I have only the vaguest memory of Moms Mabley. I knew her only as a grandmama with a mouthful of stories that weren't always suitable for young children. But one of her performances still rings in my memory today -- and it still moves me to tears. Her version of the song, Abraham, Martin and John.
About the unforgettable Moms Mabley
Moms Mabley was born Loretta Mary Aiken on March 19, 1894. Her parents, James Aiken and Mary Smith had 16 children in total. Even though her father was a successful businessman and her mother was a stay-at-home parent who took in boards, Moms' childhood was still traumatic. She endured two rapes that resulted in two pregnancies when she was still a young teen, and both children were put up for adoption. Moms ran away at age 14 and joined a Vaudeville-type show, where she did what she loved best: entertained.
Moms joined the Chitlin' Circuit and quickly rose to fame. She was one of the first openly gay comedians and even cross-dressed in some of her performances. As she grew older, she took the name "Moms" and the appearance of a toothless old woman in a house dress and floppy hat. This "gentle and harmless look" opened the door for her to tackle subjects like racism and segregation without ruffling too many feathers. She made mainstream TV appearances, recorded albums, and even appeared on The Pearl Bailey Show, Ed Sullivan, and The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.
Moms had six children, including the two given up for adoption. She died of heart failure on May 23, 1975.
For more details on Moms' life, click here:
Biography - https://www.biography.com/actors/moms-mabley
The Legacy Project - https://legacyprojectchicago.org/person/jackie-moms-mabley
ABOUT THE SONG
An article written by Dave Paulson (The Tennesseean) explains the story behind the song Abraham, Martin and John. The article, aptly called "Story Behind the Song: 'Abraham, Martin and John," details how a songwriter named Dick Holler was working on a new album when he heard the shocking news that Bobby Kennedy had been assassinated. The date was June 5, 1968. Mr. Holler was so moved by Bobby Kennedy's murder he wrote Abraham, Martin and John in 10 minutes. The song connected the assassinations of Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr. and John F. Kennedy. Mr. Holler ended the lyrics by tying in Bobby Kennedy's death with the words: "I thought I saw him walkin' up over the hill with Abraham, Martin, and John."
Moms Mabley's version of Abraham, Martin and John hit the US Top 40. It also reached Number 18 on the R&B charts. These records made 75-year-old Moms Mabley "the oldest living person to have a U.S. Top 40 hit."
Without further ado, here are the lyrics:
Songwriters: Richard Louis Holler
Abraham, Martin and John lyrics © Regent Music, Stonehenge Music
Released August, 1968
Has anybody here seen my old friend Abraham?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people
But it seems the good die young
But I just looked around and he's gone
Has anybody here seen my old friend John?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people
But it seems the good die young
But I just looked around and he's gone
Has anybody here seen my old friend Martin?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
He freed a lot of people
But it seems the good die young
But I just looked around and he's gone
Didn't you love the things that they stood for?
Didn't they try to find some good for you and me?
And we'll be free
Someday soon, it's gonna be
One day
Has anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin'
Up over the hill
With Abraham, Martin and John.
This video originally posted at this url: https ://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=KFIYVDrFphg
Fair Use: Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
