Rum and Coca-Cola

One of the songs most identified with Trinidad is "Rum and Coca-Cola," sung my various artists, but the most popular is probably the recording by the Andrews Sisters in 1945.

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The song became a local hit in 1943. The original lyrics lamented the presence of American military personnel on the island during the war and the resultant increase in price that prostitutes could command. Note that the complaint was not about prostitution itself, merely the cost. Although the Andrews Sisters version was changed slightly by Morey Amsterdam, it still alludes to the world's oldest profession.

The original lyrics included phrases like “saw that the Yankees treat them nice / and they give them a better price” and “the bride run away with a soldier lad / and the stupid husband went staring mad.”

It will be interesting to see if the song is still acceptable on Trinidad.

The Amsterdam/Andrews Sister lyrics:

If you ever go down Trinidad
They make you feel so very glad
Calypso sing and make up rhyme
Guarantee you one real good fine time

Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Koomahnah
Both mother and daughter
Workin' for the Yankee dollar

Oh, beat it man, beat it

Since the Yankee come to Trinidad
They got the young girls all goin' mad
Young girls say they treat 'em nice
Make Trinidad like paradise

Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Koomahnah
Both mother and daughter
Workin' for the Yankee dollar

Oh, you vex me, you vex me

From Chicachicaree to Mona's Isle
Native girls all dance and smile
Help soldier celebrate his leave
Make every day like New Year's Eve

Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Koomahnah
Both mother and daughter
Workin' for the Yankee dollar

It's a fact, man, it's a fact

In old Trinidad, I also fear
The situation is mighty queer
Like the Yankee girl, the native swoon
When she hear der Bingo croon

Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Koomahnah
Both mother and daughter
Workin' for the Yankee dollar

Out on Manzanella Beach
G.I. romance with native peach
All night long, make tropic love
Next day, sit in hot sun and cool off

Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Koomahnah
Both mother and daughter
Workin' for the Yankee dollar

It's a fact, man, it's a fact

Rum and Coca-Cola
Rum and Coca-Cola
Workin' for the Yankee dollar