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 an easy road and lovers sacrificed

Sara all her spirit power, and Tom almost his life.

Gang-Gang Sara is the sea breeze
Gang-Gang Sara is the wind
Gang-Gang Sara is the whisper
The whisper on Golden Lane.

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

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

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

Sara and big Tom met and love did surely grow

But sorrow cried, love was denied

Owner Peter came to stay

One look at Sara, he decided to have her,

And stole 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 be executed in Golden Lane jail

Gang-Gang Sara is the sea breeze
Gang-Gang Sara is the wind
Gang-Gang Sara is the whisper
The 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,

With Owner Peter she agreed to 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 the deal she’d made

But

One sad rule for Sara. 

For her spirit powers 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

Yes Owner Peter smiled when Sara cried, cause she knew she had been tricked.

Gang-Gang Sara is the sea breeze
Gang-Gang Sara is the wind
Gang-Gang Sara is the whisper
The whisper on Golden Lane.

Tom was in the forest when he heard Sara call

And knew deep down, love was lost

Yet day after day he watched at 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 at the

Silk Cotton tree

Though all her powers was gone

Gang-Gang Sara is the sea breeze
Gang-Gang Sara is the wind
Gang-Gang Sara is the whisper
The whisper on Golden Lane.

Finally the day came, Owner Peter passed way

The earth and the moon aligned

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

From the silk cotton tree she leapt into the sky

To fly, to fly, to fly

Over shores and trees,

Hoping to meet

Tom at the river side

And now she’s the breeze

The whisper in the trees

Gang Gang Sara of Golden Lane.

And now she’s the breeze

The whisper in trees

Gang Gang Sara of Les Coteaux.

Gang-Gang Sara is the sea breeze
Gang-Gang Sara is the wind
Gang-Gang Sara is the whisper
The whisper on Golden Lane.