(1)
Alphonsus Celestine Edmund Cassell MBE (born November 16, 1954 died … Read Full Bio ↴(1)
Alphonsus Celestine Edmund Cassell MBE (born November 16, 1954 died September 16, 2010) is a soca musician who performs under the stage name Arrow.

Born on the island of Montserrat in the West Indies, one of his most well-known songs is Hot Hot Hot (resung by David Johansen in his Buster Poindexter alter ego). Although native to Montserrat, Arrow attributes his success to his time in Antigua and time spent with Antiguan bands such as Burning Flames.

(2)
Arrow was an alias of the German electronic music producer Kai MacDonald who is better known as Kai Tracid. He produced the track Back in the House in 1997 under this alias.

(3)
Arrow was a German thrash metal band formed in 1983.

(4)
Arrow is a Dutch radio station based in The Hague. It plays Classic Rock and Jazz music.

(5)
Arrow was a Swedsih Melodic Metal band formed in 1984.

Caribbean Man
Arrow Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You try with a federation
De whole ting get in confusion
Caricom and then Carifta
But some how ah smelling disaster
Mister West Indian politician
I mean yuh went to big institution
And how come you cyah unite 7 million
When ah West Indian unity, I know is very easy

If you only rap to yuh people and tell dem like me, dem is...

One race (de Caribbean man)
From de same place (de Caribbean man)
Dat make de same trip (de Caribbean man)
On de same ship (de Caribbean man)
So we must push one common intention
Is for a better life in de region
For we woman, and we children

Dat must be de ambition of de Caribbean man
De Caribbean man, de Caribbean man

Overall Meaning

Arrow's song Caribbean Man is a powerful call for unity among the nations of the Caribbean. The song opens with a reference to the various attempts at regional integration, including the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA), which have failed to bring about the desired level of unity. This is followed by a scathing critique of West Indian politicians who are unable to unite the people of the region despite their elite education.

The lyrics make a passionate appeal for unity among Caribbean people. The song argues that all West Indians are essentially one race, from the same place, and made the same trip on the same ship. Therefore, there is a natural basis for unity and cooperation. The song calls on West Indian politicians to speak directly to their people and encourage them to work towards a common purpose.

The song is an anthem for Caribbean people, who have always been proud of their heritage and deeply committed to regional integration. Its message of unity and cooperation has resonated with generations of West Indians and continues to inspire new efforts at regional integration.

Line by Line Meaning

You try with a federation
You attempted to create a federation.

De whole ting get in confusion
The entire situation became chaotic.

Caricom and then Carifta
Caricom and Carifta were attempted solutions.

But some how ah smelling disaster
But I sense that disaster is looming.

Mister West Indian politician
West Indian politicians.

I mean yuh went to big institution
Even though you have received higher education.

And how come you cyah unite 7 million
Why can't you unite the 7 million West Indians?

When ah West Indian unity, I know is very easy
When uniting West Indian countries should be simple.

If you only rap to yuh people and tell dem like me, dem is...
If you only reach out to your fellow citizens and communicate the following message:

One race (de Caribbean man)
We are one race (the Caribbean man).

From de same place (de Caribbean man)
We are from the same place (the Caribbean).