Maybe yuo can help me... I just spent a week in Jamaica, and my boyfriend and I heard this song. We wanted to buy a copy but we can't seem to fin it anywhere. We were told by our tour bus driver that it was Big Bamboo by Peter King, but I'm beginning to think it's not the right artist? Does anybody know who it's sung by and where I can get a copy?

Thanks!

The only Peter King I've heard of is of course the dead one... and with the big scandal around the alleged videos taken from his residence, I wouldn't be surprised if you had heard the name while you were down there.

The Big Bamboo is an old calypso song--I think it was Mighty Sparrow who did it originally, but it's been covered by many other artists. Maybe there is a new version you heard. Do you remember what it was about, or any of the words?

Yow!!! mi memba dat song now!! I memba hearin' it Waaay back in the day. you're right Urban, it was a Calypso tune as I remember it. can't remember the exact words but it go sumpn' like "She wan de Big Bamboo, Four feet long" or similar an' den gwaan 'bout she nah wan no Banana dem cah dem too saaft or sumpn. Don't know the Artist but Sparrow would be my bet as well.

To be very specific, here are the lyrics...

Asked my lady what could I do
To make her happy and to keep her true
Said only one thing I want from you
Is a little bitty piece of that big bamboo


Chorus:
She want the big bamboo, always long
The big bamboo grows so bold and strong
The big bamboo stands so straight and tall
The big bamboo pleases one and all

Gave my lady two coconuts
She said to me this is ok, but
I know you want to be nice to me
But what good are the nuts without that tree

Repeat Chorus

Gave my lady a sugar cane
Sweets to the sweet I did explain
Gave it back to my surprise
Said she liked the flavor but not the size

Repeat Chorus

Gave my lady a banana plant
She said to me this is elegant
It's much to nice to go to waste
Cause it's much too soft to suit my taste

Repeat Chorus

There was a China man named Lip Long Lo
He went and married down in Mexico
His wife divorce him very quick
Because she want bamboo and not chop stick

Repeat Chorus

MIGHTY SPARROW you say? I'll have to look into that... thanks for the tip!

I can't believe we have a thread called this.

I haven't heard that song in a long time. What a song sweet me.

I know of 2 versions of this song.
1: Mighty Sparrow (calypso)
2: Yellowman (old reggae)
Knock you self out with the big bamboo girl.

Ps. I think you might like the "Dollar Wine Song" and much more from this performer (1)

let me know if this help "No Problem"

I just happened upon this thread when searching for the artist of the version my husband and I heard in Jamaica on our honeymoon. I see it's an old thread but to help anyone else, I think the original poster mis-heard the busdriver: The version we heard was by Horace Peterkin which probably sounded like "Peter King" if the busdriver only used the singer's last name

That's the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1PmlXUNIoE

Search in Ares for "Big Bamboo - Calypso"

BTW:
Although this song became well known in JA by Mighty Sparrow, I think this was originanly from Trinidad in the 1950's.

Hi
I have just come back from Jamaica and bought a copy of the music BIGBAMBOO, i could try and send you it if you like. I have saved it to PC.
Kim

If you do have a copy of this song, I would love to have it. I also missed an oppurtunity to buy it while I was there.

thanks,
waverunner44

I was just in the islands last week, and we heard Horace Peterkin's version a lot. It's hilarious and very well done. Check it out. You can buy it one iTunes for 99 cents or on The Ultimate Reggae Experience 2007 album.

LMAO @ the guy in the video with his bamboo prop!