This blog was created to preserve a little part of Jamaica's culture. Too many jokes and interesting things about the Island get forgotten just because there wasn't an archive of them. This blog allows me to archive all these jokes and interesting things so that they will never be forgotten. I will write about what I know and believe, but I need all the help I can get. If you don't leave a donation please like, follow or support my advertisers. Thanks
6) Breadfruit -Roast or Fry -2016 -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGdtxQM8TuI
I know these dances may be old, that is why I need your help.
The Jamaican people are very creative. Couple years ago an interview was conducted about a situation in St. Thomas (a parish in Jamaica) and something was said by the interviewee, "the bus can swim" and a music video was made out of this interview, and a subsequent dance made for the song. See the links below.
Jamaican's are creative geniuses.
Check out the video and the dance that accompany it.
What are some of the events held in Jamaica yearly, that you would suggest that every Jamaican around the world come see.
January February March April May June July Reggae Sumfest August September October November December
I just found this website, which highlights lots of places and events in Jamaica. Check it out. Website https://www.visitjamaica.com/things-to-do/events/
Not sure these nursery rhymes were indigenous to Jamaica, but I am sure they are slowly being rid from our memories. If you can remember some that I have not listed here, do me a favor and list it in the comments. Thanks
1) When beautiful school days are over
And grown men and women are we
We will think of them ever and say, Oh Lord
Bring back those beautiful school days back to me
2) Tinga Linga Ling
School Bell a ring
Knife and fork a fight
Fi dumpling (not sure which came first)
Years ago there was a movement to translate all English phrases into patios. This was an attempt to establish patios as an official language, however, I think attempts failed.
I know there was even a translation of sections of the bible into patios, but it didn't fly apparently and did not become too popular.
Nevertheless here are a few terms that Jamaicans use a lot and maybe can help with your understanding of their communication.
Do you know any Jamaicans that had a significant impact upon the world, that are now dead?
I know Louise Bennet (Miss Lou)and Bob Marley top this list for putting Jamaica on the map. Let us not let their memory disappear from the pages of history. Jot the names of those you know here and what was their contribution.
Marcus Garvey - famous speech A few words from the esteemed elder The Honorable Marcus Garvey. We have to understand our history and learn from it.
The Marcus Garvey Story
Although Marcus Garvey is respected as a national hero of Jamaica, no doubt he was an international influence.
Remembering Ms Lou.
Gone too soon
Some are our National Heroes
but for the other who did not quite make the list of hero or heroine, but were still significant.
Donald Sangster - The man on our hundred Dollar bill
I just heard that Alan Magnus has passed. He used to be a radio personality for decades on he infamous radio station RJR. I often went to school to his voice on the radio.
Another voice that grew along side his was that of Dorraine Samuels. These personalities will indeed be missed by older Jamaica.
If you have any ideas about little things that we do now, or things we used to do in the past becasue of our innovation or lack of funds, jot it down here.
Coconut brush
How to make your own Coconut brush
Coconut Brush in use
Who needs to go to the Gym after this work out. No wonder we Jamaican folks used to be so fit. Regular household chores kept us active and healthy.
If you know the link to any Jamaican Radio Stations, (underground or not) please leave the link and the name of the station here.
Radio station take off in Jamaica. I don't think anybody in Jamaica know the real amount of radio stations that exist.
The thing is now..if you find one you like, you just listen to it. Who cares what the name is.
I have asked all the people with who I came in contact in Jamaica, "how many radio stations you have now?"and they all have said the same thing. Nuff.
Meaning: "who cares?" or, "I don't know," or "too many to count." I tend to want to stick with the the last answer based on the amount of Jamaican TV channels I found.
Jamaican politician have been said to be many things, however the most professional of them all I believe is P J Paterson. He could keep his private life separate from his public. Something most present politicians fail to be able to do.
If you know of any others who really act professional list them here.
Although the record book should contain these, what Jamaican laws do you consider the most influential; whether they have been recently enacted or repealed?
If you know the name and the lyrics of some Jamaican folk songs, please list them here. This is an important part of Jamaican culture we do not want to be lost.
Not sure if Harry Belafonte songs can be called folks songs. Give some feedback on this one.
I Know "Good Morning Mr Potter", had a friend sing it for me, hope you enjoy.
Sly Mongoose is another: look on YouTube for lyrics and melody.
