
THE STORY OF GANG-GANG SARA
Legend has it that in the 18th 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.
I pulled Gang Gang Sara today with my African Goddess Rising oracle by Abiola Abrams. Researching her, listening to her stories… I have been flooded with visions that feel like her memories. Her joy, her decisions, her pain and anguish. The ballad was absolutely beautiful and I was sobbing by the end. Thank you for sharing! Ashe!
Thank you Jimmie. 😊