OUR SONGS FROM THE CARIBBEAN

ANGELIQUE O

COUNTRY: Haiti

“Angelique O” is a song from Haiti that seems, on the surface, to be about the poor treatment of a girl by a powerful family, but is actually much more. (More.)

AY ZUZUMA

COUNTRY: Jamaica

“Ay Zuzuma” is a song about what happens when our friend Zuzuma goes to market – watch that goat and pig! (More.)

BAILALA

COUNTRY: U.S./Puerto Rico

“Bailala” is a super-singable “plena” from Puerto Rico imploring us to dance – “I love to dance the plena, bailala!”(More.)

BELLAMINA

COUNTRY: The Bahamas

“Bellamina” is a song from the Bahamas about a boat that rum runners have painted black to slip it past the coast guard. (In class it's much more playful than it sounds.) (More.)

BO CALINDA

COUNTRY: Trinidad and Tobago

“Bo Calinda” is our “hokey pokey” song from Trinidad and Tobago. It could be a song about a beautiful girl. It could also be a song about a dance-y fight with big sticks. (More.)

DRIED DATES AND ALMONDS

COUNTRY: Trinidad and Tobago

“Dried Dates and Almonds” is a Bhojpuri song from the South Asian community of Trinidad about the power of parents' love for their child. (More.)

GOOD MORNING

COUNTRY: St. Kitts and Nevis

“Good Morning” is a bright, beaming “wake up” song from Nevis and St. Kitts. (More.)

JANE AND LOUISA

COUNTRY: Jamaica

“Jane and Louisa” is a well-known English-language folk song and ring dance from Jamaica. (More.)

JHULO JHULO

COUNTRY: Trinidad and Tobago

“Jhulo Jhulo” is a lovely lullaby from the Bhojpuri-speaking South Asian community of Trinidad. (More.)

KRAPO TINGELE

COUNTRY: Haiti

“Krapo Tingele” is a Haitian tale about a frog, a horse, and the woman they love. (More.)

LOI LOO

COUNTRY: Haiti

“Loi Loo” is a Haitian play-along. Pay attention…then FREEZE! (More.)

MA TEODORA

COUNTRY: Cuba

“Ma Teodora” is, legendarily, the first “son” song from Cuba, about a girl who goes out to collect firewood. (More.)

MENTO STAR

COUNTRY: Jamaica

“Mento Star” is a Jamaican “mento” song, which we use in class to meet instruments that make this distinct cousin of calypso unique. (More.)

M’SIEU MICHEL

COUNTRY: Martinique

“M'sieu Michel” is a song drawn from the history of Martinique, refers to a labor strike about the smallest wage. (More.)

OLA DE LA MAR

COUNTRY: Trinidad and Tobago

“Ola de la Mar” is a Trinidadian “parang” song, most often sung in the middle of the night or in early morning – loudly! – and most often in the Christmas season. (More.)

PETIT OISEAU

COUNTRY: Haiti

“Petit Oiseau” is a French folk song, sung in Haiti, about a lilting little bird. (More.)

RAGBA E

COUNTRY: Grenada

“Ragba E” takes us to Grenada where we make a moment to pause, stretch, and breathe. (More.)

RASIN DE

COUNTRY: Haiti

“Rasin De” is a simple hand play from Haiti about two roots (“rasin de”) and the wood (“bwa bwa”) of the tree trunk that grows. (More.)

RULE SONDA

COUNTRY: U.S./Puerto Rico

“Rule Sonda” a boisterous “bomba” from Puerto Rico in which dancers lead the drummers, not the other way. (More.)

TREE FALL DOWN

COUNTRY: Anguilla

“Tree Fall Down” is a song from Anguilla that teaches an essential lesson – those who get to be too big will one day tumble. (More.)