|
'Jerusalem candlesticks'
|
Daily Gleaner, December 24, 1895
|
|
'. . . to go for a walk down King Street on the morning of December 25th . . . what fine fun it was: the gaily-dressed crowd, the confusion, the noise, the scores of pleasure boats filled with laughing people and skimming over the flashing sunlit water - what a joy!'
H. G. deLisser
~ What was Christmas like in Jamaica long ago?
|
POINSETTIA CAROL
When Christmas first came on this earth The story of the Saviour’s birth Was told in distant lands Chorus: Sing Christmas song Poinsettia red For in a lowly manger bed A little babe was born White Christmas Pops perfume the air A Virgin pure a son did bear To save the whole wide world. Soft Christmas Breeze blow from afar Tell us the story that we are All called to worship Him Swift Humming Bird pause in your flight Tell on that wondrous shimmering night The angels’ song was heard Jerusalem Candlesticks shed your light Lead all His loving children right To Bethlehem’s Holy Babe by Daisy Myrie 
'Christmas pops'
|
Santa arrives by 'plane, in an advert in 1911, the year in which the first aeroplane flight was made in Jamaica.
WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES ROUND.
By Claude McKay. 1912 Tea-meetin' a goodly lot, Picnic, dance, an' warra not, Cure' white nyance* an' plenty fat. When Christmas come roun'. Winds go tearin' overhead, Whistlin' shriller dan Mas' Ned, Mek you kibber tight in bed When Christmas come roun'. Breakin-up' ober de school, - Fine fe dem who hate de rule! Now dem head an' heel wi' cool, For Christmas come roun'. An' de leaf o' mancha* trees Fly reckless ober de peas, Lak sen-seh fowl ina breeze, When Christmas come roun’. Drinkin' rum an' neber 'top Jes' do'n a' de village shop. Some get kick' an' some get chop, - Hellish lot o' fun! 'Pon de mountain come do'n fog, Caan' neider see tree nor crag, Season rain mek de pass bog, When Christmas come roun'. Gamblin,' ef 'tis to you' tas'e, A' de debil o' horse-race, Billy's colt tekin' fus' place 'Pon de big race groun'. Killin’ of old Beauty calf, Hard-pay folks fe trus' i' off, When dem nyam i’ den dem laugh, An’ you needn't dun. A wi' bet you eight half-crown Country Christmas beat out town; In dis pan we'll put i' down Tell Christmas come roun'. 'nyance' = meat(?) 'mancha' = (Martinique) banana [Claude McKay wrote at least two other Christmas poems which have been re-printed, but this one does not seem to have resurfaced since Christmas 1912.]
|
