Fuego al cañon, fuego al cañon
Para que respeten nuestro parrandon
Fuego al cañon, fuego al cañon
Para que respeten nuestro parrandon.
Fire the cannon, fire the cannon! To honour our celebration Fire the cannon, fire the cannon! To honour our celebration.
Niño chiquitito, niño parandero
Niño chiquitito, niño parandero
Vente con nosotros hasta el mes de enero
Vente con nosotros hasta el mes de enero.
Tiny child, parrandero child Tiny child, parrandero child Come with us until January Come with us until January.
Fuego al cañon, fuego al cañon
Para que respeten nuestro parrandon
Fuego al cañon, fuego al cañon
Para que respeten nuestro parrandon.
Esta casa es grande, tiene cuatro esquinas
Esta casa es grande, tiene cuatro esquinas
Y en en centro tiene nardo y clavelinas
Y en en centro tiene nardo y clavelinas
This house is big, it has four corners This house is big, it has four corners And in the centre are tuberoses and carnations And in the centre are tuberoses and carnations.
Fuego al cañon, fuego al cañon
Para que respeten nuestro parrandon
Fuego al cañon, fuego al cañon
Para que respeten nuestro parrandon
San José y la Virgen, la mula y el buey
San José y la Virgen, la mula y el buey
Fueron los que vieron al Niño nacer
Fueron los que vieron al Niño nacer.
San José and the Virgin, the mule and the ox
San José and the Virgin, the mule and the ox
They were the ones who witnessed the birth of The Child
They were the ones who witnessed the birth of The Child.
Fuego al cañon, fuego al cañon
Para que respeten nuestro parrandon
Fuego al cañon, fuego al cañon
Para que respeten nuestro parrandon.
Esta casa es grande, tiene cuatro aleros
Esta casa es grande, tiene cuatro aleros
Y en en centro tiene los aguinalderos
Y en en centro tiene los aguinalderos
This house is big, it has four eaves This house is big, it has four eaves And in the centre are the singers And in the centre are the singers.
Fuego al cañon, fuego al cañon
Para que respeten nuestro parrandon
Fuego al cañon, fuego al cañon
Para que respeten nuestro parrandon.
Performed by Los Tocadores Composed by Francisco de Paula Aguirre (October 20, 1875 – 1939).
De limpidos blasones tu fuiste la rosa románticos galanes dijeron ayer que trigueña tan linda que vi al salir de la misa de diez.
Mirándote bajabas la frente de nácar, y candida esqivavan tus ojos la luz encendiendo fugaz el rubor en las blondas del velo andaluz.
Dama antañona gentil el honor fué tu escudo supo en sus galas unir el amor y el hogar, noches de luna escuchó al balcón serenatas y de rendido galan aceptó las ternezas bailando un vals.
Lindísimas muchachas del tiempo de ahora de púrpura los labios, los ojos carbón, falda corta, mejillas carmín, desenvueltas con aire de sport.
Histéricas miradas que al hombre provocan, y lúbricos esguinces que impone el fox-trot; sin embargo su ser lleva en si inocencia, virtud y candor.
Loca de dicha puéril inventó raro traje: quiso en dancing lucir el disfraz del ayer largas enaguas vistió y, al prender la mantilla, la caraqueña probo ser eterna, como antes, mujer y flor. ..............................................................................................................................
A Note From The Gull
Thank you, Los Tocadores! IsDePanInMe, I really appreciate your selection of photos. They capture the enjoyment of the dance, especially the photo which makes its appearance at 2:08. I love how they are looking at each other. So beautiful!
"Patria est communis omnium parens" - Our native land is the common parent of us all. Keep it beautiful, make it even more so.
Blessed is all of creation Blessed be my beautiful people Blessed be the day of our awakening Blessed is my country Blessed are her patient hills.
Uploaded by IsDePanInMe BOTTLE AND SPOON JAM By Leon Coldero
I wish that parang was like long ago [Aye yay yaye, oye yoy yoy] With a box bass, a bottle and a cuatro [Aye yay yaye, oye yoy yoy] Going from house to house, people they don't know Singing serenal and aguinaldo Some of them don't know what they singing Is then I does know is Christmas morning.
If you hear them boy, them paranging [Bottle and spoon jam] They sounding like J'Ouvert morning [Bottle and spoon jam] If you hear them boy, them paranging [Bottle and spoon jam] They sounding like J'Ouvert morning [Bottle and spoon jam]
Boy, I sit down there just wondering [Aye yay yaye, oye yoy yoy] From where this rhythm was coming [Aye yay yaye, oye yoy yoy] When I thought was iron I hearing Was a bottle and spoon they was pounding If you hear how sweet this thing was sounding Is then I realise was Christmas morning
If you hear them boy, them paranging [Bottle and spoon jam] They sounding like J'Ouvert morning [Bottle and spoon jam] If you hear them boy, them paranging [Bottle and spoon jam] They sounding like J'Ouvert morning [Bottle and spoon jam]
I get up and I peep through my curtain [Aye yay yaye, oye yoy yoy] To see what was really happening [Aye yay yaye, oye yoy yoy] I realise is by me they was coming Same time I run to the kitchen If you see me how I preparing I just catch myself, is Christmas morning!
