I'm familiar with the Gullah origins of "Kumbaya," and I've seen the video. I can't remember where, though, and it's driving me crazy! In any event, I just listened to the early recording of "Come by Here," and it's very clear that they're saying "Come by Here." I remember "Kumbaya" from my church camp days as a kid. I don't think compassion for the suffering of others warrants mockery.
Thank you Kate for having gifted us with such a rich history. I was mesmerised when I listen in Germany to something that had been recorded on Wax in the United States in 1927. And I felt an odd recognition. I cannot place it, yet I think is had similarities to chants I a listened to while visiting Africa, even if those where usually performed for tourists. The African heritage is unmistakable.
How fascinating that this music, or chant, or rhythm resonated deeply with something not necessarily at the conscious level. It feels extraordinary for all these elements of past and present to connect across continents! How far back did this music go before it arrived here, then happened by the smallest sliver of a chance to be recorded on a fragile medium a century ago, through more unknown iterations to come to us, separated by an ocean and by nothing at all? Thank you for comment, Jay!
Kate, yes, exactly what you refer to sparked my curiosity and fascination. Centuries, maybe even a whole millennium of history in 3 Minutes of preserved gospel. It is truly fascinating how far back influences reach we still carry as beliefs and knowledge today.
Wild Lion*esses Pride by Jay: Thank you so very much for the thought that thrills the heart: "even a whole Millenium of history in 3 minutes of preserved Gospel."
Kate Morgan Reade: This is one of the most beautiful columns ever, with links to invaluable parts of our Country's heritage, that the Library of Congress ensures will stay alive.
We need some new Lorenzo Dow Turners to engage in preserving, even propagating the Gullah culture.
What a breathtaking survey! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you!
Thank you for your very kind words, my friend! The journey through history and discovery of little-known connections of our shared national story were fascinating and humbling. We are a richly diverse fabric of humanity, and far stronger than a temporary surge of hateful insanity. We will overcome this egregiously shameful period. We will overturn, override, and overcome!
"We are a richly diverse fabric of humanity, and far stronger than a temporary surge of hateful insanity. We will overcome this egregiously shameful period. We will overturn, override, and overcome!"
I'm familiar with the Gullah origins of "Kumbaya," and I've seen the video. I can't remember where, though, and it's driving me crazy! In any event, I just listened to the early recording of "Come by Here," and it's very clear that they're saying "Come by Here." I remember "Kumbaya" from my church camp days as a kid. I don't think compassion for the suffering of others warrants mockery.
Thank you Kate for having gifted us with such a rich history. I was mesmerised when I listen in Germany to something that had been recorded on Wax in the United States in 1927. And I felt an odd recognition. I cannot place it, yet I think is had similarities to chants I a listened to while visiting Africa, even if those where usually performed for tourists. The African heritage is unmistakable.
How fascinating that this music, or chant, or rhythm resonated deeply with something not necessarily at the conscious level. It feels extraordinary for all these elements of past and present to connect across continents! How far back did this music go before it arrived here, then happened by the smallest sliver of a chance to be recorded on a fragile medium a century ago, through more unknown iterations to come to us, separated by an ocean and by nothing at all? Thank you for comment, Jay!
Kate, yes, exactly what you refer to sparked my curiosity and fascination. Centuries, maybe even a whole millennium of history in 3 Minutes of preserved gospel. It is truly fascinating how far back influences reach we still carry as beliefs and knowledge today.
What an eloquent description!
Wild Lion*esses Pride by Jay: Thank you so very much for the thought that thrills the heart: "even a whole Millenium of history in 3 minutes of preserved Gospel."
Kate Morgan Reade: This is one of the most beautiful columns ever, with links to invaluable parts of our Country's heritage, that the Library of Congress ensures will stay alive.
We need some new Lorenzo Dow Turners to engage in preserving, even propagating the Gullah culture.
What a breathtaking survey! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you!
Thank you for your very kind words, my friend! The journey through history and discovery of little-known connections of our shared national story were fascinating and humbling. We are a richly diverse fabric of humanity, and far stronger than a temporary surge of hateful insanity. We will overcome this egregiously shameful period. We will overturn, override, and overcome!
Kate Morgan Reade: An enthusiastic Second to:
"We are a richly diverse fabric of humanity, and far stronger than a temporary surge of hateful insanity. We will overcome this egregiously shameful period. We will overturn, override, and overcome!"
Extraordinary. Thanks, Kate!
Well done. Thank you