Monday, February 9, 2026

Shirley & Dolly Collins Dept. - Rasta Sistas!

Cover art by Family Man Dave© at Kingstown Kinko


Soon after their ahead-of-its-time Gangsta Sistahs album got canned by the neckbeards at Topic, Shirley & Dolly Collins took a much-needed vacation in sunny Jamaica! Let's let the sisters take up the story:

Shirl: The first thing we noticed was how attentive the dark-skinned native gentlemen were!

Doll: Courteous to a fault! They never really left our side. Found us free accommodation!

Shirl:  Charming little beach hut miles from anywhere! Irie!

Doll: And they introduced us to their fascinating religious ceremonies.

Shirl: A lot of herbal remedies, an' t'ing! My goodness!

Doll: We reveled in or new-found freedom!

Shirl: (laughs) Not too many clothes required, as I remember!

Doll: It was too hot! Anyway, we couldn't find them.

Shirl: Musically, it was a life-changing experience. We soon adopted their riddims, and recorded some dub-wise plates in honour of Hailie Selassie's return.

Doll: Irie!

Shirl: Chris Blackwell found us and called the police, the big spoilsport. And no, he didn't even release the album.

(The sisters gather at the harmonium)

 

O as I was going to Kingston Town 

Irie-down, natty-down, pass the dutchie to the left hand side

'Twas heavy manners going down

Irie-down, natty-down, pass the dutchie to the left hand side

My love he was the fairest of the fair

Irie-down, dilly-down, pass the dutchie to the left hand side

With his ebony skin and dreadlock hair

Irie-down, natty-down, pass the dutchie to the left hand side

He promised I would be his bride

Irie-down, natty-down, pass the dutchie to the left hand side

On the Black Star Liner we would ride

Irie-down, natty-down, pass the dutchie to the left hand side

But the ticket came at such a cost

Irie-down, natty-down, pass the dutchie to the left hand side

My maidenhood I willingly lost 

Irie-down, natty-down, pass the dutchie to the left hand side


This post funded by Black Star Eyeliner™ from Maybelline®

 

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