Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams provides three versions of lyrics for the Calypso song "Murder In De Market" (also known as He Had It Coming To Him" and "Stone Cold Dead In The Market".
Information and comments about this song are included in this post along with four YouTube examples of this song performed by Gracie Barrie (1940s); Ella Fitzgerald/Louis Jordan (1946); Harry Belafonte and The Islanders (1960s), and Lorna Myers; 2010?).
In addition to presenting these lyrics and information, I'm also highlighting the use of the term "stone cold" in these songs.
The content of this post is presented for linguistic, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes. purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Lord Invader for composing and performing this song and thanks to the other Calypsonians for their adaptations of this song. Thanks also to Houdini and other singers for their renditions of these songs. In addition, thanks to members of the Mudcat online folk music discussion forum who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
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This post serves as a companion to this January 31, 2017pancocojams post: https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/01/what-susan-rice-meant-by-term-stone.html
What Susan Rice Meant by The Term "Stone Crazy" In Her Tweet About Trump's National Security Council & Other Comments About The Vernacular Use Of The Word "Stone"
That post quotes this entry from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stone%E2%80%93cold:
"Definition of stone–cold: absolutely (stone–cold sober)
First Known Use of stone–cold: 1592
Definition of stone–cold for English Language Learners: completely or totally".
-snip-
While this post doesn't focus on the issues of spousal abuse and revenge murder, I recognize the significance of those issues in this song and in life itself.
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SONG LYRICS
These lyrics are given as Example #1, Example #2, and Example #3.
I believe that the composition that is given as Example #1 is older than the composition that is given as Example #2. However, I'm not sure about this.
Example #1:
LYRICS: MURDER IN DE MARKET
(Lord Invader, 1939?)
Murder in de Market, murder.
Murder in de Market, murder.
Murder in de market, murder.
Betsy Thomas, she kill Payne stone dead.
Murder in de market, murder.
Murder in de market, murder.
Murder in de market, murder.
Betsy Thomas, she kill Payne stone dead.
Payne dead, Payne dead, stone dead.
Payne dead, Payne dead, stone dead.
Payne dead, Payne dead, stone dead.
Betsy Thomas she kill Payne stone dead.
"oh, I ain't kill nobody but me husband.
Oh, I didn't kill nobody but me husband.
Oh, I didn't kill nobody but me husband.
Oh, I ain't kill nobody but me husband,
So I could face de judge independent!
Murder in de market, murder.
Murder in de market, murder.
Murder in de market, murder.
Betsy Thomas she kill Payne stone dead.
De big Grand Session is tomorrow,
De big Grand Session is tomorrow,
De big Grand Session is tomorrow,
Betsy Thomas she kill Payne stone dead.
She ain't kill nobody but she husband,
Oh, she didn't kill nobody but she husband,
Oh, she ain't kill nobody but she husband,
Betsy Thomas, she kill Payne stone dead.
Murder in de market, murder.
Murder in de market, murder.
Murder in de market, murder.
Betsy Thomas kill Payne stone dead.
"Pp. 34-36, musical score, notated for voice, guitar, drums and bass.
Edric Connor, Songs from Trinidad, 1958, Oxford University Press.
A version sung by Young Tiger, 1953, is on youtube.
Discussed in Louise Cramer,"Songs of West Indian Negroes in the Canal Zone." California Folklore Quarterly, vol. 5, no. 3, July, 1946. (JSTOR)
This article (not seen) is the basis for assigning the song to Barbados, and has the story behind the song. (It may have the date of the event).
Rewritten and revised as "Stone Cold Dead in the Market" by Wilmouth Houdini, a calypso singer, in 1939,* an adaptation of "He Had it Coming" (another title), it was a hit for Ella Fitzgerald, Belafonte and others. See thread 34020 for the Belafonte version as posted by Joe Offer.
http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=34020
Franklin Bruno, 2011, Popular Music and Society** vol. 34, issue 1, pp. 7-21.
http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a933307712
-snip-
posted on Mudcat discussion thread http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=138235 by Q (Frank Staplin), 31 May 11 - 05:57 PM along with the following citation of locations: Barbados, Trinidad, Canal Zone of Panama"
-snip-
Pancocojams Editor: *According to the information given in Comment #3 of the Mudcat excerpt below, the information given in this sentence is incorrect. The corrected information is that Lord Invader composed and recorded this song is 1939 and Houdini, another Calypso singer (Calypsonian), recorded an adapted version of this song in 1946.
**This quote is given in this post after the Ella Fitzgerald/Louis Jordan sound file that is embedded below.
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Example #2
STONE COLD DEAD IN THE MARKET
"(Frederick Hendricks; aka Lord Invader) [Pancocojams Editor's note: This could be Wilmouth Houdini's 1946 adaptation]
"She: He's stone cold dead in de market,
He's stone cold dead in de market,
He's stone cold dead in de market,
I kill nobody but me husband.
He: Last night I went out drinking,
When I came home I gave her a beating;
So she cotch up up de rolling pin,
And went to work on my head 'til she boshed it in.
I lie cold dead in de market,
Stone cold dead in de market,
I lie cold dead in de market,
She kill nobody but her husband
She: I lick him with de pot and de frying pan,
I lick him with de pot and de frying pan,
I lick him with de pot and de frying pan,
And if I kill him, he had it coming.
He's stone cold dead in de market,
He's stone cold dead in de market,
He's stone cold dead in de market,
I kill nobody but me husband.
He: My family is swearing to kill her,
My family is swearing to kill her,
She: His family is swearing to kill me,
And if I kill him, he had it coming.
He's stone cold dead in de market,
He: He lie cold dead in de market,
Stone cold dead in de market,
He lie cold dead in de market,
She kill nobody but her husband
She: There's one thing that I am sure
He ain't going to beat me no more
So I tell you that I doesn't care
If I was to die in de 'lectric chair
He's stone cold dead in de market,
He's stone cold dead in de market,
He's stone cold dead in de market,
I kill nobody but me husband.
He: (spoken): Hey, child, I'm goming back and bosh you on the head one more time
.
She: (spoken): No, no, man, you can't do dat
He's stone cold dead in de market,
He's stone cold dead in de market,
The criminal is stone cold dead in de market,
I kill nobody but me husband.
This source says the song was written by Frederick Hendricks, Northern Music/ASC
AP
Recorded by Harry Belafonte
Transcribed from "Ella Fitzgerald, 75th Birthday Celebration" (Decca CD) (duet w
ith Louis Jordan)
Another source attributes it to Wilmoth Houdini, 1946."
Source: http://mudcat.org/@displaysong.cfm?SongID=9478
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Example #3:
LYRICS- MURDER IN THE MARKET
"As recorded by Young Tiger (George Browne) in 1953
Stone cold dead in de market,
Stone cold dead in de market,
Stone cold dead in de market,
Well, she killed nobody but she husband.
Yes, she hit him in de head wit' de fryin' pan,
She hit him in de head wit' de fryin' pan,
She hit him in de head wit' de fryin' pan,
And if she kill him, he had it comin'.
And so he's stone cold dead in de market,
Stone cold dead in de market,
Stone cold dead in de market,
Well, she killed nobody but she husband.
Last night he went out drinkin',
And den he came in and gave her a beatin' [not sure; recording has a glitch at this point]
So she picked up de rollin' pin,
And worked on his head till she bashed it in.
And now he's stone cold dead in de market,
Stone cold dead in de market,
Stone cold dead in de market,
Well, she killed nobody but she husband.
Now his family is swearin' to kill her,
His family is swearin' to kill her,
His family is swearin' to kill her,
So if she kill him, he had it comin'.
And now he's stone cold dead in de market, mother! [or "murder"?]
Stone cold dead in de market,
Stone cold dead in de market,
Well, she killed nobody but she husband."
-snip-
*These lyrics were transcribed by Jim Dixon from the recording on YouTube and posted on Mudcat 04 Jun 11 - 08:46 AM http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=34020
Unfortunately, Young Tiger's sound file is no longer available on YouTube (as of the date of this pancocojams post, but probably earlier.)
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SELECTED COMMENTS ABOUT "MUrDER IN DE MARKET" (also known as "STONE COLD DEAD IN THE MARKET" & "HE HAD IT COMING TO HIM"
Pancocojams's Editor: These selected comments are given in chronological order based on their publishing date. They are numbered in this post for referencing purposes only. I encourage you to read the entire discussion thread which also includes biographical information for and comments about Lord Invader.
My explanatory comments are given in parenthesis.
From http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=34020
1. [This first comment refers to what this commenter alleges was an actual event that served as the story behind Lord Invader's song].
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Murder in de Market (Caribbean)
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 02:13 AM
"Q, Betsy Thomas' murder of Thomas Payne occurred in the 1870s."
**
2. [This comment was written in response to Q's question about the citation of the 1870s date.]
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Murder in de Market (Caribbean)
From: MorwenEdhelwen1
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 05:48 PM
"i have the songbook "Folk Songs of Barbados" collected by Trevor Marshall, Peggy McGeary, and Grace Thompson. They include the song and its melody, unfortunately no accompaniment :( and the date of the events, stating that "Betsy Thomas, the common-law mate of one Thomas Payne, allegedly murdered him during a quarrel". There is a mention of the song in Trinidadian songbooks. What I find interesting is how distanced the folk version is from the events, compared with "Stone Cold Dead in The Market", which is from a first-person perspective, and is, in my opinion, one of the best songs about battered woman syndrome ever, done before battered woman syndrome was ever named or recognised. Also in the case of murder ballads based on true stories, how does a person find information on the actual incident? Because some American murder ballads seem to have a large proportion of people on this forum who have information about the real incident."
**
3. [Q provides information about Lord Invader's composition of this song, including the original song title "He Had It Coming" and the composition date of 1939.]
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Murder in de Market (Caribbean)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 05 Jun 11 - 03:29 PM
"(Houidini's) "Stone Cold Dead describes a murder in Port-of-Spain's Grass Market in 1939. He recorded it himself in 1939 (as "He Had it Coming) but it got no popularity until Songstress Fitzgerald unearthed it......"
Time Magazine, Music: King of Calypso, Aug. 26, 1946. Unsigned article about Wilmoth Houdini (Edgar Leon St.-Clair his real name).
The 1939 incident may have been an unintentional copycat murder?"
-snip-
The information given in comment #3 above corrects the information given in https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stone_Cold_Dead_in_the_Market_(He_Had_It_Coming) about this song:
" "Stone Cold Dead in the Market (He Had It Coming)" is a 1946 song with lyrics and music by Wilmoth Houdini, a Trinidad and Tobago musician who had moved to the United States. It was recorded by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five on Decca and later included in the Ella Fitzgerald album Ella and Her Fellas. The single was the first of five singles that Louis Jordan would take to the number-one spot on the R&B Juke Box chart.[1] The song also reached number seven on the U.S. pop chart.[2] The B-side of the single, "Petootie Pie," was also an R&B chart hit peaking at number three. This song received later notoriety in the 2010s with the 2011 release of L.A. Noire in which this song is featured."
