The Origin Of The Old Trinidadian Endearment "Doo Doo" & An Examples Of That Term In Lord Beginner's 1950s Calypso Song "Louise"

mightysparrowaz,  May 11, 2012

Lord Beginner tells us his love life seems to have hit a snag. I suppose we`ve all been through that too although I for one never got near to expressing my feelings in such a wonderfully apt descriptive phrase as that of Beginner and his "lost paradise".

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision - Nov. 16, 2023

This pancocojams post showcases a YouTube sound file of the 1950 (Trinidad) Calypso song "General Election" by Lord Beginner.

Information about Lord Beginner is included in this post along with the lyrics for this song and selected comments from this sound file's discussion thread

The content of this post is presented for information and cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Lord Beginner for his musical legacy and thanks to the band who played the music and sung the chorus of this song in this record. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this sound file on YouTube.

****
WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF THE TRINI TERM "DOO DOO" MEAN AND WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
From https://triniinxisle.com/2018/12/02/trinidad-slang-doux-doux/
"Doudou, doodoo, doux-doux (n): Sweetness; sweetie; a Trini phrase of affectionate endearment, usually used to females.

French doux ‘sweet’; such repetition is common in French Creole, but some reduplicated forms of doux, including as a term of affection, are historically found in the east and north-east of France, Aud-Buscher 1989:13; also possibly Yoruba dun ‘is sweet’ = dood(s).

“Ah…done tell mih wifey wot to do when I die.  Ah tell she, ‘Doo-Doo gyul, when I die, please bury min wit’ a bottle in each hand” (Sweetbread, Express 21 July  1982:42).

Dou-dou is most common in Trini folk speech but copied through calypsoes my many artists in the Eastern Caribbean.

Some examples of dou-dou used in Trini phrases:

‘Put you’ trust in God, doodoo’, Ma Christine kept saying.

‘Put you’ trust in God.’ ‘Don’t cry doodoo-darlin”, said Ma Christine, gently patting her on the shoulder.

Doux-doux is a common Trini phrase I heard growing up in Trinidad and Tobago. Interestingly slangs can change over time. I have lived in the United States for 20 years now, and every time I travel back to Trinidad and Tobago, I have to reacquaint myself with the words and phrases that have evolved.

[...] 

Source: Dictionary of the English/Creole of Trinidad & Tobago by Lise Winer"
-snip-
The Trinidadian endearment "doo doo" is pronounced to rhyme with the English words "blue blue" and "sue sue".

****
LYRICS - LOUISE
(Lord Beginner)

Louise, hope it’s not in vain Please come back again Louise, hope it’s not in vain Please come back again Miss your romance when you leave Miss your bliss I had to grieve Oh gal, I now realize that I lost my paradise Darling doodoo, why you make me blue Oh, Lord! Every time I turn in the bed I take the pillow for you. Darling, do you wonder why, sweet love can never die? Louise, girl I must confess yours is of the best. You can bring a lion just like a lamb You got something that can really charm. Oh gal, I now realize that I lost my paradise Darling doodoo, why you make me blue Oh, Lord! Every time I turn in the bed I take the pillow for you. Louise, speaking broadmindedly, you are just like the honey bee Oh, with the dames I know, none every treat me so. I love to hear your happy tone Retaliate with the things you own Oh, Girl! Look I now realize that I lost my paradise Darling doodoo, why you make me blue Oh, Lord! Every time I turn in the bed I take the pillow for you. Louise, telling you candidly you got something holding me Oh, what is it at all that made me have to bawl? Bring it back, I’m paralyzed for you have me victimized Oh Girl! Look I now realize that I lost my paradise Darling doodoo, why you make me blue Oh, Lord! Every time I turn in the bed I take the pillow for you.

-snip-
Additions and corrections are welcome
-snip-
Nov; 16, 2023 - Thanks to @invisiblesanta for posting corrections for some of my initial transcribed lyrics in that sound file's YouTube discussion thread. The lyrics given above have the corrected transcriptions. .

****
INFORMATION ABOUT LORD BEGINNER
From  https://www.last.fm/music/Lord+Beginner/+wiki Lord Beginner Biography
..."Egbert Moore (1904–1981) known as Lord Beginner, was a popular Trinidadian calypsonian.

Moore was born in Port-of-Spain in Trinidad. According to AllMusic: "After attracting attention with his soulful singing in Trinidad and Tobago, Lord Beginner was sent by expatriate Portuguese businessman Edward Sa Gomes to New York City, along with Attila The Hun and Growling Tiger, to record for the Port-Of-Spain label in May 1934." These recordings by Moore with other leading members of Trinidad's "Old Brigade" of calypsonians helped to spark a renaissance of the calypso genre in the 1940s and '50s, and introduce the music to the world.

 In July 1948 Lord Beginner emigrated to England with fellow calypsonians Lord Kitchener (Aldwyn Roberts) and Lord Woodbine (Harold Philips) in 1948. They arrived near London on the Empire Windrush, the first of many voyages conveying West Indians wishing to start a new life in Britain. Beginner began playing clubs throughout London and was a success, recording for the Parlophone label in 1950."...

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome. 

Lord Beginner - "General Election" (1950 Calypso sound file, information, lyrics, and comments)

calypzombie85, Jun 21, 2009

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a YouTube sound file of the 1950 (Trinidad) Calypso song "General Election" by Lord Beginner.

Information about Lord Beginner is included in this post along with the lyrics for this song and selected comments from this sound file's discussion thread

The content of this post is presented for information and cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Lord Beginner for his musical legacy and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this sound file on YouTube.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT LORD BEGINNER
From https://www.last.fm/music/Lord+Beginner/+wiki  Lord Beginner Biography

Born: 1904

Born In: Port of Spain, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago

Died: 1981 (aged 77)

Egbert Moore (1904–1981) known as Lord Beginner, was a popular Trinidadian calypsonian.

Moore was born in Port-of-Spain in Trinidad. According to AllMusic: "After attracting attention with his soulful singing in Trinidad and Tobago, Lord Beginner was sent by expatriate Portuguese businessman Edward Sa Gomes to New York City, along with Attila The Hun and Growling Tiger, to record for the Port-Of-Spain label in May 1934." These recordings by Moore with other leading members of Trinidad's "Old Brigade" of calypsonians helped to spark a renaissance of the calypso genre in the 1940s and '50s, and introduce the music to the world.

 In July 1948 Lord Beginner emigrated to England with fellow calypsonians Lord Kitchener (Aldwyn Roberts) and Lord Woodbine (Harold Philips) in 1948. They arrived near London on the Empire Windrush, the first of many voyages conveying West Indians wishing to start a new life in Britain. Beginner began playing clubs throughout London and was a success, recording for the Parlophone label in 1950.

