FRATERNITY AND SORORITY SONGS & CHANTS
Fraternity and sorority cheers are presented on this page for cultural, historical, and folkloric purposes and for your personal enjoyment. I strongly believe that fraternity and sorority chants are cultural artifacts that deserve to be collected, preserved, studied, and shared with others as artifacts. However, fraternity/sorority songs and chants should not be sung, chanted, or otherwise performed by anyone outside of the specific organization from which those chants come.
Most of the examples presented on this page are from Black Greek Lettered Organizations (BGLO). However, this collection also includes examples of chants from other fraternity and sororites.
The lyrics & tunes of BGLO chants/songs have their source in African American spirituals (formerly known as Negro Spirituals). This is particularly the case with some Black Greek lettered fraternity & sorority chants and chants. However, some fraternities/sororities which are predominately Anglo-American may also have chants & songs that are adaptations of African American spirituals. Other sources of fraternity/sorority chants (African-American and non-African American) are children's playground rhymes, children's/ teenagers' cheerleader cheers, and Mother Goose rhymes. Commercial jingles, military cadences, vaudeville songs, Pop, and R&B songs, and other musical genres. And some fraternity & sorority chants and songs are conscious or unconscious adaptations of other fraternal chants & songs.
Although I'm very interested in the subject of the song/chant sources, I've mostly limited my comments about these featured examples to the meaning of the lyrics. I've been able to find YouTube videos for only a few of these chants . The videos are embedded on this page after the specific example.
SOURCES FOR THE CHANTS FEATURED ON THIS PAGE
Many of the examples of chants that are featured on this page are from Cocojams readers. See the information below about how to submit examples.
Special thanks to Brian A. Jackson, a Cocojams reader, and a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.(Beta Chapter, Howard University, Spring 1990) for sharing a number of Alpha Phi Alpha songs & chants with me and giving me permission to post examples of Alpha Phi Alpha songs & chants on Cocojams.com. (March 2010). Brian A. Jackson is the current Vice President of the Xi Nu Lambda Grad Chapter in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and has been collecting Alpha Phi Alpha songs and chants over the last 20 years. Examples from this collection are indicated by the notation "Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection".
Some of these examples posted here are reposted from other websites. In each case, a link to the original website is provided. If any person associated with those sites prefers that I remove this content, please contact me at cocojams17@yahoo.com.
Selected examples on this page are re-posted from http://www.csufresno.edu/folklore/drinkingsongs/mp3s/1990s/1999ca-black-greek-soundz-(CD)/alpha-kappa-alpha-sorority-chants-and-songs/index.htm That website has multiple pages of text based chants and sound files from various Black Greek lettered fraternities & sororites. Most of those examples are from Black Greek Soundz, the brand name of multiple commercial CDs of Black Greek lettered fraternity/sorority chants. Unfortunately, I don't have any copies of those CDs and they are no longer available for purchasing. If I correctly recall the information that I received from John Patrick, the editor of that above linked website*, the Black Greek Soundz CDs were produced in 1999. However, if I recall correctly what John Patrick told me, these CDs were removed from the market because their packaging had the insignia of the Black Greek lettered organization without the permission of those organizations.
*John Patrick is not the producer of those CDs. Regrettably, I can't find my notes with that producer's name, and I am no longer in communication with John Patrick. However, I recall that the producer of these CDs was an African American male. If any Cocojams reader has information about this producer, and/or has a copy or copies of those CDs, please contact me cocojams17@yahoo.com.
Thanks John Patrick for giving me permission to repost examples from his website. Thank you John Patrick for your collection efforts and for giving me permission to share these chants with Cocojams readers!
Selected examples on this page are also re-posted from http://www.stophazing.org 's thread on Frat/Soror Chants. I've not yet had any success in contacting the moderator of that website for permission to post these example. If it is requested of me by that website's
moderator, I'll deleted these examples from this page. Thanks!
Some examples of chants that are posted on this page were originally posted on this Mudcat Discussion Forum thread that I started in 2007: http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=103135&messages=78
I'm reposting selected guests posts from that thread with the permission of Mudcat's founder and owner, Max Speigel. Thanks Max!
In addition, selected examples on this page are from the following recommended books on this subject Soul Stepping, African American Step Shows (Elizabeth C. Fine: Urbana and Chicago, University of Illinois Press, 2003) ; Stepping: Regeneration Through Dance In African American Fraternities & Sororities by Jacqui Malone ; and "Step Show At Virginia State University" by Alfonzo Mathis in From My People, 400 Years of African American Folklore (Daryle Cumber Dance, editor: New York, W.W. Norton & Company, 2002. Another book I recommend on the subject of Black Greek Lettered Organizations is Lawrence Ross" The Divine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities (published 2001).
Thanks! If the editor or those authors request that I delete these examples, I will do so.
A small number of the examples on this page are from my memory of pledging Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Gamma Zeta chapter , 1967). Several examples of chants are from my memory of step shows in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the 1990s, or from the memory of persons that I interviewed.
SUBMITTING EXAMPLES OF SONGS/CHANTS TO COCOJAMS:
Please help celebrate & preserve these often creative examples of the spoken word by posting examples of & comments about these Greek organization songs & chants on Cocojams! Send examples of fraternity and/or sorority chants to cocojams17@yahoo.com for possible posting on this website.
I encourage Cocojams visitors to send in examples of chants from BGLO and non-BGLO organizations for possible posting on this page. Examples can be sent to cocojams17@yahoo.com. Thanks to all who submit song & chant examples & information about their Greek letter organizations
When submitting examples, please remember to include the organization's name, and the dates (by decade if not year) that you performed these chants or heard them chanted. It would also be great if you would include information about these chants. Comments about experiences in fraternities or sororities (or in little sister groups) are also welcome. At your request, examples can be posted without your name.
COCOJAMS VISITORS' COMMENTS
For continuity's sake, visitors' comments that I've received about Greek letter step songs/chants and about Greek lettered organizations are posted on this page instead of on this site's Visitors' Mail Box page. Those comments are found immediately after the section on Fraternity & Sorority Songs & Chants. Please send all comments or questions to cocojams16@yahoo.com.
EDITORIAL COMMENTS ABOUT GREEK LETTERED ORGANIZATIONS:
Comments that I have written & information that I have compiled about Black Greek lettered organizations is found on this page after the section on Visitors' Comments about Greek Lettered Songs & Chants.
RELATED COCOJAMS.COM PAGES:
Visit Cocojams' http://www.cocojams.com/content/fraternity-sorority-step-stroll-related-... to find out how some of these chants sound and are performed.
In addition, be sure to visit Cocojams' Military Cadences page http://www.cocojams.com/content/military-cadences-other-cadences to read (and in some cases see videos of) cadences that are remarkably similar in tune and structure to certain Black Greek lettered fraternity chants. For example, the chant "We Are The Men Of Que Psi Phi" is identical in tune and structure (and lyrics for the chorus) as the military chant "Ain't No Use In Lookin Down". The words and a video of that chant are posted to that Cocojams page.
Also, visit Cocojams' Cheerleading Cheers page, Foot Stomping Cheers page, and School Yard Taunting Rhymes page for examples of children's rhymes & cheers that are similar to Black Greek letter fraternity & sorority chants
For continuity's sake, visitors' comments & questions about fraternity & sorority chants or stepping are posted on this page instead of Cocojams' Mailbox page for visitors comments.
EXAMPLES OF FRATERNITY / SORORITY SONGS & CHANTS
(Examples are posted in chronological order with the most recently received examples presented first).
NUMBERS:
1-2-3-4-5
1-2-3-4-5 Zeta Phi Beta till the day I die No skee no wee no dst cause Zeta Phi Beta is the one for me 24-25-26 them other girls you with sophisticated and smart too we dont skee wee we dont oooh-oop Z-Phi, Z-Phi, Z-Phi-i-i What is a Zeta what is a Zeta A Zeta is what a Delta ain't what a Sigma Rho wanna be but an AKA can't What a Kappa love what a Q adore what a Phi Beta Sigma can't get a enough of Ritz got the crackers Campbells got the soup Zeta got the Sigmas, Alpha's Q's and the Nupes Ow-Ow-Ow Z -Phi-B Ow-Ow-Ow Oh so sweet My chapter made this up Goes with Set it off by strafe Tall Tale Zeta Phi Beta Incorporated Gamma Nu chapter Fall 1997
-Tall Tale Zeta Phi Beta Incorporated Gamma Nu chapter Fall 1997; 8/14/2007
****
A,B
ALL OF MY LOVE (Version #2)
All of my love,
My Peace and Happiness
I will give to Alpha.
(Repeat)
-Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection, permission granted to post on Cocojams.com, 3/20/2010
[Editor: For more information on this collection, see my comments located in the "Submitting Examples to Cocojams" section of this page]
****
ALL OF MY LOVE (Version #1)
All of my love Peace and Happiness I will give to Kappa!
-BigBrotherPrincipal Player 1/29/2005
Editor:
It appears that this song or chant is sung or recited by multiple fraternities & sororities. "Version #1" here means the first version of this song/chant that I received for posting on Cocojams.com. For more examples of this chant, check out the comment section below. As you will see in that comment section, there is considerable disagreement as to which organization composed this chant and/or has the right to recite it.
-snip-
Here's a video of an Omega Psi Phi version of "All Of My Love":
-
Posted by nashad42 — January 22, 2010 — "My neos at the Omega PSI Phi - PSI Chapter Spring 2009 Probate" Morehouse College
-snip-
Here's a video of the Delta Sigma Theta version of "All of My Love" (This video is reposted for its sound clip and not the video itself which was produced without adequate lighting)
Delta Sigma Theta singing "All of my Love"
Posted by leanback04 — March 30, 2008 — Theladies of Delta Sigma Theta singing "All of My Love" at the spring 2008 probate for the Gamma Tau Chapter. This on the historic campus of Tuskegee University.
****
ALPHA TRAIN
(Traveling)
Alpha train is slowly coming
To keep on pushing,
If you hurry you might get on it;
Got to keep on pushing,
Got my ticket right in my hand;
Got to keep on pushing.
Soon we;ll be in Alpha land;
Got to keep on pushing,
This train we're waiting for is black and gold.
We're in love with dear old Alpha
No time for looking back...
A Phi A
-Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection, permission granted to post on Cocojams.com received on 3/20/2010
****
ALPHA, WE LOVE YOU
(Tune: Little Liza)
Verse 1
When we were searching for the LIGHT,
We hears a WISE MAN call,
"Now Listen well! I'm going to tell
THE GREATEST FRAT OF ALL!
ALPHA! ALPHA! ALPHA! ALPHA!
(Chorus)
Alpha, we love you!
Alpha, we love you!
Love you in the springtime
and the fall.
Alpha, we love you!
Alpha, we love you!
Love you best of all!
(Repeat chorus)
Verse 2
We listened well and made our pledge.
Then crossed the burning sands,-
and entered dear old A*PHI*A,
The greatest in the land!
ALPHA! ALPHA! ALPHA! ALPHA!
(Chorus)
-Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection, permission granted to post on Cocojams.com, 3/20/2010
****
BRRR! IT's COLD IN HERE
Brr! it's cold in here.
There must be some Alphas
in the atmosphere.
[I said-ah]
Brr! it's cold in here.
There must be some Alphas
in the atmosphere.
-The editor has heard this at various step shows; Pittsburgh, Pa area; 1990s, 2000s
Editor:
This is a signature Alpha chant. "Brrr" is meant to approximate the sound a person makes when he or she is freezing cold. "Alphas" refer to members of the Black Greek letter fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. In this context, being "cold" is good {probably because of it's connection with being both "cool" and being "cold blooded". See "Ice Ice" for an Alpha signature chant that also references this "cold" theme.
Also, see versions of "Brrrr It's Cold In Here" on Cocojams' Children's Cheerleading Cheers page.
C,D
CALLING ALL DELTAS
Calling all Deltas to the floor
There's two here and I need some more.
-chant heard at numerous Greek step shows (Pittsburgh, PA area); added by the Cocojams' Editor (Azizi Powell) , 3/16/2009
Editor:
Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc chant this while standing in the middle of the gym floor or stage. It's a call for all other members of that sorority to join the circle. This chant is appears to be a signature Delta chant. But I'm curious to know if other sororities also chant it.
For the record, I'm not a Delta, but am an (inactive) member of an AKA (Gamma Zeta chapter, 1967.
****
COMIN THROUGH WITH THE NU
Nu Alpha Phi Fraternity, Inc. East Coast Asian-Interest Fraternity www.naphi.com
1 - Lead: brothers brothers, comin' through with the NU!
Brothers: Alpha!
Lead: Nu!
Brothers: Alpha!
All: NU ALPHA PHI
- Emil R;, 2/14/2007
****
CONCEITED
Just the other day, I was called conceited. Had to turn my head, cause I just couldn`t believe it. Conceited, Conceited, I`ve always been this way. That's just the confidence and style of an AKA.
-Ashley P.; 5/11/2007
****
DEEP IN MY HEART
Deep In My Heart
I've got Sigma to the left of me
Gamma to the right of me
Rho to the back of me
S-I-G-M-A
G-A-M-M-A
R-H-O
I don't know what you've been told
But the best of the colors are blue and gold
Deep in my heart
I love SG...Rho
Deep in my heart
I love SG...Rho
Deep in my heart
I love SG...Rho
Deep in my heart
I love SG...Rho
I love, love, love, love SGRho.
[repeat entire song]
-reposted on 6/17/2009 from http://www.folklore.ms/mp3/2000s/2001ca_black_greek_soundz_songs_and_chants_(CDs)/2001ca_sigma_gamma_rho_sorority/23_deep_in_my_heart.htm
Editor:
This is a transcription from a Black Greek Soundz CD as found in the Jack Horntip Collection" located at www.folklore.ms.
****
DELTA ALL THE WAY
If I was too cool wouldn't it be nice. To see a true stepper step for crimson and white. Delta all the way. Delta's what they say. Is
what some little girls want to be someday.
-Dezera K.; 2/5/2007
Editor: This is a chant for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
****
DELTA SIGMA THETA
Delta Sigma Theta
Take a Second Look
It took an eternal Ivy
to write your history book
You talk about our colors
I guess you didn't think...
When you mix red & white
What you get is pink...
Editor: This is an AKA chant that disses Delta Sigma Theta. The AKA colors are pink & green. The Delta Sigma Theta colors are crimson & creme (which are often given as red & white). The "ivy" is the representative AKA plant. This chant reflects the long standing "beef" between AKAs & Deltas. Delta Sigma Theta was formed by 22 members of AKA who left that sorority.
****
DO YOU WANN BE
(Alpha Angel Chant)
Dooooo you wanna be....' Doooo you wanna be.. NO! I dont wanna be no sweeeet-heart Doooo you wanna
be ... NO! I dont wanna be no Sigma Dove Doooo you wanna be..... NO! I dont wanna be no Que E Cuz i gave my heart to the frat
A Phi And there aint no turning back Oh No! Though I may have cried But i hoped and prayed They'll let me into A Phi A
-Kyra H., 12/10/2006
****
DON'T STEP TO THIS
Loved by Omega
Chased by K A Psi
Wanted by the Alphas
And the Sigmas even tried
You know they all tried hard
Buy the Deltas run the yard,
We're not conceited. No,
We're just convinced. Yes!
If you don't like it,
Don't step to this!!
-http://www.csufresno.edu/folklore/drinkingsongs/mp3s/1990s/1999ca-black-greek-soundz-(CD)/delta-sigma-theta-sorority-chants-and-songs/14-don-t-step-to-this.htm
re-posted on 3/21/2010 with permission from that website's editor
Editor: This is posted with a partial sound file that continually repeats unless you turn off that feature by clicking the second symbol in that sound file
This chant names four of the Black fraternities that are members of the Pan Hellenic Council-Omegas (Omega Psi Phi, also known as the Qs), K A Psi (Kappa Alpha Psi, also known as the Kappas), Alphas (Alpha Phi Alpha), and Sigmas (Phi Beta Sigma). The organization that has the most status at a university is said to "run the yard". Presumbably, there would also be a fraternity that "ran the yard". "We're not conceited" is a back handed reference to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. These two Black Greek lettered sororities are often contentious with each other because of their history.