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SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
Example #1 [Video]: STONE COLD DEAD IN THE MARKET (1940s)
silezukuk, Uploaded on Sep 24, 2009
Gracie Barrie [singer]
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Example #2: [Sound File] : Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Jordan - Stone Cold Dead In The Market (He Had It Coming)
FunkyChez's channel, Uploaded on Jan 14, 2009
-snip-
Here's a review of this song as mentioned earlier in this post:
From http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03007766.2011.539807
Altmetric Articles
“Stone Cold Dead in the Market”: Domestic Violence and Americanized Calypso"
Franklin Bruno
Pages 7-21 | Published online: 10 Feb 2011
"Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan's recording of “Stone Cold Dead in the Market” was a major R&B and pop hit in 1946. In narrating a woman's murder of her abusive husband from a sympathetic first-person point of view, the recording's depiction of domestic violence raises the question of how it achieved mass popularity in a cultural milieu that discouraged frank discussion of this topic. This paper attempts to account for this popularity by tracing the musical and lyrical changes between the hit recording and its sources, the Caribbean folk ballad “Payne Dead”/“Murder in the Market” and calypso performer Wilmouth Houdini's 1939 adaptation “He Had It Coming,” and by arguing that Fitzgerald and Jordan's adoption of an exoticized West African accent, as well as their public personae, effectively produced a comic and ethnic “mask” from behind which the song's subject matter could be presented with relative frankness."
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Example #3 [Sound File] MURDER IN DE MARKET (Barbados) - Lorna Myers
angarseno, Uploaded on Aug 10, 2010
A Juilliard School graduate, Lorna Myers' opera and concert career spanned Europe, the USA, Mexico and the Caribbean...
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Example #4 [Sound File]: Lie Stone Dead In The Market by Harry Belafonte & Islanders on early 1960's Mono Celebrity LP.
lrh1966, Uploaded on Jan 9, 2012
Celebrity record album# UT 154. We usually think of the 1956 classic, "The Banana Boat Song", and its signature lyric "Day-O" when we hear the name "Harry Belafonte", but this "King of Calypso" had many other songs and albums as well, including this lp album titled: "An Evening Of Folk Songs & Calypso - With The Islanders". He broke away from "RCA Victor" for a bit to do this lp with the obscure label, "Celebrity". Not sure of exact recording date, but estimate it in the 1960 to 1963 frame of time.
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Showing posts with label Lord Invader. Show all posts
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Sunday, May 21, 2017
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Is The Caribbean Game Song "Brown Girl In The Ring" Racist?
JAFS Project, Dec 15, 2018Traditional Jamaica ring game called Brown Girl In the Ring, performed in Westmoreland Jamaica.
18,759 views • Dec 15, 2018
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Edited by Azizi PowellLatest revision : July 19, 2026
This pancocojams post presents information about the Jamaican originated children's game "Brown Girl In The Ring".
This post also includes my opinion about whether "Brown Girl In The Ring" is racist as well as selected comments on this subject from a YouTube discussion thread for a Boney M video of this song. This post also includes an example of a 1904 version of this song and includes my editorial comments about whether "Brown Girl In The Ring" is racist.
In addition, this post showcases several YouTube videos of the Jamaican circle game "Brown Girl In The Ring" with selected comments from some of these videos' discussion threads.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, socio-cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the unknown composer/s of this song. Thanks to all those who are featured in these showcase videos and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to he publishers of these videos on YouTube.
-snip-
This post has been extensively revised since its initial publication on pancocojams in 2017.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2023/01/theres-brown-girl-in-ring-youtube.html. . Most of the YouTube examples, lyrics, and comments in that post were included in the original 2017 post.
Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/11/boney-m-brown-girl-in-ring-video-lyrics.html Boney M - Brown Girl In The Ring (Video, Lyrics, & Comments) for another pancocojams post about the song "Brown Girl In The Ring". That post showcases a different Boney M clip of this song than the clip that is shown in this post.
This pancocojams post showcases YouTube examples of the Jamaican circle song "There's A Brown Girl in The Ring". Information about an 1904 version of this song is included in this post along with some lyric examples of this song.
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IS THE GAME SONG "BROWN GIRL IN THE RING" RACIST?
I believe that the concerns about whether the "Brown
Girl In The Ring" song and game are racist reflect the heightened
awareness in some people (particularly White people) that favoring one race
over another is wrong. The people who are questioning the racist or non-racist
nature of this song and game are trying to eradicate elements of racism from
the pay activities of their children and the children they teach or otherwise
interact.
Since at least the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, "colorblindness" is largely considered the ideal value to have in the United States and in most other nations throughout the world, My guess is the reason why people have concerns about the "Brown Girl In The Ring" game song is that the lyrics of that song can be seen as promoting one race or one skin color over others. A very successfulr example of society cleansing a children's recreational rhyme of racist content is removing the "N word" from the "Eenie Meenie Miney Mo" rhyme and substituting another word. That change has worked so well that most people don't know that the N word was ever a part of that rhyme."
The concern that "There's A Brown Girl In The Ring" is racist could be true in the 2020s if the people playing that game chose to have racist viewpoints-meaning if they sing that song or play that game to call negative attention to players with that skin color. However, historically, "There's A Brown Girl In The Ring" ( or it's earlier version "There's A Black Boy In The Ring" ) was sung to help Black children develop and reinforce positive self-esteem and group esteem.
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THE COLOR REFERENT "BROWN" IN THIS GAME SONG REPLACED THE EARLIER REFERENT "BLACK
"There's A Brown Girl In The Ring" can be considered to be suspect regarding its use of skin color referents because at least one early example of that song used the word "black" instead of "brown".
The earliest example of "There's A Brown Girl In The Ring" that I've come across was published in a 1904 collection Jamaican Song and Story: Annancy stories, digging sings, ring tunes, and dancing tunes by Walter Jekyll. The title of that game song was "There's A Black Boy In The Ring".
A digital version of this book can be found at https://www.gutenberg.org/files/35410/35410-h/35410-h.htm#Page_207. [This singing game is actually on page 208] .
Here are the lyrics to that song along with the collector's notes.
| There's a black boy in a ring, tra la la la la, There's a black boy in a ring, tra la la la la, There's a black boy in a ring, tra la la la la, He like sugar an' I like plum. Wheel an' take you pardner, jump shamador! Wheel an' take you pardner, jump shamador! Wheel an' take you pardner, jump shamador! For he like sugar an' I like plum. |
The boy inside the ring chooses his partner, whom he leaves there after the dance. She obtains release by choosing another partner, whom she leaves behind. So there is alternately a boy and a girl in the ring.
"Shamador" is possibly a corruption of "camerado."
-end of quote-
"Camerado" is probably a variant spelling of "comrade" (friend).
Presumably, as is the case for contemporary versions of this song, while playing this game, the gender referent "boy" was changed to "girl" when it was (is) a boy's turn to be in the middle of the circle. The use of "boy" instead of "girl" in that 1904 example could reflect the early 20th century's preference for boys over girls. And, the use of "girl" instead of "boy" in later versions of that game song could reflect the fact that circle singing games came to be considered as recreational activities mostly for girls rather than as co-ed activities. (The recent de-emphasizing gender because of the LTBGQ movement didn't affect the historical use of gender terms in this song, but certainly could be a reason why some people nowadays frown upon this song.)
**
I don't know when or why the color referent in this game song changed from "Black" to "Brown"
Did people change the color referent in this song from "Black" to "Brown" because "black" was considered a pejorative racial and/or skin color referent that no one playing that game wanted to be associated with? Said differently, did a growing number of Jamaicans where this song was composed favor being brown skinned (lighter) than being darker skinned?
And/or was a version of this song that used the "brown girl" rather than the "black boy" words so popular that people sang those words and by force of repetition, that wording became the standard?
By 1946/1947 the eminent Trinidadian Calypsonian Lord Invader wrote his version of this game song with the and title "Brown Girl In A Ring".
Here's Lord Invader's Calypso version of that game song:
Yes sir
Very often i am left amazed
when i remember my childhood days
when me and my girlfriend used to play about together
and sing the song of hug and kiss your partner
There's a brown girl in the ring
Traala lala la
There's a brown girl in the ring
Trala lala lala
Brown girl in the ring
Trala lala la
And She looks like a sugar on a plum (plum, plum)
You'll show me your motion
Trala lala la
You'll show me your motion
Trala lala lala
Show me your motion
Traala lala la
And She looks like a sugar on a plum (plum, plum)
You'll hug and kiss your partner
Traala lala la
You'll hug and kiss your partner
Traala lala lala
hug and kiss your partner
Traala lala la
And She looks like a sugar on a plum (plum, plum)
But now that i reached to maturity
I know how happy my childhood days used to be
But now the kids haven't got no responsibility
They are taken care of by their families
Anything they need, they just have to say
And after school at home all day will go and play
There's a brown girl in the ring...
Now if i happen to be reincarnated
I like to do the same things i did as a kid
when I'm permitted to have my fun at times
With my playmates i'll sing some nursery rhymes
Whether in my backyard, or in the playground
We will join together and sing this song
There's a brown girl in the ring...
And Miss Lilly White looks so fresh and gay
With a bunch of roses by her side
Give her the kisses, one, two three,
Wonder who shall be her bride.
Show me your motion ...
-end of quote-
Notice the "brown" and "White" color references in Lord Invader's version of "There's A Brown Girl In The Ring". Lord Invader's song could have helped standardize the "brown girl" rather than "black boy" words in that game song. However, it appears the "brown girl" words were used during Lord Invader's childhood.
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The next two sections of this pancocojams post provide some historical and current usages of the word "brown" in Jamaica when it is used to refer to certain populations.
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19th CENTURY MEANINGS OF THE WORD "BROWN" IN JAMICA
Judging by Jamaican sea chanties, since at least the 19th century in Jamaica, the word "brown" used as a skin color referent means "light skinned" and/or mixed race (i.e. Black mixed with White and/or another race. "Sally Brown" shanties are examples of the 19th century use of "brown" as skin color references in Jamaica and elsewhere.
Here's some information about Sally Brown shanties from my 2012 pancocojams post with that title:
" "Sally Brown" is a Jamaican sea shanty about a mixed race (mulatto; Creole) woman. Like all shanties, there are multiple versions of "Sally Brown". In addition to the song titled "Sally Brown", there are many other shanties that mention "Sally" and "Sally Brown".
The surname (last name) "Brown" may have referred to Sally's mixed race ancestry. Note that the word "shallow" (challow) in the song "Shallow Brown" means a person of mixed race."
-end of quote-
In the Jamaican sea shantie "Roll And Go", Sally Brown is referred to as a "bright mulatto". In those lyrics "bright" very light and "mulatto" is a person who has one Black birth parent and one White birth parent. (The term "mulatto" has been retired from formal usage in the United States since around the mid 1960s). "Bright mulatto" means the same thing as the United States term "high yellow". That term has also been retired from formal usage since at least the mid 20th century.
