John's Island, South Carolina: Its People and Songs

In the spring of 1970, ethnomusicologist Henrietta Yurchenco took her American Folk Music class to John’s Island, South Carolina. Recorded on location, this album of compelling spirituals, blues, and energetic singing games is not only a musical document but a social one, as the students learned about local life. Of special interest was the vital role the church played in the community; during the Civil Rights Movement, it met spiritual needs and also provided a center for social action.

The liner notes include lyrics, directions for children’s game songs, as well as highlights of a roundtable discussion held during Yurchenco’s stay on the island.

EN ESPAÑOL

En la primavera de 1970, la etnomusicóloga Henrietta Yurchenco tomó su clase de música del folclor estadounidense en la isla de Juan, en Carolina del Sur. Grabado en el lugar, este álbum de juegos de canto energéticos, de blues y persuasiva espiritualidad, no sólo es un documento musical sino social, ya que los estudiantes aprendieron sobre la vida local. De especial interés fue el papel vital que jugó la iglesia en la comunidad durante el movimiento de derechos civiles, pues satisfació las necesidades espirituales y también proporcionó un centro de acción social.

Las notas incluyen letras de canciones, instrucciones de juegos de las canciones infantiles, así como los aspectos más destacados de una mesa redonda de discusión celebrada durante la estancia de Yurchenco en la isla.

Track Listing

101	Old Lady Come from Booster	John's Island children	00:45
102	Cheerio	John's Island children	01:41
103	Mama Lama	John's Island children	01:02
104	Who Are the Greatest?	John's Island children	00:58
105	Dr. Knickerbocker / Tic-Tac	John's Island children	02:18
106	Mr. Postman Died	John's Island children	00:31
107	Miss Mary Mack / I Want to Go to Mexico	John's Island children	01:15
108	Shake It If You Can	John's Island children	00:57
109	Have You Ever Been Mistreated	Joe Hunter	03:55
110	That's All Right	Mable Hillery, John Hunter	01:58
111	Motherless Child	Joe Hunter, John Hunter, Janey Hunter	05:45
201	He Rose from the Dead	Wesley Methodist Church, John's Island, S.C.	03:33
202	Easter Morning Sermon	Willis Goodwin	08:50
203	Jesus Knows All About My Troubles	Wesley Methodist Church, John's Island, S.C.	09:02
204	Give Me That Old Time Religion	Wesley Methodist Church, John's Island, S.C.	02:25