Lord Invader -"Sly Mongoose" (information, lyrics, & sound file)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases a sound file of and lyrics for Lord Invader's version of "Sly Mongoose". Information about this old Caribbean song and two additional lyric versions of this song are included in this post.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thank to the composers of Sly Mongoose. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to those featured in these sound files and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.

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INFORMATION ABOUT SLY MONGOOSE
The original "Sly Mongoose was composed in Jamaica, but versions of this song are well-known throughout the Caribbean.
From http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20030629/arts/arts1.html
..."mento's roots lie in the early 19th century when European dances like the quadrille were popular throughout the Caribbean. By the end of the 19th century, mento was all the "rage" in Jamaica, and (like dance hall today) served as "throw wu'd" music, providing an avenue to discuss taboos and social issues.

{Some] mento songs commented on local news, the Bible, politics, infidelity, even obeah, and their subtle innuendo, humouros double entendres and suggestive lyrics helped to protect the innocent from the song's baser meanings.

According to the research, Slim and Sam were two of the best known writers of "throw wu'd" songs in the 1930s and 1940s. "Sly Mongoose" is one of the most popular "scandal" songs, which is still sung today:

Mongoose go down Missa Beckford kitchen,
Tek out one a 'im ritious chicken,
Put 'im inna 'im waiscoat pocket
Run mongoose

Sly (slide) mongoose, yu name gone abroad.
Sly (slide) mongoose, yu name gone abroad."

Originally, the lyrics likened the eccentric religious leader, Alexander Bedward, to a cunning mongoose (a dodgy character). But Bedward is absent from later versions sung today, which leaves the object of the song's criticism open to interpretation."...

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From http://www.dramonline.org/content/notes/nwr/80427.pdf
"Zoop Zoop Zoop: Traditional Music And Folklore of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John" (New World Records 80427-2)
"This song, wellknown throughout the Caribbean is not really about the mongoose. In fact, the animal and its character is used to allude to sexual liaisons between the master of the house and the cook or between the mistress and a worker.

Sly Mongoose, all them dogs they know your name
Oh yes, sly mongoose, all them dogs they know your name
You went into the mistress kitchen
Take out one of the fattest chickens
Put it into your waistcoat pocket
sly mongoose. "

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[regarding Lord Invaders' version of "Sly Mongoose":
From http://media.smithsonianfolkways.org/liner_notes/smithsonian_folkways/SFW40454.pdf
“...originating in Jamaica where virtually all versions revolve around the activities of the Black prophet Alexander Bedward, “Sly Mongoose [Sly Mongoose Every Dog Knows Your Name] is reported as a carnival song in 1923 in Trinidad. Based on the symbolic references to a trickster with a sexual proclivity, in Eastern Caribbean versions, the mongoose goes into the White man’s kitchen rather than Bedward’s, and steals “one of his fattest chickens”.*

With incredulity, Invader describes his defeat in a calypso contest in the United States. Despite their up-to-date repertoire Houdini vanquishes Destroyer, Growler, and Invader in New York in 1941. Personified as a trickster, Houdini was much despised in Trinidad because of his U. S success and lack of esteem on the island."
-snip-
*Read my interpretation of the line about the Mongoose "going into the White man's kitchen and stealing one of his fattest chickens" regarding the lyrics for Lord Invader's version of this song.

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SHOWCASE EXAMPLE: sly mongoose



roger ramirez Uploaded on Mar 24, 2009

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LYRICS: SLY MONGOOSE
(Lord Invader, 1946)

There was a competition in America
With Houdini and Destroyer
Houdini sang Adolf Hitler
And yet they said that Houdini was the winner
What he won?

Chorus:
Sly Mongoose
-all together-
Only dog know your name
-Sing the chorus-
Sly Mongoose
-everybody-
Only dog know your name
Yes, mongoose went into the White man’s kitchen
Took up one of his fattest chickens
Push it in his waistcoat pocket,
Sly Mongoose.