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EARLY 20th CENTURY EXAMPLES OF THE WORD "BROWN" IN JAMAICAN SONGS
There are numerous other Jamaican examples of folk songs which feature a person whose last name is "Brown". One example that interested me was
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JAMAICAN PATOIS DEFINITIONS FOR "BROWN" AND "BROWNING"
Here's a Jamaican Patois definition for "brown" from https://jamaicanpatwah.com/term/Brown-man/1311#.Y8BszHbMK1s
Brown man (Noun)
English Translation
Light skinned black male
Definition
Slang expression used to refer to a light skinned black male
Example Sentences
Patois: Who dah brown man deh ova deh suh?
English: Who’s that light skinned black man over there?"
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Here's a Jamaican Patois definition of the word "browning" from https://jamaicanpatwah.com/term/Browning/928#.Y8BtGXbMK1s
Browning
English Translation
Mixed race
Definition
a person who is mixed race with light skin
Example Sentences
Patois: Look pon dah browning deh!
English: Look at that light skin person
posted by alicia.dean.7940 on March 22, 2017
-snip-
Dancehall star Buju Banton had a smash hit called "Love My Browning" in 1992. In that song he may have been referring to mixed race women or to light skin women whether they be mixed race or not. He later recorded a song about how he loves "all Black women". https://genius.com/Buju-banton-love-black-woman-lyric
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WHY DO PEOPLE THINK THAT "BROWN GIRL IN THE RING" IS RACIST
1. I believe that some people think that "Brown Girl In The Ring" is racist because they believe that any mention of race or skin color is racist.
For what it's worth, I don't agree with that.
Under some circumstances, I believe that it is appropriate and perhaps even necessary to use racial or skin color references- for instance for descriptive purposes that don't have or imply a positive or negative valuation.
I believe that the words "There's a brown girl in the ring" (with its earlier words "There's a Black boy in the ring" was written to describe who was playing that game. Given the oppression and prejudice that children of African descent or some African descent live/d under, my guess is that that skin color reference was purposely used to boost up the self-esteem and the group esteem of those children.
**
2. Some people think that "brown" in the song "Brown Girl In The Ring" means a light skinned Black person, some other light skinned person who isn't White, and/or a mixed race person.
Those people who think that might also believe that the song (or people who play that game) encourages children to favor light skinned/mixed race people over other people.
Doing so would be an example of colorism. Colorism means the preference of one skin color over others, for instance favoring light skin Black people over dark skin Black people.
Here's a comment exchange from the discussion thread for the YouTube video of Jamaican school girls playing "Brown Girl In The Ring" that is embedded at the top of this pancocojams post. That comment exchange includes a comment that I wrote:
(Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.)
1. Phillip M. Ranglin, 2021
"Did someone stop a girl at the start, saying that she’s not brown?"
Reply
2.
"Yes. Right around 6 seconds. I never noticed it before. I can't say that I'm surprised. Unfortunately there is quite a bit of colorism in the schools, and in society here."
**
Reply
3. Lael Wildgoose, 2021
"I definitely didnt see or hear it...
**
Reply
4. Ms Sophia Ffrench, 2022
"Yes that's what I hear🤣🤣
Reply
Azizi Powell, 2023
"
I assume that Dr. Robinson meant "lighter brown skinned girls over "darker" brown skinned girls. I'd like to read her dissertation to see how she arrived at that conclusion instead of interpreting "brown" as a group referent for all Black people in Jamaica (as well as as a group referent for other non-White girls in that nation).
With regard to this video, It appears to me that all but one of the girls in this video are the same Brown skin color. The girl who appears to be a little lighter than the others isn't the one who is addressed (at .06 in this video). I believe that one girl told the other something like "You're not brown". I think this comment might have meant something innocuous like "You already had a turn being the brown girl in the ring" or "It's not your turn to be the brown girl in the ring".
As such, I don't think this video is an example of colorism."
****
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SOME CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE "BROWN GIRL IN THE RING" COULD BE PROBLEMATIC
The singing game "Brown Girl In The Ring" could be problematic if children sing this song in a majority White setting where there is only one or only a few children of color (meaning "children of some black African descent and/or other children whose skin complexion is brown). I've read comments about brown skinned girls who were given “the honor” or the responsibility of playing the role of the "brown girl in the ring". Even if other people thought/think that this is an honor, it may not be considered that way by those "brown skinned girls" or "brown skinned boys" (when the song is sung to reflect the gender of the child who happens to be in the middle).
Read the comments that are quoted in the Addendum below.
The "Brown Girl In A Ring" game song can be problematic if the words are adapted to reflect the races/ethnicities of children playing that game. People usually use visual clues such as skin color, facial features, and hair texture to guess what race/ethnicity a person is part of. Those visual clues may be wrong, the person could be of ambiguous ethnicity, and/or the person may consider themselves to be a member of more than one racial/ethnic group.
I cringe at the thought of children changing the words to "Brown Girl In The Ring" when a girl who looks "White" is in the middle of the ring or when a girl who is Asian in the middle of the ring: i. e, "There's a White girl in the ring tra la la la la" and "There's an Asian girl in the ring tra la la la la." And what of children who are first generation mixed race? Having other people decide which race/ethnicity a mixed racial person is a part of can exacerbate the issues many mixed race people have with the racial identity.
I also cringe at the thought of children changing the words to "Brown Girl In The Ring" using other skin color references such as "yellow" for Asians and "red" for Native Americans, etc..
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MY RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT THE GAME SONG "THERE'S A BROWN GIRL IN THE RING"
Despite what I consider its pleasant, catchy tune, and its creative lyrics, and more positive attributes, given the racial (and sometimes racist) environment that children still have to navigate in the 2000s, my recommendation is to err on the side of caution and NOT include this song in children's music curriculum, unless it is for older children who are studying the history of folk songs.
****
ADDENDUM: SELECTED COMMENTS FROM A BONEY M VIDEO OF "BROWN GIRL IN THE RING"
Here are some comments from a Boney M video's discussion thread in which the commenters mention racism:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1So7q6IfJ4&feature=emb_logo
1. mr y mysterious video, 2009
"true story....
when i was about 6, there was only one black girl in our whole school in wales.
they played this song at our xmas party, we all sat in a circle while she danced for our entertainment - it wasn't a racist thing though - we were being literal and she seemed to enjoy herself."
**
2. Becca Secret, 2009
"funny, my aunt thought this song was rascist xxx"
11. mr y mysterious video
"i was 7, at school in ely, cardiff, wales.
it was christmas, the entire school gathered in a big circle while the sole black girl in school stood in the middle and danced with all her heart to this song - a true story.
and yet... it was all so innocent, nobody had any malice but they wouldn't try that these days!"
**
3. mr y mysterious video, 2012
"i was 7, at school in ely, cardiff, wales.
it was christmas, the entire school gathered in a big circle while the sole black girl in school stood in the middle and danced with all her heart to this song - a true story.
and yet... it was all so innocent, nobody had any malice but they wouldn't try that these days!"
**
4. RichXboxOne, 2015
"This is an excellent song, but if it was released now, the PC Brigade and the Loony left would complain about it being racist. "
**
5. Francisco Castillo Mata,2017
"Qué bonitas son las pieles morenas, y cuanto han sido maltratadas por el " hombre blanco" ( y lo siguen siendo, más sutilmente, tal vez ). En un tiempo lejano, todos fuimos negros, o de un color oscuro. Son los orígenes de toda la humanidad. En EEUU, por ejemplo, todavía hay muchísimo racismo, y a veces no se molestan ni en disimularlo ( también en España, por supuesto). Bueno, el vídeo es encantador, y la música muy contagiosa. Solo espero que no me fusilen por haber expresado ciertas ideas, y que la USA Air Forcé no me bombardee."
4. RichXboxOne, 2015
"This is an excellent song, but if it was released now, the PC Brigade and the Loony left would complain about it being racist. "
**
5. Francisco Castillo Mata,2017
"Qué bonitas son las pieles morenas, y cuanto han sido maltratadas por el " hombre blanco" ( y lo siguen siendo, más sutilmente, tal vez ). En un tiempo lejano, todos fuimos negros, o de un color oscuro. Son los orígenes de toda la humanidad. En EEUU, por ejemplo, todavía hay muchísimo racismo, y a veces no se molestan ni en disimularlo ( también en España, por supuesto). Bueno, el vídeo es encantador, y la música muy contagiosa. Solo espero que no me fusilen por haber expresado ciertas ideas, y que la USA Air Forcé no me bombardee."
Google translate from Spanish to English:
"How beautiful are the brown skins, and how much they have been battered by the "white man" (and they are still, more subtly, perhaps). In a distant time, we were all black, or a dark color. They are the origins of all humanity. In the US, for example, there is still a lot of racism, and sometimes they do not bother or disguise it (also in Spain, of course). Well, the video is charming, and the music very contagious. I just hope they do not shoot me for expressing certain ideas, and that the USA Air Force did not bomb me."
**
6. Ravneet Bains, 2018
"My mum just told me thought this song was about Asian girls back in the 1980's and she felt very offended at the time because she thought they where being racist. Now she has got over once I told her that the song is light skin black women."
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.Tuesday, January 27, 2015
The Source Of Harry Belafonte's Version Of "Jump In The Line" ("Shake Senora")
Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest Revision: December 7, 2021
This pancocojams post showcases the Calypso song "Jump In The Line" by presenting recordings of the original version by Lord Kitchener as well as versions of that song by Lord Invader, Lord Flea, and Harry Belafonte.
Information about the song "Jump In The Line" (Shake Senora) is included in this post. Information about Lord Kitchener is also included in this post. The lyrics to Harry Belafonte's version of this song are found in the summary statement of the sound file given below as Example #4.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic reasons.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Lord Kitchener for composing this song. Thanks also to all of the featured artists for their musical legacies. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG JUMP IN THE LINE
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jump_in_the_Line_(Shake,_Senora)
"Jump in the Line (Shake, Señora)" is a song composed by Trinidadian calypsonian Lord Kitchener (Aldwyn Roberts) that won the 1946 Trinidad Carnival Road March.
Covers
Woody Herman and his Third Herd recorded Kitchener's song in 1952 on Mars Records; Herman's band also made a live recording that same year under the title "Jump in Line." Lord Invader released a cover of the song on the Folkways Label in 1955.[1] Entitled "Label Labor Day (Jump in the Line)", the tune reached mento star Lord Flea, who in turn recorded a version based on Lord Invader's interpretation.[1] Released in 1957 on the Capitol record label, Flea's cover inspired Harry Belafonte who recorded his own take in 1961 (credited to his pseudonym Raymond Bell on the disc label). It was released on the album Jump Up Calypso, and was later featured in the films Beetlejuice and The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning"...
****
From http://www.trinizagada.com/2011/08/jump-in-line-shake-senora-lord.html Jump in the line (Shake Señora) | Lord Kitchener, Saturday, August 06, 2011 Posted by Santiwah
..."Most people associate the song ["Jump In The Line"] with Harry Belafonte because as a singer of calypsos, written and originally sung by Trinidadians, he was able to capture the imagination of the American public. His accent and style was palatable to the Americans unlike the Trinidadians with their 'strong' Trinidad accent. Even to this day it is difficult for most Americans visiting the islands to understand the Trinidad vernacular English.
