White Sand and Grey Sand
This song is from the time of when quill pens were used for writing. The quill (the hollow part of a feather) would be dipped in ink. Sand was used to soak up the extra ink after something was written on paper. White sand and grey sand was sold for this purpose. The white sand was clean and therefore more expensive. The sand turned grey as it was used to blot the ink. This is the song of a street peddler selling the sand.
White Sand and Grey Sand
Round
Group One: White Sand and Grey sand
Group 2: White Sand and Grey Sand
Group One: Who will buy my white sand
Group 2: Who will buy my grey sand.
Notes
This song was already considered traditional in the 1850's.
[See "The Christian Remembrancer", Volume 24, page 475, by William Scott, Francis Garden and James Bowling Mozley (London, 1852).]
Comments
"White Sand and Grey Sand" is sung throughout the English speaking world.
Many thanks to Nyango M. Nambangi of the Minnesota African Women's Association for contributing this song on our Cameroon pages and for singing it for us!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Katie Quann for sharing a score with us!
Thanks so much!
