THE STORY OF GANG-GANG SARA

Leg­end has it that in the 18^th century, Gang-gang Sara flew from Africa to Tobago to find her stolen family in Les Coteaux.  She stayed to look after the enslaved people, working as a mid-wife and healer. She married a slave called Tom, and they became the favoured servants of plantation owner, Grandfather Peter, of Golden Lane.

When Tom died, Sara decided to fly back to Africa and climbed a large silk cot­ton tree. She launched herself into the air, but instead of flying, she fell from its branches and died. The folk of Golden Lane say it was because she had eaten food that had been cooked with salt.

Sara was buried with Tom on the plantation cemetery and their names were engraved on a headstone there. The headstone and the silk cot­ton tree still stand to this day.  

Gang Gang Sara live on Rampoon Radio for Anne Worme’s Caribbean Storytime series, 23/08/20 

The Ballad
of
Gang Gang Sara

 

Gang-Gang Sara of Tobago sits beautiful at night

And meets her Tom on river stones until the morning light

But love wasn’t no easy road and lovers sacrificed

Sara all her daylight power and Tom his youthful life.

Gang-Gang Sara is d’ sea breeze

Gang-Gang Sara is d’ wind

Gang-Gang Sara is d’ whisper

D’ whisper on Golden Lane.

Gang-Gang Sara, spirit child, in her homeland she could fly

But she got blown far from home on a starless, stormy night

Across the seas, on the wind, to the village Les Coteaux

Where she and her big Tom met and love did surely grow

But sorrow cried, love was denied the day Owner Peter came to stay

One look at Sara, he decided to have her, steal her way to Golden Lane

Tom returned home to find love gone and followed, his love to claim

But Owner Peter had him arrested, to execute in Golden Lane jail

Gang-Gang Sara is d’ sea breeze

Gang-Gang Sara is d’ wind

Gang-Gang Sara is d’ whisper

D’ whisper on Golden Lane.

When Sara heard Tom was captured, she made a bad bargain that day

She knew she could fly, and so for love’s life, said yes, with Owner Peter she stay

If Tom was spared death, and only banished, she’d eat the feast that was laid

And, biding her time she agreed to dine, to seal d’ deal she’d made
But

One sad rule for Sara. For her spirit power to persist

No salt, no salt, by accident or plan could dare to pass her lips

And Owner Peter smiled when Sara realised salt was in the rice and fish

And Owner Peter smiled when Sara cried, cause she knew she get trick.

Gang-Gang Sara is d’ sea breeze

Gang-Gang Sara is d’ wind

Gang-Gang Sara is d’ whisper

D’ whisper on Golden Lane.

Tom, big Tom, heard Sara call, and knew deep down, love done lost

Yet day after day he watched the village, come wind or sunshine or storm

And Sara saw him there, year after year, and whispered to him of her love

And promised to meet him in Les Coteaux, though all her powers was gone

Till the day came, Owner Peter passed way. D’ earth and d’ moon aligned

A mighty great wind, blew down the hill, and once more Sara could fly

Over shores and trees, to find her lost Tom and sit at the river side

And now she’s d’ breeze, d’ whisper in trees, Gang Gang Sara of Golden Lane.

Gang-Gang Sara is d’ sea breeze

Gang-Gang Sara is d’ wind

Gang-Gang Sara is d’ whisper

D’ whisper on Golden Lane.