****
DOWN HERE PLEDGIN
(Gamma Iota Chapter Traditional Song)
Down here pledgin' like a lonely man,
Trying to make to make it
the best that we can.
Some say Alphas' got a hold on me.
But we don't need no sympathy.
(Chorus)
Oh Al-pha Phi Al-pha,
All I need is your Black and Gold,
A little wine and a littl lovin;
To get me ready for that Alpha Pledge.
Ice cold water running through our veins.
Some try to make us look the other way
But that Alphas' got a hold on me.
And we don't need no sympathy.
(Repeat Chorus)
-Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection, permission granted to post on Cocojams.com, 3/20/2010
****
DOWN IN THE VALLEY
Down in the valley
Whoa Whoa
There is a place we long to go.
The name of it rings in our ears
Omega Omega Omega
land of the purple and the gold
land of the purple and the gold
-posted by the editor, from her memory of various step shows {East Coast, USA}
Editor:
This song was sung in moderate tempo, not chanted. "Omega" is a reference for
Omega Psi Phi, Incorporated. "Purple and gold" is that fraternity's colors.
****
DST BE SISTAS FIRST CHOICE
DST be sistas first choice. And AKA second. Do u hear that noise… it’s the AKAs stepping Cuz u see they can’t really step to this
sorority… DSTs. AKA’s wanna-be dream.
-Tiffany; 5/3/2007
Editor:
"Sistas" here means "Black women", However, as is the case with other Black Greek lettered sororities, women who aren't Black can also join Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.
****
D TO THE BIG ST
D to the Big ST. Bump that weak Skee Wee. That BS Z Phi B. Do this my SORORS. DO THIS (Holding the DST sign)
-Anonymous; 12/3/2008
Editor:
This is a chant that promotes one sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. (DST), and puts down its rival sororities. "Skee wee" is the call made by members of Alpha Kappa Alpha {AKA}, and "Z Phi B" is an abbreviation of Zeta Phi Beta. Of course, "BS" is an abbreviation of ...well, you know what those letters stand for.
E,F
EXCUSE ME ELEPHANTS
Excuse me Elephants what did you say? These girls of 20 pearls pledged A-K-A So next time paper chasers get permission to speak Line up and greet me when you see me or Just bow at my feet
-Anonymous; 10/30/2006
Editor:
"Paper chaser" is a putdown of those people who join a sorority without pledging or pledging hard. It documents attitudes about the changes in how women join Black Greek lettered sorority members (sorors) since the ban on pledging (being on line) was put in place in 1990. See my comment to "I Don't Mind Bein On Line" on this page for my information about the changes in joining Black Greek Lettered organizations.
****
FLIP FLOP (Gamma Phi Betas' Sorority Rush Song)
We are the Gam Phi Betas
We'd like to tell you
We're so glad you're here
We're sisters ever true
Sisters for me and for you
We're glad we've had this chance
To welcome you
Gamma Phi Beta
Gamma Phi Beta
Gamma Phi Beta
Girls. Whoo!
-nyrdrms (Virginia; 8/28/2002) http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:418nXKjkvrEJ:www.greekchat.com/gcfo...
Visit http://www.cocojams.com/content/fraternity-sorority-step-stroll-related-... (towards the bottom of the page) to find a video of this song along with instructions about how to do the "Flip Flop" .
G,H
GIVE ME A BIG GAMMA (Gamma Phi Beta sorority cheer)
Some of our other cheers we use are more like high school cheers, but they're fun:
Give me a big Gamma (shouting)
GAMMA (shouting)
Give me a little Gamma (quietly)
gamma (quietly)
Don't give me no words, no words.
Don't give me no phrase, no phrase.
Just give me that girl,
that Gamma Phi girl.
(this is all shouting and really fast, while clapping)
Give me a big Phi (shouting)
PHI (shouting)
Give me a little Phi (quietly)
phi (quietly)
Don't give me no words, no words.
Don't give me no phrase, no phrase.
Just give me that girl,
that Gamma Phi girl.
(this is all shouting and really fast, while clapping)
Give me a big Beta (shouting)
BETA (shouting)
Give me a little Beta (quietly)
BETA (quietly)
Don't give me no words, no words.
Don't give me no phrase, no phrase.
Just give me that girl,
that Gamma Phi girl.
(this is all shouting and really fast, while clapping)
That's my favorite cheer, but a lot of our girls think it's too fast.
-gphiangel624 (Athens, Ohio; 04-18-2003, http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:418nXKjkvrEJ:www.greekchat.com/gcfo...
Editor:
Note that the contributor mentions that the song/chant was done "while clapping". It seems to me that one significant difference between the handclapping done with chants by predominately White American fraternal organizations and predominately Black American fraternal organizations is that in the former the clapping is done throughout the entire chant, but in the later the handclapping is done to the beat. For this reason, the chants done by predominately Black fraternal organizations are more rhythmic/percussive.
****
GIVE ME THAT OLD ALPHA SPIRIT
Give me that Old Alpha Spirit
Give me that Old Alpha Spirit
Give me that oooooooold Al[ha Spirit.
It's good enough for me.
It was good for Brother [insert Jewel las t name]*
It was good for Brother [insert Jewel las t name]*
It was gooooood for Brother [insert Jewel last name]*
It's good enough for me.
-Brian A Jackson; Alpha Phi Alpha collection; permission granted to post on Cocojams.com 3/20/2010
****
GO DOWN
Go Down, Brother
Way down to Egypt Land
Tell the people
The light has come.
(Back in 06)
Back in 06
Many years ago
7 Black men
Couldn't take no more
They professed to have seen the light
The Light Of The World
They journed to
The motherland
Where they crossed
Those burning sands
Marching onward
They had to see
Just what
The end would bring
(What the end would bring)
-Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection, permission granted to post on Cocojams.com, 3/20/2010
****
HEY, SOROR OVER THERE (Version #2)
Hey!
Soror over there,
with your nose up in the air!
to cute to be a DST, somebody say Skee Wee!!!
This is my pinkie (hold up pinkie)
And this is my hand (hold out hand)
It's just like an AKA to take your man
You're mad about your boyfriend
And that's no lie
It takes a real ALPHA Woman to keep him satisfied
So get yourself together and put your man on a leash because he'd rather be with beauty (sorors hold up your pinkie)
Than to be with the beast!
(sorors do the Delta's hand sign upside down. Should be an upside down triangle)
-soulforealAKA; http://www.stophazing.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000243 ; 10-24-2005
-snip-
Editor:
"Skee Wee" is the AKA call; Delta's sign is a triangle made with both hands; "soror" means "sorority sister", an AKA holding up her pinky is part of that sorority's hand sign.
****
HEY, SOROR OVER THERE (Version #1)
Hey you sorors over there
With your noses up in the air
If you feel it like a soror
Say it like a soror
I LOOK GOOD!
-PrettyPhenomenal; http://www.stophazing.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000243;... 10/02/2005
Editor: This was written as part of an ongoing contentious conversation between members of AKA and members of Delta. It's probably a clip from a longer chant.
The post started with the comment "passing the mirror"-meaning passing a pretend mirror to another AKA soror (member). Read my comment about AKAs and the imitating holding a mirror in version #2 of the chant "In 1908". Also,see a reference to "noses up in the air" (as a sign of being conceited") in version #4 of "This Is A Serious Matter".
****
HIP HOP THETA ROCK
We just learned this one
Hip Hop Theta Rock
Let me see your left foot drop
Boom (stomp) Shake it out Shake it out (shake your booty!)
Boom (stomp) Shake it out Shake it out
Hold on, Let 'em See
Theta's where you wanna be
Boom (stomp) Shake it out Shake it out (shake your booty!)
Boom (stomp) Shake it out Shake it out
If you can recall
Theta's really got it all
Boom (stomp) Shake it out Shake it out (shake your booty!)
Boom (stomp) Shake it out Shake it out
yay!
-gotaluvlex (Chicago); July 2004; http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=6377 [Retrieved 3/7/2010]
Editor: This chant is from Kappa Alpha Theta, a historically White sorority. I think the words in parenthesis are performance instructions that aren't spoken. But I'm not sure about that.
****
HIRO HIRO HIP A RAY
Hiro Hiro-o Hip ah ray
Hiro Hiro-o Hip ah ray.
Sad and lonely girls are we
Working-ing striving for to see
Alpha Kappa Al-alpha light
Working striving day-ay and night
Oh hiro hiro
Oh hip ah ray
Oh hiro hiro
Oh hip ah ray
-Azizi Powell, New Jersey; AKA pledge song (Gamma Zeta Chapter, New Jersey, 1967); posted by Azizi, 12/2005
Editor:
"Hiro Hiro" is a pledge song that I remember from pledging Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc (AKA) Gama Zeta chapter in New Jersey, 1967. "Hiro" is pronounced "High Row". I don't think it means anything. AKA pledges were called 'Ivies" [because the official plant of Alpha Kappa Alpha,Sorority, Inc. is an ivy. I believe there are other verses to this song, but I can't remember them. We performed a 'step routine' while singing this song in a program with other fraternities and sororities (We wore pink and green dresses of course!)
I,J
ICE ICE BABY
Ice ice baby,
too cold too cold.
Ice ice baby,
The black and gold
-various sources
Editor:
This is a signature Alpha chant (Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc.). The "black and gold" refers to that fraternity's colors. A guest poster on the Mudcat Discussion forum thread that I started on fraternity & sorority chants asked if anyone remembered this chant before the 1990s. Please contact me at cocojams17@yahoo.com if you have any memory of this chant before the 1990s. I'd love to "hear" from you.
****
I DIDN'T WANT TO BE NO AKA
I didn't want to be no AKA I didn't want an affiliation with A Phi A And if you look at me, I aint no DST I didn't want Omega Psi Phi to be barking at me Don't need no Kappa boy looking cuter than me And KKI aint no sorority Iota Phi Theta came a little too late And Sigma Gamma Rho, what can we say I need a Phi Beta Sigma who can handle me Cos only blue and white is a TRUE FAMILY Z-Phi! By Spring '06 Unbreakable Line Copyright KE©
Zeta Phi Beta and Phi Beta Sigma are the only official, constitutionally bound, brother/sister organizations in the Pan-hellenic Council. A little information: 1.A member of Phi Beta Sigma helped found Zeta Phi Beta 2.We share the same colors of Royal Blue and Pure White, and symbol - the dove 3.Our letters together form Zeta Phi Beta Sigma 4.When Sigma's "Blue Phi" Zeta's "So Sweet" in reply 5.We call each other Frat and Soror 6.Don't be fooled by other who imitate the first and ONLY family!
-Nikki ZKA ExquiZite #3 - Spring 2003 ; 5/4/2007
Editor:
AKA=Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc ; A Phi A= Alpha Phi Alphi Fraternity, Inc ; Kappa= Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc, and Iota-Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. See my comments below about The National Pan-Hellenic Council.
This chant references the images, customs, and opinions that this sorority (and others) have about the various sororities and fraternities mentioned. Omega Psi Phi's members call themselves "Que Dogs", their signature call is a dog's barl (Woof Woof!); Kappas promote the image of themselves as handsome men; "KKI aint no sorority" ?? (I'm not familiar with this organization); "Iota Phi Theta came a little too late" refers to the fact that this organization was just newly founded; and "Sigma Gamma Rho, what can we say" means that that Zetas don't have anything good to say about the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority or its members.
****
I DON'T MIND
I don’t mind
bein on line.
I just want to be
a little sister to the Qs.
(repeat as many times as you are directed to)
-a member of Q Pearl, {East Coast, USA}
1990s; posted by Azizi, 12/05
Editor:
I collected this chant/song from an African American woman who attended an East Coast university that had mostly White students. During her attendance at that university, there were two different little sister groups, a few members of two Black Greek letter fraternities and two Black Greek letter sororities. Another African American woman who attended that same university five years after the first woman said that while she was at that school, the same fraternities and sororities were active on campus, but no little sister groups were active there at all.
This song was sung by Q Pearl pledges. "Q Pearl" is one name for the little sister group to the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, Inc. (An informal name for members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,Inc. is "Ques", also written "Q"s")
“Bein on line” is a term that was used to describe the pledge process that hopefully will end with you being accepted as a member of the organization. A new member of a sorority, fraternity, or little sister group is called a “neo”, short for “neophyte”.
Note: since 1990 pledging/hazing (being on line) is considered to be illegal for Black Greek Letter Organizations. instead, new members of these organizations are supposed to only go through a membership process which largely consists of learning the history of the organization, and being involved in community projects. However, many members of BGLO indicate that pledging still occurs "underground". There can be very serious consequences to individuals and chapters who pledge underground.
****
I HEARD THE WORD
I heard the word
The word was grand
Right now you're standing on IOTA LAND
I saw the light
It blinded me
A THETA MAN is what I've got to be
WHO'S Ever-Lovin' PHI?
I-PHI!!!!
WHO'S EVER-LOVIN' PHI?
I-PHI
Weeeellll, if you love it like a Theta Man
Say it like a Theta Man
I-PHI-T!!!
-Guest Ill IOTA (Upsilon Chapter "THE U" at Southern Illinois University); 5/11/2009;
http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=103135&messages=46
Fraternity & Sorority Chants
[Editor:Some of the content on that particular Mudcat thread to be too adult for some Cocojams.com readers.]
****
I KNOW I'VE BEEN CHANGED
(Gamma Iota Chapter Traditional Song)
I know I've been changed
I know I've been changed
I know I've been changed
The big brothers done changed my name.
On this Alpha train
On this Alpha train
I've been pledgin and I'll never be the same
Sons of Alpha are we
One in love and charity
Let our thought of sadness fly
For our own, our Alpha Phi.
Courage brothers banded we
All through life 'till eternity.
Let our hearts in* joyous praise
Sing of Alpha through endless days.
Way down in the jungle deep
Burning sands scorching my feet
Pyramids touching the sky
I'm pledgin' Alpha till the day I die
Been on line pledgin' for days
Put aside my selfish ways
Feel it deep down in my soul
My butt is burnin' and I want to be ice cold.
Own my life, and take my pride
Wood me up on my backside
Pledge me anyway you can
For when I cross I'll be an Alpha man.
-Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection; posted 4/18/2010
Editor:
For the record, since I was aware that "I Know I've Been Changed" is the title & chorus of an African American religious song, I contacted Brian A. Jackson to ask him if the song posted above was actually three different songs that were sung one right after the other. Mr. Jackson wrote the following "I have not heard it nor sung it, but I believe that is the full song. Its a song that is sung while they are Sphinxmen so "On this Alpha train" refers to them being on the way to Alpha
Read it as - Let our Hearts, and joyous praise - (2 collective entities, our hearts and our joyous praise - both of them singing Alpha through endless days)
That is how I read it. It makes sense to me."
end of quote
In a previous email, in response to my question about the sources of these Alpha chants, Brian A. Jackson wrote that "Some of the "older" ones probably did come from other sources. I know many of them came from old Negro spirituals as well. Some came from the military also. We even had one called Beat #122. Where each section of the line had a different beat or chant.
For example: (on my line there were 16 of us)
#1 - #4 - had the cymbal part
#5 - #8 - would scream "This is BETA"
#9 - #12 - would scream "Pledge Alpha All Night Long"
#13 - #16 - would keep the baseline
****
I LOOKED OVER JORDAN
I always liked...
