Spectrum Christmas Parang: 1 December
Morale on Cloudbase was lower than usual for the holiday season, fueled by disappointment and feelings of being far from home. Sitting on the edge of his bed, Lieutenant Green idly strummed a few chords on his guitar. He’d been looking forward to being with all his brothers and sisters again, home in Trinidad. They’d planned to paint the old family home and redecorate the living room together. And on Christmas morning, everyone would be in the kitchen fixing paime and pastelle and lots of other foods for the evening’s feast while singing along with soca parang music on the radio.
While he thought, Green unconsciously began to pick out a tune, then words quickly flowed into his mind. He had an idea. If he couldn’t go home for Christmas he could still bring a bit of Trinidad to Cloudbase. His idea was enthusiastically received by other musicians and singers. They met and rehearsed in secret until they were ready to spring their surprise.
*******************
It was a routine day. People were at their stations or going about their usual off-duty pursuits, when suddenly they would hear music approaching in the corridors or flowing out of a lounge. Lieutenant Green had formed a uniquely Carribean carolling group with steel drums, guitars, and other instruments to serenade Cloudbase with a song:
Soon comes Christmas morning
Now we come singing parang
Play guitar and quatro
Put a gift in everyone’s hand
For each woman a kiss
And invite to come along
For each man a merry wave
And for everyone this song
We singing
(Chorus)
Christmastime on Cloudbase
Days of laughter and grace
It’s a time of fun
It’s a time of smiles
It’s a time that everyone loves
Christmastime on Cloudbase
Days of laughter and smiles
It’s a time of song
Come join on in and sing
A Spectrum Christmas parang
Five captains hanging holly
Lieutenants trimming a tree
Packages beneath it
There are lots of presents for we
Excitement is rising
The Colonel is singing a song
Of the season’s cherished joy
Five angels singing along
They singing
(Chorus)
Christmastime on Cloudbase
Days of laughter and grace
It’s a time of fun
It’s a time of smiles
It’s a time that everyone loves
Christmastime on Cloudbase
Days of laughter and smiles
It’s a time of song
Come join on in and sing
A Spectrum Christmas parang!
Lieutenant Green was pleased to see that the group’s singing did make people brighten up. Many joined in on the chorus and a few even danced. And in the days that followed, he often heard smiling people humming the tune or singing softly to themselves.
Notes:
Lieutenant Green’s song is a filk. You can get the music and tune for Spectrum Christmas Parang by listening to “Paime and Pastelle” by Soca General. The song can be found on the album Holiday Songs Caribbean Style, released in 2000 by Orchard.