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tubman.

by avery r. young

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    CD comes in trifold digipak with exclusive photos, and a 16-page booklet with full lyrics and liner notes.

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1.
sit down job 04:00
verse : gonna get me a sit down job | corner office | middle of loop | cause i cant be on my feet too long | so my brain i gotta put my weight on | my brain i gotta put my weight on | gonna keep myself right wif god | & stop feastin off (devil)fruit | fin(d) me a chutch to be in on Sunday mornin | & not shame de house i come from | & not shame de house i come from chorus: mudda mary | do u see me down herr | tryin my bes(t) | to eat off deez poem(s) alone | hopin one day | me bein myself will make u proud to say | chile| carry on | i’ll see u in a minute | verse 2: gonna fin(d) me a great big choir | sing de song(s) of de ol(d) landmark | keep on clean drawz in case someone mus(t) identify me | dont wanna shame de house i come from | dont wanna shame de house i come from | gonna move up a lil bit high(r) | grow my own grocery(s) in my own backyard | tomatoes | onion(s) | green(s) jus(t) like u use(d) to | dat way i’ll never grow hungry | dat way i’ll never grow hungry | chorus: mudda mary | do u see me down herr | tryin my bes(t) | t o eat off deez poem(s) alone | hopin one day | me bein myself will make u proud to say | chile| carry on | i’ll see u in a minute | vamp: so glad i aint gotta wonder | how i got over …
2.
dem jello mello(s): oooo oooo oooo vrs 1: now whenever u see me dancin | jus(t) know dem doctor(s) said i’d never walk | dey said ms. booker we think we need to amputate | her said not befo me & my god talk | hook: cause mama know him a wheel | in de middle | mama know him a wheel in de middle | mama know him a wheel—yall | in de middle | aye … middle of a wheel | bridge: mama call him her heavenly father | mama call him de king of king(s) | mama know him de balm in gilead | & dat balm be de prince of peace | vrs 2: mama know aint a burden too heavy | & aint no secret in what him can do | mama practice dat ol(d) blk girl magic | mama know her can get a prayer thru | hook: mama know him a wheel | in de middle | mama know him a wheel in de middle | mama know him a wheel | in de middle | middle of a wheel | special part: (right now … i want summa dat) good food | & a glass of red kool-aid | gimme summa dat good food | & a glass | i want summa dat good food | & a glass of red kool-aid | gimme summa dat good food | & a glass | special-special: & a glass of red kool-aid | & a glass of red kool-aid | & a glass of red kool-aid | yay ...
3.
com(b) 03:15
vrs 1: las(t) night | poe-poe pull(d) me over | ponder(d) las(t) time | i tol(d) mama i luv(d) her | i cry(d) o lawd | dont let my coolin board be dis street | but i made it home | & derr u were sleepin | got outta clothes | join(d) u underneef sheet(s) & | i thank(d) de lawd | den nighty-night kiss(d) u on yo cheek | chorus: de fac(t) dat i can come home | & use yo com(b) | de fac(t) dat i can come home | & use yo com(b) | i can use yo com(b) | & it make(s) me luv u mo(re) | vrs 2: at some swank affair | after de set was over | one wif flaxen hair | tap(d) me on my shoulder | cryin oh my god | my son hair curl(s) de same way | o her husban(d) be blk | i said dat(s) cool | den turn(t) & walk(d) away | nothin lef(t) to do | nothin lef(t) to say | now i’m prayin o lawd | keep de sun from her blk husban(d) safe | i’m trustin him’ll do jus(t) dat | chorus: de fac(t) dat i can come home | & use yo com(b) | de fac(t) dat i can come home | & use yo com(b) | i can use yo com(b) | & it make(s) me luv u mo(re) | bridge: yes it does | it make(s) me luv u mo(re) … make(s) me luv u mo(re) | make(s) me wanna clap my hand(s) yall | make(s) me luv u mo(re) … make(s) me luv u mo(re) | make(s) me wanna stump my feet … now | make(s) me luv u mo(re) … make(s) me luv u mo(re) | summa yall aint understandin | make(s) me luv u mo(re) … make(s) me luv u mo(re) | chorus: de fac(t) dat i can come home | & use yo com(b) | de fac(t) dat i can come home | & use yo com(b) | i can use yo com(b) | & it make(s) me luv u mo(re) | refrain: [adlib] i can use yo com(b) ...
