This is a very old song out of the Yoruban & Santeria traditions - Nigeria, Cuba, & Brazil. I learned recently that it is about those who serve the Orisha Oshun (sometimes Osun) and the brass bracelets they wore that Oshun asked them to rattle. This somehow managed to be mistakenly interpreted and shared by myself and many others as “necklace of love,” perhaps due to the devotees adoration of the Orisha. Oshun embodies love and sexuality and one of her elements is brass, which never rusts. One writer shares "To understand Osun is to know the intelligence, vitality, caring and nourishing abilities of womankind. Long-suffering, cheated, overlooked, and over-worked, but always committed to the survival of humanity. Besides signifying wealth, brass never rusts, it is eternal. In Osun, we have the embodiment of prosperity, love, beauty, elegance, sexuality and sensuality and a divinely sanctioned feminist.

This is a traditional song in the public domain. Choral arrangement copyright Lisa G. Littlebird, instrumental arrangement and guitar recorded by Aimee Ringle.

Chords, lyrics and more:
thebirdsings.com/ide-were-were

Ide Were Were - Melody

Lisa G is a songcatcher. She holds a vision for a world where singing is once again an integral part of daily community life. May we use our natural human expression to open our hearts, share our challenges and celebrations and uplift our lives.

Lisa G. Littlebird is the director of the 80-member Wholehearted Chorus in Monterey and Big Sur, CA. She has been on the faculty as a community singing facilitator at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, CA since 2006. She is a singer, composer and teacher with more than 30 years of musical experience, facilitating community singing opportunities throughout California and beyond.  Learn more at http://thebirdsings.com.

Ide Were Were - Melody

TheBirdSings