Roberts was born in Arima, Trinidad, the son of a blacksmith, Stephen, and housewife, Albertha. He was educated at Arima boys' government school until he was 14, when his father died. His father had encouraged him to sing and learn to play the guitar, and he became a full-time musician. He won the Arima borough council's calypso competition four times between 1938 and 1942.
He moved to Port of Spain and had his first commercial success in 1942 with the calypso song "Green Fig" (also known as "Mary, I am Tired and Disgusted"). By 1945, he was known as Lord Kitchener. He toured Jamaica for six months in 1947-8 with Lord Beginner (Egbert Moore) and Lord Woodbine (Harold Philips) before they took passage on the Empire Windrush to England in 1948. Upon his arrival, Kitchener improvised a short song titled "London is the Place to Be", which he sang live on a report for Pathé News
He found further success in the UK in the 1950s, building a large following in the expatriate communities of the West Indian islands. His fame continued throughout the 1950s, when calypso achieved international success. Kitchener became a very important figure to those first 5,000 West Indian migrants to the UK. His music[4] spoke of home and a life that they all longed for but in many cases couldn't or wouldn't return to. He immortalised the defining moment for many of the migrants in writing the Victory Calypso with its lyrics "Cricket, Lovely Cricket" to celebrate West Indies cricket team's first victory over England in England, in the 2nd Test at Lord's in June 1950. This was one of the first widely known West Indian songs, and epitomised an event that historian and cricket enthusiast C. L. R. James defined as crucial to West Indian post-colonial societies. The song, later recorded by Lord Beginner, is rarely credited to Lord Kitchener although Tony Cozier and many who attended the Test at The Oval can attest that it was a Kitch composition.[citation needed] In England, Kitchener started out working in London pubs. At first there were difficulties with English audiences who did not understand all the words, but that did not deter Kitch, and after the BBC gave him a chance to broadcast, he moved on to club bookings, and was soon performing in three clubs every night.
Kitchener returned to Trinidad in 1962. He and the Mighty Sparrow proceeded to dominate the calypso competitions of the sixties and seventies. Lord Kitchener won the road march competition ten times between 1965 and 1976, more times than any other calypsonian. For 30 years, Kitchener ran his own calypso tent, Calypso Revue, within which he nurtured the talent of many calypsonians. Calypso Rose, David Rudder, Black Stalin and Denyse Plummer are among the many artists who got their start under Kitchener's tutelage. Later he moved towards soca, a related style, and continued recording until his death. Kitchener's compositions were enormously popular as the chosen selections for steel bands to perform at the annual National Panorama competition during Trinidad Carnival. He recorded his most commercially successful song, "Sugar Bum Bum" in 1978. He retired in 1999.
It was always important to Kitchener throughout his career to gain new experiences that could be woven into his material. This led him to performances in Curaçao, Aruba and Jamaica in the early days, and finally to London, when he was already flying high in Trinidad. Kitchener once said: "I have reached the height of my popularity in Trinidad. What am I doing here? I should make a move."
Kitchener, who created highly popular and sweet melodies, is honoured with a statue in Port of Spain. A bust is also on display on Hollis Avenue, Arima, not far from the Arima Stadium.
In 1952, he met his wife Elsie Lines. They married in 1953, and lived for a period in Manchester where Kitchener ran a nightclub. They divorced in 1968. He later married and had four children (Christian, Kernal, Quweina and Kirnister Roberts) with Valarie Green, and also had a relationship with Betsy Pollard.
He died of a blood infection and kidney failure at the Mount Hope Hospital in Port of Spain. He is buried in the Santa Rosa Cemetery in Arima.
Kitchener's son, Kernal Roberts, is also a performer, playing drums for the biggest soca band in the country, Xtatik. He is also their musical director and composer of multiple Soca Monarch and Road March titles. He is noted as being a prolific musical composer and song writer.
Merits
Winner of Carnival Road March with:
1946 "Jump in Line"
1963 "The Road"
1964 "Mama dis is Mas"
1965 "My Pussin'"
1967 "Sixty Seven"
1968 "Miss Tourist"
1970 "Margie"
1971 "Mas in Madison Square Garden"
1973 "Rainorama"
1975 "Tribute to Spree Simon"
1976 "Flag Woman"
Winner of Calypso Monarch with:
1975 "Tribute to Spree Simon" and "Fever"
Pan In "A" Minor
Lord Kitchener Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I didn't tell them no,
I say, well, gentlemen I gon' to do the best I can,
As long as you challenge me
Well I going to have a go
They all indicated that they were getting bored
And they would appreciate something new
So I thought it best to change to the minor chord
Beat Pan
Boogsie on the tenor;
Beat Pan (repetitive short phrasing)
Bringing out the minor
Beat Pan
Up come the Professor
Beat Pan
To add to de fire
Beat Pan
I calling on Bradley
Beat pan
To challenge Beverly
Beat Pan
Which mean Desperado
Beat Pan
Go answer Tokyo
You gonna hear them at their best
They will be going through a test,
You're gonna hear them as they pass
The lyrics of Lord Kitchener's "Pan in A Minor" recount a conversation where a group of individuals express their desire for a musical change in steelpan music. Kitchener neither agrees nor disagrees with the request, but instead promises to do his best as long as he is challenged. Sensing the restlessness of the group, Kitchener decides to change to the minor chord, which he believes will reveal the true quality of the players. The lyrics go on to name various players and their steelpan bands, calling on them to showcase their skills and rise to the challenge. Kitchener believes that the change to the minor chord will bring out the best in the players and listeners will hear them at their best, as they go through the trial of the new music.
