Afro American songs
All
around the kitchen
Here
we go zudio
Hop
old squirrel
Little Sally Walker
Mister Rabbit
Oh,
watch the stars
Wake
me! Shake me!
You gotta sing
Last updated: 14/02/2016 15:00
The songs below are part of ‘Away we
go’ Round and about compiled, adapted, translated
and illustrated by Dany Rosevear
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songs click on O
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author sing a song click on the title at:
© Dany Rosevear 2008 All rights reserved
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All around the kitchen O In days gone by children playing outside
the kitchen would make up verses and actions to this song in the hope of a
freshly-baked reward for their entertaining performance. This African-American play
song from Alabama can be quite lively when sung fast with no stopping between
each action. Catch an exuberant Dan Zanes singing a rollicking version of this song at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKSnyS-vmkg and another on Schooltube at: http://www.schooltube.com/video/bbc5ec3520534cd39a9b/All-Around-the-Kitchen Play this game in a circle
with a leader in the middle or just spread around the room. Children move
rhythmically to the music and the words will suggest actions to be made.
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Here we go zudio O This singing game comes from
the Afro-American playground tradition. Pairs can be placed to make
a straight alley or by forming a double circle. In the version below couples
begin spread about the room, face each other with crossed hands A similar version can be
found at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFWfB8-9Uz8&feature=related.
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Hop, old squirrel O Sing the first verse
moderately fast to follow the movement of a squirrel jumping from tree to
tree. Change the tempo to reflect the pace of other creatures in subsequent
verses. Let children make up their own verses to these songs with different
animals and actions, silly and sensible; ‘hop old elephant’. Mix adjectives;
‘hop grey squirrel’ Watch at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb2GHnUCJfI
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Little Sally Walker O Learn the compass positions
of East and West. Include North and South or change the words to right and
left for further challenge. Watch a historical video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJVnuQEhfCU one for the youngest at: http://www.cyloong.com/Multicultural/AfricanAmerican.html and a modern version at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ktfm3WjpqhQ&feature=related The game below is for
individual participants but can also be played in a circle with one child
squatting in the centre. All act out the words to the song. On the last line the child
in the centre creates an action for their chosen child to copy. That one then
becomes the new Sally or Sammy Walker and the game continues.
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Mister Rabbit O Rabbits regularly turn up in
African-American folk song. Fleet-footed and wily, they were regarded by
slaves with respect for the qualities needed for survival and escape. Mister Rabbit, a traditional
call and response song, might simply be about a quick witted, fast talking
rabbit, in the Brer Rabbit mould, caught in the farmer’s vegetable garden. It
could, more pertinently, be about accepting people for what they are. Rabbits
like people come in all shapes and sizes. Listen to Pete Seeger singing this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb1W3Da0JR0&feature=related Rabbit stands in the middle
of the circle miming eating lettuce. The farmer, owner of the field, walks
around the outside hand to his eyes on the lookout for rabbits.
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Oh, watch the stars O Calm down after a lively
session of singing games with this quiet gentle African American spiritual
from South Carolina. Listen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0k9mZUAHx8&feature=related and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6rARcux-Hg Children sit in a circle
with hands on their laps.
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Wake me! Shake me! O Adapted from an African American spiritual. Try stamping instead of
clapping but more importantly note it‘s a dance that swings. Watch different moves in a
rather sedate teacher training video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxR7hRSizRw Make a square in groups of
four with partners side by side.
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You gotta sing O This rhythmically happy song
is adapted from the African American spiritual tradition and has been sung in
black churches for many years. Listen to Raffi at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1jhz50lW8I&feature=related Make movements suggested by
the words and add more: wiggle like a worm etc.
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