240. Strange Things Wuz Happening

 

240
Strange Things Wuz Happening

From Will ("Shorty") Love, Negro janitor of Trinity College and
Duke University, c. 1920-22. Holograph copy from Dr. Brown, with
typescript and with music.

Chorus.

Well, they'z strange things wuz happening in the land,
Strange things wuz uh happening in the land.
The war wuz going on, caused many hearts to moan,
Strange things wuz happening in the land.

1 But Uncle Sam with Germany tried to live in peace.
Kept blowin' up his vessels, did not 'tempt to cease.

The boys they treat us mean, we don't 'guize our sub-
marines,
We don't 'guize our submarines.
They wuz strange things wuz happening in the land.

2 Boys, uh be loyal to your country, stand up and be a man.
Fight everywhere they put you, on earth or in the air.
They wuz strange things wuz happening in the land.
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240

Strange Things Wuz Happening

'Strange Things Wuz (uh) Happening.' Sung by Will Love. Recorded at
Durham between 1920 and 1922.

 

 

Scale: Hexatonic (4), plagal. Tonal center: f. Structure: abcaicic^c^a^
(2,2,2,2,2,2,2,2^