Then he challenge the Growler
And the Growler sand a hot number
Growler told the Houdini
He gonna win him with this melody,
What it was: “Old lady, you’re mashing my toe,”
“Oh lady, stop it isn’t”
And yet he won him with,

Chorus
Sly Mongoose
-all together-
Only dog know your name
-Sing it Macbeth-
Sly Mongoose
Only dog know your name
Yes, mongoose went into the White man’s kitchen
Took up one of his fattest chickens
Push it in his waistcoat pocket,
Sly Mongoose.

So as I’m Lord Invader, I said
“I can’t lose my name in America”,
I entered the competition,
And I sang a hot composition.
What it was: “Prisoner leve [Prisoner arise]
“Mete limier bai [Put a light]
and Yet he won me with

Chorus
Sly Mongoose
-everybody
Only dog know your name
-Duke of Iron-
Sly Mongoose
Only dog know your name
Yes, mongoose went into the White man’s kitchen
Took up one of his fattest chickens
Push it in his waistcoat pocket,
Sly Mongoose.

Source: http://media.smithsonianfolkways.org/liner_notes/smithsonian_folkways/SFW40454.pdf
-snip-
Rather than Lord Invader's "Sly Mongoose" being about a man with sexual proclivities, it is a critique about what Lord Invader and other Calypsonians considered to be Houdini's inauthenticity as a Calypsonian. When Lord Invader referred to Houdini as "Sly Mongoose" he was using lines from that well known Caribbean song to insult Houdini. When he referred to Houdini as "Sly Mongoose" and said that Sly Mongoose "went into the White man’s kitchen/Took up one of his fattest chickens", Lord Invader was saying that Houdini had achieved success in the United States as a Calypsonian that he and other Calypsonians believe that Houdini wouldn't have received in the Caribbean - in particular Houdini- the sly Mangoose, stole the crown for that particular Calypso competition. By mentioning "Macbeth [Macbeth the Great"]" and "Duke Of Iron", Lord Invader calls on other well respected Calypsonians to join him in his condemnation of Houdini.

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OTHER EXAMPLES OF "SLY MONGOOSE"
(lyric composer/s ?)

Listen to the song about a sly mongoose.

Sly Mongoose, your name gone abroad,
Sly Mongoose, your name gone abroad

Mongoose slip into Bedward kitchen,
Steal out one of his righteous chicken,
Steal out one of his waistcoat pocket,
Sly Mongoose.
Sly Mongoose, your name gone abroad

Mongoose went up to Bedward daughter,
Ask her if he could have some water.
Bedward daughter say, Whats the matter?
Sly Mongoose.
Sly Mongoose, your name gone abroad

Mongoose get out a dollar and a quarter,
Slipped it to old Bedward daughter.
Bedward daughter say, My Lord and master!
Sly Mongoose.
Sly Mongoose, your name gone abroad

Bedward went up to see his daughter,
Found Mongoose playing with one garter,
Bedward hit him just where he oughter.
Sly Mongoose.
Sly Mongoose, your name gone abroad

[Comment:]
The mongoose of this topical song was a well-known government official who tried to buy the affections of one of the prophet Bedward's daughters.

Source: http://www.unlockingthearchives.rgs.org/themes/journeys/gallery/resource

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SLY MONGOOSE
(Lyrics to Sly Mongoose, Sam Manning version, 1925)

Listen to the story why mongoose fly from Jamaica
Listen to the story why mongoose fly from Jamaica
Mongoose, the newspaper reported
Jumped into bed with the preacher’s daughter
Baptise her with his holy water
Slide mongoose

Slide mongoose, now your name gone abroad
Slide mongoose, now your name gone abroad
Mongoose went into Bedward’s kitchen
Took up one of his fattest chicken
That’s the reason he fly from Jamaica
Slide mongoose

Slide mongoose, now your name gone abroad
Slide mongoose, now your name gone abroad
Mongoose fly from Jamaica
Slide right over down to Cuba
Wouldn’t stop til he reach America
Slide mongoose

