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.
Ay Zuzuma
COUNTRY: Jamaica
“Ay Zuzuma” is a song about what happens when our friend Zuzuma goes to market – watch that goat and pig!
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!”
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.)
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.
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.
Good Morning
COUNTRY: St. Kitts and Nevis
“Good Morning” is a bright, beaming “wake up” song from Nevis and St. Kitts.
Jane and Louisa
COUNTRY: Jamaica
“Jane and Louisa” is a well-known English-language folk song and ring dance from Jamaica.
Jhulo Jhulo
COUNTRY: Trinidad and Tobago
“Jhulo Jhulo” is a lovely lullaby from the Bhojpuri-speaking South Asian community of Trinidad.
Krapo Tingele
COUNTRY: Haiti
“Krapo Tingele” is a Haitian tale about a frog, a horse, and the woman they love.
Loi Loo
COUNTRY: Haiti
“Loi Loo” is a Haitian play-along. Pay attention…then FREEZE!
Ma Teodora
COUNTRY: Cuba
“Ma Teodora” is, legendarily, the first “son” song from Cuba, about a girl who goes out to collect firewood.
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.
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.
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.
Petit Oiseau
COUNTRY: Haiti
“Petit Oiseau” is a French folk song, sung in Haiti, about a lilting little bird.
Rabga E
COUNTRY: Grenada
“Ragba E” takes us to Grenada where we make a moment to pause, stretch, and breathe.
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.
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.
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.