A series of Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons vignettes for Christmas
2003 by Tiger Jackson
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 morningNow we come singing parangPlay guitar and quatroPut 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
http://socageneral.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/paimieandpastelle.mp3.
The full song is on the album Holiday Songs
Caribbean Style, released in 2000 by Orchard.
OTHER STORIES BY TIGER JACKSON Any comments? Send an
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