He named himself after the Hollywood actor Yul Brynner. He also shaved his head just like Yul.
He moved to Jamaica to join the West Indies Regiment which functioned from 1958 until the early 1960s when there was a West Indies Federation. He performed in Jamaica for a while before returning to Trinidad after the collapse of the Federation.
He won the first Trinidad & Tobago Independence Calypso Monarch competition in 1962, edging out The Mighty Sparrow to second place.
In 1999 he was inducted into The Sunshine Awards hall of fame.
His calypsoes include:
1959 - Juvenile Delinquency; We Want Back Chaguaramas
1960 - Rich Man, Poor Man; Riot at the Oval; Why Sparrow Lost the Crown; Matiniquian Woman; Calypso Story; See Me Mama; Congo; Hula Hoop Girls; Leave the Yankees Alone; The Old Ladies; The Airport; The Doctor and the Newspaper; Vendor Woman; The Princess Wedding; South African Riot
1961 - The Budget; Happy Birthday; The Airport; Old Ladies; The End of the World; Girls from A to Z
1962 - Anita; The Twist Calypso; Carrera; Infidelity; Wedding in November; Michael; My Doolahin; Come With Me; Vagabonds; Publicity for So; Gang War; Nightclub Brawl; Trinidad & Tobago Independence; Ozzanna; Ivy; The Nation Calypso; Help Yourself; Vile Doctrine; Blood Transfusion; Crapaud & Lizard; Bossa Nova Love; Camalata; Sir Winston Churchill; Soldier; Come Back to Papa; The Devil and Man; U.N. Baby; Night Club Brawl; Margarita; Jamaica Why You Run; Trinidad Personalities; Custom Officers; Brynner's Calypso Tour; Trinidad Pullout the Federation
1964 - The Groom in the Bathroom; Pan in Church; Judieline; Call Me B'Wana
1965 - Tiger in Your Tank
1966 - TV Bacchanal; Lock and Key; Pull the Devil Tail; Never Trouble the Devil; Don't Share Your Love in Four; Naught from Naught; Teach Me to Ska; The Shack is Back; Congo War
1968 - Devaluation of the Pound; Jacqueline; Mr. Walker; Bajan Batchelors; Shame and Scandal; Wrecker Poom Poom; I Shall Be Released; The Games People Play; I Will Never Turn My Back on You; Proud Mary; Skull Duggery; Little Willy; Pen in Hand; Who Put Pepper in the Vaseline; Misery Woman; Roslyn Pussy; Republic Yes, Republic No; Vietnam Moratorium; Hang Them High; Doo Doo Darling; Hindu Girl Pamela; Matin Luther King Message; Caribbean Paradise; Big Mouth Marion; Mr. Crab; Calypsorama; Canadian Redhead; I Am Sorry Honey; Munsinger Affair; The Queen Singing Calypso; Uncle Crazy, Uncle Mad; Take Me Back to the Islands; West Indian Culture; Dorothy; My Teacher; Soul in She Soul; The Viking
Congo War
Lord Brynner Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I read the newspaper.
About what's happening
In the western province of Africa.
Everybody's fighting,
to get the fortune and fame.
But it is amusing,
When I read all the bosses names.
and Antoine Gizenga
Fighting to gain power over Katanga.
Colonel Mombutu
and Justin Momboko
rivaling Tshombé
to be boss over the Congo.
My father made me to know
that my great great gandfather
Came from the Congo in the Western Province of Katanga.
But I can't remember his name,
because it was too long.
and if I called the name
I might happen to bite me tounge.
All like Kasavubu
and Patrice Lumumba
Fighting to gain power over Katanga
Colonel Mombutu
and Justin Momboko
rivaling Tshombe to be boss over the Congo
Oh Congo bawa wa mojique berle
arre baba arela ah roqo di mole,
Mojique berle Congo,
eh uwah Kosu.
The lyrics of Lord Brynner's song Congo War describe the civil war in Africa, particularly in Katanga, as the singer reads the newspaper and sees the names of different leaders fighting for power and fortune. Though it is sad to see the conflict in the country, the singer also finds it exciting to read about the ongoing struggle. He mentions the names of different leaders such as Kasavubu, Antoine Gizenga, Colonel Mombutu, Justin Momboko, and Tshombé, all of whom are vying to become the boss over the Congo.
