 sj |
||
|
||
Amistad
|
|
|
Subject: Amistad From: mmb Date: 30 Oct 02 - 11:27 PM Although I have not been able to bring myself to view the movie Amistad, tonight I drove downtown to the St. Petersburg Pier, where the replica of the original schooner is docked for the week, for educational tours and cruises. I don't know what I was expecting, but I felt a great sadness as I walked along the dock and thought of the stories - and songs - of her original occupants. All of which leads me to ask what songs of slavery and/or the sea affect you with the most power? |
|
Subject: RE: Amistad From: GUEST Date: 31 Oct 02 - 02:03 AM Let me add something to make you a little sadder. Of all the various styles and forms of slavery ever practiced, the American version may have been the worst of all time. Compared to the old South, Roman slavery was a hayride. |
|
Subject: RE: Amistad From: Coyote Breath Date: 31 Oct 02 - 12:27 PM Let my People Go! the most hopful song, coming from slavery is: Amazing Grace. Watch the movie. It IS hard to watch. It SHOULD be hard to watch. And watch "Schindler's List" or "Shoah" and watch "Skins". We (Americans) need to be reminded of injustices lest we commit more or inure ourselves to the trials of others. I would find it just as hard to visit a replica of the schooner (with it's horribly ironic name, Amistad!) as to watch the movie again. CB |
|
Subject: RE: Amistad From: EBarnacle1 Date: 31 Oct 02 - 01:40 PM I watched the construction and was at Amistad's launch at Mystic. The crowd for the launching was the largest that had ever been there. 10,000 didn't even make the place feel crowded. It was also the most diverse group ever to have been there, all ages, all races, all ethnicities, including a descendant of the leader of the revolt. People of all ethnicities worked on her building and are her crew. Amistad's mission is not so much a mission of re-creation as of growth and education. She is a symbol that we can move from where we have been to a common goal and toward an ideal. Besides which, she is just plain pretty. I went to the head builders and got some cut offs, which were brought back to Floating the Apple, a character building group for inner city yout. The cut offs were incorporated in some of the boats the kids built as a "never forget, but grow" reminder. A symbol is what you make of it. |
|
Subject: RE: Amistad From: Marc Date: 01 Nov 02 - 11:24 AM Why would one feel sad looking at that vessel? The story of the Amistad is one of black and white people working to a common end, freedom. She only represents oppression if thats what you look at. The African people being transported from San Juan on the boat rose up and fought as free men. The white New Englanders that rallied to their cause helped prove they were infact free men, in the eyes of the US Supreme Court. This was a land mark moment in the struggle towards abolition. The Amistad represents freedom not slavery. |
|
Subject: RE: Amistad From: MMario Date: 01 Nov 02 - 11:51 AM not to mention it is a marvel of craftsmenship! The keel is purpleheart! incredible! |
|
Subject: RE: Amistad From: GUEST,Melani Date: 01 Nov 02 - 01:15 PM It's a beautiful boat! We saw her when we were back East in July. It is also the only North American tall ship I have seen with black crewmembers, though admittedly I haven't seen them all. If you feel sad after seeing her, that's part of her job, but the other part is to understand the differences between then and now. |
|
Subject: RE: Amistad From: GUEST,sarahf Date: 01 Nov 02 - 03:56 PM Speaking of Amistad, those interested should be aware that there is a phenominal song "Amistad" written by Rick Spencer of Mystic Seaport. It's performed by Mystic Seaport Forebitter and can be found on "Forebitter Sings Songs of America and the Sea, Volume 1," available in the Museum's store. |
|
Subject: RE: Amistad From: MMario Date: 01 Nov 02 - 04:16 PM That would be Volume one that also includess "keeper of the Light"? |
|
Subject: RE: Amistad From: mmb Date: 01 Nov 02 - 11:06 PM Thanks, Marc, and the others who've offered additional insights. I was unaware of the "rest of the story," because I am one of those thin-skinned persons who literally "feel" the suffering of the oppressed without having to see the causes re-enacted. I can also rejoice in a happy outcome, though, so I'll do a little more research into the story, and will look at the ship in a different light when it returns to St. Pete (in a couple months, I think). |
|
