This is just what I was looking for - some background on the Zombie Jamboree.

My understanding is that this song is part of a tradition of calypso singers who compete in extemporaneous verse making. Many other cultures have this type of singing competition.

I saw this in action at a Puerto Rican festival called "Betances"(????? on the spelling). Same sort of thing - a singer with or without the band starts from a familiar riff and then others join in. Verses accrue and go on and on...

A lot of versions exist with the chorus line: I don't give a damn because I've done dead already. Others say: I don't give a damn because I'm stone dead already.

It's a fun folk process song. I'm always looking for verses.

(Saw a reference online today about banks that are "stone dead" zombie banks. Full of toxic assets. Interesting...)


Joyce K.