From an early age, he showed a grand interest in music and he learned to play the harmonica, guitar and clarinet. As a clarinet player, he started the group “Miserable” with other Limonese calypsonians. This was in the 1950s.
In the 60s, he began to write calypsos and until now, he has written over a hundred songs of great quality and cultural relevance for Limonese people.
Walter Ferguson, also known as Gavitt, was always present in calypso challenges held in different points of the Caribbean coast. From the town of Bluefields, Nicaragua to Bocas del Toro in Panama, calypsonians would move by boat, horse, train or truck to compete in improvisation contests and Mr. Ferguson´s fame travelled along with other big names as Panama´s Lord Cobra, or Limonese singers Papa Tun and Shanti.
More recently, Walter Ferguson used to record his music in audiocassettes to sell the tourists in Cahuita. Each tape was unique, an original, personal concert for each person who requested a souvenir.
Mr. Ferguson has received several recognitions, such as the Popular Culture Award given by the Ministry of Culture, the ACAM Award, and the Ancora Prize by La Nación newspaper.
His songs honestly reflect the idiosyncrasy of the Afro Costa Rican community and a part of the country´s culture most ignored by the State of Costa Rica. Mr. Ferguson jokes about the calypsonian´s naïve spirit, often misunderstood and persecuted, taken advantage of by glamour girls who call him “sugar candy” or bullied by policemen, and portrays Afro Costa Rican life with simplicity and creativity. His work has been interpreted by other Costa Rican artists like Manuel Monestel and band Cantoamérica since the 1980s, which has made his work known in other areas of the country and abroad.
Carolyne
Walter Ferguson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want the people to stand by me
I tread your love and I tread your kind
Still for all you work in Necromancy
I tread your love and I tread your kind
Still for all you work in Necromancy
When caro first came to me
Now we join in matrimony
I wonder where the devil wretch comes from
Sing again,
Carolyne, Carolyne
I want the people to stand by me
I tread your love and I tread your kind
Still for all you work in Necromancy
I tread your love and I tread your kind
Still for all you work in Necromancy
Caro take an oath
She not going in cook
She said she is going to teach me to wash my clothes
Every day she get up reading by book
If I only talk, Caro burst me nose
Sing again,
Carolyne, Carolyne
I want the people to stand by me
I tread your love and I tread your kind
Still for all you work in Necromancy
I tread your love and I tread your kind
Still for all you work in Necromancy
In the middle of the night I hold up me head
Caro had a machete into her hand
She was standing straight in the bed
She said she going to kill the calypsonlan
Carolyne, Carolyne,
I want the people to stand by me (repeat)
The song “Carolyne” by Walter Ferguson is a cautionary tale of love and betrayal. The singer starts off praising Carolyne and confessing his love for her, but quickly starts to criticize her for her involvement with Necromancy, which is the practice of communicating with the dead. Despite this, the singer still loves her and says that he “treads” her love and kindness. The story takes a turn when they get married and Carolyne starts to change. She refuses to cook and instead wants to teach the singer how to wash clothes. Additionally, she becomes violent and threatens to harm the singer because of his profession as a calypsonian. The song ends on a somber note, with the singer still proclaiming his love for Carolyne but acknowledging the danger that she poses to him.
The lyrics of “Carolyne” speak to the dangers of loving someone who may not have your best interests at heart. The song also highlights the darker side of love, where one partner may try to change or control the other. The use of Necromancy in the song is a metaphor for the manipulation and control that Carolyne exerts over the singer. This song can also be seen as a social commentary on gender roles and power dynamics within relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Carolyne, Carolyne
Addressing Carolyne by name, twice for emphasis
I want the people to stand by me
Asks for support from his audience
I tread your love and I tread your kind
Acknowledging the kindness and love provided by Carolyne
Still for all you work in Necromancy
Despite being involved in questionable things
When caro first came to me
Reflecting on how Carolyne joined him
She was a squire as a lamb
Carolyne was young and innocent when she first met him
Now we join in matrimony
They got married
I wonder where the devil wretch comes from
Wondering where Carolyne's violent nature comes from
Caro take an oath
Carolyne made a promise
She not going in cook
She won't be cooking
She said she is going to teach me to wash my clothes
She will help him with domestic chores
Every day she get up reading by book
Carolyne reads every day
If I only talk, Caro burst me nose
Suggesting that Carolyne is quick to anger
In the middle of the night I hold up me head
Remembering a specific moment when he woke up
Caro had a machete into her hand
Carolyne was holding a machete
She was standing straight in the bed
She was standing upright in bed, ready to attack
She said she going to kill the calypsonlan
Carolyne threatened to harm a calypsonian
Contributed by Jayden I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@dquinnc
Carolyne, Carolyne I want the people to stand by me
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
When Caro first came to me, she was as quiet as a lamb
Now we join in matrimony I wonder where the devil the wretch come from (Singing on)
Carolyne, Carolyne I want the public to stand by me
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
Caro take a note she not going to cook
She say she's going to teach me to wash me clothes
Get up every morning reading bad book
If I only talk Caro burst me nose (Singing on)
Carolyne, Carolyne I want the public to stand by me
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
The middle of the night I hold up me head, Caro got a machete into she hand
She was standing strait in the bed she say she going to kill the calypsonian
Carolyne, Carolyne I want the public to stand by me
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
When Caro first came to me, she was as quiet as a lamb
Now we join in matrimony I wonder where the devil the wretch come from (Singing on)
Carolyne, Carolyne I want the public to stand by me
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
Caro take a note she not going to cook
She say she's going to teach me to wash me clothes
