The very popular (10 weeks on top of the charts!) Andrews Sisters 1945 Calypso hit, a song popular on its own merit, but also being a center of a lawsuit on copyrights and controversial lyrics, especially for the 40’s.
Even the name was of some controversy – Rum or Rhum?.
The original version was...
{Intro}
[Verse 1]
If you ever go down Trinidad
They make you feel so very glad
Calypso sing and make up rhyme
Guarantee you one real good fine time
[Chorus]
Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Cumana
Both mother and daughter
Workin' for the Yankee dollar
Oh, beat it man, beat it
[Verse 2]
Since the Yankee come to Trinidad
They got the young girls all goin' mad
Young girls say they treat 'em nice
Make Trinidad like paradise
[Chorus]
Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Cumana
Both mother and daughter
Workin' for the Yankee dollar
Oh, you vex me, you vex me
[Verse 3]
From Chacachacare to Mono's Isle
Native girls all dance and smile
Help soldier celebrate his leave
Make every day like New Year's Eve
[Chorus]
Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Cumana
Both mother and daughter
Workin' for the Yankee dollar
It's a fact, man, it's a fact
[Verse 4]
In old Trinidad, I also fear
The situation is mighty queer
Like the Yankee girl, the native swoon
When she hear der Bingle croon
[Chorus]
Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Cumana
Both mother and daughter
Workin' for the Yankee dollar
[Verse 5]
Out on Manzanilla Beach
G.I. romance with native peach
All night long, make tropic love
Next day, sit in hot sun and cool off
[Chorus]
Drinkin' rum and Coca-Cola
Go down Point Cumana
Both mother and daughter
Workin' for the Yankee dollar
It's a fact, man, it's a fact
[Outro]
Rum and Coca-Cola
Rum and Coca-Cola
Workin' for the Yankee dollar
Rum and Coca-Cola was written by Jerry Sullivan & Morey Amsterdam & Paul Baron.
Rum and Coca-Cola was produced by Morey Amsterdam.
The Andrews Sisters released Rum and Coca-Cola on Wed Jan 01 1947.