popular (folk) song

June 15, 2011 9:08 PM

Satan your kingdom must come down.

Ye Olde YouTubes are full to bursting with various renditions of this song, many of which are by performers far more well known than most of the ones I've included in this post. I've basically just gone with my favorites here, as a few of the big stars doing it seem to be sorta phoning it in, or offering up fairly limp versions. Here's one more for the road, though, a simple and satisfying banjo and guitar instrumental by Jami Blakely, accompanied visually by a bit of very curious old animation.

posted by flapjax at midnite (31 comments total)

So where's the flapjax at midnite cover of this?
posted by jnrussell at 9:28 PM on June 15, 2011

I for one deplore this anti-Satan attitude that so many Mefites seem to share. Try to be more tolerant of others, OK?
posted by twoleftfeet at 9:39 PM on June 15, 2011 [5 favorites]

No Uncle Tupelo?
posted by dw at 10:55 PM on June 15, 2011 [6 favorites]

I'm Pressing On
posted by philip-random at 11:13 PM on June 15, 2011

Wow, that animation was like, if Jim Woodring and Tim Burton got sent back to the 1930's to make Betty Boop cartoons.
posted by not_on_display at 11:30 PM on June 15, 2011

This song needs to be more specific
posted by longsleeves at 11:49 PM on June 15, 2011 [2 favorites]

Is that animation old? It has some very odd, almost Brothers Quay-like qualities. Despite the antiquated looking figurines, it seems to have a fairly modern sensibility to it. Reminds me of some George Pal animations. Very curious indeed.
posted by 2N2222 at 11:56 PM on June 15, 2011

nice post!
posted by friendlymilkman at 12:20 AM on June 16, 2011

This is a perfect cover for Meschiya Lake all tattooed, wearing that little black dress, and looking Satanic. The girl can sing.

Who is the woman playing the horn? She can play.
posted by three blind mice at 12:46 AM on June 16, 2011 [7 favorites]

How come when I say "Satan's your kingdom must come down," nobody listens ("Oh, that's just whatizname talking his usual nonsense"), but when Frank Proffitt or Sister Fleeta Mitchell says, it, well, suddenly everybody sits up and takes notice?
posted by Faze at 4:10 AM on June 16, 2011 [1 favorite]

The Jami Blakeley animation is from Ladislas Starevich's 1933 film Fétiche Mascotte (The Mascot).
posted by gubo at 4:30 AM on June 16, 2011 [1 favorite]

I'm glad you led off with the Frank Proffitt version. It's great. Incidentally, it's the one Uncle Tupelo was covering, from the excellent compilation album High Atmosphere.
posted by OmieWise at 4:45 AM on June 16, 2011 [1 favorite]

Faze, I notice! That's why I subscribed to your newsletter.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 5:22 AM on June 16, 2011

The "must" link is blocked in my country :(
posted by puny human at 5:49 AM on June 16, 2011

How come when I say "Satan's your kingdom must come down," nobody listens

Because you add a superfluous apostrophe-S to "Satan"?

No? Ok then, because people have learned to ignore and/or not respond to you? Because you make a strict rule of dropping one comment in each thread you visit, and there's no point whatsoever in acknowledging you or engaging with you in a Mefi thread, because it's clear that you will not answer?

That'd probably be it.

Since you asked.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:52 AM on June 16, 2011 [1 favorite]

So where's the flapjax at midnite cover of this?

Heh. I'll probably do one! If I do, I'll post to MeFi Music, so keep checking over there, y'hear?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:53 AM on June 16, 2011 [1 favorite]

Wow, that Meschiya Lake one has such spirit. Amazing.
posted by Bovine Love at 5:53 AM on June 16, 2011 [1 favorite]

Because you add a superfluous apostrophe-S to "Satan"?

His Satanic Majesty's grocers' apostrophe.

Actually, Satan's Apostrophes would be a great name for a nerd-metal band.
posted by octobersurprise at 6:44 AM on June 16, 2011 [1 favorite]

Ok, after years and years, you made me register.