If you see them boy, them paranging [Bottle and spoon jam] They sounding like J'Ouvert morning [Bottle and spoon jam] If you see them boy, them paranging [Bottle and spoon jam] They sounding like J'Ouvert morning [Bottle and spoon jam]
I wish that parang was like long ago [Aye yay yaye, oye yoy yoy] With a box bass, a bottle and a cuatro [Aye yay yaye, oye yoy yoy] Going from house to house, people they don't know Singing serenal and aguinaldo Some of them don't know what they singing Is then I does know is Christmas morning.
If you hear them boy, them paranging [Bottle and spoon jam] They sounding like J'Ouvert morning [Bottle and spoon jam]
Well I pick up my hat and my cuatro [Aye yay yaye, oye yoy yoy] Heading straight for Lopinot [Aye yay yaye, oye yoy yoy] When they hear Coldero was coming If you see them people preparing All kind of wild meat they cooking They just realise is Christmas morning.
I see and I know [Parang music music sweet for so!] I see and I know [Ask Leon Coldero] I see and I know [Parang music music sweet for so!] I see and I know [Let we go and ask ---------]
Source: The lyrics posted on this blog are often transcribed directly from performances. Although it is my intention to faithfully transcribe I do not get all the words and I have a knack for hearing the wrong thing. Please feel free to correct me or to fill in the words that I miss by dropping me a message via e-mail. I'd be forever grateful. Thanks in advance! .............................................................................................................................. "Patria est communis omnium parens" - Our native land is the common parent of us all. Keep it beautiful, make it even more so.
Blessed is all of creation Blessed be my beautiful people Blessed be the day of our awakening Blessed is my country Blessed are her patient hills.
BELLA TRINIDAD Lyrics written by Leon Coldero Music produced and composed by Shawn Mastamind Noel
ANY HELP WITH THESE LYRICS WILL BE APPRECIATED
Bella Trinidad, bella Trinidad, bella Trinidad, cancho de melodía Bella Trinidad, bella Trinidad, bella Trinidad, isla de alegría.
Cristopher Colon -------------------------------- Buscando el oro si no nada de ------------ Cristopher Colon -------------------------------- Buscando el oro si no nada de ------------
Bella Trinidad, bella Trinidad, bella Trinidad, cancho de melodía Bella Trinidad, bella Trinidad, bella Trinidad, isla de alegría.
Tres picos ---------- es --------- en el mar Y ---------- les nombró Trinidad. Tres picos ---------- es --------- en el mar Y ---------- les nombró Trinidad.
Bella Trinidad, bella Trinidad, bella Trinidad, cancho de melodía Bella Trinidad, bella Trinidad, bella Trinidad, isla de alegría.
En el playa de Mayaro, ha eso de melodia --------------- cantaron ------------- comida En el playa de Mayaro, ha eso de melodia --------------- cantaron ------------- comida.
Bella Trinidad, bella Trinidad, bella Trinidad, cancho de melodía Bella Trinidad, bella Trinidad, bella Trinidad, isla de alegría. Bella Trinidad, bella Trinidad, bella Trinidad, cancho de melodía Bella Trinidad, bella Trinidad, bella Trinidad, isla de alegría...
Source: The lyrics posted on this blog are often transcribed directly from performances. Although it is my intention to faithfully transcribe I do not get all the words and I have a knack for hearing the wrong thing. Please feel free to correct me or to fill in the words that I miss by dropping me a message via e-mail. I'd be forever grateful. Thanks in advance! .............................................................................................................................. "Patria est communis omnium parens" - Our native land is the common parent of us all. Keep it beautiful, make it even more so.
Blessed is all of creation Blessed be my beautiful people Blessed be the day of our awakening Blessed is my country Blessed are her patient hills.
I took the role of lead singer, Parang-rama in Arima
Fans heard of my parang band so thousands flock the grand stand
Dave Elcock was the MC when he introduced me
People jumping like Carnival to my rendition of serenal.
Alagata alpagata, uno rum, uno paratha
Maria, Maria, Maria, mi corazon
From Port of Spain to Fyzabad, everybody know Crazy mad
Maria, Maria, Maria, mi corazon!
I sang on The Annunciation to show my appreciation
Then the crowd went wild, I sang on the birth of The Child
My next song, an aguinaldo with good rhythm and fast tempo
Place break down a second time to see this parang singer wine.
Muchachita, muchacita, vamos bailar, vamos bailar
Maria, Maria, Maria, mi corazon
Come on honey, squeeze me tighter, tighter, tighter, tighter
Maria, Maria, Maria, mi corazon!
Big singers like Henry Perreira, Daisy Voisin, Gloria Alcazar
Papa Goon, Clarita Rivas, Brito and the Lara Brothers
They boo them when they done sing, people pelt them with orange skin
Pandemonium it was up there, Crazy is all people want to hear.