Which one of these items cost less than $50 in Jamaica?
FOOD ITEMS
1. a 2lb bread
2. a tin of sardine
3. a tin of bully beef
4. a lb sugar
5. a lb rice
6. a lb flour
7. a whole chicken
8. a tin condense milk
9. a lb cornmeal
10. a small bottle of coconut oil
11. 3 tomatoes
12. 2 onions
13. 1 eskellion
14. 1/2 doz green banana
15. 1 small bag of carrot
16. 1/2 lb saltfish
17. 1 tin of mackerel
18. 1 pack Bulla
19. 1Bag juice
I am eager to know what, what would it cost me, if I came back to Jamaica today to live? Excluding food, how much would these things run me?
LIVING EXPENSES
1. Rent 1 bedroom
2. Light Bill
3. water bill
4. Cable bill
5. 2-stage bus fare
trip one take the chicken------
return empty------
trip two take the corn-----
return with chicken-----
trip three bring fox-----
return empty-----
trip four bring back the chicken-----
all three are on the other bank.....
question 2 answer----
give the car to the friend to take the old woman to the hospital and wait at the bus stop with the love of your life.
Questions at http://ajagssolutions.blogspot.com/ "who would you carry?"
If you know how any of these rings games are played please provide the instructions below. Also if there are some folk songs or rings games I have left out, please feel free to list that as well. If you know a different version than the one supplied please supply the lyrics and version you know.
I have compiled a list of games, my favorite being "bruk rock stone. I will provide the lyrics and instructions for each game after I supply my list.
As I find the Jamaican versions I will try to add the videos.
1-"Bruk Rock Stone
2- Jackie yuh knee can ben
3-Brown girl in the ring
4-Pass the Ball
5-Esau and Jacob
6-I bought a house upon a hill
7-All body clap
8-Farmer ring the dell
9-in groups of
10-on the bank or in the river
11- Football- shouting match- pass the ball-freekick Shift Penalty-goal
12- Punchinella
13-Johnny was a miller
14-yes Balinda
15-There is a brown girl in the ring
16-here come nancy on her pony
17-blue bird bluebird in and out the window
18- London Bridge is falling down
19-musical chairs
20-If ah lose, if a lose I don't care
21-those who born in January skip around
22-arms house
23-here we go looby loo
24-Dog n Bone
25-Around the basket
26 Rabbit in a hutch
27 Bull in the pen
28 Dandy Shandy
29. Press the Business on
30. Chubby checker
31. Let's get the riddim lots and lots of riddim
32. Up and down the deck
33. who deh bout
34. Air, land and sea
35. the way to heaven is through the saint
36.My baby got elbow
37. Poisin stick
38. Eyes on captain hands on the culprit
39. Have seen heady
40. Those who born in January, February, March...
41. Wo Who seh wah
42. Contrary partner
43. Yankee Doodle
44. There was a hole in the ground
45. grandmother feeling sick
46. who stole the cookie from the cookie
lyrics - Bruk Rockstone
Go dung a Manuel Road Gal an Bway
fi guh bruk rock stone
Bruk dem one by one gal and bway
bruk dem two by two gal and bway
bruk dem tree by tree gal and bway
bruk dem four by four gal and bway....ect
finger mash nuh cry gal and bway
memba a play we deh play
rept whole song
instructions
a ring is formed on the ground by kneeling children each having a rock before them. As they game begins a certain tempo is maintained and each child takes the rock before them and pass it to the left of him/her, to the person closest. The game and count continues,"
Bruk dem one by one gal and bway
bruk dem two by two gal and bway
bruk dem tree by tree gal and bway
bruk dem four by four gal and bway....ect
until either someone loses rhythm and gets more than one stone pilled before them or gets their fingers smashed, in which case the last part of the song would kick in
"finger mash nuh cry gal and bway memba a play we deh play"
the song and game would reset after the party who lost rhythm or was mashed was dismissed. Until one only person would be left and this would be the winner.
To end the game quickly sometimes the tempo was fluctuated to ensure there would be losers.
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2- lyrics...Jackie yuh knee cah ben
Jackie yuh knee cah ben!
Ben like how mi deh ben turn like how mi deh turn jook like how mi deh jook (rept)
Rules
Similar to "brown girl in the ring". There is a person in the ring and they are dancing to the rhythm of the clapping a singing ring. Once the second line is reached in the song, the person in the ring starts to dance and the ring imitates him/her. once the verse is complete another person runs into the ring.
