A
series of Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons vignettes for Christmas 2003
by Tiger Jackson
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:
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 a clip of “Paime and Pastelle” by Soca
General at http://socageneral.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/paimieandpastelle.mp3.
The full song is on the album Holiday Songs
Caribbean Style, released in 2000 by Orchard.
Next: Remembering the Children
OTHER STORIES
BY TIGER JACKSON
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