“Mary Ann,” composed by calypsonian Roaring Lion (born name: Hubert Raphael Charles), was popular with steelbands and revelers during a spontaneous Carnival celebration on V-J Day in Trinidad in 1945, at the end of World War II. The song’s lyrics alluded to Mary Ann’s occupation:
Latin bandleader Xavier Cugat recorded a version of “Mary Ann” in the late 1940s. During the 1956-57 American calypso craze, the Easy Riders, Burl Ives and other interpreters of folk music further popularized the calypso, generally under the title of “Marianne”. The song continued to be a favorite with steelbands and calypso entertainers at Caribbean tourist hotels for many years.
The most popular version was recorded by Terry Gilkyson and The Easy Riders (#4 on the Billboard Top 100); another version was recorded by The Hilltoppers in 1957 (#3 on the Billboard Top 100).
Trini Lopez included “Marianne” on his album Trini Lopez at PJ’s on Reprise Records RS-6093.

By Brothers Four (Yellow Birds…et al)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2M404mxgHw

Lyrics

All day, all night, Marianne Down by the seaside siftin’ sand Even little children love Marianne Down by the seaside siftin’ sand.

Marianne, Oh, Marianne Oh, won’t you marry me? We can have a bamboo hut With brandy in the tea Leave your fat old mama home She never will say yes If your mama don’t know now She can guess (it’s in the mail now!)

All day, all night, Marianne Down by the seaside siftin’ sand Even little children love Marianne Down by the seaside siftin’ sand.

When she walks along the shore People pause to greet White birds fly around her Little fish come to her feet In her heart is love But I’m the only mortal man Who’s allowed to kiss My Marianne (Everybody!)

All day, all night, Marianne Down by the seaside siftin’ sand Even little children love Marianne Down by the seaside siftin’ sand.

And when we marry, we will have A time you never saw I will be so happy I will kiss my mother-in-law (Phooey!) Children by the dozen In and out the bamboo hut One for every palm tree And cocunut (Don’t rush me!)

All day, all night, Marianne Down by the seaside siftin’ sand Even little children love Marianne Down by the seaside siftin’ sand. Down by the seaside siftin’ sand…