They do the same until the whole rings gets a turn. (depending the size of the ring everyone may not get a chance before the game becomes boring and the leader changes the game.
There's a Brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la There's a brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la la
Brown girl in the ring Tra la la la la She looks like a sugar in a plum Plum plum Then she skips and takes a partner
Tra la la la la la Then she skips and takes a partner Tra la la la la la Then she skips and takes a partner Tra la la la la She looks like a sugar in a plum Plum plum
Show me your motion Tra la la la la Come on show me your motion Tra la la la la la Show me your motion Tra la la la la She looks like a sugar in a plum Plum plum
Rules
A standing ring is formed and those around the ring sing the lyrics. Similar to Punchinella girl in the ring. There is a person in the ring and they are dancing to the rhythm of the clapping a singing ring. Once the second line is reached in the song, the person in the ring starts to dance and the ring imitates him/her. once the verse is complete another person runs into the ring.
They do the same until the whole rings get a turn. (depending on the size of the ring everyone may not get a chance before the game becomes boring and the leader changes the game.
added the Boney M video, just so the melody can be had.
_____________________________________________
4 -lyrics-Pass the Ball Pass the Ball and the ball gone round man yuh neva know seh di ball gone roun' Pass the Ball and the ball gone round man yuh neva know seh di ball gone roun' ah drill him boy drill him and drill him bway drill him ah drill him boy drill him and drill him bway drill him (rept from top) Rules
A standing ring is formed and those around the ring sing the lyrics. The participants in the ring, stand close (shoulder to shoulder) with their hands behind them as a ball is passed around. The person in the ring observes the ring while the first part of the is song is sang. When the second part is reached, the person in the ring bores into the ring to try and find the ball.
If the person in the ring catches a person with the ball, they replace the person in the ring.
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I think I would be amiss to not list Hop Skotch and Chinese Skip here, however this post was getting to long so I created separate posts for them on this blog.
This is played similar to the pool game Marco-Polo.
Two individuals dubbed with the name Esau and Jacob are blindfolded and placed in the ring. Esau tries to catch Jacob by calling name. Jacob is trying to hide while answering to the call. Fun and entertaining to watch.
6 - Press the business on/I bought a house upon a hill
6-lyrics
I bought a house upon a hill that all the world may have a mill, and I will do the bet I can to press the business on. Press the business on press the business on, and I will do the best I can to press the business on.
Rules
Game is played with partners. The lyrics are song as the participant clash hangs with those to their right and left. then twirl around with those to the right, until the land on the left. This keep happening until everyone is right where they started.
________________________________________________________________________________
7-All body clap
All persons in the game are names according to the following.
Everybody
Nobody
Anybody
Somebody
Everyone in the ring is called ALL body
then the rest of the participants in the ring are numbered
1-body, 2-body, 3-body, 4-body, etc.
A rhythm is kept as the ring leader calls out different commands.
One body clap,
all body stop,
nobody clap,
everybody clap etc.
_________________________________
8- Farm in the dell
The farmer in the dell
The farmer in the dell
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The farmer in the dell
The farmer takes a wife
The farmer takes a wife
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The farmer takes a wife
Then the wife takes the child
the wife takes the child
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The wife takes the child
Then the child takes the dog
The child takes the dog
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The child takes the dog
Then the dog takes the cat
The dog takes the cat
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The dog takes the cat
The cat takes the rat
The cat takes the rat
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The cat takes the rat
Then the rat takes the cheese
The rat takes the cheese
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The rat takes the cheese
Then the farmer runs away
The farmer runs away
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The farmer runs away
Then the wife runs away
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The wife runs away
The child runs away
The child runs away
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The child runs away
The dog runs away
The dog runs away
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The dog runs away
Then the cat runs away
The cat runs away
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The cat runs away
Then the rat runs away
The rat runs away
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The rat runs away
Then the cheese stands alone
The cheese stands alone
Hi-ho, the derry-o
The cheese stands alone
And we all take a bite
We all take a bite
Hi-ho, the derry-o
We all take a bite.
