Dip Dem (Dip Them)

DESCRIPTION: Jamaican patois: The preacher Bedwud is implored to "dip dem [people who need healing] in the healing stream ... to cure bad feelin." Maladies and people cured are named.
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1955 (WILBennett01)
KEYWORDS: river healing ritual moniker nonballad clergy
FOUND IN: West Indies(Jamaica)
RECORDINGS:
Louise Bennett, "Dip Dem" (on WILBennett01)
NOTES [65 words]: Bennett says: "'Bedwud' was a religious maniac who used to baptise his followers every Sunday morning in the Mona River."
The tune is close to "Ain't Gonna Rain No More." - BS
Although the obvious thought here is of baptism, I'm also reminded of the story of Naaman the Syrian leper in 2 Kings chapter 5. The prophet Elisha told him to wash himself seven times in the Jordan to be cured. - RBW
Last updated in version 3.7
File: RcDipDem

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