Southaven Intermediate 4th Grade Class
presents
Mississippi My Home
words and music by Gail Jabour
Directed by
Alyssa Pendergrast
Friday, April 10, 2015
12:45-1:25 p.m.
Program #1:
Capell, Grow, Henderson, Hicks
Logan, Temple, Wade
2:10-2:50 p.m.
Program #2:
Arthur, Coker, Howard, Jenkins,
Potts, Sparrenberger, Stevens, Stiles
Costumes:
White shirt and blue jeans
donations:
There will be no tickets for the show, but we will accept donations.
Practice:
Students will be given a CD and packet with lyrics to practice with at home.
Information:
www.desotocountyschools.org/sis.
Go to the Teacher Website of Alyssa Pendergrast.
remind 101:
It is highly recommended that all parents sign up for Remind 101, in
order to receive immediate updates and reminders about the musical.
Reminders can be sent as a text or to an email.
To sign up text: @music4sis to 81010.
Auditioned Parts: Parents must sign up for Remind 101 for their child to be
eligible for an auditioned part in the musical.
Check-outs:
Due to the new MS attendance laws, if your child is checked out of school
and is not in class for 63 % of the instructional day, your child may be marked “absent” for the
entire day. Thus, parents are encouraged to not check out their child the day of the program.
On March 6th check outs will be completed in the child’s homeroom. Please only one parent
per homeroom to check out.
For questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Pendergrast at
alyssa.pendergrast@dcsms.org.
Auditioned Parts/Costumes
Costumes provide by the school are listed below. Pieces parents need to provide are in bold.
Costumes can be made as simple or elaborate as you wish.
NARRATOR
INDIAN BOYS-CHANT
suit for a boy, nice dress for a girl
(will provide a notebook w/script)
moccasins, drum,
INDIAN GILRS-SOLOS (3)
moccasins, brown panty hose, feathers, dress, headband
CHIEF PHYLIS ANDERSON
Indian headdress, modern clothes
EXPLORERS (4)
HERNANDO DE SOTO
FATHER JACQUE MARQUETTE
LOUIS JOLLIET
ROBERT CAVALIER DE LA SALLE
white shirt & blue jeans, helmet, vest, sword
short sleeve shirt & dark/brown pants, brown gown, belt, beard
dark pants/khakis, dark colored shirt, fur cap, beard
vest, white button down shirt, cape(optional), moustache,
renaissance hat
(map, old guns, limb for walking stick, old telescope)
JEFF DAVIS
suit with tails (optional), white shirt, bow tie, beard, black hat
FARMER
plaid shirt, hat, rake, shovel, hoe, etc.
FISHERMAN
old shirt, hat, and fishing pole
FORESTER
forester’s hat, plaid shirt, jeans
BUSINESSMAN
coat, tie, briefcase
TEACHER
long skirt, heels, spectacles, books, ruler, etc.
MISS AMERICA (2)
ballgown, tiara, sash, bouquet
JIMMY ROGERS
railroad hat, plaid or stripe shirt, guitar
GOSPEL SOLOIST
choir robe, tambourine
BLUES SOLOIST
fishing shirt (button-down), hat, pole, stool
ELVIS
black shoes, white costume, wig, glasses, guitar
DANCERS (6-8)
poodle skirt, scarf, white button-down shirt, white shoes & socks
Auditioned Parts/Requirements
NARRATOR (boy & girl)
Reader-will use a script during program
INDIAN BOYS-CHANT
Speaker with rhythm
INDIAN GILRS-SOLOS (3)
Singer
CHIEF PHYLIS ANDERSON
Speaker
EXPLORERS (4)
HERNANDO DE SOTO
FATHER JACQUE MARQUETTE
LOUIS JOLLIET
ROBERT CAVALIER DE LA SALLE
Speaker/singer
Speaker/singer
Speaker/singer
Speaker/singer
JEFF DAVIS
Speaker
FARMERS
Speaker
FISHERMAN
Speaker
FORESTER
Speaker
BUSINESSMAN
Speaker
TEACHER
Speaker
MISS AMERICA (2)
Walks and waves elegantly with poise
STUDENT (#1-6)
Speaker
JIMMY ROGERS
Singer
GOSPEL SOLOISTS (2)
Singer
BLUES SOLOISTS (2)
Singer
ELVIS
Singer/Dancer
50s DANCERS (6)
Dancers/Twist
STUDENT (#7-9)
Speaker/hold a poster
1. Look Around
Choir:
Look around Mississippi,
Look and you will see
All the treasures and the beauty
That’s here for you and me.