I looked over Jordan, and what did I see
I saw Kappa Alpha Psi looking up at me
I said, "Tell me Nupe, what do you say?"
He said "Damn I shoulda pledged that A Phi A"
I looked over Jordan, and what did I see
I saw Omega Psi Phi looking up at me
I said tell me Que, to save your soul,
Why did you steal the PHI and Old Gold
I looked over Jordan, and what did I see
I saw Phi Beta Sigma looking up at me
I said "Tell me Blue, what do you see?"
"I see Alpha Phi Alpha shining brighter than me"
Cause we're the ICE COLD brothers of A Phi A
And pledging our frat is the only way!
-ColdFront06; 9/28/2005; http://www.stophazing.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000243
Frat/Soror Chants
****
I LOVE MY AKA
I love my A
I love my K
I love my AKA
Skee wee, Skee wee
I tell no lie
I tell you why
I didn't pledge Delta
Cuz Im overqualified
I tell no lie
I tell the truth
I didn't pledge Zeta
Cuz I'm to dayum cute
Oww Oww Oww, Skee wee
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Epsilon Sigma chapter http://orgs.tamu-commerce.edu/esig1908/chants.htm (Retrieved 3/7/2010)
****
I LOVE MY DST
I like my "D" in front of my "S",
My "S" in front of my "T".
It sounds so good to me.
I love my DST.
I like my "D" in front of my "S",
My "S" in front of my "T".
It llooks so good to me.
I love my DST.
I like I like I like
I love I love I love
Gotta have Gotta have
my "D" in front of my "S",
My "S" in front of my "T".
It looks so good to me.
I love my DST.
-transcribed from YouTube video of The Tau Eta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc @ Brenau University's Winter Weekend Greek Sing. Cick http://www.cocojams.com/content/fraternity-sorority-step-stroll-related-... to see the steps that were performed with this chant.
****
I'M GOING AKA
When I was just a little girl
My mama said to me
Listen to me daughter
A Zeta you will be
I said oh no mama
That ain't the way
Because Alpha Kappa Alpha is the only way
AKA, I'm going AKA
AKA, I'm going AKA
When I ws just a little girl
My mama said to me
Listen to me daughter
A Delta you will be
I said oh no mama
That ain't the way
Because Alpha Kappa Alpha is the only way
AKA, I'm going AKA
AKA, I'm going AKA
When I ws just a little girl
My mama said to me
Listen to me daughter
A Sigma you will be
I said oh no mama
That ain't the way
Because Alpha Kappa Alpha is the only way
AKA, I'm going AKA
AKA, I'm going AKA
When I ws just a little girl
My mama said to me
Listen to me daughter
An Alpha you will be
I said right on mama that's the way
AKA, I'm going AKA
AKA, I'm going AKA
--http://orgs.tamu-commerce.edu/esig1908/chants.html Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Chants, Poems, and Songs [Retrieved 4/18/2919)
****
I'M PRETTY
I'm pretty one time
I'm pretty twice
Those AKAs ain't nothin' nice
I'm pretty three times
I'm pretty four
I'll have your man beating down my door
I'm pretty five times
I'm pretty six
No other sorority can imitate this
I'm pretty seven times
I'm pretty eight
Even in my sleep I look great
I'm pretty nine times
I'm pretty ten.
You love me once, you'll love me again
-http://orgs.tamu-commerce.edu/esig1908/chants.html Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Chants, Poems, and Songs [Retrieved 4/18/2919)
Editor;
Visit that site to read a number of examples of originally composed and "standard" Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc songs, poems, and chants.
****
IN 1908 (Version #2)
In 1908,
you started it true.
Deltas were AKA's just like you.
But 22 ladies made a deal to be
cute sisters and plain ol' REAL
No ivy, no mirror, no pink no green.
The real sorority started in 1913.
So it's cool AKA, do what u do.
We can skee-wee, but u can never oo-oop.
-REDalert05 ; http://www.stophazing.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000243 ; 10-04-2005
Editor: This is another version of the Delta Sigma Theta chant dissing the AKAs. The ivy is the AKA plant. That sorority's colors are pink and green. The AKA's signature call is "skee-wee". The Deltas' signature call is "oo-oop".
A characteristic AKA pose that is done during step shows is to pretend to hold a mirror in front of their face. The "mirror in front of the face" stance is a way that sorors (members) of AKA took a put down of their organization (that they are conceited) and turned it into a positive (that they are very confident in their outer appearance).
****
IN 1908 (Version #1)
In 1908 you thought you were the best
But my 22 founders wouldn’t settle for less.
In 1913 they envisioned something greater
YOUR president walked out
And founded DELTA SIGMA THETA!!!
-REDalert05 ; http://www.stophazing.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000243;... posted 09-30-2005
Editor: This is a Delta Sigma Theta chant. This chant refers to the fact that twenty-two members of AKA left that sorority to start Delta Sigma Theta. This is the bases for much of the contention that occurs between these two Black Greek lettered sororities.
****
I PHI IS SO FINE
I PHI is so doggone fine
Send in chills up and down my spine
WHOOOOAAA, YEAAAAAAHHH
Its so fine
(its so fine)
Its I-PHI
(Its I-PHI)
*repeat until hoarse or someone passes out
-Guest Ill IOTA; 5/11/2009; Fraternity & Sorority Chants and Songs
http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=103135&messages=46
****
I SAID HEY BETAS
Beta Phi Pi Fraternity Inc. is one of the newest African American Fraternity. We were found on the campus of Western Illinois University in April of 1986. We have expanded all across the nation, establishing chapters in many Undergraduate Universities. An example of our chant goes..
Hey Betas!! What!! I said Hey Betas!!!! Whaaattt!!
(UNISON) We decided to become the best in sight. That's why the baddest young brothas wear the black and white!! So forget the Black & gold, and...the blue and white! Forget the purple and gold and those...candy strips!!!
-Simon H., 3/23/2006
Editor:
Thanks for that information, Simon H. I hadn't heard of Beta Phi Phi, Inc. before receiving your post. "I Said Hey Betas" is an example of how chants weave praise for their organization with mild disses (insults) of other fraternities or of sororities which are not considered to be that particular fraternity's sister organization. . The colors mentioned in this chant are associated with the following Black Greek Letter fraternities: Black & Gold=Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc; "Blue & White"=Phi Beta Sigma, Inc.; "Purple & Gold"=Omega Psi Phi, Ince.; and "Candy Strips" (Red &White)=Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc.
****
I SAID DELTAS
i said deltas what with the red and white i know we lookin and havin fun 2night akas thank they high and fine look at these deltas they ain't got nothin like mine moocha moocha i step in moocha moocha you step out oop-ooop is what dst is all about
-poo-pooh; 4/25/2006
****
IT'S SO HARD PLEDGING K-A-Psi
It's so hard pledging K-A-Psi It's so hard pledging K-A-Psi A konstant struggle each and every day....But I'm gone accept, That this is how its gone be. not trying to skate in this fraternity..I wanna be like Diggs, Big Brother Diggs, The finest Kappa in this fraternity...Phi Nu Pi The Diamond in the Sky...Many have tried but were denied Phi Nu PI The Diamond In The Sky. I wanna be like Diggs, Big Brother Diggs, The finest Kappa in this fraternity!!!!!!! K-A-Psi None greater.. All men were kreated equal....Some just look
better.
-Yo Endless Klimaxx ; 5/7/2007
****
I'VE BEEN WORKING HARD FOR IOTA
I 've been working hard for iota/ Gotta that iota shield I've been working hard for iota because it is my will (hold that line) hold that and we will be together pledging now and pledging forever I've been working, working striving. striving but i still gotta long way to (Go oh oh oh)x2
-jamere t.; 6/7/2006
****
I WANT TO BE A KAPPA AS SOON AS I KAN
I want to be a Kappa, I want to be a Kappaman, I want to be a Kappa, I want to be a Kappa as soon as I kan. Don't wanna be an Alpha, Don't wanna be an Alpha monkey, I don't want to be an Alpha, Want to be a Kappa as soon as I kan. I don't want to be a Sigma, Don't want to be a Sigma sissy, Don't want to be a Sigma, Wanna Be A Kappa as soon as I kan.. Don't wanna be Omega, Don't want to be a Que Psi puppy, Don't wanna be Omega, wanna be a Kappa as soon as I kan...Don't want to be Iota. Don't want to be Iota period!!! Don't want to be Iota, Gotta be a Kappa as soon as I kan. I wanna be A Kappa. I want to be a Kappaman, I want to be a Kappa, Gotta be a Kappa as soon as I kan.
-Yo Rokk Hard Kumklusion; 7/5/2007
Editor: Note the use of the letter "K" instead of the letter "C". This is a signature characteristic of [Black Greek lettered fraternity] Kappas. Also see below for references to "Kappas" that refer to other fraternities or to sororities.
****
JUST A FEW MORE DAYS I'LL BE AN ALPHAMAN
Ice-Cold water runnin through my veins
My body's all wracked in pain
Just a few more days and I'll be an ALPHAMAN
Just a few more days and I'll be an ALPHAMAN...
-ENewton; http://www.stophazing.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000243;...
Editor: At the end of this chant the poster wrote: "I had to take it back to the Sphinxman days." "The Sphinxman" is a referent for brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha. This is probably a clip of a longer chant. See "Go Down" and other examples of chants on this page from the Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection.
K,L
KAPPA KAPPA PSI
Kappa Kappa Psi Kappa Kappa Psi, so clean so fly, Kappa's stay strong, Kappa's never die alone, Love it what is is, No pain no tears, In foggy weather Kappa's always stay clear, Gone bag down and leave with fear, Cuz Kappa Kappa Psi never shed no tears.
-Nada J.; 4/20/2006
Editor:
Hey, guys and gals! It's cool that you are sending in examples of your organization's chants. But help us out here, please. Remember to include some information about the organization. Is it a sorority, or a fraternity, or some other group? Is it university based? Is it a predominately African American (or some other racial/ethnic group) Greek letter organization? If it is relatively new,when and where was it founded? And does your organization have step teams?
That information will help spread the word about your organization. For instance, I've heard of the university based Black Greek letter fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi. But before this chant I hadn't heard of Kappa Kappa Psi and I'm not sure if it's a sorority or a fraternity or some other organization.
Including information about your organization will help spread the word about that organization. Thanks!
See the comment section below for more information about this fraternity.
****
KAPPA ZETA RHO
Those chants were good but check dis one out:
Kappa Zeta Rho don't take none from deze hoez we come in wit a bang lookin so good, struttin wit are cane dang we sound mean, they cry when i cry, laugh when i laugh, tho bows when i tho bows, Kappa Zeta Rho!
-Nicole J.; 4/13/2006
****
KING TUT (Version #2)
All: My-y-y old King Tut
was the very first Greek,
a-a-h when he clapped his hands
he had the ladies at his feet.
A-a-h, Tut, Tut, Tut,
a-a-h, Tut, Tut, Tut.
One brother: I said
All: When he saw the Sigmas,
it made him mad.
When he saw the Kappas,
it made him mad.
A-a-h, when he saw the Ques,
it made him sick.
When he saw the frat,
then he had to pledge quick.
A-a-h, Tut, Tut, Tut,
He had a black and gold whip
and a black and gold cane,
then he came up
a-a-h with this black and gold name.
A-ha-h A Phi A,
A Phi A,
A Phi A,
-Alpha Phi Alpha, East Tennessee State University, in Soulstepping: African American Step Shows by Elizabeth C. Fine; originally from Thompson, "Aesthetic of Cool", 95-96, transcription by Jane Woodside pf videotape of Dance Heritage Festival, 6 April 1991, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City
****
KING TUT (Version #1)
King Tut went to Egypt the other day
To Check out the greeks that were coming his way
He saw the Ques, and he said thay acted like a fool
He saw the Kappas, and he said that they were not cute
He saw the Sigmas, and he said that they made him sick
Then he saw the A-PHI!, and he made his pick
-ENewton; http://www.stophazing.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000243 ; 09-30-2005
Editor: This is an Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. chant
****
LAMBDA THETA PHI
LAAAAMBDA … Theta Phi
LAAAAMBDA … ‘Till the Day We Die.
Editor: This may be a clip of a longer chant or song. It is described in the article as the Latino fraternity's most popular chant.
-http://www.stevens.edu/lambda1975/history.html Lambda Theta Phi, Zeta chapter [Retrieved 3/7/2010]
****
LOOK OVER THERE
Ok well DST on my yard all the Deltas and Zetas where real tight I guess it depends on what yard your on.
Ok
Heres an old one
Look over there and tell me whose supreme - (echo) its the blue and the white and the pink and green
Look over there and tell whose ahead- (echo) its the blue and the white and crimson and creme
Look over there and tell me whose got soul (echo) - its the blue and the white and the blue and gold.
Look out look out look out look out ohhhhh
Then it goes onto some other things cant exactly remember.
-zeta 4 life ; 9/29/2005 ; http://www.stophazing.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000243
Frat/Soror Chants
M,N
MAKE WAY THE Q TRAIN IS COMIN
Make way the Q train is comin
Make way the Q train is comin
Make way the Q train is comin
And you don’t want to be left behind.
-posted by the editor; 12/2005 (I heard this chant at step shows I attended in the 1990s in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and from viewing various step show tapes from that decade).
Editor:
This song is often included in Omega Psi Phi, Inc step shows. The song is based on the African American spirituals about the gospel train comin. These spirituals warn people to get on board the gospel train because they don’t want to be left behind.
One theory is that these spirituals were sung to alert slaves to prepare to escape on the "Underground Railroad". However, it doesn't seem realistic to me that this song or other songs said to be used to convey such messages would be effective over time {since I just can't believe that Black snitches or White plantation masters etc. wouldn't catch on to the "hidden meaning" of the song if every time it was sung, a person fled slavery to freedom in the Northern USA or Canada. But that is a whole 'nother discussion.
This Omega Psi Phi, Inc. song is usually started by a brotha with a deep, melodious voice.
****
MY SORORITY HAS A FIRST NAME
Editor: Here's a very simular chant from a [historically] White university based (Greek lettered) sorority-Delta Delta Delta (the tri-Deltas). I'm not sure which sorority used this chant first, but I wouldn't be surprised to learn if it was a historically White sorority.
My sorority has a first name
Its D-e-l-t-a
My sorority has two other names
Their D-e-l-t-a
So if you feel the need to chill
call *** **** (we added our tele#)
'cause gentleman prefer to say they date a d-e-l-t-a
(to the tune of the Oscar Meyer song!)
-GatoDnc7DeltaX3; 02-17-2007, http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=42998
Editor: For a very similar chant, see "Their Sorority has a first name" posted below .
****
NO ONE CAN DO IT LIKE WE CAN
No one cand do it like we can!
We are the baddest in the land!
We are the educated, motivated,
Skin tight, mo' hype, hard workin',
Blood sweatin', all up in yo' world reckin'
Ladies of LADIES OF SGRHO! EEEEEEEEEEEE-YIP!
-http://greeks.astate.edu/sigmagammarho/chants.htm; (Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. chants; assessed 6/22/2010
****
NOW DO YOU WONDER WHY WE PLEDGED OMEGA PSI PHI
during probate show we had our lamps sing in a raspy voice and say while stepping
"Now do you wonder why we pledged Omega Psi Phi, we pledged with heart and soul we love that purple and gold. (repeat) then you go to Omega Psi Phi iii Oh let ah me see ah see what? Your funky four corner step a funky four step"
...you put your individual chapter's [step] moves in there
-dimp ; 10/12/2006
Editor:
http://www.greekcreations.com/funfeatures_content/glossary_01.html is a glossary of fraternity & sorority terms. According to that glossary, a "probate show" is "A term used by NPHC (National Pan-Hellenic Council} groups to designate the time when new members of such groups come out to the campus to be revealed to other students".
