He was Jamaica's biggest golden age mento star, full of talent and charisma. His popularity was only rivaled by the cross-over fame of Lord Flea. Lasher was also one of mento's most prolific artists, recording at least 50 tracks right through the first part of the 1970s, by which time he had moved from various mento sounds to a brief dalliance with ska and then into reggae.
For all the many singles he recorded, Lasher has never released a CD or LP. And although a handful of his tracks are available today, considering his stature, Count Lasher may be the single most neglected artist in the history of Jamaican recorded music. Count Lasher died in 1977 at the age of 51.
from www.mentomusic.com
Island Gal Sally
Count Lasher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Creole lady of channing town
Penniless until she was 21
Trying her new silk brown skirt on
So island girl, sally brown
She believes in ? I tell you
Island girl sally brown
Light burn out in this sunset child
She's crossbred and yet so kind
?
All in a ? basement stuck in
So island girl, sally brown
She believes in ?
Island girl sally brown
Yes she used to ? very good
For I have money and many friends
She lives alone in the darkest end
I have comfort and cash and care
She got eyes like the burning star
So island girl, sally brown
She believes in ?
Island girl sally brown
Yes she used to ? very good
I wait and I watch and I see her ?
The sun and flower touch and chase
And she belongs to herself and yet
And I am caught in a self made net
So island girl, sally brown
Island girl sally brown
Yes she used to ? very good
?
A cardboard man she blows a kiss
And are you would understand and cherish
Lovely sally must let love perish
So island girl, sally brown
She believes in ?
Island girl sally brown
Used to ? very good
The lyrics to Count Lasher's song Island Gal Sally tells the story of a Creole lady named Sally Brown from Channing Town. The first verse describes her as penniless until she turned 21 and tries on her new silk brown skirt. The next verse says "light burn out in this sunset child" which can be interpreted as her beauty fading as she ages. However, she is still a kind person despite being crossbred which may be a reference to her mixed-race heritage. The following verses talk about the differences between Sally and the singer. The singer has money and comfort, but Sally lives alone in the darkest end. Despite their differences, the singer watches Sally and is caught in a self-made net.
The song is potentially about the harsh reality of class and race differences in Jamaica during the time the song was written. The lyrics suggest that despite these differences, Sally maintains her kindness and integrity. The singer is portrayed as a materialistic person who has more in life than Sally, but he is not happy. He watches Sally and is envious of the freedom she has. Ultimately, the song ends with Sally letting love perish. This could be interpreted as Sally's unwillingness to compromise herself for the sake of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Ay this is the beginning of sally brown
This is the start of Sally Brown's story
Creole lady of channing town
Sally Brown is a mixed-race woman from Channing Town
Penniless until she was 21
Sally Brown was poor until she reached the age of 21
Trying her new silk brown skirt on
Sally Brown is excitedly trying on her new brown silk skirt
So island girl, sally brown
Sally Brown is an island girl
She believes in ? I tell you
It is unclear what Sally Brown believes in
Yes she used to ? very good
Sally Brown used to do something really well, although it's unclear what that was
Light burn out in this sunset child
Sally Brown is a beautiful woman, but is struggling in some way
She's crossbred and yet so kind
Although Sally Brown is of mixed race, she is still a kind person
?
This line is unintelligible and its meaning is unclear
All in a ? basement stuck in
Sally Brown is stuck in a basement
For I have money and many friends
The artist (Count Lasher) is rich and has many friends
She lives alone in the darkest end
Sally Brown lives alone in a dark place
I have comfort and cash and care
The singer (Count Lasher) enjoys comfort, wealth, and care
She got eyes like the burning star
Sally Brown has beautiful, bright eyes
I wait and I watch and I see her ?
The artist (Count Lasher) observes Sally Brown, but it's unclear what he is doing
The sun and flower touch and chase
The sun and flowers add to the beauty of the scene
And she belongs to herself and yet
Sally Brown is independent and self-sufficient
And I am caught in a self made net
The singer (Count Lasher) is trapped in his selfishness
?
This line is unintelligible and its meaning is unclear
A cardboard man she blows a kiss
Sally Brown is waving goodbye to a man made of cardboard
And are you would understand and cherish
It is unclear what the artist (Count Lasher) is proposing
Lovely sally must let love perish
Sally Brown must let go of love
Used to ? very good
Sally Brown used to do something really well, although it's unclear what that was
Lyrics © CALDERWOOD, INC.
Written by: Terence Parkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@francoisredhon6798
Célèbre mento, typique de la Jamaïque des années 50-60.
Count Lasher's career started soon after leaving school. An avid fan of mento music, he taught himself how to play the piano and the guitar before traveling to Kingston where he entertained the tourists on boats moored within Kingston Harbour.
A prolific performer, Lasher appeared at hotels, beach parties, charity events, and occasionally in cinemas before the start of the movies. He recorded on several different labels (his debut being produced by Stanley Motta), and was accompanied by various backing bands over the course of his career; early singles are credited to Count Lasher's Seven, with names such as the Royal Calypsonians and Calypso Quartet used later. Though Lasher's music was technically mento in style, Jamaican acts of the era often recorded under calypso-related names as the term 'calypso' had greater recognition amongst tourists.(Wikipedia)
@TheRealDJGIBS
Pretty sure the vocals are NOT Count Lasher
@tweeycontrabajo
Lol. i found you again, trying to clear who is the singer. :p
@willieluncheonette
Count Lasher & Porter's Calypsonians "Sally Brown" Kalypso label XX-11B Flip is probably "Doctor"
@TheRealDJGIBS
I am convinced this is actually The Mighty Panther… he also does the vocals on Cinemascope. The 45 has them by Porter Calypso Star Band but for sure Panther does Conemascope and it sounds like the same person… in a style of Lasher’s but that is not Count Lasher for sure!