He was born in San Fernando, Trinidad. He became active in calypso in the mid-1930s, and was considered a country bumpkin by his contemporaries, because of his humble beginning. It was Grant's tailor who gave him his moniker by commenting, "I tell you, Rupert, you should call yourself Lord Invader so when you go up to the city you be invadin' the capital." With a new name, in 1937 he went to the capital city of Port of Spain and began his career in earnest.
He competed in many calypso competitions (including the very first Calypso King competition) and recorded for RCA Bluebird. Lured by Decca Records, he travelled to New York City in 1941 with other calypsonians such as Roaring Lion and Atilla the Hun to make records and promote calypso music. He wrote many calypsos; his most famous lyrics, "Rum and Coca-Cola", were plagiarised by Morey Amsterdam and became a hit for the Andrews Sisters. Invader travelled to New York and sued, eventually winning compensation, although the final settlement allowed Amsterdam to retain his copyright. Ironically, In the early 1940s, radio stations in the USA would not play his own version on the grounds of its using the copyrighted name, Coca-Cola, and its references to prostitution and alcohol. He stayed in New York for a few years because of the lengthy court case. During his tenure in New York City, he became a fixture in the local calypso scene and recorded many tracks for Moses Asch. Eventually, he won his court case, but would not see his settlement check for seven years, so he returned to Trinidad in the meantime. He opened a calypso club there and penned and recorded many original songs.
He is often credited with writing "Zombie Jamboree", although the song was actually written by Lord Intruder (Winston O'Conner), who released it on the B-side of his 1953 single "Disaster with Police". It was covered by Conrad Eugene Mauge Jr, who recorded it in 1959 and was also often credited for writing it. The confusion probably stems from the introduction of the version by the Kingston Trio, which mentions "Lord Invader and his Twelve Penetrators". At long last, Invader collected his money from his court case, and began to tour the U.S., later expanding to Britain and Europe. In the last half of 1958, he returned to New York City and continued recording for Moses Asch. He would continue to return to his homeland for business and pleasure, although by now he had, with Wilmoth Houdini, made himself one of America's most successful calypsonians. On 15 October 1961, Lord Invader died at a Brooklyn, New York hospital.
The following discs give a good idea of his work:
Calypso in New York (Smithsonian Folkways 40454), released in 2000, is a collection of Invader's recordings across his whole career.
Calypso at Midnight and Calypso After Midnight come from a live recording organized by Alan Lomax in New York in 1946.
Calypso War, Kings of Calypso, and Trojan Calypso boxed set all feature the same set of songs recorded in the United Kingdom in the 1950s.
Folkways Records also have a number of CDs that Invader recorded in the late 1950s in New York, including, Calypso (1955), Calypso Travels, and There's a Brown Boy in the Ring and Other Children's Calypso Songs (1959).
In 1961, Invader released an atypical LP, West Indian Folk Songs for Children (Caedmon Records).
I'm Going Back to Africa
Lord Invader Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(I am going back home to Africa, Theresa)
I will take good care of them
(I am going back home to Africa, Theresa)
Darling, I am very sorry
(I am going back home to Africa, Theresa)
I cannot take you with me.
(I am going back home to Africa, Theresa)
I have an introduction letter
(I am going back home to Africa, Theresa)
From the Gold Coast Commissioner
(I am going back home to Africa, Theresa)
My first stop is Nigeria
(I am going back home to Africa, Theresa)
A warm welcome for Invader.
(I am going back home to Africa, Theresa)
Then I'll go to Kenya
(I am going back home to Africa, Theresa)
And Abyssinia
(I am going back home to Africa, Theresa)
I want to see Haile Selassie
(I am going back home to Africa, Theresa)
To speak to him personally.
(I am going back home to Africa, Theresa)
I am going to South Africa too
(I am going back home to Africa, Theresa)
To see what they said is true
(I am going back home to Africa, Theresa)
Doh matter that I am a West Indian
(I am going back home to Africa, Theresa)
My forefathers is African.
(I am going back home to Africa, Theresa)
Lord Invader's song "I'm Going Back to Africa" is a powerful expression of his desire to return to the land of his ancestors. The song is characterized by a simple and hypnotic melody that is juxtaposed with lyrics that speak of both heartbreak and hope.
The opening stanza of the song establishes Invader’s main motivation for returning to Africa: his children. He explains that he wants to take them with him and care for them, but regrettably he won’t be able to take Theresa, the person he seems to be addressing in the song. The second stanza highlights the political aspect of his return. He has an introduction letter from the Gold Coast Commissioner and intends to seek an audience with Haile Selassie to speak with him personally. The final stanza addresses his journey's historical and cultural significance. He reveals his plan to visit Kenya and Abyssinia, and then make his way to South Africa to see if the stories he’s heard about his forefathers are true.
Lord Invader’s lyrics make it evident that he sees Africa as the land of his birthright, and he expresses a strong sense of connection to it. He speaks of the hope of a future with his children, the importance of African politics and the significance of his heritage. Ultimately, the song is a powerful and personal statement of a man's desire to connect with his roots.
Line by Line Meaning
I am taking all my children
I am returning to Africa and taking my children with me, Theresa.
I will take good care of them
I will ensure the well-being of my children while we are in Africa, Theresa.
Darling, I am very sorry
I apologize, Theresa, but I cannot take you with me on this journey back to Africa.
I cannot take you with me.
I am unable to bring you along with me on my return to Africa, Theresa.
I have an introduction letter
I possess a letter of introduction, Theresa, that will aid me in my journey back to Africa.
From the Gold Coast Commissioner
This letter of introduction was granted to me by the Gold Coast Commissioner, Theresa.
My first stop is Nigeria
Nigeria is the first destination on my journey back to Africa, Theresa.
A warm welcome for Invader.
I expect to receive a warm welcome when I arrive in Nigeria as a returning African, Theresa.
Then I'll go to Kenya
After Nigeria, I will continue my journey to Kenya, Theresa.
And Abyssinia
I also plan to visit Abyssinia during my return to Africa, Theresa.
I want to see Haile Selassie
I desire to meet with Haile Selassie personally during my visit to Abyssinia, Theresa.
To speak to him personally.
I hope to have a personal conversation with Haile Selassie during our visit, Theresa.
I am going to South Africa too
In addition, I intend to visit South Africa during my return to Africa, Theresa.
To see what they said is true
I want to verify the rumors about South African norms and culture, Theresa.
Doh matter that I am a West Indian
Despite originating from the West Indies, it does not change the fact that my ancestry is African, Theresa.
My forefathers is African.
My ancestors are of African descent, and I consider Africa my true homeland, Theresa.
Writer(s): Rupert Grant
Contributed by Stella I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.