-snip-
See the listing of NPHC groups in my comments on African American fraternities & sororities. Also, see this definition for pledges from that same website: "Pledge (New Member) "A term used to refer to a new member of a fraternity or a sorority. After the recruitment period, pledges learn the history of their national and local chapters, learn the ideals and principles of the group, get to know their fellow new members and get to know the initiated members."
-snip-
"Lamps" is the referent used for Omega Psi Phi, Inc.'s "pledges" (men who are "pledging" that fraternity).
****
N.U
Lead: N - U
Brothers: ALPHA PHI
Lead: N - U
Brothers: ALPHA PHI
Lead: N - U
Brothers: ALPHA PHI
-Emil R;, 2/14/2007
(From Nu Alpha Phi Fraternity, Inc. East Coast Asian-Interest Fraternity ; http://www.naphi.com )
Editor: Thanks, Emil R, for sending two of your fraternity's chants to Cocojams! I'd love to include more examples of chants/songs from fraternities/sororities that aren't majorty African American organizations.
O,P
OH WHEN I FIRST SAW THE LADY IN HER PINK AND GREEN
Oh when I first saw the lady in her pink and green She asked me what do I want to be Well, I said I want to be an AKA Cause Alpha Kappa Alpha is the only way I didn't see the Delta flicker, I saw the light Cause in my heart I knew my choice was right Well, I didn't want to be no Delta I didn't want S G Rho I didn't want to be a Z Phi B Cause I didn't want to step that low.
-Sophist08ed Lady ; 7/17/2007
****
OH IT'S SO HARD PLEDGING B-PHI
Song of Pledges: Ohhh its sooo hard pledging B-PHI a constant struggle each and everyday/ Some wonder why...i chose B-PHI and continue pledging this way/ Many are blinnnnddd And cannot find, the truth cause no-one seems to really know? but I WILL DROP!!! (Unison) HELL NO!!!/ And thats the way its gonna be ohh Dean YOU'VE GOT TO LET ME AND MY LINE BROS GO!!/
-Simon H., 3/23/2006
****
OH MOTHER HUBBARD
Old Mother Hubbard
Went to the cupboard
To fetch her poor dog a bone.
But when she bent over,
Rover came over,
And he had a bone of his own.
-a ip of a larger chant from multiple sources.; posted by Azizi Powell, 2/3/2010
Editor:
I recently saw a YouTube video in which a Black fraternity member reciting this chant with additional verses. Unfortunately, I can't remember which video it was or which fraternity. I think it was Omega Psi Phi, Inc.-which makes some sense because of their "nasty dog" meme. But I'm not sure about that.
What is interesting to me is that in 2001 a White man (who is a member of an online folk/blues music forum that I used to be very active with), posted this very similar version of this rhyme in a thread entitled "Nasty Nursery Rhymes".( I won't include that link on Cocojams.com because some of that particular thread's content is too raw for the Cocojams.com site)
This Mudcat member indicated that the rather "risque" comedian Andrew "Dice" Clay also used a verse like that in his nightclub acts. "The only one of his that I know for a fact WAS making the schoolyard rounds at least 40 years ago is a bit different than listed there. I remember it quite well:
Old Mother Hubbard
Went to the cupboard
To fetch her poor dog a bone.
But when she bent over,
Rover came over,
And he had a bone of his own.
-snip-
Editor:
My question is "What came first-the chicken or the egg? What I mean is who originated this parody of the "Old Mother Hubbard" Mother Goose nursery rhyme? Sometimes I think that we (African American) as a group may not want to acknowledge that we got some parts of our culture from non-Black sources. But one expression of our creativity as a people is reshaping ideas and images that already exists, tweaking it or almost totally changing it into something "new" and "different". There's no shame in that game. Besides, using verses and a line here or there from schoolyard rhymes, spirituals, R&B songs, Pop songs, and other compositions is "standard operating procedure" when it comes to folk music. And I consider fraternity & sorority chants to be a genre of folk music.
So if we ever could find out with a large degree of certainity that this version of "Old Mother Hubbard" came from Black folks, that's cool. And if we find out that this verse came from White folks and we took it an rebaptized it in the name of Blackness for our organizations' use, then as far as I'm concerned. that's also cool.
****
ONE AND ONE AND ONE MAKE THREE
One and one and one
makes three.
You better watch your man
cause your man is watchin me.
So if you came her with your man
you better hold him tight.
Cause you damn sure better believe
He’ll be leaving here with a
Q Pearl tonight.
-a member of Q Pearl, 1990s {East Coast, USA}; posted by Azizi, 12/05;
also featured in Meharry College step show video, (with the name "AKA" substituted for "Q Pearl) late 1990s; transcribed and posted by Azizi, 12/2005.
Editor:
My informant for this chant told me that she thinks that this chant probably came from a sorority before it was "picked up" by her little sister group. She also said that she thought that a lot of sororities use this chant. Confirming that observation, I heard at least the first four lines of this chant on a video of a Meharry College step show, late 1990s. In that video, members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKAs) who were seated in the bleachers began this chant after their step team’s formal portion of the show. Several AKAs stood in front of the AKA's section of the gymnasium bleachers and were chanting, pumpin up the others in that section. Because of the chanting that was going on throughout different sections of the gym, I couldn't understand the rest of the cheer. But it certainly could have been the same words to the chant given above.
Step chants (songs) and (certain) step routines that are performed by one chapter within a geographical area may be picked up and performed by other chapters who are in widely separated geographical areas. These step routines and chants are shared within chapters of the national organization at national & regional conferences & step shows, and are shared informally by members from different chapters who may visit each other. Step show videos are another way of learning new routines. Increasingly, internet websites and bulletin boards are another way of learning new chants and different versions of chants.
I've also collected a version of this chant performed by frat brothas who said that "you betta watch your girl cause your girl is watchin me."
There was a time when it was absolutely prohibited for anyone other than a member of a specific Pan-Hellenic organization to perform that organization's chants or perform that organization's signature steps. An exception to that firm rule was those portions of a step show when members of a sorority [or fraternity and-particularly at predominately White universtities-auxilary little sister groups] perform signature steps or chants that are clearly associated with another organization in salute to that organization or as a semi-serious 'crack' on that organization.
Although step routines and chants aren't supposed to be performed by people who aren't members of a specific fraternity or sorority, more and more nowadays, non-members of these Greek letter organizations are changing a word or a move here or there and using what them in the routines they do for their community or school step teams.
See "Yo Sweet Nupe" below for the "1 and 1 and 1 makes three" line from a male perspective.
Q,R,S
RED HOT
(Someone yells) Gamma Phis are what?
(Everyone answers) Red hot!
(Someone yells) Gamma Phis are what?
(Everyone answers) Red hot!
(All together) Gamma Phis are R. clap E. clap D. clap
With a little bit of H. clap O. clap T. (clap,clap,clap)
R.E.D. with an H.O.T. (spell out)
Red hot, red hot, red hot!!!
-GammaEta_LB (Gamma Phi Beta sorority cheer); http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=32351&page=3; 08-11-2005
Editor:
Examples of this exact same cheer (with different group names) can be found on Cocojams children's cheerleading cheers page: http://www.cocojams.com/content/childrens-cheerleader-cheers
****
REPRESENT REPRESENT
Soloist#1 We are the Deltas
And we are here to represent.
Delta
Group Represent Represent
Soloist #2 1913
Group Represent Represent
Soloist #3 DST
Group Represent Represent
Soloist #4 1913
Group Represent Represent
-Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. chapter; Meharry Medical College, step show video, 1991
Editor:
Different soloists were used for each line of this chant. A different step routine was performed for each line. "1913" is the date that Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded. “DST” is an abbreviation of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. In this context, “represent” means to act as a representative for the group, to let people know about the group, and promote the group’s virtues.
****
RIGHT SMACK DAB
Right smack dab in da middle of the sands you will find a proud Omega man! So when this ole world starts getting you down Omega Psi Phi will always be around !
-Que Pup; 4/5/2007
****
RUSH THETA
Here's a catchy one that I always had them do during rush when I was rush chair...
T with an H with a ETA
T with an H with a ETA
T with an H with a ETA
Ruuuush theta
love em, love em, love em, love em till ya die
come on theta sisters show your theta pride
t with an h with a eta
t with an h with a eta
t with an h with a eta
ruuuush theta
-Thetagurl; Jun 2001; http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=6377 [Retrieved 3/7/2010]
Editor: This is a chant for Kappa Alpha Theta. KAT is a historically White sorority. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraternities_and_sororities defines "rush" as a "formal recruitment" period, often called "rush week," which usually consists of events and activities designed for members and potential members of National Panhellenic Conference or the North-American Interfraternity Conference to learn about each other and the organization. At the end of the formal recruitment period, organizations give "bids," or invitations to membership." This is isn't usually the way that Black Greek lettered organizations gain members.
****
SAID I WASN'T GOING TO TELL NOBODY
Said I wasn't going to tell nobody
A Phi A A Phi A
But listen people I've got to shout it
A Phi A A Phi A
The Kappas and the Sigmas
They got some soul:
A Phi A A Phi A
But they just can't compare
with the black and gold.
So listen Q's you'd better step aside.
But a lot of Q's didn't and a lot of Q's died.
Oh, A Phi A A Phi A
(Repeat twice)
-Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection, permission granted to post on Cocojams.com, 3/20/2010
****
SIGMA GAMMA RHO IS THE WAY TO GO
Sigma Gamma Rho is the way to go
We're going to break it down so you know.
We're not the first but that matters least
Because there's three rough drafts before the masterpiece
Sigma Gamma Rho is the way to go
We're going to break it down so you know.
We're not the first but that matters least
Because there's three rough drafts before the masterpiece
Yeeeeeeeeoooooooop!
-http://www.csufresno.edu/folklore/drinkingsongs/mp3s/1990s/1999ca-black-greek-soundz-(CD)/sigma-gamma-rho-chants-and-songs/15-sigma-gamma-rho-is-the-way-to-go.htm
re-posted on 3/21/2010 with permission from that website's editor
Editor: This is posted with a sound file that continually repeats unless you turn off that feature by clicking the second symbol in that sound file
****
SKEE WEE MY SORORS
S-K-Double E - W Double E
Skee Wee, My Sorors. Skee Wee
Skeeeeee- Weeeeeee!
S-K-Double E - W Double E
Skee Wee, My Sorors. Skee Wee
Skeeeeee- Weeeeeee!
A-L-P-H-A
K-A-P-P-A
A-L-P-H-A
Whooo those AKA's
An Ahhka is what a Delta ain't
What a Zeta couldn't
What a SGRho can't
What the Kappas like
What the Ques loves
What APhiA can't get enough of us
S-K-Double E - W Double E
Skee Wee, My Sorors Skee Wee
Skeeeeee- Weeeeeee!
One plus one is two
Two plus one is three
You better watch you man
Because your man is watching me
Four plus four is eight
One more is nine
If you didn't pledge AKA
Then watch you waste your time
Skee Wee, My Sorors. Skee Wee
Skeeeeee- Weeeeeee!
Skee Wee, My Sorors. Skee Wee
Skeeeeeeeeeeeee- Weeeeeeeeeee!
-http://www.csufresno.edu/folklore/drinkingsongs/mp3s/1990s/1999ca-black-greek-soundz-(CD)/alpha-kappa-alpha-sorority-chants-and-songs/05-s-k-eee-weeee.htm ;
re-posted on 3/19/2010 with permission from that website's editor
Editor: This is posted with a partial sound file that continually repeats unless you turn off that feature by clicking the second symbol in that sound file.
T,U,V
TAKE IT SLOW
Soloist: Ladies, sometimes you've got to...
Sololist & Group: Take it slow
Admire the blue and gold
You've got to take a rest
To view the very best
You've better take your time
So it won't blow your mind
And when we come to the end
We just might just do it again.
Yeeeeoooop!
-http://www.csufresno.edu/folklore/drinkingsongs/mp3s/1990s/1999ca-black-greek-soundz-(CD)/sigma-gamma-rho-chants-and-songs/08-take-it-slow.htm
re-posted on 3/19/2010 with permission from that website's editor
Editor: This chant is posted with a partial sound file that continually repeats unless you turn off that feature by clicking the second symbol in that sound file
"Blue & gold" are the colors of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (also known as SGRho). Their signature call is "Yeeeeoooop!"
****
TESTIFY
(Song for Serenade - Tune "I Want To Testify")
Friends, inquisitive friends are asking what's come over me.
Change, there's been a change and A Phi A.
Girls ae walking around me, and taking me by surprise,
And I'm a brown-eyed Alpha, You can see it in my eyes.
Now it was just a little while ago, my life was incomplete.
I was just so doggone low and Alpha pulled me to my feet. A Phi A
Chorus
Don't you know that I just want to testify
What Alpha has done for me.
(Repeat)
Hm---- Hm----
Alpha, Soul Fraternity.
(Repeat)
-Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection, permission granted to post on Cocojams.com, 3/20/2010
****
THE BEAT OF MY HEART
The beat of my heart is crying ZPhiB
The beat of my heart is crying ZPhiB
Because everybody know we are the best sorority
Because everybody know we are the best sorority
I looked to my left and who stands supreme
The blue and the white; not the pink & the green.
I said my sorors? Yeah?
Did you heart it? Hear what?
The sound of those AKAs
I said they're hurting my head with their
A-a-kin sound
I said "Skee-Wee"
As they sake all around
With their hands in the air
Thinking they're all that
But they don't understand
Pink and Green don't even match.
The beat of my heart is crying ZPhiB
The beat of my heart is crying ZPhiB
Because everybody know we are the best sorority
Because everybody know we are the best sorority
I look up a head and who's standing bold
The blue and the white and not the blue and the gold
I said my sorors? Yeah?
Did you heart it? Hear what?
The sound of those SGRho's
Shhhh! [sound of crickets]
No matter what we do
No matter where we go
We never hear a sound
From those SGRho
The beat of my heart is crying ZPhiB
The beat of my heart is crying ZPhiB
Because everybody know we are the best sorority
Because everybody know we are the best sorority
I look to my right tell me who did I see?
The blue and the white not the crimson and cream
I said my sorors. Yeah?
My sexy sorors. Yeah?
The sound of the DSTs
I said "Whoooooops"
They pledged the wrong sorority
With that mistaken sound
With that darned geometry
And to make matters worse
They used to be AKA
DST is with them
And they're there today
The beat of my heart is crying ZPhiB
The beat of my heart is crying ZPhiB
Because everybody know we are the best sorority
Because everybody know we are the best sorority
I said my sorors. Yeah?
My sexy sorors. Yeah?
We sound sooo good today.
But then a Zeta lady sounds good everyday.
-http://www.csufresno.edu/folklore/drinkingsongs/mp3s/1990s/1999ca-black-greek-soundz-(CD)/zeta-phi-beta-chants-and-songs/21-the-beat-of-my-heart.htm; re-posted on 3/19/2010 with permission from that website's editor
Editor: This is posted with a partial sound file that continually repeats unless you turn off that feature by clicking the second symbol in that sound file.
Most fraternity & sorority chants are unison chants. I was therefore quite interested to find a sorority chant that has a call & response section. This portion of "The Beat Of My Heart" chant:
Soloist: I said my sorors.
GroupYeah?
reminds me of a large number of foot stomping cheers in which the soloist calls one person by name and that person says "Yeah" or says "What".
For comparison, visit http://www.cocojams.com/content/foot-stomping-cheers-0 and read "Get Down", or "Introduce Yourself" or any number of other examples of foot stomping cheers that are posted there..
****
THE WAY I FLIP MY HAIR
The way I flip my hair I make the Kappa’s stare
The way I turn it out I make the Alphas shout
The Sigma’s and the Que’s, Yeah they want me too
EEEE-YIP I LOVE MY GOLD AND BLUE!!!!!
