Jackan’Jill | Lyrical Literacy Sing-a-Long

Jackan’Jill |  Lyrical Literacy  Sing-a-Long

 

The Lyrical Literacy podcast presents "Jack an' Jill," a vibrant reimagining of the classic nursery rhyme in authentic Jamaican patois. This expanded version follows our familiar duo as they attempt to fetch water from a hill, with Jill suggesting modern alternatives ("Use faucet like mi fada"). Their adventure quickly turns disastrous when Jack trips and they both tumble down, rolling past farm animals and crashing into a dump. After Jack's mother treats his injured head with vinegar, Jill declares she's done with hills altogether, concluding with a cautionary message about staying on level ground to avoid trouble.

Origin: "Jack and Jill" is a traditional English nursery rhyme dating back to the 18th century, first published in documented form in 1765. The original brief verse simply describes two children fetching water, with Jack falling and breaking his crown, followed by Jill tumbling after. While various theories about its origins exist, including references to King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette losing their "crowns," the rhyme's documented history predates these events.

Listen to the full episode on the Lyrical Literacy podcast

Jackan’Jill

Jack an’ Jill climb up di hill Fi fetch a likkle wata But Jill seh “Jack, yuh fool yuhself Use faucet like mi fada”

Jack tek one step trip pon root An’ tumble wid a shout Jill try grab on him ole boot But both a dem roll out

Dey roll past goats an’ cows in mud Bounce pon rock an’ stump Scare di duck dem inna pond Den crash into a dump

Di drivah bawl out “Wha dis mess” Jack groan “Mi bruk mi brain” Jill seh “Mi tink mi soul jus lef But maybe dat’s di pain”

But Jill jump up an’ grab Jack shirt Mi nah let yuh drop dead Let’s carry yuh home quick-time An’ patch yuh likkle head

Jack mum look up an’ rub she brow Lawd Jack yuh again She grab di vinegar and wrap Him skull fi stop di pain

Jill seh “Mi done wid hill fi real Dem slope bring too much dread From now mi sip mi lemonade An’ Jack go fetch mi stead”

Oh Jack an’ Jill yuh neva learn Dem hill a set yuh back Stay low pon flat no more concern Or roll down like a sack

Jack an’ Jill tek mi advice Hill life come wid price Keep yuh foot pon de level road An’ yuh cyaan mash up twice

 

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Lyrics (with some back and forth and editing) created with the Lyrical Literacy Lullabize software https://www.humanitarians.ai/lullabize

Humanitarians AI https://music.apple.com/us/artist/humanitarians-ai/1781414009 https://open.spotify.com/artist/3cj3R4pDpYQHaWx0MM2vFV https://music.youtube.com/channel/UC5PUIUdDRqnCoOMlgoAtFUg