4.
lil lillie 03:54
vrs1: hey lil lillie | some kinfolk dont need to be slow | mama mary gone off to work | now her house an unsafe space | hey lil lillie | yo kinfolk watch(d) yo babydaddy(s) come & go | yo babydaddy(s) too shame &/or criminal to stay | hey lil lillie | dont think i’ve been an efficient shield | so may dis song service u as sword | hey lil lillie | u know nobody wont do u like jee-sus | u know nobody gonna do u like de lawd | chorus: & to say (& to say) | its complicate(id) | is such … (oooo) | an understatement | & to say (& to say) | its complicate(id) | is such … (oooo) | an understatement | vrs 2: sorry lil lillie | u know i dont like to use de word slow | & anybody who does | has gotta problem wif me | forgive’em lil lillie | babydaddy(s) do what babydaddy(s) know | but had him not what him did | tell me where wud i be | chorus: & to say (& to say) | its complicate(id) | is such … (oooo) | an understatement | to say (& to say) | its complicate(id) | is such … (oooo) | an understatement | bridge [de gangangang scat] refrain its so complicated …
5.
neckbone 00:37
call: dat neckbone … | dat neckbone … response: dem n’em | dey snatchin people up call: dat neckbone … | dat neckbone … response: wif rope | dey snatchin people up …
6.
maasai 03:05
vrs. 1: jojo look(s) out of him window | see(s) de maasai in sunshine | take(s) a step bac(k) & a deep bref | now him clothe(d) in him right min(d) | movie(s) & t.v. show(s) been lyin | aint nan tarzan swingin from tree(s) | nobody talk no hooga-booga ... | in de lan(d) of king(s) & queen(s) | king(s) | & queen(s) | break: [maasai chant in de language of maa along wif a REAL african continent & tribe lesson #noshade] bridge: [horn(s) & string(s) comin thru like a holy ban(d) of maasai warror(s) bustin up cuzzin pete n’em bbq blk!] | vrs. 2: somethin inside of jojo rumble(s) | so glad de lawd done put him in de company | of him great(iss) gol(d) inside of sunlight | & not one nigga | as far as him eye(s) can see |refrain: ... no not one | as far as him eye(s) can see … | no not one | cause god didnt make any … & bac(k wif de) to de bridge: [still wif de #sousefunk shenanigan(s) of de horn, de string(s) & dr. rev. deac. a. r-rah co-signin himself blk!] no ….. not one!
7.
go’head mary & weep go’head mary & weep go- head & weep
8.
vrs 1: lead in de wattah | lead in de wattah … chirrun | derr(s) lead in de wattah | charlie playin god wif wattah | vrs 2: & …. & dey knew it | dey knew | what it would do to de chirrun | & dey …. yes dey knew it | (charlie playin) god wif wattah | my lawd | vrs 3: o dey … dey did nothin | & dey | dey did nothin | chirrun | naw dey | dey did nothin | jus(t) kep(t) playin god (charlie playin god) wif wattah | vrs 4: now dey say | dey gonna fix it | dey say | dey gonna fix it | fo(r) de chirrun | but i | i dont | i dont believe it | charlie like playin god (charlie playin god) wif wattah .. | refrain: charlie playin god | wif wattah … charlie playin god!
9.
tallahatchie 04:02
