some English wool, vexed in a Belgian loom

Although the Tar Baby folk story points to a shameful racial legacy — and even the term, tar baby, has come down as a racial slur — Morrison, in a characteristic antishaming maneuver, also locates a positive African message in this story.

He can't be trusted. Didn't you hear the awful Irish accent he put on when he was staring at you? He's a wooden nickel, for sure.

And the wynde alayed, and there folowed a greate calme: and he sayde unto them: why are ye fearfull?