One must congratulate Mr. Belafonte for his success and for putting calypso on the World map; but at the same time, it is a crying shame that the efforts and abilities for the Trinidadian artists go in vain! This song 'Jump in Line' was written and performed by Lord Kitchener in 1946 and remade by Mr. Belafonte in 1961 with the Shake Senora caption. Now one must also take into consideration that 'Jump in the Line' was also done by Lord Invader in 1955 (Labor Day, Calypso on Folkways label 1955) and by Lord Flea (Swingin' Calypsos Capitol Records 1957); Belafonte did his medley in 1961! Lord Flea was a Jamaican Mento Singer who did a cover of the Lord Invader's version. It is interesting to note that in the 1957 version the 'shake senora' words are very noticeable. I mention this because most people identify the 'Senora' with the 1961 version released by Harry Belafonte."...
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INFORMATION ABOUT LORD KITCHENER
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Kitchener_(calypsonian)
"Aldwyn Roberts (18 April 1922 – 11 February 2000), better known by the stage name Lord Kitchener (or "Kitch"), was an internationally known calypsonian.[1] Roberts was born in Arima, Trinidad...
He moved to Port of Spain and had his first commercial success in 1942 with the calypso song "Green Fig" (also known as "Mary, I am Tired and Disgusted"). By 1945, he was known as Lord Kitchener.*
He found further success in the UK in the 1950s, building a large following in the expatriate communities of the West Indian islands. His prominence continued throughout the 1950s, when calypso achieved international success...
Kitchener returned to Trinidad in 1962. He and the Mighty Sparrow proceeded to dominate the calypso competitions of the sixties and seventies. Lord Kitchener won the road march competition ten times between 1965 and 1976, more times than any other calypsonian. For 30 years, Kitchener ran his own calypso tent, Calypso Revue, within which he nurtured the talent of many calypsonians. Calypso Rose, David Rudder, Black Stalin and Denyse Plummer are among the many artists who got their start under Kitchener's tutelage. Later he moved towards soca, a related style, and continued recording until his death. Kitchener's compositions were enormously popular as the chosen selections for steel bands to perform at the annual National Panorama competition during Trinidad Carnival. He recorded his most commercially successful song, "Sugar Bum Bum" in 1978. He retired in 1999."
-snip-
*The stage name "Lord Kitchener" comes from the name of the British general and statesman, Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener.
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
Examples of "Jump In The Line" are presented in chronological order based on when they were recorded with the original recording given first.
Example #1:
Sokah2Soca, April 12, 2019
Latest Revision: December 7, 2021
This pancocojams post showcases the Calypso song "Jump In The Line" by presenting recordings of the original version by Lord Kitchener as well as versions of that song by Lord Invader, Lord Flea, and Harry Belafonte.
Information about the song "Jump In The Line" (Shake Senora) is included in this post. Information about Lord Kitchener is also included in this post. The lyrics to Harry Belafonte's version of this song are found in the summary statement of the sound file given below as Example #4.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic reasons.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Lord Kitchener for composing this song. Thanks also to all of the featured artists for their musical legacies. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG JUMP IN THE LINE
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jump_in_the_Line_(Shake,_Senora)
"Jump in the Line (Shake, Señora)" is a song composed by Trinidadian calypsonian Lord Kitchener (Aldwyn Roberts) that won the 1946 Trinidad Carnival Road March.
Covers
Woody Herman and his Third Herd recorded Kitchener's song in 1952 on Mars Records; Herman's band also made a live recording that same year under the title "Jump in Line." Lord Invader released a cover of the song on the Folkways Label in 1955.[1] Entitled "Label Labor Day (Jump in the Line)", the tune reached mento star Lord Flea, who in turn recorded a version based on Lord Invader's interpretation.[1] Released in 1957 on the Capitol record label, Flea's cover inspired Harry Belafonte who recorded his own take in 1961 (credited to his pseudonym Raymond Bell on the disc label). It was released on the album Jump Up Calypso, and was later featured in the films Beetlejuice and The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning"...
****
From http://www.trinizagada.com/2011/08/jump-in-line-shake-senora-lord.html Jump in the line (Shake Señora) | Lord Kitchener, Saturday, August 06, 2011 Posted by Santiwah
..."Most people associate the song ["Jump In The Line"] with Harry Belafonte because as a singer of calypsos, written and originally sung by Trinidadians, he was able to capture the imagination of the American public. His accent and style was palatable to the Americans unlike the Trinidadians with their 'strong' Trinidad accent. Even to this day it is difficult for most Americans visiting the islands to understand the Trinidad vernacular English.
One must congratulate Mr. Belafonte for his success and for putting calypso on the World map; but at the same time, it is a crying shame that the efforts and abilities for the Trinidadian artists go in vain! This song 'Jump in Line' was written and performed by Lord Kitchener in 1946 and remade by Mr. Belafonte in 1961 with the Shake Senora caption. Now one must also take into consideration that 'Jump in the Line' was also done by Lord Invader in 1955 (Labor Day, Calypso on Folkways label 1955) and by Lord Flea (Swingin' Calypsos Capitol Records 1957); Belafonte did his medley in 1961! Lord Flea was a Jamaican Mento Singer who did a cover of the Lord Invader's version. It is interesting to note that in the 1957 version the 'shake senora' words are very noticeable. I mention this because most people identify the 'Senora' with the 1961 version released by Harry Belafonte."...
****
INFORMATION ABOUT LORD KITCHENER
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Kitchener_(calypsonian)
"Aldwyn Roberts (18 April 1922 – 11 February 2000), better known by the stage name Lord Kitchener (or "Kitch"), was an internationally known calypsonian.[1] Roberts was born in Arima, Trinidad...
He moved to Port of Spain and had his first commercial success in 1942 with the calypso song "Green Fig" (also known as "Mary, I am Tired and Disgusted"). By 1945, he was known as Lord Kitchener.*
He found further success in the UK in the 1950s, building a large following in the expatriate communities of the West Indian islands. His prominence continued throughout the 1950s, when calypso achieved international success...
Kitchener returned to Trinidad in 1962. He and the Mighty Sparrow proceeded to dominate the calypso competitions of the sixties and seventies. Lord Kitchener won the road march competition ten times between 1965 and 1976, more times than any other calypsonian. For 30 years, Kitchener ran his own calypso tent, Calypso Revue, within which he nurtured the talent of many calypsonians. Calypso Rose, David Rudder, Black Stalin and Denyse Plummer are among the many artists who got their start under Kitchener's tutelage. Later he moved towards soca, a related style, and continued recording until his death. Kitchener's compositions were enormously popular as the chosen selections for steel bands to perform at the annual National Panorama competition during Trinidad Carnival. He recorded his most commercially successful song, "Sugar Bum Bum" in 1978. He retired in 1999."
-snip-
*The stage name "Lord Kitchener" comes from the name of the British general and statesman, Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener.
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
Examples of "Jump In The Line" are presented in chronological order based on when they were recorded with the original recording given first.
Example #1:
Sokah2Soca, April 12, 2019
Jump In The Line - Aldwin Roberts (Lord Kitchener) and his Steel Band Chorus Boys
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****
Example #2: Lord Invader labor day (jump in the line)
LukeCageforhire Published on Nov 29, 2012
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Example #3: Lord Flea - Shake shake senora (auido)
calypzombie85, Uploaded on Mar 23, 2010
Lord Flea - Shake shake senora
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Example #4: Jump in the line - Harry Belafonte TKV
Thomas Eliason, July 24, 2016
-snip-
Here's the title of the video for this song that I originally embedded in this pancocojams post along with that publisher's summary & that song's lyrics:
Harry Belafonte - Jump in the Line (Lyrics In Description)
[video no longer available]
Hoodoo You Love?, Uploaded on Nov 28, 2008
This is my video montage tribute to one of my all-time favorite songs: Harry Belafonte's "Jump in the Line" from his 1961 album "Jump Up Calypso". This song will never get old and Harry Belafonte is a LIVING ICON. Harry is the man and you can tell just by the way he presents and carries himself that he's genuine all around. Seriously, who could not enjoy Harry's music? His music is universal and he has touched many people all over the world. Thank you so much Harry. You're truly an inspiration.
Even though some newer so called "original" artists have sampled this brilliant track in the recent years there's a reason why this version, and only this version, is called the "original." You can't beat an original! So keep rockin' on Harry!
Lyrics:
Shake, shake, shake, Senora, shake your body line
Shake, shake, shake, Senora, shake it all the time
Work, work, work, Senora, work your body line
Work, work, work, Senora, work it all the time
My girl's name is Senora
I tell you friends, I adore her
And when she dances, oh brother!
She's a hurricane in all kinds of weather
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
OK, I believe you!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
OK, I believe you!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
OK, I believe you!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
Whoa!
Shake, shake, shake, Senora, shake your body line
Shake, shake, shake, Senora, shake it all the time
Work, work, work, Senora, work your body line
Work, work, work, Senora, work it all the time
You can talk about Cha Cha
Tango, Waltz, or de Rumba
Senora's dance has no title
You jump in the saddle
Hold on to de bridle!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
OK, I believe you!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
Rock your body, child!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
Somebody, help me!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
Whoa!
Shake, shake, shake, Senora, shake your body line
Shake, shake, shake, Senora, shake it all the time (Whoa)
Work, work, work, Senora, work your body line (Yep)
Work, work, work, Senora, work it all the time
Senora, she's a sensation
The reason for aviation
And fellas, you got to watch it
When she wind up, she bottom, she go like a rocket!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
OK, I believe you!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
Hoist those skirts a little higher!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
Up the chim-en-y!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
Whoa oh oh oh!
[break]
Shake, shake, shake, Senora
Shake your body line
Work, work, work, Senora
Work it all the time
Dance, dance, dance, Senora
Dance it all the time
Work, work, work, Senora
Work it all the time
Senora dances Calypso
Left to right is de tempo
And when she gets the sensation
She go up in the air, come down in slow motion
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
OK, I believe you!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
Somebody, help me!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
OK, I believe you!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
Whooooa!
Shake, shake, shake, Senora, shake your body line
Shake, shake, shake, Senora, shake it all the time
Work, work, work, Senora!!
-snip-
Notice that the publisher of this sound file mistakenly refers to Harry Belafonte's recording of "Jump In The Line" as the original. Actually, Belafonte's version was a cover of a cover of the original 1946 song.
*****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
LukeCageforhire Published on Nov 29, 2012
****
Example #3: Lord Flea - Shake shake senora (auido)
calypzombie85, Uploaded on Mar 23, 2010
Lord Flea - Shake shake senora
****
Example #4: Jump in the line - Harry Belafonte TKV
Thomas Eliason, July 24, 2016
-snip-
Harry Belafonte - Jump in the Line (Lyrics In Description)
[video no longer available]
Hoodoo You Love?, Uploaded on Nov 28, 2008
This is my video montage tribute to one of my all-time favorite songs: Harry Belafonte's "Jump in the Line" from his 1961 album "Jump Up Calypso". This song will never get old and Harry Belafonte is a LIVING ICON. Harry is the man and you can tell just by the way he presents and carries himself that he's genuine all around. Seriously, who could not enjoy Harry's music? His music is universal and he has touched many people all over the world. Thank you so much Harry. You're truly an inspiration.
