Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of The Honourable Louise Simone Bennett-Coverly, OM, OJ, MBE. Known affectionately as Miss Lou, she was a Jamaican poet, writer, educator, performer, folklorist, and activist whose contributions to Jamaica and its culture are nothing short of remarkable. Miss Lou’s work was groundbreaking, especially considering the pre-Independence era in which she thrived.
Her poetry and performances, cutting edge radio presence and Ring Ding children’s TV programme championed Jamaican culture, patois and folklore, making it “cool” to embrace and celebrate Jamaican identity in a time rife with classism. No Lickle Twang, below, is one of her most popular pieces.
No Lickle Twang – Louise Bennett
Me glad fi see yuh come back, bwoy,
But lawd, yuh let me dung
Me shame a yuh so till all a me proudness drop a grung.
Yuh mean yuh go dah ‘Merica
An spen’ six whole mont’ deh,
An come back not a piece better dan how yuh did go weh?
Bwoy, yuh no shame? Is so yuh come?
After yuh tan so lang!
Not even lickle language, bwoy?
Not even lickle twang?
An yuh sister what work ongle one week wid ‘Merican
She talk so nice now dat we have
De-jooce fi understand?
Bwoy, yuh couldn’ improve yuhself!
An yuh get so much pay?
Yuh spen’ six mont’ a foreign, an
Come back ugly same way?
Not even a drapes trousiz, or
A pass de riddim coat?
Bwoy, not even a gole teet or
A gole chain roun yuh troat?
Suppose me laas me pass go introjooce
Yuh to a stranger
As me lamented son what lately
Come from Merica!
Dem hooda laugh after me, bwoy!
Me couldn’ tell dem so!
Dem hooda seh me lie, yuh was a
Spen time back a Mocho!
No back-answer me, bwoy – yuh talk
Too bad! Shet up yuh mout!
Ah doan know how yuh an’ yuh puppa
Gwine to meck it out.
Ef yuh waan please him, meck him tink
Yuh bring back somet’ing new.
Yuh always call him ‘Pa’ – dis evenin
When him come seh ‘Poo’.
No Lickle Twang is a poem by Miss Lou (Louise Bennett) from her book Aunty Roachy Seh.
We love and cherish the visionary who made it cool to be Jamaican and chat patois. Her words continue to resonate today, inspiring new generations to cherish and promote their cultural heritage.
What’s your favourite Miss Lou poem? Comment on our Instagram post here to join us in honouring Miss Lou on her birthday, reflecting on her impactful contributions and the enduring legacy she left behind.