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1. War a Monk Land - This song refers to the 1865 Morant Bay uprising. The reference to the Queen is significant, as peasant farmers who had petitioned the Queen for help realized that her response was influenced by a third party conveying their letter. It was during this time that Paul Bogle (song below) was killed.
Emancipation came in 1834, but the slaves found that they were worse off economically. There was no master to take care of them. Indentured labor from Asia and Africa was brought in, but by the 1960s, things had deteriorated for workers and small farmers.
Unemployment and heavy taxation put a strain on the communities. The Morant Bay rebellion of 1865 was an event brought about by these conditions. “War dung a Monklan” describes the horror felt by the people. “The Queen never know” mentioned in the text refers to the fact that the event was outside of the law and “sinner” refers to those who rebelled.
Arrangement by Marie McMarrow.
2. Banyan Tree - This song is about a large tree with hanging roots and lots of shade that children play under on a moonshine night.
"Banyan Tree" is an invitation to dance and sing. The Banyan tree, much like the Willow and Cotton trees, is large with hanging roots and is a favorite for shade seekers, lovers and children at play. Spirits are also believed to dwell in its shade. In Asia, the Banyan tree is considered sacred. It is significant to note that it was under a Banyan tree that Budha received enlightenment.
Also a dance song arranged by Peter Ashbourne, using the waltz setting. It is sometimes performed as a mento.
Banyan Tree Song Text
Moonshine tonight come mek we dance and sing (repeat)
Mi da rock so you da rock so under Banyan tree. (repeat)
Ladies mek curtsy, gentlemen mek bow
Mi da rock so you da rock so under Banyan tree. (repeat)
Den we join hands and dance around and round.
Mi da rock so you da rock so under Banyan tree. (repeat)
Moonshine tonight come mek we dance and sing (repeat)
Mi da rock so you da rock so under Banyan tree. (repeat)
3. Coconut Tree – This is a love song. Lovers remind themselves that it was under the coconut tree their love began, so they tell themselves to return to the tree to affirm this love.
It is sometimes hard to fathom how love songs existed in a community that endured so many hardships and trauma. "Coconut Tree" is a beautiful melody set in waltz time, encouraging singing as well as dancing. Lovers reminisce on vows made and they encourage each other to return to the tree to affirm and renew their love.
Piano arrangement by Peter Ashbourne.
Coconut Tree Song Text
It was under de coconut tree, darling
It was under de coconut tree
You promise to marry to me, darling
It was under de coconut tree.
Let's go under de coconut tree, darling
Let's go under de coconut tree
T’was there that you gave me your love, darling
Let's go under de coconut tree.
It was under de coconut tree, darling
It was under de coconut tree
You promise to marry to me, darling
Let's go under de coconut tree.
4. Dis Long Time Gal - This is a greeting song: I have not seen you for the longest time; let's just dance and sing and be friends forever.
This is a popular greeting song that expresses the joy of finally seeing someone who has been away for a long time and the desire to just dance, sing and be friends forevermore. So much time has passed since the last encounter that “Peel head John Crow sid dung pon tree top, pick off de blossom” (the equivalent of saying I have not seen you for so long, hell has frozen over). Note that crows (called “John Crows” in Jamaica) are carnivorous creatures; they would never eat blossoms from trees.
Modern arrangement by Jamaican composer, Peter Ashbourne.
5. Jane and Louisa - This is a family game with a British influence.
This is a popular ring game found throughout the Caribbean, believed to have been brought to Jamaica by seafarers. In this popular play song, the group forms a semicircle and a member performs the actions of each verse, then the last person chosen becomes the next selector. Each person hopes to get a turn at making selections. Often, best friends or lovers are selected.
Piano arrangement by Roger Williams.
6. Evening Time – Words by Louise Bennett; music by Barbara Ferland. After a hard day at the market, it is now time to rest, dance and sing.
7. Jesus is Born - This is a Jamaican Christmas carol.
8. Liza - This is a song about missing a friend or a relative through death or not seeing someone for a while. This song was made up by our own folks who have gone through similar situations.
A lament for the loss of Liza. This is often sung when missing someone through death or distance. Slaves were often separated--daughters, sons, mothers, fathers and other relatives sold to other estates. ”Water come a mi eye” could also suggest great emotions repressed.
Modern arrangement by Jamaican composer, Peter Ashbourne.
Liza Song Text
Every time mi member Liza,
Water come a mi eye,
When mi member mi nice gal Liza
Water come a mi eye.
Oh come back Liza, come back gal
Water come a mi eye (refrain)
When mi look upon Sarah daughter,
When mi look upon Vie,
An mi memba mi nice gal Liza,
Water come a mi eye.
Come back Liza, come back gal,
Dry de cry from mi eye,
Come back Liza, come back gal,
Water come a mi eye.
9. Mango – A song about a lady selling mangoes, telling how sweet they are, and all the different dishes you can make with the mangoes. From the French Caribbean.
This is the only non-Jamaican song in Volume 1. Originating from Trinidad, “Mango” is a descriptive text of a market seller selling mangoes. The seller describes the various uses. Ripe mangoes when eaten are deliciously sweet, but mangoes are equally good in various dishes.
Piano arrangement by Roger Williams.
10. Nobody’s Business – Whatever you do in life is your own business.
Slave communities were built on philosophical council. The song “Nobody’s Business but Me Own” gives reassurance that people really ought to mind their own business.
Modern arrangement by Jamaican composer, Peter Ashbourne.
11. Paul Bogle - This is another Maroon song sung by the Moore Town Maroons. It tells the story of how Paul Bogle fought for his people and how they did not like him, and the plot to hang him.
You can support production and research of Volume 2 by buying these tracks and more songs at: http://stores.lulu.com/mcmarrowstores08
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