This song is for my dad who I lost just a few months ago. In the early-mid 1960's we used to sit on the floor of the little house in Van Nuys listening to Harry's live album. I didn't know how hard life can be or how much we can miss the people we love since pop died. I miss you so much, this song will always be for you.
This is Mento - Jamaican folk music that was the precdessor to ska, rocksteady, and eventually reggae. It was marketed in the US as Calypso becauce no one had heard of Mento yet
Down the way where the nights are gay
And the sun shines daily on the mountain top
I took a trip on a sailing ship
And when I reached Jamaica I made a stop
But I'm sad to say I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
Down the market you can hear
Ladies cry out while on their heads they bear
'Akey' rice, salt fish are nice
And the rum is fine any time of year
But I'm sad to say I'm on my way
Won't be back for many a day
My heart is down, my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town
Sounds of laughter everywhere
And the dancing girls sway to and fro
I must declare my heart is there
Though I've been from Maine to Mexico
His mom sent he and his little sibling from New York to Jamaica as kids to his grandma... he enjoyed his stay there . A beautiful country place in Murray mountain in Jamaica... His grandma sometimes on Sundays they would go to the big Carib theatre in Kingston Jamaica... He went back to Usa