Lord Beginner signed a recording contract with Parlophone in 1950. Two of his more well known calypsos were "Victory Test Match" (including the lyrics "Cricket, lovely cricket, at Lord's where I saw it") and "General Election". The first was reputedly devised on the spot following the West Indies cricket team's victory against England at Lord's in 1950, inspiring Beginner and Lord Kitchener to begin a musical march from the ground to Piccadilly followed by dancing spectators. "General Election" was inspired by Clement Attlee's victory in the 1950 British general election.

Version 3, edited by midlifefanclub on 22 June 2017"

****
LYRICS - GENERAL ELECTION
(Lord Beginner)

This is a calypso about the General Election in Great Britain

Me, Lord Beginner make this calypso in the style of the old minor calypso

Which we sing in Trinidad since many years

So hit it off, Mr. Blake]

 

 

General election we had in Great Britain

Caused a sensation

Independent

, also liberal

 

It was essential

Socialists was glad

Communists was sad

Conservatives did cheer

at the results in Trafalgar square

But I was confused

Waiting to hear the news

Me and Dorothy in the rain and the cold

By Piccadilly

Two long days it was announced in the parties

with those majorities

They said that the King was listening

So nothing was missing

Traffic could not pass

Police had a task

It was the best election I'll say

Crowds wait there til the break of day

But I was confused

Waiting to hear the news

Me and Dorothy in the rain and the cold

By Piccadilly

At Piccadilly was the grand illumination

Names went up in rotation

Some said we will get more employment

Others said better house rent

Balloon went up too

I saw red and blue

For Attlee supporters roar

and for Churchill who won the war

But I was confused

Waiting to hear the news

Me and Dorothy in the rain and the cold

By Piccadilly

A poor Indian man who stood and was shouting

[?]

Me not know why so much people glad

[?]

God make the rain fall

Still they not move at all

They are loyal to them parties

All night long them body not freeze

But I was confused

Waiting to hear the news

Me and Dorothy in the rain and the cold

By Piccadilly


online source:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8KNPIl6qk8 comment by evil gay jester, 2022

****
SELECTED COMMENTS ABOUT THIS SONG FROM THE DISCUSSION THREAD FOR 
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8KNPIl6qk8

This is the sound file that is embedded in this pancocojams post.

Comments are numbered for referencing purposes only.

1. AinoJar, 2009
"Thanks a lot for posting this! Been looking for this particular calypso ever since I saw Aki Kaurismäki s "Contract Killer" in 93. The Rastas in Camden Town Market had never met a white person who asked for this artist. They didn t have it. But they sold me great vintage calypso recordings, all of them political. Authentic calypso from Trinidad/Tobago is absolutely FANTASTIC!

Cheers Aino"

**
Reply
2. calypzombie85, 2009
"I'm glad somebody likes it... I've been having some trouble myself locating calypso so  I figuerad I would share some of what I have found."

**
3. TheRealDJGIBS, 2012
"Its based on an outsider‘s view of the events of 2-23-1950 at Piccadilly Circus.

The first Beginner/Kithcener/Blake Parlophone session was Jan 30, 1950. In which they recorded in order; Nora, I Will Die A Bachelor, The Underground Train and The Dollar & The Pound. Two subsequent sessions were held in March 1950, in which they recorded; General Election, Iere, Glendeena (unissued), Housewives and Man Smart Woman Smarter. Aside from Kitch, everyone was from the Old Brigade, hence the old style"

**
4. TchikiSteph, 2012
"Not sure, but I think he says "in the style of the old minor calypso" as lots of calypso hits used minor keys"

**
5. Siusaidh Chaimbeul, 2015
"Thanks TheRealDJGIBS for the context - slim re-election of Labour (way down from 1945 victory). Shortly later Tories under Churchill would be back."

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Classic Calypso Song by Growling Tiger "Money Is King" (information, sound file, and lyrics)

foreign movies, Feb 13, 2011

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post provides information about Calypsonian Neville Marcano ("Growling Tiger.")

This post also showcases a sound file of Growling Tiger's song   The lyrics to that song are also 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 Neville Marcano (Growling Tiger) for his musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this sound file on YouTube.

-snip-
I don't know when this sound file was recorded. If you know that information, please share it in the comment section below. Thanks!

****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE CALYPSONIAN "GROWLING TIGER"

From https://www.allmusic.com/artist/growling-tiger-mn0000650889

"Artist Biography by AllMusic

b. Neville Marcano, 1915, Siparia, Trinidad, West Indies, d. 13 May 1993.

Marcano took up boxing as a teenager (he was known as the Siparia Tiger), winning the flyweight championship of Trinidad in 1929. In 1934 he started to perform calypsos as a way of supporting himself. Taking the name Growling Tiger, he was soon winning calypso competitions with his witty socially concerned compositions. Although the youngest of the calypsonians who emerged in the 30s, Tiger’s style harked back to calypso’s African, French and Spanish roots (although he was also influenced by pop crooners of the day such as Bing Crosby and Maurice Chevalier). He recorded 46 songs for the Decca Records calypso series, as well as recording duets with fellow calypsonians like Atilla The Hun and King Radio. Growling Tiger retained his popularity throughout the 40s and 50s. However, by the early 60s his fortunes were on the wane. This was in part owing to the rise of young modern sounding artists such as the Mighty Sparrow and Lord Kitchener, but also because of a calypso Tiger had performed at the 1959 Carnival, that was critical of the private life of the President of Trinidad. This led to a campaign of intimidation against Tiger.

In 1962 he was the only calypsonian to be recorded by the renowned ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax during his Caribbean field trip of that year. These recordings, on Neville Marcano - The Growling Tiger Of Calypso, are a valuable document of an earlier age of calypso music, with their rambling, story-telling lyrics and string band instrumentation (featuring violin, flute, guitar and percussion). Tiger continued to make occasional live appearances, wrote for other singers and also published songbooks. In 1966 he appeared at the Newport Folk Festival, where he made a further recording with Lomax (two tracks from which can also be found on Neville Marcano - the Growling Tiger Of Calypso)."...

-snip-
This excerpt is re-formatted for this post to enhance its readability.

****

LYRICS: MONEY IS KING
(by The Growling Tiger)

If a man has money today
People do not care if he has cocobay [A skin disease]
If a man has money today
People do not care if he has cocobay
He can commit murder and get off free
And live in the Governor’s company
But if you are poor, people will tell you “Shoo!”
And a dog is better than you.

