Oh Carolina
Count Ossie & Folkes Brothers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh Carolina (Prowl off, jump an prance)
Oh Carolina gal prowl off
Gal yuh fi jump an prance (Prowl off, jump an prance)

Carolina come bubble 'pon me
Oh watch how she groove
Carolina come wine 'pon me
Oh watch how di gal groove

Oh Carolina (Prowl off, jump an prance)
Oh Carolina (Prowl off, jump an prance)
Oh Carolina gal prowl off
Gal yuh fi jump an prance (Prowl off, jump an prance)

Oh Carolina is a girl
She dey pon top a di world
An now she rock her body
Anna move just like a squirrel
I say young baby girl
I said I love how yuh move
Yuh just a rock to di riddim anna riddim anna move
An now yuh know di girl

Oh Carolina (Prowl off, jump an prance)
Oh Carolina (Prowl off, jump an prance)
Oh Carolina gal prowl off
Gal yuh fi jump an prance (Prowl off, jump an prance)
Oh Carolina (Prowl off, jump an prance)
Oh Carolina (Prowl off, jump an prance)
Oh Carolina gal prowl off
Gal yuh fi jump an prance (Prowl off, one two three)

Carolina come bubble 'pon me
Oh watch how she groove

Carolina come wine 'pon me
Oh watch how di gal groove
Oh Carolina (Prowl off, jump an prance)
Oh Carolina (Prowl off, jump an prance)
Oh Carolina gal prowl off
Gal yuh fi jump an prance (Prowl off, jump an prance)

Well how me love how she shock
Watch how she rock
Model it a swing like mi grandfather clock
Gal, move yuh body make man dem drop
Bumper jus' a move it jus' a cause roadblock

Oh Carolina (Prowl off, jump an prance)
Oh Carolina (Prowl off, jump an prance)
Yes, Oh Carolina (Prowl off, jump an prance)
Carolina, Carolina, Oh Carolina (Prowl off, jump an prance)
All di Brooklyn gal dem dem know fi jump an rock
(I say) Di Flatbush Gal dem
Know how fi get up and rock (Get up an rock)

Overall Meaning

"Oh Carolina" is a popular reggae song from 1960s Jamaica, and it was originally performed by the Folkes Brothers. The song features an upbeat rhythm with simple and catchy lyrics that invites the listener to dance and move, specifically the prowl off, jump and prance dance style. The lyrics discuss a woman named Carolina who has taken over the scene and dominates the dance floor in a way that draws attention to her. The song is a celebration of Carolina's beauty, grace, and the way she moves her body, and it encourages people to join in her dance.

The lyrics of "Oh Carolina" reflect the vibrant and energetic dance culture in Jamaica during the 1960s. It is an embodiment of the themes of love, desire, passion, and freedom that were pervasive in Jamaican music of this era. The song itself was a massive hit and was covered by several artists, including Shaggy, who recorded his version that also became a chart-topping success in the United States in the 1990s.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh Carolina (Prowl off, jump an prance)
Calling out to Carolina to come out and dance

Oh Carolina gal prowl off
Carolina is ready to dance and have fun

Gal yuh fi jump an prance (Prowl off, jump an prance)
Encouraging Carolina to jump and dance energetically

Carolina come bubble 'pon me
Asking Carolina to dance close to the artist

Oh watch how she groove
Admiring Carolina's dancing skills

Carolina come wine 'pon me
Asking Carolina to dance sensually

Oh Carolina is a girl
Introducing Carolina as a female person

She dey pon top a di world
Expressing that Carolina is confident and in control

An now she rock her body
Noting that Carolina is dancing

Anna move just like a squirrel
Describing Carolina's quick and agile movements

I say young baby girl
Addressing Carolina affectionately

I said I love how yuh move
Expressing admiration for Carolina's dancing style

Yuh just a rock to di riddim anna riddim anna move
Commenting on how well Carolina dances to the music

