Juba
Juba means to drum on your body with your hands. Slave owners took drums away from the slaves because they were afraid they would communicate with them or that the drum beats would get the slaves excited and energized which might then lead to an attack on the slave owners. Since drumming was so important to slaves as a part of African culture they began drumming on themselves instead.
"Juba" is a code song. If the slaves sang in code they could complain about the way they were treated and not get in trouble.
The "yellow cat" is code for the master.
Juba
Juba! Juba!
Juba this and juba that and juba killed a yellow cat and get over double trouble. Juba! Ha!
Juba! Juba! Ha!
Juba this and juba that and juba killed a yellow cat and get over double trouble. Juba! Ha!
You sift the meal, you give me the husk.
You cook the bread, you give me the crust.
You eat the meat, you give me the skin
And that's where my Mama's trouble begin.
I said, Juba! Ha! Juba! Ha!
Juba this and juba that and juba killed a yellow cat and get over double trouble. Juba! Ha!
Now, Juba up and juba down and juba all around the town.
I said, Juba! Ha! Juba! Ha!
Juba this and juba that and juba killed a yellow cat and get over double trouble. Juba! Ha!
Try strumming along on the C chord!