If you have money to buy in his store
The boss will shake your hands at the door
Call ten clerks to take down everything
Whiskey, cloth, earring and diamond ring
He may send them to your home on a motorbike
You can pay the bills whenever you like
Not a soul will ask you a thing
They know very well that money is king

A man with a collar and tie and waistcoat
Ask the Chinee man to trust him accra and float
“Me no trus’ am!” bawl out de Chinee man
“And you better move on from me frying pan.
You’re a college man. Me no know ABC
You want am accra, gi am penny.”
The worms start to jump in the man's belly
And he cried out, “A dog is better than me!”

A dog can walk about and take up bone
Fowl head, stale bread, fish tail and pone
If it’s a good breed and not too wild
Some people will take it and mind as a child
But when a hungry man goes out to beg
They will set a bulldog behind his leg
Forty policeman may chuck him down too
You see where a dog is better than you.

If you have money and things going nice
Any woman would call you honey and spice
If you can't give her dress or a new pair of shoe
She'll say she have no uses for you
When you try to caress her, she will tell you stop
"I can't carry love in the Chinee shop."
I'm sure most of you will agree that it's true
If you haven't money dog is better than you.


The lyrics posted on this blog are often transcribed directly from performances. Although it is my intention to faithfully transcribe, I do not get all the words and I have a knack for hearing the wrong thing. Please feel free to correct me or to fill in the words that I miss by dropping me a message via e-mail. I'd be forever grateful. Thanks in advance!"
-online source: http://guanaguanaresingsat.blogspot.com/2010/10/money-is-king.html
-snip-

The same transcription is given in https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=154911  by Guest, Tony, 05 Jul 14 - 08:11 PM except for this note: "kokobe (ko-ko-PAY) = yaws, a tropical disease".

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitors comments are welcome.

Full & Partial Lyrics For Several Calypso Songs That Include The Name "Dorothy"

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is the second in a multi-post pancocojams series on the name "Dorothy" in Calypso songs.

This post quotes a pdf on Caribbean music about how women with the name "Dorothy" were usually portrayed in Calypso songs.

This pancocojams post also presents full or partial transcriptions of several Calypso songs that feature a woman with the name "Dorothy".

Please add to this post by sharing the lyrics of some Calypso songs that you know which include the name "Dorothy", regardless of how "Dorothy" is depicted in that song. Thanks in advance.

Click the tag "the name Dorothy in Calypso music" for additional posts in this series.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all of the Calypsonians for their musical legacies*. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to GUEST,Tony for his transcription of "My Troubles With Dorothy" and thirteen other old Calypso songs on the Mudcat folk music forum discussion thread whose link is given in this pancocojams post.
-snip-
It's important to me that I make it clear that I don't agree with or condone the anti-women lyrics of many of Calypso songs with or without the name "Dorothy".

****
QUOTE ABOUT HOW WOMEN NAMED "DOROTHY" ARE DEPICTED IN MANY CALYPSO SONGS
From pdf "Historical Culture of Gender and Hetero/Sexual Violence in Calypso in Trinidad: Treat ‘Em Rough" By Maude Dikobe [This link is found immediately below this section.]
"Calypso’s overwhelming endorsement of violence against women cannot be overstated. Stereotypical representation in calypso of women as sexually forward, cheats, unhygienic, and so on, helps to control them. One has only to recall “Dorothy” a sexual archetype about whom countless calypsos have been written:2 Dorothy personifies many of the worst stereotypes about women in Trinidad: She is “a stuckup slut whose only positive aspect is her seductive availability.” Given her immodesty and deceitfulness, she deserves to be “controlled.”

****
TEXT EXAMPLES OF SOME CALYPSO SONGS THAT INCLUDE THE NAME "DOROTHY"

These songs are given in no particular order. A link to the source of these transcriptions is before the song's title.

From http://genderlinks.org.za/wp-content/uploads/imported/articles/attachments/historical_culture_of_gender_hetersexual_violence_maude_dikobe.pdf "Historical Culture of Gender and Hetero/Sexual Violence in Calypso in Trinidad: Treat ‘Em Rough" By Maude Dikobe [in] GENDER & MEDIA DIVERSITY JOURNAL [page 117-125]; written January 1, 1970, published in Gender Links
3rd Edition; 2007

Excerpt of “Love Me or Leave Me,” Lady Iere
"You got to love me or leave me
Or live with Miss Dorothy
This time is too hard
For me to mind a man that is bad"

**
Excerpt of "My Darling Dorothy" (c. 1944) by Roaring Lion

"Good Lord since I marry Dorothy she had me going crazy
(x2)
When is good I can’t stand the pressure
She want me to commit murder
She has a sailor man
She has a Chinee man
Then she left a Chinee man
To come with a police man
Then she left the yankee man
And go pick up the steel band man"

****
Transcriptions by GUEST, Tony 05 Jul 14 in https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=154911 Lyr Add: Woopsin - The Lion (calypso)
-snip-
This guest shared these two transcriptions and twelve additional transcriptions of old Calypso songs. He added this comment to his "post":
"Here's my entire collection of Calypso lyrics, full of mistakes, in case it's of any use to you or to anyone else reading your posts."

"My Troubles with Dorothy" by Philip Garcia, aka Lord Executor (rec Port-of-Spain 2/26/38)

"I was weak an' broken down,
all my nerve shattered an' gone.
Who cause dat cruelty to me,
nobody but de woman called Dorothy.

Now, Dorothy, a nice high brown,
weighing two hundred and sixteen pound,
An' I, the Executor, the feather-weight,
she made me tremble like an earthquake.

Now Dorothy would sit on my knee,
an' feed me wid de vitamins of quality,
An' all the time she would say to me,
"Executor, you losing vitality."

De D an' de O an' de R an' de A,
and de T an' de H an' de Y, dey say.
Now, Dorothy darling, you made me tame.
You wan' Executor to lose his name.

She had a habit an' a way to sit on my back,
to ride me as a race-horse upon de track,
Leavin' me in sorrow, pain an' disgrace,
jus' like Campbell riding a race.

I met her, it was in T rou Macacq.
In translated word means the monkey track.
It was there I tol' her ____ ____,
an' she tol' me, "_____ _____ you're imbecile."

She tol' me "Executor, you mus' stay with me,
brutalize me, you can even beat me.
Do what you like, you can tear up me clothes.
But, you know, I'm a woman dat love your blows."

-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/02/my-troubles-with-dorothy-by-lord.html "My Troubles with Dorothy" by Lord Executor (Lyrics & YouTube Sound File Of This 1938 Calypso Song) for a sound file of this song.

**
"One Morning" by Lord Beginner (rec New York 3/15/35)

"I went on a spree (one morning).
I went to see Dorothy.
I met in a collision.
Was me an' a policeman.

'Fore day mornin', one mornin'

I knock the door without any fear.
I said "Dorothy, darling, are you here?"
But I put myself in a calaloo.
The police was knocking the back door too.

