JIMMY BUFFETT - CALALOO Lyrics

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.