The second verse alludes to the singer's ancestry, as he mentions his great great grandfather who came from the Western Province of Katanga in the Congo. He cannot remember his ancestor's name, indicating a sense of detachment from his roots. The singer then repeats the names of some of the leaders mentioned before, this time adding Patrice Lumumba. The use of African names and phrases, such as "Congo bawa wa mojique berle" and "arre baba arela ah roqo di mole," brings an authentic African feel to the song.
Overall, the song highlights the violence and struggle for power in the Congo during that time. The singer's excitement at reading about the conflict is likely a commentary on the media's fascination with violence, often carrying it as entertainment rather than reporting it as human tragedy.
Line by Line Meaning
It is sad but it's exiting,
The ongoing conflict in Congo makes me feel a mix of emotions – sadness and excitement
When I read the newspaper.
I learn about the situation in Congo through the news
About what's happening
The articles talk about the events taking place in Congo
In the western province of Africa.
The conflict is occurring in a specific region of Africa, the western province of Congo
Everybody's fighting,
There is a lot of fighting happening in Congo
to get the fortune and fame.
People are fighting for wealth and recognition
But it is amusing,
Despite the seriousness of the situation, I find some humor in the names of the people involved
When I read all the bosses names.
I come across the names of the leaders involved in the conflict
Such as Kasavubu,
One of the leaders fighting for power in Congo is Kasavubu
and Antoine Gizenga
Another leader is Antoine Gizenga
Fighting to gain power over Katanga.
These leaders are competing for control over the region of Katanga
Colonel Mombutu
Another leader involved in the conflict is Colonel Mombutu
and Justin Momboko
Justin Momboko is also vying for power
rivaling Tshombé
The two leaders are competing against Tshombe
to be boss over the Congo.
All the leaders are trying to become the ultimate leader of the whole of Congo
My father made me to know
My father told me
that my great great gandfather
My ancestor who lived several generations ago
Came from the Congo in the Western Province of Katanga.
My ancestor was from the very same region where the conflict is currently taking place
But I can't remember his name,
Unfortunately, I do not remember his name
because it was too long.
His name was very long and difficult to recall
and if I called the name
I fear that if I tried to say it
I might happen to bite me tounge.
I would struggle with pronouncing it and end up biting my tongue
All like Kasavubu
Similar to how Kasavubu and other leaders are fighting for power
and Patrice Lumumba
Patrice Lumumba is another leader involved in the conflict
Fighting to gain power over Katanga
All these leaders are trying to gain control over the Katanga region
Colonel Mombutu
Colonel Mombutu is still one of the leaders involved in the conflict
and Justin Momboko
Justin Momboko is another leader in the mix
rivaling Tshombe to be boss over the Congo
All leaders are still competing with Tshombe for ultimate control over Congo
Oh Congo bawa wa mojique berle
An expression of sorrow in the native language about the situation in Congo
arre baba arela ah roqo di mole,
Continuation of the expression that could be interpreted as, 'Oh my nation, my sadness weighs like a heavy rock'
Mojique berle Congo,
Again, an expression of sadness in the native language about Congo
eh uwah Kosu.
A closing statement that could be translated as 'my condolences to the nation,' reiterating the sorrow felt about the conflict.
Contributed by Josiah B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@invisiblesanta
It is sad but it exciting
When I read the newspaper
About what's happening in the western province of Africa
Everybody fighting
To get their fortune and fame
But it is amusing
When I read all the bosses names
Such as Kasavubu
And Antoine Gizenga
Fighting to gain power over Katanga
Colonel Mobutu
And Justin Bomboko
Rivaling Kasongo to be boss over the Congo
My father made me to know
That my great-great-grandfather
Came from the Congo in the western province of Katanga
But I can't remember his name
Because it was too long
And if I called the name
I might happen to bite me tongue
All this Kasavubu
And Patrice Lumumba
Fighting to gain power over Katanga
Colonel Mobutu
And Justin Bomboko
Rivaling Kasongo to be boss over the Congo
Oh Congo
Baba wa mojique berle
Arre baba
Arela ah roqo di mole
Mojique berle Congo
Eh uwah Koso
@hellton.c2875
é triste mas é a unica saida...quando leio os jornais
sobre o que esta acontecendo na provincia ocidental da africa
todo mundo lutando, para obter fortuna e fama.
mas é divertido quando vejo os nomes dos chefoes
Kasavubu e Antoine Gizenga
lutando para ganhar poder sobre katanga.