I even called her by her sweet name, Dee.
I said "Mommy, open de door for me."
And, when I peep through the jalousie,
I saw the craf was awaitin' me.

She got right up an' she turn de lock.
But at de back door was a different knock.
In walk up the branch of the law, an' told me,
"Mister, what you come for?"

I said, "I came here to cut my shine."
Said, "But you come here for what is mine."
I had to appeal to sweet Dorothy.
She said, "Tonight, let us sleep in peace."

I said, "My boy, don't you contemplate.
For Dorothy is a heavyweight.
And if you are strong you can win de fight,
but I'm going to box like Dempsey tonight."

The night was so cold I couldn't even sleep.
Under the blanket I had to creep.
I stole a chance and I cuff de craf,
an' de policeman shout out, "Beginner half!"

'Fore day mornin', one mornin', roll if you're rollin'.

I went in a dream at de middle of the night,
as if something was holdin' me tight.
I got up an' I make her with a caress,
and I found my head on the police chest."

****
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0rlDLOpzLg
Ms Dorothy Roaring Lion, published by Nia Radix, Dec 31, 2011

comment by Larry Marsden, 2014
"Miss Dorothy went to bathe and the catfish made a raid, and Dorothy bawl 'ah me' catfish gone with my Lignum Vitae"(tree of life)

all yuh real Kaiso heads...figure it out!!! LOL!"

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

"My Troubles with Dorothy" by Lord Executor (Lyrics & YouTube Sound File Of This 1938 Calypso Song)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is the first in a multi-post pancocojams series on the name "Dorothy" in Calypso songs.

This post includes an excerpt of a pdf on Caribbean music that provides information about how women with the name "Dorothy" were usually portrayed in Calypso songs.

This pancocojams post also includes a transcription of the 1938 song "My Troubles With Dorothy" by the Lord Executor as well as YouTube sound file of that song.

Click the tag "the name Dorothy in Calypso music" for additional posts in this series.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Philip Garcia (Lord Executor) for his musical legacy*. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to GUEST,Tony for his transcription of "My Troubles With Dorothy" and thirteen other old Calypso songs on the Mudcat folk music forum discussion thread whose link is given in this pancocojams post. Thanks also to the publisher of this sound file on YouTube.
-snip-
It's important to me that I make it clear that I don't agree with or condone the anti-women lyrics of many of Calypso songs with or without the name "Dorothy".

****
THE CHARACTERIZATION OF FEMALES NAMED "DOROTHY" IN CALYPSO SONGS
From http://genderlinks.org.za/wp-content/uploads/imported/articles/attachments/historical_culture_of_gender_hetersexual_violence_maude_dikobe.pdf "Historical Culture of Gender and Hetero/Sexual Violence in Calypso in Trinidad: Treat ‘Em Rough" By Maude Dikobe [in] GENDER & MEDIA DIVERSITY JOURNAL [page 117-125] (2007?)
..."Calypso’s overwhelming endorsement of violence against women cannot be overstated. Stereotypical representation in calypso of women as sexually forward, cheats, unhygienic, and so on, helps to control them. One has only to recall “Dorothy” a sexual archetype about whom countless calypsos have been written:2 Dorothy personifies many of the worst stereotypes about women in Trinidad: She is “a stuckup slut whose only positive aspect is her seductive availability.” Given her immodesty and deceitfulness, she deserves to be “controlled.” ..
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/01/excerpt-from-pdf-entitled-historical.html for a pancocojams post entitled "Excerpts From The Pdf Entitled "Historical Culture of Gender and Hetero/Sexual Violence in Calypso in Trinidad: Treat ‘Em Rough".

That post includes more excerpts of this pdf.

****
LYRICS: "MY TROUBLES WITH DOROTHY"

My Troubles with Dorothy by Philip Garcia, aka Lord Executor (rec Port-of-Spain 2/26/38)

I was weak an' broken down,
all my nerve shattered an' gone.
Who cause dat cruelty to me,
nobody but de woman called Dorothy.

Now, Dorothy, a nice high brown,
weighing two hundred and sixteen pound,
An' I, the Executor, the feather-weight,
she made me tremble like an earthquake.

Now Dorothy would sit on my knee,
an' feed me wid de vitamins of quality,
An' all the time she would say to me,
"Executor, you losing vitality."

De D an' de O an' de R an' de A,
and de T an' de H an' de Y, dey say.
Now, Dorothy darling, you made me tame.
You wan' Executor to lose his name.

She had a habit an' a way to sit on my back,
to ride me as a race-horse upon de track,
Leavin' me in sorrow, pain an' disgrace,
jus' like Campbell riding a race.

I met her, it was in T rou Macacq.
In translated word means the monkey track.
It was there I tol' her ____ ____,
an' she tol' me, "_____ _____ you're imbecile."

She tol' me "Executor, you mus' stay with me,
brutalize me, you can even beat me.
Do what you like, you can tear up me clothes.
But, you know, I'm a woman dat love your blows."

-transcription by GUEST, Tony 05 Jul 14 in https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=154911 Lyr Add: Woopsin - The Lion (calypso)
-snip-
This guest shared this transcription and thirteen other transcriptions of old Calypso songs-including another song that featured the name "Dorothy". He added this comment to his "post":
"Here's my entire collection of Calypso lyrics, full of mistakes, in case it's of any use to you or to anyone else reading your posts."

****
SHOWCASE SOUND FILE: Lord Executor - My Troubles With Dorothy



Arnaud Future, Nov 30, 2014

From My Intention Is War : Trinidad Calypsos 1928-1948

Mississippi Records ‎– MRP-079

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Singing Sandra - (Calypso Song) - "Voices From The Ghetto"; also known as "Crying" (information, examples, lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post provides information about Calypsonian Singing Sandra and showcases a YouTube video of Singing Sandra singing "Voices From The Ghetto" (also known as "Crying).

Lyrics for that song are also included in this post.

Thanks to Singing Sandra for her musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are featured in this video and all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these embedded video and sound file on YouTube.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT SINGING SANDRA
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singing_Sandra
"Sandra DesVignes-Millington (born 1957), better known as Singing Sandra, is a Trinidadian calypsonian who won the Calypso Monarch title at the 1999 and 2003 carnivals.

[...]

