"Chain Hang Low" check out the real meaning of the Lyrics!
Recently there is a new artist out of Saint Louis that goes by the name JIBBS. Jibbs debut single "Chain hang low" has a history that most people are not aware of. The particular nursery rhyme that the song mimics is "Ears Hang Low" The history behind this song is that during the civil war Confederate soldiers would remove certain body parts (primarily ears and testicles) from the deceased corpses of freed slaves who were fighting as Northern (Yankee) soldiers after their battles. These "trinkets" were then placed on a rope necklace and worn as a trophy piece. As the lyrics to the nursery rhyme state "do your ears hang low, do they wobble to and fro... etc" "Can you throw them over your shoulder like a (Continental) soldier". This word (Continental) took this nursery rhyme from racist jargon to playful melody. The word that filled this space was (Confederate) as in Confederate soldier. Other nursery rhymes have done the same i.e. Eenie, Meenie, Minee, Moe catch a Ni**er by his toe. Not Tiger. My question to young people black and white is that "Does knowing the history of the nursery rhyme change your opinion of the New single by Jibbs. " Personally knowing this myself I can't stand to hear the song. It seems to advertise our ignorance as a people. I wrote this note to inform people of this. Knowledge is power and Ignorance IS NOT BLISS; it’s SUICIDE. If you don't know, you can't change. So black, white, indifferent tell me how you feel about this now that you've attained knowledge
This is wild girl- I try to dilaogue with my son about the contents of these songs. He was shocked as I read this to him a few moments ago. Often I discusss the songs and the negative connotations; in fifth grade they are studying this war but you know that will never come out. AS you mentioned, it pays to become educated and it's nice to know that I am not the only one trying to get hot but until we band to gether to combat this nonsense as an educated people we will perish- I am just coming from a Sigma Gamma Rho banquet and the Past International Bassalieu just mentioned when you are swimming with thte sharks there are several things that you must do- Never let them see you bleed, punch them in the nose, get out of the water and some other key point s to include that we must guard ourselves with knowledge and escape the fear of ourselves by commiting to saving our people- young and old. i'm going to forward this info to others to dialogue with and hopefuly press onward to stomping out ignorance. Suicide is not my forte and neither is fratracide. Love ya.