Even though some newer so called "original" artists have sampled this brilliant track in the recent years there's a reason why this version, and only this version, is called the "original." You can't beat an original! So keep rockin' on Harry!
Lyrics:
Shake, shake, shake, Senora, shake your body line
Shake, shake, shake, Senora, shake it all the time
Work, work, work, Senora, work your body line
Work, work, work, Senora, work it all the time
My girl's name is Senora
I tell you friends, I adore her
And when she dances, oh brother!
She's a hurricane in all kinds of weather
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
OK, I believe you!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
OK, I believe you!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
OK, I believe you!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
Whoa!
Shake, shake, shake, Senora, shake your body line
Shake, shake, shake, Senora, shake it all the time
Work, work, work, Senora, work your body line
Work, work, work, Senora, work it all the time
You can talk about Cha Cha
Tango, Waltz, or de Rumba
Senora's dance has no title
You jump in the saddle
Hold on to de bridle!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
OK, I believe you!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
Rock your body, child!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
Somebody, help me!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
Whoa!
Shake, shake, shake, Senora, shake your body line
Shake, shake, shake, Senora, shake it all the time (Whoa)
Work, work, work, Senora, work your body line (Yep)
Work, work, work, Senora, work it all the time
Senora, she's a sensation
The reason for aviation
And fellas, you got to watch it
When she wind up, she bottom, she go like a rocket!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
OK, I believe you!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
Hoist those skirts a little higher!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
Up the chim-en-y!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
Whoa oh oh oh!
[break]
Shake, shake, shake, Senora
Shake your body line
Work, work, work, Senora
Work it all the time
Dance, dance, dance, Senora
Dance it all the time
Work, work, work, Senora
Work it all the time
Senora dances Calypso
Left to right is de tempo
And when she gets the sensation
She go up in the air, come down in slow motion
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
OK, I believe you!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
Somebody, help me!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
OK, I believe you!
Jump in de line, rock your body in time
Whooooa!
Shake, shake, shake, Senora, shake your body line
Shake, shake, shake, Senora, shake it all the time
Work, work, work, Senora!!
-snip-
Notice that the publisher of this sound file mistakenly refers to Harry Belafonte's recording of "Jump In The Line" as the original. Actually, Belafonte's version was a cover of a cover of the original 1946 song.
*****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Lord Invader -"Sly Mongoose" (information, lyrics, & sound file)
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post showcases a sound file of and lyrics for Lord Invader's version of "Sly Mongoose". Information about this old Caribbean song and two additional lyric versions of this song are included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thank to the composers of Sly Mongoose. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to those featured in these sound files and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT SLY MONGOOSE
The original "Sly Mongoose was composed in Jamaica, but versions of this song are well-known throughout the Caribbean.
From http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20030629/arts/arts1.html
..."mento's roots lie in the early 19th century when European dances like the quadrille were popular throughout the Caribbean. By the end of the 19th century, mento was all the "rage" in Jamaica, and (like dance hall today) served as "throw wu'd" music, providing an avenue to discuss taboos and social issues.
{Some] mento songs commented on local news, the Bible, politics, infidelity, even obeah, and their subtle innuendo, humouros double entendres and suggestive lyrics helped to protect the innocent from the song's baser meanings.
According to the research, Slim and Sam were two of the best known writers of "throw wu'd" songs in the 1930s and 1940s. "Sly Mongoose" is one of the most popular "scandal" songs, which is still sung today:
Mongoose go down Missa Beckford kitchen,
Tek out one a 'im ritious chicken,
Put 'im inna 'im waiscoat pocket
Run mongoose
Sly (slide) mongoose, yu name gone abroad.
Sly (slide) mongoose, yu name gone abroad."
Originally, the lyrics likened the eccentric religious leader, Alexander Bedward, to a cunning mongoose (a dodgy character). But Bedward is absent from later versions sung today, which leaves the object of the song's criticism open to interpretation."...
****
From http://www.dramonline.org/content/notes/nwr/80427.pdf
"Zoop Zoop Zoop: Traditional Music And Folklore of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John" (New World Records 80427-2)
"This song, wellknown throughout the Caribbean is not really about the mongoose. In fact, the animal and its character is used to allude to sexual liaisons between the master of the house and the cook or between the mistress and a worker.
Sly Mongoose, all them dogs they know your name
Oh yes, sly mongoose, all them dogs they know your name
You went into the mistress kitchen
Take out one of the fattest chickens
Put it into your waistcoat pocket
sly mongoose. "
****
[regarding Lord Invaders' version of "Sly Mongoose":
From http://media.smithsonianfolkways.org/liner_notes/smithsonian_folkways/SFW40454.pdf
“...originating in Jamaica where virtually all versions revolve around the activities of the Black prophet Alexander Bedward, “Sly Mongoose [Sly Mongoose Every Dog Knows Your Name] is reported as a carnival song in 1923 in Trinidad. Based on the symbolic references to a trickster with a sexual proclivity, in Eastern Caribbean versions, the mongoose goes into the White man’s kitchen rather than Bedward’s, and steals “one of his fattest chickens”.*
With incredulity, Invader describes his defeat in a calypso contest in the United States. Despite their up-to-date repertoire Houdini vanquishes Destroyer, Growler, and Invader in New York in 1941. Personified as a trickster, Houdini was much despised in Trinidad because of his U. S success and lack of esteem on the island."
-snip-
*Read my interpretation of the line about the Mongoose "going into the White man's kitchen and stealing one of his fattest chickens" regarding the lyrics for Lord Invader's version of this song.
****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLE: sly mongoose
roger ramirez Uploaded on Mar 24, 2009
****
LYRICS: SLY MONGOOSE
(Lord Invader, 1946)
There was a competition in America
With Houdini and Destroyer
Houdini sang Adolf Hitler
And yet they said that Houdini was the winner
What he won?
Chorus:
Sly Mongoose
-all together-
Only dog know your name
-Sing the chorus-
Sly Mongoose
-everybody-
Only dog know your name
Yes, mongoose went into the White man’s kitchen
Took up one of his fattest chickens
Push it in his waistcoat pocket,
Sly Mongoose.
Then he challenge the Growler
And the Growler sand a hot number
Growler told the Houdini
He gonna win him with this melody,
What it was: “Old lady, you’re mashing my toe,”
“Oh lady, stop it isn’t”
And yet he won him with,
Chorus
Sly Mongoose
-all together-
Only dog know your name
-Sing it Macbeth-
Sly Mongoose
Only dog know your name
Yes, mongoose went into the White man’s kitchen
Took up one of his fattest chickens
Push it in his waistcoat pocket,
Sly Mongoose.
So as I’m Lord Invader, I said
“I can’t lose my name in America”,
I entered the competition,
And I sang a hot composition.
What it was: “Prisoner leve [Prisoner arise]
“Mete limier bai [Put a light]
and Yet he won me with
Chorus
Sly Mongoose
-everybody
Only dog know your name
-Duke of Iron-
Sly Mongoose
Only dog know your name
Yes, mongoose went into the White man’s kitchen
Took up one of his fattest chickens
Push it in his waistcoat pocket,
Sly Mongoose.
Source: http://media.smithsonianfolkways.org/liner_notes/smithsonian_folkways/SFW40454.pdf
-snip-
Rather than Lord Invader's "Sly Mongoose" being about a man with sexual proclivities, it is a critique about what Lord Invader and other Calypsonians considered to be Houdini's inauthenticity as a Calypsonian. When Lord Invader referred to Houdini as "Sly Mongoose" he was using lines from that well known Caribbean song to insult Houdini. When he referred to Houdini as "Sly Mongoose" and said that Sly Mongoose "went into the White man’s kitchen/Took up one of his fattest chickens", Lord Invader was saying that Houdini had achieved success in the United States as a Calypsonian that he and other Calypsonians believe that Houdini wouldn't have received in the Caribbean - in particular Houdini- the sly Mangoose, stole the crown for that particular Calypso competition. By mentioning "Macbeth [Macbeth the Great"]" and "Duke Of Iron", Lord Invader calls on other well respected Calypsonians to join him in his condemnation of Houdini.
****
OTHER EXAMPLES OF "SLY MONGOOSE"
(lyric composer/s ?)
Listen to the song about a sly mongoose.
Sly Mongoose, your name gone abroad,
Sly Mongoose, your name gone abroad
Mongoose slip into Bedward kitchen,
Steal out one of his righteous chicken,
Steal out one of his waistcoat pocket,
Sly Mongoose.
Sly Mongoose, your name gone abroad
Mongoose went up to Bedward daughter,
Ask her if he could have some water.
Bedward daughter say, Whats the matter?
Sly Mongoose.
Sly Mongoose, your name gone abroad
Mongoose get out a dollar and a quarter,
Slipped it to old Bedward daughter.
Bedward daughter say, My Lord and master!
Sly Mongoose.
Sly Mongoose, your name gone abroad
Bedward went up to see his daughter,
Found Mongoose playing with one garter,
Bedward hit him just where he oughter.
Sly Mongoose.
Sly Mongoose, your name gone abroad
[Comment:]
The mongoose of this topical song was a well-known government official who tried to buy the affections of one of the prophet Bedward's daughters.
Source: http://www.unlockingthearchives.rgs.org/themes/journeys/gallery/resource
****
SLY MONGOOSE
(Lyrics to Sly Mongoose, Sam Manning version, 1925)
Listen to the story why mongoose fly from Jamaica
Listen to the story why mongoose fly from Jamaica
Mongoose, the newspaper reported
Jumped into bed with the preacher’s daughter
Baptise her with his holy water
Slide mongoose
Slide mongoose, now your name gone abroad
Slide mongoose, now your name gone abroad
Mongoose went into Bedward’s kitchen
Took up one of his fattest chicken
That’s the reason he fly from Jamaica
Slide mongoose
Slide mongoose, now your name gone abroad
Slide mongoose, now your name gone abroad
Mongoose fly from Jamaica
Slide right over down to Cuba
Wouldn’t stop til he reach America
Slide mongoose
Slide mongoose, now the world know your name
Brother mongoose, now the world know your fame
Mongoose told his high brown mama
Go away gal get another papa
I love your sister a whole lot better
Slide mongoose
Source: http://slymongoose.blogspot.com/2014/01/lyrics-to-sly-mongoose-sam-manning.html Posted by Martin
-snip-
"high brown mama" - light skinned Black woman
"get another papa" - get another lover
Click this link to a page of my cocojams cultural website for the words to another version of "Sly Mongoose": http://www.cocojams.com/content/caribbean-folk-songs
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitors' comments are welcome.
This post showcases a sound file of and lyrics for Lord Invader's version of "Sly Mongoose". Information about this old Caribbean song and two additional lyric versions of this song are included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thank to the composers of Sly Mongoose. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to those featured in these sound files and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT SLY MONGOOSE
The original "Sly Mongoose was composed in Jamaica, but versions of this song are well-known throughout the Caribbean.