Coronel mombutu e justin momboko
rivalizando com tshombé para ser o chefao do congo.
Meu pai me disse que meu tataravô veio do congo da provincia ocidental de katanga.
mas eu nao me lembro do nome dele, pq foi ha muito tempo
e se eu chamar o nome eu devo ter mordido a lingua.
kasavubu e praticie lumumbra lutando para ganhar o poder de katanga
coronel mombutu e justin momboko
rivalizando com tshombé para ser o chefao do congo.
Oh Congo bawa wa mojique berle arre baba arela ah roqo di mole, Mojique berle Congo, eh uwah Kosu.
@mnd1955
Serious ska. This was one of the first ska records I ever heard back in the 60s and I haven't stopped listening since. Thanks for posting it.
@odiliakalop7049
Onvoorstelbaar hoe lang ik naar dit nummer zocht, zanger en naam lied vergeten wist wel dat Congo voorkwam, dank u voor posting, geniet voorlopig iedere dag van
@invisiblesanta
It is sad but it exciting
When I read the newspaper
About what's happening in the western province of Africa
Everybody fighting
To get their fortune and fame
But it is amusing
When I read all the bosses names
Such as Kasavubu
And Antoine Gizenga
Fighting to gain power over Katanga
Colonel Mobutu
And Justin Bomboko
Rivaling Kasongo to be boss over the Congo
My father made me to know
That my great-great-grandfather
Came from the Congo in the western province of Katanga
But I can't remember his name
Because it was too long
And if I called the name
I might happen to bite me tongue
All this Kasavubu
And Patrice Lumumba
Fighting to gain power over Katanga
Colonel Mobutu
And Justin Bomboko
Rivaling Kasongo to be boss over the Congo
Oh Congo
Baba wa mojique berle
Arre baba
Arela ah roqo di mole
Mojique berle Congo
Eh uwah Koso
@EtesanWatanabe
Awesome Ska Tune. Was listening to the lyrics which led me to read a bit about the people mentioned, which led me to "another" involvement by so-called democratic Governments and their leaders in the killing of other elected leaders. Guess which one was at it again. Appaling! But great tune.
@hellton.c2875
é triste mas é a unica saida...quando leio os jornais
sobre o que esta acontecendo na provincia ocidental da africa
todo mundo lutando, para obter fortuna e fama.
mas é divertido quando vejo os nomes dos chefoes
Kasavubu e Antoine Gizenga
lutando para ganhar poder sobre katanga.
Coronel mombutu e justin momboko
rivalizando com tshombé para ser o chefao do congo.
Meu pai me disse que meu tataravô veio do congo da provincia ocidental de katanga.
mas eu nao me lembro do nome dele, pq foi ha muito tempo
e se eu chamar o nome eu devo ter mordido a lingua.
kasavubu e praticie lumumbra lutando para ganhar o poder de katanga
coronel mombutu e justin momboko
rivalizando com tshombé para ser o chefao do congo.
Oh Congo bawa wa mojique berle arre baba arela ah roqo di mole, Mojique berle Congo, eh uwah Kosu.
@decunamus2
MOBUTU IS STIL THERE.
@cherina6632
What do you mean
@jermainerace4156
@@cherina6632 Mobutu is mentioned in the song. Search Mobutu Sese Seko, he's currently the President of Zaire.
@cherina6632
@@jermainerace4156 Congo is no longer Zaire. Mobutu died a long time ago from cancer. I think your internet explorer browser lagged a bit too hard, bruh you're stuck in 1990
@jermainerace4156
@@cherina6632 Missed that, still, 32 years in office is a pretty long stint.