The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #8164   Message #1135393
Posted By: James Fryer
13-Mar-04 - 04:54 AM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Tondaleo....Tangaleo...??? (Tingalayo)
Subject: Lyr Add: DINGO LAY and HOLD 'EM JOE
I know this song as "Dingo Lay", featured on the great (and cheap) "Kings of Calypso" compilation CD. This version was recorded in the UK, hence the references to London in the lyrics.

The lyrics go something like this:

Chorus:
Dingo Lay-o, carry me donkey down there
Dingo Lay-o, carry me donkey down there

I took my donkey to London town
My donkey fell on the underground
I took my donkey to Charing Cross
He went down there and got himself lost

Chorus

My donkey sing, my donkey dance
My donkey looking for romance
My donkey can't behave in the street
Especially when a young girl he does meet

Chorus

My donkey sit down and start to cry
An old man passing by asked him why
"I can't do what the big boys do"
The old man sat down and he cried too

Chorus

My donkey told me he was in love
He started to coo like a turtle dove
But when he went his new love to meet
She saw him coming and ran down the street

Chorus

This song is obviously based on the earlier "Hold Em Joe":

I took my donkey to Sande Grande [??]
He bit off the hand of an obeah man
This donkey of mine, he won't work at all
All he does is break the boards of his stall

When he can't get water (Hold Em Joe!)
My donkey want water (Hold Em Joe!)

There are many, many versions of "Hold Em Joe" including one by The Charmer (Louis Farrakhan).