The lyrics of "Pan in A Minor" reveal the importance of music as an evolving art form. The desire for new music is present, and Kitchener recognizes that as a musician, it is his duty to constantly challenge himself and the standards of the genre. The use of the minor chord represents a departure from the traditional major chord and highlights the importance of experimentation in creating new music.
Line by Line Meaning
They say to me they want a musical change in pan,
I was approached by a group who expressed interest in a new musical direction for the steelpan
Well I didn't tell them yes,
I didn't fully commit to their request
But I didn't tell them no,
Nor did I reject it outright
I say, well, gentlemen I gon' to do the best I can,
Instead, I promised to make an effort to deliver something worthwhile to them
As long as you challenge me
I am willing to take on the task if you have faith in me
Well I going to have a go
I will give it my best shot
They all indicated that they were getting bored
The group conveyed their disenchantment with the current music
And they would appreciate something new
They were requesting a fresh, innovative sound
So I thought it best to change to the minor chord
In response, I decided it would be best to shift to a minor key
To see really who is who,
This would show the talent and skill levels of the performers
Beat Pan
Play the steelpan music
Boogsie on the tenor;
Boogsie will play the tenor steelpan
Bringing out the minor
Emphasizing the minor chord
Up come the Professor
The Professor joins in
To add to de fire
To boost the energy and excitement
I calling on Bradley
Inviting Bradley to participate
To challenge Beverly
To compete with Beverly
Which mean Desperado
Implying that Desperado is also a top competitor
Go answer Tokyo
Encouraging the performers to face this challenge head-on, like champions
You gonna hear them at their best
The audience will witness the performers' peak abilities
They will be going through a test,
Like an examination, the competition will measure their steelpan playing abilities
You're gonna hear them as they pass
The audience will hear their success as they surpass the challenge
Writer(s): Aldwin Roberts
Contributed by Molly L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@puppaweekes5886
They say to me they want a musical change in pan,
Well I didn't tell them yes
But I didn't tell them no
I say well gentlemen,
I gonna to do the best I can,
As long as you challenge me
Well I going to have a go
They all indicated that they were getting bored
And they would appreciate something new
So I thought it best to change to the minor chord
To see really who is who,
(Beat pan)
Boogsie on the tenor
(Beat pan)
Bringing out the minor
(Beat pan)
Up come the Professor
(Beat pan)
To add to the fire
(Beat pan) I calling on Bradley
(Beat pan)
To challenge Beverly
(Beat pan)
Which mean Desperado
(Beat pan)
Go answer Tokyo
You gonna hear pan in A minor
With them steelbands from all over You gonna hear them at their best They will be going through a test You're gonna hear them as they pass Burnin' the grass
(Beat pan) (Beat pan) (Beat pan)
I walk around the room and I started to create
I know I had to prove to them
I have the ability
there and then I decide the minor should dominate
If not entirely
For most of the melody
Notice the chorus carries a simple hook
From the seventh to A minor
It really designed to give you a strange new look
On your road to Panorama (Beat pan) They tell me Catelli (Beat pan) Preparin' already (Beat pan)
But something just tell me (Beat pan) Pamberi not easy (Beat pan)
No one ever mentioned (Beat pan)
The strength of Blue Diamond (Beat pan)
Forgetting that Sando (Beat pan) could upset the whole show
You gonna hear pan in A minor
With them steelbands from all over You gonna hear them at their best They will be going through a test You're gonna hear them as they pass Burnin' the grass
(Beat pan) (Beat pan) (Beat pan)
I want the boys to know the Grandmaster wish you well
Following the instruction
We should be soundin' sweet
I do sincerely hope every single band excel
I know you goin' to have the crowd Falling over their feet
Remember, you're fighting for tonal quality
The Spirit of Carnival and good phrase Arrangement and interpretation, certainly
Has to win all the judges' praise (Beat pan)
They say Casablanca (Beat pan) Starlift and Invaders (Beat pan)
And some band from Arima (Beat pan) They master the minor (Beat pan)
But I know you can't trust (Beat pan) Solo and Exodus (Beat pan)
All will be hoping to(Beat pan)
Destroy Jit Samaroo
You gonna hear pan in A minor
With them steelbands from all over
You gonna hear them at their best They will be going through a test You're gonna hear them as they pass Burnin' the grass
(Beat pan) (Beat pan) (Beat pan)
@ricluces
This is not only the best soca tune ever, it is also the best arranged, best instrumentation and best mixed.,,,EVER
@rohanstreek1936
YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT THIS TUNE IS SECOND TO NO ONE
@dwightalfred
Kitch was the true definition of a musical genius.
@Randy-Roberts
In total agreement with all the praise and respect lavished on Kitch and Boogsie, but please do not forget the arranger, the musical wizard, Dr Leston Paul, the #1 Calypso/Soca arranger on the planet, who laid the sheet music for this Forever Classic. Arrangers are often overlooked, but they are the ones who bring to life what the composers have in their heads. Leston and Kitchie for me was one of the wickedest musical combinations ever in any genre. A KILLA COMBO! Kitch brought the quill and Leston, the musical thrill! Bless!!!
@dalegraham2640
One of the sweetest calypso songs everrrr
@SouLaVee
The best for me.
@babylove8541
I agree🎶😍
@edwconr
This song reaches past every 'normal' auditory filter and connects on a higher level to the very core of human joy.
@robertlloyd8196
As a young youth growing up in Handsworth, Birmingham, England in the early 80's I started playing the steelpans to get away from crime and drama in my life. Know I have my own Steelpan Business teaching adults and children & people with autism and learning difficulties the Steelpans. God had a plan for me!!! This is the song that we played and won with Phase One Steelband in the the 80s #sweetpanpromotions
@damiandellarosa3604
THIS IS THE BEST PAN SONG EVER ........... I SAY SO