THEY TELL US WE'RE SMART
-http://greeks.astate.edu/sigmagammarho/chants.htm; assessed 6/22/2010 (Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. chants)
****
THEY TELL US THAT WE'RE SO SMART
Here is a chant that we used in step shows and it became a signature step for Sigma Gamma Rho because we stepped with books.
They tell us that we’re smart as if something is wrong, Knowing that good grades is what everyone wants.
They tell us aiming high is really not that great,
And then we turn to say: at least we make our grades ( or “at least we graduate”)
-rhoyalty22 5/5/2005
****
THEY TOOK MY HAND
"They took my hand / And said, 'Understand / You're a brother like no other / You're a Lambda man'."
-"Newsweek Article Features La Unidad Latina
Monday, November 01, 2004" http://www.launidadlatina.org/news/17959/LUL-In-The-News-Newsweek-Articl... [Retrieved 3/7/2010]
Editor: This is probably a clip from a longer chant or song. It was included on the page for
Lambda Sigma Upsilon (Latino) fraternity
****
THEIR SORORITY HAS A FIRST NAME (Example #1)
Their Sorority has a first name
(it's A-L-P-H-A)
Their Sorority has a second name
(it's K-A-P-PA)
Their Sorority has a third name
(it's A-L-P-H-A)
THEIR SORORITY, AS YOU CAN SEE, ACCEPTS THE REJECTS OF DST!
-GUEST,OO-OOP; Fraternity & Sorority Chants and Songs; http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=103135&messages=69
Editor:
This version of this chant is from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. "DST" is the initials for Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.sorority See Example #2 for an example from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Among the university based African American (Greek lettered) sororities, DST (the Deltas) and AKA (Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc.) have a "history" of (shall we say) "rather keen rivalry".
What is interesting to me (as a community folklorist) is that this 'dissin' chant is based on the rather widely known "Oscar Myer hotdog jingle.
****
THEIR SORORITY HAS A FIRST NAME (Example #2)
[Sung to the Oscar Meyers song]
Their Sorority has a first name
Its d-e-l-t-a
Their sorority has a second name
Its s-i-g-m-a
Their sorority has a third name
Its t-h-e-t-a
Cuz dst has a way of accepting rejects of AKA
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Epsilon Sigma chapter http://orgs.tamu-commerce.edu/esig1908/chants.htm (Retrieved 3/7/2010)
****
THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER (Version #4)
1 9 0 8
We are the first Black Greek sorority
We wear our twenty pearls
[?]
When you see us with our heads held high
And say [?] our noses are always in the sky
'Cause this is What?
Ah serious matter.
Group does step routines without chanting
Ah serious matter.
-BHSMouse; AKA GMU Probate Fall 08 Omicron Iota step; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyvnuGq5vLs&feature=related ; January 31, 2009
(re-posted & transcription by Azizi Powell, 5/19/2010)
Editor: The question mark in brackets means that I'm not certain about what the step team chanted.
Here's that video:
****
THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER (Version #3)
We are the first black greek sorority.
Not DST, Not ZPhiB.
Sigma Gamma Rho. I don't think so.
Is it red and white? Is it red and gold?
Delta Sigma Theta you don't even know
Because on one bright and sunny day
all of your founders pledged AKA.
So greet me Delta and step back in line
because you don't know who you are
and you can't make up your mind." ...
This is a serious matter! YES!
This is a serious matter!
-The "Sensational" Sigma Epsilon Chapter' Spring 2003 [?]; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmvCmuFfycM&feature=related [This transcription was posted as a comment by video viewer Psionix9 in 2008]
Here's that video:
****
THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER (Version #2)
I woke up this morning, jumped out of bed,
looked in the mirror and i SHOOK my pretty head
Okay they say i'm conceited, that is no lie....
I'LL BE A CONCEITED AKA UNTIL THE DAY THAT I DIE!
Pretty in pink, gorgeous in green
Since 1908, We've rained supreme!
This is a serious matter! YES!
This is a serious matter! YES, YES!
Alpha Kappa Alpha! (Alpha Kappa Alpha!)
SWEET AKA! (SWEET AKA!)
The first black sorority (echo)
WE PAVED THE WAY! (echo)
THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER!
-Guest, Fraternity & Sorority Chants and Songs; http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=103135&messages=76; 3/10/2010
****
THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER (Version #1)
This is a Serious Matter
Yes
This is a Serious Matter
Yes Yes
Alpha Kappa Alpha
A-K-A
Sororities take note
We paved your way
So if your not AKA
You went the wrong WAY!
-AKA soror, (Pittsburgh, PA), from private electronic email to
Azizi Powell, 8/13/04; posted by Azizi, 12/2005
Editor:
"This Is A Serious Matter" is the most widely known traditional Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. chant. There are numerous examples of this step on YouTube. See the videos of this chant reposted on this page. Another version of this chant is found on Cocojams' Fraternity/Sorority Step & Stroll videos page:
http://www.cocojams.com/content/fraternity-sorority-step-stroll-related-...
(Alpha Kappa Alpha 1st Place Winners for Chicago Sprite Step Off; the beginning of the-2nd AKA video posted on that page). Also click on the link given above as Version #3 of this chant.
The complete lyrics to "This is a Serious Matter" chant vary among different chapters or within the same chapter at different points in time. "This Is A Serious Matter" is usually composed of two line rhyming verses that state the history of the sorority, praise the sorority and its members, and/or diss (insult) other sororitiies. (See Version #3 above).
Many versions of this chant start with the step team saying "1 9 0 8" which is the date that Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority was founded. Most versions of "This Is A Serious Matter" include a reference to the fact that Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc was the first Black sorority. Each version of this chant includes the refrain "This Is a SERIOUS matter". However, as shown in the video featured on Cocojams' Step & Stroll page, a step team may only repeated the words "This is a serious matter; this is a serious, serious, serious matter". My sense is that what "is a serious matter" is the sorority itself- its history, its ideals, its present activities, and its members' commitment to that organization.
The characteristic way that the "This is a serious matter" step routine begins is that each member of the step team holds their hands in an "Egyptian dance" pose [with their hands held palms down and sideways right below their waist]. Other "Egyptian-like" poses are performed throughout this routine while the steppers move from side to side to the beat of the chant.
.
For the record, *I "went over" (became a member of AKA Sorority, Inc) in 1967-Gamma Zeta chapter, New Jersey. Members of the state's graduate chapter pledged my line. We only stepped a couple of times, and I don't remember learning "This is a Serious Matter". I'm not sure when this chant was first composed. If anyone remembers this chant from the late 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, please share that information with Cocojams by contacting me at cocojams17@yahoo.com.
****
THIS IS MY PINKIE
This is my pinkie (hold up pinkie)
And this is my hand (hold out hand)
It's just like an AKA to take your man
You're mad about your boyfriend
And that's no lie
It takes a real ALPHA Woman to keep him satisfied
So get yourself together and put your man on a leash because he'd rather be with beauty (sorors hold up your pinkie)
Than to be with the beast!
(sorors do the Delta's hand sign upside down. Should be an upside down triangle)
-soulforealAKA ; http://www.stophazing.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000243;...
****
TO THE LEFT
this goes to to the song Irreplacable by beyonce to the left to the left aka's yall went the wrong way yall should of went rit wit tose delta's yall know thats wats up. yall went left with them sidissy akas yall sould of went right get yall minds rigt yall cant even step i bet yall cant even step to this tune i bet yall couldnt talk and step at the same time
theres more
-Delta ; 8/13/2007
Editor:
Thanks for sending that example, Delta. However, I'm not sure where your step chants ends and your comments begin. I think "yall know thats wats up is where your comments begin but I'm not sure about that.
Btw: "sidissy" is probably a typo for "siditty" . "Siditty" means "stuck up" which "snotty" which means a person who thinks that she or he is better than certain other people. That word probably came from the word "city" and its implication that city folk thought that they were better than folks who lived in or came from the country (rural areas).
W,X,Y,Z
WE ARE THE BROTHERS OF QUE PSI PHI
[1995 Probates {pledges}, Howard University]
Refrain leader: Oh Oh Oh!
All: Oh Oh Oh!
Leader: Oh Oh Oh Oh!
All: Oh Oh Oh!
Leader: We are the brothers of Que Psi Phi
All: We are the brothers of Que Psi Phi
Leader: The Mother Pearl and that's no lie.
All: The Mother Pearl and that's no lie.
Leader: We're gonna live, we're gonna die
All: We're gonna live, we're gonna die
Leader: In the name of Que Psi Phi.
All: In the name of Que Psi Phi.
Leader: We've come from near we've come from far
Leader: first by lamp and then by star
All: first by lamp and then by star.
Refrain
Leader: In this place of pain and tears,
All: In this place of pain and tears,
Leader: I have learned to persevere.
All: I have learned to persevere.
Leader: Manhood and scholarship,
All: Manhood and scholarship,
Leader: and the meaning of uplift.
Leader: Cooper, Coleman, Love, and Just (varied rhythm) *
All: Cooper, Coleman, Love, and Just,
Leader: They are watching over us.
All: They are watching over us.
Refrain
Leader: I may not see my home again,
All: I'll wave good-bye to all my friends,
Leader: I'll tell my Mama not to cry,
All: I am pledging Que Psi Phi.
Refrain.
Leader: She said "Son along the way,
All: She said "Son along the way,
Leader: watch those cloudy skies of gray.
All: watch those cloudy skies of gray.
Leader: The sun is shining on the other side (ritardando)
All: The sun is shining on the other side
Leader; shining brightly Que Psi Phi"
All: shining brightly Que Psi Phi" (crescendo)
Refrain (resume previously tempo)
* The last names of the four founders of the fraternity
-Elizabeth Fine, Soulstepping-African American Step Shows (University of Illinois Press; 2003) pg. 48-49
Editor:
Here's a quote from that book about this chant: "With shaven heads and gold paint glistening on their faces, the 1995 probates of Omega Psi Phi at Howard University stand at rigid attention, holding across their chest shields decorated with the fraternity insignia. In combat boots, tan trousers, blue sweat shirts, sunglasses, the young men stand with their chins and lower lips thrust out, a ritual facial expression known as the grit."
-snip-
I've never heard the term "the grit" before, but I have heard of "grittin". In my opinion, the term "grittin" comes from the word "gritty" and refers to a harsh "stone faced" expression. "Grittin" is a term that is used to describe the exaggerated, bulldog like angry expression that is a signature facial expression for members & pledges of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (meaning it is usually not done by other fraternities). Qs put on this facial expression to show how tough & in control they are. In everyday interactions, a person who sees someone with this expression looking at him* might confront that person and say "Why you grittin on me?" The person with that grittin expression then has choices he must make. He could change that facial expression and deny that he was "grittin" (on that other person). Or he could keep that same expression or make his facial expression even uglier and say something that would escalate the confrontation. In other words, "grittin" is no joke. I would advise people not to put on these facial expressions if they don't want to start some trouble that they may not be able to finish.
*Although the male pronoun is used in this comment, females also have been know to "grit on" other people.
****
WE ARE THE GAMMA PHI BETAS
Here's another lovely cheer that the girls at Arizona State use:
We are the Gamma Phi Betas from ASU
We're here to shout, we're here to show
We are the best house on the row
So clap your hands and stomp your feet
Boogie along to the G-Phi Beat
G-A-MM-A P-H-I B-E-T-A (low voice) *Someone asks: "Who"*
G-A-MM-A P-H-I B-E-T-A (medium voice) *Another Person: "I Can't Hear You"
G-A-MM-A P-H-I B-E-T-A (extremely loud...think cheerleader)
(loud voice) We are the Gamma Phi Betas from ASU!
-kclovesgphib; http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=32351&page=4 ;10-18-2007,
****
WE ARE THE MEN OF Q PSI PHI
We are the men of Q Psi Phi
Mighty Mighty Q Psi Phi
We come from near we come from far
First by lamp and then by star
Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa
Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa
I kiss my girl and made her cry
Cause I was pledgin Q Psi Phi.
I kissed my girl and made her cry
Cause I was pledgin Q Psi Phi
Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa
Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa
-posted by Azizi, 12/05 (source-step shows that I attended in the 1990s in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
Editor:
"We Are The Men Of Q Psi Phi" is a popular Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity, Inc. song. Although this moderately slow song is structured like a call & response song, the only way I've heard it sung is in unison. Like the song "Make Way The Q Train Is Coming", often serves as a prelude or introduction to other step routines. "Lamp” is a symbol for Q pledges; “Star” is a symbol for men who have passed the pledge process and become official members of the fraternity.
The meaning I've gotten from the lines "I kissed my girl and made her cry/cause I was pledgin Q Psi Phi" was that the girl cried because she knew that she'd have less time with her man now that he was pledging Q Psi Phi.
Of course, that line is borrowed from the Mother Goose rhyme: "Georgie Porgy; Puddin Pie/ kiss the girls and made them cry". However, since Ques are known as real buff, macho men, the next lines for the Georgie Porgie rhyme "When the boys came out to play/ Georgie Porgie ran away" wouldn't fit the image of the Q's at all. See the example "We Are The Brothers of Que PSI PHI" that is posted on this page.
****
WE ARE THE SPHINXMEN
We are the Spinxmen
And we're moving up slowly
Cause we're pledgin Alpha
and we're bad muthas...shut yo mouth.
You see those Frats...YEAH.
I know you do.
Don't wanna be no Omega, Kappa, Sigma fool.
Come together
Pledging Alpha
On our way
Zoom zoom zoom
Well we're on our way
Zoom zoom zoom
(Repeat)
-Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection, permission granted to post on Cocojams.com, 3/20/2010
****
WE GOT
Chorus:
We got, we got; oh we got
Oh we got, oh what we got, we got
What-the Kappas ain't got;
Oh what we got, we got,
(Repeat)
What- the Q's ain't got;
Oh what we got, we got,
(Repeat)
What- the Sigmas ain't got,
Oh what we got, we got,
(Repeat)
(Back to the chorus and then then chant)
Chant-We're cool, we're too much, we're out of sight.
(Repeat twice)
So listen Q's you'd better step aside.
But a lot of Q's didn't and a lot of Q's died.
Oh, A Phi A A Phi A
(Repeat twice)
-Brian A. Jackson Alpha Phi Alpha collection, permission granted to post on Cocojams.com, 3/20/2010
****
WE'RE COMING THROUGH
We're comin through.... Hey all you girls from the other side watch out for that Phoenix pride We're number 1 on that you'll bet girls like us you've never met. We're calling you out so don't run and hide step up and show your pride Be sure to stand tall cuz we're coming through make way for that pink, white and blue. Step back way back 2x YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Comments:
Sigma Kappa Tau Sorority Inc. is a community service greek letter organization that caters to lesbian women over the age of 21. Founded on October 14, 2005 in los angeles, california with members in st. Louis, mo. Portage, Ind. Long Beach, ca. Cockeysville,
Maryland. Kansas city, Mo. National website http://sigmakappatau.tripod.com. We're Coming Through" is our "National chant. Note to editor..... The phoenix is the national mascot of SKT, It's chosen for its supernatural powers of regeneration after living a full life the Phoenix submerges itself in its own flames coming back stronger than before. YEEEEEEEEEE is the signature call of SKT
-Salacious (Co-founder and Executive Director); 3/13/2007
****
WE'RE GAMMA PHI GIRLS
We're gamma phi, ch ch chh, ch ch chh chh chh
We're gamma phi, ch ch chh, ch ch chh chh chh
We're the gamma phis at [name] University
And believe me, every girl here you'll wanna meet.
We're cool, we go to school, we make ALL the boys drool
We like to live our lives by the golden rule
We're gamma phi, ch ch chh, ch ch chh chh chh
We're gamma phi, ch ch chh, ch ch chh chh chh
Take a look at my sister
She's outta sight
There's somethin bout the crescent moon shinin at night
(One half) Hey honey!