Look around Mississippi,
Look and you will see
All the treasures and the beauty
That’s here for you and me.
Rolling hills and the Delta land,
Lakes rivers and gulfshore sand,
What a place to live, this is my home
Mississippi sing your song.
Rolling hills and the Delta land,
Lakes rivers and gulfshore sand,
What a place to live, this is my home
Mississippi sing your song.
Blossoms on magnolias, mocking-birds in flight.
Tall and stately pine trees, cotton fields so white.
Look around, look around¸ look around………..(9
beats)!
Narrator 1 (boy): Home is where the heart is! That’s an old saying with a lot of truth. Home to us is
Mississippi—a place of splendor, intrigue, wonder and warmth—a place of beauty and great historical
interest!
Narrator 2 (girl): Over the years, Mississippi has been home to many different people. The total of their lives
and heritage has contributed to our culture. Even though our backgrounds may be different, we are all
Mississippians now.
Narrator 1 (boy): Today we are going to take a look around our state and recall some of the people and events
that have contributed to its uniqueness.
Narrator 2 (girl): The Indians discovered a great body of water and called it Mississippi. That is where the state
got its name. The spelling changed many times and the final version became…
2. MIS-SIS-SIPPI
M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I
Mississippi, Mississippi,
M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I
Mississippi, Mississippi,
M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I
M-I crooked letter-crooked letter I
Crooked letter crooked letter I
Hump back hump back I.
NARRATOR (boy): What does Mississippi mean?
INDIAN 1: Great Water.
NARRATOR (girl): How about Pascagoula?
INDIAN 2: Bread people.
NARRATOR (boy): Ittawamba?
INDIAN 1: Wooden bench.
NARRATOR (girl): Tupelo?
INDIAN 2: Make a noise.
3. INDIAN CHANT
INDIAN MAIDEN 1: The land that was to become Mississippi was inhabited by the Indians long before the explorers and
settlers came.
INDIAN MAIDEN 2: There were three large and powerful tribes—the Choctaws in the middle, the Chickasaws to the
north and the Natchez to the south.
INDIAN MAIDEN 3: We feel that we contributed to the culture and history of Mississippi because we were a part of the
land long before you.
4. Many Moons Ago
Choir: Ah…….., Ah……
Solo 1: Many moons ago we lived here on this sacred ground.
The white man came and conquered, and now we can’t be found.
Solo 2: They moved our people to the West, a few of us remain,
to carry on our heritage, uphold our tribal name.
Solo 3: Many moons ago we lived here, it was our very own. We lost our freedom and our land.
They took away our home.
Choir: oo…………………………………oo………………..
NARRATOR 1 (boy): Today there is only one Indian reservation in Mississippi, the Choctaw reservation near
Philadephia. We’d like for you to meet their Chief, Chief Phyllis Anderson.
(Chief Anderson enters)
CHOCTAW CHIEF: Our Choctaw tribe received Federal recognition in 1945. Our tribe of 10,000 lives on a
35,000 acre reservation. We live in comfortable homes like you with our own system of transportation. We
have a shopping center, hospital, retirement home, museum, schools, and law enforcement.
(Chief Exits)
EXPLORER (De Soto): Hi ho! Hi ho!
