Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcases a sound file of and lyrics for the early Calypso song "Jail Them" by Roaring Lion (Rafael de Leon).
Information about Roaring Lion is also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, historical, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
Thanks to Roaring Lion for his musical legacy. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post. Special thanks to Guest, jail them for sure and Guest Alexander D Great for their transcription of this song, and thanks to the publisher of this sound file on YouTube.
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Most of the content of this post was originally published on pancocojams in 2013.
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INFORMATION ABOUT CALYPSONIAN ROARING LION
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roaring_Lion
"Roaring Lion (born Rafael de Leon) (22 February 1908 – 11 July 1999)[2] was a calypsonian (calypso singer/composer). His 65-year career began in the early 1930s and he is best known for his compositions "Ugly Woman" (1933), "Mary Ann" and "Netty, Netty", which are still performed today. The song "If You Wanna Be Happy", which hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on 18 May 1963, as well as the R&B singles chart,[3] is based on Roaring Lion's "Ugly Woman"...
From a young age, Roaring Lion (de Leon's adopted stage name) became known for his skill in creating calypsos (particularly in his ability to extemporize lyrics on any subject). Contrary to his humble origins, he cultivated a refined stage persona and always appeared sharply dressed...
Roaring Lion achieved fame for his linguistic prowess as much as for his catchy tunes. His lyrics, delivered in rapid-fire style, show an impeccable command of the English language (as well as Trinidadian slang), and are replete with witty turns of phrase, humorous metaphors, and clever alliteration and internal rhymes...
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SHOWCASE SOUND FILE: Jail Them - Roaring Lion
cool4rocknroll,Uploaded on Dec 12, 2010
Jail Them
Roaring Lion
Calypso Season
Mango
T&T 1989
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LYRICS: JAIL THEM
(Roaring Lion)
Jail them (or 'dem'), before it's too late
Jail all these back market reprobates
Murder, John public can't buy
They raising the price of foodstuffs too high.
Day after day there's a hue and cry,
They can't buy food, the price is too high,
Black market is rampant through rank and file,
Bobol and profiteering is now the style.
No use to lament comment nor wail,
From Caesar to Caesar to no avail,
It's everywhere to be seen,
The law is being contravened,
So the police should intervene-ah
Jail them...
Bush doctors are doing a raging trade,
To charge for their bushes they are not afraid,
Sixty cents for a piece of shadow bengy
A dollar for a twig of timawi
Ninety cents for two leaves of kuzay maho
The damn bush is growing right in front your door.
There's every where to be seen,
The law is being contravened,
So the police should intervene-ah
Jail them...
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This transcription is a combination of the lyrics for this song that were posted by Guest,jail them for sure Date: 12 Jul 09 - 11:01 PM and Guest, Alexander D Great Date: 01 Aug 09 - 11:01 AM on http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=22819&messages=13 Lyr Req: Jail Them (Rafael de Leon / Roaring Lion). Any corrections or additions are welcome.
Here's another post [comment] by Guest Alexander D Great from that same mudcat folk music forum discussion thread:
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Jail Them (Rafael de Leon / Roaring Lion)
From: GUEST,Alexander D Great
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 11:01 AM
Hello everyone,I just want to clarify a few things about these lyrics.
With Guest's permisson I shall refer to their posting on 12th July of the lyrics and make the following adjustments.
Line 8 "Boller" is, in fact, "bobol", which is a common word for corruption in trinidad.
Line 17 is "shadow bengy" , line 18 is "timawi", line 19 is "kuzay maho", all types of herbs used in cooking.
Line 20 is "the damn bush is growing right in front your door.
Alex
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