ARIMA WAS, by Melan Garcia

Lyrics (by Melan Garcia, transcribed by Guanaguanare: http://guanaguanaresingsat.blogspot.com/​2011/​01/​arima-was-song.html )

In years gone by, this ent no lie
And I am sure you'll remember
Arima was a place with plenty water
We fertile soil, that and all spoil
We hardly getting good cassava
Quarries and farms polluting our rivers.

Chorus:
So let us try and see
If we could make Arima just like it used to be
Don't mind, don't mind, we population more
But is we, the Arimians, to make it like before
We have our duty to perform now because I'm sure
We'd like to see Arima just like Arima was. Woh oh ho
Yes, we have our duty to perform now because I'm sure
We'd like to see Arima just like Arima was.

The Spanish came and settled here
Along with peons from Venezuela
Together they did big plantations for we
Then came the French and Africans
Who accepted parcels of land
You see, Arima was always cosmopolitan. Yes, man!
1797 British came, planted their flag and left their name
In 1806 we got some Chinese too
East Indians joined up in the fun
Followed closely by the Syrians
That's true, Arima was one big pot of callaloo.

Chorus:
So let us try and see
If we could make Arima just like it used to be
Don't mind, don't mind, we population more
But is we, the Arimians, to make it like before
We have our duty to perform now because I'm sure
We'd like to see Arima just like Arima was. Woh oh oh
Yes, we have our duty to perform now because I'm sure
We'd like to see Arima just like Arima was.

Yes, Arima, this Easter star
Wallen bought a Dial and give her.
A gift you'll hardly find any other place
Them years ago was love for so,
But where the love gone, boy, I don't know
I think is since they open the Yankee base.

Oh, Arima, oh, Arima!
Like we heading for a disaster
I think is time we call upon The Master
Is endless crime, a waste of time!
Rape and robbery, even mass murder
Well, if it ent Sodom, well is Gomorrah.

Chorus:
So let us try and see
If we could make Arima just like it used to be
Don't mind, don't mind, we population more
But is we, the Arimians, to make it like before
We have our duty to perform now because I'm sure
We'd like to see Arima just like Arima was, Woh oh oh
Yes, we have our duty to perform now because I'm sure
We'd like to see Arima just like Arima was.

Filmed by Maximilian Forte in September, 2006, at the cannon on Calvary Hill in Arima. The filming was done in late afternoon just as the sun was setting, and the camera faces south, overlooking the centre of Arima.

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Melan Garcia, a well known parrandero from Calvary Hill in Arima, Trinidad and Tobago, in the past played with Los Tocadores and Rebuscar. For many years he served as an Arima Borough Councillor, representing Calvary Hill, for the People's National Movement. He is also tied to the Carib Community and has Indigenous ancestry.

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For more, please visit us at:

Review of the Indigenous Caribbean

http://indigenousreview.blogspot.com/​

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Category:

Music

Tags:

• Arima
• Carib
• Indigenous Peoples
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Caribbean
• music
• Melan Garcia
• Calvary Hill
• Santa Rosa

[25myob]

this is up by the huge water tank on calvary hill, there is also a cannon that is blasted during independence day and emancipation day if i recall right.............. good job man keep up the good work, and post more videos....i appreciate it

[maximilianforte]

@25myob Thanks very much! You're right of course, that big water tank was just to the right of me as I was filming. Anyway, I promise to have more videos soon. Thanks again for the comment.

[myobalways]

Great tribute to my hometown

[nigel7711]

Well Done Mel...a true true Arimian.

[wesblood007]

wow what a wonderful song I really like it

[wesblood007]

wow what a wonderful song I really like it ...I grew up in Calvary hill Arima.