“Jamaica Farewell” is a Jamaican-style folk song (mento). The lyrics for the song were written by Lord Burgess (Irving Burgie), an American-born, half-Barbadian songwriter. It is about the beauties of the West Indian Islands. The song appeared on Harry Belafonte’s 1956 album Calypso. Many, including Belafonte himself, have said that the song was popular in the West Indies since long before Burgess. It is believed that Burgess compiled and modified the song from many folk pieces to make a new song. Burgess acknowledged his use of the tune of another mento, “Iron Bar”. The line “ackee, rice, saltfish are nice” refers to the Jamaican national dish.
Songs with Banjo from Harold Hagler
