Smithsonian Folkways FW-03845-CCD Music of the Bahamas- Vol. 2- Anthems- Work Songs and Ballads

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings is the nonprofit record label of the Smithsonian Institution, the national museum of the United States. We are dedicated to supporting cultural diversity and increased understanding among peoples through the documentation, preservation, and dissemination of sound. We believe that musical and cultural diversity contributes to the vitality and quality of life throughout the world. Through the dissemination of audio recordings and educational materials we seek to strengthen people's engagement with their own cultural heritage and to enhance their awareness and appreciation of the cultural heritage of others.

When reading Samuel Charters’ saga of his search for Frederick McQueen, one gets the sense that he is chasing a ghost on the Bahamas’ largest island of Andros - coincidentally known for its mysticism and unearthly objects. What Charters discovers, however, is one of the country’s greatest ballad singers and in the process recorded several examples of the dying art of Bahamian three-part contrapuntal singing, as on “Pytoria (Run, Come See Jerusalem)” or “A Great Day is Coming”.

Year of Recording 1959.

Record Label Folkways Records.

Source Archive Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.

Credits Produced by Samuel Barclay Charters ; Recorded by Samuel Barclay Charters ; Design by Ronald Clyne ; Cover photo by A.R. Banberg.

101 Dig My Grave Both Long and Narrow John Roberts, H. Brown, and Charles Wallace 1:37.

102 Depend on Me John Roberts, H. Brown, and Charles Wallace 1:57.

103 Take Your Burden To the Lord and Leave It There John Roberts, H. Brown, and Charles Wallace 3:43.

104 Service at St. Stephens Anglican Church St. Stephens Anglican Church (Bahamas) 3:02.

105 A Wake Residents of the settlement of Fresh Creek, Andros 3:19.

106 Jesus Will Be Your Friend Frederick McQueen 2:29.

107 A Great Day is Coming Frederick McQueen 4:08.

201 Long Summer Days Frederick McQueen 1:56.

202 Young Gal, Swing Your Tail John Roberts 2:26.

203 Pytoria (Run, Come See Jerusalem) John Roberts, H. Brown, and Charles Wallace 4:52.

204 Curry Camp Burned Down Frederick McQueen 3:14.

205 Cecil Gone in the Time of Storm Frederick McQueen 5:21.