As a result of her career as an artist, she is a well-respected musician of soca. Her achievements were numerous. She was the second woman to win Trinidad's Calypso Monarch title, winning in 1999 with the songs "Song for Healing" and "Voices from the Ghetto".[citation needed] She was able to finish in third place in 2000 and in fifth place during 2001's festival.[citation needed] In 2003 she won the title for a second time, with "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and "Ancient Rhythm", winning a Honda Civic car and a $70,000 cash prize, becoming the first female calypsonian to win the title twice. She placed third in 2005 and second in 2006.[citation needed]

****
Calypso Monarch
1999
In 1999, Singing Sandra became the second woman to ever win the Calypso Monarch competition after Calypso Rose's win in 1978. This was an important feat, because by being crowned the Calypso Monarch at this annual Calypso competition that takes place at Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival, she was essentially reaffirming the place of women in Calypso music and in society too, especially considering the fact that Calypso as a music genre, primarily focuses on lyrics full of social and political commentary. The two songs that put her in first place were titled "Song for Healing" and "Voices from the Ghetto", which are songs that speak on poverty and racism.[2] The socio-political topics of these songs, were thus very critical of pertaining social issues present in Trinidad and Tobago, today. Specifically "Voices from the Ghetto" speaks about all the hardships that come with growing up in a poor, crime-filled neighborhood, and was considered a very personal song, because DesVignes-Millington herself grew up in the East Dry River area, which is known to be a very rough neighborhood.[3] Thus, competitions like the Calypso Monarch, are very important platforms for musicians that allow artists like Singing Sandra to be able to artistically voice their political experiences to both local and global audiences, because many tourists from around the world flock to Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival celebrations each year.

2003
Then again in 2003, Singing Sandra made history once more to become the only female Calypso artist to ever win the Calypso Monarch title twice. This repeat win, now marked her legacy within Calypso music and also helped to again bring attention to the importance of female voices within a very male dominated competition and genre. The two songs that Singing Sandra performed for this specific year's competition were also full of strong political ideas and were titled "For Whom the Bells Toll?" and "Ancient Rhythm". The latter song relates to the specific experiences of the African diaspora community in Trinidad and other places, and also reflects how Singing Sandra finds her own freedom within her music that help her embrace her diaspora identity.[4]”….

Legacy
Calypso artists communicate their thoughts and comments of the world, mainly, through their lyrics.[2] Although the music is important, the words are crucial for a successful career. The topics vary from singer to singer and can contain any and every type of criticisms,opinions, etc. As one of the pioneers in the Calypso industry, Singing Sandra's trajectory has empowered many listeners, especially women.“...

****

SHOWCASE SOUND FILE: singing sandra crying




Andy wong kee, Sep 25, 2008

****

SHOWCASE VIDEO: SINGING SANDRA ~ VOICES FROM THE GHETTO (TRINIDAD)🇹🇹



Lorenzo Abbott, Jan 10, 2018

****
LYRICS: "VOICES FROM THE GHETTO" ("CRYING")
(Singing Sandra)

The sun rises slowly over the hills,
Everywhere is golden sunlight but still
Most nights with sad tales are crowded
Their days with dark clouds are shrouded
They don't smile and they never will,
Only vultures get their fill.
Empty promises is what they hear
No running water from year to year
Hearts that know one desire -
That if there is a Messiah,
Someday He'd hear their whispered prayer.

Cupboard always bare and scanty
Ten people in a one-bedroom shanty
Forced to sell on the pavement
No vacancies, no employment
Can't tell firecracker from gunshot
Blood does flow when things get hot
Ah 'fraid to look out mih window
To hear voices from the ghetto...

[Crying,] crying [crying] ay Lord, Lord [crying] crying, voices from the ghetto
[Crying,] crying [crying] Lord, Lord, Lord [crying] aye ay, voices from the ghetto
Help us Father! Oh, Lord!

Mothers does just hold their head and bawl
And them woman stronger than a wall
A big pusher eyeing she daughter,
Son in jail for manslaughter
Too bad for he, he ain't named Brad Boyce,
No bail, that's the black man's choice
Like Shadow say, "Poverty is Hell",
She little girl child belly start to swell
Some say life is a cycle
But don't draw she no circle
Where will it all end, only time could tell.

Outside the siren keep howling,
Inside your belly real growling
Police raid very often,
Simpson's measuring a coffin
One night in bed you sleeping,
Next night is a wake that you keeping
So you praying to win the Lotto,
Not to hear voices from the ghetto...

[Crying,] crying [crying] ay, crying, crying, crying, voices from the ghetto
[Crying,] crying [crying] Lord, hear them pleading [crying] ay, ay, ay, voices from the ghetto
Stretch forth a hand to us, Lord! We are not a forgotten people. Hear our cry.

With dented pride they soldier on
Revolutions' base, politicians' pawn
And often their tragic story brings a journalist glory
No wonder they view the world with scorn
From since the day they born
Some call them rebels without a cause,
These social victims of unjust laws
But yet they christen their heroes,
"Renegades," "Desperados"
Forever knocking on Heaven's doors...Hear me!

Steelband music shatters the silence,
Harmony to conquer the violence
Big men run when cops approach,
Fighting for scraps with the cockroach
Young turks, their turf protecting,
Almost every young girl expecting
So tomorrow, beg, steal or borrow,
There will be another voice from the ghetto...

[Crying,] Lord [crying] oh, oh, oh [crying] ay, ay, voices from the ghetto
[Crying,] Oh----- Mama [crying] Oh ----- Papa [crying] voices from the ghetto.

Social amenities, Lord, Heaven knows
Opportunities, well them always closed
Can't get work once it white collar
So if you can't stretch your dollar
Is later for you, crapaud smoke yuh pipe
You sure to dead from gripe
Life does rape dignity and pride
'Til there's only bitterness left inside
And everyday is a hustle,
Arguments are settled with muscle
'Til you six feet deep by three feet wide.

Children through life keep on drifting
Is something they smoking or sniffing
Maybe they trying to forget
This life of misery and regret
No one to come to their rescue
Except Cableton and Buju
So their boom boxes they leggo
To drown out voices from the ghetto...

[Crying] crying [crying] yeah, Lord, lord, lord [crying] ay, ay, voices from the ghetto
[Crying,] crying crying [crying] crying, crying [crying] crying, yeah eh, voices from the ghetto
[Crying,] I was born and bred in the ghetto [crying] I know what I talking about, you know [crying] ay, ay, I from the ghetto
[Crying] crying....

N.B. The following verse was sung at Singing Sandra's 1999 Dimanche Gras performance.

As parents struggle to provide
Children are neglected and deprived
Illiteracy on the rampage
Some parents never reach college
So ---- the child must ----
If he want to stay alive
The dropout rate does come out trump
As their big truck skid and hit life's bump
Dem can't relate education
To their daily life of starvation
So they take their chances in the dump

Every day garbage truck they hopping
Is old junk and metal they scrapping
To get a jump start on them corbeaux
Some does get squash like mosquito
So next time you passing the Beetham
In your fancy car, air-conditioned
Just above the hum of your motor
You might hear a voice from the ghetto.

