River Bank (Jamaican song)

"River Bank", also "River bank Coverly" and "River Bank Coberley", is a traditional Jamaican song.^[1] The song is an old Jamaican mento standard. It has been adapted both by Reggae musicians, and also by jazz musicians, such as trumpeter Baba Brooks who reworked "River Bank" into "Bank to Bank".^[2]

Versions

• "River Bank Jump Up", Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, on Kentone Jamaica 1964, released as "River Bank" Parlophone UK 1964
• "River Bank", adapted by Headley Bennett, on Roots From The Yard Jamaica 1978
• "River Bank", adapted by L. Carter, recorded by Prince Jazzbo, on Wild Flower Jamaica 1975
• "River Bank", Randy's All Stars on Musicland, Jamaica 1970
• "River Bank Coberley Again" The Four Aces (Jamaican group), Island UK 1965
• "Bank to Bank", Baba Brooks

References

1. Olive Lewin "Rock it Come Over": The Folk Music of Jamaica 2000 Page 80 The first verse is sung by a chosen player: River bank Coverly River to the bank Coverly O yes Coverly One di deh Coverly Take him put him dung de alley After this verse, one stone is removed, and the player must remember the position of ...
2. Lloyd Bradley Bass culture: when reggae was king - Page 98 2000 "Really, it's least surprising that mento, the original Jamaican music form, should come to the fore: Independence Day ... by Shenley Duffus, and trumpeter Baba Brooks' reworking of the old mento standard 'River Bank' into 'Bank to Bank'."