El poquito, el poquito, this place have too much mosquito
Maria, Maria, Maria, mi corazon
Cocorico, cocorico, I got this ----- from Toco
Maria, Maria, Maria, mi corazon!
Nearing the end of the fete, a garland was placed round my neck Muchas gracias, todo el mundo your reception magnifico
That night I will remember, the whole place caught Crazymania
When I collected my dinero, I sang Manzanare to end the show.
If you got to Manzanilla, you could get your chip-chip water
Maria, Maria, Maria, mi corazon
And when you drink your chip-chip water, you could fight a Bengal tiger
Maria, Maria, Maria, mi corazon!
Source: The lyrics posted on this blog are often transcribed directly from performances. Although it is my intention to faithfully transcribe I do not get all the words and I have a knack for hearing the wrong thing. Please feel free to correct me or to fill in the words that I miss by dropping me a message via e-mail. I'd be forever grateful. Thanks in advance!
..............................................................................................................................
A Note From The Gull
Thank you, Tio Loco!
This is one of my favourite songs of the season. Now, I were asked to invent a new category of parang into which I can place this song, I'd call it a prime example of a "Locura" - craziness.
"Patria est communis omnium parens" - Our native land is the common parent of us all. Keep it beautiful, make it even more so.
Blessed is all of creation
Blessed be my beautiful people
Blessed be the day of our awakening
Blessed is my country
Blessed are her patient hills.
Guaco and he friends from Tobago Christmas Day reach in front mih door With a box bass and a cuatro, a violin and a banjo They say they always had a plan To give mih family a parang They wake up mih Mammy right away When they ring out with this lavway.
Ma Jeffrey oy, get up! It's Christmas morning! You ent hear the neighbour cock crowing? Oh gyul, it's Christmas morning! Madam Jeffrey oy, wake up! It's Christmas morning! I hope you know is White Oak we drinking, yeah gyul, it's Christmas morning! Madam Jeffrey oy, get up! It's Christmas morning! Time to put some smoke in yuh kitchen, ey gyul, it's Christmas morning! Madam Jeffrey oy, wake up! It's Christmas morning! I hope you know is White Oak we lashing, yeah gyul, it's Christmas morning!
Mammy put coffee on the fire Encouraging them to stay little longer Ham and bread on the table White Oak, she bring out a bottle The music went in my neighbour head He pull he old sax below he bed Come across and join the bacchanal They wouldn't stop singing at all.
Ma Jeffrey oy, get up! It's Christmas morning! You ent hear the neighbour cock crowing? Oh gyul, it's Christmas morning! Madam Jeffrey oy, wake up! It's Christmas morning! I hope you know is White Oak we drinking, ey gyul, it's Christmas morning! Madam Jeffrey oy, get up! It's Christmas morning! Time to put some smoke in yuh kitchen, ey gyul, it's Christmas morning! Madam Jeffrey oy, wake up! It's Christmas morning! -------------------------- passing, oh gyul.
People keep coming to and fro They never hear parang sound sweet so And dem boys from Tobago, they getting on with heel and toe I don't know where ------- come from Fall in without any question He pick up the pan wey boil the ham And one time he start to jam.
Ma Jeffrey oy, get up! It's Christmas morning! You ent hear the neighbour cock crowing? Oh gyul, it's Christmas morning! Madam Jeffrey oy, wake up! It's Christmas morning! I hope you know is White Oak we taking, oh gyul, it's Christmas morning! Madam Jeffrey oy, get up! It's Christmas morning! Time to put some smoke in yuh kitchen, oh gyul, it's Christmas morning! Madam Jeffrey oy, get up! It's Christmas morning! I say is only White Oak we lashing, oh gyul.
Ma Jeffrey oy, get up! It's Christmas morning! I hope you know is White Oak we drinking, yey gyul! Madam Jeffrey oy, wake up! It's Christmas morning! Time to put some smoke in yuh kitchen, oh gyul, it's Christmas morning! Madam Jeffrey oy, wake up! It's Christmas morning! Madam Jeffrey oy, get up! It's Christmas morning! Source: The lyrics posted on this blog are often transcribed directly from performances. Although it is my intention to faithfully transcribe I do not get all the words and I have a knack for hearing the wrong thing. Please feel free to correct me or to fill in the words that I miss by dropping me a message via e-mail. I'd be forever grateful. Thanks in advance!
Con mi burrito sabanero, voy camino de Belén Con mi burrito sabanero, voy camino de Belén
[With my little plains donkey, I am on my way to Bethlehem]
Si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén Si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén
[If you see me, if you see me, I am on my way to Bethlehem.]
El lucerito mañanero ilumina mi sendero El lucerito mañanero ilumina mi sendero
[The little morning star illuminates my path]
Si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén Si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén
Con mi cuatrico voy cantando mi burrito va trotando Con mi cuatrico voy cantando mi burrito va trotando
[With my little cuatro I go singing, my donkey goes trotting]
Si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén Si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén
Tuqui tuqui tuqui tuqui tuqui tuquita Apúrate mi burrito, que ya vamos a llegar Tuqui tuqui tuqui tuqui tuqui tuquitu Apúrate mi burrito, vamos a ver a Jesus
[Hurry up, my little donkey, we are almost there Hurry up, my little donkey, we are going to see Jesus.]