From http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20030629/arts/arts1.html
..."mento's roots lie in the early 19th century when European dances like the quadrille were popular throughout the Caribbean. By the end of the 19th century, mento was all the "rage" in Jamaica, and (like dance hall today) served as "throw wu'd" music, providing an avenue to discuss taboos and social issues.
{Some] mento songs commented on local news, the Bible, politics, infidelity, even obeah, and their subtle innuendo, humouros double entendres and suggestive lyrics helped to protect the innocent from the song's baser meanings.
According to the research, Slim and Sam were two of the best known writers of "throw wu'd" songs in the 1930s and 1940s. "Sly Mongoose" is one of the most popular "scandal" songs, which is still sung today:
Mongoose go down Missa Beckford kitchen,
Tek out one a 'im ritious chicken,
Put 'im inna 'im waiscoat pocket
Run mongoose
Sly (slide) mongoose, yu name gone abroad.
Sly (slide) mongoose, yu name gone abroad."
Originally, the lyrics likened the eccentric religious leader, Alexander Bedward, to a cunning mongoose (a dodgy character). But Bedward is absent from later versions sung today, which leaves the object of the song's criticism open to interpretation."...
****
From http://www.dramonline.org/content/notes/nwr/80427.pdf
"Zoop Zoop Zoop: Traditional Music And Folklore of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John" (New World Records 80427-2)
"This song, wellknown throughout the Caribbean is not really about the mongoose. In fact, the animal and its character is used to allude to sexual liaisons between the master of the house and the cook or between the mistress and a worker.
Sly Mongoose, all them dogs they know your name
Oh yes, sly mongoose, all them dogs they know your name
You went into the mistress kitchen
Take out one of the fattest chickens
Put it into your waistcoat pocket
sly mongoose. "
****
[regarding Lord Invaders' version of "Sly Mongoose":
From http://media.smithsonianfolkways.org/liner_notes/smithsonian_folkways/SFW40454.pdf
“...originating in Jamaica where virtually all versions revolve around the activities of the Black prophet Alexander Bedward, “Sly Mongoose [Sly Mongoose Every Dog Knows Your Name] is reported as a carnival song in 1923 in Trinidad. Based on the symbolic references to a trickster with a sexual proclivity, in Eastern Caribbean versions, the mongoose goes into the White man’s kitchen rather than Bedward’s, and steals “one of his fattest chickens”.*
With incredulity, Invader describes his defeat in a calypso contest in the United States. Despite their up-to-date repertoire Houdini vanquishes Destroyer, Growler, and Invader in New York in 1941. Personified as a trickster, Houdini was much despised in Trinidad because of his U. S success and lack of esteem on the island."
-snip-
*Read my interpretation of the line about the Mongoose "going into the White man's kitchen and stealing one of his fattest chickens" regarding the lyrics for Lord Invader's version of this song.
****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLE: sly mongoose
roger ramirez Uploaded on Mar 24, 2009
****
LYRICS: SLY MONGOOSE
(Lord Invader, 1946)
There was a competition in America
With Houdini and Destroyer
Houdini sang Adolf Hitler
And yet they said that Houdini was the winner
What he won?
Chorus:
Sly Mongoose
-all together-
Only dog know your name
-Sing the chorus-
Sly Mongoose
-everybody-
Only dog know your name
Yes, mongoose went into the White man’s kitchen
Took up one of his fattest chickens
Push it in his waistcoat pocket,
Sly Mongoose.
Then he challenge the Growler
And the Growler sand a hot number
Growler told the Houdini
He gonna win him with this melody,
What it was: “Old lady, you’re mashing my toe,”
“Oh lady, stop it isn’t”
And yet he won him with,
Chorus
Sly Mongoose
-all together-
Only dog know your name
-Sing it Macbeth-
Sly Mongoose
Only dog know your name
Yes, mongoose went into the White man’s kitchen
Took up one of his fattest chickens
Push it in his waistcoat pocket,
Sly Mongoose.
So as I’m Lord Invader, I said
“I can’t lose my name in America”,
I entered the competition,
And I sang a hot composition.
What it was: “Prisoner leve [Prisoner arise]
“Mete limier bai [Put a light]
and Yet he won me with
Chorus
Sly Mongoose
-everybody
Only dog know your name
-Duke of Iron-
Sly Mongoose
Only dog know your name
Yes, mongoose went into the White man’s kitchen
Took up one of his fattest chickens
Push it in his waistcoat pocket,
Sly Mongoose.
Source: http://media.smithsonianfolkways.org/liner_notes/smithsonian_folkways/SFW40454.pdf
-snip-
Rather than Lord Invader's "Sly Mongoose" being about a man with sexual proclivities, it is a critique about what Lord Invader and other Calypsonians considered to be Houdini's inauthenticity as a Calypsonian. When Lord Invader referred to Houdini as "Sly Mongoose" he was using lines from that well known Caribbean song to insult Houdini. When he referred to Houdini as "Sly Mongoose" and said that Sly Mongoose "went into the White man’s kitchen/Took up one of his fattest chickens", Lord Invader was saying that Houdini had achieved success in the United States as a Calypsonian that he and other Calypsonians believe that Houdini wouldn't have received in the Caribbean - in particular Houdini- the sly Mangoose, stole the crown for that particular Calypso competition. By mentioning "Macbeth [Macbeth the Great"]" and "Duke Of Iron", Lord Invader calls on other well respected Calypsonians to join him in his condemnation of Houdini.
****
OTHER EXAMPLES OF "SLY MONGOOSE"
(lyric composer/s ?)
Listen to the song about a sly mongoose.
Sly Mongoose, your name gone abroad,
Sly Mongoose, your name gone abroad
Mongoose slip into Bedward kitchen,
Steal out one of his righteous chicken,
Steal out one of his waistcoat pocket,
Sly Mongoose.
Sly Mongoose, your name gone abroad
Mongoose went up to Bedward daughter,
Ask her if he could have some water.
Bedward daughter say, Whats the matter?
Sly Mongoose.
Sly Mongoose, your name gone abroad
Mongoose get out a dollar and a quarter,
Slipped it to old Bedward daughter.
Bedward daughter say, My Lord and master!
Sly Mongoose.
Sly Mongoose, your name gone abroad
Bedward went up to see his daughter,
Found Mongoose playing with one garter,
Bedward hit him just where he oughter.
Sly Mongoose.
Sly Mongoose, your name gone abroad
[Comment:]
The mongoose of this topical song was a well-known government official who tried to buy the affections of one of the prophet Bedward's daughters.
Source: http://www.unlockingthearchives.rgs.org/themes/journeys/gallery/resource
****
SLY MONGOOSE
(Lyrics to Sly Mongoose, Sam Manning version, 1925)
Listen to the story why mongoose fly from Jamaica
Listen to the story why mongoose fly from Jamaica
Mongoose, the newspaper reported
Jumped into bed with the preacher’s daughter
Baptise her with his holy water
Slide mongoose
Slide mongoose, now your name gone abroad
Slide mongoose, now your name gone abroad
Mongoose went into Bedward’s kitchen
Took up one of his fattest chicken
That’s the reason he fly from Jamaica
Slide mongoose
Slide mongoose, now your name gone abroad
Slide mongoose, now your name gone abroad
Mongoose fly from Jamaica
Slide right over down to Cuba
Wouldn’t stop til he reach America
Slide mongoose
Slide mongoose, now the world know your name
Brother mongoose, now the world know your fame
Mongoose told his high brown mama
Go away gal get another papa
I love your sister a whole lot better
Slide mongoose
Source: http://slymongoose.blogspot.com/2014/01/lyrics-to-sly-mongoose-sam-manning.html Posted by Martin
-snip-
"high brown mama" - light skinned Black woman
"get another papa" - get another lover
Click this link to a page of my cocojams cultural website for the words to another version of "Sly Mongoose": http://www.cocojams.com/content/caribbean-folk-songs
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitors' comments are welcome.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Lord Invader - Crisis In Arkansas (sound file & lyrics)
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post showcases the Lord Invader song "Crisis In Arkansas". A sound file of and lyrics for that Calypso song are presented in this post along with notes from that recording about that song. In addition, this post provides information about Lord Invader and information about the historical event that song refers to.
The content of this post is provided for folkloric, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the musical legacy of Lord Invader. Thanks to John Cowley, the author of the record notes that are quoted in this post and thanks to cvbagva, the publisher of this sound file on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT LORD INVADER
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Invader
Lord Invader (Rupert Westmore Grant; 13 December 1914 – 15 October 1961) was a prominent calypsonian with a very distinctive, gravelly voice.
He was born in San Fernando, Trinidad. He became active in calypso in the mid-1930s, and was considered a country bumpkin by his contemporaries, because of his humble beginning. It was Grant's tailor who gave him his moniker by commenting, "I tell you, Rupert, you should call yourself Lord Invader so when you go up to the city you be invadin' the capital." With a new name, in 1937 he went to the capital city of Port of Spain and began his career in earnest.
He competed in many calypso competitions (including the very first Calypso King competition) and recorded for RCA Bluebird. Lured by Decca Records, he travelled to New York City in 1941 with other calypsonians such as Roaring Lion and Atilla the Hun to make records and promote calypso music. He wrote many calypsos; his most famous lyrics, "Rum and Coca-Cola", were plagiarised by Morey Amsterdam and became a hit for the Andrews Sisters. Invader travelled to New York and sued, eventually winning compensation, although the final settlement allowed Amsterdam to retain his copyright. Ironically, In the early 1940s, radio stations in the USA would not play his own version on the grounds of its using the copyrighted name, Coca-Cola, and its references to prostitution and alcohol. He stayed in New York for a few years because of the lengthy court case. During his tenure in New York City, he became a fixture in the local calypso scene and recorded many tracks for Moses Asch. Eventually, he won his court case, but would not see his settlement check for seven years, so he returned to Trinidad in the meantime"...
****
From http://www.folkways.si.edu/TrackDetails.aspx?itemid=39832
Calypso in New York; Lord Invader SFW40454, Year of Release 2000
"Inspired improvisation and compelling rhythms, created by piano, small orchestra, and sometimes a drum and hand clapping, characterize these performances, which Lord invader (Rupert Westmore Grant, 1914-1962) recorded for Moses Asch in the 1940s and 1950s. Whether recounting events in Trinidad, describing his experiences in New York City, performing traditional songs, or criticizing American racism, Lord Invader combines rhythms and ideas in his unique calypsonian fashion. Thirteen of the 26 tracks are released here for the first time. Extensive annotations by John Cowley include lyrics, bibliography, and discography. 73 minutes. 32-page booklet. Compiled and annotated by John Cowley."
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "CRISIS IN ARKANSAS"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Rock_Nine
"Little Rock Nine were a group of African American students enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Their enrollment was followed by the Little Rock Crisis, in which the students were initially prevented from entering the racially segregated school by Orval Faubus, the Governor of Arkansas. They then attended after the intervention of President Eisenhower."...