-source: ROGERTHAT5949, 2018 posted in the discussion thread for this embedded sound file: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXBVsNt2Qr8
-snip-
"Dimanche Gras" -" French for Great Sunday and is the title of the main carnival event called dimanche gras night. On dimanche gras which is carnival Sunday night the calypso competition and the King and Queen of the bands are held. It is a spectacle to begin the carnival on Monday morning (jouvert)." https://cguillaumme.caribsurf.net/dictionary.html

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

(Bajan Calypsonian) Singing Francine- "Runaway" (a Calypso song about spousal abuse)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post provides information about Singing Francine and showcases a YouTube video of Singing Francine singing a version of her song "Runaway".

I've included my partial transcription of this song from the embedded video. Please add to and correct this transcription.

Additional lyrics for that song from a pdf file for what appears to be another version of Singing Francine's song "Runaway" are also included in this post.

Thanks to Singing Francine for her musical and social activism legacy. Thanks to all those who are featured in this video and all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this post on YouTube.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT SINGING FRANCINE
Excerpt #1:
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgFAO6oAsUI&t=3s [summary of another video of Singing Francine performing "Runaway"]
published by CARIBBEAN INSIGHT TV , Mar 24, 2017
"FRANCINE EDWARDS Known in the calypso arena as “ Singing Francine” is a woman who has changed the dynamics of calypso. Born in Barbados and migrated to Trinidad in the late 1950's joined the calypso clique and became a backup vocalist for Kitchener and sparrow. She was crowned Calypso Queen in 1972, 1973, 1974 with hits like “ Mass in the Savannah”, “Happiness”, “Runaway” and “Carnival Fever”. She has one of the sweetest voices in the calypso arenas and is as versatile with her music."

****
Excerpt #2
From https://newsday.co.tt/2017/12/21/dont-forget-singing-francine/ Keith Anderson via e-mail Thursday 21 December 2017 Newsday "Don’t forget Singing Francine"
"Many of our cultural heroes are in life’s departure lounge. Some have gone to graveyards unheralded. As a true blue “Culture Man” I have been shouting from the rooftop that there is need to honour them while they are alive.

I could list calypso veterans and other cultural heroes, worthy of honour, who have enriched our lives through their contributions in their various fields.

I am overjoyed with all the accolades the 77-year-old “young girl” Calypso Rose (Mc Arthur Sandy Lewis) is receiving, including the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT). Her six decades of contribution to calypso is a tribute to her longevity.

Rose and Francine (Francine Edwards) kicked down the doors of prejudice, spite, discrimination and labels, not worthy of mention, that blocked the path of women in calypso.

Calypso Rose is a well-loved artiste, who has done this country proudly, locally, regionally and internationally. As a young man, I had the honour of meeting Rose, and found her warm and friendly.

However, while we celebrate Calypso Rose, the Government, the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) and the National Carnival Commission (NCC) must focus on honouring calypso veteran Singing Francine (Francine Edwards) in a big way. Next year’s Dimanche Gras show is a wonderful way to start! “Mr Dollar Wine” Colin Lucas, are you listening?

Francine, like Rose, has contributed heavily to the development of calypso, and the liberation of women in calypso paving the way for Calypso Princess, Singing Dianne, Denyse Plummer. Singing Sandra, Drupatie Ramgoonai, Singing Sonia, Sanelle Dempster, the late Beulah Bobb, Marvellous Marva, Tigress and others.

I say give Singing Francine the recognition she deserves. Roll out the red carpet! I am sure calypso lovers will agree."

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: G.B.T.V. CultureShare ARCHIVES 1994: SINGING FRANCINE "Run away"



Gentle Benjamin, Jan 21, 2012
7-23-94 - EVERYBODY'S MAGAZINE "World Calypso Monarch Competition" @ BROOKLYN COLLEGE, BROOKLYN NY
-snip-
Unfortunately, there are only a few comments on that video's discussion thread. Here's one of those comments:
Brian Browne, 2020
"The calypsonian as social commentator supreme! Sad but still so relevant today...Thank you Francine!"


****
LYRICS: RUNAWAY*
(Singing Francine)


[Introduction to this video-.01-.040]

Every two seconds there is abuse, abuse of spouse.
Battered housewives in the streets and in the home.
I have one solution and it’s the only solution:
If you can’t agree, agree to disagree.
Otherwise, they will read on the tombstone:
Return if possible.

The name of my song is entitled “Runaway!”
One, two, one two, one two three four

[Song begins around .041]

You wait for you put a ring on she hand.
?? she man
She said she love she bursting with joy
She give you a baby boy.
Little did she know you wanted a maid
The next lady ? could make the grade
Now she sat up and wondering what to do
How to get away. How to get away.
How to get away from you.

Doggies run away
Horses run away
Jack rabbits run away
Know that you can run away too.

Get out!
Run!
You went out and you put those teeth in she mouth
????
You makin she shame all over the place
My you are a dark disgrace.

Not even the judge know she cannot go.
She beg for the love she said that you know
She tryin like ?__ to make up a plan
How to get away.
How to get away
How to get away from you.
Doggies run away
Horses run away
Jack rabbits run away
???

Get out
From there
and don’t go back.

Run!
???
???
they say it ____ wife
than getting abused the rest of your life
When company comes
You have to smile
And pretend that he so nice.
????
????
It’s not all in your head
woman, run away
Woman, run away
Run before he kill you dead.
Run! Run!

Doggies run away
Horses run away
Jack rabbits run away
???
Doggies run away
Horses run away
Jack rabbits run away

What about you?
Woman, you can run away.
You too.
Get out!

[Francine speaking] Now this verse
This verse that coming up
Is for all the men
All the men that’s listening to me,
Now men, listen!
If you know you don’t treat your woman nice
Start checking out now, you take my advice
You think that you know the truth
that woman never run from you
No, no, no no.
Just tell your lady that she sweet
Hold the lady hand when she cross the street
Just do as I say
Handle she with care
So she don’t run away.
She would never run away.
She would never run away.

Doggies run away
Horses run away
Jack rabbits run away
???
She will get out
She runnnnnnn!

????