Subject: Lry.Add.:: Amistad From: Charley Noble Date: 08 May 03 - 08:16 PM This seems an appropriate thread to add another song celebrating the replica Amistad, and the story of survival and liberty of her Black captives. The Amistad recently stopped at Portland, Maine, in a swing up the coast from West Palm Beach to the Great Lakes. So I got a chance to tour the schooner, which is beautiful, and chat with the crew. The song I've come up with probably needs more work. I certainly condensed a whole lot of history into one verse. But I was after the spirit of this project: Freedom Schooner Amistad, The (Words by Charles Ipcar © 2003 Tune: after "Johnny Goes Down to Hilo") Chorus: The Amistad, the Amistad! She's the freedom schooner, the Amistad! She's got an eagle up for'rard and rakish masts, She sure looks sharp as she flies past; She's tearing up the bay, kicking up 'er heels, That's the way that freedom feels! (CHO) Back in them days of slavery, The old Amistad, she sailed the sea; She sailed up and she sailed down, She sailed into Havana town. (CHO) They loaded 'er down with rum and stores, Fifty-three captives from Africa's shores; They was weighted down with iron chain, But they broke loose, their freedom to gain. (CHO) The Amistad was caught by a U.S. ship, There was no way they could give 'er the slip; Some church folks helped them win release, And thirty-five returned to Africa in peace. (CHO) Now, it's West Palm Beach to Portland, Maine, 'Cross the Lakes and back again; She carries this message, both near and far, Color makes no difference, it's who you are. (CHO) She's got an eagle up for'rard and rakish masts, She sure looks sharp as she flies past; She's tearing up the bay, kicking up 'er heels, That's the way that freedom feels! (CHO) I would welcome suggestions. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: Amistad From: Brían Date: 08 May 03 - 11:27 PM As A matter of fact, she's in Portland right now. I forgot until I saw this thread. I really want to get to the Maine State Pier to see her. Brían |
|
Subject: RE: Amistad From: Brían Date: 09 May 03 - 07:02 AM Here's some background on the Amistad. Brían |
|
Subject: RE: Amistad From: Charley Noble Date: 09 May 03 - 08:51 AM According to the crew members that I talked with the Amistad was not a "slave ship" but a regular cargo schooner that was chartered to ferry recently captured West Africans from one part of Cuba to another. The fact that these West Africans were transported across the Atlantic, in a regular slave ship, in violation of international anti-slaving treaties played a major role in gaining their freedom in their final appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. I'm still working this song over (it's only 24 hours old) and the tune has now jumped to a jaunty banjo version of Gordon Bok's "Ways of Man" if you can believe it. Here's the latest version with detailed chords: Words by Charles Ipcar © 2003 Tune: after Gordon Bok's "The Ways of Man" Key: F (5/C) The Freedom Schooner Amistad Chorus: C----F---C-F---C---------------F She's the A-mis-tad, the A-mis-tad! -----------F---------C-------F-------C-G--C She's the freedom schoon-er, the A-mis-tad! C---------F--C----F--C--------------------F She's got an eagle up forrard and rakish masts, -----------------C------F-C---G---C She sure looks sharp as she flies past; ----------------F------C---------------------F She's tearing up the bay, kicking up 'er heels, ------------C----F---C----G---C That's the way that free-dom feels! (CHO) Back in them days of slavery, The old Amistad, she sailed the sea; Well, she sailed up and she sailed down, She sailed into Havana town. (CHO) They loaded 'er down with rum and stores, Fifty-three captives from Africa's shores; They was weighted down with iron chain, But they broke loose, their freedom to gain. (CHO) The Amistad was captured by a U.S. ship, Try as they might they couldn't give 'em the slip; Some church folks helped them win release, And thirty-five returned to Africa in peace. (CHO) Now, it's West Palm Beach to Portland, Maine, 'Cross the Lakes and back again; She carries this message, both near and far, Color makes no difference, it's who you are. (CHO) She's got an eagle up for'rard and rakish masts, She sure looks sharp as she flies past; She's tearing up the bay, kicking up 'er heels, That's the way that freedom feels! (CHO) Still a work in progress but it's beginning to sound promising. