Walter Ferguson was born in Guabito, Panama. His family soon settled in Cos… Read Full Bio ↴Walter Ferguson was born in Guabito, Panama. His family soon settled in Costa Rica and he spent most of his childhood in Jamaica Town, a neighborhood in Port Limon. There he lived in his aunt´s house, where he used to receive organ lessons. His parents moved to Cahuita, a small hamlet in the far South of the province, where he lives until today.

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.

Maga Dog
Walter Ferguson Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I was sorry for Emily
She was living a life of destitution
She was living in poverty
She was happy when she meet the calypsonian
She was living in poverty
She was happy when she meet the calypsonian

But now I bawling

Sorry fi Maga Dog, Maga Dog
This is very true
If you sorry fi Maga Dog, Maga Dog
Will turn round bite you, sing again

Sorry fi Maga Dog, Maga Dog
If you sorry fi Maga Dog, Maga Dog
Will turn round bite you

When Emily put on the ring
That′s the thing she was waiting for
She wouldn't do not single thing
Every day we ended in war
And ah bawling
Sorry fi Maga Dog, Maga Dog
This is very true
If you sorry fi Maga Dog, Maga Dog
Will turn round bite you, sing again

Sorry fi Maga Dog, Maga Dog
If you sorry fi Maga Dog, Maga Dog
Will turn round bite you

Emily, she wouldn′t cook my food
Emily, she wouldn't wash me clothes
Every day Milie getting rude
Milie decides she going
To bust me nose
And ah bawling

Sorry fi Maga Dog, Maga Dog
If you sorry fi Maga Dog, Maga Dog
Will turn round bite you, sing again

Sorry fi Maga Dog, Maga Dog
This is very true
If you sorry fi Maga Dog, Maga Dog
Will turn round bite you

Emily, you wouldn't cook my food
Emily, you wouldn′t wash me clothes
Every day Milie getting rude
Milie decides she going
To bust me nose
And ah bawling

Sorry fi Maga Dog, Maga Dog
If you sorry fi Maga Dog, Maga Dog
Will turn round bite you

Milie made me sleep on the floor
One day the gal nearly
Drop down dead
Making a big uproar because
I was resting on top she bed
But ah bawling

Sorry fi Maga Dog, Maga Dog
If you sorry fi Maga Dog, Maga Dog
Will turn round bite you, sing again

Sorry fi Maga Dog, Maga Dog
This is very true

If you sorry fi Maga Dog, Maga Dog
Will turn round bite you

Overall Meaning

The song "Maga Dog" by Walter Ferguson is a cautionary tale about the consequences of feeling sorry for someone who is down on their luck. The song tells the story of Emily, a woman who was living in poverty until she met a calypsonian who showed her kindness. Taking pity on Emily's situation, the singer of the song expresses sympathy for her and her past struggles. However, the chorus warns that if you feel sorry for a thin or "maga" dog, it will eventually turn around and bite you. Through the story of Emily, the song demonstrates the idea that sometimes those who seem the most in need of your help can actually cause you harm.

Despite the upbeat and catchy melody, the lyrics of "Maga Dog" are somewhat somber and cautionary. The theme of the song suggests that simply offering help and sympathy to someone doesn't necessarily solve their problems, and in some cases, can actually make things worse. The lyrics also touch on the idea of how ungrateful behavior can lead to negative consequences.

Line by Line Meaning

I was sorry for Emily
I felt empathy for Emily's struggles and hardships

She was living a life of destitution
Emily was living in extreme poverty and lacking basic necessities for survival

She was living in poverty
Emily was financially struggling to make ends meet

She was happy when she meet the calypsonian
Emily found joy and hope in meeting the musician who sang calypso music

But now I bawling
But now I am crying

Sorry fi Maga Dog, Maga Dog
Feel sympathy for the underdog

This is very true
This statement holds much validity

Will turn round bite you, sing again
The underdog can turn on you when you least expect it

When Emily put on the ring
When Emily got married

That's the thing she was waiting for
Marriage was her goal and desire

She wouldn't do not single thing
After getting married, Emily refused to do anything