-snip-
This is my attempt at transcribing the words that Singing Francine said & sung in the video that is embedded in this pancocojams post. Please improve this transcription with additions and corrections. Thanks in advance.
-snip-
Here's an excerpt of lyrics [from another version of Singing Francine's song "Runaway"?] that were included in this pdf file:EXCERPT FROM PDF
http://genderlinks.org.za/wp-content/uploads/imported/articles/attachments/historical_culture_of_gender_hetersexual_violence_maude_dikobe.pdf "Historical Culture of Gender and Hetero/Sexual Violence in Calypso in Trinidad: Treat ‘Em Rough" By Maude Dikobe [in] GENDER & MEDIA DIVERSITY JOURNAL [page 117-125]* (no date given]

"If she bring she friends to visit the house
You insulting she you calling them louse
If she talk to Greg you say she with he
Like she is a slot puppy
Morning noon and night you blowing she mind
You binging she old, old before she time
Seven years you living in misery
Woman runaway, woman, runaway, woman run away
from he"
--“Runaway,” Singing Francine

-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/01/excerpt-from-pdf-entitled-historical.html for the pancocojams post entitled Excerpt From The Pdf Entitled "Historical Culture of Gender and Hetero/Sexual Violence in Calypso in Trinidad: Treat ‘Em Rough"" which includes those partial lyrics.

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

(Trinidad Old Time Calypso) Roaring Lion - Jail Them (information, sound file, & lyrics)

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.
-snip-
Most of the content of this post was originally published on pancocojams in 2013.

****
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...

****
SHOWCASE SOUND FILE: Jail Them - Roaring Lion



cool4rocknroll,Uploaded on Dec 12, 2010

Jail Them
Roaring Lion
Calypso Season
Mango
T&T 1989

****
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...

-snip-
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

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.

2005 Caribbean-Beat.com Article Excerpt- "Ol Time Calypso: Long Time Music"

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents an excerpt of a 2005 article about old time Calypso music.

The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, and folkloric purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owner.

Thanks to Garry Steckles for writing this article. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this article, and thanks to www.caribban-beat.com for publishing this article online.

****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
As a reminder, I feature excerpts of articles, pdf files, and books as a means of highlighting those writings and as a means of encouraging people to read the entire work, if possible.

This pancocojams post is part of an ongoing focus in this blog on African American names, and names and naming practices, particularly in the United States. Click the tags below for additional pancocojams post on these subjects.

****
ARTICLE EXCERPT:
From https://www.caribbean-beat.com/issue-74/long-time-music-0#axzz6CUbl1ZRg
Ol’ time calypso: long time music
It took him more than 30 years, but Garry Steckles finally discovered the joys of real old-time calypso By Garry Steckles | Issue 74 (July/August 2005)
..."around 2002...thank goodness, is around the time I stumbled on a whole old world of calypso — the music that happened before 1968. Sure, I knew Sparrow’s Jean and Dinah from 1956, and a handful of “big tunes”, but I had no real clue about how utterly brilliant the calypsonians of earlier eras had been. I’m talking, particularly, about the 30s, 40s, and 50s, the key decades in which calypso as we know it today evolved from its 18th-century origins as Carnival street music and became an art form embracing every conceivable topic.

These were the decades that gave us the Roaring Lion, Atilla the Hun, Caresser, King Radio, Tiger, Pretender, Lord Invader, Lord Blakie, Lord Executor, the Growler, Sparrow, Kitchener, and dozens more.

And these guys, believe me, had a way with words. Though they seldom got international recognition, they were craftsmen on par with Cole Porter and Irving Berlin. Mostly, they were of the street, and they lived largely on the fringes of polite Trinidadian society. They drank their rum and they chased their women, but they wouldn’t have dreamed of demeaning themselves by using a word that was in questionable taste, much less of the four-letter variety.

Topics of choice ranged from major political events to everyday happenings. A nightmare trip to Grenada on an inter-island schooner. A Christmas spent in hospital. A West Indies cricket triumph. A scandal at the Treasury. Ghana’s independence. A clash between rival steel bands during Trinidad Carnival. The origins of calypso. The coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. An unfaithful or capricious lover. Avaricious London landladies. Tight-fisted concert promoters. The price of rice. A jealous husband. A dishonest politician. And, of course, there was always “smut” — lyrics rampant with double entendres and sexual innuendo, but never, ever, overtly crude or profane.

The Mighty Sparrow once told me that he saw calypso as the voice of the people. “We write about what the man in the street is saying, what he’s thinking . . . and we can say things you guys in the media could never get away with.”

A classic example of early calypsonians’ willingness to tackle difficult and controversial topics came in the late 30s, when Trinidad was in the throes of a strike by chronically underpaid oilfield workers — a turning point in the island’s history. The oil workers’ leader was Uriah “Buzz” Butler, and among their unlikely supporters were both the governor of Trinidad and Tobago, Sir Murchison Fletcher, and the acting Colonial Secretary, Howard Nankiwell, both of whom spoke in the island’s legislative council citing substandard wages and living conditions as the true cause of the strike. Their honesty cost them their jobs. It was a complex subject, and the names alone were a daunting challenge to any songwriter — but not too daunting for those old-time calypsonians.

Here’s what Atilla the Hun had to say about those turbulent times:

Han’ me the Port of Spain*
To read Mr Nankiwell’s speech again
Replete with tac’ and sympathy
Fair play and Christian charity
We promise that whatever they do
Trinidad will remember you

Imagine the moral courage of that man
In the legislative council to stan’
And give his opinion without no fear
In the midst of the members sitting there
To get to his feet and openly say
That the oppressed worker deserves more pay
We should erect, right in this city
A monument to his memory

— From Mister Nankiwell’s Speech by Atilla the Hun

And here’s Atilla’s take on the report of a crown-appointed commission into the unrest (during which, incidentally, 14 people died when police were called in to break up a rally in Fyzabad in support of the strike):

They criticise our ex-governor
The beloved Sir Murchison Fletcher
And Howard Nankiwell, they said that he
Had uttered speeches wrong to a marked degree
They castigated him severely
Our ex-Colonial Secretary
But all these things just appear to me
An example of English diplomacy

They said, through the evidence they had
That the riots started in Fyzabad
By the hooligan element under their leader
A fanatic Negro called Butler
Who uttered speeches inflammatory
And caused disorders in this colony
The only time they found the police was wrong
Was when they stay too long to shoot people down

A peculiar thing of this Commission
In that 92 pages of dissertation
Is there no talk of exploitation
Of the worker or his tragic condition
Read through the pages, there is no mention
Of capitalistic oppression
Which leads one to entertain a thought
And wonder if it’s a one-sided report

— From Commission’s Report, by Atilla the Hun

Perhaps the greatest lyricist of them all was the Roaring Lion. Here’s what he had to say towards the end of his long life about the condition of mankind — not exactly a hot topic with the shake-your-bootie brigade. This is from a song the Lion, whose legendary career started? in the 30s,?recorded in 1993:

If your grandpas were slaves centuries ago, what’s that got to do with you?
You were never slaves, you were free, and also quite independent too
It is true that whites bought African slaves and treated them like pigs in a pen
But according to history who sold those slaves
Was blacks sold blacks to white men

But we’re all God’s children and we need one another
This the Bible has emphasised
So regardless of colour you better believe
Six feet of earth makes us all one size

— From Six Feet of Earth by the Roaring Lion

It’s a far, far cry from the music that reigns in the Caribbean today.


