Negro Folk Music of Alabama, Vol. 6: Ring Game Songs and Others

American folklorist Harold Courlander compiled this series (Negro Folk Music of Alabama) from recordings he made in rural Alabama in 1950. The album is an attempt to counter the stereotypes of black music that were popular in America during the middle of the 20th century. This sixth volume begins with ring and line games which were recorded at various rural Alabama schools. Ring games are played with children standing in a circle, often holding hands; the leader stands outside the circle performing some action. To get the idea, imagine “Duck, Duck, Goose.” (The identical ring game recordings are found on FW07004.) They are followed by miscellaneous children's songs, work songs, blues, hymns, and relatively modern gospel songs.

Liner notes written by Harold Courlander include directions on how to play various ring games.

Track Listing

101	Mary Mack Children of Lilly's Chapel School, York, Alabama	02:00
102	Bob a Needle Children of Lilly's Chapel School, York, Alabama	00:54
103	Watch That Lady Children of Lilly's Chapel School, York, Alabama	01:20
104	Old Lady Sally Wants to Jump Children of Lilly's Chapel School, York, Alabama	00:51
105	Loop de Loop Children of Lilly's Chapel School, York, Alabama	01:47
106	Green Green Rocky Road Children of Lilly's Chapel School, York, Alabama	01:29
107	Rosie Darling Rosie Children of Brown's Chapel School, Livingston, Alabama	01:37
108	I Must See Children of Brown's Chapel School, Livingston, Alabama	01:37
109	Bluebird Bluebird Children of Pilgrim Church School, Livingston, Alabama	01:13
110	May Go 'Round the Needle Children of East York School, East York, Alabama	02:35
111	Stooping on the Window Children of East York School, East York, Alabama	01:10
112	Charlie Over the Ocean Children of East York School, East York, Alabama	00:55
201	Session with Celina Lewis, (a) Catch That Squirrel, (b) Sangar ee, (c) Whoa Mule, Can't Get the Saddle On ... Celina Lewis	05:14
202	Water on the Wheel Annie Grace Horn Dodson	00:48
203	Go Pray Ye Annie Grace Horn Dodson	02:37
204	Captain Holler Hurry Willie Turner	01:27
205	John Henry Willie Turner	02:16
206	Going to Have a Talk with the Chief of Police Peelee Hatchee (Emanuel Jones)	01:48
207	Meet Me in the Bottoms Davie Lee	01:36
208	When the Role Is Called in Heaven Joe Brown, Harrison Ross, and Willie John Strong	02:40
209	I Moaned and I Moaned Joe Brown, Harrison Ross, and Willie John Strong	01:21
210	I'm Standing in a Safety Zone Rosie N. Winston	02:53