 Song Lyrics -> Don’t Stop the Carnival
The Legend of Norman Paperman/Kinja by Jimmy Buffett  Intro (Spoken) - Kinja was the name of the island when it was British. The actual name was King George the Third Island, but the Islanders shortened that to Kinja. Now the name in the maps and the guidebooks is Amerigo, but everybody who lives there still calls it Kinja. The United States acquired the island peaceably in 1940 as part of the shuffling of old destroyers and Caribbean real estate that went on between Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Churchill. The details of the transaction were and are vague to the inhabitants. The West Indian is not exactly hostile to change, but he’s not much inclined to believe in it. Meantime in a fashion Amerigo is getting Americanized. The inflow of cash is making everyone more prosperous. Most Kinjans go along cheerily with this explosion of American energy in the Caribbean. To them it seems a new harmless and apparently endless Carnival. Sanders have you ever dreamed of escaping from your dull existence to a new life on a tropical island? Our story is about a man who did it - a real person, whose true adventure has become a legend here in the Caribbean. Welcome one and all to the legend of Norman Paperman. The Legend of Norman Paperman - This is the Legend of Norman Paperman Tales from the islands we’ll share Chasin’ illusions can get quite confusin’ Is it a dream or a nightmare This is the Legend of Norman Paperman Tales from the tropics we’ll tell Men Chasin’ illusions can get quite confusin’ Cause heaven can turn into hell Kinja - Kinja’s the name of the island It’s been Kinja for two hundred years But remember paradise Doesn’t come without a price Let me make that abundantly clear Kinja, our beautiful island In a windward archipelago We’ve been English, French and Dutch Never seemed to matter much Now we’re officially Amerigo We’re Kinja Still Kinja Our Kinja Sheila, chef at the Gull Reef Club - Our ancestors came in the slave ships To work for the privileged few Who wore Paris fashions And lived in pink mansions While we huddled in shacks of bamboo Then the sugar beet bring us our freedom With the help of our God we got through Insurrections, beheadin’s, funerals and weddin’s Hurricanes and a World War or Two Hurricanes and a World War or Two We’re Kinja Still Kinja Our Kinja We’re Kinja Still Kinja Our Kinja Gilbert, gondolier of the Gull Reef Club - Mr. Churchill had to get some destroyers To put old Hitler six feet below FDR he pulled a nifty Got our island for just fifty And the Limeys they pack up and go We dance through the streets in celebration The fireworks they light up the sky We got hot dogs and highways Got Fords and Chevrolet’s Not to mention the Fourth of July Not to mention the Fourth of July We’re Kinja Still Kinja Our Kinja We’re Kinja Still Kinja Our Kinja Senator Pullman, the island’s big enchilada - Now the Yankees, they come with their dollars It’s a beehive of activity Sell them crawfish and rum Keep them dizzy and numb Oh we’re liken’ this prosperity We got new holidays for celebration We got new laws, but no one complies We got crawfish and mangos Calypso and tangos Oh, but we short on our water supply Mighty short on our water supply We got the Carnival We love the Carnival The Kinja Carnival, Carnival We got the Carnival Don’t stop the Carnival We love the Carnival And our story begins This is the legend of Norman Paperman Tale from de tropics we’ll tell Chasin’ illusions can get quite confusin’ ‘Cause heaven can turn into hell The legend of Norman Paperman! Public Relations by Jimmy Buffett Spoken- I was born on an island The island of Manhattan Dream’t all my life of a career on the Great White way Producer Norman Paperman, Director Norman Paperman And I made it! In a sort of off-the-wall way, I found my calling, listen Sung- Up every morning, out every evening Hustling for headlines, that’s what I do Table at Sardi’s, grappling for gossip Working the press for a mention or two I never acted like some nervous rookie Right from the start I was hot as a cookie I was the numero uno, what a debut Public Relations, Public Relations Boozing and schmoozing, that’s what I do PR’s my vocation, and I’m a sensation Public relations, such hullabaloo