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JOURNAL, R.A.S. (CEYLON). [VOL. XIII. 



home, in the same way that the Christy Minstrel songs 

 originated among the Negroes of America ; and just as the 

 latter express in themselves the characteristics of the 

 American Negro, his broad, if somewhat coarse, humour ; his 

 simple, almost childish, pathos, and his intense love of family 

 life — so the " Caff erina" and the " Chikothi " of the Mechanic 

 display the peculiarities of the Mechanic character, improvi- 

 dence, at times amounting to recklessness, and the pursuit of 

 pleasure at all costs. 



The words "Cafferina" (its name denotes itsCaffir origin) 

 and " Chikothi " are often synonymously used. But the 

 difference is marked between these two species of tunes. 

 The " Chikothi " is always slow and stately, while the 

 " Caff erina " is faster and more boisterous, and is always in 

 f time, with a peculiar jerky movement, the last note in the 

 bar being generally a crotchet. 



The words of the " Caff erina " and "Chikothi" are frequently 

 improvized as they are sung, although there are stock words 

 to every air. The art of improvization is cultivated by 

 the Mechanic even more assiduously than by the Nigger 

 minstrel who haunts the regatta at Henley. In the later 

 stages of an evening party, when the fumes of beverages 

 stronger than ginger-beer have dispelled the respect for 

 the ordinary amenities of mechanic life, this art of impro- 

 vization becomes sometimes a source of offence, and leads to 

 dire results. 



I give the words of two of the best known " Caff erinas," with 

 a literal translation of them by way of specimen. In the 

 first, a Mechanic youth is supposed to be addressing the 

 mother of his Sinhalese lady-love. It is entitled " Cingalee 

 Nona" (Tune No. 1) :— 



Cingalee Nona ! Cingalee Nona ! 



Eu here hasa, 

 Porta ninhere, orta ninkere, 



Figa nam as da. 

 Figa namas da, none, 



Figa namas da. 



