The instruments used by parang bands are representative of the many cultures that form part of our heritage. Amerindian, African and European influences are all visible in the modern parang ensemble. It is now difficult to identify one group of instruments as the 'core' of the parang band.

Traditionally, however, most bands would have some combination of the following instruments: cuatro, mandolin, tiple, violin, bandol (bandola), bandolin, guitar, box bass, maracas ("chac chac"), wood block (claves or "tock tock") (Taylor 33; Marquez 67; “Parang”). Contemporary bands have included other instruments such as flute, scratcher (güiro), electric bass, Latin percussion and steel pan (Ingram). Outlined below is a brief description of the major instruments used by parang bands.

BANDOL or BANDOLA
Taylor, in her description of the local instrument, states that it is approximately 85 x 30cms and has four double strings. Two of the base strings are made of metal and two of gut while the four treble strings are all made of gut (36). This is supported by the New Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments, which defines the bandola as "a flat-backed lute of Central and South America" (“Bandola” ). It points out that there are "two types of Venezuelan bandola: the first, found in the western plains, has four single strings, tuned b-e′-b′-f″; the second, from north-eastern Venezuela, has four double courses, the lower pair tuned in octaves and the higher strings in unison, as follows: A/a-e/e′- b′/b′-f#″/ f#″." (“Bandola”). It seems therefore that the type found in Trinidad and Tobago is consistent with that of north-eastern Venezuela.

MANDOLIN /BANDOLIN
Taylor suggests that there is some debate about the distinction between these two instruments. She notes that some Trinidadians consider them to be synonymous while others claim that the flat-backed version of the instrument is called the mandolin and the bowled bodied one is known as the bandolin (36). Some music reference texts seem to support the first theory.

• Mandolin – A small plucked wire-string instrument. It has four double courses of strings, tuned g-d′-a′-e″ (like the violin), and a deeply bowled body. Modern variants have a flat or gently curved back but a wider pear-shaped body and sometimes an arched belly and f-shaped sound holes. (The Oxford Companion)
• Mandolin – Any of several types of small pear-shaped, fretted string instruments plucked with a plectrum, quill or the fingers. Variations include the flat-backed mandolin – A general term encompassing various instruments (such as the bandola and bandolin), encountered primarily in North and South America. (The New Grove Dictionary)

Taylor maintains that both instruments are pear-shaped, approximately 45 x 24 cms, with four double strings of wire. The round back version is sometimes made with the shell of a morocoy or turtle (36).

MARACAS (chac-chac or “shak-shak”)
A pair of gourd rattlers, most commonly oval. The gourd contains the naturally dried seeds of the fruit. Imitations in wood, wickerwork, Bakelite or metal contain beads, small shot, or similar rattling pieces. In Trinidad and Tobago, maracas are usually made from the fruit of the calabash tree.

To make a Maracas, holes are cut in the top and bottom of the [calabash] fruit, the pulp is scooped out with some type of improvised tool, and the fruit is dried in the sun. Preference is for the driest gourds, providing clear crisp sound. Tiny dried seeds from the Indica Canna Lily (locally known as chac-chac seeds) are then inserted before a dowel-handle is placed in the chac-chac. (T. Mitchell, M. Mitchell, Flores, and Lezama qtd. in Fulton 80)

TOMBE DU CIEL
Tombé du ciel, tombé du ciel
Tombé du ciel en terre (x2)

Quand Jésus naquit du ciel
De la vierge sa mère
Plusieurs anges ayant en dessein
D’annoncer ce mystère

Tombé du ciel, tombé du ciel
Tombé du ciel en terre (x2)

Pour aller chercher les vergers
L’un vole et l’autre trotte
Dans les champs et dans les vergers
On retrouve ri botte

Qui faisait la la la la la la
Qui faisait la la ri botte

Bien Bonjour Monsieur St. Joseph
Et la Vierge Marie
Et bien bonjour monseigneur Jésus
La chef des œuvres de la vie

Et bonjour la la la la la la
Et bonjour la la compagnie
Et bonjour la la la la la la
Et bonjour la la com-pagnie

FALLEN FROM HEAVEN
Fallen from heaven, fallen from heaven
Fallen from heaven to earth

When Jesus was born from heaven
Of the Virgin his mother
Several angels having the intention
To announce this mystery

Fallen from heaven, fallen from heaven
Fallen from heaven to earth

In order to find the orchards
One has to either fly or walk
In the fields and in the orchards
One retrieves ri botte

Who sang la la la la la la
Who sang la la ri botte

A very good day St. Joseph
And the Virgin Mary
And a very good day Jesus
The Creator of life

And good day la la la la la la
And good day la la company
And good day la la la la la la
And good day la la company

ALLEZ MON VOISIN
Allez mon voisin allez
Allez mon voisin allez
Allez mon voisin
À la crèche mon voisin

Promptement levez-vous mon voisin
Le sauveur de la terre
Un enfant parmi nous mon voisin
Envoyé de son père mon voisin

L’enfer est confondu mon voisin
Ayant fait une prière
Je portais mes présents mon voisin
À l’enfant et la mère mon voisin

Après quelques moments mon voisin
Le ciel à la victoire
Du messis entendu mon voisin
Chantons, chantons la gloire mon voisin

Allez mon voisin allez (x2)
Allez mon voisin à la crèche mon voisin ALLEZ!

GO NEIGHBOUR
Go neighbour go!
Go neighbour go!
Go neighbour!
Go and see the crèche

Promptly get up neighbour
The Saviour of the earth
A child among us, neighbour
Sent from his father neighbour

Hell is confused neighbour
Having made a prayer
I carried my presents neighbour
To the child and the mother neighbour

After some moments neighbour
Victory to heaven
Have you heard of the Messiah neighbour
Let us sing, sing the glory neighbour

Go neighbour go! (x2)
Go neighbour to see the crèche neighbour Go!