In Panama, things aren't always as they seem.
This song celebrates a fact I had known for some time but was reminded of on a recent vacation trip to Panama.
Quito! (The Panama Hat Song)
Verse 1
I took a little journey down to Panama
For to buy a hat made out of Golden straw
But in my plan there was a little flaw
When I went to Panama and tried to buy
A Panama hat
Verse 2
I found a perfect fit in a village store
But the label said the hat was made in Ecuador!
Said to the man, “Hey por favor, senor,
‘Cause I didn’t know that Ecuador it makes
The Panama hat
Chorus
Now Quito, Quito is where I want to go
Quito, Quito at Latitude Zero
Quito, Quito, that’s where it’s at
‘Cause Ecuador is where they make
The Panama hat
Verse 3
Now Panama is really very warm and nice
There’s a big canal and frosty beer on ice
But Ecuador is my advice
Go a little more south and you will find
The Panama hat
Verse 4
So go to Ecuador and it will be all right
They got pretty girls and the Sun so bright
Gonna need a hat to face the Noon daylight
So it’s good that Ecuador is where they make
The Panama hat
Chorus
Now Quito, Quito is where I want to go
Quito, Quito, they take it nice and slow
Quito, Quito, that’s where it’s at
‘Cause Ecuador is where they make
The Panama hat
(Verse/Chorus instrumental break)
Bridge
The Panama hat has style and fame,
And “Ecuador hat” would not sound the same,
So I guess it’s okay that they stole the name…
Chorus
From Quito, Quito that’s where I want to go
Quito, Quito, they have the sweet mango
Quito, Quito, that’s where it’s at
‘Cause Ecuador is where they make
The Panama hat
Coda
I thought Panama is where they make the hat
But go to the source now you know better than that
‘Cause Ecuador is where they make
The Panama hat
You know Ecuador is where they make
The Panama hat