An now yuh know di girl
Conveying familiarity with Carolina

Well how me love how she shock
Expressing excitement for Carolina's dance moves

Watch how she rock
Continuing to appreciate Carolina's dancing

Model it a swing like mi grandfather clock
Describing the rhythmic quality of Carolina's dance moves

Gal, move yuh body make man dem drop
Encouraging Carolina to keep dancing and captivate the audience

Bumper jus' a move it jus' a cause roadblock
Referring to the impact of Carolina's dancing on others around her

Yes, Oh Carolina (Prowl off, jump an prance)
Repeating the call for Carolina to dance enthusiastically

Carolina, Carolina, Oh Carolina (Prowl off, jump an prance)
Continuing to address and celebrate Carolina

All di Brooklyn gal dem dem know fi jump an rock
Noting that dancing is a popular activity among women in Brooklyn

(I say) Di Flatbush Gal dem
Referring specifically to women from Flatbush, Brooklyn

Know how fi get up and rock (Get up an rock)
Asserting that these women know how to dance and party

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Henry Mancini, John Folkes

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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01Oh Carolina

Count Ossie & Folkes Brothers

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@realityshotgun

3y↑1

I know this comment is ancient, but for anyone here in the present let's settle some things.

No, this song doesn't "piss all over Shaggy's effort."

This original version has a lot of things going for it. It's raw, authentic, catchy. You can feel the fun of the performance. You can sense how the guys jamming were into it, feeling each other's rhythms and adding their contribution to the whole to make a wonderful song.

Shaggy's version adds a bunch of fun reggae lyrics. He clearly has love for this original, but brings his attitude to the performance that adds something fresh and fun. The music itself, is a blast to listen to, something that can really get people moving, while also keeping the original at the core with sampling of the piano and great new hand drumming.

But seriously let's be honest. Music evolves and changes. It is possible to be critical of a song and still think it's good. The original doesn't have any sort of audio mixing. The drumming overpowers everyone else in the band. And again, being honest here, the lyrics are super simple, repetitive, and don't bring much to the table as far as finding any meaning. You can't dance to this like Shaggy's version.

Does any of this make it a worse song? Not really. A lot of this is subjective. But to act like this is some masterpiece while Shaggy's is trash... that isn't subjective. It's not true. They are different songs at the end of the day and they are both great.

Did I want to get this deep into reviewing "Oh, Carolina?"

No.

But I see this type of comment on literally EVERY single original song that was later covered. It's bullshit. Does it make you people feel cool? Like you discovered something old and unique? Guess what? The people who covered it found it way before you, and they're popular. Way cooler than you'll ever be.

Is it because "old = better?" Like you can't admit modern music has brought anything good to the art.

Either way, public service announcement to you potential budding hipsters; Don't be a dumb ass hipster like this. Learn what "nuance" means. And realize that you can like both for different reasons.

I can't believe a 7 year old comment triggered me this bad. 🤣

All comments from YouTube:

@catboyzee

5y↑16

The hand drumming on this track are PURE LIFE.

@realityshotgun

3y↑1

Yeah it's awesome, it's too bad they didn't have modern audio equipment to level that audio of the drums off. While a part of me loves the rawness and authenticity, a properly mixed version of this would be incredible. Because it sounds like the drums are my eardrums, lol

@stephenmaynard7856

2y↑1

This is Nyabinghi hand drumming from the Count Ossie Group - the genuine article!

@muttleylawman884

@@realityshotgun Should've gotten Bongo Herman!

@ikongchin3088

Exactly

@ikongchin3088

@@stephenmaynard7856truth

@rkmklz7562

Back in the 1950s and 1960s Kingston most have been Beautiful ❤️...i wish it was still that way.....Pure Beach Music 🎵🎶

@BoomBapProductions

14y↑7

this was the first "ska" tune with autehntic Rasta musician... the first to tie th mainstream and rasta together.. a unification of jamaica through music. sweet... you can hear the nervousness of the singer in this.. it was rebel music in its purist form!!

@deeceeluton

14y↑12

Definitely released in 1963. I bought it in a tiny Jamaican record store on Portobello Road. Just released this week is The Story Of Blue Beat. A double CD that contains the first 24 releases on the Blue Beat label in 1960. Give it a try.