Although this is not all the lyrics I found online, in Jamaica, we usually skip from child to dog. (no mention of dog and cow). It starts with one person and when the time comes for another to be chosen the last in line would grab someone from the ring. Then each person would go back to the ring when it was song that their character would run away. As a child when singing the last verse, sometimes the ring would rush in and really bite that person who was chosen as the cheese. Teachers had a hard time containing children and preventing this behavior. For this reason, no one wanted to be chosen as the cheese and consequently, the game lost its popularity with the youngsters.
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9-in groups of
10-on the bank or in the river
11- Football- shouting match- pass the ball-freekick Shift Penalty-goal
12- Punchinella
This is not quite the Jamaican version, however, the just is the same.
Someone goes into the ring to start and does a motion and the ring copies the action. Then they chose someone else to come into the ring. This continues until each person gets a turn or the game is switched.
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13-Johnny was a miller
lyrics: "Johnny was a miller and he lived by the mill and the mill went round and round.
One hand in the other and the other in the sack, the right stands still, and the left step back. "
This is sung incorrectly as "the right step forward, but it should be the right stands still. As a result, this game is usually confusing and is often not played because of this. Partners keep changing around the ring until they end up at their original partner.
Rules
The ring is made up of partners. They stand side by side holding hands. One on the right and the other on the left. This song would be sung while the ring dances around (steps to the beat) but once it is said that the right stands still and the left step back, people were supposed to change partners until they got back to their partner. This was a fun ring game, too bad it is retired.
Version 2
lyrics: John was a miller and he lived by the mill and the mill went round and round. One hand in the other and the other in the sack, the right stands still, and the left step back.
The whole ring is singing but the leader changes different parts of the song.
lyrics John was a miller and he lived by the mill
and the mill went round and round. ( The person on the outside twirls the person on the inside round and round until leader starts to sing the rest of the song....the leader can say round and round as often or as long as they like. When the song continues the person on the inside stops twirling.
One hand in the other and the other in the sack, the right step forward and the left step back.
The leader can repeat right steps forward and left steps back as often or as fast as they want . Someimtes just saying back back back back. At this point the partners keep together and the ring starts moving backward rather than forward.
Lyrics: and the mill bruk dung (then the ring repaets) bruk it dung
all the while keeping the melody and timing of the sung
and
the whole ring stoops as they sing, but still going forward with the regular lyrics
Lyrics: And the mill loose out (then the ring players repeat) "loose it out"
The players then would distance from their partners but would not lose their partners.
The leader could say loose it out as fast or as slow as he wants as often as he wants.
Until the leader starts to sing again then the partners rejoin and start singing.
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14-yes Balinda
The game is played with the ring (R) responding to things the Ring Leader (RL) says with "Yes Balinda!"
(RL) Skipping in the ring
(R) "Yes Balinda!"
(RL) Skipping in the ring
(R)"Yes Balinda!"
(RL) Choose the girl/boy you love
(R)"Yes Balinda!"
(RL) Choose the girl/boy you love
(R)"Yes Balinda!"
(RL) Bring her/him come to judge
(R)"Yes Balinda!"
(RL) Bring her/him come to judge
(R)"Yes Balinda!"
(RL) Is this the boy/girl you love?
(R)"Yes Balinda!"
Usually (RL) dishes out insults and (R) responds with yes balinda. The (RL) can say kick him/her out the ring or keep her/him in the ring and then the song begins again.
(RL) Skipping in the ring
(R) "Yes Balinda!"
(RL) Skipping in the ring
(R)"Yes Balinda!"
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16-here come nancy oon her pony
The lyrics on the video are different from the ones that are ususally song at the gathereings I have attended. Howrver the hook is the same.
Lyrics: Her comes Nancy/girl Johnny/boy on her/his pony, riding on a big fat pony, Here come Nancy/girl Johnny/boy riding on her/his pony, and this is what s/he told me. Front to front to front my baby, side to side to side my baby, back to back to back my baby and this is what s/he told me.
23- Not quite how I remember it, but this was the video that I found for this song
Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night
I put my right hand in
I put my right hand out
shake it a little, a little
And turn myself about
Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night
I put my left hand in
I put my left hand out
shake it a little, a little
And turn myself about
Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night
I put my right foot in
I put my right foot out
shake it a little, a little
And turn myself about
Here we go looby loo
Here we go looby light
Here we go looby loo
All on a Saturday night
I put my left foot in
I put my left foot out
shake it a little, a little
And turn myself about…
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24-Dog n Bone
Two teams are chosen and they are to race to a certain spot and retrieve an item. However, if one person is tagged while they are holding the object, they are out and must return to the end of the line. The other team would score a point. This is continually repeated until everyone gets a turn or the game is retired.