I wanted to comment about Meschiya Lake. I first saw her a few years ago in NYC at Washington Square Park. A friend and I were staying in a hotel nearby and we had traveled up to NYC with plans to do all sorts of touristy things. What we ended up doing was sitting in the park listening to Meschiya sing most of the weekend and we didn't regret a second of it.

We stumbled out onto the street around noon to get some breakfast and take on the day when we heard this voice from about 100 yards away. It was quite loud even above the city noise which was impressive, but the first thing I noticed was the joy that was carried on the summer breeze.

We followed to joyous noise until we found her singing with The Loose Marbles. They were all a group of travelers from NOLA. It was a good sized band, clarinet, washboard percussion, washtub bass, trumpet, trombone, guitar and her voice. When we walked up we were stunned to see no microphone was in use. She was singing her ass off! The music was a great mix of depression era swing and blues and it was played with much love. There were also a couple of Lindy Hoppers traveling with them who were hyping the crowd and really throwing down. We saw them later that afternoon and the following day as well.

Meschiya is now in "Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns." They're based out of NOLA as well, but they do travel around. They just played here in Richmond, Va a couple of weeks ago. Her singing just gets better every time I see her. A vocal coach has given her even greater dynamics over the years. They have a CD out which is quite good, but seeing them live is the real treat. The smile that spreads on her face when she's about to cut loose is a sight to behold. She glows.

This music means a lot to me because I'm a musician as well. When I first saw them, I hadn't played a note in years. I had sold all my gear during rough times and just hadn't got back into it. Nothing was inspiring to me. After that weekend in the park, I went straight home and got my ass in gear. It was like a great big slap in the face. I thanked her for that.

So, seek them out, they're worth it!

Great song, great post. Thanks for letting me ramble.
posted by Ululator at 6:53 AM on June 16, 2011 [6 favorites]

Ululator was born a ramblin' man
tryin' to make a living and doin' the best he can
when it's time to leave
he hopes you'll understand
that he was born a ramblin' man
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:56 AM on June 16, 2011

Let's hear it for the great Shirley Caesar!
posted by kozad at 7:03 AM on June 16, 2011

Man, every single one of those videos would've been worth a post of their own. Also, the post sent me on a Medeski, Martin & Wood bender the likes of which I haven't been on since late last century.
posted by Kattullus at 7:40 AM on June 16, 2011

Also, the post sent me on a Medeski, Martin & Wood bender the likes of which I haven't been on since late last century.

Right on!

Kattulus, did you know Billy Martin was one of the drummers for my old band in NYC, Chunk? Guy's a monster. Well, hell, they all are.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:43 AM on June 16, 2011

Thanks for the Meschiya Lake link, I just bought the album.
posted by CheeseDigestsAll at 8:17 AM on June 16, 2011

[ this is badass ]
posted by everichon at 8:21 AM on June 16, 2011

Flapjax, your kingdom must come down.
Flapjax, your kingdom must come down.
I saw a deletion comment say: "Flapjax, your kingdom must come down."

Gonna post until they tear your kingdom down.
And MeTa until they tear your kingdom down.
I saw a mod complain today: "Flapjax, your kingdom must come down."

[repeat until banned]
posted by ardgedee at 8:53 AM on June 16, 2011 [1 favorite]

I saw a mod complain today: "Flapjax, your kingdom must come down."

Only one mod? Hmm... the other ones must've been outta the room.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:29 PM on June 16, 2011

flapjax at midnite: Kattulus, did you know Billy Martin was one of the drummers for my old band in NYC, Chunk? Guy's a monster. Well, hell, they all are.

That's how I first came across the name Samm Bennett (years before I heard of flapjax at midnite).
posted by Kattullus at 11:36 AM on June 17, 2011

I first ran across this song on Beast's album. Love this version
posted by nakedelf at 1:42 PM on June 17, 2011

That's how I first came across the name...

Aha!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:23 PM on June 17, 2011

I am experiencing instant addiction to this song. Had never heard it before - thanks.
posted by Miko at 7:31 AM on June 19, 2011