Con mi burrito sabanero, voy camino de Belén Con mi burrito sabanero, voy camino de Belén
Si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén Si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén
El lucerito mañanero ilumina mi sendero El lucerito mañanero ilumina mi sendero
Si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén Si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén
Con mi cuatrico voy cantando, mi burrito va trotando Con mu cuatrico voy cantando, mi burrito va trotando
Si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén Si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén
Tuqui tuqui tuqui tuqui tuqui tuquita Apúrate mi burrito, que ya vamos a llegar Tuqui tuqui tuqui tuqui tuqui tuquitu Apúrate mi burrito, vamos a ver a Jesus
Con mi burrito sabanero voy camino de Belén Con mi burrito sabanero voy camino de Belén
Si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén Si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén Si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén Si me ven, si me ven, voy camino de Belén Si me ven...
Source: The lyrics posted on this blog are transcribed directly from performances. Although it is my intention to faithfully transcribe I do not get all the words and I have a knack for hearing the wrong thing. Please feel free to correct me or to fill in the words that I miss by dropping me a message via e-mail. I'd be forever grateful. Thanks in advance! .............................................................................................
A Note From The Gull
This song happens to be my favourite Christmas song in the parang category. It is best sung, I think, by children, but I have heard it sung by adult performers in Trinidad. This Christmas song or villancico de Navidad was composed by the Venezuelan, Hugo Blanco and that's as much as I know about its origins. It contains everything that I like, innocence, music making, singing, travelling through nature, starlight, a little plains donkey and the excitement of finally meeting the baby Jesus.
"Apúrate mi burrito, vamos a ver a Jesus!" "Hurry up, little donkey, we are going to see Jesus!"
Thank you, Hugo Blanco.
"Patria est communis omnium parens" - Our native land is the common parent of us all. Keep it beautiful, make it even more so.
Blessed is all of creation Blessed be my beautiful people Blessed be the day of our awakening Blessed is my country Blessed are her patient hills.
RONDA DE NAVIDAD [Villancico Peruano] By Niños Cantores de Huaraz
Somos los niños cantores Que vamos a pregonar. La natividad Señores Del Rey de la Humanidad.
[We are the singing children We're going to announce to you The birth of the King of Mankind.]
Venid amigos que esta noche es Noche Buena Venid a ver el nacimiento de una estrella Venid deprisa que ha nacido un chiquitín El mas hermoso que se ha visto por aquí.
[Come friends, tonight is Christmas Eve Come and see the birth of a star Come quickly, a little boy is born The most beautiful that has been seen here.]
Somos los niños cantores Que vamos a pregonar. La natividad señores Del Rey de la Humanidad.
Danzad pastores que esta noche es Noche Buena Haced que suenen el palillos y panderetas Danzad pastores que ha nacido un chiquitín Danzad pastores porque ya esta el Niño aquí
[Dance shepherds, tonight is Christmas Eve Sound the castanets and tambourines Dance, shepherds, a little boy is born Dance, shepherds, because The Child is already here.]
La Virgen va caminando llegó ya, Navidad A la puerta de Belén; llegó ya, Navidad Como se pone muy mala se lo dice a San José. Como se pone muy mala se lo dice a San José. Llegó ya, Navidad llegó ya navidad.
[The Virgin is walking, Christmas has already arrived At the gate of Bethlehem, Christmas has already arrived As it gets really bad, say to St. Joseph. As it gets really bad, say to St. Joseph Christmas has already arrived, Christmas has already arrived.]
No te asustes dulce esposa llegó ya, Navidad Que nada malo ha de ser; llegó ya, Navidad Es el Señor que te anuncia que su hijo va a nacer. Es el Señor que te anuncia que su hijo va a nacer. Llegó ya, Navidad llegó ya navidad.
[Do not panic, sweet wife, Christmas has already arrived Nothing is wrong, Christmas has already arrived. It is the Lord who announces that your child is going to be born It is the Lord who announces that your child is going to be born Christmas has already arrived, Christmas has already arrived.]
Source: The lyrics posted on this blog are often transcribed directly from performances. Although it is my intention to faithfully transcribe I do not get all the words and I have a knack for hearing the wrong thing. Please feel free to correct me or to fill in the words that I miss by dropping me a message via e-mail. I'd be forever grateful. Thanks in advance!
NINO LINDO [Villancico Tradicional Venezolano]
By La Rondallita
Niño lindo, ante ti me rindo,
Niño lindo, eres tú mi Dios.
Niño lindo, ante ti me rindo,
Niño lindo, eres tú mi Dios.
Niño lindo, ante ti me rindo,
Niño lindo, eres tú mi Dios.
[Beautiful boy, before you I surrender,
Beautiful boy, you are my God.]
Con tus ojos lindos, Jesús mírame,
Y sólo con eso, y sólo con eso, me consolaré.
