KidTunes: Ella Jenkins A Life of Song
What’s so special about February 22? It’s the street date for Ella Jenkins’ A Life of Song, a new children’s release from the African American Legacy Recordings Series from Smithsonian Folkways Recordings. The album combines simple, traditional children’s songs (“1-2-3 O’Leary,” “The Farmer in the Dell”) and spirituals (“Standing in the Need of Prayer,” “Amazing Grace,” “I’m on My Way to Canaan Land”) with spoken introductions (and a bit of reminiscence) from Ella Jenkins. Jenkins is accompanied by a chorus of young voices on some cuts, such as “Pick a Bale of Cotton.”
There are 21 tracks on A Life of Song, including Jenkins’ poem “This Is Your Year, Children,” which had been written for the International Year of the Child (1979). Jenkins is known as “The First Lady of Children’s Music,” and her background as an educator is clearly evidenced on this, her 29th release for this label. The children who sing are from Chicago’s Horace Greeley Elementary and Donoghue Elementary Schools. Also contributing vocals and guitar is Rita Ruby. In addition to singing, Jenkins plays Harmonica on “Milk Cow Blues,” and drums to “Black Royalty,” a roll-call of illustrious African American musicians from Duke Ellington to Queen Latifah.
As chaplain to forty two- to four-year-olds, I would lead my charges in “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands,” substituting animals whose names begin with the letter of the week for “the little bitty babies” and “you and me, brother.” Jenkins does her own substitutions on this classic song, including Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Sacajawea, and John F. Kennedy. It seems that no matter what He has in his hands, kids love to sing about it.
A Life of Song is a gentle collection of songs that have weathered ages, and Ella Jenkins’ renditions are those of a guiding, caring friend. The songs are simple to learn, made even easier by Jenkins’ assistance. Kids will recognize Jenkins from her appearances on Sesame Street, Barney, and Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. Release of this album is part of the Smithsonian-wide celebration of Black History Month.
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