This song like folk songs of other places recounts a social event. Here, the details of a murder were etched into Barbadian history.
Chrous
Murder in de market, Murder!
Murder in de market, Murder!
Murder in de market, Murder!
Betsy Thomas she kill Payne stone dead.
Verse 1
Payne dead Payne dead, stone dead
Payne dead Payne dead, stone dead
Payne dead Payne dead, stone dead
Betsy Thomas she kill Payne stone dead.
Verse 2
Ah ain’t kill nobody but muh husband.
Ah ain’t kill nobody but muh husband.
Ah ain’t kill nobody but muh husband.
So ah kin face Mr. Parker independent.
Verse 3
She ain’t kill nobody but she husband.
She ain’t kill nobody but she husband.
She ain’t kill nobody but she husband.
So she kin face Mr. Parker independent.
Verse 4
De big Grand Session is tomorrow.
De big Grand Session is tomorrow.
De big Grand Session is tomorrow.
An’ she facin’ de judge independent.