Slide mongoose, now the world know your name
Brother mongoose, now the world know your fame
Mongoose told his high brown mama
Go away gal get another papa
I love your sister a whole lot better
Slide mongoose

Source: http://slymongoose.blogspot.com/2014/01/lyrics-to-sly-mongoose-sam-manning.html Posted by Martin
-snip-
"high brown mama" - light skinned Black woman
"get another papa" - get another lover

Click this link to a page of my cocojams cultural website for the words to another version of "Sly Mongoose": http://www.cocojams.com/content/caribbean-folk-songs

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Five Videos Of Gwo Ka Music & Dance (Guadeloupe, West Indies)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases five videos of Gwo Ka music & dance from Guadeloupe, French West Indies. Information about Gwo Ka is also includes in this post.

The content of this post is provided for folkloric, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all others featured in these videos. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube and thanks to those who are quoted in this post.

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INFORMATION ABOUT GWO KA
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwo_ka
"Gwo ka (Big drum) is both a family of hand drums and the music created with them, which is a major part of Guadeloupean folk music. There are seven rhythms in gwo ka, which are embellished by the drummers. Different sizes of drums establish the foundation and its flourishes, with the largest, the boula, playing the central rhythm and the smaller, markeur (or maké) drums embellishes upon it and interplays with the dancers, audience or singer. Gwo ka singing is usually guttural, nasal and rough, though it can also be bright and smooth, and is accompanied by uplifting and complex harmonies and melodies. There are also dances that tell folk stories that are accompanied by the gwo ka drums.

Rural Guadeloupans still use gwo ka drums in communal experiences called lewozes; this is the most traditional manifestation of gwo ka in modern Guadeloupe. Gwo ka is also played at Carnival and other celebrations. A modernized and popularized form of gwo ka is well-known on the islands; it is known as gwo ka moderne.

Origin
Gwo ka is the French creole term for Big drum.
The origin of Gwo Ka goes back to the period of enslavement in the 18th century. Musical research show that the instrument can find its roots in the drums and songs of the West African countries (Guinea gulf, Congo...). From the diverse music and dance of their homelands, the slaves elaborated a communication tool, a new form of art, like the creole language: the Gwo Ka. This musical genre is characterised by an African typology: - repetitive form - improvisation - physical movements linked to music - a response between a soloist and choir - a syncopation [which is] weak [at] times. Gwo-ka, is a quadruple entity: dance, music, instrument, song..."

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FEATURED EXAMPLES
These videos are posted in chronological order based on the date that they were published on YouTube. The videos with the oldest dates posted first.

Example #1: GUADELOUPE - Filles super rapides (live drums - gwo ka)



lagoyave Uploaded on Nov 1, 2008

Raw footage
Genre: folklore - traditional music: Gwo ka, Guadeloupe island
Festival les Belles ka dansé - Bourget (France)
Super fast dancers. They could dance really fast and could also play drums, the KA. 7 rhythms, it is unique worldwide. Let me tell you that the easiest one is not obvious at all.
Level: advanced/expert.
Filles super rapides et synchronisées. Niveau de danse: expert.
Danse et percussions: jouent du tambour.

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Example #2: Gwo ka - Jean Fouye Pye Fouye - Lewoz a Choukaj Mas Pari [live drums]



lagoyave Uploaded on Jul 22, 2011

...Traditional drums of Guadeloupe (FWI: French West Indies - French Oversea Dpt #971). Bay lavwa, buzzez, faites tourner svp, please tell a Friend!!! Yon bèl mèsi, thanks a million!!!
Title: Jean Fouyé, Pyè Fouyé, gwo ka classic. 3 dancers/danseurs
This song is loved by everyone and is also one of my favorite for both, the lyrics and the composition as a whole. Many covers available, I like this one, it was a fair one. :)
Guest: Orèl, Style Ka

Chant: Fred Epaminondas, Lowi6
Danseurs: Camille de Miyo, Pascal Lamy en rouge et je ne connais pas le dernier. Si vous savez, dites-le moi. Merci...