vrs 1: taunt(id) by dream(s) | i leeve earf abruptly | SPLIT SCREEN big mama | at de iron board | pressin my suit | CUT TO a chutch full | folk(s) weepin & wailin | SPLIT SCREEN charlie | at de tallahatchie | pullin me out | let us all gather roun(d) now | hey … in de lan(d) of together now | hook: & dis when we sing | a negro spiritual | & dis when we sing | & please … chirrun please make it pretty | & dis when we sing | a negro spiritual | oooo [emmett (til de remix) sample: were u derr when dey did what dey did to dat boy] | vrs 2: CUT TO me in bed | all in my feeling(s) | look to my lef(t) | & like usual | a col(d) vacant space | ponder de chatline | but dey be thirsty | nobody to be free wif | just a valley of dry bone(s) | in need of a thrill | lawd please sen(d) me one | who can put on summa deez bill(s) | hook 2: one who'll make me sing | a negro spiritual | one who'll make me sing | lawd a 6ft. who know(s) a nina simone song | one who'll make me sing | a negro spiritual … oooo [emmett (til de remix) sample: were u derr when dey did what dey did to dat boy] hook 3: come on & sing | a negro spiritual | come on & sing | & keep me outta de tallahatichie … lawd | come on & sing | a negro spiritual | & stop deez dream(s) of when i get dump(d) in & pull(d) out de tallahatchie yall refrain: yall say | hey … hey … hey … | [shondo wailin] stop deez dream(s) | stop deez dream(s) | [ & den a scat to get dr. rev. deac. a. r-rah bac(k) on dry lan(d) blk!]
10.
tchala 02:52
call: today | ax no mo(re) question(s) | response: today be de answer | call: today | aint got time fo(r) question(s) | response: today be de answer | hook: my KING | show’em who u are | u’re my blk gol(d) superstar! | my QUEEN | show’em who u are | u’re my blk gol(d) superstar | bridge: [be de horn ministry comin thru like procession of ivory coas(t) african(s) sailin tward(s) america on de upside of ship(s) instead of in de bottom uvem blk!] | den bac(k) to de call: today | aint got time f0(r) question(s) | response: today be de answer | call: when colonizer | try to bin(d) yo feet still | my chile | response: den be de great(iss) dancer | hook: my KING | show’em who u are | u’re my blk gol(d) superstar! | my QUEEN | show’em who u are | u’re my blk gol(d) superstar | [ & den come de bridge agin from de horn ministry | but dis time it comin thru like all my people migratin from lexington, ms to chi-town & becomin cook county-an(s) blk] | den a. r-rah go: aye | [from my shondo] | yes u are | my blk gol(d) superstar | [ & de vamp be bro. corey wilkes playin fo(r) lyric | indigo & all our other future(s) blk!]
11.
vrs 1: u natural born liar | hell gotta fire | waitin on yo return | u itty-bitty mista | smackin dat sista | lawd gonna make u learn | u big city slicker | drinkin red-dirt liquor | yo liver aint yo concern | nothin good gonna come | to u or yo son(s) | til u feel dat fire burn | chorus: u got dat | goddamn mississippi voodoo on u | ghos(t) got u runnin away from de troof | u gotta new name & ligion but u done los(t) yo cool | campaignin false pride only make(s) u a fool | hook: o lawd | help me holyghos(t) to preach yo word | vrs 2: u stackin dat paper | sellin crac(k) to yo neighbor | yo heart col(d) blk as chrome | u search high & low | fo(r) dat lil girl from joe(s) | her de bes(t) thang u ever known | u wanna play cowboy | u wanna flash yo toy | but horse & lan(d) u’ll never own | yo mama too shame | to even speak yo name | cause her dont like what done got grown | chorus: u got dat | goddamn mississippi voodoo on u | ghos(t) got u runnin away from de troof | u gotta new name & ligion but u done los(t) yo cool | campaignin false pride only make(s) u a fool | hook: o lawd | help me holyghos(t) to preach yo word | bridge: flat de circle out | break de chain | walkin forward | aint such a strange thang | u know yo body | now get to learn yo brain | wanna be bran(d) new | make a change | chorus: u got dat | goddamn mississippi voodoo on u | ghos(t) got u runnin away from de troof | u gotta new name & ligion but u done los(t) yo cool | campaignin false pride only make(s) u a fool | goddamn mississippi voodoo on u | ghos(t) got u runnin away from de troof | u gotta new name & ligion but u done los(t) yo cool | campaignin false pride only make(s) u a fool hook: o lawd | help me holyghos(t) to preach yo word | refrain: goddamn mississippi voodoo on u ...
