Brown-skinned girl from Spanish town lives in my heart...

[primroseburrows]

Is there anyone out there in LJ-land who is familiar with and understands the sheer beauty that is the Calypso music of Marty Robbins? 'Cause d00d, no matter what kind of music you like, this stuff will transport you.

I've known these songs literally since before I could speak, and they sit somewhere in a place of honour in my heart.

Gah. If you don't know them, you should, and if you do...tell me! I'm feeling alone in my worship here. *g*

...and if all you know of Marty Robbins is "El Paso", have I got a treat for you.

Comments

[peacey.livejournal.com]

I think I have told you many a time that "El Paso" is the most evocative "story song" I have ever heard and it inspires my writing in ways that nearly no other song does. No matter the subject matter that I'm writing about, listening to that song inspires me to write at my peak. I swear, that song is magical. I've literally sat and listened to it for hours as I'm writing. Have you heard "The Strawberry Roan"? (not sure on the spelling there.) Treat yourself if no.

Yo Marty!

[zeus55.livejournal.com]

As you know (or perhaps didn't) Songdog is a HUGE Marty Robbins fan.

Re: Yo Marty!

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Erm. Yes. That's because we have the same mum. Elva's responsible for both of our MartyLove. *raises glass to her*

[songdog.livejournal.com]

"Past the Gulf Of Mexico, is an island where
I lived and loved a long time ago
Disappointed in love, I decided to roam
Sad was the day that I sailed far away from my home

Every dream I dream takes me again
To the island down in the Carribean
Back to happiness and my Spanish Town home

To the brown skinned girl that's causin' me
To be filled with grief and misery
If she takes me back I will never more roam

Brown skinned girl from Spanish town lives in my heart
I've tried to forget her but how do I start
Constantly she's on my mind both night and day
I've known only sorrow since I sailed away

Let the tide and trade winds carry me
To the girl I want to marry me
I can't live alone just on memories I've known

I'm just like a bird that dosen't sing
Like a seagull with a broken wing
Take me off of this ship, let me go home

Brown skinned girl from Spanish town lives in my heart
I've tried to forget her but how do I start
Constantly she's on my mind both night and day
I've known only sorrow since I sailed away"

Ohh! Oh, oh, oh! (Queues up entire Marty .mp3 collection)

[songdog.livejournal.com]

...and...and...

Mango

Pick the mango from the tree
Hand the mango down to me
Put the mango in a sack
Put the sack upon my back
Everybody, now come along
Help me sing my mango song
Mango

Take the mango to the square
Try to sell the mango there
If I do not sell it, then
Take it back and try again
Everybody, now come along
Help me sing my mango song
Mango

Pickin' mango is mighty hard
Children play in Daddy's yard
Woman work in the kitchen
Cooking meals and patching britches
Everybody, now come along
Help me sing my mango song
Mango

See the woman walking by
See her basket sitting high
Basket high on woman head
Did you hear what the woman said
Everybody, now come along
Help me sing my mango song
Mango

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Kealoha e malia ma i oe
Oia i kea loha i ke kino
Ua kui a pa'a lei
I wahi ho'o heno noka lani
Auhea wela oe kealoha
La au ho'o ulu I ke kino
Ia i la ka u a e pili a i
I ka o lu o wai la
Ua la na loko i ka make make
I ka nani o mai le ha he i
I u he ne ika po-lio ma lio
I ke one ma lua ka a ka wai


And the Translation!

Like drowsy waters are thy deep-lit eyes, love
And my heart the flower thirsting deep on hope's brink,
Oh give me to drink thy tender sighs,
Give me to drink, again, give me to drink
The scent of your hair is here at my heart, love,
Old kisses burn softly along my veins, love
But oh, where are you and why are we apart, love
Without you naught of joy remains
The rainbow in the sky aloft is gleaming
The wind among the palms, is softly singing
While far o'er the sea your voice calls me,
Drowsy waters, by whose shores I lie dreaming