Get up every morning reading bad book
If I only talk Caro burst me nose (Singing on)
Carolyne, Carolyne I want the people to stand by me
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
Middle of the night I hold up me head, Caro got a machete into she hand
She was standing strait in the bed she say she going to kill the calypsonian (Singing on)
Carolyne, Carolyne I want the public to stand by me
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
@dquinnc
Carolyne, Carolyne I want the people to stand by me
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
When Caro first came to me, she was as quiet as a lamb
Now we join in matrimony I wonder where the devil the wretch come from (Singing on)
Carolyne, Carolyne I want the public to stand by me
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
Caro take a note she not going to cook
She say she's going to teach me to wash me clothes
Get up every morning reading bad book
If I only talk the Caro burst me nose (Singing on)
Carolyne, Carolyne I want the public to stand by me
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
The middle of the night I hold up me head, Caro got a machete into she hand
She was standing strait in the bed she say she going to kill the calypsonian
Carolyne, Carolyne I want the public to stand by me
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
When Caro first came to me, she was as quiet as a lamb
Now we join in matrimony I wonder where the devil the wretch come from (Singing on)
Carolyne, Carolyne I want the public to stand by me
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
Caro take a note she not going to cook
She say she's going to teach me to wash me clothes
Get up every morning reading bad book
If I only talk Caro burst me nose (Singing on)
Carolyne, Carolyne I want the people to stand by me
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
Middle of the night I hold up me head, Caro got a machete into she hand
She was standing strait in the bed she say she going to kill the calypsonian (Singing on)
Carolyne, Carolyne I want the public to stand by me
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
@Elstaad
Carolyne, Carolyne
I want the people to stand by me
I tread your love and I tread your kind
Still for all you work in Necromancy
I tread your love and I tread your kind
Still for all you work in Necromancy
When caro first came to me
She was a squire as a lamb
Now we join in matrimony
I wonder where the devil wretch comes from
Sing again,
Carolyne, Carolyne
I want the people to stand by me
I tread your love and I tread your kind
Still for all you work in Necromancy
I tread your love and I tread your kind
Still for all you work in Necromancy
Caro take an oath
She not going in cook
She said she is going to teach me to wash my clothes
Every day she get up reading by book
If I only talk, Caro burst me nose
Sing again,
Carolyne, Carolyne
I want the people to stand by me
I tread your love and I tread your kind
Still for all you work in Necromancy
I tread your love and I tread your kind
Still for all you work in Necromancy
In the middle of the night I hold up me head
Caro had a machete into her hand
She was standing straight in the bed
She said she going to kill the calypsonlan
Carolyne, Carolyne,
I want the people to stand by me (repeat)
@maritzasloan5426
Gracias Mr. Ferguson por compartir tanta cultura y bella música con nosotros. Será recordado con mucho cariño por siempre.
@pedroa.cantero9449
Carolyne fue un bálsamo embrujador durante aquellos dos veranos en Sanlúcar que precedieron la presentación de mi tesis sobre el sentimiento. Meses vividos junto a mi madre sin sospechar que serían los últimos que pasaríamos juntos. Ella solía asomarse por la terraza común con tan solo oír Carolyne o la rumba de Cahuita y tomaba asiento cerca de mi mesa para escuchar la voz entrañable de Walter Ferguson desgranando ambas melodías. Oírlas hoy me permite comprende por qué me resistí durante años a despojar aquella vivienda de los discos que contribuyeron a darle vida. «Carolyne, Carolyne/ I want the people to stand by me/ I tread your love and I tread your kind/ Still for all you work in Necromancy/ I tread your love and I tread your kind/ Still for all you work in Necromancy».
@asderc1
I see you all over YouTube, especially jazz. You sir have food taste.
@CarlosRochaTX
@@asderc1 As a fan of both jazz and this very heartwarming comment, I’m very curious what songs you’ve seen them comment on
@RVS1921
Costa Rica le debe muchísimo a mr. Ferguson!
@curroinen6508
Impresionante, un regalo para los oidos escuchar a este buen señor.
Agradecer a mi amiga Maria Plof!! Residente en Puerto Viejo, por descubrirme esta joya.
Gracias.
@joehiggs100
Many thanks, I've only just discovered this lovely singer and player, he's a gem.
@randygourmet
FERGUSON 1000 % ORGULLO DE COSTA RICA !!
@leoistari
No tenía idea que hubiera música así por aquí, esto es muy bueno....
@dquinnc
Carolyne, Carolyne I want the people to stand by me
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
When Caro first came to me, she was as quiet as a lamb
Now we join in matrimony I wonder where the devil the wretch come from (Singing on)
Carolyne, Carolyne I want the public to stand by me
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
Caro take a note she not going to cook
She say she's going to teach me to wash me clothes
Get up every morning reading bad book
If I only talk Caro burst me nose (Singing on)
Carolyne, Carolyne I want the public to stand by me
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
The middle of the night I hold up me head, Caro got a machete into she hand
She was standing strait in the bed she say she going to kill the calypsonian
Carolyne, Carolyne I want the public to stand by me
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
When Caro first came to me, she was as quiet as a lamb
Now we join in matrimony I wonder where the devil the wretch come from (Singing on)
Carolyne, Carolyne I want the public to stand by me
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
Caro take a note she not going to cook
She say she's going to teach me to wash me clothes
Get up every morning reading bad book
If I only talk Caro burst me nose (Singing on)
Carolyne, Carolyne I want the people to stand by me
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
Middle of the night I hold up me head, Caro got a machete into she hand
She was standing strait in the bed she say she going to kill the calypsonian (Singing on)
Carolyne, Carolyne I want the public to stand by me
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy
I treat you loving and I treat you kind till for all you work in necromancy