Several segregationist councils threatened to hold protests at Central High and physically block the black students from entering the school. Governor Orval Faubus deployed the Arkansas National Guard to support the segregationists on September 4, 1957. The sight of a line of soldiers blocking out the students made national headlines and polarized the nation"...
By the end of September 1957, the nine were admitted to Little Rock Central High under the protection of the U.S. Army (and later the Arkansas National Guard), but they were still subjected to a year of physical and verbal abuse (being spat on and called names) by many of the white students"...
****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLE: Crisis in Arkansas- Lord Invader
cvbagva, Uploaded on Jul 18, 2010
****
LYRICS: CRISIS IN ARKANSAS
(Lord Invader)
Yes, Governor Faubus, are you delirious?
If not, show me the reason why you against us
Governor Faubus, are you delirious?
If not, show me the reason why you against us.
Negroes not wanted with Whites in the same school
If I had my way, I'd surely go down with a chain tongue
And break that governor’s tongue.
Chorus:
Please take off that black bowtie, lay-o!
And that black tuxedo.
You're calling us names, yet you're wearing black.
Please take off everything black off your back.
If you ever stop to think that we are all human
You will be a humanitarian.
Instead, you are encouraging segregation
And do not believe in integration.
But God made us all and in him we trust.
Nobody in this world is better than us.
One day you will be made to realize
Six feet of earth makes us all of one size.
So take off that black bowtie, lay-o!
And that black tuxedo.
You hate all us blacks, yet you're wearing black.
Please take off everything black off your back.
Some said it's for political reason
Why you are such a naïve person,
But of late you have studied, everyone knows,
That you have a fear for us Negroes.
That's why you are violating every law,
And closing up the schools in Arkansas.
I think that is high class ignorance
You are afraid of the Negroes' intelligence.
So take off that black bowtie, lay-o!
And that black tuxedo.
You hate all us blacks, yet you're wearing black.
Please take off everything black off your back.
In my opinion, there's nothing but gorilla action
Depriving the kids of their education
When they can become eminent lawyers
Politicians, scientists and doctors
Like Clayton Powell or Bustamante
Doctor Ralph Bunche or Doctor Maloney
Then they can climb the ladder of fame
And utilize their atomic brain.
So take off that black bowtie, lay-o!
And that black tuxedo.
You hate all us blacks, yet you're wearing black.
Please take off everything black off your back.
-snip-
Lyrics and notes from John Cowley about that song from http://media.smithsonianfolkways.org/liner_notes/smithsonian_folkways/SFW40454.pdf
[Song #23 in the record "Calypso In New York"] :
[Information about the crisis in Arkansas]
..."With [Lord Invader's] civil rights credentials established by his interpretation of “God Made Us All”, Invader used lines from the earlier song in the second verse of “Crisis In Arkansas”. Trenchantly, he points to inconsistencies in the segregationist position and identifies the benefits of education to Black people in the United States and the Caribbean. "
Adam Clayton Powell 1908-1972 an outspoken advocate of civil rights, and US representative (1945-67 and 1969-71)
Alexander Bustamante- Jamaican labor leader and politician who served as chief minister (1935-55) and prime minister (1962-67)
Dr. Ralph Johnson Bunche (1904-1971), First African American to be a division head in the US Dept of State, he later served with the United Nations
Dr. Alfred Hamilton Maloney, (1888-1955), a Trinidadian who became Professor and Head of the department of Pharmacology of Howard University, Washington, D.C. He was also author of books on race and politics.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post showcases the Lord Invader song "Crisis In Arkansas". A sound file of and lyrics for that Calypso song are presented in this post along with notes from that recording about that song. In addition, this post provides information about Lord Invader and information about the historical event that song refers to.
The content of this post is provided for folkloric, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the musical legacy of Lord Invader. Thanks to John Cowley, the author of the record notes that are quoted in this post and thanks to cvbagva, the publisher of this sound file on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT LORD INVADER
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Invader
Lord Invader (Rupert Westmore Grant; 13 December 1914 – 15 October 1961) was a prominent calypsonian with a very distinctive, gravelly voice.
He was born in San Fernando, Trinidad. He became active in calypso in the mid-1930s, and was considered a country bumpkin by his contemporaries, because of his humble beginning. It was Grant's tailor who gave him his moniker by commenting, "I tell you, Rupert, you should call yourself Lord Invader so when you go up to the city you be invadin' the capital." With a new name, in 1937 he went to the capital city of Port of Spain and began his career in earnest.
He competed in many calypso competitions (including the very first Calypso King competition) and recorded for RCA Bluebird. Lured by Decca Records, he travelled to New York City in 1941 with other calypsonians such as Roaring Lion and Atilla the Hun to make records and promote calypso music. He wrote many calypsos; his most famous lyrics, "Rum and Coca-Cola", were plagiarised by Morey Amsterdam and became a hit for the Andrews Sisters. Invader travelled to New York and sued, eventually winning compensation, although the final settlement allowed Amsterdam to retain his copyright. Ironically, In the early 1940s, radio stations in the USA would not play his own version on the grounds of its using the copyrighted name, Coca-Cola, and its references to prostitution and alcohol. He stayed in New York for a few years because of the lengthy court case. During his tenure in New York City, he became a fixture in the local calypso scene and recorded many tracks for Moses Asch. Eventually, he won his court case, but would not see his settlement check for seven years, so he returned to Trinidad in the meantime"...
****
From http://www.folkways.si.edu/TrackDetails.aspx?itemid=39832
Calypso in New York; Lord Invader SFW40454, Year of Release 2000
"Inspired improvisation and compelling rhythms, created by piano, small orchestra, and sometimes a drum and hand clapping, characterize these performances, which Lord invader (Rupert Westmore Grant, 1914-1962) recorded for Moses Asch in the 1940s and 1950s. Whether recounting events in Trinidad, describing his experiences in New York City, performing traditional songs, or criticizing American racism, Lord Invader combines rhythms and ideas in his unique calypsonian fashion. Thirteen of the 26 tracks are released here for the first time. Extensive annotations by John Cowley include lyrics, bibliography, and discography. 73 minutes. 32-page booklet. Compiled and annotated by John Cowley."
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "CRISIS IN ARKANSAS"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Rock_Nine
"Little Rock Nine were a group of African American students enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Their enrollment was followed by the Little Rock Crisis, in which the students were initially prevented from entering the racially segregated school by Orval Faubus, the Governor of Arkansas. They then attended after the intervention of President Eisenhower."...
Several segregationist councils threatened to hold protests at Central High and physically block the black students from entering the school. Governor Orval Faubus deployed the Arkansas National Guard to support the segregationists on September 4, 1957. The sight of a line of soldiers blocking out the students made national headlines and polarized the nation"...
By the end of September 1957, the nine were admitted to Little Rock Central High under the protection of the U.S. Army (and later the Arkansas National Guard), but they were still subjected to a year of physical and verbal abuse (being spat on and called names) by many of the white students"...
****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLE: Crisis in Arkansas- Lord Invader
cvbagva, Uploaded on Jul 18, 2010
****
LYRICS: CRISIS IN ARKANSAS
(Lord Invader)
Yes, Governor Faubus, are you delirious?
If not, show me the reason why you against us
Governor Faubus, are you delirious?
If not, show me the reason why you against us.
Negroes not wanted with Whites in the same school
If I had my way, I'd surely go down with a chain tongue
And break that governor’s tongue.
Chorus:
Please take off that black bowtie, lay-o!
And that black tuxedo.
You're calling us names, yet you're wearing black.
Please take off everything black off your back.
If you ever stop to think that we are all human
You will be a humanitarian.
Instead, you are encouraging segregation
And do not believe in integration.
But God made us all and in him we trust.
Nobody in this world is better than us.
One day you will be made to realize
Six feet of earth makes us all of one size.
So take off that black bowtie, lay-o!
And that black tuxedo.
You hate all us blacks, yet you're wearing black.
Please take off everything black off your back.
Some said it's for political reason
Why you are such a naïve person,
But of late you have studied, everyone knows,
That you have a fear for us Negroes.
That's why you are violating every law,
And closing up the schools in Arkansas.
I think that is high class ignorance
You are afraid of the Negroes' intelligence.
So take off that black bowtie, lay-o!
And that black tuxedo.
You hate all us blacks, yet you're wearing black.
Please take off everything black off your back.
In my opinion, there's nothing but gorilla action
Depriving the kids of their education
When they can become eminent lawyers
Politicians, scientists and doctors
Like Clayton Powell or Bustamante
Doctor Ralph Bunche or Doctor Maloney
Then they can climb the ladder of fame
And utilize their atomic brain.
So take off that black bowtie, lay-o!
And that black tuxedo.
You hate all us blacks, yet you're wearing black.
Please take off everything black off your back.
-snip-
Lyrics and notes from John Cowley about that song from http://media.smithsonianfolkways.org/liner_notes/smithsonian_folkways/SFW40454.pdf
[Song #23 in the record "Calypso In New York"] :
[Information about the crisis in Arkansas]
..."With [Lord Invader's] civil rights credentials established by his interpretation of “God Made Us All”, Invader used lines from the earlier song in the second verse of “Crisis In Arkansas”. Trenchantly, he points to inconsistencies in the segregationist position and identifies the benefits of education to Black people in the United States and the Caribbean. "
Adam Clayton Powell 1908-1972 an outspoken advocate of civil rights, and US representative (1945-67 and 1969-71)
Alexander Bustamante- Jamaican labor leader and politician who served as chief minister (1935-55) and prime minister (1962-67)
Dr. Ralph Johnson Bunche (1904-1971), First African American to be a division head in the US Dept of State, he later served with the United Nations
Dr. Alfred Hamilton Maloney, (1888-1955), a Trinidadian who became Professor and Head of the department of Pharmacology of Howard University, Washington, D.C. He was also author of books on race and politics.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
"L'annee Passee", The Calypso Song That Became "Rum And Coca Cola"
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post presents information about the Trinidadian song "L'annee Passee", whose melody was used for the 1906 Caribbean Calyso song "Rum And Coca Cola". After a New York court battle, the credit for the popular American song "Rum And Coca Cola" was given to that song's Trinidadian composers and lyricist.
The content of this post is presented for historical, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
****
GENERAL OVERVIEW OF "L'ANNEE PASSEE"
From http://berdina.tripod.com/rumandcocacola.htm
""L'Année Passée", meaning "Yesterday" (lit. Last year), is the true story of a girl named Mathilda Soye. She was the daughter of a very prominent Trinidad family and was educated at a Convent school. She fell in love with a man "in the street", a "common" fellow, who was no good. She lived with him for some time and then he made her work as a prostitute. The song was written in French Patois and was a lament of the girl on how just the other day she was a little girl and now she was a prostitute, walking the street.
This story became known in 1905 and Lionel Belasco, who was a young man at that time, composed the song "L'Année Passée" [in 1906], which told that story. It is common practice in Trinidad to compose calypsos dealing with whatever social/political events happened in that year."...
