Who's Gonna Be Your Man?
Radix Women's Vocal Ensemble: Mad Love
Historic Alberta House - Portland, OR
June 10, 2023
Radix Vocal Ensemble: Helen Allen, Naama Friedman, Emily Gimba, Keely Wright Gvakharia, Christine Johnson, Iris Mairead, Mhari Scott, Mila Trank-Greene & Devon Webster
Amy Stuart Hunn, director
Who’s Gonna Be Your Man? is an American folk song, arranged by the Los Angeles-based Honey Whiskey Trio. The lyrics have direct links to Appalachian folk music; in particular, to songs like He’s Gone Away and Who’s Gonna Shoe Your Pretty Little Feet. However, this particular combination of lyrics and melody seems to originate from a 1960 Smithsonian Folk Ways recording featuring singer Ella Jenkins: “African-American Folk Rhythms.” This song unites folk traditions from two very different parts of the world - the British Isles and the continent of Africa - brought by immigrants who arrived seeking a better life, and by those who arrived against their will, as slaves.
Who’s Gonna Be Your Man?
Music: traditional; arranged by the Honey Whiskey Trio
Lyrics: traditional
Oh lordy me, yes it’s oh lordy my
Who’s gonna be your man?
Oh lordy me, yes it’s oh lordy my
Who’s gonna be your man?
Who’s gonna shoe your pretty little foot?
Who’s gonna glove your hand?
Who’s gonna kiss your red ruby lips?
Who’s gonna be your man?
Oh lordy me…
Papa’s gonna shoe my pretty little foot,
Mama’s gonna glove my hand,
Sister’s gonna kiss my red ruby lips;
I don’t need no man.
Oh lordy me…
Fastest train I ever did ride
Was a hundred coaches long,
The only man I ever did love
Was on that train and gone,
was on that train and gone…
Oh lordy me…