12.
vrs 1: when yo head achin dude(s) name | & lonely skippin on yo nerve | & dude(s) face be all u dream | & no matter who(s) talkin dude(s) voice be what u jus(t) heard | chorus: its gonna be dat one mo time | u gonna luv dude despite urself | its gonna be dat one mo time | u gonna luv dude despite urself | vrs 2: den u stan(d) & fall on yo face | & u go god take dude from my bone | den god goes why art thou botherin me | we bofe know u aint leavin dude alone | chorus: its gonna be dat one mo time | u gonna luv dude despite urself | its gonna be dat one mo time | u gonna luv dude despite urself | bridge: den u go god y did u jus(t) crush my life | why did u jus(t) come fo(r) my feeling(s) | & god goes we bofe know i'm right | refrain: now jus(t) call dude up | & give it to him good | call dude up | & give it to him good …
13.
inspire(d) by de billie holiday section of NECKBONE: a song spose to have a blood dat nobody notice(is) on de blk! | vrs 1: [scattin billie up] good lawd know(s) in my solitude | oooo & weeee i’ve cry(d) & cry(d) & cry(d) fo(r) u | a monf of gloomy sunday(s) weepin willow blue | lemme tellya pig-eet & beer jus(t) wont do | hook: cause i wanna know why … why u be so mean to me | take yo time & tell me why … why u be so mean to me | vrs 2: jus(t) las(t) night i thought our luv was herr to stay | but now i’m singin good mornin heart-ache | i worry myself weary wonderin where our luv has gone | but i wud be fine & mellow if u’d jus(t) stay home | hook: & explain to me why … why u be so mean to me | bridge: (whoo-whoo) feel like i’m lady day on soul-train | (whoo-whoo) wanna boogie but my feet boun(d) by chain(s) | (hoo-whoo) nat king jee-sus know i’m goin thru | (whoo) strange to be on a lim(b) jus(t) like fruit | hook: wonderin why … why u be so mean to me | i really … really wanna know why … why u be so mean to me |refrain: i’m gonna tell u yo future | u wont fin(d) a greater luv … u wont fin(d) a greater luv | & den de adlib(s) go: mash-potato to pittsburgh | funky chicken to montego bay | u can camel walk to chattanooga | u can boogaloo to santa fe | u wont fin(d)| [scat billie on down] …
14.
tubman. 05:09
vrs1: hol(d) my mule | pass me my hammer | made to smite or buil(d) | call her dbl entendre | run wif me | whoa-ah-ay-yah-ah | or get outta my way | whoa-ah-ay-yah-ah | i’d rather meet my maker | whoa-ah-ay-yah-ah | den be in bondage anudda day | whoa-ah-ay-yah-ah | chorus: i’m retchin fo(r) my tubman | call me moses | i’m de new law give(r) | i’m retchin fo(r) my tubman | crook(id)-foot(id) but i’ma deliver(r) | vrs: hol(d) my mule | gimme room | to smote or to buil(d) be a wide work | a bride ready fo(r) her groom | buck wif me | whoa-ah-ay-yah-ah | or sit urself down | whoa-ah-ay-yah-ah | we aint got long to be herr | whoa-ah-ay-yah-ah | so i’m gonna shout right now | whoa-ah-ay-yah-ah | chorus: i’m retchin fo(r) my tubman | call me moses | i’m de new law give(r) | i’m retchin fo(r) my tubman | crook(id)-foot(id) but i’ma deliver(r) | break: look it herr | hey hey look it herr … | bridge: i’m de m.e. | crook(id)-foot(id) | crook(id)-foot(id) | i-chile | my lawd take a minute | work de m.e. | crook(id)-foot(id) | crook(id)-foot(id) | i-chile | i dont think dey heard me say m.e. | crook(id)-foot(id) | crook(id)-foot(id) | i-chile | my lawd work dat m.e. | crook(id)-foot(id) | crook(id)-foot(id) | i-chile | i need me a choir … | special: derr aint nan blk(r) | blk(r) den me … | special-special: derr aint |nan blk(r) | den who | den me | derr aint | nan blk(r) | blk(r) den me … | whoa-ah-ay-yah-ah … |

