The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #138311   Message #3865990
Posted By: GUEST
13-Jul-17 - 10:53 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Three Friends' Advice (Lord Executor)
Subject: Lyr Add: THREE FRIENDS' ADVICE (Lord Executor)
There are so many mistakes in katlaughing's lyrics I hardly know where to begin. So I will just offer my best take on the lyrics from a reasonably clear copy on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTmqlDEFx2k:

THREE FRIENDS' ADVICE
The Executor accompanied by Gerald Clark and his Caribbean Serenaders
℗1937 Decca Records, Inc.
Composer: Fitz McLean


According to condition, me friends and relations,
They gave me their opinion.
According to condition, me friends and relations,
They gave me their opinion.
One said, "Join the Shouters' band."
Another one said, "Be an obeahman."
But to Vior I answer, "No,
I think I going to learn to dance the Tango."

I was told by a certain friend
Who introduce me then to the Shouters' den
And all the ceremonies that I went through.
We sang, "Moses, Moses, take off thy shoe."
I fasted for forty days singing hymn,
And then they duck me in the river but I could not swim.
Then to Vior I answered, "No,
I think I going to learn to dance the Tango."

In two weeks time, then, I got so fat,
And you can imagine ?????? the cause of that:
Stew eggs and fried macaroni
That in the meeting the sisters would give to me.
Khaki, serges, palm beach and white.
With the cork hat and the legging to lace up tight.
Still to Vior I answered, "No,
I think I going to learn to dance the Tango."

Soon after that I draft a different plan
And decided to be an obeahman.
Around my neck I had a chapelet
And the beard that I had was like Galbadier.
The shirt on me bosom was a motor-car bag,
And the coat on me back was a telele rag,
Still to Vior I answered, "No,
I think I going to learn to dance the Tango."

Now listen, friend, what I had in me room
Was a grinning skeleton with a face of gloom,
A dancing peacock painted in red
With a jumping crapaud without a head,
Three blind mice and a macajuel snake,
And a big tar baby to walk and shake,
Still to Vior I answered, "No,
I think I going to learn to dance the Tango."

            ***********************

*obeahman- male practitioner of obeah, a form of hoodoo-like folk magic
*taylaylay rag - a form of cheap dress cloth
*crapaud - a toad
*chapelet - section or the Rosary
*makawel snake - a boa constrictor
*Galbadier was an obeahman.

No idea who Vior was. Or it could be Vio.

Any help on that third verse?