(Other half) Hey sugar!
Let me give you a clue
When the weekend comes we know what to do
We have formals, exchanges, and philanthropy too
If you pledge our house, you'll never be blue!
We're gamma phi, ch ch chh, ch ch chh chh chh
We're gamma phi, ch ch chh, ch ch chh chh chh
We like to sing, party, giggle, wiggle, dance til we drop
Some say SLOW DOWN but baby we don't sto-op
The sisterhood here is amazing, you'll see.
The best friends you'll find are g-phi-b
So come on all you ladies and join our fun
Cuz every year we're number one
We're gamma phi, ch ch chh, ch ch chh chh chh
We're gamma phi, ch ch chh, ch ch chh chh chh
We're gamma phi!!
-DanznInSeptembe (Gamma Phi Beta Sorority) http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=32351&page=5; 12-12-2008
Editor: This cheer reminds me of the African American rhyme "Hey Baby". Visit Cocojams' Children's Game Song & Movement Rhymes http://www.cocojams.com/content/childrens-rhymes-cheers
****
WHAT IF
What if the Alphas weren't so cold, messed around and lost their home, would the Pink and Green give them a loan?
What if, what if, what if?
What if a Kappa stepped on a crack, dropped his cane and broke his back, would their step shows still be wack?
What if, what if, what if?
What if the Ques were as they seemed, messed around around and stepped out of the dream, then they could really beat the football team,
What if, what if, what if?
What if the Iotas were nationwide, what if the Iotas were statewide, what if the Iotas were campus wide?
What if, what if, what if?
-Guest; http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=103135&messages=77; 2/23/2010
Editor:
This is an example of a Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc, dissin' (put down chant). The guest poster on that Mudcat thread got this example from http://justoneminute.typepad.com/main/2007/02/the_second_duke.html. The "Ques', "Kappas", and "Iotas" are references for other Black Greek lettered fraternities. "Pink and Green" is a reference to the Black Greek lettered sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc., which is unofficially considered to be the sister sorority to the Alphas. This chant disses each fraternity by alluding to memes (widely held beliefs, opinions) about that specific organization.
I feel the need to note that this example was given along with several other examples that contain a lot of profanity & sexually explicit references.
****
WHAT IS AN AKA? (Version #2)
AhhKA is what a Delta ain't
what a Zeta wants to be
what a Sigma can't
what the Ques like
what the Kappas love
what a APhiA can't get enough of.
-Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Epsilon Sigma chapter http://orgs.tamu-commerce.edu/esig1908/chants.htm (Retrieved 3/7/2010)
****
WHAT IS AN AKA ? (Version #1)
Ummmm...the Delta Chant "What is a Delta" is an ORGINAL AKA chant.
"What is an AKA..."
AhhAKA is what a Delta ain't
what a Zeta want to be
what a Sigma can't
what the Ques like
what the Kappas love
what a APhiA can't get enough of.
-Guest, Guest, Fraternity & Sorority Chants and Songs; http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=103135&messages=69 ; August 21, 2009 PM
Editor:
This same chant was also sent to Cocojams by AKA Soror; 8/10/2006
I've found that there are a number of Black Greek lettered sorority & fraternity chants/songs that several organizations claim that they originated a particular chant. Other organizations vehementally dispute these claims. Apparently "What is a ____" is one of them. See the examples below that are titled "What is a Delta?"
**
For clarification in case some readers don't know this info:
"Soror" is the term used for a person who is a member of your sorority. It comes from the Latin word meaning "sister" and is the beginning of the word "sorority". "Fraternity" comes from the Latin word "frater" meaning "brother". The comparable colloquial term used in informal American conversation} for a male who is a member of a fraternity is "frat brother". I've never heard or seen or heard "frat" used by itself like the term "soror" is used. However, "frat" is used as a noun to refer to a person's fraternity (for instance
"Which frats are in the step show tonight?"). "Frat" is also used as an adjective. For example, a "frat house" is a house on or off campus which is reserved as the residence of members of a specific fraternity. However, I don't think that there is a comparable term for a a residence for sorors. For example, I've never heard of a "soror house".
For a general history of fraternities & sororities, click this link:
http://www.greeks.appstate.edu/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=...
Here's one quote from that article:
"Fraternities and sororities were established to further the social, scholastic and professional interests of its members. They are mainly associated with colleges and universities. Most fraternities and sororities adopt Greek letters to represent their organization, and as a result they are often referred to as Greek letter societies, or simply Greek organizations."
-snip-
Although the first organizations to call themselves "fraternities" started on colleges & university campuses in the mid 19th century, 'secret' religious and/or social organizations were found in most ancient societies in Africa, Europe, Asia, and elsewhere.
****
WHAT IS A DELTA? (Version #5)
Soloist: My sorors
Group: Yeah
Soloist: My sweet sweet sorors
Group: Yeah
Soloist: Tell me
Soloist & Group; What is a Delta
Soloist: I said
Soloist & Group: What is a Delta
A DELTA is
What an Ah-ka ain't
What a Zeta wants to be
What a Sigma can't
What an Alpha likes
What a Kappa luvs
What a QUE PSI PHI can't get enough of..
OOO-OOP!!!
-http://www.csufresno.edu/folklore/drinkingsongs/mp3s/1990s/1999ca-black-greek-soundz-(CD)/delta-sigma-theta-sorority-chants-and-songs/02-what-is-a-delta.htm
re-posted on 3/21/2010 with permission from that website's editor
Editor: This is posted with a sound file that continually repeats unless you turn off that feature by clicking the second symbol in that sound file. Note that I made some corrections to this transcription based on my hearing of the sound file.
The call & response beginning of this chant reminds me of the structure of foot stomping cheers.
****
WHAT IS A DELTA? (Version #4)
Sorority Chant - What is a Delta: What is a Delta? What is a Delta? She’s an imitator A perpetrator A wanna-be Wanna-be like me What Kappa don’t want What an Alpha don’t need What a Q-Psi Phi wished was a Skee Wee
-IvyProne08 ; 12/4/2007
Editor:
The "ivy" in the name "IvyProne08" is a dead giveaway that this example is chanted by a female who is pledging AKA . "Skee Wee" is the AKA call. "Delta" is the name of another Black Greek letter sorority, while Kappa, Alpha, and Q-Psi-Phi are names of Black Greek lettered fraternities. It should be noted that these fraternities and sororities have some members who aren't Black.
****
WHAT IS A DELTA? (Version #3)
What is a Delta, What is a Delta?
Who ain't a Delta, Who ain't a Delta?
A Delta is what you can be
Anyone can join this sorority, just sign your name and they'll put you through
and then you can go Oo-oop too
-LejaLaMorena; http://www.stophazing.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000... 09-29-2005 [accessed by Azizi Powell, 5/19/2010]
****
WHAT IS A DELTA? (Version #2)
The chant goes (or at least our version):
a DELTA is what an aka ain't, what a zeta wanna be, what a sigma (as in Sigma Gamma Rho) can't. What the alphas like, what the kappas love, what a Que Psi Phi can't get enough of...OO-OOP!
#3
Spr 08
Omicron Chapter
(fyi: i am a DELTA which is why I oo-oop'd at the end, but it is inappropriate for someone to repeat a call if you are not in their organization)
-DSTLover1922 (2009) ; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jW3W62qknJA&feature=related (embedding disabled)
Editor: I'm assuming that this chant begins with the question "What is a Delta?" Some versions of this chant say "Ah-ka" instead of "AKA" (with the initials pronounced like a word instead of being pronounced separately). "Zeta" and "Sigma" refer to the two other Black Greek lettered sororities that are in the Pan-Hellenic Council. "Alphas", "Kappa", and "Que Psi Phi" are three of the four Black Greek lettered fraternities that are in the Pan-Hellenic Council, The newest fraternity to be recognized by that council, Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc, has not been included in this chant. "Oop oop oop" is the Delta Sigma Theta signature call.
****
WHAT IS A DELTA? (Version #1)
What is a Delta? What is a Delta? A Delta is what an AKA ain't What a Zeta wanta be What Sigma Can't What a Kappa likes What a Alpha Loves What a Que Psi Phi Can't get enuf of. Ooo-oop Ooo-oop Oop oop oop.
-Anonymous; 4/27/2007
Editor: This exact same chant was also posted on the fraternity/sorority thread that I started on Mudcat Cafe on July 8, 2007. The poster on that site used the screen name of "AWEthentic #1 - DST - Spring 2004"
****
WHO AINT A DELTA
Soloist-Who ain't a Delta?
A Delta is what you can be
All can join this sorority
Just sign your name and they'll put you through
And then you can go "Ooooh, Ooooh" too.
Yeeeeeeoooooop!
Yeeeeeeoooooop!
Yeeeooop! Yeeeooop! Yeeeooop! Yeeeooop!
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeoooooooooooop!
-http://www.csufresno.edu/folklore/drinkingsongs/mp3s/1990s/1999ca-black-greek-soundz-(CD)/sigma-gamma-rho-chants-and-songs/19-who-ain-t-a-delta.htm
re-posted on 3/21/2010 with permission from that website's editor
Editor: This is posted with a partial sound file that continually repeats unless you turn off that feature by clicking the second symbol in that sound file
This Sigma Gamma Rho chant is a putdown of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Contrast the message of this chant with this chant with the message of the Delta chant entitled "You Can Not Slide". Also, contrast this chant with the examples of "What is a Delta" that are chanted by the Deltas.
****
WHO'S THAT KNOCKIN AT THE DOOR
Who's that knockin at the door
Well it's the Ques.
We're gonna break it on down.
[Repeat several times.]
-heard at various step shows in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 1990s, (posted by Azizi Powell, 12/2008)
****
WOKE UP THIS MORNIN (Version #2)
Woke up this morning and got out of bed
Went to the mirror and I shook my pretty head
I'm conceited. Yeh, and that's no lie
I'll be an Ahh-ka 'till the day I die.
We don't die
We just intense, intense, intense, intense, intensify!
Woke up this morning and got out of bed
Went to the mirror and I shook my pretty head
We're not conceited. Nah, we're just convinced
Yah, we're not arrogant.
We're awesome
We'll take your man and boss 'em.
-http://www.csufresno.edu/folklore/drinkingsongs/mp3s/1990s/1999ca-black-greek-soundz-(CD)/alpha-kappa-alpha-sorority-chants-and-songs/12-woke-up-this-morning-(aka-conceited).htm ; re-posted on 3/19/2010 with permission from that website's editor
Editor: This is posted with a partial sound file that continually repeats unless you turn off that feature by clicking the second symbol in that sound file
The line "we don't die/ we just intensify" is similar to another Black Greek lettered organization's line "We don't die/we multiple". I can't recall which fraternity or sorority says this line. I think it's the Qs, but I'm not sure.
****
WOKE UP THIS MORNIN (Version #1)
Woke up this mornin' and jumped out of bed
Went to the mirror and shook my pretty head
Yes, I'm conceited and that's no lie
I'll be an AKA 'till the day I die
We don't die
We just intense, intense, intense, intense, intensify!
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Epsilon Sigma chapter (Retrieved 3/7/2010)
****
YO SWEET NUPE
Yo Nupe Yo Nupe! (Yo!) Sweet Nupe! (Yo!) Kool Nupe! (Yo!) Fly Fly Nupe. (Yo yo yo yo!) Yo Nupe! (Yo!) Sweet Nupe! (Yo!) Kool Nupe! (Yo!) Fly Fly Nupe. (Yo yo yo yo!) 1 and 1 and 1 is 3 You better watch your girl Bekause your girl is watching me 2 plus 2 and 1 is 5 We are those Pretty Nupes of the K A Psi And if at night You hear a noise It's just your freaky girl with them Kappa boys!
-Devastating 2euce ; 7/2/2007
Editor,
Devastating 2euce, thanks for responding to the request for the words to that chant! Since the person requesting these words asked for a chant that included the line "yo pretty baby maker", and your example doesn't include that line, I wonder if there are other versions of this chant floating around.
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. men are said to be known for their physical attractiveness. This is referenced in the phrase in that chant "yo pretty baby maker". And members of that fraternity call each other "Nupes". The term "Nupes" comes from the original name for that fraternity "Kappa Alpha Nu" See this website for more information about the history of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc: http://groups.msn.com/GKNupes/
Also, I find it interesting that part of this chant {from a female perspective} is found in the chant on this page that is titled "One And One And One Make Three".
****
YO SWEET NUPE (Request for words to the chant)
does any boyd [body?] know the KAY chant that goes "yo nupe (YO) sweet nupe (YO) yo playa (YO) yo pretty baby maker (YO)" i dont know the rest
-TOBE1ASK1; 7/2/2006
****
YOU CAN NOT SLIDE
Soloist-You can not
Soloist & group-slide,
In my sorority,
You can not shake your little hips,
In my sorority,
You have to shed, A tear,
And have something up here,
You have to work, and pray,
And have a GPA,
You say we skate,
You say we slide,
Well you're the one with no 2.5
Your GPA means AKA,
Quiet as kept,
Come to DST when you learn how to...
STEP!
-http://www.csufresno.edu/folklore/drinkingsongs/mp3s/1990s/1999ca-black-greek-soundz-(CD)/delta-sigma-theta-sorority-chants-and-songs/10-you-can-not-slide.htm
Editor: This chant is posted with a partial sound file that skips a portion of the chant and continually repeats unless you turn off that feature by clicking the second symbol in that sound file. I have transcribed this chant based on my hearing of the sound file and based on my memory of hearing this chant at a step show (in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, approximately 2002.)
"GPA" is "grade point average". "Sliding" and "skating" means to become a member of a sorority or fraternity without putting in any work. "Step" in this context, means more than performing step routines. It also means those experiences by which a person earns his or her membership in a Greek lettered organization. Also, "shape your little hips" is a put down as (generally speaking in African American culture) women with big hips are considered more favorably by men then women with little hips.
****
YOUR MAMA DIDN'T TELL YOU 'BOUT A PHI A
You mean your mama didn't tell you 'bout A Phi A
She didn't tell you 'bout our smooth and sexy ways
She didn't tell you how we slide to the side so sweet?
She didn't tell you we're first among all the Black Greeks.
'Cause we're the Akpha Bros for heaven's sake.
We're the granddaddies makin no mistakes.
We're the first, the first, We're never late.
From us all others originate.
-Alpha Phi Alpha Chant in Walter M. Kimbrough's "Black Greek 101: The Culture, Customs, and Challenges of Black Fraternities and Sororities" (2003, p. 19)
****
YOU SAID YOU WERE THE FIRST
You said you were the first the first You're nothing but the first You said we wanna be you Who knew, cuz we wear pure white and royal blue If yo AKA team was so supreme what made your founders wear krimson and kreme 1- 9- 2- 0 came a little bit later Your founders still wish that they waited to pledge Zeta
-Luv2BSeen; 4/10/2007
Editor:
This chant is an example of one sorority 'rippin' on another. I assume that Luv2BSeen is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. "You said you were the first" refers to the fact that AKA were the first Greek letter African American sorority. Alpha Kappa Alpha's colors are pink and green and another Black Greek letter sorority, Delta Sigma Theta's colors are crimson and creme. The line "If yo AKA team was so supreme what made your founders wear krimson and kreme" is meant to be a further diss on AKA because 22 women from that sorority left that organization to form Delta Sigma Theta.
****
YOU WISH YOU HAD A NICKEL
U wish u had a nickel
U wish u had a dime
U wish u had an AKA
To love U all the time
U wish u had a quarter
U wish u had a dollar
U wish u had an AKA
To Make u scream and Holla
-http://orgs.tamu-commerce.edu/esig1908/chants.htm Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Epsilon Sigma chapter (Retrieved 3/7/2010)
****
Z-E-T-A-P-H-I (Version #2)
I'm a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Here's one of the chants that we do:
Z-E-T-A-P-H-I (spelled out), Zeta Phi Beta til the day that I die! There'll be no skee wee, no ooo oop oops, no ee-yip yips, those just won't do. Ask me why I pledged Zeta and all I can say, Zeta Phi Beta is the Only way!