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: Amistad From: Charley Noble Date: 09 May 03 - 11:24 AM Brian- Thanks for the background link to the "Amistad." I think I'll try to get Rick Spencer's "Amistad" song posted in here as well. Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: Amistad From: InOBU Date: 09 May 03 - 03:27 PM Well... there is another lesson to be learned here as well. I did a lot of research about Amistad, back in the early 1980s while working on Joe Doherty's case. Apparantly Cinque, when he returned to Africa, became a seller of slaves himself. Unfortunatly many people take from their experience of oppression, the knowlege of how to oppress others. This was left out of the film, and a number of the books. But, I think it is important, when looking, for example, at how Isreal has taken a lession of the Holocaust - that one must be hard and hit the other person back harder than you where hit. That is why it is important to add this to the story, remembering others like Harritte Tubman, who spent the rest of her life risking her life for fellows in bondage, when she escaped from slavery. I guess the lesson is it takes all kinds to make freedom. Cheers Larry |
|
Subject: Lyr Add: AMISTAD (R. E. Spencer) From: Charley Noble Date: 09 May 03 - 07:56 PM Just got a response from Rick Spencer who is happy to have his song posted here with appropriate copyright notice. The musical arrangement is reggae style. Amistad (Words and music by R.E. Spencer, © 1998, Safe Harbor Music) Early one morning, 18 and 39 Off the coast of Long Island a ragged schooner was seen. Her name was "Friendship." Her sails were in rags. She had lost her way in more ways than one. Off the coast of Cuba, on a hot Caribbean night Her cargo of Africans broke their chains. Murdered the captain and cook, Seized the vessel And started their journey back to Freedom. Chorus: Amistad, where have you come from? What is this cargo? Why are you here? Amistad, what kind of work is this For a vessel with a name like "Friendship?" For a schooner with a name like AMISTAD? They ordered the owners to sail them back to Africa. But under cover of darkness they sailed to the North and West. Made landfall in New London, then to the courts of America To argue for freedom and justice. Chorus The blood of Africa The blood of Spain The blood of Cuba, washed out in the Caribbean. The blood of America The cry of all Mankind is "God made us all to be free!" "God made us all." Chorus Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: Amistad From: Charley Noble Date: 09 May 03 - 07:59 PM And the chords have shifted again for my version, and I think they've settled down but this song is still only 24 hours old (copy and paste into WORD/TIMES/12 for chord placement): Chorus: C----F---C-F---C--------G-C She's the A-mis-tad, the A-mis-tad! ------------------------------G-------F-----C She's the freedom schoon-er, the A-mis-tad! (2X) C---------F--C----F--C-------------G-C She's got an eagle up forrard and ra-kish masts, -------------------------G-F--------C She sure looks sharp as she flies past; ----------------F------C----G-------C She's tearing up the bay, kicking up 'er heels, ------------------G---F---------C That's the way that free-dom feels! (CHO) Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: Amistad From: Charley Noble Date: 10 May 03 - 07:58 AM Still tinkering but I think she's settling down. I was finding the third verse troublesome and I also wanted to add some more historic detail, but without sinking the song: Words by Charles Ipcar © 2003 Tune: after Gordon Bok's "The Ways of Man" Key: F (5/C) with banjo The Freedom Schooner Amistad Chorus: C----F---C-F---C--------G-C She's the A-mis-tad, the A-mis-tad! ------------------------------G-------F-----C She's the freedom schoon-er, the A-mis-tad! (2X) C---------F--C----F--C-------------G-C She's got an eagle up forrard and ra-kish masts, -------------------------G-F--------C She sure looks sharp as she flies past; ----------------F------C----G-------C She's tearing up the bay, kicking up 'er heels, ------------------G---F---------C That's the way that free-dom feels! (CHO) Back in them days of slavery, The Amistad, she sailed the sea; Well, she sailed up and she sailed down, She sailed into Havana town. (CHO) They loaded 'er down with rum and stores, Fifty-three captives from Africa's shores; They was weighted down with iron chain, But they broke loose, their freedom to gain. (CHO) Then, they sailed East and they sailed North, They sailed West and back and forth; When they anchored in Long Island Sound, They was caught and taken to New