19. CHRISTMAS MORNING THE RUM HAD ME YAWNING by Lord Beginner
Vocal with John “Buddy” Williams and his Blue Rhythm Orchestra: John “Buddy” Williams - bass, with trumpet, reeds, piano, and drums.
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, January 30, 1939.

On Christmas mornin' the overnight rum had me yawnin'
On Christmas mornin' the overnight rum had me yawnin'
I met a bamboo band on the street
'Cause the rhythm was hot and sweet, they were shoutin':

John John Cobo, take a stick and you knock down your brother
Take a stick and you knock down your brother
And you take a stick and you knock down your father
John John Cobo, take a stick and you knock down your brother

I can remember that twenty-fifth of December
On the old man's birthday, everyone were merry upon gay
Women with their dresses so tight, shaking and hitting out black is white

Fellows dressed in short pants while the women showed the bamboo dance
I admired Gwendolyn, how she was waggin' she dustbin
I had to bawl, "Gwen, you're edging me teeth
Rollin' that t'ing all over the street!"

Lord Beginner (Bertie Moore, 1904-1981) established his reputation in Trinidad and London as a writer and singer of calpysos from the 1920s through the 1950s. John John Cobo (i.e. Cobo from the John John neighborhood) was a Port-of-Spain street character who acquired a reputation after beating up his father.

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