ELLA MAE MORSE - GET ON BOARD, LITTLE CHILLUN - 1942

[Rottenhaus]

I first heard EMM via one of the great 'Joan Selects' comps and although I really dug "The House of Blue Lights", I think this is my all time fave!

[mcdornan1]

I think this may be a civil rights protest song, a pioneering one. The imagery is similar to "People Get Ready". And the references to no first and second classes, and everybody being able to ride don't appear in the earlier traditional versions of this.

1942 was the start of CORE's segregation protests.

[davesharon5747]

Miss Ella Mae was only 18 when she recorded this.......

[VA24541]

Miss Ella Mae was only 18 when she recorded this............

[ziggyelman]

Thanks for posting this! I have this on one of her best of cds, such a different arrangement, just a great song!!!

[PhillySouth]

Is there anything possibly prophetic about this song - lyrics about "a righteous train a comin'...filled with rock 'n swing", in its time period set shortly before the first before the rock and roll songs to come in a few short years, even as early as the late 40's?

[dontknocktherock]

I;m Sent!!! and I;m on Board .