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Carolyn and the Mermaid

from Vodou Horn by Paul Austerlitz

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about

This medley represents the Haitian Congo rhythm, derived from Central Africa. The Congo is so hot that you can’t stop dancing! The mermaid lwa, Lasirèn, and her avatar, the Whale, love this rhythm. Sometimes, in Vodou (as in the Bible’s Song of Solomon), spiritual and physical love are linked. The song’s narrator explains that he lost his hat in the sea while in the throes of passion with the beauteous sea-maiden. “Lasirèn” appears only momentarily at the end of medley, just as Mermaid sightings themselves are usually fleeting: rarely is she seen but for the flash of her lovely tail, splashing in distant waters.

lyrics

“Carolyn and the Mermaid”
(Traditional; Kongo rhythm)

Karolin Akawo

Karolin Akawo, danse Kongo jis kò’m fè’m mal, oh!
Karolin Akawo, danse Kongo jis kò’m fè’m mal, oh!
Danse kongo, m’laye Kongo
Danse kongo, m’laye Kongo
Karolinn Akawo nèg nwè ti zorèy anraje

Lasirèn

Lasirèn, Labalèn,
Chapo'm tonbe nan la me.
Map fe kares pou Lasirèn,
Chapo'm tonbe nan la me
Map fe lanmou pou Labalèn,
Chapo'm tonbe nan la me.

Carolyn Akawo

Carolyn Akawo, I dance the Congo rhythm until my body aches!
Carolyn Akawo, I dance the Congo rhythm until my body aches!
I dance the Kongo, I show off with the Kongo!
I dance the Kongo, I show off with the Kongo!
Carolyn Akawo, the man with small ears looks enraged!

The Mermaid

The Mermaid, the Whale!
My hat fell in the sea!
I caressed the Mermaid,
And my hat fell in the sea!
I made love with the Whale,
And my hat fell in the sea!

credits

from Vodou Horn, released August 5, 2019

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