Jamaica Farewell: We love you Sri Lankans

Come Mr. Tally Mon, Tally me banana...Daylight come and he wan’ go ....they sang with typical Calypso relish to the strains of drums and guitars. And seeing a few of us Sri Lankan’s at the ‘pub’ they paraphrased Harry Belafonte and added:

Come Mr. Sanath, Tally me banana

Come Mr. Vasman, Tally me banana

Come Mr. Murali, Tally me banana

Come Mr. Mahela, Tally me banana

Come Mr. Sanga, Tally me banana

n, Come Mr. Malinga, Talilibabana

Day light come and he wan’ go home

Six Foot, seven foot, eight foot, BUNCH

Daylight come and he wan’ go home...

Day-o, day-ay-ay-o...daylight come and he wan’ go home

The bars and pubs here toast ‘cricket’ nearly every minute of the day... and more so in the night! Cricket is the wine and the beer that flows through the veins of these thirsty fans.

The rhythm in their step and song is infectious, so much so that we too became great Calypso serenaders!

To the fans here, the connection with the Sri Lankans was a natural one. The handshakes are firm. The high fives are strong. And the embraces are warm. They love the Lankans on and off the field... and there is an indescribable chemistry of hearts and minds.

As the evening wore out at the pub, the chatter and banter were accompanied by nostalgia; of Worrel, Weeks and Walcott; of Ramadin and Valentine; Rohan Khanai, Wes Hall, Sobers, and their ilk. Those were the days, they said, when West Indies ruled world cricket. Ah! they asked; when will we be coronated again?

But we love the Sri Lankans! We have so much in common...”yes man”...they say with a high five as they burst into another round of Calypso:

“A lady tell me the other day

No one can take her sweet man away

I ask her what the mystery

She say coconut water and rice curry

You can cook it in a pot, four for five

You can sever it very hot, four for five

Coco got a lotta iron, four for five

Make you strong like a lion,

Like the Sri Lankan Lion...

Sentiment and emotions creeps in after another dose of heady wine...”hey man, we should have been in the finals, no? We are so sorry man’...and tears flowing and lumps in their throats:

“Down the bay where the nights are gay

And the sun shines daily on the mountain top!

I took a trip on a sailing ship

And when I reached Jamaica I made a stop

But I am sad to say I’m on my way

Wont be back for many a day

My heart is down, my head is turning around

I had to leave the World Cup in Kingston town...

And as the shutters are put down and the bar closes they raise their glasses and serenade:

We love you man, you Sri Lankans

Give us Sanath, give us Murali,

Or give us Sanga, give us Mahela

For we are you and you are us

And if you win, we too win

We love you Sri Lankans

Daylight come and we wan go home

- Elmo RODRIGOPULLE, Jamaica, Wednesday