Rum and Coca Cola (1943)

L. Invader

"Young girls say they treat 'em nice, 

make Trinidad like Paradise
Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola. 

Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola. 

Go down Point Koomana"

Is it something about upcoming cold weather that makes me think of tropical drinks? The Andrews Sisters did this pre-post-colonial song a big hit, and who can blame the US for loving it back then, though it has not aged well. Here are three ultra-American gals, the Andrews sisters, singing with fake Caribbean accents, telling the folks to go down to Trinidad, where they all "be working for the Yankee dollah." Yes, you are guaranteed a great time with the young girls and the booze. Even a few years ago this song might have been played in some throwback radio show. Today it just sounds all wrong. Except for the harmonious singing. And yes, they were actually sisters.

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 Koomana
Both mother and daughter workin' for the Yankee dollar.

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 Koomahna
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

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

Rum and Coca-Cola. Rum and Coca-Cola. 

Workin' for the Yankee dollar

Auld Lang Syne (trad.)

Lyrics associated with Robert Burns

"For auld lang syne. we'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne."



It wouldn't be a proper New Year without a chorus of "Auld Lang Syne," preferably played by Guy Lombardo and his Orchestra. This year, sing all the different verses - that is, if you are sober enough to manage the Scottish. Wikipedia has a helpful page that will help with definitions and pronounciations. By the way, the Scottish refer to New Year's Eve as Hogmanay.

CHORUS

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp!
And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

We twa hae run about the braes
And pou'd the gowans fine.
We've wandered mony a weary foot,
Sin' auld lang syne.

We twa hae sported i' the burn,
From morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roared
Sin' auld lang syne.

And ther's a hand, my trusty friend,
And gie's a hand o' thine;
We'll tak' a right good willie-waught,,
For auld lang syne