Notes: Nothing in my novel suggests this song except the island ambience. Jimmy came up with it only after we had finshed the first draft of the musical, and it is quintessential Buffett, quirky imagery and a lot of truth, in a rousing song of the kitchen help. The hotel Norman Paperman takes over is called the Gull Reef Club and the cook, Sheila, who sings Calaloo, is the true soul of the place, and of the Caribbean.
Chorus:
Calaloo, Strange Calaloo
Mysterious curious roux
Try as you might to avoid the hoodoo
Sooner or later we're all in the stew
>From here in my kitchen
I watch the whole seen
Life on dis island 's
A unique cuisine
It simmers and bubbles
And looks quite routine
Till somebody spill all da beans
Chorus:
Calaloo, Strange Calaloo
Mysterious curious roux
Try as you might to avoid the hoodoo
Sooner or later we're all in the stew
Night after night
On dat terrace out der
Plays a melodrama
Could equal Shakesphere
Dey may tell theirself
Dat somehow dey are not
Best take it from me,
We're all in the same pot
Chorus:
Calaloo, Strange Calaloo
Mysterious curious roux
Try as you might to avoid the hoodoo
Sooner or later we're all in the stew
Bridge:
Hey Hey Sheila, Hey Hey Sheila
Hey Hey Sheila, what's in dat calaloo
Hey Sheila tell us, Hey Sheila tell us
Hey Hey Sheila, What's in that calaloo
We got Crab and pig tell
Squid ink and fish scale
Okra and dasheen leaves
Chitchat and chatter
Fill up the platter
With a garnish of pure make believe
Chorus:
Calaloo, Strange Calaloo
Mysterious and curious roux
Though some might think somehow they are not
Make no mistake we're all in the same pot
Take it from me this is no Camelot.