The Peale's storytelling program launched in the summer of 2016, in conjunction with the MuseWeb Foundation. The storytelling program is a new way to discover the people and places of the city, as told by the residents of Baltimore. To date, we have shared more than 1,400 stories online, through live events at the Peale, and in Baltimore’s communities.
Mama Linda Goss is the Peale's storyteller-in-residence, as well as a performer in the African diasporic oral tradition. She is a co-founder of the National Association of Black Storytellers, which works to preserve folk traditions. Every month, she shares a poem with the Peale, as part of her collection of stories, "Mama Linda's Chapbook."
Mama Linda Goss: Peace and blessings everyone. My name is Mama Linda Goss, and I am the bell ringer, I am the praise singer, and I invite you to listen, to learn and to share. Asante sana. Gather ‘round my people, well, well. Gather ‘round my people, well, well. Gather ‘round my people, well, well, well, well, well. (bells ringing)
Mama Linda Goss (singing): Down in the valley, two by two. My people two by two, my people two by two. Down in the valley, two by two, come on and rise my people, ride. Down in the valley, two by two. My people two by two, my people two by two. Down in the valley, two by two, come on and ride my people, rise. Let me hear you clap your hands now, two by two, my people, two by two. Let me hear you clap your hands now, two by two, come on and ride my people rise. Let me see you take a stand now, two by two, my people two by two, my people two by two. Let me see you take a stand now, two by two, come on and rise my people rise. Down in the valley, two by two. My people two by two, my people two by two. Down in the valley, two by two, come on and rise my people, rise. My people rise. My people rise. My people rise.
Asset ID: 8672
Poem Copyright © 2020 by Linda Goss
Find a complete transcript on the Peale's website.