@adamreeves2408

9y↑19

This was revolutionary on release... the Rastas were viewed as an outlaw class in the early 1960s and suddenly Count Ossie had a hit record and was all over the radio. Arguably, this is one of the first Roots tunes (along with the Folks Brothers much heavier and rootsier 'Lumumba'.

@howardclark6125

Thanks Adam. Great insights.

@RudigerBaldwin

12y↑33

Shocking to think that this only has 25,000 views considering how influential it proved to be. I'm reading that book ''Bass Culture; when reggae was king'' by lloyd bradley all about prince buster, duke reid et al and jamaica at the time. A great read, interesting as fuck and of course the music is unbelievable!

@sofiaa7309

Yaaaaa me tooo, reading in this time !!! Amazing

@ikongchin3088

Jus another chapter in this music of ours JAmaican Rd oots rock reggae or as I love to say JAH music. Nuff nuff a our sons n daughters mothers n fathers contributed n help pave de way to what is now known world wide as REGGAE MUSIC. MY love for this our music which has grow by leaps n bounds yet still as we beating up we chests n shouting out loud n clear for all who are not deaf to hear how much we love n embrace REGGAE Up till no we dont even have a JAMAICA MUSIC ARENA to respect n apprecilove for all those who played their part in building said music who are not with us physically n those of us both youtes n elders here above ground now . Do you tink dat right????????

@eazyAS666

5y↑12

Met one of the folkes brothers today in my record shop here in Ontario. Very cool guy with amazing stories. Doesn’t have ownership of this amazing tune!

@Keepingthefaith72

5y↑1

Was about 14 yowhen I first heard this gem , Blew me away then , And still does now many years later . Must have been awesome to meet one of the Band .....

@winstongreen979

20w↑3

And I would leave the Discotheque and go to the Flamingo at the bottom part of Wardour Street where the resident group was Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames. Good times

@Sheven718

10y↑10

oh yes ! one of the originals ! this was played loads in "the last chance saloon" in oxford st back in 65 great trcack great memories thanks for posting regards

@ajp3813

3y↑3

Does anyone else remember dancing to this c1965 at La Discotheque, Wardour Street?

@honeyinthedunny

10y↑5

I got this from a brilliant music shop in Bradford, Yorkshire in the 60's - still play it

@johnniescarlett

15y↑4

Sends shivers down my spine. Great photos too!

@potdog1000

13y↑4

this was the song that converted me to bluebeat/ carribian music. so thank you very much

@SkankinMojo

8y↑14

RIP Prince Buster:
In 1961, Prince Buster released his first single "Little Honey"/"Luke Lane Shuffle" featuring Jah Jerry, Drumbago and Rico Rodriquez recording under the name of Buster's Group. In that same year, he produced "Oh Carolina" by the Folkes Brothers, which was released on his Wild Bells label. The drumming on the record was provided by members of the Count Ossie Group, nyabinghi drummers from the Rastafarian community, Camp David, situated on the Wareika Hill above Kingston. After becoming a hit in Jamaica, "Oh Carolina" was licensed to Melodisc, a UK label owned by Emil Shalet. Melodisc released the track on their subsidiary label Blue Beat; the label would go on to become synonymous with 1960s ska releases for the UK market.

@alexbrozanski7787

8y↑2

I appreciate you sharing your knowledge with us all....if i see you in the future if owe you a flask of Wray &nephew white rum🍻..lol

@paulkelly873

6y↑1

Bredren GO FEET! Radio. I and I Give Thanks for the I posting still. ANYTIME I man sight di I, a jus LOVEFUL HEIGHTS sight? high HIGH!

@conniedusek803

This is all very interesting!
I loved this song the first time I heard… I probably was 12…. And then I started looking for this stuff more and more.

