Tortugan Farewell

— Words and Music by A. J. N. Calder

Down the quay^[1] where the nights are gay
And the sun shines daily on the mountaintop
I took a trip on a sailing ship^[2]
But when I reached Tortuga she hit the rocks

(Chorus)
Now I’m sad to say
I’m on my way
I won’t be back for many a day
My heart is down
My head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in George Town town

Sounds of laughter everywhere
And the crocodiles^[3] swim to and fro
I must declare my heart is there
Though I have been from Maine to Mexico

Chorus

Down at the market you can hear
Ladies cry out while on their heads they bear
Ackev rice, salt fish are nice
Oh the rum is fine anytime of year

Chorus

Down the quay where the nights are gay
And the sun shines daily on the mountaintop
I took a trip on a sailing ship
But when I reached Grand Cayman she hit the rocks

Now I’m sad to say
I’m on my way
I won’t be back for many a day
My heart is down
My head is turning around I had to leave a little girl in George Town town
I had to leave a little girl in George Town town
I had to leave a little girl in George Town town

Important disclaimer: The author has never been to the Cayman Islands, and he’s hardly going to get an invitation now. There is, therefore, much fantastical speculation in this article and you should assume it is, at the very least, mostly false.

References

↑ North West Quay, most likely, home since 1953 of the Tortuga Cayman Islands Rum Cake Co., Inc.
↑ [[Die Fliegenden Dudelsäcke, the ship on which Calder and George Ugland were shipwrecked in 1891
↑ “There are two types of crocodiles naturally found in the north-western Caribbean, namely the American and Cuban crocodile. The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) has a wide range and can be found in Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico and the Southern States. The Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer) is only found in south-western Cuba. However, skeletal remains found locally indicate that historically both species were naturally present in the Cayman Islands. Many crocodiles have a “wandering” phase, in which young animals range far and wide in search of new habitat. The Cayman Islands falls within the natural range of both these species, therefore we should not be surprised at an occasional appearance off our shores.”
—Cayman Islands Department of Environment Director Gina Ebanks-Petrie.

[1] North West Quay, most likely, home since 1953 of the Tortuga Cayman Islands Rum Cake Co., Inc.

[2] [[Die Fliegenden Dudelsäcke, the ship on which Calder and George Ugland were shipwrecked in 1891

[3] “There are two types of crocodiles naturally found in the north-western Caribbean, namely the American and Cuban crocodile. The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) has a wide range and can be found in Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico and the Southern States. The Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer) is only found in south-western Cuba. However, skeletal remains found locally indicate that historically both species were naturally present in the Cayman Islands. Many crocodiles have a “wandering” phase, in which young animals range far and wide in search of new habitat. The Cayman Islands falls within the natural range of both these species, therefore we should not be surprised at an occasional appearance off our shores.”
—Cayman Islands Department of Environment Director Gina Ebanks-Petrie.

[1]

[2]

[3]