Jamaican Poet.

Treasure Beach Forum: TB Runnin's: Jamaican Poet.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By oral.honeyghan on Monday, November 28, 2005 - 07:33 pm: Edit Post

Hi, does anyone know this poem "- written by Evan Jones? I remember learning this poem back in Primary School so long ago.
I'm hoping someone will be so kind to forward this poem to my e-mail add. or post it on the TBNet site. Eagerly waiting for a reply..... Thanks a million. ........... Oral.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By staceyparchment on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 11:08 am: Edit Post

Hey everyone just wanted to know if anything is going on in teasure beach for the christmas holiday and new year. If anyone knows post it thanks stacey-new york


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By oral.honeyghan on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 05:29 pm: Edit Post

I just checked the message I posted and realised I somehow erased the title of the poem I was looking for. The poem is "THE SONG OF THE BANANAMAN" by EVAN JONES.
Thanks for any help....Oral


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By LadyG on Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 03:19 am: Edit Post

"The Song of the Banana Man" by Evan Jones.

Touris, white man, wipin his face,
Met me in Golden Grove market place.
He looked at m'ol' clothes brown wid stain ,
AN soaked right through wid de Portlan rain,
He cas his eye, turn up his nose,
He says, 'You're a beggar man, I suppose?'
He says, 'Boy, get some occupation,
Be of some value to your nation.'
I said, 'By God and dis big right han
You mus recognize a banana man.

'Up in de hills, where de streams are cool,
An mullet an janga swim in de pool,
I have ten acres of mountain side,
An a dainty-foot donkey dat I ride,
Four Gros Michel, an four Lacatan,
Some coconut trees, and some hills of yam,
An I pasture on dat very same lan
Five she-goats an a big black ram,
Dat, by God an dis big right han
Is de property of a banana man.

'I leave m'yard early-mornin time
An set m'foot to de mountain climb,
I ben m'back to de hot-sun toil,
An m'cutlass rings on de stony soil,
Ploughin an weedin, diggin an plantin
Till Massa Sun drop back o John Crow mountain,
Den home again in cool evenin time,
Perhaps whistling dis likkle rhyme,
(Sung)Praise God an m'big right han
I will live an die a banana man.

'Banana day is my special day,
I cut my stems an I'm on m'way,
Load up de donkey, leave de lan
Head down de hill to banana stan,
When de truck comes roun I take a ride
All de way down to de harbour side-
Dat is de night, when you, touris man,
Would change your place wid a banana man.
Yes, by God, an m'big right han
I will live an die a banana man.

'De bay is calm, an de moon is bright
De hills look black for de sky is light,
Down at de dock is an English ship,
Restin after her ocean trip,
While on de pier is a monstrous hustle,
Tallymen, carriers, all in a bustle,
Wid stems on deir heads in a long black snake
Some singin de sons dat banana men make,
Like, (Sung) Praise God an m'big right han
I will live an die a banana man.

'Den de payment comes, an we have some fun,
Me, Zekiel, Breda and Duppy Son.
Down at de bar near United Wharf
We knock back a white rum, bus a laugh,
Fill de empty bag for further toil
Wid saltfish, breadfruit, coconut oil.
Den head back home to m'yard to sleep,
A proper sleep dat is long an deep.
Yes, by God, an m'big right han
I will live an die a banana man.

'So when you see dese ol clothes brown wid stain,
An soaked right through wid de Portlan rain,
Don't cas your eye nor turn your nose,
Don't judge a man by his patchy clothes,
I'm a strong man, a proud man, an I'm free,
Free as dese mountains, free as dis sea,
I know myself, an I know my ways,
An will sing wid pride to de end o my days
(Sung)Praise God an m'big right han
I will live an die a banana man.'






Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By oral.honeyghan on Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 07:50 pm: Edit Post

Hey "LADYG", You came through with flying colour. This is the one I'm after.....much appreciation to you and the TBNet.
Walk good... Oral


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Paulette moxam on Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 09:25 pm: Edit Post

I left Jamaica 21 years ago, and reading that peom brought back lots memories. Throughly enjoyed it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By curious on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 03:02 pm: Edit Post

Hello paulette. Are you from the treasurebeach area?