Cartoon Sunday: Axeman Cartoons' "Black Sheep"

How's it going lurkers? It is refreshing to see that some of you liked yesterday's blog, which featured Helicopter Girl's "Satan's Seventh Bride." I reiterate, it was something different than the usual. Let's continue this trend for today's Cartoon Sunday blog.

This blog takes a more horrific turn with this animated short being featured for today. 

Remember the English nursery rhyme, "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep"?

"Bah, Bah, a black Sheep,

Have you any Wool?

Yes merry I Have,

Three Bags full,

Two for my Master,

One for my Dame,

None for the Little Boy

That cries in the lane."

In the 1744 London anthology, Tommy Thumb's Pretty Song-Book, "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" was published. 

Mother Goose's Melody was the next surviving anthology with a similar rhyme to the original.

The last line was revised as "But none for the little boy who cries in the lane," in the 1765 Mother Goose Edition. Over time, "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" was modified as saying:

"Baa, baa, black sheep,

Have you any wool?

Yes, sir, yes, sir,

Three bags full;

One for the master,

And one for the dame,

And one for the little boy

Who lives down the lane."

In 1761, some theorists claimed this nursery rhyme was a complaint against Medieval English taxes on wool and that it was about the slave trade. 

By the 20th Century, "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" became a controversial topic, which included sparking debates about POLITICAL CORRECTNESS.

There are those, who automatically associate "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" with American Slave Trade from The South. 

Considering how obsessed Americans are today regarding "political correctness" ad nauseam, it goes without saying that the nursery rhyme is viewed as "racially dubious," "racist," etc. (Insert eye roll)

However, Katherine Elwes Thomas (author) suggested that in the 1930 book, The Real Personages of Mother Goose, "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" referred to those, who resented the heavy wool taxation.

This was especially, when it came to the Medieval English "Great" or "Old Custom" Wool Tax of 1275. This heavy wool taxation lasted, until the 15th Century.

Aside from the controversy, Axeman Cartoons gives a sinister yet apocalyptic meaning to the nursery rhyme, "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep."

In this Horror Animated Short, it appears that the black sheep is out for blood, while seeking restitution for something. 

Honestly, I cannot tell you what that guy did to the black sheep to cause all hell to break loose. It's as if the black sheep turned into Damien from The Omen. Yes, the black sheep is THAT  evil! 

Anyway, here is Axeman Cartoons' "Black Sheep" for today's Cartoon Sunday.

Axeman Cartoons "Black Sheep" (2016)

Song Saturday: Helicopter Girl's Satan's Seventh Bride

How's it going lurkers? So, have you ever heard of the Supernatural Horror Dramedy, Hex?

I have "Satan's Seventh Bride" by Helicopter Girl stuck in my head, as I share today's blog with you. Click on the following video and scroll it to 6:48. You will hear the song featured in the scene below.

Hex Season 1: "Azazeal Seduces Cassie As 'Satan's Seventh Bride' Plays" (2004)

 

In 2005, I discovered Hex on BBC America. It originally premiered in 2004 on the British satellite network, Sky One.

 

Surely, you are scratching your heads and wondering, "Anna, what is Hex about?"

[BBC America Promo:] Hex (2012)

If you enjoyed watching shows such as Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, Angel, Charmed, The Vampire Diaries, and other similar shows with occult themes, you may enjoy Hex.

Originally, Cassie Hughes was the protagonist of Hex. During the first 6 episodes, the TV series was about her being a shy school girl struggling to assimilate with her peers, while attending a remote English boarding school called Medenham Hall.

Medenham Hall occupied the former manor house and grounds of the McBain Estate. During the 18th Century, the estate was the sight of a witchcraft scandal. 

Much like The Salem Witch Trials, the scandal consisted of women from the Medenham Witch family line being tried and executed.

Cassie's telekinetic, pyrokinetic, and clairvoyant abilities were awakened, after she touched an antique vase, which had been used for Voodoo rituals by the Medenham Witches. To Thelma's (Cassie's best friend's) surprise, she learned that Cassie was a descendant of the Medenham Witches.

Meanwhile, a seductive yet ominous creep by the name of Azazeal stalked Cassie around the campus. Azazeal was a fallen angel and the leader of the Biblical, Nephilim.

Previously, the fallen angel seduced not only Cassie's schoolmistress, Jo Watkins, but also Cassie's mother. 

Cassie's mother being seduced by Azazeal, in the past, contributed to her mother's mental disorders. According to Azazeal (fallen angel), he was "in love" with Cassie. 

It was not until the fallen angel seduced her, that she became pregnant with his spawn, Malachi. Cassie tried aborting Malachi and failed at doing so.

In the process of Cassie discovering that she was a witch, being a descendant of the Medenham Witches, being seduced, and impregnated by Azazeal, her boyfriend left the campus.

Troy (Cassie's boyfriend, who was played by The Vampire Diaries' Joseph Morgan) was convinced, that Cassie was pregnant with HIS son. Troy left Medenham Hall, at the end of the original series.

There were many twists and turns, throughout this Supernatural Horror Dramedy. If you never had the opportunity to watch Hex, I recommend it. A number of changes were made by the 2nd season, as far as the writing went.

This week, I spent the last 2 days hunting for the preceding scene showing Azazeal seducing Cassie because it has relevance to today's blog. 

Playing in the background of the scene, Helicopter Girl's song, "Satan's Seventh Bride" could be heard. 

Who is Helicopter Girl? 

Helicopter Girl is the stage name of the Scottish singer, Jackie Joyce. She debuted with her album, How To Steal The World in 2000. On that same album, "Satan's Seventh Bride" was featured.

Speaking of Azazeal seducing Cassie, while Helicopter Girl's song played in the background on Hex, here is "Satan's Seventh Bride" for today's Song Saturday.

Helicopter Girl "Satan's Seventh Bride" How To Steal The World (2000)