History of "Kumbaya"

[Peter Nelson]

While hiking in New Hampshire the subject of the
religious campfire song "Kumbaya" came up.
Eveyone in the group was familiar with it, even
though we came from a variety of different
religious backgrounds, but no one had a clue
what the origin of the song was, even though we
were all have quite a bit of musical interest or
background.

Can anyone shed any light on the origin of the
song or what the word "Kumbaya" actually means?

Thanks in advance.

---peter

[Hojo2x]

I've heard variously that the song originated in Africa, the Caribbean and the
Georgia Sea Islands, and that the word "Kumbaya" means "come by here" in the
creole or pidgen dialect of whatever region it was.

It's a prayer, and still a very powerful one when sung sincerely.

Wade Hampton Miller

[Peter Nelson]

"Hojo2x" <hoj...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20000918012059...@ng-co1.aol.com...

> I've heard variously that the song originated in Africa, the Caribbean and
the
> Georgia Sea Islands, and that the word "Kumbaya" means "come by here" in
the
> creole or pidgen dialect of whatever region it was.

I've variously heard these and, I think, other theories, and
that's why I posted this question - I was hoping that someone
on this newsgroup might shed some light on it.

---peter

[Hojo2x]

After I wrote:

>> I've heard variously that the song originated in Africa, the Caribbean and
>the>> Georgia Sea Islands, and that the word "Kumbaya" means "come by here" in
>the>> creole or pidgen dialect of whatever region it was.

Peter Nelson wrote:

>I've variously heard these and, I think, other theories, and>that's why I
posted this question - I was hoping that someone
>on this newsgroup might shed some light on it.

Well, Peter, sorry that my response wasn't exacting enough for you.

Here's what the notes in "Rise Up Singing" say about it:

" "Kumbaya" is dialect for "come by here."...a missionary couple learned the
song & used it in their work in Angola. When the song returned to the US, its
original source had been lost."

Hope that sheds enough light on it for you; Angola is in Africa. I suspect
that that's as precise as you're going to be able to get.

But maybe someone has more information than that. If so, I'd be interested to
learn it, myself.

Wade Hampton Miller

[Freddy Letrange]

Hojo2x ah dee:

|>Here's what the notes in "Rise Up Singing" say about it:
|>" "Kumbaya" is dialect for "come by here."...a missionary couple learned
|>the song & used it in their work in Angola. When the song returned to the
|>US, its original source had been lost."

I think the part that you've omitted with your ellipsis (before "a missionary
couple") may be crucial -- viz.:

"[Marvin V.] Frey wrote the gospel chorus "Come By Here" in the '30s."

In other words, Marvin V. Frey -- who claimed copyright in the song "Kumbaya"
-- was the "original source [that] had been lost."

--
Till the foul crimes done in my days of nature/Are burnt and purg'd away,
Canst thou not send email to "Freddy" at the foul crimes oddfred done
@mindspring in my days of.nature com .
(((( "Freddy" sings the blews! http://freddystrange.tripod.com/ ))))

[Hojo2x]

Freddy Letrange wrote:

>I think the part that you've omitted with your ellipsis (before "a missionary
>couple") may be crucial -- viz.:
>
>"[Marvin V.] Frey wrote the gospel chorus "Come By Here" in the '30s."
>
>In other words, Marvin V. Frey -- who claimed copyright in the song "Kumbaya"
>-- was the "original source [that] had been lost."

Doubtful. Very doubtful.

Which is why I omitted it. There's nothing to support the idea that a
populizer like Frey composed it.

Wade Hampton Miller

[Freddy Letrange]

I said:
|>>"[Marvin V.] Frey wrote the gospel chorus "Come By Here" in the '30s."
|>>In other words, Marvin V. Frey -- who claimed copyright in the song "Kumbaya" -- was the "original source [that] had been lost."

Wade Hampton Miller said:
|>Doubtful. Very doubtful.
|>Which is why I omitted it. There's nothing to support the idea that a
|>populizer like Frey composed it.

Well, I do think it's what the Blood-Pattersons meant, and that it's what they
had been led by Marvin V. Frey and Croton Press to believe. However, Wm.
Ivey, posting to alt.usage.english, seems to agree with you (see thread 'Re:
"Chillun" - is this slang for "Children"?' of 00/07/10 and 11,
<pTsa5.11076$7%3.78...@news.flash.net> and
<WMLa5.12453$7%3.84...@news.flash.net>, archived at Deja,
http://x57.deja.com/=dnc/getdoc.xp?AN=644815586&CONTEXT=969333407.1694564403&hitnum=3
and
http://x62.deja.com/=dnc/getdoc.xp?AN=645197442&search=thread&CONTEXT=969333586.2132934674&HIT_CONTEXT=969333569.2133196809&HIT_NUM=1&hitnum=10&AH=1

He also refers to this "Cecil Adams" "Straight Dope" column:
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/980911.html .