Who Stole the Chickens?
Who Stole the Chickens? is the name of a Christy's style Minstrel piece by an unnamed author.
Contents
The original text
No information nor the name of an author given by F.C.L. Bosman (1980) for the South African performances, but it was probably an adapted version of Who Stole My Chickens And My Hens?, a simple and repetitive traditional song with a strong beat and a clapping pattern, brought over from the USA by the Christy's Minstrels.
The song has long been used as a game to encourage young singers to mark the pulse (strong beat) with a clapping pattern and steps.[1]
See further Amateur Coloured Troupe
Performance history in South Africa
1869: Performed by the Amateur Coloured Troupe as part of a season of at least 14 performances during the period May to November, that included participation in the Saturday Evening Entertainments put on by the Young Men's Institute and Club Dramatic Company.
Sources
https://www.singup.org/song-bank/song/233-who-stole-my-chickens-and-my-hens/
F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp. 278-9
Go to ESAT Bibliography
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Return to PLAYS I: Original SA plays
Return to PLAYS II: Foreign plays
Return to PLAYS III: Collections
Return to PLAYS IV: Pageants and public performances
Return to South African Festivals and Competitions Who Stole the Chickens? is the name of a Christy's style Minstrel turn,
done by the Amateur Coloured Troupe.
Sources
https://mysongfile.com/songs/who_stole_my_chickens_and_my_hens
F.C.L. Bosman. 1980. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel II, 1856-1912. Pretoria: J.L. van Schaik: pp. 278-9
Go to ESAT Bibliography
Return to
Return to PLAYS I: Original SA plays
Return to PLAYS II: Foreign plays
Return to PLAYS III: Collections
Return to PLAYS IV: Pageants and public performances
Return to South African Festivals and Competitions
