Lesson 2: Exploring “Panama Mwen Tombe”

Aim: How do steady beat and rhythm work together in Haitian folk music?
Summary: Students will learn to sing “Panama Mwen Tombe,” discuss rhythm and beat, and learn about the tanbou drum.
Materials: Musical Explorers digital resources, everyday-object percussion
Standards: GA – ESGMK.PR.1, ESGMK.RE.3, ESGMK.CN.2, ESGM1.PR.1, ESGM1.RE.1, ESGM2.PR.1, ESGM2.RE.1, ESGM2.CN.2
Vocabulary: tanbou
See Glossary →

“Panama Mwen Tombe” is a popular folk song in Haiti with lyrics that seem simple and childlike. But the
song is actually believed to refer to the unexpected death of former Haitian President Florvil Hyppolite in 1896. Legend has it that while he was on his way to Jacmel to secure the city from attack, his hat fell off, which is a bad omen in Haiti. Ignoring this, he mounted his horse and continued on his way, but before he got there, he had a heart attack, fell off his horse, and died. The song has been reinterpreted many times, reflecting Haiti’s evolving political situation and offering a warning to politicians about the desire for too much power.

Sing “Panama Mwen Tombe”
  • Listen to “Panama Mwen Tombe,” Track 6.04.

Track 6.04 – “Panama Mwen Tombe”

  • Learn the lyrics to the chorus using “Panama Mwen Tombe” pronunciation, Track 6.05.

Track 6.05 – “Panama Mwen Tombe” Pronunciation

  • Sing the chorus using “Panama Mwen Tombe” chorus, Track 6.06.

Track 6.06 – “Panama Mwen Tombe” Chorus

Panama Mwen Tombe
My Hat Fell Off

Mwen soti lavil Jakmèl 

M a prale Lavale 

An arivan Kafou Benè, 

Panama mwen tombe

Chorus:

Panama mwen tombe 

Panama mwen tombe 

Panama mwen tombe 

Sa ki dèyè ranmase li pou mwen

I left the city of Jacmel

I went to La Vallée

When I got to the intersection at Bainet,

My hat fell off.

Chorus:

My hat fell off

My hat fell off

My hat fell off

Whoever is behind me, please pick it up for me

Explore Steady Beat and Rhythm in “Panama Mwen Tombe”
  • Listen to “Panama Mwen Tombe” chorus, Track 6.06, while having the class tap the steady beat on their laps.
  • Using Track 6.07, learn the kongo rhythm, which is the underlying rhythm of the song.

Track 6.07 – “Kongo” Rhythm

  • While the class keeps the steady beat, speak or clap the kongo rhythm.
  • Speak or clap the rhythm together as a class.
    • What did you notice? 
    • What is the difference between the steady beat and the rhythm?
  • Listen to “Panama Mwen Tombe” chorus, Track XX, again, speaking or clapping the kongo rhythm together. 
  • Split the class into two groups. As you listen to the full song, Track 6.05, have half the class tap the steady beat while the other half claps the kongo rhythm. Ask the groups to switch parts after each verse. 

Creative Extension: Learn About the Tanbou Drum

  • The tanbou drum is the national instrument of Haiti. The body of the drum is made from wood. The head of the drum is made from an animal skin, usually from a cow or goat. The tanbou drum is played with your hands. A variety of sounds can be produced depending on what part of the hand is used, and what part of the drumhead is played.
  • Explain that the tanbou drum plays the traditional compas rhythms that propel the compas dance.
  • Use the activity on SG39 to explore the tanbou drum.

Creative Extension: Explore Superstitions

In “Panama Mwen Tombe,” the president’s hat falls to the ground. In Haiti, that is considered a bad omen. Discuss some other things that some people believe bring bad luck.

  • Breaking a mirror
  • Opening an umbrella indoors
  • Walking under a ladder
    • Why do you think these things are thought to bring bad luck?
    • Do you believe they truly bring bad luck? Why or why not?

Ask students to make a list of good and bad luck superstitions they have have heard of using SG40.

Literacy Extension: Little Fanfan Sings and Dances in Haiti  

In Little Fanfan Sings and Dances in Haiti by Susan Gleason Pierre-Louis, Little Fanfan describes Haiti for the reader, from what the island looks like to how its people celebrate Haiti’s birthday on January 1! 

Musical Word Wall

Add the words tanbou to the Musical Word Wall.
See Glossary →

PDF Downloads

↓ SG39 Explore the Tanbou Drum

SG40 Explore Superstitions

Audio Tracks

Track 6.04 – “Panama Mwen Tombe”

Track 6.05 – “Panama Mwen Tombe” Pronunciation

Track 6.06 – “Panama Mwen Tombe” Chorus

Track 6.07 – “Kongo” Rhythm

Unit 6 – Lesson 1: Learning “A.K.I.K.O.”