I'd like very much to know the title and lyrics to the first song that was sung by the slaves when they were "serenading" Julie and her guests. Also the origins of it. I was so taken with the exquisite harmony. Much appreciated.
shareIt's been quite some time since you posted, so I don't know if this will ever get back to you. I was interested in the representation of slave music in this film as well, so I did a little research. Actually, it wasn't too hard. The soundtrack listings here on imdb were pretty informative. Based on samples I've listened to, the song the slaves sing at Halcyon as Julie awaits the guests seems to be a rendition of "My Pretty Quadroon." The song the slaves sing as they approach the verandah to join Julie in the singalong is a little unclear, but I suspect it may be a version of a song listed as "Oh, Shoo My Love." Of course, the song sung by Bette Davis and slaves in the singalong is "Raise a Ruckus," a popular folk song. You can find samples of some of the music using online radio and youtube. "Oh, Shoo My Love" is harder to track down than the other two, but you can find the lyrics in some scholarly papers available on the web about Negro spirituals and slave rhymes. I can't find a reliable source for the tune, and the lyrics are hard to make out in that scene. I haven't yet found the origins of any of the songs, but I imagine they are American folk songs dating back to the Nineteenth Century...probably of largely unknown origin.
shareMy Pretty Quadroon" played in the background before they assembled.
When they started gathering they sang 2 songs.
'Susie Girl' Author: Thomas W. Talley
Ring 'round, Miss Susie gal,
Ring 'round, "My Dovie." (instead of dovie they sang darlin')
Ring 'round, Miss Susie gal.
Bless you! "My Lovie."
Back 'way, Miss Susie gal.
Back 'way, "My Money."
Now come back, Miss Susie gal.
Dat's right! "My Honey."
Swing me, Miss Susie gal.
Swing me, "My Starlin'."
Jes swing me, my Susie gal.
Yes "Love!" "My Darlin'."
'Raise a Ruckus Tonight'
------------------------
Come along, children come along
While the moon is shinin' bright
Get on board, down the river flow
We're gonna raise a ruckus tonight
Ain't no need to be workin' so hard
(Praise the Lord)
I got a gal in my backyard (praise)
(Praise the Lord)
When she killin' chicken
She save me the head
(Praise the Lord)
Worked so much
I been lyin' in the bed (yeah, yeah)
(Praise the Lord)
Oh, come along
Oh children come along
While the moon is shinin' bright
Get on board, down that river flows
We're gonna raise a ruckus tonight
(We're gonna raise a ruckus tonight)
When she killed a chicken
Saved me the piece
(Praise the Lord)
Worked so much
You better throw another piece (yeah, yeah)
(Praise the Lord)
Ain't no need a-me gettin' the blues (praise)
(Praise the Lord)
You swing Sally an I'll swing Sue
(yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
(Praise the Lord)
Ooh, come along
Lord, children come along
While the moon is shinin' bright
Get on board, down the river flow
We're gonna raise a ruckus
(We're gonna raise a ruckus tonight)
~
"MOJO2014"
Thank you, mojo2014, for your post. Now got to watch the movie all over again to get a hang of the lyrics, lol.
share"Susie Gal"!!!
Thanks. I've been trying to find that song for years.
It was Push, Push, in the Bush, later made popular by a disco version in the '70s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PmX1xcCjfM
Camptown ladies sing a song
Doo dah Doo dah
Camptown race track's five miles long
oh the doo dah day
Come down here with my hat caved in
Doo dah doo dah
Come back home with a pocket full of tin
Oh the doo dah day
Goin' to run all night
Goin' to run all day
I'll bet my money on the bobtail nag
Somebody bet on the bay
My vote history: http://us.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=9354248