and recognize PHA lodges. However, I believe 13 jurisdictions still do not.

As a result, if I want to go to a PHA lodge in another jurisdiction, I MUST first see if that jurisdiction recognizes PHA lodges. If they don’t it is forbidden for me to do so.

Like I implied; I researched this many years ago, and cannot vouch for the factuality of it, but I would suggest: “Google is your friend!” Just don’t believe EVERYTHING you read on it."

**
d. Douglas Chapel, Mason since 2010, Past Master since 2015
Answered May 26, 2016
"Freemasonry is organized entirely at the Grand Lodge level, and there are 51 regular Grand Lodges in the U.S. - one in each state and the District of Columbia. When moving from one Grand Lodge to another, it’s common to see slight variations in the ritual, such that the overall message is always constant but certain words or phrases or other particulars might vary a little bit. Prince Hall Freemasonry is also organized along similar Grand Lodge lines, going state by state in the U.S. Again, slight variations in ritual can exist among those Grand Lodges.

The consequence is that there are dozens and dozens of individual Grand Lodges just in the U.S., and most of them are “in amity” with one another and recognize each other as legitimate. In most states (excluding a few, mostly in the South), the regular Grand Lodge of that state and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of that state recognize each other. This is the case in Michigan, where I am a Mason, and I’ve visited a Michigan Prince Hall Lodge in the past. I found it to be a similar experience to visiting a regular Lodge in Ohio or Indiana, in that the ritual was generally the same but I could pick out a variety of variations. In short, when moving between a Prince Hall Lodge and a regular Lodge, the change is probably comparable to when one moves between Lodges in two different states.

Carl Weaver already gave a very accurate description of why two parallel tracks of Freemasonry developed in the U.S., but that is my experience with the situation in the 21st century"

**
e. Peter DiVergilio, Have studied much in the field of Arcane Arts
Answered May 26, 2016
"Prince Hall was originally designed as a lodge for Blacks - this is now a moot point, in my opinion, as most of them accept any Race and most "other types of Masonry" now accept Blacks. I qualify this with the word "most", because there appear to be vestiges of racism still present in the world, and, since human beings are imperfect creatures, not all Masonic Lodges may follow that precept."

**
f. Andrew Oxford, Master Mason and Past Master of a Lodge
Answered Jan 10, 2018
"There really isn’t that much difference. They confer the first three degrees just like the others. Lodges have the same general structure and arrangement, and the same organization. Historically Prince Hall Lodges have had mostly African-American members, and indeed was started by an African-American Freedman named Prince Hall. According to legend, Hall was a friend of Dr. Joseph Warren, who was going to bring him into his Lodge. Unfortunately, the revolutionary war broke out and Warren was killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Hall was then initiated by an Irish Military Lodge which left Boston when The British army pulled out. Hall sought, and was eventually granted a charter to work. This became known as African Lodge, and Hall helped organize a number of other Lodges with African-American membership. After Hall’s death, they changed the name to Prince Hall to honor him.

Prince Hall Lodges and the mainstream Lodges didn’t always enjoy amicable relationships. In fact some of the southern Grand Lodges do not recognize Prince Hall affiliation. Segregation pretty much kept Prince Hall the Masonic lodge for Blacks, and the “mainstream” stayed white. Over the last several decades though, this trend is slowing down. Many African Americans are joining the mainstream, and most State Grand Lodges recognize Prince Hall as regular Masonry. Recently even Texas has recognized Prince Hall.

As far as ritual goes, Prince Hall Lodges tend to use the emulation ritual, which bears resemblance to the Ritual practiced by Modern British Lodges."

****
This concludes Part II of this two part pancocojams series on Prince Hall Masons And Prince Hall Shriners.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a few examples of Prince Hall Affiliated (PHA) Shriners' riding. Selected comments from one of these videos' discussion threads are also included in this post.

The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all the Prince Hall Affiliated Shriners who are featured in this post. Thanks also to those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the producers of these videos on YouTube.

****
DISCLAIMER:
I have no affiliation or direct or indirect contact with any member of the A.E.A.O.N.M.S. (Shriners).

As indicated above, this information is posted for folkloric, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.

Additions and corrections to this information are very welcome.

****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
Previous versions of this post were published on pancocojams and Zumulayah, another blog I curate, in 2013. Although both those posts were edited since 2017, I've substantially revised those posts because they showcased videos of riding performance by non-Prince Hall affiliated organizations.

Although riding is considered a PHA Shriner tradition, some other members of (mostly Black) non-PHA Shriner organizations may also perform "riding" steps/dances. Those performances are done differently than PHA Shriners and, unlike the PHA Shriner tradition, sometimes those performances include women.

I apologize for any confusion that may have occurred as a result of any previous version of this post.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRINCE HALL SHRINERS
The formal name for the Prince Hall Shriners is the "Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine". (A.E.A.O.N.M.S.) This Black fraternal organization is called "Prince Hall Shriners" ("PHA") in part to distinguish them from "mainstream" Shriners who are predominately White.

Prince Hall (1735 – 1807) was an African American noted as a tireless abolitionist, for his leadership in the free black community in Boston, and as the founder of Prince Hall Masonry (in 1775). (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Hall)

The Prince Hall Shriners were founded in 1893.