But I went full throttle Never could slow down Then out of nowhere a mild heart attack Middle age crisis, face the big questions Had to get off of this foolish fast track It all started out as an ad in the paper Now it’s turned into a tropical caper But it’s only public relations And that’s what I do Public Relations, Public Relations Ego inflation, that’s what I do Isn’t it wonderful, isn’t it fabulous Public Relations, such hullabaloo Give this some thought Norman Things can get sticky Here in the tropics Wineturns to glue Norman I’ve never seen such a beautiful ocean (Iris) Holy Sweet Jesus, he’s got no clue Norman I’ll buy this place, I am expatriating (Iris) You as a landlord Sounds intoxicating It’s only Public Relations Who’s screwing who No, not that old PR Of yacking and quacking Making folks happy That’s what I’ll do Like you, you, and you Just give me some time And I’ll make it come true! Calaloo by Jimmy Buffett 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 scene Life on this island’s A unique cuisine It simmers and bubbles And looks quite routine ‘Til somebody spill all the beans 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 that terrace out there Plays a melodrama Could equal Shakespeare They may tell theirself That somehow they are not Best take it from me, We’re all in the same pot Calaloo, Strange Calaloo Mysterious curious roux Try as you might to avoid the hoodoo Sooner or later we’re all in the stew Hey Hey Sheila, Hey Hey Sheila Hey Hey Sheila, what’s in that calaloo Hey Sheila tell us, Hey Sheila tell us Hey Hey Sheila, what’s in that Calaloo We got Crab and pigtail Squid ink and fish scale Okra and dasheen leaves Chitchat and chatter Fill up the platter With a garnish of pure make believe Calaloo, Strange Calaloo Mysterious, curious roux Though some might think that somehow they are not Make no mistake we’re all in the same pot Take it from me this is no Camelot Island Fever by Jimmy Buffett
I think I’ve got a touch of island fever I do believe I feel a bit sauted This morning I was just some non-believer Tonight I feel I’ve joined a wild crusade I never thought of life as being breezy I never thought of time as time to play I never thought that I could take it easy But all those feelings changed for me today Layers and layers of spices and flavours Are finding their way to my brain Layers and layers of costumes and players That make my whole life look insane Palm trees and views I can’t believe Why would I ever want to leave? I want to take my shoes off and go walking Down beside the Caribbean Sea I like the funny sounds of parrots squawking I think I hear a hammock calling me Layers and layers of spices and flavours Could this be some kind of charade Layers and layers of costumes and players I think I will join the parade Layers and layers of spices and flavours Could this be some kind of charade Layers and layers of costumes and players I think I will join the parade I think I’ve got a touch of island fever Sheila Says by Jimmy Buffett Sheila says the heart is just a muscle Sheila says the heart is cooled by time Hiding out for years down in these trade winds In the land of coconuts and limes I’ve played this game for too long My life’s just one same old song Now marooned for a time on this island I go into and out of the fog And that’s why I live with my dog Men oh, men oh, oh men I’ve known too many Deceivers cloaked in clumsy vanity What men lack in love and understanding They make up in stupidity But now and then one comes along And lights up my world like a song I am tempted to unleash my interest Yet I put it to you man’s best friend There’s just one sad old way it can end We have our faults But men have only two All that they say All that they do You’re a joy and a friend and a guardian Never bored with my sad monologue You’re better off with a dog Sheila says the heart’s just a muscle Sheila says the heart’s just a muscle Just an Old Truth Teller by Jimmy Buffett
