-- JUMP THE BROOM

Although enslaved house servants were, on some occasions, allowed to marry in some sort of religious ceremony, ( and even then, according to Ken Burns CIVIL WAR documentary, the preacher might have changed the vows to "until death or distance do us part") it was not common  and improbable for field workers to have the same privilege. Many southern states prohibited legal marriage  of enslaved people, claiming that they were property without legal status. This was reinforced on the national level with the Dred Scott decision of 1857 in which  Chief Justice Taney ruled that   enslaved people of African descent are not citizens of the United States and are therefore not allowed to enter into a court  process, or  have any rights allowed United States citizens.  

A custom common among some peoples especially in western Africa was  to have a wedding ceremony in which the bride and groom would  jump over a broom . This custom was retained in the culture of the enslaved people of America.   In this song, two plantations workers, Jim and Sarah are marrying in this way.  They are fictitious characters though many enslaved people like them "jumped the broom."

The song is sung by Sarah with Jim joining in at the end.  In the middle of the song is an improvised  dance instrumental. In the  fictitious portion of the story, Sarah and Jim pledge to be together for always.. Tragically, shortly after Sarah gives birth to their first daughter, Brodess  (the plantation owner) decides to sell Jim ..illustrating the enforced breakup of families which was common before the Civil War.

The song is a  momentary happy time for these two young people showing, all the more, the horrific tragedy of  loving human beings  perceived as chattel property,  not only by their masters  but by United States and State law. In the song, tobacco picking is mentioned. Although plantations in Maryland did grow tobacco, this crop was being gradually discontinued over the years.

Song with narrated lyrics-- (written lyrics below)

or

Version 1..Shorter instrumental--listen and read lyrics below

My man is very special......Ma’ darlin’ Jim.

That’s why today I gonna jump the broom with him..

Ain’t got no doubts about it. Our love is real.

You folks can see our carin’...done never been a whim.

The minutes passin'; Too slow for me.

I'm so impatient....for me and Jim to be…....

Together..

I thinks there’s somethin’.....There’s somethin’ more..

-no life- tobacco pickin’....There’s love we’re livin’ for

INSTRUMENTAL DANCE

Jim’s part

singing  resumes at 1 minute 47 seconds into the song.

Today  ain't  got no troubles, Ain’t got no care.

We feel much better, cause

We’re a lovin’ pair---

Jim and Sarah, and chorus

The sun above is shinin’...The flowers’ in bloom.

....We’re now together on this...Joyous afternoon

(short instrumental)

 WE JUMPED THE BROOM

Longer version

Click on the music below for the notation of the whole song.

. 

Version 2- with longer dance sequence

  A few words are sung by Bernie Katzman to indicate where the singing begins again after the improvisation/dance section. The singing resumes differently from version 1.

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