Con tus ojos lindos, Jesús mírame,
Y sólo con eso, y sólo con eso, me consolaré.
[With your pretty eyes, Jesus look at me,
And only with that, and only with that,
I will be consoled.]
Niño lindo, ante ti me rindo,
Niño lindo, eres tú mi Dios.
Niño lindo, ante ti me rindo,
Niño lindo, eres tú mi Dios.
Niño lindo, ante ti me rindo,
Niño lindo, eres tú mi Dios.
Esa tu hermosura, ese tu candor
El alma me roba, el alma me roba
Me roba el amor.
Esa tu hermosura, ese tu candor
El alma me roba, el alma me roba
Me roba el amor.
[Your beauty, your sincerity
Steals my soul, steals my soul,
Steals my love.]
Niño lindo, ante ti me rindo,
Niño lindo, eres tú mi Dios.
Niño lindo, ante ti me rindo,
Niño lindo, eres tú mi Dios.
Niño lindo, ante ti me rindo,
Niño lindo, eres tú mi Dios.
Source: The lyrics posted on this blog are often transcribed directly from performances. Although it is my intention to faithfully transcribe I do not get all the words and I have a knack for hearing the wrong thing. Please feel free to correct me or to fill in the words that I miss by dropping me a message via e-mail. I'd be forever grateful. Thanks in advance!
..............................................................................................................................
A Note From The Gull
Thank you, niños La Rondallito. Beautiful sentiments expressed beautifully.
"Patria est communis omnium parens" - Our native land is the common parent of us all. Keep it beautiful, make it even more so.
Blessed is all of creation
Blessed be my beautiful people
Blessed be the day of our awakening
Blessed is my country
Blessed are her patient hills.
CHOLITO JESUS [Villancico Peruano]
By Los Toribianitos
Lalalalala Lalalalala Lalalalala la Uy!
Lalalalala Lalalala la Lalalalala la Lalalalala la Uy!
Lalalalala la Lalalalala la
Al niño Dios le llevamos un ponchito de color,
Al niño Dios le llevamos un ponchito de color,
Un chuyito muy serrano, zapatitos de algodón.
Un chuyito muy serrano, zapatitos de algodón.
To the God-child we carry a coloured poncho An Andean cap, little cotton shoes.
Y todos le gritarán: Cholito!
¿De dónde llegaste tú?: Cholito!
Todos le creerán: Cholito!
Que naciste en el Perú
And everyone will shout: Cholito! From where have you come? Cholito! Everyone will believe: Cholito! That you were born in Peru.
Lalalalala Lalalalala Lalalalala la Uy!
Lalalalala Lalalalala Lalalala la
Lalalalala la Lalalalala la Uy!
Lalalalala la Lalalalala la
A la Virgen le llevamos un mantón abrigador
A la Virgen le llevamos un mantón abrigador
A San José una quena, un charango y un tambor.
A San José una quena, un charango y un tambor. To the Virgin we carry a warm shawl To San Jose, a flute, a charango and a drum.
Y todos le gritarán: Cholito!
¿De dónde llegaste tú?: Cholito!
Y todos le creerán: Cholito!
Que naciste en el Perú
Lalalalala Lalalalala Lalalalala la Uy!
Lalalalala Lalalalala Lalalala la
Lalalalala la Lalalalala la Uy!
Lalalalala la Lalalalala la
[Instrumental]
Cholito! Cholito! Cholito!
Lalalalala Lalalalala Lalalalala la Uy!
Lalalalala Lalalalala Lalalala la
Los indiecitos pastores trigo y quinua llevarán,
Los indiecitos pastores trigo y quinua llevarán,
José y la Virgen María buena chicha tomarán
José y la Virgen María buena chicha tomarán
The Indian/Indigenous shepherds will carry wheat and quinine Joseph and the Virgin Mary will drink good chicha.
Y todos le gritarán: Cholito!
¿De dónde llegaste tú?: Cholito!
Y todos le creerán: Cholito!
Que naciste en el Perú.
Lalalalala Lalalalala Lalalalala la Uy!
Lalalalala Lalalalala Lalalala la Lala la lalala
Source: The lyrics posted on this blog are often transcribed directly from performances. Although it is my intention to faithfully transcribe I do not get all the words and I have a knack for hearing the wrong thing. Please feel free to correct me or to fill in the words that I miss by dropping me a message via e-mail. I'd be forever grateful. Thanks in advance! ..............................................................................................................................
A Note From The Gull
In this joyful and rousing Peruvian villancico the story of the Nativity is told with a Peruvian twist. The shepherds in the fields are indigenous "Indiecitos pastores" and they bring gifts of "trigo" wheat and "quinua" quinine and "chicha" a fermented corn drink. The travellers who visit the child of God are carrying gifts of "un ponchito de color" a colourful little poncho, "un chuyito muy serrano" a cap typical of the Andean Highlands and "zapatitos de algodón" little cotton shoes [Remember the woven cotton "sapats" that Trinidadians used to wear?] To Mary they bring "un mantón abrigador" a warm shawl and to San Jose they bring "una quena" an Incan flute, "un charango" a charango [higher pitched string instrument like a tiny cuatro] and "un tambor" a drum.
