The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #66111   Message #1095287
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
17-Jan-04 - 11:23 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Rum and Coca Cola
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rum and Coca Cola
I have possibly located a copy of "Calypso Songs of the West Indies," by Massie Patterson and Lionel Belasco. It has the original song. I will post it if I really have found the copy.

The opinion in the suit, Baron v. Leo Feist, 78 F. Supp. 686 (S. D. N. Y. 1948), by Rifkind of the District Court, is on line from the University of Columbia Law Library, Music Plagiarism Project.
Opinion L'Annee Passee
A clearly written opinion, many interesting details. The last line:
"The evidence clearly establishes infringement of plaintiff's copyright, and judgement must go for plaintiff. Reference will be had to a master on the issue of damages."

A good summary of the early days of calypso, with several examples of songs, is: Golden Age Calypso
Included is note that Lionel Belasco was first recorded by Victor in 1914.