Named after the American general Douglas MacArthur, Rose's earliest years were a crowded environment - 19 people in a one-bedroom house. When she was 9, she moved to live with an uncle in Barataria
She began writing songs at the age of 15, and has written over 800 songs. In 1966 she wrote the song Fire in Me Wire, which has since become a calypso anthem. Rose was the first female to win the Trinidad Road March Competition, in 1977 with her song Tempo. She won the Calypso Queen title five years running. She has also won both the Trinidad Calypso Crown and Road March competitions in 1978, the Sunshine Award in 1989 and the Trinidad and Tobago Hummingbird Medal in 2000.
Israel By Bus
Calypso Rose Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
asa nurangurura
ahamagara yerusalemu
ngwino unsange nkuruhure
asa n'umanitswe
mu mayira abiri
ngo uhanyura yitegereze
nta jisho rishaka kumureba
nta gutwi gukeneye kumwumvira
kandi ari bo yaziraga
ku musaraba
nahakuye indirimbo
nagezeyo
mpindurirwa umwabaro
naronse umuzingo wanjye
ndawubonye ya mitwaro iragwa
naronseyo rwa rwandiko rw'inzira
runyinjiza muri rwa rurembo
imiryango yarugurutseyo
ndagabanye kuri ya migisha
wa musozi kera waricaga
uwawugezeho yari ikivume
ndahageze umutima uratsindwa
hampindukira imbabazi
goligota kera yaricaga
uwayigezeho yari ikivume
ndahageze umutima uratsindwa
hampindukira imbabazi
ndemera maze nditaba
goligota wantegeye amaboko
ndashima ko wanyemeye
goligota wambereye n'inzira
wankijije ku gicaniro
wankijije kuu gicaniro
goligota wantegeye amaboko
ndashima ko wanyemeye
goligota wa musozi w'urukundo
wanyambitse gukiranuka
(ndagukunda goligota)
ndagukunda
nishimiye
ko naguhawe
The song "Israel By Bus" by Calypso Rose tells a story of a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, which is full of hope, suffering, and memories. It starts with the singer saying that she hears a voice calling out to her and asking her to board a bus to Jerusalem, and she complies. She describes the trip as bumpy, but ultimately a worthwhile experience. As she arrives in Jerusalem, the city of peace, she is overwhelmed by its beauty and feels welcomed. However, as a foreigner, she also experiences discrimination and is faced with the harsh realities of life in the city. Despite these challenges, she prays for peace and unity among all people.
The lyrics of the song are also significant for its reference to the Golgotha or Calvary, the site in Jerusalem where Jesus was crucified. The singer describes her admiration for the holy site, and she compares her journey to the suffering of Jesus. The lyrics also touch on the theme of love and gratitude, as the singer expresses her love for Golgotha and the people she encountered along the way. Ultimately, the song is a testament to the power of faith and the hope for a better tomorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
ndumva ijwi ry'urira
I hear the voice of the dawn
asa nurangurura
The sky is getting brighter
ahamagara yerusalemu
Jerusalem is calling
ngwino unsange nkuruhure
Let me go and see it for myself
asa n'umanitswe
The world is amazed
mu mayira abiri
At the two-faced nature
ngo uhanyura yitegereze
Where the truth is hidden
ukuntu akojejwe n'isoni
And injustice prevails
nta jisho rishaka kumureba
No one wants to look at it
nta gutwi gukeneye kumwumvira
No one wants to hear it
kandi ari bo yaziraga
Yet this is what we're facing
ku musaraba
On the crossroads
nahakuye indirimbo
I sing a song
nagezeyo
I reminisce
mpindurirwa umwabaro
For the liberation
naronse umuzingo wanjye
I reaffirm my commitment
ndawubonye ya mitwaro iragwa
Having seen the price paid
naronseyo rwa rwandiko rw'inzira
I write down the map
runyinjiza muri rwa rurembo
To guide me in this darkness
imiryango yarugurutseyo
Along the paths I've traveled
ndagabanye kuri ya migisha
I unite with the faithful
wa musozi kera waricaga
The mountain that was once barren
uwawugezeho yari ikivume
Is now covered in green
ndahageze umutima uratsindwa
My heart is overwhelmed
hampindukira imbabazi
I cannot bear this suffering
goligota kera yaricaga
The old Golgotha
uwayigezeho yari ikivume
Is now in bloom
ndahageze umutima uratsindwa
My heart is overwhelmed
hampindukira imbabazi
I cannot bear this suffering
ndemera maze nditaba
I look forward and hope
goligota wantegeye amaboko
Golgotha stretches out its arms
ndashima ko wanyemeye
And I am grateful
goligota wambereye n'inzira
Golgotha blazed the trail
wankijije ku gicaniro
And pointed the way
wankijije kuu gicaniro
And pointed the way
goligota wantegeye amaboko
Golgotha stretches out its arms
ndashima ko wanyemeye
And I am grateful
goligota wa musozi w'urukundo
Golgotha, the mountain of love
wanyambitse gukiranuka
Has freed me from my burden
(ndagukunda goligota)
(I love Golgotha)
ndagukunda
I love it
nishimiye
I am thankful
ko naguhawe
For what you have given me
Contributed by Chase C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jeanfrancoislanglois1758
3 min 57 de pure bonne humeur , ça fait du bien, merci Madame 👍👏
@CarlosVelicia
MARCHÍTA DEL CARIBE , RITMO & BUÉN ROLLITO = GOOD VIBES . SALUDOS FROM " ESPAÑA " . WAS.WAS.
@Garifuna4Life
No one does it better than this Queen of Calypso!
@lazyeejay
Love this tune, I had a great idea for a tv comedy series and this would be the theme tune.
@AshlieghStubbs
Omg 😱. I use to listen to this song on tempo for years and I’ve finally found it in 2020 😭😭
@abdoulaye1968
I was here, in studio LUV with calypso, pascal obolo, thierry and the big gordon cyrus. Nice
@andyfarfan7457
iconic❤❤❤❤❤❤
@rootscontroler6032
Love love Love
@kosae20
To all the brothers and sisters in Jamaica and the Caribbean we are the children of Israel our land is Zion the time as come for all us to return to the Lion of Judah who is the Messiah (Revelation 5:5. Psalms 137:1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. Psalms 137:4 How shall we sing the LORD'S song in a strange land? Psalms 137:5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.
@lazyeejay
Fantastic, Calypso is a legend x