London Town. They was charged with murder and piracy, And other high crimes on the high sea, But the Abolition folks helped 'em win release, And they returned to Africa in peace. (CHO) Now, it's West Palm Beach to Portland, Maine, 'Cross the Lakes and back again; She carries this message, both near and far, Color makes no difference, it's who you are. (CHO) She's got an eagle up forrard and rakish masts, She sure looks sharp as she flies past; She's tearing up the bay, kicking up 'er heels, That's the way that freedom feels! (CHO) Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: Amistad From: Brían Date: 11 May 03 - 06:59 AM I made a detour on the way home from the doctor's on Friday and went down to Maine State Pier to get a look at Amistad. She's a real nice looking boat. They were having school tours at the time so I couldn't get on. Although there are parts of the story which are depressing including how slavery still continues in the world, I was particularly moved by the story of Margu? who came back to the U.S> to be educated in an American university and later had her son sent to Yale all the while continuing to educate people in Africa. All right, Charley! Maybe I'll hear your song at the next swap! Brían |
|
Subject: RE: Amistad From: Charley Noble Date: 11 May 03 - 11:15 AM Didn't dare try this song at the Press Room Shanty Sing; it's too new to be confident of what key is best and I would have been stumbling over the words, which are still changing: Words by Charles Ipcar © 2003 Tune: vaguely after Gordon Bok's The Ways of Man Key: F (5/C) The Freedom Schooner Amistad Chorus: C----F---C-F---C--------G-C She's the A-mis-tad, the A-mis-tad! ------------------------------G-------F-----C She's the freedom schoon-er, the A-mis-tad! (2X) C---------F--C----F--C-------------G-C She's got an eagle up forrard and ra-kish masts, -------------------------G-F--------C She sure looks sharp as she flies past; ----------------F------C----G-------C She's tearing up the bay, kicking up 'er heels, ------------------G---F---------C That's the way that free-dom feels! (CHO) Back in them days of slavery, The Amistad, she sailed the sea; Well, she sailed up, and she sailed down, She sailed into Havana town. (CHO) They loaded 'er down with rum and stores, Fifty-three captives from Africa's shores; They was weighted down with iron chain, But they broke loose, their freedom to gain. (CHO) Then, they sailed East, and they sailed North, They sailed West, and back and forth; When they anchored in Long Island Sound, They was caught and hauled to New London Town. (CHO) Charged with murder and piracy, And other high crimes on the high sea; The Abolition folks helped 'em win release, That's how they returned to Africa in peace. (CHO) Now, it's West Palm Beach to Portland, Maine, 'Cross the Lakes and back again; She carries this message, both near and far, Color makes no difference, it's who you are. (CHO) She's got an eagle up forrard and rakish masts, She sure looks sharp as she flies past; She's tearing up the bay, kicking up 'er heels, That's the way that freedom feels! (CHO) Cheerily, Charley Noble, who still likes this song! |
|
Subject: RE: Amistad From: Charley Noble Date: 12 May 03 - 06:43 PM Well, I had the joy of singing my new song to the crew members of the Amistad, down below during their lunch break, as she lay moored in Portland-East. They seemed pleased, but they were also somewhat frazzled from conducting tours of the boat with hundreds of school children. I left them with a CD rendition of the song, freshly burned in our computer's microwave or whatever does that job. As soon as my wife gets a moment from her real work, she promises to place an MP3 version on our website and link this thread back to it. And here's how I've tweaked troublesome verse 3 a little further: Then, they sailed East, and they sailed North, They sailed West, and back and forth; When they anchored in Long Island Sound, They was hauled away to New London Town. (CHO) Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: Amistad From: Charley Noble Date: 19 Aug 06 - 10:19 PM Oh, we had some fun this evening. We were at the 50th birthday party for the youngest member of Roll & Go which took place on an island in Portland Harbor. Later we caught the harbor ferry back to the mainland and I noticed that the Amistad was anchored at the Maine State Pier so we decided to stroll over and pay our respects. She looked as beautiful as ever with her tall rakish masts and some of the crew were puttering