I’m just an old truth teller I’m your candid friend I’m not some daydream seller I do not pretend I’ve a sense of survival And screwing my rivals That’s labeled me crass and uncouth But I can’t help it I just tell the truth He can’t help it, he just tells the truth I’m just an old truth teller Brutally direct I see it eye for eye I’m rarely incorrect Why call me a sharp trader A corporate raider I’m a role model for today’s youth It’s so simple, I just tell the truth He can’t help it, he just tells the truth Why was I born to be right all the time In deal after deal after deal Foiling those sharks that are circling my penthouse Hoping to make me a meal No good deed goes unpunished Nothing goes as planned My ingrate family left me I don’t understand Where’s your wife? In Alaska Any sons? In Nebraska And my daughter milks cows in Duluth I can’t help it, I just tell the truth Ohh he can’t help it, he just sells it He can’t help it, he just tells it I can’t help it, I just tell the truth Henny’s Song (The Key To My Man) by Jimmy Buffett
I find myself between two worlds Bewildered all to hell Up north I have my mid-town life Down here my new hotel What kind of a dream is this Don’t know where I will land It’s a Caribbean fairy tale The snow has turned to sand Chorus But he’s happy I understand And that’s the key To my man I’d like to have a clearer view And listen to my hunches Without the rum-lined Kinjan fog Of a thousand Planter’s Punches I guess I’ll have to let it go And simply tag along Just let myself get all caught up Forget what’s right or wrong What kind of a dream is this That’s causing me this strife My husband’s chasing windmills And I’m still the nervous wife Cause he’s happy And he’s my man What good’s this key In my hand Oh he’s happy I understand And that’s the key To my man Kinja Rules by Jimmy Buffett
Lorna Mista Paper, Senator Pullman he just call. He ask how come ya don’t need no watah Norman Don’t need water? Lorna Well, you let the barge go by. He comin’ to talk to you Norman Who is Senator Pullman anyway? Why do I have to signal the barge? Iris Welcome to the Caribbean. Put on a shirt at least. The big enchilada is on his way. Senator Pullman Mr. Norman Paperman, I presume? Joinin’ us in Kinja for de tourist boom? Norman Norman Paperman at your service Meeting the kingpin, I’m slightly nervous Pullman Mr. Paperman, I here to be your friend But there’s just certain rules here we can not bend Paperman How about the water? My cistern’s flat. Pullman Why sure, I come to take care of dat Chorus But, you gotta play by Kinja rules Forget about da tings you learned in school We use a different box of tools And you gotta play by Kinja rules Pullman Now dis alien ain’t bonded for no gondolier He’s bonded for gardener, Dat why he here De Chief of Immigration a power in dis town Chief find out-your hotel close down Paperman Hereafter gardening’s all he’ll do I didn’t know, I swear to you Pullman Doan’ hoross yourself, it’s okay mister De Chief of Immigration, she’s my sister Chorus But you gotta play by Kinja rules Forget about that civics course you learned in school We ain’t city folks, but we ain’t fools And you gotta play by Kinja rules Pullman Stop! Paperman How about my water? Pullman Hold you hosses I come to dat Look at da chambermaid, she mighty fat And if dat alien have her baby here Dat baby American, free and clear De Secretary of Interior, he gonna rave And dat baby on your record From da cradle to da grave Your responsibility, I don’t mean maybe Da bottom line sir, dat your baby Chorus You gotta play by Kinja rules Forget about da tings you learned in school We use a simple box of tools And you gotta play by Kinja rules Paperman I’ll send her away, but this club’s bone dry Pullman No problem, lots of watah you can buy Paperman Buy water, Senator? That’s your advice? Pullman Chief of Public Works give you a special price Paperman Chief of public works, Who’s he, your brother? Pullman Ha ha, not bad she’s Lorna’s mother Chorus So you gotta play by Kinja rules Forget about da tings you learned in school We use a different box of tools And you gotta play by Kinja rules Paperman Senator, I thank you Now one thing’s clear I’ve got to hire a Kinjan gondolier Pullman Now dat a problem Paperman What’s the reason Pullman No unemployment, it’s high season Can’t hire no Kinjan to wear dis hat Paperman And I can’t use an alien? Pullman Ah don’t ask dat Paperman You’ve been a great help sir You’ve got my vote Just tell me, who’s going to row that boat? Pullman Youuuu gotta play by Kinja rules Forget about da tings you learned in school Just take it easy, play it cool But be sure to Paperman joins Pullman Play by Kinja rules Chorus You gotta play by Kinja rules Forget about that civics course you learned in school God watches out for drunks and fools But forget the Ten Commandments here Kinja rules Kinja rules Kinja rules Kinja rules Pullman Norman Paperman, I feel you soon adjust to Kinja A Thousand Steps To Nowhere by Jimmy Buffett