NARRATOR 2 (girl): I think I hear the Explorers coming.
(Explorers at mic)
5. Explorers
Explorers and Choir: Hi ho, Hi ho, Hi ho Hi ho Hi ho.
Hi ho, Hi ho, Exploring we did go.
Explorers:
We came from near and far, to explore the land
Through the wilderness and o’er the plain.
With danger yet intrigue, we crossed the new terrain.
By foot and horse and riverboat we came.
Choir:
Hi ho the merry o look away, look away.
Searching for a world unknown they loved it everyday.
They came from near and far, to explore the land
Through the wilderness and o’er the plain.
With danger yet intrigue, they crossed the new terrain.
By foot and horse and riverboat they came.
Explorers & Choir:
Hi ho, Hi ho, Hi ho Hi ho Hi ho.
Hi ho…., Hi ho…..
De Soto: I am Hernando de Soto from Spain. I led an expedition and discovered the Mississippi River on May 5,
1541.
Marquette: I am Father Jacque Marquette and this is my fellow explorer Louis Jolliet. We are Frenchmen from
Canada and we explored the Mississippi River as far south as Rosedale.
Joliet: We turned back after learning from the Indians there were Spaniards and unfriendly Indians further
south.
La Salle: Robert Cavalier de La Salle is my name. In 1682 we sailed the Mississippi River all the way to its
mouth and claimed some of the land for France. (Explorers exit)
Narrator 1: The land was dominated by the Spanish, the French, and the English, until 1798 when Mississippi
was organized as an American territory.
(Jefferson Davis enters)
Jefferson Davis: Hello. I’m Jefferson Davis from Mississippi. Mississippi became the 20th state, December 10,
1817. In January of 1861, it became the second state to secede from the Union. I was President of the
Confederacy at the time. After the fall of the confederacy, Mississippi was readmitted to the Union in 1870.
(Davis exits)
Narrator 2: After the Civil War the recovery was slow, but Mississippi has made great strides in agriculture,
business, industry, and education.
Farmer: Mississippi’s agriculture includes cotton and soybeans. Cattle are a leading source of income as well
as hogs, chickens, eggs, and dairy products. (Farmer exits)
Fisherman: Mississippi ranks number one in the world in the production of catfish!
Forester: Forests are our most valuable natural resource. Over 50% of our state is forestry land. Mississippi is a
national leader in tree farming and the production of furniture.
(Businessman and Teacher enter)
Businessman: Mississippi has a lot of business! We have cotton factories, food processing plants, and garment
factories. We manufacture electrical and farm machinery, and automobile parts.
Teacher: Mississippi is known for its educational reform. We have come a long way and will continue to
improve. We have the cream of the crop!
6. Cream of the Crop
Choir: Mississippi is the land that I love.
We’ve got a whole lotta livin’ goin’ on.
Our folks are the top, we’ve got the cream of the crop.
We’ve got the spirit of getting along.
Mississippi is the land that I love.
We’ve got a whole lotta livin’ goin’ on.
We like to explore, and always lookin’ for more.
Mississippi we’re singing your song.
There’s business and technology, fine arts education.
Lots of agriculture, the best in the nation!
Politicians, educators, technicians abound.
Astronauts and dancers, farmers all around.
There’s poets and playwrights, inventors and actors,
Artists and musicians, and even sportscasters.
Authors and athletes, comedians quite a few.
Southern Belles, Miss Americas too.
Mississippi is the land that I love.
We’ve got a whole lotta livin’ goin’ on.
Our folks are the top, we’ve got the cream of the crop.
We’ve got the spirit of getting along.
Mississippi is the land that I love.
We’ve got a whole lotta livin’ goin’ on.
We like to explore, and always lookin’ for more.
Mississippi we’re singing your song.
We’ve made a lot of progress and keep movin’ along!
(R kick)
(L kick)
(R kick) (L kick)
Mississippi my, Mississippi my, Mississippi my home……….!