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Example #3: Gwo ka - Orel Styleka - "Pa mannye loli-la" - Lewoz a Choukaj Mas Pari

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Lagoyave, uploaded on Jul 31, 2011

Title/titre: "pa mannyé loli-la"
Genre: Gwo ka music - live drums. Choukaj Mas Pari. Annual event.
3 dancers/danseuses dont Manzel Dodoz. Bay lavwa, faites tourner, commentez, svp. Merci. -
Title/titre: Pa mannyé loli-la is a Gwo ka classic song.
Guest: Orèl, StyleKa,,,

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Example #4: Gwo ka Lewoz Poirier Petit-Bourg

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Chaîne de 971chimentrase Uploaded on Sep 11, 2011

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Example #5: Veillée de Napoléon Magloire dit Napo - Gwoka Guadeloupe - 1



Kalinda Productions, Published on May 6, 2013

Wake of Napoleon "Napo" Magloire, master singer of the Guadeloupean tradition gwoka / May 3rd, 2013, Guadeloupe.

Veillée de Napoléon Magloire dit Napo, vendredi 3 mai 2013, Gosiers, Guadeloupe

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What "Sweet" Means In Soca Music

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I in a four part series of posts about the meanings of the words "sweet" and "sugar" in Soca music. These posts use song titles, lyrics, artist's names, and comments from YouTube video comment threads.

This post focuses on the various meanings of the word "sweet" in Soca music and showcases the song "Sweet Music" by the Founder of Soca music Lord Shorty (Ras Shorty).

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/08/baron-find-yourself-and-sweet-soca-man.html for Part II of this series.Part II showcases the Calypso/Soca superstar Baron.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/08/two-recordings-of-songs-entitled-sweet.html for Part III of this series. Part III showcases two recordings of songs entitled "Sweet Soca Music".

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/08/what-sugar-means-in-soca-music.html for Part IV of this series. Part IV focuses on the various meanings of the word "sugar" in Calypso/Soca music and in Trini and Caribbean cultures. This post also provides information about Calypso/Soca superstar Lord Kitchener.

The content of this post is presented for folkloric, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

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INFORMATION ABOUT CALYPSO AND SOCA MUSIC
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soca_music
"Soca is a style of Caribbean music originating in Trinidad and Tobago.

Soca originally combined the melodic lilting sound of calypso with insistent cadence music from Dominica and the French Antilles (which is often electronic in recent music), and Indian musical instruments—particularly the dholak, tabla and dhantal—as demonstrated in Shorty's classic compositions "Ïndrani" and "Shanti Om".

It has evolved in the last 20 years primarily by musicians from various Anglophone Caribbean countries"...

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From http://www.courses.vcu.edu/ENG-snh/Caribbean/Barbados/Images/calypso.htm
"Calypso (or kaiso) was invented in Trinidad, but its influence has spread out to infect all of the Caribbean. Each island has well-respected, major calypsonians and national pride for the musicians runs high...

Many people believe that calypso is about jumping up and dancing at carnivals, that the form is devoted to entertainment. But true calypso is a very serious form of social commentary. The calypsonians address everything...Nothing is sacred in calypso" (www.funbarbados.com).

Soca, on the other hand, is a much less serious music form that uses the same beats and rhythms as found in calypso."

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iNFORMATION ABOUT RAS SHORTY
From http://www.angelfire.com/ny/Playmas/shorty.html
"Ras Shorty I who was born Garfield Blackman in Trinidad started singing calypso as the LORD SHORTY as early as 1963 with his tune "Cloak and Dagger" in Trinidad. He won his first title in 1970 in South Trinidad when he beat former monarchs Bomber and Black Stalin who placed second and third respectively. He was crowned King of San Fernando at that event. However he was unable to beat Calypso Monarch, The Mighty Duke at the National finals in Port of Spain that year.