I bought a house upon a hill that all the world may have a jill and I will do the best I can to press the business on
30. Chubby checker
31. Let's get the riddim lots and lots of riddim
32. Up and down the deck
Up and down the deck
Rules
One line facing leader
Everyone marches in place to the melody
Leader can shoult any one of 3 Instructions : Salute, Halt, Boom
The correct response are Salute: everyone stands still and salute
Halt everyone stand still at a attention
Boom: Everyone crouches until the leader starts to sing again
Everyone has to look but only listen to what the leader says. He will do the opposite or something other than the command he shouts to get a person out.
33. who deh bout
34. Air, land and sea
Just the leader is singing and he/she will point to someone in the ring and they must name a specific ainmal from the terrain specified.
The leader can ask one person to name all 3, if the person cannot they are out of the game.
35. the way to heaven is through the saint
Lyrics: the way to heaven is through the saints
Everyone is given a name at the beginning of the game in n this fashion
PLayer 1 - St Matthew
PLayer 2 - St Mark
Player 3 - St Luke
Player 4 - St JOhn
Other players are numbered
One
two
three
four
five
etc..
The leader has to say that the way to heaven is through given name...for example st. Mathew
Then st Matthew must respond by saying Matthew to a given number example 5
then 5 must respond with his number then to another member of the game. this keeps going until someone is called that fails to respond in the appropriate time.
once a person is out, then ring is usually renumbered.
If there are expert players only the person next to the saint change his name to a saint, cause there are always 4 saints.
The objective is to get out a person that is not focusing on their number/name, Until there is only one saint (the one chosen beginning is left) in this case it was Matthew.
36.My baby got elbow
The leader is singing my baby got :
1 Shoulder
2 toes
3 knees
4 hip
5 back
6 belly
The leader can say strange things like liver, kidney, heart...but then would go back to the main 6 parts
this is just a fun couples game.
37. Poison stick
Lyrics: Pass the stick around, keep passing (rept)
The rings has an object that they are passing around
the leader can change the lyrics to
sweet stick
sugar stick
rhyme stick
any stick
however when the leader says poison stick whoever has the stick once it is said is out.
The leader can slow down their words or speed it up. The can even start saying poison, but not complete it and play around with the phrase poison stick to ensure everyone has fun
38. Eyes on captain hands on the culprit
Rules: a person chosen to be the culprit is blindfolded, then a person is chosen to be the captain.
Everyone in the ring is following the captain, while the culprit tries to figure out who is giving the instruction to the ring by where everybody is looking.
Once the captain is found a new pair of captain and culprit are chosen
39. Have seen heady
40. Those who born in January, February, March...
41. Wa Who seh wah
Wah who say wah is continually repeated by the ring
Kelly:Kevin
Kevin: Who she wah (
Kelly: Jerry
Jerry Who she wah
42. Contrary partner
the ring is paired up ad then the ring leader addresses one partner bu tthe other must answer. If they mix it upboth are out
43. Yankee Doodle
44. There was a hole in the ground
45. grandmother feeling sick
Lyrics; Granmother grandmother feeling sick
all she needs is a walking stick
with a up cheeky cheeky
and a down cheeky cheeky
and a ooh and a ahh
and ah ah ah ahhhhh
Rules:with up cheeky cheeky- ring raises their hands
down cheeky cheeky the lowered their hands
with the ooh- move their hips to the right
ahhh move to the left
ah aha ha - move left and right and raise your hands
46. who stole the cookie from the cookie
47. ten green bottles standing on the wall
lyrics
Ten green bottles stanfind on the wall
ten green bottles standing on the wall
and if one green bottle should accidentally fall
there will be nine green bottles standing on the wall
Four groups to shout out
Pinga ling - hold it out
Bing aling
Bangalang
Crash
they would shout in that order according to the amount of bottles that fell of the wall.
Once they get up to 10 bottles falling of the wall, it is then a shouting competiion to see who is louder.
the leader will point and the group will shout.
First pingling goes against Bing aling
then Bangalang goes aginst Crash
the winner of each segment go against each other for the final win.
