A little while ago, I read a novel called "Banana Bottom" by Claude McKay. The book was first published in 1933. The central character is a Jamaican girl who is fostered by white missionaries and sent to school in England, and the cultural conflicts she has when she returns home. The book makes much mention of people singing and making up songs, often songs that satirise local events. Lines of songs are quoted, though you have to imagine sounds and rhythms.

The author has a preliminary note saying "This story belongs to the Jamaican period of the early nineteen hundreds, and all the characters, as in my previous novels, are imaginary, excepting perhaps Squire Gensir."

Squire Gensir is an immigrant white man who is learned, irreligious, and sympathetic to the common people of his adopted land. He has a library of classical literature and he also collects local folklore. So I wonder if there was some folklorist who served as a model for Squire Gensir. Or if the author himself identifies with his character of Squire Gensir. I know nothing about Claude McKay - and haven't tried researching this author via the wwweb or any other source.