-Inferno; 6/10/2006
****
Z-E-T-A-P-H-I (Version #1)
This is a Zeta Chant:
Z-E-T-A-P-H-I Zeta Phi Beta till the day that i die, there'll be no skee no wee, no DST, I'm just a devastating lady of Z-PHI-B
-Zetaphied; 5/26/2006
Editor:
Zeta Phi Beta is a Black Greek letter sorority. I'm guessing that to be "Zetaphied" means to fully exemplify Zeta Phi Beta ideals.
The chant featured above is a representative example of sorority or fraternity chants which promote one's own group and puts down other groups. "Skee wee" refers to the signature call made by members of another Black Greek letter sorority: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc.(AKA). "DST" refers to still another Black Greek letter sorority: Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. These sororities are incorporated organizations with undergraduate (university) and graduate chapters throughout the United States, and in some other nations throughout the world.
****
Z-E-T-A P-H-I (Comment #1)
The Zetas also say: Z-E-T-A P-H-I B-E-T-A spells Zeta Phi Beta. The Sigmas spell their name and repeat the same refrain. This goes along with All of our love.. And is usually sung in staggered harmony with both groups (major sista/brotha thang!!!)
-Aphrodite, Spring '84 Omicron Mu, Buffalo NY; 4/11/2006
Editor:
See the chant "All Of Our Love" on page 1 of this section. Also, see the comment that Nikki ZKA ExquiZite #3 wrote that she sent in along with the example "I Didn't Want To Be No AKA" . That comment provides information about the formal sister/brother relationship between the Zetas sorority and the Sigmas fraternity.
****
ZETAS AIN'T GOT NOTHIN ON ME
zetas ain't got nothin on me they betta watch they back cuz they don't know me we deltas full of red and white not the blue and white
and not sistas to the candy stripes
-keyaire; 4/24/2006
Editor:
When keyaire wrote not the blue and white, she's referring to the members of another [Black] Greek letter sorority, the Zetas (Zeta Phi Beta). When keyaire wrote "and not the sistas to the candy stripes" she is referring to yet another sorority (AKAs ??) who on some university campuses are sisters to a fraternity who is referred to in this chant as "the candy stripes". My guess is that this fraternity is the Kappas, whose colors are crimson and creme (which is given here as "red and white").
****
ZOOM, ZOOM, ZOOM (Example #3)
Some men pledge Kappa,
Some pledge Que Psi Phi.
But I pledged Alpha Phi Alpha
And I'll be an Alphaman until the day I die!
Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, my brothers I love my Black and Gold! 06!
I got the fever all in my body, the fever down in my soul
That Alpha Fever!
-ColdFront06; http://www.stophazing.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000... 09/29/2005 [accessed by Azizi Powell on 5/19/2010]
Editor: This is an Alpha Phi Alpha version of "Zoom Zoom Zoom".
****
ZOOM, ZOOM, ZOOM (Example #2)
Zoom Zoom Zoom! I got the fever!
Zoom Zoom Zoom! That ALPHA fever!
Fever in the mornin'! Woo!
I got the fever all night long!
And as a matter of fact,
You can't take it back!
I got the fever for that A PHI A!!!
FrozenMenace; http://www.stophazing.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000... 9/39/2005
Editor: This is an Alpha Phi Alpha version of "Zoom Zoom Zoom". The lines "I got the fever" line and "fever in the morning" were lifted from the hit 1958 American pop song "Fever". Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4hXyALR9vI&feature=related for a video of Peggy Lee singing that song. The tune used for the BGLO chant/song "Zoom Zoom Zoom" is the same as the tune for the song "Fever".
Here's a video of Alphas singing & steppin to "Zoom Zoom Zoom". Btw, the female voices are probably members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Members of that sorority is usually unofficially considered sisters to the members of A Phi A.
Zoom Zoom Zoom
Vols21 — January 27, 2007 — APHIA doing their thing *as usual* in the step show. I-See-U-MI ; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCbnv7zzGYA&feature=related [no information given in the summary or comments about which chapter is steppin]
-snip-
The source of the "Zoom Zoom Zoom" phrase may have come from the Brazilian Capoeira song "Zum Zum Zum" . See my comment in Example #1 for more information about that song.
****
ZOOM, ZOOM, ZOOM (Example #1)
To all you ZPhiB's--with your I-A-Keys
See, you should have been a little bit smarter
and pledged DST
(we wouldn't have you)
Zoom Zoom Zoom...
Sigma Gamma Rho
there's something you should know
it's that Delta Sigma Theta
is the only way to go
(we are the sorors)
Zoom zoom zoom...
Alpha Kappa Alpha
you are loved by only a few
you see, Delta Sigma Theta
We got the Alphas, Kappas, Sigmas and Ques.
Zoom zoom zoom
-REDalert05; http://www.stophazing.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000243 ; 10-04-2005
Editor: This is a Delta Sigma Theta version of "Zoom Zoom Zoom". Several Black Greek lettered fraternities & sororities have chants/songs that are entitled "Zoom Zoom Zoom" ("also known as "Zoom Zoom Zoom"). The phrase "Zoom Zoom Zoom" may have come from the Brazilian Capoeira song "Zum Zum Zum" ("Zum Zum Zum Capoeira mata um/ Zum Zum Zum Capoeira mata um.". A clip of that song was used in the USA for the Mazda car commercial. Click http://www.jambalayah.com/node/693 to hear a version of "Zum Zum Zum" and to find information about this famous Capoiera song.
The line "ZPhiB's--with your I-A-Keys" I know that ZPhiB's" refers to the Black Greek letter sorority Zeta Phi Beta (also known as "the Zetas"). I think that "I-A-Keys" is a play on the Zeta call, but I'm not sure about that; Alphas, Kappas, Sigmas and Ques are names of four Black Greek letter fraternities.
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Please help preserve these cultural artifacts! Send in examples of chants to cocojams17@yahoo.com
Your email address will never be shared or posted.
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SITE VISITORS' COMMENTS
SONG- "ALL OF MY LOVE"
Editor:
I've received a number of comments about the chant "All Of My Love". I'm posting all of these comments together with the newest comments received posted first.
All Of My Love (Comment # 5)
All of my love, my peace and happiness I'm gonna give to A PHI !!
(repeated as a group while death marching)
Death marching is simply the march that the pledges embark on as a group, which usually precedes the walking of the "burning sands". If I'm not mistaken, I believe that every frat or sorority does theirs differently. If you want to see an example just visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zixWpBz3HYo Alpha Phi Alpha of FSU, death march to probate 4/10/08 the Epsilon Theta Chapter of A PHI A death marching. It starts off showing onlookers in the bleachers then they start marching at about 3:05.
-Lance H. III; 11/2/2009
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All Of My Love, Peace, & Happiness (Comment #4)
This is to addressed to all those who are confused about the chant: "All of my Love, my Peace & Happiness, I will give to Alpha" It is originally an Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated chant...When you look at the main words, All, Love, Peace, Happiness and
Alpha, it spells A-L-P-H-A...So for all you other greeks that claim this is your chant it's not!!! The first and the finest were the originators!!! 06-08 Oh Yeah!!
-OPaka1908; 6/12/2007
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All Of My Love, Peace, & Happiness (Comment #3)
A L P H A All MY Love my Peace and Happiness in going to give it to Alpha Just a miscellaneous of words. How can another organization try to claim a song that spells out another fraternity.. thats my 06 cent..
-Encore06; 7/29/2006
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All Of My Love, Peace, & Happiness (Comment #2)
the chant.... "All of my Love Peace and Happiness I'm going to give it to my Alpha" was written by Alphas All of my Love Peace and Happiness I'm gonna give it to my Alpha
-Tre; 7/27/2006
Editor:
Thanks for your comment Tre. I'm assuming by "Alphas" you mean "Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc." See the comment written by BigBrotherPrincipal Player on 1/29/2005 that uses the same line as that chant. Also see the comment from Aphrodite, Spring '84 Omicron Mu, Buffalo NY; 4/11/2006 and my comment about other groups who have used the line line "All of my love, peace, and happiness I'm gonna give to Omega." Is there any documentation to prove which group was the first to use this chant?
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All Of My Love, Peace, & Happiness (Comment #1)
I am a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority inc. I crossed on May 20, 1984. At that time all of the Black Frats and Sororities of the time had similar chants, but of course there were those that were unique to a particular group.
All of our love, peace and harmony, I'm gonna' give to________(you fill in the blank). It could be Zeta, Sigma, Alpha, Delta, Omega, or Kappa. The groups that usually used this chant were the Sigmas and Zetas.
-Aphrodite, Spring '84 Omicron Mu, Buffalo NY; 4/11/2006
Editor:
I've heard members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc chant "All of our love, peace, and happiness, I'm gonna give to Omega" . And, as Aphrodite mentioned, this was done in staggered harmony-meaning one group of brothers "sung" this chant and did a particular step and then kept on chanting and doing that step, while another sub-group of the step team started another chant and a different movement, and then third group and last group sung another chant and did another movement. All these sub-groups of that fraternity step team were on the "stage" or the college gym floor at the same time. The three divisions of the step team are in triangle formation, and the step master stands in front of each and starts them off by singing the chant and demonstrating the specific step that sub-group was to do. Each member of that sub-group did that step basically the same way, but some might do it a little more forcefully than others. This gets the audience real hyped. In my opinion, it's usually one of the highlights of a step show.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ABOUT OTHER GREEK LETTERED CHANTS
[Posted in chronological order with the newest comments posted first.]
Correction from an Omega Man
Omega men do not step we hop. Never refer to what we do as stepping. Pay attention to our shows there is a difference. Our knees are high our kicks are crisp. We HOP not step.
-Bizmar Que ;4/27/2009
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Little Brother Organizations
Actually, at least some sororities did have auxiliary "Little Brother" organizations several decades ago, as recently as the late eighties and perhaps into the early nineties. The present-day MiAKAs, or "Men Interested in AKA" is now an unofficial organization consisting of homosexual men who emulate the colors, symbols and posturing of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. However, in earlier years, MiAKA was an organization primarily for the boyfriends of members of the sorority and men interested in pledging Alpha Phi Alpha. Rather than emulating the sorority, they assisted the sorority with programs, served as "big brother" figures and helpers for the sorority's pledges, and supported the organization in various ways. It was seen as a stepping stone process to later becoming a member of Alpha Phi Alpha.
-Anonymous; 9/24/2008
Editor:
I pledged Alpha Kappa Alph, Inc. in 1967, and have been inactive for decades. I can not confirm what the anonymous poster had written about MiAKA now or in the past. If anyone else can provide more information about this group and/or other "Little Brother" organizations that are associated with African American {or other} sororities-preferable with online links or other documentation, I'll review that information, and hopefully, will share it with other Cocojams readers.
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A Comment About Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc. Ties With Other Organizations
I just wanted to klear something up. Yes, nupes have unofficial ties with other organizations. There are the Diamonds and pearles (or pretty boys and pretty girls) with the AKAs, there is Krimson and Kreme love with the Deltas, and, of course, there is Indiana Love. None of these ties, however, are official. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. is very adamant about *not* having a sister organization. So...please don't let the uninformed mislead you. Thanks ~ Tre Klub, Yo Yo!
-Kornelius ; 6/1/2008
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A Shout Out From An Old School Nupe
I love this I am old school but still a Nupe till the day I die Alpha Sigma chapter Southern University Yo Yo 1970!!!! Casper is my line name.
-Marshall H.; 4/17/2008
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A Comment About The Iota Sweethearts
Just wanted to make a general comment in reference to the "little sister" groups associated with various Fraternities. The Iota Sweethearts are an official and recognized group by the brothers of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. For more info please visit: http://www.iotaphitheta.org/sweethearts.html Thanks!!! Rebecca Reppin: Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc. The FIRST MULTICULTURAL sorority in the nation. www.musigmaupsilon.org
-rebecca ; 6/28/2007
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Explanation about One Of The Zeta Chants
hey yo just wanted to explain one of the zeta chants, they mention the akas and how nobody wants to be like them...sumthin like yeh...pink and green how come your founders where crimson and cream? thats because the deltas founding 22 broke off of the aka's in 1912 (ideas to do so started then) and then established themselves in 1913 because they wanted to change some things about the sorority that they felt they could not do without establishing a different one. also nupes always refers to kappas i want to know more about this q pearl stuff. because pearls are AKA stuff, but I mean Deltas and Ques are who go wayy back, i've definitely noticed some AKA/Que stuff too though, so I wasn't sure if the AKA's are the Q Pearls?? thanks
-gracie
Editor:
"Q Pearls" is a little sister group to the Ques ("Qs"; Omega Psi Phi, Inc.). Another name for "Q Pearls" are "Q Essences". Q Pearls are not affiliated in any way with Alpha Kappa Alpha. Inc.
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Kappas & Their Sister Groups
I noticed that you didn't have a sorority listed that would match up with the Kappas so allow me to share some insight with you. There is actually a bond between Kappas and SGRhos called "Indiana Love". The meaning behind this is somewhat due to the fact that both organizations were founded in Indiana, but it extends beyond that. Unfortunately that information is only known to members of Kappas and SGRhos so I will be unable to share that. But on another note, Kappas have a connection with AKA ("diamonds and pearls" & "pretty boys and girls") and DST (Crimson and Cream Konnektion). I hope this info can be helpful.
-Kod8aK ; 1/2/2007
Editor:
Thanks, Kod8aK. I edited my listing of brother & sister connections between Black Greek letter fraternities & sororities since it appeared from comments that I received that I was sharing incorrect information. I'm willing to be schooled about this topic!
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Information About Kappa Kappa Psi
I was just surfing through and found this website. I see you mentioned you never heard of Kappa Kappa Psi. Well I bet you have but don't realize it. Its a Fraternity established in 1919 as Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, INC. It's sister Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, INC. Kappa Kappa Psi was in the movie "Drumline". Also Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma are popular throughout the South in Historically Black Colleges and Universities Marching Bands as well as other musical ensembles.
-DJ ; 9/6/2006
Editor:
Sorry, DJ. I guess I'm culturally deprived. I did see the 2002 movie Drumline. And I really loved the drum corp scenes alot. But, I still must confess that I never heard of Kappa Kappa Psi fraternity or Tau Beta Sigma sorority.
To partially remedy my cultural unawareness, I googled the names of those fraternity & the sorority. Here's their national website: http://www.kkytbs.org/. And here's the first sentence on the home page of that website: "Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma are honorary service organizations whose sole purpose is to serve the college or university band programs through service projects, fundraisers, social events and other projects as needed".
-snip-
Thanks, DJ for sending in more information about this important fraternity & sorority.
And for any readers who may be interested, click http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0303933/ for reviews of & photos from Drumline.
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Information on Iota Phi Theta Fraternity
I noticed one of my brothers posted one of our chants on your site and you guys did not recognize the organization because he only mentioned the first part of our name, Iota. Our entire name is Iota Phi Theta fraternity incorporated and we are the latest and greatest fraternity within the National Pan-Hellenic Council.
-Christopher S.; 9/12/2006
Editor:
Thanks, Christopher! I thought that the chant that Jamere posted was from Iota Phi Theta, but I couldn't be sure. I invite readers to check out the website for this fraternity which was founded in 1963: http://www.iotaphitheta.org/.
I believe that fraternity & sorority chants are important expressions of folk culture. In order to help preserve & celebrate these chants, please send Cocojams some examples from your fraternity.
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Speaking up for Deltas
Speaking up for Delta, we do know our colors are Crimson and Creame sweetie!! Who should know better than us?
