This song is inspired by an old traditional work song from Curaçao, sung while digging wells. You can hear a sample of the original recording at the beginning of the track.

The original graaflied (digging song) is sung by Manchi di Linda (Martha Koosje, age 76). These songs helped lighten the heavy labor of digging by hand and often expressed hope and joy for the water that would soon flow for people and animals.

Original lyrics (Papiamentu):
Shon Bunita di: manda bué
mande bué, mande bué;
aua pe bué, mi shon, cuminda pa bué, mi shon
solo ta cajente, mi shon, caminda ta lew, mi shon;
Shon Bunita di: manda bué
mande bué, mande bué.

English translation:
The Beautiful Lady says: send the oxen, send the oxen;
water for the oxen, food for the oxen,
the sun is hot, the road is long.
The Beautiful Lady says: send the oxen, send the oxen.