about

Harriet Tubman didn’t run TO freedom.
Harriet ran cause she was free ALREADY.

She wanted her body to be aligned
with what her mind and spirit already KNEW of herself

- Dr. Rev. Deac. Bro. A. R-rah
whenever in the midst of spreading the good news about Mama Harriet


dedication.

fo(r) my holy trinity [MUDDA MARY, LIL LILLIE & NINA-BABY]
& all de golden chirrun who never learn(t) to dance on beat in public space(is)
cause dey didnt have de proper rearin or soul train to teach dem bedda
#noshade


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

cuddnt have done any of dis w/o Todd Carter | Nicole Mitchell & my Mandorla Awakening Family [Tomeka Reid, Tatsu Aoki, Alex Wing, Renee Baker, JoVia Armstrong, Kojiro Umezaki] | Parneshia Jones for smiling when i said de book is call(d) neckbone & de soundtrack will be call(d) tubman | de deacon board [Cream, M.E., Jeff, Tina, Marcus, Gogo, Justin] & all de other musician(s) [Baba Billy Branch, Chris Paquette, Sam Trump, etc,] who came thru & bless(d) dis project(t) wif yo enthusiasm & inner-gee … i truly appreciate de way you play(d) what i hum(d) &/or beatbox(d) blk! | nephew Sharrieff Muhammad | my sista(s) by blood & relation who was my ban(d) all dress(d) in white derr are so many mo(re) of u who are not in dis photo (but u are in de photo) | Cecil McDonald Jr. [my man 50 gran(d) blk!] | jr. [Shadell] cause u truly be a sun | baby girl Erika fo listenin & talkin lead in de wattah on thru| Jamila Woods cause u truly be HEAVN in so many way(s) | Roger, Krista Franklin, Cheryl Reese, Chinaka Hodge, Madrid Perry, Marvin K. White, Mahogany L. Browne, T’ai Freedom Ford, Weezie, Deana Dean, Ayanah Moor, Jamila Reagan, Janice Lowe, Aricka Foreman, Tony Bolden, StaceyAnn Chin, Big Bro. Mario, Khari B., Yini, Maceo, Sylvia Ewing, Boss Lady (C.C. Carter), Fathom, Mama Brenda Matthews [asé] , Baba Kent Foreman [asé], Coolout & Amina Hawkins, Dirty MF, Shawn Wallace, Mecca, Medea, D. Stovall | Naima Dawson, Derek, Aymar, Erika (Jones-Purvis) thanks for holdin me down & being my jedis out in joint call(d) de world | Baba Billy Branch!!!!!!! | my niece(is) & nephew(s) especially Ashley, Aranda, Shania & Austyn (the runaway star) | Emily Hooper- Lansana … oooo weeee … i hope at least one of deez rekkid(s) will make u boogie & remember U DE PRIZE & DIS HERR CRACKER JACK BOX blk! | Elyse Blennerhassett i dunno what i did to get such angel sent my way, but i gotta keep doin it | there are so many poets, artists & people Greg Tate, Cauleen Smith, Heroes are Gang Leaders, Tyehimba Jess, Theaster, Yaw, Corey, Meagan … so many of yall workin in & pushin tradition | gotta thank Rebirth (supersuits) | Lise Ross | my The Poetry Foundation family | my FCAN family | my 3Arts family | my Urban Gateways family – Jill “the real deal” Potter | my University of Chicago family | my The California Clipper family | my Floating Museum family | Cave Canem (who say poets cant boogie) | Baba Phil Cohran [asé], Baba Douglas Ewart & de AACM, Gil Scott-Heron [asé], Oscar Brown [asé], Donny Hathaway [asé], Nina Simone [asé], Billie Holiday [asé], James “J-Boogie” Baldwin [asé], James “J.B.” Brown [asé], Roy Hargrove[asé], Funkadelic, Sly Stone, Betty Davis, Baba Bill Withers, James Cleveland [asé], Clara Ward [asé], all dem rekkid(s) lil lillie rock & bop to | thank you Matt Pakulski for believing in this project | chi-town (wessyde) | big mama [Mary A. Booker aka mudda mary] | nina-baby | Big Brother Jarvis | Tracey King & Smokie (Innervisions forever – like Wakanda – ha!) | The Lit-Ex Massive | my family & cousin(s) [by relation & choice] | de Booker(s), de Curry(s), de Mason(s) | jee-sus buddah & re-re | Lil Bruh Perre & dat dude Digga | tubman. is brought into dis worl(d) thru blk bone & blood; fish grease & murray pomade; pound cake sunday(s); Mama Lee’s sweet potato cobbler | joy can be a underused feelin but never be an overuse(d) word | if its on de other side of de cliff … leap fo(r) it! | de magic is in de leap!!!!

credits

released July 19, 2019

tubman.
sound(s) inspire(d) by de book neckbone
by avery r. young [Northwestern University Press] 2019

All songs composed, arranged & produced by avery r. young
[CHICAGOSOUL74 PUBLISHING ASCAP]
Additional string arrangements for maasai & lead in wattah by Justin Dillard
Review panel: de jedi trus(t) [Cheryl Reese, Roger Bonair-Agard, Jamila Woods, Matt Pakulski, Gabriel Charles, Jeff Harris, Shadell Jamison, Erika Jones-Purvis, Jarvis Mason, Erika Dickerson-Despenza, Justin Dillard & Jo Rhodes aka MJB (ha)]
All songs recorded & mixed at: Bel-air Sound studios
Engineered & Mixed by: Todd Carter
Design by Stephen Flemister
Mastered by Margaret Luthar, Chicago Mastering Service

all track(s) feature de deacon board on foundation
blinkety-blink-blink(s): Tim “Cream” Jones
boom-doom-boom: Jeff Harris
bam-bam(s) / bam-bam programmin: Marcus Evans
chutch-house: Justin Dillard

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