A group called The Rabble actually did a song called "I'm Alaboundy Bam" in 1966. I've heard it, it's good. (just to round things out). posted by jonmc at 7:08 PM on April 22, 2008
You're not planning another 49 of these, in alphabetical order, are you? posted by paulsc at 7:14 PM on April 22, 2008
I remember driving through Alabama and seeing "Stars Fell on Alabama" on license plates. My first thought was "Ouch! HOT!"
[lol asteroids fundies darwin haw haw]
Alabama was actually quite nice. Stop by the Cancun in Tuscaloosa and ask for the Cancun Chimichanga. No, it's not on the menu. Yes, it is the most delicious thing ever. Not responsible if you try to eat the whole thing and explode. posted by Eideteker at 7:19 PM on April 22, 2008
It should be noted that the first link (to the sombre, plaintive and meditative Coltrane tune "Alabama") was written in response to the 1963 bombing by the KKK of the 16th Street Baptist Church that resulted in the deaths of four girls. Nina Simone recorded "Mississippi Goddam" in response to the bombings, and several other songs were recorded in response to it--they are all listed on the wiki page just linked to. posted by ornate insect at 7:44 PM on April 22, 2008 [1 favorite has favorites]
I did mention the '63 bombing in the hoverover of the Coltrane Alabama link, and considered adding some sort of link to it in this FPP. I'm glad you did so, ornate insect! posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:54 PM on April 22, 2008
I've always partial to the song "Alabama Train" by blues great Louisiana Red. I could not find a full version online, but here's a short clip from the song. posted by ornate insect at 7:55 PM on April 22, 2008
I remember seeing (around 1985) a punk band from Birmingham at the Metroplex in Atlanta play a fast version of "Sweet Home" that on the chorus went "Sweet Home Alabama, Alabama Fuck You" posted by ornate insect at 8:27 PM on April 22, 2008
It's as if we're part of Alabamians Anonymous...
"Hi, I'm squorch and I'm... I'm from Alabama." posted by squorch at 8:34 PM on April 22, 2008
There's a fantastic sea chantey called "Roll Alabama Roll," about the Confederate raider Alabama. The only version on YouTube is too excruciating to listen to, but keep an ear out for it - the chorus lines are thunderingly majestic. posted by Miko at 8:41 PM on April 22, 2008
You know who else was from Alabama?
That's right, that commie Helen Keller!
Yeah, we're from the same town, more or less. A cluster of 4 towns all together. Which also includes Muscle Shoals. posted by nyxxxx at 8:41 PM on April 22, 2008
I miss Alabama once again. posted by owhydididoit at 9:00 PM on April 22, 2008
I tell you we must die. posted by homunculus at 9:15 PM on April 22, 2008
I think Bitter Old Punk is an Alabamian, too. Maybe it's 'bama meetup time? Do one around October and yours truly might be able to make it. posted by flapjax at midnite at 1:06 AM on April 23, 2008
Hi, I'm Pollomacho and I'm an Alabamian. I got better though. I gots educated in Missippi and then moved on up to the big city. You'll be happy to know, you can get chitterlings at the grocery store up here! I'm shocked to see that so many of us are actually literate enough to even feign participation here.
Seriously though:
Alabama, Alabama, We will aye be true to thee,
From thy Southern shores where groweth,
By the sea thy orange tree.
To thy Northern vale where floweth,
Deep blue the Tennessee,
Alabama, Alabama, we will aye be true to thee!
Broad thy stream whose name thou bearest;
Grand thy Bigbee rolls along;
Fair thy Coosa-Tallapoosa
Bold thy Warrior, dark and strong,
Goodlier than the land that Moses
Climbed lone Nebo's Mount to see,
Alabama, Alabama, we will aye be true to thee!
From thy prairies broad and fertile,
Where thy snow-white cotton shines,
To the hills where coal and iron
Hide in thy exausted mines,
Strong -armed miners -sturdy farmers;
Loyal hearts what'er we be,
Alabama, Alabama, we will aye be true to thee!
From thy quarries where the marble
White as that of Paros gleams
Waiting till thy sculptor'ss chisel,
Wake to life thy poet's dreams;
Fear not only wealth of nature,
Wealth of mind has no fee,
Alabama, Alabama, we will aye be true to thee!
Where the perfumed south-wind whispers,
Thy magnolia groves among,
Softer than a mother's kisses,
Sweeter than a mother's song,
Where the golden jasmine trailing,
Woos the treasure-laden bee,
Alabama, Alabama, we will aye be true to thee!
Brave and pure thy men and women,
Better this than corn and wine
Make us worthy, God in Heaven
Of this goodly land of Thine.
Hearts as open as thy doorways.
Liberal hands and spirits free.
Alabama, Alabama, we will aye be true to thee!
Little, little can I give thee,
Alabama, mother mine.
But that little - hand, brain, spirit.
All I have and am are thine.
Take, O take, the gift and giver.
Take and serve thyself with me.
Alabama, Alabama, we will aye be true to thee!
I'm not from Alabama - but I just moved there/here.
Not sick of Sweet Home Alabama yet but I think it will be pretty soon (especially if I play these videos over and over again like I plan to). posted by hydrobatidae at 7:29 AM on April 23, 2008
Are you in Birmingham, hydrobatidae? And if so, can we assume that you love the governor? posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:33 AM on April 23, 2008
Flapjax, luckily I'm not (Auburn) because I have no idea what you're talking about. I guess I'm not up on the state gossip yet. posted by hydrobatidae at 8:12 AM on April 23, 2008
Not sick of Sweet Home Alabama yet but I think it will be pretty soon
When I was making the decision to move to DC I was living back in my early childhood (and high school, but that's another tragic Alabama story) home state of Tennessee. I hadn't quite made up my mind. Then football season rolled around. The number of times I had to hold back from letting vomit, obsenities and bullets fly in public bars/restaurants due to spontaneous outbursts of Rocky Top drove me to start packing.
I swear by god, it was like that scene in PeeWee's Big Adventure where he proves he's in Texas by yelling, "The stars at night..." except everywhere you went someone kept on fucking yelling it. posted by Pollomacho at 8:21 AM on April 23, 2008
...luckily I'm not (Auburn)...
Also, that's the first time I've ever heard someone say they were lucky to be in Auburn. posted by Pollomacho at 8:23 AM on April 23, 2008
Pollomacho: the way I diplomatically defuse the "Auburn or Alabama" question is by saying, "I root for whoever's going to beat Tennessee." That appeals equally to Tide and Tiger fans.
Yep, I'm here in the 'Ham. Holler when you're around, flapjax -- we'll drive around throwing beer cans at cop cars or something. posted by BitterOldPunk at 10:48 AM on April 23, 2008
Hi, I'm Evangeline, and I'm from Alabama. posted by Evangeline at 11:40 AM on April 23, 2008
I'm singing the state song at my desk in a posh Manhattan law firm right now. posted by Evangeline at 11:42 AM on April 23, 2008
I remember seeing (around 1985) a punk band from Birmingham at the Metroplex in Atlanta play a fast version of "Sweet Home" that on the chorus went "Sweet Home Alabama, Alabama Fuck You"
ornate insect, was the name of the band "Will and the Bushmen"? posted by Evangeline at 11:46 AM on April 23, 2008
I'm a born and raised Alabamian, but I escaped to NC for college and CA now for the big time.
It took me years to stifle my annoyance when people blatantly not from Alabama yelled along to "Sweet Home Alabama" in public -- am I the only one with this neurosis? posted by cobra_high_tigers at 1:27 PM on April 23, 2008
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posted by jonmc at 7:08 PM on April 22, 2008