Yeah! (arms make an “L”)
Narrator 1 (boy): Mississippi has been the birthplace of famous people who have contributed in many
different areas. You’ll certainly recognize some of these famous athletes!
Student 1: John L. Sullivan, Archie Manning, Charlie Conerly, Dizzy Dean, and Walter Payton!
Narrator 2 (girl): Contributors in the literary arts include:
Student 2: William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, Tennessee Williams, Dale Carnegie, and Zig Ziegler!
Narrator 1: Artists include:
Student 3: Walter Anderson, Theora Hamblett, Marie Hull, George Orr, and Ethel Wright Mohammed!
Narrator 2 : Mississippians associated with radio, TV, and movies are:
Student 4: Dana Andrews, Red Barber, Jim Henson, Stella Stevens, Jerry Clower, Eddie Hodges, and Oprah
Winfrey!
Narrator 1: In medicine we have Dr. Arthur Guyton and Dr. James Hardy. In music, Mississippi has
numerous outstanding musicians!
Student 5: Charlie Pride, Jimmy Rodgers, Conway Twitty, Moe Bandy, Loentyne Price, Muddy Waters!
Student 6: Tammy Wynette, Laney Wolfe, B. B. King, W.C. Handy, Pete Fountain, Jimmy Buffett, and Elvis
Presley!
Narrator 2: Mississippi Music is a beautiful sound! It comes right straight from the soul!
(Start tape)
7. Mississippi Music
Choir:
Mississippi music is a beautiful sound.
It comes right straight from the soul.
Rising from the roots of its people.
Through music a story is told.
There’s blues, and jazz, and rock ‘n roll.
Gospel hallelujah and country.
Narrator 1:
Ladies and gentlemen. From Meridian, Mississippi, the Father of Country Music, Mr. Jimmy
Rodgers!
(Jimmy Rodgers enters with guitar)
Rodgers Solo:
Me and my old dog’s a sittin’ in the shade.
Waitin’ now for Ma to git the supper made.
We done plowed the farm and got the cows all in.
Now it’s time to rest before we start to work again.
Chorus:
Yodel layee odle, odle,
layee odle, odle layee
Goin’ down to the station, I’ve got my bags all packed.
I hear the whistle blowin’ smoke comin’ out the stack.
Well, I’m goin’ down to the station I got my bags all packed.
Gonna git on that train but Mississippi I’ll be back.
Choir:
Yodel layee odle, odle,
layee odle, odle layee
(Jimmy Rodgers exits, Gospel singers enters)
Narrator 2:
It’s Gospel music time!
(Choir sways and claps)
Gospel Solo 1:
Gonna praise the Lord, Hallelujah, praise the Lord and sing.
Gonna praise the Lord, Hallelujah, make the rafters ring.
Gospel Solo 2:
Gonna shake my tambourine, dance the whole night long.
Gonna shake, shake, shake, my tambourine, raise my voice in song.
Gospel Solo 1 &2:
Gonna praise the Lord, Hallelujah, praise the Lord and sing.
Gonna praise the Lord, Hallelujah, make the rafters ring.
Choir:
Hallelujah, praise and sing, Hallelujah, rafters ring!
Everyone:
Gonna praise the Lord, Hallelujah, praise the Lord and sing.
Gonna praise the Lord, Hallelujah, make the rafters ring.
Everyone:
Gonna shake my tambourine, dance the whole night long.
Gonna shake, shake, shake, my tambourine, raise my voice in song.
Everyone:
Gospel Solo 1 &2:
Gonna praise the Lord, Hallelujah, praise the Lord and sing.
Gonna praise the Lord, Hallelujah, make… the… rafters.. ring……..
Glory, glory hallelujah.
Choir:
Glory, hallelu…..jah…….
Narrator 1:
From the Mississippi Delta, we have the blues!
