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 CalalooMysterious curious rouxTry as you might to avoid
the hoodooSooner or later we're all in the stewFrom here in
my kitchenI watch the whole seenLife on dis island 'sA
unique cuisineIt simmers and bubblesAnd looks quite routineTill
somebody spill all da beansChorus:Calaloo, Strange
CalalooMysterious curious rouxTry as you might to avoid the
hoodooSooner or later we're all in the stewNight after
nightOn dat terrace out derPlays a melodramaCould equal
ShakesphereDey may tell theirselfDat somehow dey are notBest
take it from me,We're all in the same potChorus:Calaloo,
Strange CalalooMysterious curious rouxTry as you might to avoid
the hoodooSooner or later we're all in the stewBridge:Hey
Hey Sheila, Hey Hey SheilaHey Hey Sheila, what's in dat
calalooHey Sheila tell us, Hey Sheila tell usHey Hey Sheila,
What's in that calalooWe got Crab and pig tellSquid ink and
fish scaleOkra and dasheen leavesChitchat and chatterFill up the
platterWith a garnish of pure make believeChorus:Calaloo,
Strange CalalooMysterious and curious rouxThough some might
think somehow they are notMake no mistake we're all in the
same potTake it from me this is no Camelot.