@potdog1000

11y↑60

as a kid I was in a crowd that was racist, it was this record that stopped me from joining them, this is true though hard to believe

@liammurphy7140

9y↑15

+john e Lawler Yes mate thats a truth. I was a nasty little boy making same noises as my peers until I heard the tunes coming out of Jamaica. It didn't change me overnight but it changed me. I tg for music and it's power to change us when we are crying out for change. TY for your post.

@potdog1000

9y↑9

we learn through music & understanding

@SkankinMojo

8y↑5

Bless you brother!

@SkankinMojo

8y↑6

Awesome!!!

@eddyvideostar

6y↑5

John E. Lawler: You did well then. This is what it's all about: what they can bring to the table and have a part of their culture recognized and appreciated. Harken back to the mantra: "It is music which soothes [and saves] the savage soul."

4 More Replies...

@RudeBoySka216

13y↑3

Prince Buster, Dsmond Dekker, the skatalites, loving all of them #Rocksteady-Ska

@Skavillekrew1966

10y↑10

Original Mod music which early skinheads took a liking to in the late 60's early 70's even Us 80's Mod's loved Blue Beat & 80's Skinheads as well for me it never dies love coming back to the early stuff.

@likeitsgolden26

15y↑2

Same here! Hell, I wanted to change my name to Carolina after listening to this song! que magnifique

@DoctorBastardo

4y↑6

Count Ossie never got paid for writing this song, THINK OF THE ROYALTYS OWED. Shaggy made it a worlwide number 1. The Counts daughter comments below, or maybe on the Bluebeat edition. Some things are too important to ignore. Oh Carolina paved the way for all future Jamaican hits on Blighty's charts. It open the door for Millie and My Boy Lollipop.

@shufflewick

16y↑1

yes i remember the flamingo with georgie fame playing like it was yesterday, the scene was usually on friday nights and la discoteque any old night...gonna sound like my dad now and say..those were the days! i also drive to very old soul in fact my kids grew up with it and grew to love it as they basically had no choice!

@rhyshughes7663

4y↑4

The drumming on this song is something fierce. Excellent!

@ikongchin3088

That was de count OSSIE man n man Dem. Loooooooong time de ROOTS RASTA MAN DEH BLAZE JAH RIGHTEOUS FYAH HOOOOTTT.

@hurumentado5733

4y↑2

Shaggy slayed the remix of this song like million dollar!!

@LarryWaldbillig

11y↑5

A CLASSIC!

@cecildawkins

11y↑13

folks brother. the Real, Oh Carolina!! :)

@cecildawkins

9y↑2

Still A Hard Tune!!

@seyley2901

5y↑2

Thumbs up, June 2020 Going through my original blue beat singles via YouTube.

@jammigal59

13y↑1

1963 in the UK maybe but before that in Jamaica. As a teenager in 70's Kingston, we had an old single that was before 1963.

@paulnobel6241

11y↑3

this music is the bomb , skatalites , don drummond , alpha boys school and many more , timeless music , play that at my funeral and i,ll be a happy man

@RobRoythefirst

18w↑1

My uncle Bobby gaiynor wrote this song,

@vgbaez

11y↑4

Love this!!

@noggin48

14y

Name dropping Er! I was born in Windsor, like my parents. Left school in Easter 1964, bought Mary Wells "My Guy" 1964, was a Mod by 1965. My "Church", as I like to call it, was the Ricky-Tick, Barry Avenue, Windsor. Martin Fuggles (DJ) was my Preacher. I also went to the Pink Flamingo, La Discotheque, Whisky-A-Go-Go, The Scene, The Marquee, Putney Pontiac, Pantiles (Tiles), and lastly, The Last Chance Saloon. It was the "Chance", where I reckon that I heard "Carolina" for the first time!

@caribman10

7y↑3

This sounds like it was recorded with ONE microphone.....righteous. Also, I think that's "Folkes" Brothers.

@Saiyanshanze13

13y↑18

@BoomBapProductions there was no nervousness by the artist! My dad told me...they took the first take, the first cut... that was it! no practice runs, no editing...nothing. This was a one time recording that was recorded on its first attempt at the studio. Thats inside info only a few know!