They sing: Y todos le gritarán: Cholito! ¿De dónde llegaste tú?: Cholito! Y todos le creerán: Cholito! Que naciste en el Perú. Here "Cholito" is used to address the child, Jesus. It is a way of claiming Him as one of their own - "naciste en el Perú" who was born in Peru. Cholito is generally used as a term of endearment usually used to refer to a child but it has other connotations. It can describe a person with Indigenous heritage, whether "pure" or mestizo, an individual of mixed heritage - indigenous and european. I think that this is the meaning that is appropriate for this song. Jesus is born among the people of the land. Like the "n" word however, how the meaning of the word "cholito" is intended and taken depends on who is using it and the tone with which it is used. Some have described it as a pejorative, racist word used to put down morenos or indigenous persons or people from the Highlands, or native peoples who are being derided for adopting Western ways.
I provide these details solely to inform and with the conviction that nothing can detract from the unbridled affection and joy of the warm welcome that this song expresses at the birth of the Saviour.
"Patria est communis omnium parens" - Our native land is the common parent of us all. Keep it beautiful, make it even more so.
Blessed is all of creation
Blessed be my beautiful people
Blessed be the day of our awakening
Blessed is my country
Blessed are her patient hills.
The Christmas bug has been biting for a few months now. I don't think that I ever mentioned that I used to be a guitarist in a parang band and even though I no longer play, by the time June rolls around I am in parang mode. I start listening to the music, I remember the band members crammed into vehicle convoys, the camaraderie tangible through even the squabbles. I feel the night air as we unload instruments, I hear the sounds of instruments being tuned and synced. I nurse my bruised fingers and aching wrist but I forget everything once the music starts. I am in heaven. The audiences are a blur when I play. For me there is only the band and the music. I have to mingle with the people while other bands are playing to get a sense of the crowd's mood. I still dream about my band which no longer exists. I imagine the practice sessions, I imagine introducing new songs and instruments. In my dreams I invite performers from Latin America to join us for the season. We exchange music and are both left richer... Dreams are cheap, replete with success and easy on the muscles.
For the next week or so, I will be posting Villancicos, including songs with children's voices in mind. It has been my hope for the longest while to see the creation of a children's chorus which focuses on the Indigenous/Hispanic roots of Trinidad and Tobago and the often neglected historical ties - geographical, genetic, cultural and developmental with the South American continent.
Our children should not be denied the part of their heritage which is firmly tied to the magnificent continent to the south and as they learn first of all about their own country, they should be guided to make the connections with their more immediate and real cultural roots. Many of our ancestors were of Indigenous and Hispanic origin. Some of them literally walked over from Venezuela when the land bridge was exposed by lower sea levels. Others came by canoe and are they are still coming today. I visited Venezuela only once in my life and as I mentioned in an earlier post, I felt that it was a homecoming. My Iberian ancestry could have played a part in my response to the language and the familiar faces but in my heart I felt that it was the indigenous connection that was calling to me.
I am increasingly disturbed by our tendency to stare longingly northwards, mesmerized by what exactly, I don't know. It is an exercise in futility, if not insanity, to look for ourselves in the faces and cultures of people who did not contribute at such fundamental levels to who we are today. It is my hope that if Trinidadians and Tobagonians choose to leave our shores to travel for pleasure and business, that more and more of them will recognise that visas to the countries of that "other" America to the South will open doors to excellent tourist experiences, excellent educational institutions, high quality medical services, abundant trade opportunities and of course the personal ties which will naturally follow.
But for most of us descendants and other preservers of the culture, it is the season of Christmas that unwraps one of the most treasured souvenirs of our Indigenous/Hispanic roots - the parranda or parang. However, even as we faithfully pay homage to this persisting connection, I am dismayed to find the usual stereotyping in the music that is used mostly to give a Hispanic twist to the usual odes to excess. Even if we'd rather not admit it, Hispanic women are linked more often with the exotic "hotness" which unfortunately our brothels are also happy to peddle. Combine that with the language difference and you can just imagine that some must experience great difficulty appreciating that there are serious messages, especially the religious, in many of the songs classed loosely under the term "parang".
Sharlene Flores of San Jose De Flores expressed this disrespect/ignorance in her song "Spanish Confusion" when she described an audience member who was convinced [or preferred to think] that the Spanish lyrics of her song could all be translated into banal demands for alcohol, food and sexual satisfaction. Below are some excerpts from their song:
Flores De San Jose sang in Talparo
Briefly, I come to tell you about the show
You know that is the birth of our Saviour
So everything was happy and in order
Everybody was enjoying themselves
You could see they put their worries upon a shelf
There was this gentleman standing by the bar
And taking note of every word I utter
When I finish sing, he come on the stage
And this is what he had written on that page:
Gimme rum, gimme whiskey, gimme something to eat
Then sing a parang song let me move my feet
All the time you twisting your tongue to sing
I coulda tell you that's what you was saying.