around on deck. I had my banjo with me from the party and decided to sing a verse or two of my song and it really worked. I remembered the whole thing and the other Roll & Go members chimed in on the chorus. The crew was very excited, invited us aboard, led a few songs themselves, and insisted we sing the song again while they videotaped it. No one aboard had heard the song before, which didn't surprise me. I'm sure the CD I gave the crew 3 years ago disappeared and no one from the Amistad website ever responded to my e-mails mentioning the song. Well, we had a great time with th crew. Sang them some traditional sea shanties and tomorrow we'll get them a new CD with the "Amistad" song recorded. Some things work really well when they're not planned. There was absolutely nothing in the newspapers about the Amistad's visit. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: Amistad From: GUEST,Bee Date: 20 Aug 06 - 12:23 AM The Amistad was huge news when it docked in Halifax a couple weeks ago. Nice song, Charley, glad they got to hear it. |
|
Subject: RE: Amistad From: Barry Finn Date: 20 Aug 06 - 12:47 AM Send her on down to Portsmouth & we'll give her another sing. Barry |
|
Subject: RE: ADD: Amistad (Songs & info about the schooner) From: Charley Noble Date: 20 Aug 06 - 10:48 AM Bee- Thanks for the compliment. I really don't get to sing this song that much and I am fond of it. We were joking with the crew about getting shanghaied if we accepted their invitation to come aboard. The Polish first mate chuckled and said that's just what happened to him when he visited the Amistad a couple of weeks ago in Halifax. He's still aboard! Barry- You would have loved to have been with us! And you would have blown the crew away with your singing of the "Schooner Industry." Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: ADD: Amistad (Songs & info about the schooner) From: Charley Noble Date: 20 Aug 06 - 11:00 AM Drat! I never put a link in to my MP3 file on my website for this song. Here it is: Click here and search for lyrics! This thread is really hard to sort out unless you choose the "Printer Friendly" options which somehow restores the chronology. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
|
Subject: RE: ADD: Amistad (Songs & info about the schooner) From: Azizi Date: 20 Aug 06 - 06:22 PM Charlie, Thanks for refreshing this thread. I didn't know about the replica of the Amistad until reading this thread. Also, thanks so much for posting your song and and for including a link to your website so we could hear the tune. I love the song's words and the tune. The words are easy to learn which would make this song great for elementary school age children and older individuals and groups. However, I think if you picked up the tempo a bit it would be better received by this generations's children {and maybe some of us oldies but goodies, too}. While I'd not want to dwell on the ending of the story about the Amistad captives with younger elementary school children, {after they got back to West Africa-see InOBU - PM 09 May 03 - 03:27 PM's post and other accounts I've read}, the Amistad story should be a part of American history that folks know from elementary school age and up. Imo, the older children, youth, and adults should focus not only on the story that happened in the Caribbean, and the USA, but study the accounts and whys & wherefores of what happened when the Amistad individuals were transported back to back to West Africa. Your song is a wonderful way of introducing the Amistad story to children, youth, and adults, and reinforcing its positive aspects. Thanks again, Azizi |
|
Subject: RE: ADD: Amistad (Songs & info about the schooner) From: Charley Noble Date: 20 Aug 06 - 08:39 PM Azizi- Thanks so much for the compliments and the suggestions. The song should go faster and it would be a whole lot better with a chorus. The repetitive chorus worked very well the other evening as a way of drawing the crew members in to sing along. I'd been thinking of dropping it for re-recording the song but it really works well in a live situation and I'm reassured of its power. I think I like what the song covers of the story. If there were discussion that would be the time to detail the bloody battle aboard the ship, and the bitter irony of Cinqu becoming a slave seller himself after his return to Africa. Real history is never as simple as poetry, and I did take the liberty to pick and choose what I wanted to sing about. Cheerily, Charley Noble |
| Share Thread: |