In 1994, John Folkes and Buster were involved in a legal dispute over the authorship of the song, after a cover version by Shaggy became an international hit. It was eventually ruled that Folkes held the copyright.
Oh Carolina
Folkes Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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)
The Folkes Brothers' iconic song "Oh Carolina" celebrates a woman named Carolina who seems to have a certain sensuality and effortless ability to move to the rhythm. The song praises her dance moves, comparing them to the swaying of a squirrel and the swinging of a grandfather clock. Carolina is depicted as being on top of the world, captivating everyone around her with her dancing skills. The song encourages her to continue to move and groove, urging her to jump and prance with abandon.
The song is full of energy and positivity, capturing the vibrant spirit of Caribbean music. It expresses a desire to let loose and dance away one's troubles, which is a common theme in Jamaican music. The song's infectious rhythm reflects the infectious joy that comes from finding oneself lost in the beat.
Overall, "Oh Carolina" is a celebration of music, dance, and personal expression. It captures a moment in time when the Folkes Brothers, along with other Jamaican musicians, were at the forefront of a musical revolution that would eventually lead to the development of reggae and ska.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Carolina (Prowl off, jump an prance)
Inviting Carolina to come and dance by prodding her to prowl around and jump and prance
Oh Carolina gal prowl off
Addressing Carolina to start prowling around the dancefloor
Gal yuh fi jump an prance (Prowl off, jump an prance)
Encouraging the girl (Carolina) to jump and prance all around with a fast beat
Carolina come bubble 'pon me
Asking Carolina to come and dance close to the singer
Oh watch how she groove
Expressing amazement at how well Carolina is moving
Carolina come wine 'pon me
Inviting Carolina to come and dance closely with the singer
Oh watch how di gal groove
Expressing amazement at how well Carolina is dancing
Oh Carolina is a girl
Introducing the subject of the song (Carolina)
She dey pon top a di world
Describing Carolina as being on top of the world
An now she rock her body
Describing how well Carolina is moving
Anna move just like a squirrel
Comparing Carolina's movements to that of a squirrel
I say young baby girl
Addressing Carolina affectionately
I said I love how yuh move
Expressing admiration for Carolina's dancing
Yuh just a rock to di riddim anna riddim anna move
Observing how Carolina is moving perfectly to the rhythm
An now yuh know di girl
Asserting familiarity with Carolina
Well how me love how she shock
Expressing strong admiration for Carolina's movements
Watch how she rock
Observing how well Carolina is rocking her body
Model it a swing like mi grandfather clock
Comparing Carolina's movements to the swinging motion of a grandfather clock
Gal, move yuh body make man dem drop
Urging the girl (Carolina) to keep dancing and making the men feel stunned
Bumper jus' a move it jus' a cause roadblock
Noticing how Carolina's dancing is causing a commotion and stopping traffic
Yes, Oh Carolina (Prowl off, jump an prance)
Reiterating the song's focus (Carolina) and inviting her to dance and have a good time
Carolina, Carolina, Oh Carolina (Prowl off, jump an prance)
Calling out to Carolina multiple times and urging her to dance and have fun
All di Brooklyn gal dem dem know fi jump an rock
Noting how all the girls from Brooklyn know how to dance and rock to the music
(I say) Di Flatbush Gal dem
Introducing the girls from Flatbush
Know how fi get up and rock (Get up an rock)
Asserting that the girls from Flatbush know how to dance and rock to the music
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Henry Mancini, John Folkes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Michael Williams
The drum arrangements and timing is awesome. This is a classic that has a cult following which multiplies every decade since 1960.
Music, Jamaica's magnificent gift to the world!
johnny b
Some say it was the first truly ska recording, as the drum rhythm comes from Nyabinghi drumming and doesn't imitate R&B.
The Foul Quince
@johnny b Prince Buster! Jamaica's magnificent gift to the world. Johnny B you're quite right, but the really interesting thing, I think, is that this is an East African musical influence, not West African as you see in R&B
johnny b
@The Foul Quince Quite possibly, as Nyabinghi was originally the name of a semi-mythical East African woman who may have lived in the mid to late 18th century. Her spirit was said to have possessed later African leaders and inspired them to rebel against colonial rule. Rastafarians in Jamaica took some of their inspiration from this.
Alvin Weaver
Music and Ganja what Jamaica is known for
The Foul Quince
@Alvin Weaver A simplistic and rather stupid analysis. Tell us what you know about Jamaican music, then.
Dwight Blubaugh
I'm amazed to learn this song is so old, after having only heard Shaggy's 1993 version! Written 1958, recorded 1960, these guys knew how to rock.
McGuirkster
Just met one of the folkes brothers today in my city in Canada at my record shop. Cool guy amazing stories
Jamie Ryan Downey
Just curious, what city?
dave Drolett
Great to hear this old Island song again after about 55 years