Analysis of Music and Lyrics - Essay Example

This song begins with the background of Joy, laughter and merry making on the occasion of Mammy Jinny’s Jubilee or her 2nd year of being an Octogenarian, i.e. 82 years of age. Then they realise that Mammy Jinny is turning 82 and they are very happy to know that. As it turns out to be in the later verses of the song, it becomes a day of celebration, with people coming over with gifts to greet Mammy Jinny and wish her a happy birthday. The singer urges the audience, i.e. the other members around him to sing and dance because “This is Mammy Jinny’s Day”.

He is boisterous and in high spirits asking the girls to hurry up and come along to see the “sweet birthday cake” that took nearly ten people to bake. The other singer says to count the candles and see if there are only eighty two. He also asks how he would like to have a cake like that baked for him someday. Then the most interesting part begins where the singer narrates that every time the doorbell rings, there’s some guest or well wisher who is waiting with gifts and presents for Mammy Jinny.

From the second verse onwards the lyrical narrative transits into the finer aspects and deeper details of the celebrations. The brand new red bandana that Mammy Jinny is wearing is looking bright and pretty just like Mammy Jinny who seems to be in an elated state. She stood all the while near the door with a smile on her face as the guests and well wishers kept pouring in. Despite being so aged, she still had the energy and spirit of a young woman and greeted everyone with a smile. The narrator is enthusiastic and asks if the people care for some music and dance, then they should “put their glad rags and come along”.

The song is on a high note towards the end with an urge and a temperament to sing and dance with music. History: The song Mammy Jinny’s Jubilee was written almost a century ago in 1913 by Lewis F. Muir (music) and L. Wolfe Gilbert (words). This song was written and recorded in 1913, and was a song characteristic and contemporary of its time. Some other recordings of its time are as follows: “The Band Played On” by Dan W. Quinn, “After the Ball is over” by George J. Gaskin, “Paddle your Own Canoe” by Arthur Collins and Bryon G. Harlan. The song like most others by Collins and Harlan Duo represents the African American thought and lifestyle.

Similar to our chosen song of “Mammy Jinny’s Jubilee”, the songs portray the day to day events and emotions of a particular community; they depict tastes and perceptions of different occasions and the way they are celebrated by the African American people. As can be seen from the sheer mirth and joy reflected through the composition and lyrical verses of the song, it shows the importance, love and affection that are showered on the elderly members of the community. A feeling of brotherhood and sharing of common joy is seen through enthusiastic participation of the community members in Mammy Jinny’s eighty-second birthday.

They all sing together and bring gifts for Mammy Jinny, and talk about how merrily she greets the guests each time every year, by standing at the door with a smile on her face and a rare energetic burst of youthful spirit even at such an age. Relationships to other music of the time: Some of the other compositions by Lewis Muir and L. Wolfe Gilb