Did you enjoy the New Moon last night?

In Jamaica, the Strangler Fig is known as a Banyan tree. It’s mentioned in “Moonshine Tonight”, a popular Jamaican folk song. Enslaved Africans would dance under the Banyan tree in the moonlight on significant occasions, such as births and marriages. It’s no surprise that the Jamaican folklore surrounding it is similar to that of the Silk Cotton tree.

Moonshine Tonight

Moonshine tonight, come mek we dance and sing.

Moonshine tonight, come mek we dance and sing.

Chorus:

Mi deh rock so, yuh deh rock so,

Under Banyan tree.

Mi deh rock so, yuh deh rock so,

Under Banyan tree.

Verse 2

Ladies mek curtsy, and gentleman mek bow.

Ladies mek curtsy, and gentleman mek bow.

[chorus]

Verse 3

Come we join hands, mek we dance ’round and sing.

Come we join hands, mek we dance ’round and sing.

[chorus]

(Start at 1:20 if you want to listen to the folk song) https://youtu.be/rFK2WyrAuw4?t=80