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE LAWSUIT REGARDING THE "RUM AND COCA COLA SONG"
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rum_and_Coca-Cola
"Rum and Coca-Cola” is the title of a popular calypso. Originally composed by Lord Invader and Lionel Belasco, it was copyrighted in the United States by entertainer Morey Amsterdam and became a huge hit in 1945 for the Andrews Sisters, spending ten weeks at the top of Billboard's U.S. Pop Singles chart.[1]
Although the song was published in the United States with Amsterdam listed as the lyricist and Jeri Sullavan and Paul Baron as musical composers, the melody had been previously published as the work of Trinidadian calypso composer Lionel Belasco on a song titled “L'Année Passée,” which was in turn based on a folksong from Martinique.[2] The original lyrics to “Rum and Coca-Cola” were written by Rupert Grant, another calypso musician from Trinidad who went by the stage name of Lord Invader.[3] (The true credits for music and lyrics were restored in a plagiarism lawsuit won by attorney Louis Nizer, the account of which can be read in his book, My Life in Court.)"
-snip-
Click http://www.acousticmusic.com/fame/p01100.htm for information about Lionel Belasco.
Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Invader for information about Lord Invader (Rupert Grant).
****
LYRICS: L'ANNEE PASSEE (Last Year)
(A "Calypso" by Massie Patterson and Lionel Belasco
English version by Olga Paul)
L'année passée moen té yon fille,
Moen té yon fille L'en caille mama moen,
L'année cela moen c'est yon femme
Moen c'est un' femme a sur la rue.-
Femme la se-coué corps moen ké baou,
Femme la se-coué corps moen ké baou,
Femme la se-coué moen ké baou,
Moen ké baou moen ké baou
Tout ça qui doux.
Temps Martinique té pris du fé
Yo té cherché Man o' Wa',
Pour sauvéces Mart'niquens
Pour mené yo Port-d'Espagne.
Last year I was a little girl
Living with my dear mother at home;
This year I am a woman though,
On the streets you will find me roam.
I have learned to dance and I'm fair,
I have learned to dance and I'm fair,
I have learned to dance and I'm fair,
And I'm fair, and I'm fair;
My steps are rare.
When Martinique was all in flames,
They looked for a Man o' War,
Hoped to save the people there,
Port -f Spain they were aiming for.-
"Free transcription by Maurice Baron." Sheet music labeled Allegretto grazioso, voice and piano 2/4. Pages 22-23.
Copyright, 1943 by M. Baron Co., New York. "Calypso Songs of the West Indies," 1943, Massie Patterson and Lionel Belasco, Free transcription by Maurice Baron, ASCAP.
The Foreward by M. Baron says "The editor wishes to make acknowledgement to Miss Massie Patterson and Lionel Belasco, collectors of these authentic "Calypso" songs from the lip of the Lesser Antilles natives; also to Miss Olga Paul for her expert English version of the Creole lyrics."...
Source: http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=66111#1102724 posted by Q, Date 27 Jan 04
-snip-
Here's a link to a brief midi [sound file] of "L'Annee Passee" that was included in that comment: http://mudcat.org/midi/midifiles/lanneepassee.mid.
A link to a sound file of "Rum And Coca Cola" was also included in that comment. Although that link is no longer viable, there are a number of YouTube examples of that song, including at least one sound file of the original lyricist Lord Invader, and several sound files of the Andrews Sisters record.
I've not been able to find a YouTube entry for the Caribbean song "L'Annee Passee".
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
Lord Invader - Rum and coca cola (audio)
calypzombie85, Uploaded on Oct 1, 2009
LYRICS: RUM AND COCA COLA
(Lord Invader)
Since the Yankees came to Trinidad
They have the young girls going mad.
The young girls say they treat them nice.
And they give them a better price.
They buy rum and coca cola
Go down Point Cumana
Both mother and daughter
Working for the Yankee dollar.
I had a little mopsy the other day
Her mother came and took her away.
Then her mother and her sisters
Went in a car with some soldiers
They buy rum and coca cola etc.
There are some aristos in Port-of-Spain
I know them well, I wont call names.
In the day they wouldn't give you a right.
But you can see them with the foreigners late at night.
A couple got married one afternoon
And went to go to Mayaro on a honeymoon.
The very night the wife went with a Yankee lad
And the stupid husband went staring mad.
Inspector Jory did a good job
At St. James he raid a recreation club
That was carrying on the brothel
The condition in which we found the girl I cannot tell.
Source: http://www.rumandcocacolareader.com/RumAndCocaCola/versions.html.
****
The Andrews Sisters - Rum and Coca Cola
beyoncetyratina·Uploaded on Oct 15, 2010
Update (08/18/11): This song WAS originally by a Trinidadian by the name "Lord Invader". His version is quite great too, but the lyrics are much different...
And you guys stop fighting about it... What ever you are fighting about, both versions were WONDERFUL in their own rights. And yes, they went to court, Lord Invader won.
-snip-
Click http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/the_andrews_sisters/rum_and_coca-cola.html for lyrics to the Andrew Sisters' version of Rum And Coca Cola
****
Thanks to the composers and lyricists of "L'Annee Passee" and "Rum And Coca Cola". Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post, and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
Thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post presents information about the Trinidadian song "L'annee Passee", whose melody was used for the 1906 Caribbean Calyso song "Rum And Coca Cola". After a New York court battle, the credit for the popular American song "Rum And Coca Cola" was given to that song's Trinidadian composers and lyricist.
The content of this post is presented for historical, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
****
GENERAL OVERVIEW OF "L'ANNEE PASSEE"
From http://berdina.tripod.com/rumandcocacola.htm
""L'Année Passée", meaning "Yesterday" (lit. Last year), is the true story of a girl named Mathilda Soye. She was the daughter of a very prominent Trinidad family and was educated at a Convent school. She fell in love with a man "in the street", a "common" fellow, who was no good. She lived with him for some time and then he made her work as a prostitute. The song was written in French Patois and was a lament of the girl on how just the other day she was a little girl and now she was a prostitute, walking the street.
This story became known in 1905 and Lionel Belasco, who was a young man at that time, composed the song "L'Année Passée" [in 1906], which told that story. It is common practice in Trinidad to compose calypsos dealing with whatever social/political events happened in that year."...
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE LAWSUIT REGARDING THE "RUM AND COCA COLA SONG"
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rum_and_Coca-Cola
"Rum and Coca-Cola” is the title of a popular calypso. Originally composed by Lord Invader and Lionel Belasco, it was copyrighted in the United States by entertainer Morey Amsterdam and became a huge hit in 1945 for the Andrews Sisters, spending ten weeks at the top of Billboard's U.S. Pop Singles chart.[1]
Although the song was published in the United States with Amsterdam listed as the lyricist and Jeri Sullavan and Paul Baron as musical composers, the melody had been previously published as the work of Trinidadian calypso composer Lionel Belasco on a song titled “L'Année Passée,” which was in turn based on a folksong from Martinique.[2] The original lyrics to “Rum and Coca-Cola” were written by Rupert Grant, another calypso musician from Trinidad who went by the stage name of Lord Invader.[3] (The true credits for music and lyrics were restored in a plagiarism lawsuit won by attorney Louis Nizer, the account of which can be read in his book, My Life in Court.)"
-snip-
Click http://www.acousticmusic.com/fame/p01100.htm for information about Lionel Belasco.
Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Invader for information about Lord Invader (Rupert Grant).
****
LYRICS: L'ANNEE PASSEE (Last Year)
(A "Calypso" by Massie Patterson and Lionel Belasco
English version by Olga Paul)
L'année passée moen té yon fille,
Moen té yon fille L'en caille mama moen,
L'année cela moen c'est yon femme
Moen c'est un' femme a sur la rue.-
Femme la se-coué corps moen ké baou,
Femme la se-coué corps moen ké baou,
Femme la se-coué moen ké baou,
Moen ké baou moen ké baou
Tout ça qui doux.
Temps Martinique té pris du fé
Yo té cherché Man o' Wa',
Pour sauvéces Mart'niquens
Pour mené yo Port-d'Espagne.
Last year I was a little girl
Living with my dear mother at home;
This year I am a woman though,
On the streets you will find me roam.
I have learned to dance and I'm fair,
I have learned to dance and I'm fair,
I have learned to dance and I'm fair,
And I'm fair, and I'm fair;
My steps are rare.
When Martinique was all in flames,
They looked for a Man o' War,
Hoped to save the people there,
Port -f Spain they were aiming for.-
"Free transcription by Maurice Baron." Sheet music labeled Allegretto grazioso, voice and piano 2/4. Pages 22-23.
Copyright, 1943 by M. Baron Co., New York. "Calypso Songs of the West Indies," 1943, Massie Patterson and Lionel Belasco, Free transcription by Maurice Baron, ASCAP.
The Foreward by M. Baron says "The editor wishes to make acknowledgement to Miss Massie Patterson and Lionel Belasco, collectors of these authentic "Calypso" songs from the lip of the Lesser Antilles natives; also to Miss Olga Paul for her expert English version of the Creole lyrics."...
Source: http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=66111#1102724 posted by Q, Date 27 Jan 04
-snip-
Here's a link to a brief midi [sound file] of "L'Annee Passee" that was included in that comment: http://mudcat.org/midi/midifiles/lanneepassee.mid.
A link to a sound file of "Rum And Coca Cola" was also included in that comment. Although that link is no longer viable, there are a number of YouTube examples of that song, including at least one sound file of the original lyricist Lord Invader, and several sound files of the Andrews Sisters record.
I've not been able to find a YouTube entry for the Caribbean song "L'Annee Passee".
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
Lord Invader - Rum and coca cola (audio)
calypzombie85, Uploaded on Oct 1, 2009
LYRICS: RUM AND COCA COLA
(Lord Invader)
Since the Yankees came to Trinidad
They have the young girls going mad.
The young girls say they treat them nice.
And they give them a better price.
They buy rum and coca cola
Go down Point Cumana
Both mother and daughter
Working for the Yankee dollar.
I had a little mopsy the other day
Her mother came and took her away.
Then her mother and her sisters
Went in a car with some soldiers
They buy rum and coca cola etc.
There are some aristos in Port-of-Spain
I know them well, I wont call names.
In the day they wouldn't give you a right.
But you can see them with the foreigners late at night.
A couple got married one afternoon
And went to go to Mayaro on a honeymoon.
The very night the wife went with a Yankee lad
And the stupid husband went staring mad.
Inspector Jory did a good job
At St. James he raid a recreation club
That was carrying on the brothel
The condition in which we found the girl I cannot tell.
Source: http://www.rumandcocacolareader.com/RumAndCocaCola/versions.html.
****
The Andrews Sisters - Rum and Coca Cola
beyoncetyratina·Uploaded on Oct 15, 2010
Update (08/18/11): This song WAS originally by a Trinidadian by the name "Lord Invader". His version is quite great too, but the lyrics are much different...
And you guys stop fighting about it... What ever you are fighting about, both versions were WONDERFUL in their own rights. And yes, they went to court, Lord Invader won.
-snip-
Click http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/the_andrews_sisters/rum_and_coca-cola.html for lyrics to the Andrew Sisters' version of Rum And Coca Cola
****
Thanks to the composers and lyricists of "L'Annee Passee" and "Rum And Coca Cola". Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post, and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
Thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
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