* Attila was using the common term for the Port of Spain Gazette


© MEP Publishers | Ol' time calypso: long time music | Caribbean Beat Magazine https://www.caribbean-beat.com/issue-74/long-time-music-0#ixzz6CUby0FzV
To reproduce an excerpt of this article, please ensure you include a link back (see above)... caribbeanbeat on Facebook


****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Calypso Rose.- Fire In Me Wire (information, videos, & lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases the Calypso song "Fire In Me Wire" performed by Calypso Rose.

Information about Calypso Rose is also given in this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Calypso Rose for her musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.

****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Calypso Rose - Fire Fire



IsDePanInMe, Published on Jul 13, 2008
-snip-
This video shows the complete song.

****
Example #2: Calypso Rose"Fire in me wire"( part1) live@Petit Bain Paris May 26th 2012



Azimuthprod2, Published on May 27, 2012

Calypso Rose "Fire in me wire"(1ère partie) en concert au Petit Bain à Paris le 26 Mai 2012
-snip-
Part I of this two part video includes an introduction in which Calypso Rose tells how the road march judges first refused to crown this song the winner of the road march competition because she is a woman. Here's the transcript to those remarks which are given at .03-1:33 in this video:

"The refused to give me the first Road March.

The "Road March" in Trinidad & Tobago for Carnaval is the most played music on the road by the steel pan and the brass. In 1968 I won the Road March with a tune they call "Fire In My Wire". And now being sung by nine different languages. The last territory to pick up the rights to "Fire In Me Wire" was Japan.

And they say, they couldn't give it to me because I am a woman and they could not of given the Road March to a woman in front of the men.

But thank God, two years ago, they came and acknowledged me. No, no one year 2011 and they made 2011 in Trinidad & Tobago "Calypso Rose Carnaval Year". And they, and they Paid Me all my Interest and they honor me for the former Marches I won which they denied too* and they honored me for all."
-snip-
After these remarks Calyso Rose starts her performance with the command to the band "Hit me!"

*This might be the word "two".

****
Example #3: Calypso Rose "Fire in me wire"(part2) live@Petit Bain Paris May 26th 2012



Azimuthprod2, Published on May 27, 2012

Calypso Rose "Fire in me wire"(2ème partie) en concert au Petit Bain à Paris le 26 Mai 2012

****
INFORMATION ABOUT CALYPSO ROSE
From http://www.tucott.com/calypso-rose/
"Calypso Rose born McCartha Linda Sandy-Lewis, April 27, 1940 in Bethel, Tobago is a calypsonian. She began writing songs at the age of 15, turned professional in 1964 and has written over 800 songs and recorded over 20 albums.

Rose’s father was a leader with the Spiritual Shouter Baptists. Her family was very traditional and opposed her singing in Carnival Tents. She composed her first Calypso in 1955 after seeing a man steal the spectacles off of a lady’s face in the Croisée, San Juan. In the song, she advises Tobagonians to stay at home, because Trinidad was no place for them. Originally she used Crusoe Kid as her stage name, the name Calypso Rose was given to her by the Spoiler, and tent members Piggy and Spike.

Travelling outside of Trinidad and Tobago for the first time in 1963, Rose covered the islands from Grenada to St. Thomas. She won the Calypso King contest and the Roadmarch in St. Thomas with her first recording, Cooperation. In 1966 she wrote the song Fire in Me Wire, the first calypso ever sung two years running at the Trinidad carnival, in 1966 and 1967.

In the mid-70s, as well as dominating the race for the Calypso Queen Title, a title she won five years running from 1972 to 1976, Rose had major hits with Constable Rose and Do Dem Back which became her first gold disc.

Rose was the first female to win the Trinidad Road March competition, in 1977 with her song Gimme More Tempo and in 1978 she took the title again with Come Leh We Jam. In the same year she won the Calypso King competition, the first time it had ever been awarded to a female. The competition’s title was changed to Calypso Monarch in her honour.

She has lived in New York, since 1983."....

****
INFORMATION ABOUT TRINIDAD & TOBAGO'S ROAD MARCH COMPETITION
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnival_Road_March
"The Carnival Road March is the musical composition played most often at the "judging points" along the parade route during Carnival. Originating as part of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, the term has been applied to other Caribbean carnivals.

In Trinidad and Tobago the Road March title has been given out in every year since 1932 (with the exception of years affected by World War II when Carnival did not take place). Scoring is based upon a rank-and-points system devised by a Carnival committee before the start of the parade. The Road March title is among the most prestigious in Trinidad Carnival. The most such titles have gone to the Mighty Sparrow and Machel Montano with eight wins, Super Blue, with nine wins, and the late Lord Kitchener, with ten. In the mid-1970s, women entered the calypso men' s oriented arena. Calypso Rose was the first female to win the Trinidad Road March competition in 1977 with her song "Gimme More Tempo". The following year with "Come Leh We Jam" she won the "Calypso King " competition, the first time a woman had received the award. The competition's title was changed to Calypso Monarch in her honour."...
-snip-
Information about Road March Competitions in other Caribbean nations is also given in this article along with a list of road march winners for each of those competitions.

****
LYRICS: FIRE FIRE IN ME WIRE
(Calypso Rose)

I heard a bawling, like somebody crying
I could imagem what was happening
I saw this old lady running
Calling out to she neighbour Ramsingh
Neightbour neighbour, come o lord
My house on fire
And if yuh hear she

Fire Fire!
In meh wire papa
Ay ya yeye
O yo yoye
Fire Fire
"Spanish"
Heat for so

Ah jump out me bed
Start holding me head
Well ah say tonight lord
somebody dead
Because this old lady
She ent living with nobody
So ah jump from meh house
And ah start bawling like ah crazy mouse
and if yuh hear me

Fire Fire!
In she wire papa
Ay ya yeye
O yo yoye
Fire Fire
"Spanish"
Heat for so

When me neighbour Ramsingh
He came running
He thought it was a joke
Because he didnt see no smoke
She bawling come over Ramsingh
Where is the ladder
Unreel the house
And let go the water
To out the fire
and if yuh hear she


Fire Fire!
In she wire papa
Ay ya yeye
O yo yoye
Fire Fire
"Spanish"
Heat for so


Fire Fire!
In she wire papa
Ay ya yeye
O yo yoye
Fire Fire
"Spanish"
Heat for so

Source: http://islandlyrics.com/lyrics-calypso_rose-fire_fire_in_me_wire_1980s_calypso.htm

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.