‘Trials of A Pan Woman’

Verse 1
Back in the 1940s, Pan was something young men invented
Taking part in activities from which women were prevented.
They were so frowned upon by the population at that time
Calling all dem “badjohn” and accusing them of all the crime.
A woman’s place was then in the home,
She could not be seen in the yard.
Wid she children tied to she apron strings
Artistic expression was hard.
Now it’s boys and girls play in all the schools
And the gender balance is right
Even still today there are those who say
Women should not play late at night.

Chorus
The Pan is something so sweet
That it take’ me over completely
The pulsating of the beat
These are the trials of Woman in Pan.
The engine room sets the pace
And the power send’ me blood racing,
Nothing else could replace,
These are the trials of Woman in Pan.
Pan Woman on trial – because she stay’ out too late
She on trial – because she can’t keep a date
She on trial – because there’s no washing done
Pan Woman on trial – because the househol’ cya’ run
It’s not that she don’ love she children or have no time for she man
But these are some of the trials of Woman in Pan,
And you must understan’
These are some of the trials of Woman in Pan.

Verse 2
If a man want to lime down de panyard nobody concerned
Woman do the same thing an her reputation will get burned
Like a kangaroo court everyone want to be magistrate
Doing their best to find fault, what they don’t know they will create
Why they studying she business when it’s only music she play
Scandalising de Pan woman for practicing night and day
So she will have to take her case right up to the court of appeal
She’s not a woman of the night but she is a Lady of Steel.

Chorus

Verse 3
Playing Pan is a need – and every player knows the feeling,
Like an unwritten creed – Pan has the power of healing.
As the season comes round woman does feel the passion as well
When she’ hearing that sound – it call’ to her like a church bell.
Domestic does not suit my mood
When the bass line brings on desire,
I cannot be home preparing food
While the tenors rolling like fire.
Partners have to fend for themselves
Though it’s only for a few weeks,
It’s not me putting you on the shelf
When the Pan Jumbie in me speaks.

Chorus
The Pan is something so sweet
That it take’ me over completely
The pulsating of the beat
These are the trials of Woman in Pan.
The engine room sets the pace
And the power send’ me blood racing,
Nothing else could replace,
These are the trials of Woman in Pan.
Pan Woman on trial – for bringing the children there
She on trial – for the way she wear she hair
She on trial – for not cooking she man dinner
Pan Woman on trial – for looking ten pounds thinner
It’s not that she don’ love she children or have no time for she man
But these are some of the trials of Woman in Pan,
And you must understan’
These are some of the trials of Woman in Pan.

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