[Gimme] Rum in Spanish is babash [Gimme]
[Gimme] Whiskey is wine [Gimme]
If you give me salt prunes then I'll love you all the time
[Canta] Come on baby, do it. [Canta] You do it so sweet [Canta]
I'll translate for you any Spanish word you speak.
[Ey] ey [ey] ey [ey] ey...
"El angel Gabriel," on this I sang
He turn and say, "Of course, I will be your man!"
"Anuncio a Maria" was the next line
He went down on his knees and ask me to wine
I stand up there in shock, couldn't understand
Why people think is joke when we sing parang
This is not the first time it happen to we
For the reason of Christmas, we just let it be....
A lady shout," Look man, just get off the stage!"
"Look what she sang is what I have on this page."
Gimme rum, gimme whiskey, gimme something to eat
Then sing a parang song let me move my feet
All the time you twisting your tongue to sing
I coulda tell you that's what you was saying.
[Gimme] Rum in Spanish is babash [Gimme]
[Gimme] Whiskey is wine [Gimme]
If you give me salt prunes then I'll love you all the time
[Canta] Come on baby, do it. [Canta] You do it so sweet [Canta]
I'll translate for you any Spanish word you speak.
[Ey] ey [ey] ey [ey] ey...
People in the party, they like this thing
I wonder if they know what was happening
Maybe they think we don't know what we singing?
For the story of Christmas comes in paranging
This is the best festival in the land
But good things, people will never understand
So when you see this Yuletide time come around
Remember the real reason to sing your song
I told the crowd the Spanish to sing along
He turn and tell me, "I couldna been that wrong."
Gimme rum, gimme whiskey, gimme something to eat
Then sing a parang song let me move my feet
All the time you twisting your tongue to sing
I coulda tell you that's what you was saying.
[Gimme] Rum in Spanish is babash [Gimme]
[Gimme] Whiskey is wine [Gimme]
If you give me salt prunes then I'll love you all the time
[Canta] Come on baby, do it. [Canta] You do it so sweet [Canta]
I'll translate for you any Spanish word you speak.
[Ey] ey [ey] ey [ey] ey...
No matter what they say, no matter what they do [Ey!]
You know that this time is true [Ey!]
You know why we sing this song
So we want you to sing along
It's the only time of year [Ey!] that life really feels so fair [Ey!]
It brings back a memory of how life really used to be.
Gimme rum, gimme whiskey, gimme something to eat
Then sing a parang song let me move my feet
All the time you twisting your tongue to sing
I coulda tell you that's what you was saying.
Source: The lyrics posted on this blog are often transcribed directly from performances. Although it is my intention to faithfully transcribe I do not get all the words and I have a knack for hearing the wrong thing. Please feel free to correct me or to fill in the words that I miss by dropping me a message via e-mail. I'd be forever grateful. Thanks in advance!
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A Note From The Gull
Thank you, Sharlene. You are a true, true Trinitaria, crossing over to bring your own unique spice and talent to the parang. I have always been a great respecter of your spirit, your voice and the huge contribution that you have made to our culture.
"Patria est communis omnium parens" - Our native land is the common parent of us all. Keep it beautiful, make it even more so.
Blessed is all of creation
Blessed be my beautiful people
Blessed be the day of our awakening
Blessed is my country
Blessed are her patient hills.
Christmas last year I spend in China
I had some fun in Chinatown
In front my door, out on the street
I heard music, it was sounding sweet
I looked outside to see who was playing
It was some Chinese playing music for me.
Chorus:
Wang-sing poong-pong chang-sing woong-wong
Poong wang chong
That's how they sound
Chiniling-ping chiniling pang
Poong-sing poong-ling wang-loong wing
That's how they sing
Chinee parang, Chinee parang, Chinee parang
Wang, wang, wang
Chinee parang, Chinee parang, Chinee parang
Gimme Char Siu Kai Fan
I opened my door and invite them in
The leader of the band start introducing
One name Ling Long, he write the song
One name Lin Sing, he kept on singing
Mister Ping Chang was the main cuatro man
Achong and Lee, they were backup for he.
Chorus:
Pong-sing poong-pang wong-sing woong-wong
Poong sang chong
That's how they sound
Chiniling-wang, chiniling-pong
Pang-poong sing-ling poong-pang ching
That's how they sing
Chinee parang, Chinee parang, Chinee parang
Wang, wang, wang
Chinee parang, Chinee parang, Chinee parang
Gimme Char Siu Kai Fan
The girls in the band sounding real sweet
I had no choice but to move my feet
Su Li on toc toc, Kim Loy on bass
Meiling dancing and rolling she waist
Mister Ping Chang kept on with he cuatro
But what they saying, I really don't know
Chorus:
Wang-sing woong-wang poong-sing poong pong
Pong-sing poong-chong
That's how they sound
Chiniling-ling, chiniling-wang
Soon-sing poong-pong wang-poong ping-ping
That's how they sing
Chinee parang, Chinee parang, Chinee parang
Wang, wang, wang
Chinee parang, Chinee parang, Chinee parang
Gimme Char Siu Kai Fan
I told them take a break and eat piece of cake
But they told me, "No,let's get on with the show."
