Genre Calypso | Writer(s) Roaring Lion | |
History
"Mary Ann," composed by calypsonian Roaring Lion (born name: Rafael de Leon), was popular with steelbands and revelers during a spontaneous Carnival celebration on V-J Day in Trinidad in 1945, at the end of World War II. The song's lyrics alluded to Mary Ann's occupation:
All day, all night, Miss Mary Ann Down by the seaside, she sifting sand.Recordings
Latin bandleader Xavier Cugat recorded a version of "Mary Ann" in the late 1940s. During the 1956-57 American calypso craze, the Easy Riders, Burl Ives and other interpreters of folk music further popularized the calypso, generally under the title of "Marianne". The song continued to be a favorite with steelbands and calypso entertainers at Caribbean tourist hotels for many years.
The most popular version was recorded by Terry Gilkyson and The Easy Riders (#4 on the Billboard Top 100); another version was recorded by The Hilltoppers in 1957 (#3 on the Billboard Top 100).
Trini Lopez included "Marianne" on his album Trini Lopez at PJ's on Reprise Records RS-6093.