A Life of Song

In A Life of Song, Ella Jenkins, “The First Lady of Children’s Music,” offers stories and songs that speak to her youthful years as an African American child in a multi-cultural world. Her career of more than a half century earned her the first Lifetime Achievement Grammy award for a children’s music artist, and her more than thirty recordings teach us to learn from one another while taking pride in our own heritage. This African American Legacy recording of Ella singing with children from the Cool Classics after-school program spotlights her own heritage while showing her delight for the traditions of others. 36 minutes, lyrics, photos, 28-page booklet. This recording is the sixth release in the Smithsonian Folkways African American Legacy Series, co-presented with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Track Listing

101	Pick a Bale of Cotton Ella Jenkins	04:18
102	One Two Three O’Leary Ella Jenkins	01:15
103	Calling a Square Dance Ella Jenkins	00:40
104	Black Royalty Ella Jenkins	01:45
105	Little Sally Walker Ella Jenkins	01:13
106	Cotton-Eyed Joe Ella Jenkins	01:19
107	I Want to Be Ready Ella Jenkins	01:37
108	He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands Ella Jenkins	01:47
109	Swing Low, Sweet Chariot Ella Jenkins	01:36
110	Rock My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham Ella Jenkins	01:15
111	Standing in the Need of Prayer Ella Jenkins	01:06
112	Amazing Grace Ella Jenkins	03:23
113	Somebody’s Talking about Freedom Ella Jenkins	01:49
114	Sadie Complete Ella Jenkins	02:14
115	Uncle Flood and the Blues Ella Jenkins	02:07
116	Milk Cow Blues Ella Jenkins	00:45
117	Summertime Ella Jenkins	02:20
118	The Cuckoo Ella Jenkins	02:04
119	The Farmer in the Dell Ella Jenkins	01:17
120	This is Your Year, Children Ella Jenkins	00:59
121	I’m On My Way to Canaan Land Ella Jenkins	01:35