Garoleen- Joseph (St Vincent) 1966 Abrahams C
[My title. From: Child Ballads in the West Indies: Familiar Fabulations, Creole Performances by Roger D. Abrahams; Journal of Folklore Research, Vol. 24, No. 2 (May - Aug., 1987), pp. 107-134.
This is a cante fable- story with song- based on Child 81. In the St. Vincent versions the parrot replaces the foot-page. In this version the names are confused. Miss Notty is Lady Barnard, master is Lord Barnard and Garoleen is Little Musgrave.
For a recording listen to Blinky (Sylvester McIntosh of St. Croix) and the Roadmasters' "Matty Gru" (on VIBlinky01).
R. Matteson 2015]
The third version begins with the announcement that an Anansi story, usually a tale of nonsensical behavior, is about to be told. In this telling, the nonsensical dimension becomes especially significant when both the parrot and the husband act sensibly in the end-that is, they keep their heads, don't make any noise when the errant couple is discovered and they are thus able to keep the whole business to themselves.
Garoleen- Collected from Remus Joseph, Richland Park, St. Vincent, May 3, 1966.
Well, this is a Nansi story. With a woman named of Miss Notty, and a gentleman name of Garoleen. Well when she was married and her husband leave her and go to England for twenty years. While he was in England another fellow come by her some nights. They have a parrot and the parrot used to talk.
Well, the first time the parrot going to see the action that happen at home. When he saw the man, the parrot get up and he follow Garoleen around the house. And he was seeing what took place. An' he leave and he fly to England where he master was working. Before he get there, he wake up in the morning, he sing:
If any man, if any man
In another man's home.
It is time, it is time
For to rise and go home.
Well that was the tune the parrot sing to the gentleman. Well after he sing it, and he leave and he go to England where his master is working on a four-story building, up in the air. And as the master see the parrot, because he leave it small, that he know it's his. When he sing:
Oh master dear, oh master dear
I don't carry you no lie
Miss Notty go, Miss Notty go
On your bed with Garoleen.
Well, the parrot sing that, an' he come back home. Well the minute he come, the parrot see the gentleman, and the gentleman sleep and sleep until the morning. An' he go an' sing:
If any man, if any man
In another man's home
It is time, it is time,
For to rise and go home.
Well, when day-clear [dawn], Miss Notty gets sleep, and e leave for home. [And parrot went down to the sea] when is his master coming on the ship. And he say, the bird on e ship, and sing e his master, and his master answer him:
Oh, Pretty Poll, oh, Pretty Poll
Don't you tell me no lie.
Parrot sang:
Oh, master dear, oh, master dear,
I don't tell you no lie.
Miss Notty, Miss Notty go
On your bed with Garoleen.
Parrot come back. When the master come, master come, leave all his things in the customs an' take a taxi. An' he come home at night. An when e come parrot saw him, but the parrot didn't say anything. He was so sensible, but he want his master to see what is happening in e home. Well the master come, an' he have a revolver. An' when he up to de door, nobody is open e door. An' when he was so sensible that he get to the dining room where he see the parrot. Well he going on and he get something sensibly, pick up a [piece of wood] and he bar the place. An' the gentleman couldn't come out. An' he bust the door. And when he goin' he shoot the two of they, two person. And there the wire bend, the story end.[32]