The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #8121   Message #2624726
Posted By: Azizi
05-May-09 - 12:57 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Jumbie Jamboree / Zombie Jamboree
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jumbie Jamboree / Zombie Jamboree
Here's a link to a website that includes song clips of some of Lord Melody's song, including Jumbi (4:07)

http://www.rhapsody.com/lord-melody

This song's lyrics and tune reminds me of a slower version in word of "Mama Look A Boo Boo" as popularized by Harry Belafonte. "Mama Look A Boo Boo" was actually Lord Melody's song.

"Lord Melody (born Fitzroy Alexander) had a lengthy career that spanned from the early days of calypso in the late-'40s to the reggae of the late-'70s. Remembered for his witty lyricism, Lord Melody wrote and recorded such calypso hit tunes as "Berlin on a Donkey," "Jonah and the Bake," "Boo Boo Man and the Creature From the Black Lagoon," and "Hurricane Janet." His greatest success came when Harry Belafonte recorded his songs "Mama Look A Boo Boo" and "Juanita." Lord Melody subsequently toured with Belafonte. In the late-'70s, Lord Melody veered towards reggae, recording such tunes as "Rastaman Be Careful" and "Brown Sugar." ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide
http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/bio/0,,467162,00.html

-snip-

A song clip of Lord Melody singing "Booboo Man (Mama, Look At Bubu)" (4:22) is on the same rhapsody.com website given above.

The plot of Lord Melody's Jumbie song centers around a boy who sees a jumbie in the bathroom washing up and his mother says that's Melody.* The boys sings what becomes the refrain of the song "That's not Melody. No it's a Jumbie".

*meaning the singer.

**

Sorry. I can't find the lyrics online.