@alisalobashkova8078

5y↑1

A lot of jazz originals have the same story. Recording cost money, and if it worked first time, that was it.

@Contrails_Over_Boston

5y↑3

I just read (in Lloyd Bradley’s book) PB and
musicians got bumped from their booked studio and had to record in a tiny upstairs room. history made — Thank You!

@LoveMusicBad

Thanks for sharing the inside info

@1satisfactiongtd

@@Contrails_Over_Boston prince buster says he recorded it when he had some spare studio time at end of a session

@sempertern

They made three songs on this day, the other two are Chubby and I Make a Man, but they never hit the public

9 More Replies...

@kaz_suzuki

16y↑1

I have just start to read "Base Culture" written by Lloyd Bradley and found influence of this song.

@davidyb123

14y

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

@ramjamclub

16y

Yep, I've been to the Roaring 20's when it was in it's heyday. The Cue club was another great club

@StevePower-kv6oi

11w

🎉🎉🎉up fully

@rayturvey7967

10y↑3

luv it

@daverees2985

9y↑2

Plaza Handsworth 1967...good times..

@shufflewick

16y

i agree with you badmoodboy, i think the music WAS what mods were all about, the scooters, clothes came a close second! ah, the wonderful memory of entering the scene and hearing this...

@frankgunold268

5y↑2

"Oh Carolina" is a 1958 song by John Folkes released by the Folkes Brothers in 1960 and by Shaggy in 1993.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oh_Carolina

@donaldmorrow3096

9y↑3

When you hear "Easy Snapping" by Theo Beckford, you make a historical beeline to Desmond Dekker and Toots and the Maytals. When you hear this one, the beeline goes directly to Bob Marley and the Wailers. Both records begin essential roads Reggae would take in the decades to come (and are still taking to this day).

@miguelosvaldofloresdomingu8911

15w↑1

Rosco Gondon's No More Doggin' is also fantastic and it predates both.

@Berna-un5wh

12y↑2

Great music

@Saiyanshanze13

13y↑2

@deeceeluton this song was written in '57 and pressed in '59

@red1dev

16y↑1

Wow! Love this and beats Shaggy's version into a cocked hat! Only hit for these guys in the days when artists shared a side each on vinyl.

@gilbatzri

5y↑1

Thank Shaggy for leading you to this. If It didn't that is because you didn't recognize the tribute he was making.

@LadyPuddleton

16y

Still got my copy of this one at Puddleton Hall.

@jimhebsoul

17y

Nice Track...Mate

@chrisdarling5004

7y↑2

Fuck me what a skanking track

@123gogary

9y↑2

also found vin reggaeland as The Nan from Carolina = G G allstars - Tighten up vol3

@simonemoreira2429

2y↑1

Esse deve ser o primeiro Ska da história, não?

@a.champagne6238

This is not ska.

@simikigp14zzed94

it was tune that inspired Prince Buster I read

@a.champagne6238

@@simikigp14zzed94 Prince Buster produced this. He also got all the $$$. Folkestone Bros. didn't recieve a dime until recently for this.

@derekschroder6667

4y↑1

Tottenham Royal back in 1964. Mod days,

@LoveMusicBad

Unnoo hear how goat skin a talk? Dam it ofterall!

@noggin48

14y↑1

Oops! Almost forgot! My copy of "Carolina" is on Bluebeat, and is dated 1963. So how come I see the years 1959, 1960, and 1961 mentioned as release dates, but none display their year, except mine? I always thought that my copy was the genuine UK copy? I was never out for the count in my youth, unlike some of the people, my mind was never controlled by smoke, or other things, so I really do remember the 60's =D

@gilbatzri

It came out first in JA, the Blue Beat UK record is a license from JA.

@johnbarrett7777

11y↑2

God bless Prince Buster .

@ngomabishop6931

9y↑2

+John Barrett I am probably one of Prince Buster's greatest fans but you do know that although he produced it he did not sing it or write it? In fact there was a high court hearing a few years ago bough by the Folks Brothers who had long claimed unpaid royalties and payment from Buster.

