Don't Stop The Carnival

Jimmy Buffett Don't Stop The Carnival Album

3.Calaloo

Lyrics:Jimmy Buffett
Music:Jimmy Buffett

Notes:Nothing in my novel suggests this song except the island
ambience. Jimmy came up with it only after we had finshed the
first draft of the musical, and it is quintessential Buffett,
quirky imagery and a lot of truth, in a rousing song of the
kitchen help. The hotel Norman Paperman takes over is called the
Gull Reef Club and the cook, Sheila, who sings Calaloo, is the
true soul of the place, and of the Caribbean.

Chorus:
Calaloo, Strange Calaloo
Mysterious curious roux
Try as you might to avoid the hoodoo
Sooner or later we're all in the stew

From here in my kitchen
I watch the whole seen
Life on dis island 's
A unique cuisine
It simmers and bubbles
And looks quite routine
Till somebody spill all da beans

Chorus:
Calaloo, Strange Calaloo
Mysterious curious roux
Try as you might to avoid the hoodoo
Sooner or later we're all in the stew

Night after night
On dat terrace out der
Plays a melodrama
Could equal Shakesphere
Dey may tell theirself
Dat somehow dey are not
Best take it from me,
We're all in the same pot

Chorus:
Calaloo, Strange Calaloo
Mysterious curious roux
Try as you might to avoid the hoodoo
Sooner or later we're all in the stew

Bridge:
Hey Hey Sheila, Hey Hey Sheila
Hey Hey Sheila, what's in dat calaloo
Hey Sheila tell us, Hey Sheila tell us
Hey Hey Sheila, What's in that calaloo

We got Crab and pig tell
Squid ink and fish scale
Okra and dasheen leaves
Chitchat and chatter
Fill up the platter
With a garnish of pure make believe

Chorus:
Calaloo, Strange Calaloo
Mysterious and curious roux
Though some might think somehow they are not
Make no mistake we're all in the same pot
Take it from me this is no Camelot.