"The Camel Walk" has been at least informally adopted as a signature group march of the Prince Hall Shriners. That fraternal organization's adoption of the "Camel Walk" for their processionals is likely because the camel is connected with the Shriners' (both "mainstream and PHA). As part of their Middle Eastern theme, the members of the Prince Hall Shriners are called "Nobles"& they are known for wearing tasseled fezzes. The Prince Hall Shriners' chapters are called "temples"& the terms "oasis" is used for the city and "desert" is used for the state that a specific temple (for instance, Arabia Temple #12, Black Stone Disciples, Oasis of Portsmouth Desert Of Virginia.)

The Prince Hall Shriners’ performance of the Camel Walk dance is called "riding". A version of the 1983 song "White Horse" by Jim Stahl and John Guldberg of the Danish duo Laid Back appears to be the (at least unofficial) anthem of the Prince Hall Shriners' riding. I believe that "White Horse" is used as the go-to record for the PHA Shriners' anthem for the processional strutting/dancing performance that they call "riding" because of the word "ride" in that song's lyrics and because of the song's very danceable beat and not because of the meaning of the term "white horse" (cocaine) in that record.

Click http://www.aeaonms.org/about.htm and http://www.sinai59.org/DomainHistory.htm for information about the PHA Shriners.
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwATF5dnfq4 for a sound file of the 1983 record "White Horse".

****
FEATURED VIDEOS
(These videos are presented in chronological order based on the date of their YouTube posting, with the oldest dated videos posted first.) Selected comments from a few of these videos' discussion threads are also included in this post.

Warning: The "Ride The White Horse" record that appears to be routinely used for the Shriners'"riding" custom contains the repeated word "b**tch". Although this blog usually doesn't feature any videos that contains profanity, I'm including these videos in the interest of documenting a few video examples the Prince Hall Shriners (PHA) tradition of "riding".

****
Example #1: Noble Ride Out @ Savannah State University



hotsoup1969, Published on Nov 2, 2008

Rabia 8 Nobles of The Mystic Shrine Rides it Out At Savannah State Homecoming 2008

****
Example #2: Ahmed Temple #37



Princess314, Published on Oct 10, 2010

Riding Clyde...PLEASE NOTE, if you don't like it, and don't agree, then don't watch it and take your negative comments with you.
********People didn't know how to read and/or follow directions so I removed the comment section. God Bless!************

****
Example #3: Golconda Temple No. 24 Nobles camel walking into the formal dinner dance



Uploaded by bks2295 on Mar 7, 2011

****
Example #4: NOBLES

.

MrMyPushUps, Uploaded on Mar 18, 2011

ARABIA TEMPLE#12
BLACK STONE DISCIPLES
OASIS OF PORTSMOUTH DESERT OF VA
Party At The Shriners
Deep South Shriners-PHA (A.E.A.O.N.M.S)
-snip-
Here are selected comments from this video's discussion thread:
1. rwshelby, 2009
"I see you Nasty Nobles........Ryde Owt Nasty Nobles"

**
2. NOBLEGREEN54, 2009
"Now That's how NOBLES ride!!!"

**
3. mike08832, 2009
"Ride it out NOBLES!!!! LMBO"

**
4. Golconda #24 Newark, NJ
Nawlinsfanforlife, 2011
"Nothing like Nobles making their presence felt!
Oro Temple #9 El Paso, Texas"

**
5. Bradley Warren-EL, 2011
"Ryde Clyde!!!! Looking good nobles!!! Who Ya Wit!!!1 MOOOOOOLLLLLLAAAAAHHHHHH Memphis, TN"

**
6. Edward Jones, 2011
"Get it Nobles. Greetings from the Dessert of Texas, Oasis of San Antonio"

**
7. Renoaldo Spells, 2012
"Wats up bro this is Wildhog #16 your line bro Take me to Mecca!!!!!!!!"

**
8. bigrider2806, 2012
"as an English Freemason with no knowledge relating to any of this i would be so grateful if someone would explain a little for me ."

**
REPLY
9. T James, 2012
"@bigrider2806 Its just some thing that Prince Hall Shriners do, like part of the culture in the group"

**
REPLY
10. FET Engineer
"bigrider2806 it's called "fun" and "fellowship"... enjoying themselves our way and there's nothing wrong with that. "
-snip-
I've read a few other comments that allude to the esoteric meaning of PHA Shriner riding beyond its entertainment and socializing purposes. To summarize one comment that I read on another YouTube discussion thread, PHA Shriners' riding symbolizes the three wise men (who were nobles) visiting and honoring the new born baby Jesus.

**
11. Klark Kent, 2013
"Gitty clyde up!"
-snip-
PHA Shriners's "riding" appears to also be referred to as "riding Clyde". "Gitty" is a form of the phrase "Giddy up"- a command for a horse to move forward.

**
12. Ronald Hargrove, 2015
"@SSGT Flavor Princehall is King, the noble are just riding. If it want for masonry it want be no franternities"
-snip-
I can't find the comment from SGT Flavor, but I presume from the response that that comment questioned the similarities between riding and fraternity strolling or stepping.

****
Example #5: Nobles Camel Walk



LB9139, Published on Oct 2, 2013

Kuwat Temple #7 Oasis of Grambling Desert of Louisiana

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