Iris A thousand steps Paperman Obviously Iris The Jewish cemetery Paperman It may come in handy Iris Let me get him. Your heart Paperman Stay here A thousand steps to nowhere That is all I see This night is asking questions Where and what for me A thousand miles from Henny Who warned me from the start I feel foolhardy, I miss Sardi’s Thought I was so smart Chorus Down is up, up is down That’s just life in Kinja town The natives and the castaways That’s just life for me these days Henny I’ve had it with this weather My skin is pale as bleach I’m heading back to Kinja And stretch out on the beach My past is in these boxes All clean and neatly packed No time for sorrow, I leave tomorrow There’s no turning back No turning back, I’m island bound I want to turn from white to brown Sing and dance to calypso songs Trade in this mink for a pink sarong Iris I really do admire him And what he’s taking on This island and these crazies But I fear he’ll soon be gone Can’t let myself fall for him A terrible mistake He’s got Henny, I’m one too many This time my heart could break Chorus A thousand steps to nowhere That is all I see Paperman My heart is pounding madly Iris Mine too, won’t let me be A thousand reasons not to Paperman Strange but oh so true I’m behaving Iris You’re not past saving A thing we both should do Henny Cause he’s happy Duet Down is up, up is down Henny I understand Duet That’s just life in Kinja town Henny Cause he’s my man Duet The natives and the castaways That’s just life for us these days Henny Cause he’s happy Duet Down is up, up is down Henny I understand Duet That’s just life in Kinja town Henny Cause he’s my man Duet The natives and the castaways Ensemble That’s just life for us these days That’s just life for us these days Paperman Gilbert come and prime the pump It’s All About Da Water by Jimmy Buffett
Sheila Watah in de kitchen Church Water in the bar Ensemble It’s all about da water, don’t you know Kinja needs da water, da H2O It’s all about da water, it ain’t no lie Widout de water we shrivel up and die Sheila De main cistern go down to zero De new bossman, he be a hero Solve de problem, so give a cheer-o He turn on de water! Ensemble H2 H2 0 H2 H2 0 Iris I had my doubts about this New Yorker Thought he’d just be a big talker But as a bossman, he’s a corker He turned on the water Ensemble H2 H2 0 H2 H2 0 Paperman I’m new to Kinja, I admit But nothing here’s gonna make me quit This island don’t scare me a bit I turned on the water! Ensemble It’s all about da water, don’t you know All about da water, da H2O All about da water, it ain’t no lie Widout da water we shrivel up and die! Ensemble H2 H2 0 H2 H2 0 Champagne Si, Aqua No by Jimmy Buffett
Folks, Gull Reef regrets the water shortage Wild night out there! Water in the sea, Water from the sky, No water in the Club, But while the pump gets repaired, let’s live! If the water can’t flow, the wine can! Champagne party in the lobby! Champagne si, agua no Let it rain, let it blow To hell with the H2O Champagne si, agua no The Gull Reef Club’s not too ship shape Time for a party time for a break Tonight all our troubles will soon disappear Cause champagne is cheaper than water down here Champagne si, agua no Champagne si, agua no A toast to the French who gave us these bubbles A toast to your host who stands in this rubble Running this hotel is no piece of cake So cut me some slack people give me a break Champagne si, agua no Champagne si, agua no A toast to Columbus, Arawaks and Caribs To pirates and patriots, rascals and thieves The limbo, the cha cha and what we love most A free champagne party put on by our host Champagne si, agua no Champagne si, agua no Public Relations (Reprise) by Jimmy Buffett