(Blues singer enters carrying a fishing pole)
Blues solo 1:
Oh, well I’m sittin’ on the creekbank with my pole and my line.
Soakin’ up the sunshine, bidin’ my time.
Waitin’ for the catfish, to make up his mind.
Blues solo 2:
I’ve got the blues, I’ve got the delta blues.
Just hangin’ around. I’ve got nothin’ to lose.
I got the dog-gone blues. I’ve got the Delta blues.
Blues solo 1:
Blues solo 2:
I’ve got the blues, ………..I’ve got the delta blues.
Delta blues, Delta blues,
Delta blues, I got the Delta blues.
Just hangin’ around….I’ve got nothin’ to lose.
Delta blues, Delta blues, Delta Blues, I got the Delta blues,
Both:
I got the dog-gone blues. I’ve got the Delta blues. We’ve got the blues.
(Tape continues) (Blues singers exit)
Narrator 2: From the blues came Rock ‘n Roll and The King!
(Elvis enters carrying a guitar)(50s dancers on floor in front of stage)
Choir:
Rockin’ rollin’
Rockin’ and a rollin’ down the river,
Movin’ groovin’
Movin’ and a groovin’ down the river,
Rockin’ and a rollin’ and a movin’ and groovin’
Down the Mississippi River in a paddlewheeler boat.
Choir:
Elvis:
Rockin’ and rollin’ down the river.
Rockin’ and a rollin’ down the river.
Oh baby mine.
Oh baby mine.
Choir:
Elvis:
Movin’ and a groovin’ down the river.
Rootin’ and a tootin’ down the river.
Oh baby mine.
Oh baby.
Choir:
Elvis:
Rockin’ and a rollin’ and a movin’ and a groovin’ down the
Oh…………………………………………………………………………………….
Choir:
Mississippi River in a paddlewheeler boat.
Elvis/Choir:
Come on now let’s rock. (Yeah!)
Come on now let’s roll. (Yeah!)
Come on now let’s move. (Yeah!)
Come on now let’s groove. (Yeah!)
Rockin’ and a rollin’ and a movin’ and a groovin’ down the
Mississippi River in a paddlewheeler boat.
Choir:
(Tape continues) (Elvis exits)
Choir:
Mississippi music is a beautiful sound.
It comes right straight from the soul.
Rising from the roots of its people.
Through music a story is told.
There’s blues, and jazz, and rock ‘n roll.
Gospel hallelujah and country.
Student 7: (carrying the coat of arms) This is the Coat of Arms of Mississippi. The state motto is “Virtue et
Armis” which means “by valor and arms.”
Student 8: (carrying a magnolia) The magnolia is the state flower and the state tree.
Student 9: (carrying a picture of a mockingbird) The mockingbird is the official bird of Mississippi.
Narrator 1: As you can, Mississippi has so much of which to be proud.
Narrator 2: Talk about it-spread the word-be proud to say, “I am a Mississippian.”
8. Finale
I’m proud to be an American, proud to be from the South.
I’m proud to be a Mississippian, there’s no finer place about.
Mississippi, Mississippi, M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I-,
Mississippi, Mississippi, M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I-.
Mississippi is the land that I love, We’ve got a whole lotta livin’ goin’ on.
Our folks are the top, we’ve got the cream of the crop,
We’ve got the spirit of getting along.
Mississippi is the land that I love, We’ve got a whole lotta livin’ goin’ on.
We like to explore and always lookin’ for more,
Mississippi we’re singing your song.
Look around Mississippi,
Look and you will see
All the treasures and the beauty
That’s here for you and me.
Rolling hills and the Delta land,
Lakes, rivers, and gulfshore sand,
What a place to live, this is my home
Mississippi we’re singing your song.
This is my land. This is my song. Mississippi and America, my home sweet home.
This is my land. This is my song. Mississippi and America, my home…..sweet……home…………………………
(Bow music)
Everyone bows together.
The End.