Little Johnny Brown
Here's a song from the Gullah, an African-American group from the southeast US, especially the islands off of South Carolina and Georgia.
According to PBS, the blanket in the song represents spreading out your life for all to see and look at whether or not you're being honest. It also represents the potential for a home and security. So it's also a courtship song for the girl to see how the boy's life is... is he careful with the blanket. Then for the boy to see how the girl is acting... Does she mirror his motions? Is she playful as a buzzard? What type of person are they?
Little Johnny Brown
Circle Game
1. Little Johnny Brown,
Lay your comfort* down,
Little Johnny Brown,
Lay your comfort down.
2. Fold one corner, Johnny Brown,
Fold another corner, Johnny Brown
Fold another corner, Johnny Brown
Fold another corner, Johnny Brown.
3. Give it to your friend**, Johnny Brown,
Give it to your friend, Johnny Brown
Give it to your friend, Johnny Brown
Give it to your friend, Johnny Brown.
4. Show her your motions, Johnny Brown,
Show her your motions, Johnny Brown
Show her your motions, Johnny Brown
Show her your motions, Johnny Brown.
5. Lope*** like a buzzard, Johnny Brown,
Lope like a buzzard, Johnny Brown
Lope like a buzzard, Johnny Brown
Lope like a buzzard, Johnny Brown.
Notes
*Blanket
**"Friend" or "love" or "lover".
***Make long bounding strides.
Game Instructions
Everyone stands in a circle (or they can walk around in a circle). One person goes first and does the following on each verse:
1. Lay down a small blanket in the middle of the circle.
2. Fold each corner of the blanket on each line.
3. The person who folded the blanket should give it to someone standing in the circle.
4. The 1st person shows their motions (i.e. dances) and the one who was given the cloth should imitate that person.
5. Everyone flaps their arms up and down while taking long strides while going around in a circle.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks!
