Note 145 — Little Dictionary of Creole Proverbs.
Reading edition
Béké is translated by blanc in Turiault’s work; but the witty author of Les Bambous writes: Nèg se dit pour esclave, et béké pour maître. Therefore perhaps a more correct translation would be: “The master’s eyes burn the slave’s eyes.” The phrase recalls a curious refrain which used to be sung by Louisiana field-hands:
Tout, tout, pays blanc—Danié qui commandé, Danié qui commandé ça! Danié qui commandé.
[“All, all the country white” (white-man’s country); “Daniel has so commanded,” etc.] I do not know whether the prophet Daniel is referred to.