Jamaican Folk Music

A quick intro to JA folk songs - Mento, working songs, Linstead Market, Day-O and more

‘Carry mi ackee go a Linstead market, not a quattie would sell

Lawd!  What a night not a bite, what a Saturday night…’

These lines are from one of Jamaica’s popular folk songs that recounts a market vendor’s difficulties in trying to sell her goods on a Saturday evening  at the Linstead market - YouTube video

Like most folk songs the composer and origin are unknown but it is an astute reflection on daily life.  Jamaica’s folk music covers range of themes, such as love and courtship, work, funerals and celebrations. 

Louise Bennett – Coverley (1919-2006) was a pivotal contemporary figure who brought a revival of Jamaican creole and folk songs into the mainstream culture.  Like Miss Lou, as she was affectionately known, Harry Belafonte introduced “Day-O” and other Jamaica folk songs to international audiences: Day-O Video

‘Day-O, day-o…Day da light an me wah go home, (repeat)

Come missa tally man, tally me banana,

Day da light and we way go home…’

A workman who had been loading bananas on a ship all night, declares that it’s dawn…’day-o.’  He then tells the foreman (tally man) to count his bananas so that he can be paid before leaving for home.

One of my favorites is the amusing song about a disgruntled woman who wants to build a high fence to keep her inquisitive neighbors’ children from looking into her outdoor cooking pot.  The University of the West Indies Singers does great performance of that song: The University Singers 

Listen to authentic Mento style songs

Watch more of the University Singers

Louise Bennett Jamaican Folk Songs

More Jamaican Folk Songs

Also visit our art gallery for contemporary fine art of Jamaica and the Caribbean: EJ Art Gallery  

Updated June 2020

By Diane