Sanders Mr. Paperman, go home Listen to me Pretend you had a nightmare, and woke up This island is a hoodoo, there’s death in it, and this is just the beginning Give it up Whatever you’ve invested, forget it and go back to New York Go home Norman I felt the ground shake I’m out of water Critical picture But things ain’t that bad We could be living In Communist China Wearing pajamas And shouting comrade I’ll fix Gull Reef It will be my salvation We’re only talking A few renovations Goodbye to public relations It ain’t what I do Good-bye forever to public relations Public relations no longer my fate This is my life and this is my island Starting life over is never to late To Sheila Get Hippolyte! The Handiest Frenchmen In The Caribbean by Jimmy Buffett
Ensemble Hippolyte, Hippolyte Lamartine Handiest Frenchman in da Caribbean Got the Gull Reef Club sparkling and clean Bravo bon travou Mr. Martine Who patch the hole in the cistern wall Hippolyte Who solved my problems one and all Hippolyte A genie in a bottle twenty feet tall Hippolyte, Hippolyte Lamartine How come mine host is sitting pretty A cistern full of water and shekels in the kitty A million miles away from nasty New York City Hippolyte, Hippolyte Lamartine Hippolyte, Hippolyte Lamartine Hippolyte, Hippolyte Lamartine Get back to work Or he’ll chop you like sardines Merci Hippolyte Lamartine Hippolyte’s Habitat by Jimmy Buffett
Swing my cutlass at the tall grass And anything that gets in my way That’s my job here, let’s be quite clear Working is how I spend my day Scary? Verrry I can instill some fear Owners don’t know this is my show I’ve seen them all disappear Chorus Who’s the boss man? Surely ain’t dat Paperman I’m the only boss around Who’s the boss man? Surely ain’t dat white man I’m de only boss in town Creole Qui moun’ qui, patron la C’ pa blanc la ce moin’ Qui moun’ qui, patron la C’ pa blanc la ce moin’ Chorus Who’s the boss man? Surely ain’t dat Paperman He be an annoying little gnat Who’s the boss man? Surely ain’t dat white man Dis is Hippolyte’s habitat Creole Qui moun’ qui, patron la C’ pa blanc la ce moin’ Qui moun’ qui, patron la C’ pa blanc la ce moin’ Now you’ve met me, don’t forget me Hippolyte the French handyman But my work waits, please the ingrates They’re all a part of my plan Chorus Who’s the boss man? Surely ain’t dat Paperman He be an annoying little gnat Who’s the boss man? Surely ain’t dat white man Dis is Hippolyte’s habitat Creole Qui moun’ qui, patron la C’ pa blanc la ce moin’ Qui moun’ qui, patron la C’ pa blanc la ce moin’ There’s a place in France where they do the cutlass dance Who Are We Trying To Fool by Jimmy Buffett
Iris I like to think my heart is just a muscle A muscle that I’ve learned to control I figured, hell, one harmless midnight tussle With you would rest quite easy on my soul Now I see you’re a tres, tres goddamn charmer An actress is taught to be cool BUT Who am I trying to fool? Paperman I’d like to toast your firm determination But human nature’s got the best of me I’ve never forced myself upon a lady Iris You’re about as subtle as artillery Paperman I’ve been here before and I have to Admit that I can’t keep my cool Who are we trying to fool? Who are we trying to fool? Paperman Don’t look for me to be your savior Iris No good can come from this behavior Sheila This ain’t no mystery, look at our history It’s just another wild Caribbean night The rum and drums just bring out what’s in us Temptation’s been here since that very first bite Who are they tryin’ to fool? Who are they tryin’ to fool? They should forget it, they’ll both regret it He wants a push, she needs a shove He’s got a good wife, she hides a dark life Fuel for combustion and anger and love Who are they tryin’ to fool? Who are they tryin’ to fool? Who are they tryin’ to fool? Paperman Life is for most of us one long postponement Iris If we think too much I guess we’ll miss our chance Paperman It’s our time, our night, our island, not our future Iris It’s not the whole tamale, just one dance Duet So Who are we trying to fool? Who are we trying to fool? Let’s break all of those goddamn Kinja rules Fat Person Man by Jimmy Buffett
