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A Life of Song

Ella Jenkins
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

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