Notes: Nothing in my novel suggests this song except the island ambience. Jimmy came up with it only after we had finshed the first draft of the musical, and it is quintessential Buffett, quirky imagery and a lot of truth, in a rousing song of the kitchen help. The hotel Norman Paperman takes over is called the Gull Reef Club and the cook, Sheila, who sings Calaloo, is the true soul of the place, and of the Caribbean.

Chorus:

Calaloo, Strange Calaloo

Mysterious curious roux

Try as you might to avoid the hoodoo

Sooner or later we're all in the stew



>From here in my kitchen

I watch the whole seen

Life on dis island 's

A unique cuisine

It simmers and bubbles

And looks quite routine

Till somebody spill all da beans



Chorus:

Calaloo, Strange Calaloo

Mysterious curious roux

Try as you might to avoid the hoodoo

Sooner or later we're all in the stew



Night after night

On dat terrace out der

Plays a melodrama

Could equal Shakesphere

Dey may tell theirself

Dat somehow dey are not

Best take it from me,

We're all in the same pot



Chorus:

Calaloo, Strange Calaloo

Mysterious curious roux

Try as you might to avoid the hoodoo

Sooner or later we're all in the stew



Bridge:

Hey Hey Sheila, Hey Hey Sheila

Hey Hey Sheila, what's in dat calaloo

Hey Sheila tell us, Hey Sheila tell us

Hey Hey Sheila, What's in that calaloo



We got Crab and pig tell

Squid ink and fish scale

Okra and dasheen leaves

Chitchat and chatter

Fill up the platter

With a garnish of pure make believe



Chorus:

Calaloo, Strange Calaloo

Mysterious and curious roux

Though some might think somehow they are not

Make no mistake we're all in the same pot

Take it from me this is no Camelot.