When they finish sing, they came in my kitchen
And at my table, they were staring
I offer them ham, turkey and fowl
But all they wanted was Char Siu cat and pow.
Chorus:
Pong-sing poong-pong chong-sing roong-wong
Poong-song pong
That's how they sound
Chiniling-wang, chiniling-ping
Poong-sing poong-pang woon-wang wing
That's how they sing
Chinee parang, Chinee parang, Chinee parang
Wang, wang, wang
Chinee parang, Chinee parang, Chinee parang
Gimme Char Siu Kai fan
Chinee parang, Chinee parang, Chinee parang
Wang, wang, wang
Chinee parang, Chinee parang, Chinee parang
Gimme Char Siu Kai Fan Source: The lyrics posted on this blog are often transcribed directly from performances. Although it is my intention to faithfully transcribe I do not get all the words and I have a knack for hearing the wrong thing. Please feel free to correct me or to fill in the words that I miss by dropping me a message via e-mail. I'd be forever grateful. Thanks in advance!
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A Note From The Gull
Site statistics show that many visitors have been querying the site for this song. All I can say is that freedom of expression is certainly alive and well in Trinbago. This song was said to be the most popular soca parang song of the 2006 Christmas season and was awarded Soca Parang of the Year by the Copyright Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago. Personally, I wonder what Chinese residents and listeners think about these songs that we have composed over time which have as their focus, the "amusing" accents of Chinese English speakers or the sound of spoken Chinese.
CHINESE CRICKET MATCH
[On Irwin Chusid's Muriel's Treasure playlist for May 17, 2006 Chinese Cricket Match song is played and the presenters express their opinions. I happen to agree with them even to the point where one adds that the song is retarded.]
I had a read on yesterday's papers
A cricket match with some Chinese players
I had a read on yesterday's papers
A cricket match with some Chinese players
They say the Indian people names funny
Nothing to beat the Chinee
As though the Chinese does get their names
By the beating of the steelband in Port of Spain.
Chorus:
For is Ling Ting
Bowled and caught by Loong Pang
And Wing Ting
Got cleaned bowled by Poon Pang
And the whole Oval shout
When Loom Lum get Wang Poon Ting Pang Poon out.
I was in a lacouray
I reading 'bout the thing yesterday
I bit my tongue on several occasions
To make the right pronunciation
You must be graduated in China
To pronounce these Chinese names proper
Because, as I understand
They get their names through the sounding of a tin pan.
Chorus:
For is Ling Ting
Bowled and caught by Loong Pang
And Wing Ting
Got cleaned bowled by Poon Pang
And the whole Oval shout
When Loom Long get Wang Poon Ting Pang Poon out.
Wing Sing Ting, one of the umpires
He made a sign to the scorers
He said,"Ling ping ting pang ping loom long"
That meant that they made a short run
The Chins started a fighting
Saying the umpire was stealing
And friends, you could believe me
When I finish read, I was talking Chinee.
Chorus:
I saying, Ling Ting
Bowled and caught by Loong Pang
And Wing Ting
Got cleaned bowled by Poon Pang
And the whole Oval shout
When Loom Long get Wang Poon Ting Pang Poon out.
I had some Chinese friends with me today
Want me to sing Lifookeeay
Well I myself in production
It had me in one confusion
Up come Mister Loom Long
He said, "Dictator, meet Mister Poon Pong"
Well is then I really knew
What I read on the papers was really true
Chorus:
About Ling Ting
Bowled and caught by Loong Pang
And Wing Ting
Got cleaned bowled by Poon Pang
And the whole Oval shout
When Loom Long get Wang Poon Ting Pang Poon out.
That was Dictator and the year was 1956. I was expecting that we would have outgrown the fascination by now but it might have something to do with that other more recent influx of Chinese labourers into our society. Who can tell? All that I can assume from their silence is that the Chinese among us seem to be taking it in stride and maybe even finding us equally, if not more amusing.
"Patria est communis omnium parens" - Our native land is the common parent of us all. Keep it beautiful, make it even more so.
Blessed is all of creation
Blessed be my beautiful people
Blessed be the day of our awakening
Blessed is my country
Blessed are her patient hills.
Lord, Please walk beside me through this day. Clear the heavy air with the lightness of Your Presence. Guide my hands and steady my heart that I may give comfort when I cannot give hope, that I may give relief when I do not have a cure, and that I may radiate Your healing peace when the limits of science, time, and the human body overwhelm us all. Amen
Source
Sáncte Míchael Archángele, defénde nos in proélio, cóntra nequítiam et insídias diáboli ésto præsídium. Ímperet ílli Déus, súpplices deprecámur: tuque, prínceps milítiæ cæléstis, Sátanam aliósque spíritus malígnos, qui ad perditiónem animárum pervagántur in múndo, divína virtúte, in inférnum detrúde. Ámen