-Rockin Robin; 8/30/2006
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Request For More Omega Psi Phi Chants
I would love it if someone would post up a lot more of the OMEGA PSI PHI chants and songs! I wanna pledge OMEGA but i want 2 have a lot of knowledge before I get on line!!
-dave b.; 6/3/2006
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Identifying Step Instructors
I am really interested in getting my daughter involved in Street stomping or Foot street stomping. We live in the Washington, DC area, and would like additional information about how to get involved and perhaps bring step to her school some day. I hope to hear from someone soon to point me in the right direction. Thanks!
-margaret c. (Washington, D.C. area), 6/2/2006
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Request For Kappa Alpha Psi Chants
where are the kappa alpha psi chants!!!!!!!!!!
-terrance; 5/24/2006
Editor:
terrance, you know that African proverb that you've probably tired of hearing people quote (though no one ever says where in Africa it's from): "It takes a village to raise a child"? Well, it takes folks from communities all around the world to help add to the material featured on Cocojams.
I know there's some people out there reading Cocojams who are either fraternity or sorority members or know members or know some of these fraternity or sorority chants just because they've heard them or read them somewhere. While I can post some examples of chants that I've heard or read, I'm counting on Cocojams readers to post examples that they know.
For those who are members of Greek organizations, promote your organization while you help celebrate and preserve a seldom documented part of African American heritage (and/or other heritages). Share some chants that you know with other people! Thanks!
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For those persons interested in information about Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc, I just found this website: http://www.gmnupes.com/gpage4.html . This website contains a lot of historical information about Kappas stepping traditions with canes.
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I Luv Fraternities...
i luv fraternities,college parties, also step shows.my favorite are the kappas.i consider myself a lil bro to the kappas.so keep doin yo thingkappas always stay fly.
-lavandes l. ; 4/26/2006
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Learn Our Colors
Hi to the Delta that said the Zetas Ain't got nothing on yall. Learn your colors is not Red and White but its Crimson and Cream and Our colors are not Blue and White but Royal Blue & that lovely Pure White Sweetie
-Royal Pheonix; 4/26/2006
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Starting A Children's Step Team
I really like the street cheers and i want to see more. I'm starting kind of a step team in what u would call an all white school with just a little bit of black kids. I think it would be really cool if we could get some ideas and some really cool black chants it make things really cool. i reaaly do hope to hear from you. thank you so much appreciate it. holla!
-Atuka, 11/11/05
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Request For Chapter of AKA
To whom it may concern; My name is Priscilla and I am currently a student at a Massachusetts University. I was writing this comment to ask if there is a way that the A.K.A.s could come to my school to establish this sorority group here. All my friends and I are very fond of this particular sorority also my school is in serious need of a black greek life where we can all have the brotherly and sisterly love and bond. Thank you very much
-Priscilla 2/17/05
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Reply To Request For AKA Chapter
One way would be investigate whether you can get a chapter your college/university is to write to or call the graduate chapter in your area and request a chapter be chartered at your school. If you go to the national website, it may give you some direction on who to contact. There should be a number to call nationals and a map locator to find a nearby graduate chapter. www.aka1908.com
-A soror; 3/7/05
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EDITORIAL COMMENTS
[written or compiled by Ms. Azizi Powell, Founder/Editor, Cocojams.com]
WHAT ARE STEP CHANTS?
Black Greek letter fraternity and sorority chants are brief, rhyming compositions that are rooted in and reflective of Black oral traditions & Black performing arts traditions. These oral traditions are exemplified by the jalibas (griots), the calypsonians, the bluesmen and blueswomen, and hip-hop culture's rappers and other spoken word poets. All of these African & African Diaspora traditions include compositions which praise the individual, other individuals, a person's group, or other groups. All of these traditions include words that insult, put-down, diss another person, other individuals, and/or another group or groups. And all of these traditions use the spoken or sung word to document and/or provide comment about historical, real life events.
In my opinion, some Black Greek letter fraternity and sorority chants are also similar in spirit, words, structure, and intent to certain types of children's rhymes, dance style cheerleader cheers, and foot stomping chants. Like Black Greek letter fraternity and sorority chants, the types of children's rhymes and cheers that I'm referring to originated from or are heavily influenced by African American music & performance art traditions. Many examples of these children's rhymes and cheers include lines of self-promotion and put-downs of another individual or another group or team.
In my opinion, Black Greek letter fraternity & sorority steppin/chanting) differ substantially from the structure, "spirit", lyrics, intent, and performance activities of White fraternity and sorority praise songs and drinking songs. It also seems to me that audience responses to the performances of these types of fraternity & sorority chants are also very different from the audience responses to White fraternity drinking songs and praise songs.
My personal recollection of White college fraternity "sings" at a small college in Northern New Jersey in the mid to late 1960s is that the fraternity songs were non-percussive. The songs were more on the order of ballads than chants. The fraternity members formed a circle in the college "quad" ("quadrangle"-a cleared grassy area in the center of the college's buildings; probably comparable to the "village square"). The White fraternity members neither clapped their hands nor stomped their feet as accompaniment of their songs. As I recall it, these men stood stiffly while singing their songs. Their who so-ever- will-come audience of students, faculty, and staff also stood stiffly and silently while this "concert" was occurring. Members of the audience didn't cheer, or otherwise show their pleasure or displeasure with the songs or the group's performance. This type of singing and audience response is entirely opposite from what happens at performances of Black Greek letter fraternity & sorority chants and other steppin events that are patterned after African American steppin & chanting traditions.
I believe that no collection of African American folk rhymes & cheers would be complete without the inclusion of examples of Black Greek letter fraternity and sorority chants. Unfortunately, until fairly recently, there has been few efforts made to collect, record, print, document, comment on, study, and preserve Black Greek letter fraternity & sorority chants and their steppin traditions. However, thanks to the Internet, there are websites such as YouTube which include videos of step shows and strolls or party walks (a related fraternity & sorority performance style). There are also a few websites that sell step show videos and CDs. And there are a few online websites (besides this one) which include examples of and discussion about BGLO (Black Greek Letter Organizations) chants. See the end of this page for a couple of links to selected sites.
One reason why fraternity and sorority chants have seldom been collected, recorded, printed, and studied is the position of these organizations that these creative products are solely the property of their members. No one else is supposed to recite or perform these chants. A consequences of such a tradition is that undoubtedly many creative examples of fraternity and sorority chants have been lost to future generations. And many more examples of chants recited today will be lost if efforts are not made to collect these compositions.
"Black Greek Letter Organizations-BGLO)" is a referent for incorporated single gender fraternities and sororities that were founded by Black people, and whose membership is predomlnately but not exclusively Black (African American). Undergraduate chapters of these organizations are based in certain universities & colleges throughout the United States and in some other nations throughouth the world. These organizations also have graduate chapters whose members have post university or at least post-undergraduate university status. The organizations are called "Greek letter" because their names are created by using letters from the alphabet of the Greek language.
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OVERVIEW OF STEPPIIN & BLACK GREEK LETTERED FRATERNITIES AND SORORITES
"Steppin' is a high energy, percussive, syncopated, synchronized, competitive performance art that originated with African American university Greek letter fraternities and sororities in the late 1960s-early 1970s. There are both graduate and undergraduate of university based Black Greek letter organizations. Some people are very active in these organizations during their entire life. Since the 1990s steppin has expanded beyond those Greek letter membership organizations to youth in high schools, middle schools, community organizations, and churches. There are also non-African American step teams, and non-Black members in traditionally African American Greek letter fraternities & sororities. Traditionally step teams are male or female. However, some school based, church, or community based teams are coed.
Some people say that the true origin of steppin is the South African Zulu boot dance, and they may be some truth to that. University based military drill teams are probably also a source for early step team moves. In addition, some of the body stances used by step teams -such as leaning forward with knees bent instead of standing erect- is traditional to many forms of traditional West African dancing.
Step teams strive to "brand" their own styles. They have their own colors, poses, personas, chants, calls, hand shakes, hand signals, logos, mascots, party walks, sayings, and they have R&B or hip-hop records that are most closely associated with their sorority or fraternity. Steppin is a HUGE creative form of cultural expression that some people are just becoming acquainted with.
In addition to competitive Greek letter 'step shows' on university campuses and in Black communities, throughout various parts of the USA there are also community step show competitions for these non-Greek organizations.
Since you can find anything on the Internet, it's not surprising that there are websites that promote various step competitions. However, because steppin is so competitive, groups usually are extremely unwilling to share their routines or their chants. It is my hope that this Cocojams page will be one way that these chants are shared in the present and preserved for the future.
A must read book on steppin is Elizabeth C. Fine's Soul Stepping, African American Step Shows (Urbana, University of Illinois Press, 2003). Another book that contains information & examples of African American Greek letter step chants is Daryl Cumber Dance's For My People, 400 Years of African American Folklore (New York, W.W. Norton & Co, 2002).
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MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BLACK GREEK LETTERED FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES
A number of folks have written asking where they could find information about [predominately] African American fraternities and sororities. Many of these requests have been for the names of universities that have chapters of a specific sorority or fraternity.
Perhaps the best way of finding out that information is by contacting The National Pan-Hellenic Council. Here is a description of that organization from their website http://www.nphchq.org/home.htm :
"The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Incorporated (NPHC) is currently composed of nine (9) International Greek letter Sororities and Fraternities: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. NPHC promotes interaction through forums, meetings and other mediums for the exchange of information and engages in cooperative programming and initiatives through various activities and functions."
-snip-
Also see this website on the National Pan-Hellenic Council- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Pan-Hellenic_Council
In addition, people interested in a specific organization can search online for its website by using the organization's name as the key words. If anyone has other suggestions as to how folks should contact these organizations or members of those organizations, or for corrected information about these listings, please use the Cocojams contact feature. Thanks!
Notice:
I'm sorry. Cocojams is unable to help its readers start any step teams. Cocojams is also unable to help its readers identify any instructors for step teams.
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A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF STEPPIN'
-Azizi Powell (revised 6/17/2009)
Steppin' is a synchronized, choreographed group movement art that orginated with and is most closely associated with members of Black Greek letter organizations (BGLO). Steppin' routines focus on the creation of syncopated bass sounding foot stomps. Steppers also add (usually individual) handclaps and body pats (which used to be called "pattin juba"). In addition, step routines include chants/songs, calls and hand gestures which are signatures of that particular group, dramatic facial expressions such as "grittin", and certain other body movements. Dependant on the particular organization, steppers sometimes use props such as small wooden canes which they twirl and exchange with other members of their step team. The clothing and shoes that steppers wear are part of the total steppin performances.Males usually wear boots and it's not unusual for females to step in high heel shoes. South African gumboot dancing is very similar to steppin in the USA. It's very probable that gumboot dancing contributed to this American performing art. However, that connection has not been definitely made.
"Strolls" (also know as "party walks" are another movement art which developed after "steppin" and is also associated with Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities, as well as with other fraternities and sororities, and other step organizations that modeled after BGLO). "Strolls" are strutting rhythmical single file promanades or single file circular walks that are usually done at the conclusion of a formal steppin performance. Strolls are also done-often at the spur of the moment- durlng certain informal social gatherings and parties (hence the name "party walk"). Party walks are performed to Hip Hop or R&B music, and there are particular recordings that are associated with one organization and not others. For example, because they are called "dogs", the song "Atomic Dogs" by George Clinton is only associated with Omega Psi Phi, Inc. When they do party walks, group members make their signature hand sign and often also sound their signature call. oom for individual interpretation while performing these moves than there is during step performances.
Chanting used to be an integral part of steppin'. However, it appears that far less chanting is occurring in step shows nowadays. Instead, steppin is usually done to popular comtemporary and (less frequently "old school") Hip-Hop or R&B recordings. Steppin is still almost always a competitive activity. With the excerption of some community organizations, step teams are usually male or female, and male groups only compete against male groups and vice versa.
Since the 1990s, an increasing number of male or female undergraduate university students have formed step teams which are modeled after African American Greek letter university step teams. Many but not all of these step teams are ethnically/racially based (for instance, there are competitive Latin-American step teams, Asian step teams, and there are some predominately White step teams.) It should also be noted that the Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities include non-Black people in their groups and in the step teams which are a sub-set of their groups. This may also be the case with these newer ethnic/racially based organizations. In addition to newly formed university step teams, since the 1990s competitive and non-competitive step teams have been formed in American public elementary, middle, and high schools and in community organizations and churches.
Unlike the university step teams, some of these non-university based step teams are co-ed. From my limited experience, with the exception of some church based step teams, it appears that non-univesity step teams are even less likely than university teams to include chants in their performances . Although a prohibition remains against non-members of BGLO performing their step routines and/or saying their chants, some community, church, or school step routines and step chants are clearly modeled after BGLO performances and chants. It's likely that the open attendance nature of BGLO step shows is responsible for introducing those routines and chants to the general public. In addition, there are step show DVDs and CDs that can be purchased by non-Greek membes. Furthermore, it's not unusual for the step masters of non-university step teams to be members of a Black Greek letter fraternity or sorority. Consequently, these members may teach modified versions of step routines and step chants to those non-university step teams.
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IF YOU ARE NOT A MEMBER OF A BLACK GREEK LETTERED ORGANIZATION
1. Do not do their steps, calls, or hand signs
2. Do not sing their chants
3, Do not tell other people you want to be a member of that organization. That information should be confidential
4. If you are asked by a member why you want to join that organization, even though you really like their steps and strolls, don't give this as a reason for wanting to join. Instead, your reasons for wanting to be a member of that organization should truly be that you are aware of the history of that organization, you agree with its mission, and you want to add your energy to theirs in helping to uplift your community.
A list of the names of the Divine 9 Black fraternities and sororities is provided on this page. In addition, every Greek letter organization (including Black Greek Letter Organizations) has a website. Visit those websites so that you will know something about these organizations.
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TO JOIN OR NOT TO JOIN AN AUXILIARY ORGANIZATION
Auxiliary groups (also known as "Sweetheart" and fraternity "little sister" groups) are informally affiliated with specific fraternities or (since at least the early 2000s) with certain sororities). It appears to me that these groups, and especially fraternity sweetheart groups may be accepted more readily at non-historically Black colleges and universities. However, it's important to note that with the exception of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., all other D9 fraternities and sororities (Black Greek Letter Organizations) auxiliary groups are considered to be illegal.
Auxiiary groups aren't recognized as "real" Greek letter organizations since their member receive only one Greek letter and not two. As such, they are usually not permitted to "step" in campus or community step shows
Some sorors of D9 (Divine Nine Black Greek letter organizations) pledged little sister groups (especially prior to 1990s). However, it appears that many sorors very strongly recommend that women not consider Sweetheart (little sister) groups as a stepping stone to membership in a BGLO. Indeed, joining an auxiliary organization is often considered a strike against a person who wants to be a member of most Black Greek letter organizations.
That said, some women who are members of a Black Greek letter sorority speak positively about their decision to join an auxiliary group prior to joining a sorority. And some members of auxiliary groups relate that their experiences in those auxilary groups were positive, but for various reasons, they decided not to join a sorority. Everyone has to make their own decisions in life.
Although I'm aware that auxiliary groups aren't fraternal organizations, I'm still interested in preserving information about and chants from auxiliary groups.
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Don't forget to visit Cocojams' page of Internet Links to videos of Steppin & Party walks (strolls).
Other examples of and information about Black Greek letter fraternity & sorority chants can be found on these sites:
http://www.stompshow.com/newsdesk_info.php?newsdesk_id=51
http://www.stophazing.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000243
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Help preserve these chants!
Please send examples of & comments about fraternity & sorority chants to cocojams17@yahoo.com for possible posting on this website.
Your email address is never posted or shared. Anonymous posts are accepted.
Thanks!
Share! Learn! Enjoy!
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