Jamaican Song and Story Part 68

Cx.x.xI.

[Music: _Polka._

Aunty Jane a call Minnie, Minnie won't go 'peak to him; Aunty Jane a call Minnie, Minnie won't go 'peak to him.

Wrap up in a crocus beig In a Sandy Hill, Wrap up in a crocus beig In a Sandy Hill.]

Aunty Jane does not want Minnie to keep company with the boys at Sandy Hill. Of course Minnie wants to go, and she does go. Aunty Jane sets off to bring her home. When she reaches Sandy Hill she calls. Minnie hears, but will not go and speak to her. She hides in the coffee-store by wrapping herself in a crocus bag or sack. "Crocus" is a rough cheap material. Coffee ready for market is put in the finer and smaller canvas bags.

Cx.x.xII.

[Music: _Valse._

Marty, Marty, me wanty go home, Marty, Marty, me wanty go home, Marty, Marty, me wanty go home, Me wanty go home back a yard.

Tell me mumma say me wanty come home, Me wanty come home, Me wanty come home, Tell me mumma say me wanty come home, Me wanty come home back a yard.]

Martin has been flogging his wife--not an unusual condition of things--and she wants to go home to her mother. He will take her message quite loyally. The matter will be arranged and they will be good friends living apart. Before long she will go back to him of her own accord. They make up their quarrels as quickly as they fall into them.

Cx.x.xIII.

[Music: _5th Figure._

What make you shave old Hall, Rosie Fowler?

What make you shave old Hall?

What make you shave old Hall, Rosie Fowler?

What make you shave old Hall?

What make you shave old Hall, Rosie Fowler?

What make you shave old Hall?

Mister Barber have two teeth a him mout', Them sweet like a sugar-plum.]

Rosie Fowler left old Hall for Mr. Barber, and being remonstrated with, shaved him, _i.e._ gave him a good beating.

Cx.x.xIV.

[Music: _Mazurka._

Run, Moses, run, Mister Walker da come; Run, Moses, run, Mister Walker da come.

If you buck your right foot, buck your left foot, Never try look back; If you buck your right foot, buck your left foot, Never try look back.]

To "buck" is to strike, and the word is applied to a stumbling horse, who is said to buck his foot against a stone, or simply to buck. It also means to b.u.t.t with the head and is most likely a corruption of this word. Bucking, or charging stag-fas.h.i.+on with the head, is the favourite way for women to fight. Here is an account of such a contest:--

Cx.x.xV.

[Music: _5th Figure._

Wh you da do? Wh you da do?

Wh you da do make Sarah buck you?

Wh you da do? Wh you da do?

Wh you da do make Sarah buck you?

Adela da jump but Sarah buck him, Adela da jump but Sarah buck him, Adela da jump but Sarah buck him.

Wh you da do make Sarah buck you?

You Adela ho you ought to shame!

You Adela ho you ought to shame!

You Adela ho you ought to shame!

Wh you da do make Sarah buck you?]

Fights between women are by no means uncommon. This was a case of _cherchez l'homme_. The ladies both wanted to marry the same man. The "sing" was evidently composed by one of Sarah's partisans for the words are:--"What did you do to make Sarah buck you? Adela jumped, but Sarah bucked her. You, Adela, oh you ought to be ashamed!" Adela's sideway jump was not quick enough to save her from Sarah's head.

"Wh you da do?" literally, What you is do? for What you did do?

meaning What did you do? So, if they were trying to talk "deep English," for "Adela da jump" they would subst.i.tute "Adela is jump"

and think it was quite right.

Cx.x.xVI.

[Music: _5th Figure._

Mother William hold back Leah!

Mother William hold back Leah!

Me tell you say hold back Leah!

Hold back Leah let go Jane Ann!

Den a Leah Leah dead 'way, Den a Leah Leah dead 'way, Let go Jane Ann!

Let go Jane Ann!

Hold back Leah, let go Jane Ann!]

This is sung _agitato_ and pulsates with excitement. We see the bustling, restless action--Mother Williams holding Leah, who is frantic to get at Jane Ann, and who faints with exhaustion as she struggles to escape from the strong arms thrown round her. "Let go Jane Ann!" cry the bystanders, which means:--Make Jane Ann go away, get her out of Leah's sight.