In the 1970's he began writing calypso songs for other young calypsonians including "MAESTRO" and his cousin "BARON" who had a hit called "SEVERE LICKING" produced by Shorty. Trinidad and Tobago has been renowned for its magnificent carnivals,calypso and in this century's only musical invention: the steel pan. A prolific musician,composer and innovator, Ras Shorty experimented with the calypso beat for nearly a decade before unleashing "the soul of calypso,"...soca music...

"Upon the release of his first album "Sweet Music" and his next "Endless Vibrations", Shorty became more popular with young audiences who followed his revolutionary masterpieces of soca. One composition called "Om Shanti" caused such an uproar in Trinidad that it became very controversial."...

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MEANINGS OF "SWEET" IN SOCA MUSIC
My sense is that the word "sweet" in the widely used phrase "sweet Soca music" is different than the meaning of the Italian musical term "dolce" (English translation "sweet")
http://piano.about.com/od/musicaltermsa1/g/GL_dolce.htm
"Definition: The Italian musical term dolce, meaning “sweet,” is an indication to play in a tender, adoring manner; to play sweetly with a light touch. Dolce is often used with other musical commands, as in “allegretto dolce e con affetto”: semi-quick, sweet, and with affection."

I think that the word "sweet" has more than one meaning in Soca music and these varying meanings can be used simultaneously.
(Disclaimer: I'm African American and by no means am an expert on Soca or other Caribbean music. Additions, corrections, and comments are welcome.)

1. A term of affection and/or admiration that is applied to a genre of music, and/or other cultural offerings
Read this definition about the colloquial meaning of "sweet" that was posted by tlc, Nov 20, 2004:
"http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=sweet
"sweet
Adj.
An intensive used to express satisfaction, acceptance, pleasure, excellence, exaltation, approval, awe, or reverence. When used individually, the level of satisfaction expressed is most often directly proportionate to the duration of the vowel sound.

"Mashed potatoes for dinner. Sweet."
"I just won a million dollars? SWEEEEEEET!"

2. A description of a style (sound) of music and/or the singer's voice tone; similar to the American term "crooners" i.e singers have a smooth voice tone and not a harsh, or gritty voice tone.
For example, here's a commenter from a video* of Soca singer Baron
"baron. sweet honeyed voice. cannot resist that voice. I enjoy going to his concerts too."
-brett12ism, 2011

*This video is showcased in Part II of this series.

3. reference to the fact that soca music is lighthearted, positive, and non-confrontational, unlike Calypso's much more serious subjects of political commentary and/or social commentary.
Read the excerpt about the Calypso song "Sweet Tempo" which is found in the Related Links section below.

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FEATURED MUSIC EXAMPLE
Lord Shorty - Sweet Music



CanchozI, Uploaded on Feb 25, 2010

Lord Shorty - Sweet Music (Sweet Music LP 1976)

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RELATED LINK
From http://www.thedominican.net/2010/05/dominica's-first-calypso-queen.html
[article about and and interview of Juliana “Jahlee” Alfred, Dominica's first Calypso Queen]
"In its early years, Calypso music was known for its witty, smutty, political and social commentary.

Many households did not allow this type of musical genre into their doors because it was deemed unsuitable for listening consumption.

However, as the years progressed, calypso became more popular and acceptable in Dominica. Women also began entering the calypso arena as competitors and have given just as much good lyrics in these competitions as their male counterparts did.

...Sweet Tempo was your winning song, who helped you with writing that song and why Sweet Tempo? Is there a meaning to that song?

...I was born in the southern part of the Island, Grand Bay. Where in Dominica carnival there is considered a Rough Mas. So I wanted a topic that says we need to play Mas with no violence, with a sense of One Love, Peace, and have an incident free Carnival. We need a tempo that's sweet. So I came up with Sweet Tempo.”
-snip-
Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0_6GTPOxI8 for a video of Jahlee's song "Sweet Tempo"

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Thanks to Ras Shorty I (Lord Shorty) for his musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post, and thanks to the publisher of the video which is showcased in this post.

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