Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcases three sound files of Bajan [Barbados] Calypsonian The Mighty Gabby's song "Government Boots" (also known as "Boots").
Selected comments from these sound files are included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Mighty Gabby for his musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these sound files on YouTube.
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I haven't been able to find the lyrics for this song online. If you know these lyrics, please share them in the comment section below. Thanks!
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VW63g6u-Qg4&t=74s for a "We Bajan" documentary about The Mighty Gabby.
Also, click https://www.caribbean-beat.com/issue-7/no-eclipse-mighty-gabby#axzz5FCUqz2my for more information about The Mighty Gabby.
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SHOWCASE EXAMPLES:
Example #1: Boots-GABBY
ScorpioPetey, Published on Nov 7, 2008
Produced by Eddy Grant
BARBADOS 1983
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Here are a few selected comments from another this sound file, with numbers assigned for referencing purposes only:
1. SuperSnk1, 2010
"I remember that this song was banned in Barbados but was a very big hit here in TnT. You can't keep a good song down; by nature it will rise.Big up to Gabby."
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"T&T" = Trinidad and Tobago
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2. Json Perez, 2010
"i first heard this song in my sister wedding sometime in the 80`s when the d.j played this everybody went mad trini`s really know how to party yes..."
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3. sentinel2020, 2010
"BIG SYLES FROM THE OLD DAYS!!"
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4. morpheus232001, 2011
"Classic! Remember always hearing this song in the distance as a child. Left,right,left, right!"
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5. morpheus232001, 2011
"BIG TUNE!! LoL. Was a HUGE hit in T & T"
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"T&T" = Trinidad and Tobago
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6. nicolo paganini, 2011
"these guys did'nt care about politice, they sang how they felt"
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7. Bikey Hendricks. 2012
"Bigggg Friggggiiiinnnn Chuneeeeeeee......"
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"Chune" = Tune (meaning the lyrics and sound of a song)
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8. maryclyne, 2014
"my favorite Gabby song, Baxter road at night with all the guys lining the streets wearing camouflage and soldiers boots and the song playing in every shop. till Tom banned camouflage.memories, THANKS!"
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9. Ashton E. 2015
"Imagine this song was banned in Barbados but burning up the air waves in Trinidad. Love it. Used to sing it at school whenever cadets were training. Didn't care.!"
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REPLY
10. Kevinttcolaw, 2016
"+Ashton E Why was it banned?"
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REPLY
11. Tasha Wilson, 2016
"+unclelink the lyrics are facts..."
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Note that Kevinttcolaw apparently changed his screen name.
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REPLY
12. Kevinttcolaw, 2016
"Interesting!"
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13. Jarrod Butts, 2016
"Timing is everything. Just when the Americans invaded Grenada in late October 1983, this song just exploded. Especially in Trinidad and Tobago."
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14. Dhalpourie, 2016
"This one took over the Caribbean, lol"
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15. Davo GT, 2016
"i remember performing this song way back in 1998 with my classmates in a school play....
Vreed-en-Hoop Primary School,
West Coast Demerara, Guyana..."
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16. sugartrail, 2017
"this was my wedding song in 1984. Had to let him know who was boss then!"
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17. junior burchall, 2018
"Up here in too-damn-cold Canada, dreaming of Crop Over in Barbados...loving Gabby from time. Black Rock childhood memories (late 70s-early 80s).....#MissThemDays"
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18. Karlene Langton, 2018
"I was a little girl, i can remember my parents blasting this song , wish i can go back in time with this one"
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Here's a comment from another YouTube clip of this song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZlExF7fP5c
Christopher White, 2017
"It was illegal to play it on St. Vincent but we brought some copies over from St. Lucia anyway in 1983."
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Example #2: Government boots
lovah man, Published on Apr 5, 2009
boots
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Here are a few selected comments from another this sound file, with numbers assigned for referencing purposes only:
1. MCLADYG, 2012
"Now, dat is TUNE, bwoy!"
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2. mdekato, 2013
"On honeymoon on the Grand Bahama Island 26 years ago, in the dining room of the hotel, my wife and I were one of two couples there. In the background this was playing, Till my dying day I'll aways remember goverment boots."
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3. maryclyne, 2014
"The Mighty Gabby from Barbados sang this song and he was talking about Tom Adams then Prime Minister of Barbados. who also got this song and most of Gabby's songs ban on CBC radio station"
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4. SuperSnk1, 2016
"That year when this was banned in Bajan Land Gabby spent Carnival in Trini Land singing with one of the Big Calypso Tents and boy he was a BIG BIG HIT . He was a crowd puller and a crowd pleaser with this MEGA TUNE ."
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Example #3: The Mighty Gabby ~ "Boots"
Bajanbloom Bloom, Published on Jul 10, 2012
"Anthony "Mighty Gabby" Carter (born 30 March 1948) is a legendary Barbadian calypsonian and a Cultural Ambassador for the island of Barbados. He is the youngest calypsonian to win the calypso crown in Barbados at age 19 in 1968 and went on to win the Calypso king title again in 1969, 1976, 1985, 1999, 2000 and again in 2010. He has penned over 700 songs and was awarded Folk Singer Of The Year in 1977, 1978, 1979
The "Mighty Gabby" has been writing and singing calypso music for over 40 years, and is known for his satirical songs criticizing politicians and cultural trends. He won the first ever Crop-Over road march title in 1979 with "Burn Mr. Harding" and again in 1982 with "Jack" (dah beach is mine). He received the 2005 Clement Payne National Hero Award and awarded the Living Legend Award at the first ever Barbados Music Awards in January 2006. He is a vocal Pan-Africanist.
Gabby's no-holds-bars lyrics drew criticism politicians who tried to stifle his expression."
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Here are a few selected comments from another this sound file, with numbers assigned for referencing purposes only:
1. dave payne, 2013
"marina house 1983 barbados oh lawrd dis choon drop,dance was crazy memories..."
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2. Dragon 9imposter9, 2014
"BAJAN PRIDE"
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3. Ashesrocks101, 2014
"They days when a simple 2 step was enough to enjoy yaself and not have to worry bout some nasty random person trying to juk u down pon a fence!"
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4. p097744969, 2014
"We was on holiday I the caribean when this song was out ! So many years ago but our hearts are still there, where the heck can I buy this song - plus Jack and of course Red Plastic Bag songs - anyone know please help !!!"
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5. Troy Alkins, 2015
"Gabbys song the number one back in those times boots."
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6. Margaret Brady, 2015
"Government Boots - a CLASSIC!"
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7. Tasha Wilson, 2016
"Tell Tom I say, that wouldn't do,He got to see 'bout me and you And most of all, all the children And stop dem soldiers from marching...lollol"
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8. Bob W, 2016
"Every time we visit Barbados this is always on yet I never think about buying it out there, which I will the next time but why cannot I buy this anywhere in the UK? ITunes, CD, not vinyl.
Anyone help."
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9. Shelly Hinkson, 2016
"hard tune then"
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