@genevievedolan1288

4y↑2

Does anyone know who played the hand drum on this...I used to play this over and over to hear it again and again

@stealth82289

That’s Count Ossie. A Rasta who was very hesitant to be in the studio cutting this track.

@genevievedolan1288

@@stealth82289 thanks. It still sounds fantastic!

@joshuakeddy1682

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

@stellablue3264

9y↑1

This is one of my all time favorites its a bit fuzzy but its partly why I love its a claassic ..xx

@celebrity_rooster7488

1993 Shaggy - Oh Carolina
1995 룰라 - 날개잃은천사

@MarcosRoberto-vf9wd

32w

toca toca toca vitrola de ouro

@MrAhmes2001

10y↑2

shagggy made this song for me, but beautiful music. I bet if this was live it would be amazing.

@gilbatzri

It's amazing on the record. This is from 59. It's mindblowing.

@seyley2901

Looking for a single which might have been on the Island record label
with the lyrics "come down zacchaeus, come down, come off that sycamore
tree" Might have been a Justine Hine Track?

@WedgePee

This one: https://youtu.be/6oHEDG3VDYY

It’s The Vikings (possibly a miscredited Maytals, as in the Do the Reggay group): https://youtu.be/6oHEDG3VDYY

@amo32g

15y

base culture lead me here too :D

@hurumentado5733

5y↑4

Shaggy slayed big time its remix

@DenverDiscovery

Anyone else remember listening to Oh, Carolina at the Alphabet Club in the west end?

@genevievedolan1288

How about Patsy ‘s Parlour, Willesden high rd ?

@AndrewPalme

I was in studio when Shaggy made the hit tune

@nestanesta9366

Awesome. I have an old record of this. Ska rocksteady and reggae mountains! 😍

@JOHNNYSOUL66

17y

manchester in the 6ts,foggy,rainy,loads of pills and fantastic music,brings it all back

@Saiyanshanze13

13y↑2

@deeceeluton RELEASED IN 59

@JMeara

Mek WI wan bawl out murder.

@Saiyanshanze13

13y↑3

@noggin48 there is no 'genuine UK copy'. Prince Buster was a theiving piece of shit, and one of his tricks was re-releasing songs on his label...after he played games with the labels. My dad wrote this in '57, Buster heard him sing in on his stoop and had my dad record in '59 - the FIRST ragga caught on vinal. After my dad left J.A> Buster kept rereleasing it, and each time he would change the label hoping to eventually change it so it looked like he had a part of it.

@hilarioph

5y↑2

This is before Shaggy remake this song

@spacemiezy

4y↑1

really??

@realityshotgun

@@spacemiezy LOL.

@bigunfromwigan

quality street ❤

@JOHNNYSOUL66

17y

brilliant, Manchester in the 6ts.cold,foggy, empty chemist shops but oh the music. ktf

@soljah2062

10y↑27

Pisses all over Shaggy's effort.

@eddyvideostar

Sol Jah: This is the truth. Today's music, with the dancehall jamafrican mumble rap, makes little sense. It is replete with jibberish: the little being understood is profane.

@gilbatzri

5y↑1

Shaggy's song is a mad tribute to this song. It's not a competition, it is respect to those that came before you.

@realityshotgun

3y↑1

@garrettehall

progressive mento

@Bourne4life

16y

G Bourne real mod uplifter from I was Aboy sun shine (10)thumsup

@ShortieLeeroy

14y

Can´t top the original,it run tings.

@rearly62

12y↑2

so when this was re-recorded by Shaggy, did your dad get his due then?

@noggin48

13y↑2

@Saiyanshanze13 I'm real sorry to here that! I am aware of the rip off shits of US, who took Black Americans to the cleaners. But, I have always been in the dark, where Jamaican Music was concerned. So, it looks like it was worse there then? I bet, some of those shits, blew some folk away with real bullets, too? I was never a great fan of Prince Buster, anyway. Thanks for that info, 'And may the Divine, Bless Your Dad'!

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