Sheila You got to get rid of Dat fat person man Send him to French Guiana China or Japan Get him off of dis island Ders no reconcilin’ Da rumours have already spread He don’t leave dis island He lose his head I can’t help it I just tell the truth Norman Now Sheila I can’t do that Try and understand He’s not just some drunk asshole He’s my money man He’s got banks in Nebraska And mines in Alaska His childish ways can be misread Sheila I’ll say it one more time sir He lose his head I can’t help it I just tell the truth Norman Now Lester’s really harmless Sheila But Hippolyte’s a threat Norman Whole life here in Kinja Rests on this Tilson fete I can’t have a beheading Or any blood letting Oh Sheila tell me what to do Sheila Stick to do dat fat person Like you be glue Norman I will keep him on the beach at the barbeque Lester I can’t help it I just tell the truth Up On The Hill by Jimmy Buffett
We come from a long line of lenders Who get rich just exploiting you spenders But now we just manage our blenders Up, up, up on the hill It helps to be charming and funny Have cute names like Binky and Bunny But the main thing’s still oodles of money Up, up, up on the hill Up on the hill we are the big cheeses Up on the hill we own the cool breezes Top of the heap Is where we know we belong Up on the hill above the confusion Up on the hill we live our illusions Up, up, up on the hill Marmalade mansions beneath cloudless skies Breathtaking vistas that baffle your eyes We’re passing our days in a rare atmosphere Sun, sea, and stars, and warm breezes all year Our blood is decidedly blue-ish We’re leery of anything newish And or course, darling, nobody’s Jewish Up, up, up on the hill Up on the hill we are the big cheeses Up on the hill we own the cool breezes The top of the heap Is where we know we belong Up on the hill above the confusion Up on the hill we live our illusions Up, up, up on the hill Up, up, up on the hill Way up, up, up on the hill Domicile by Jimmy Buffett
God rest ye merry gentlemen Let nothing you dismay With Kinja as our domicile There’s so much less to pay We pay our taxes here The IRS is far away Domicile is our comfort and joy Comfort and joy Domicile is our comfort and joy Funeral Dance by Jimmy Buffett
In Amerigo, Carnival was as hallowed as Christmas itself, perhaps slightly more so. There was a meaning to it. See, Islanders did not put into words, yet which made it the authentic supreme day in the Kinjian calendar. Africa was marching down the main street of this little harbor town today. Africa, in undimmed black vitality, surging up out of centuries of island displacement, island slavery, island isolation, island ignorance. Africa, unquenchable in its burning love of life. Carnival was Africa Day in Amerigo. Time To Go Home by Jimmy Buffett
Henny Hey now mine host Don’t be so melancholy You’ve made the most Out of Amy Ball’s folly You went crazy, ran off with an actress and didn’t get rich What can I say? I still love you, you son of a bitch Norman New York’s gray and cold But somehow I miss that And running the Gull Reef Club Bordered on hand to hand combat Henny You beat the odds, water Gods now it’s time for “shalom” Hey Mr. Paperman, I think it’s time to go home Chorus (sung by the cast) Time to go home Norman Time to go home Norman Hey Mistuh Papuh-mon Time to go home Chasin’ illusions can get quite confusin’ Hey Mr. Papuh-mon time to go home Norman Henny I’m sorry I hurt you That’s all I can say Henny Who knows this whole episode Just might end up on Broadway Norman To hell with bureaucracy and island mystery Henny Let’s clear the air dear but no more affairs here Norman To hell with the hill crowd and life or death parties Henny I know a guy who has contacts at Sardi’s Duet Hey Mr. Paperman I think it’s time to go home Chorus Time to go home Norman Time to go home Norman Hey Mistuh Papuh-Mon time to go home Chasin’ illusions can get quite confusin’ Hey Mr. Papuh-Mon time to go home Time to go home Norman Time to go home Norman Hey Mistuh Papuh-Mon time to go home Chasin’ illusions can get quite confusin’ Hey Mr. Paperman time to go home Time to go home Norman Time to go home Norman Hey Mistuh Papuh-Mon time to go home Chasin’ illusions can get quite confusin’ Hey Mr. Paperman Time to go home Green Flash at Sunset by Jimmy Buffett
For all the lost chances And all the lost dances For strange circumstances And Island hoodoo Green Flash at Sunset Young love recaptured Just an illusion What if it were to be true
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