Yes, I've heard of it. The song was written by Eric Von Schmidt; I don't have the music, but here are the words: JOSHUA GONE BARBADOS (Eric Von Schmidt) Cane standin' in the field Gettin' old and red Lot of misery in Georgetown Three folks lyin' dead Joshua head of government Say "Strike for better pay" Cane cutters strikin' Joshua gone away (chorus:) Joshua gone Barbados Stayin' in a big hotel People on St. Vincent's Got many sad tales to tell Sugar mill owner told the strikers "I don't need you to cut my cane Bring in another bunch of fellas Your strike be all in vain Yeah, bring in a bunch of tough fellas Bring 'em from Zion Hill Bring 'em in a bus to Georgetown You know somebody get killed" Police givin' protection New fellas cuttin' cane Strikers can't do nothin' Their strike be all in vain (chorus) Sonny Child, the overseer I swear he's an ignorant man He's walkin' through the cane field Pistol in his hand Sonny Child, he curse the strikers You know he wave his pistol 'round They're beating Sonny with a cutlass They beat him to the ground Cane standin' in the field Gettin' old and red Sonny Child lyin' in the hospital Pistol by his bed (chorus) I wish I could go to England Trinidad or Curacao People on the island They got no place to go There's a lot of misery in Georgetown You can hear the women bawl Joshua gone Barbados He don't care at all ^^^
- Eric Von Schmidt (BMI)
The song was recorded by Howard Bursen on his first album, "Cider in the Kitchen" (Folk-Legacy FSI-74). I don't know if Sandy Paton still stocks cassettes of this one, but if so, it's a fine recording.
Peace. Paul
Added to the Digital Tradition April 1998.
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