Coahoma

“Brother” is rendered “brer” on AFS card. Followed by brief discussion of learning and playing the song. Ms. Smith announces that she’s from Hillhouse, Mississippi. (Unclear whether she announces her middle name as “Ford” or “Forrest.”)

“Brother” is rendered “brer” on AFS card. Followed by brief discussion of learning and playing the song. Mrs. Davis announces that she’s from Hillhouse, Mississippi. “Brother” is rendered “brer” on AFS card; standard spelling used here as not all the singers of these separate versions pronounce it “brer.”

“Brother” is rendered “brer” on AFS card.

“Brother” is rendered “brer” on AFS card. Followed by discussion of learning the song in public school in Coahoma, where she is from, and several short blank bands.

A variant of the Hokey Pokey. Followed by discussion of learning and playing the song. Miss Hughes was from Jonestown, Miss.

Followed by singers’ introductions and discussion of where they learned the song.

Followed by explanation of game and discussion of learning/teaching it.

Followed by explanation of game and discussion of learning/teaching it.

Zora Neale Hurston sang a very similar variant, “There Stands A Bluebird,” for Lomax in Haiti in late 1936.

See 6657A2 for “Who-Li-Can,” a variant performed by an older generation.

Following the performance Florence identifies herself as 11 years old and living on the “King and Anderson place”; Mabel Lou is 12; her stated residence is indecipherable.

Followed by a girl named Louise Hicks introducing herself before singing a version that wasn’t recorded.

Queen Esther announces that she’s 13 and from Mr. Boland’s [?] place near Clarksdale. Her last name is indistinct, and could be “Harris” (suggested by Chris Smith and census research) or “Ivey.” She explains how the game is played.

Followed by explanation of the game.

Followed by explanation of the game.

A mixed group responds. (This group likely is that which appears in the film footage.)

A mixed group responds. (This group likely is that which appears in the film footage. Includes Mrs. E.M. Davis.)

A mixed group responds. (This group likely is that which appears in the film footage.)

“Y” as in YWCA. (This group likely is that which appears in the film footage.)

Bobbie Mae says she’s eight and that she learned the song from her teacher. Lomax asks what her favorite song is; she replies “Shortenin’ Bread?” AFS card misidentifies singer as Bill J. Lewis [sic], confusing Billie J. Levi on 6656B7.

Rembert announces that she’s 11 and from King and Anderson Plantation.

Queen Esther announces that she’s 13 and from Mr. Boland’s [?] place near Clarksdale. Her last name is indistinct, and could be “Harris” (suggested by Chris Smith and census research) or “Ivey.” She explains how the game is played.

Queen Esther announces that she’s 13 and from Mr. Boland’s [?] place near Clarksdale. Her last name is indistinct, and could be “Harris” (suggested by Chris Smith and census research) or “Ivey.” She explains how the game is played.

Ora B. announces that she’s 14 and from King and Anderson Plantation.

Virginia Lee announces that she’s 13 and from King and Anderson Plantation.

Louise announces that she’s 13 and from “Mr. Peacock’s place.”

Billie J. announces that she’s 9 and from King and Anderson Plantation.

Lee announces that she’s 11 and from Clarksdale.

A mixed group responds. (This group likely is that which appears in the film footage. Includes Mrs. E.M. Davis.)

See 6655B6 for “Who De Cat,” a variant performed by younger generation.

Followed by explanation of game, which Ms. Harris recalls learning at the Gregory School near Lyon, Miss.

(Unclear whether she announces her middle name as “Ford” or “Forrest.”)

Followed by explanation of the game and her learning it about 25 years earlier at the Gregory School near Lyon, Miss., where the children who played it were between 10 and 16.

Identified as “teacher and group [sic]” on AFS card.

Followed by explanation of the game and appropriate ages for playing it.

Ms. Shelby says she lives in Friars Point, and learned this song 25 years earlier. She then explains the game.

Followed by explanation of game, which Ms. Harris recalls learning at the Gregory School near Lyon, Miss.

Followed by explanation of game, which Ms. Harris has known for 30 years.

Identified on AFS Card as “Chicken-Ma-Craney-Crow.” Followed by explanation of game.

Followed by discussion of learning the game and some inaudible chatter.

Identified on AFS Card as “Chicken-Ma-Craney-Crow.” Followed by explanation of game.

Identified on AFS card as “four girls.”

Identified on AFS card as “four girls,” although this band consists of two women taking turns singing.

Preceded by discussion of where she learned the song.

Followed by brief discussion of the song, which the singer (26 years old) learned from her sister Annie Mae Morris.

Preceded by announcement of where she learned the game and how it’s played.

Preceded by announcement of where she learned the game (16-17 years earlier at Hill House, Miss.).

Preceded by announcement of where she learned the game (Hill House, Miss., at the Rosewood School).

Preceded by announcement that Ms. Peterson learned the song at the Rural School in her home of Falcon, Quitman Co., Mississippi.

Preceded by introduction of her learning the song at “the old Negro school” east of Lyons, Miss. Identified on AFS card as “Tip A Gho” [sic].

Identified on AFS card as “Tip A Gho” [sic].

Preceded by introduction of her learning the song at a school at Alligator, Miss.

Ms. Teague announces that she learned this song in junior high school in Davenport, Miss.

Ms. Harris announces that she learned the song at “the rural school out of Lyon, Miss.”

Band is marred by severe pops.

Ms. Rogers announces that she learned the song at Country School in Richmond, Miss. She was superintendent of the Coahoma County Colored Schools.

Band is marred by severe pops and skips.

Followed by Lomax interview about Forrest Jones’ levee camp in Arkansas.

“Johnny”‘s is otherwise unidentified.

Casey gives his age as 26, and recalling where and from whom he learned the song from (a quartet teacher named Joe Fass in Lula.) Lomax stops tape abruptly upon learning that the song was from a book. Primary title is that on AFS card.

Corrected to -0.80 / 95.45%