Sparrow's roots are in Gran Roi, a rural fishing village in Grenada. He was born to a poor working class family. They migrated to his adopted homeland, Trinidad, when he was just one year old. He attended the New Town Boys School where he was selected to sing in the boys. choir of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. This was his initial involvement in music. The harmonics of the Gregorian Chants and the Plainsongs of the church that were embedded in him would later affect the depth and intensity of his compositions. His vocal abilities also reflect his childhood role as the head choirboy who sang baritone and tenor in Latin in the church.
Other influences included listening to American street quartets, pop tunes by Nat King Cole and Frankie Laine, Sarah Vaughn, Billy Eckstein, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald with their jazz contributions, and the early calypsoes of Lord Melody, Lord Kitchener, Lord Christo, Lord Invader (of Rum and Coca Cola fame) and the Mighty Spoiler, to name a few.
At the tender age of 20, Sparrow emerged, as the leading Calypsonian with his record-breaking hit, Jean and Dinah. (Yankees Gone, 1956 covered by Harry Belafonte). Throughout the years he managed to showcase his diversity each year with the release of at least one album dating from the catchy Jean and Dinah. in 1956 to Carnival Boycott (1957, a song responsible for the many changes and improvement for mass men, calypsonians and steelband men). This song was eventually responsible for the formation of the Carnival Development Committee. An organization to assist calypsonians, steelband men and mas men. This committee was fully endorsed by the Founding Father of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Eric Eustace Williams.
In 1958 he became the only calypsonian to have had a triple win, in the same year, in the Road March Competition. The calypsoes were P.A.Y.E. (Pay As You Earn, a song that enabled the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, to understand the importance of paying taxes). Russian Satellite (a song reflecting on the act of cruelty to animals) and Theresa (a number where, for the first time in his career, he utilized other languages). In an unprecedented move, he was awarded a cash prize by the Carnival Development Committee, for winning the Road March Competition that year.
In 1959 he released Federation, (a song that reflected his disappointment over the breaking up of the proposed Caribbean Federation). In 1960 his career continued to soar with the melodious May May and Leave the damn Doctor, Royal Jail and Ten to one is Murder followed in 1961. In 1962 he presented us with Sparrow Come Back Home and Model Nation. Dan is the Man in the Van came in 1963 and the Village Ram in 1964.
In 1965 we experienced Congo Man. In that same year Sparrow proved himself a balladeer with his remake of Arthur Prysock's original, Only A Fool Breaks His Own Heart accompanied by Byron Lee and the Dragonaires. This rendition won him a Gold Record in Holland. He also recorded Frank Sinatra's My Way and Lucho Gatica's "El Reloj".
In 1966, He won the Road March Competition again with Melda and 1967 he advised the youth on the importance of Education. Mr. Walker was his hit in 1968, he won the Road March Competition again in 1969 with Sa Sa Yea and in 1970 he appealed to the people of this world to Love one Another and Lend A Hand. These songs appealed to the country for unity "Unity somehow if Trinidad ever needed you is now".
In 1971 Good Citizen followed and in 1972 he won the Calypso Monarch and Road March Competitions with Drunk and Disorderly. No Kind of Man at all was released in 1973 and We Pass That Stage (a strong social commentary in 1974. In 1975 he gave us a psychological analysis, showing where the rich is envious of the poor with Neurosis of the Rich. The Mayor of Detroit, Coleman Young, also presented him with the keys to the city.
In 1976 we got the humorous Salt Fish, and in 1977 he lead the Caribbean with a tribute to Hasley Crawford, the Olympic Gold Medallist. In the same year, during FESTAC, in Nigeria, Sparrow received the honorary title of Chief of the Yorubas, (which is Chief Omo Wale of Ikoyi).
In 1978 he paid tribute to Penny Commissiong (the first black Miss Universe) with The First Black Miss Universe, and chided Idi Amin Dada, tyrant in Africa. Kerry Packer (a song about the cricket revolution) followed in 1979 and in 1980 the Shah of Iran (Wanted Dead or Alive ). This number was covered by the popular American group, Manhattan Transfer.
Sparrow continued to climb the ladder of success while becoming the most popular caypsonian of all time. He demonstrated year after year, with his social commentaries that the calypsonian is really the eyes and ears of the people. In 1981 he registered his social/political Commentaries. We Like It So and his first chutney contribution Sexy Marajhin another liguistic inclusion. In 1982 he gave us Human Rights and in 1983 another powerful, State of the Union address Capitalism Gone Mad. He added another Road March title to his record in 1984 with Doh Back Back and in 1985 he demonstrated to the youth in the business that he can step up to another level when necessary with Soca Pressure.
Around this same time, Mayor Ed Koch of New York proclaimed March 18th, The Mighty Sparrow Day. He dealt with another evil of society in 1986 advising the vulnerable that Coke Is Not It. In 1987 he thrilled the world with another classic, the humorous Lying Excuses. He made another appearance in Nigeria, this time as Chief Omo Wale of Ikoyi, during his National Tour of Afirca and upon his return he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree, Doctor of Letters, from the University of the West Indies. Hence, the reason for Dr. Bird his chronicling of the event at the University of the West Indies, (using humor again as he always does She had a headache and this Dr. Bird performed a myomectamy on her) in 1988.
Manjhay, and Dutch Romance (which gave us a touch of French and Dutch languages) in 1989. In 1990 he gave us Let the Music Play and was inducted into the SUNSHINE Awards Calypso and Steelband Music Hall of Fame on June 24th. That same day the Brooklyn Borough President, Howard Golder proclaimed the day The Mighty Sparrow Day. Another strong social commentary, We Could Make It Easy If We Try and Precious a dedication to his daughter followed in 1991.
Sparrow continued to define the true meaning of "The Calypso King of the World. In 1992 with Both of Them, Crown Heights Justice and Man will Survive. All making a big impact in the Caribbean and the United States.
In 1993 he sang Put On Your Dancing Shoes and More the Merrier and in 1994 told the youth on his heels that Age Is Just A Number and Salvation, underscoring his roots as a choirboy in the church. In 1995 he gave us a course in history where once again he kept the linguistic involvement Democracy In Haiti (Liberte) and a keen sense of observation with the social situation at home This Is Madness, ("Why have we cast aside intelligence and abandon common sense with unprecedented violence for which there is no known defense"). Incidentally these gems earned him third place in the Calypso Monarch Competition. He gave us OJ (the juice is loose) and the Royal Divorce in 1996 and an assortment of Soca Ballads in 1997.
This illustrious lyricist/composer/singer/comedian/entertainer is an 11 time Calypso Monarch. This includes winning the King of Kings Competition (where every monarch in the calypso world is invited to compete against the Mighty Sparrow, each time suffering total defeat at his hands) in Trinidad. He also won the Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival Road March Competition eight (8) times, second only to the Lord Kitchener, (his songs were selected and played most often by the bands in this category). Sparrow received many other University citations and awards from Governments and organizations too numerous to mention.
Now in 1998, The Mighty Sparrow, continues to rule the Calypso/Soca world with his voice, lyrics and melodies. He is demonstrating once more that he is the King. His new release, The Supreme Serenader is full of dance, humor and facts. The first track Paramaribo is not only a beautiful rendition of how he was captivated by the girls in Surinam but it also demonstrates the depth of his thoughts and his gratitude for a land of style and grace.
Santo Domingo is a track full of dance and proof positive that the King is truly global with his music. He will be embraced by the Latino communities around the world for this one. Racism is a very powerful social commentary, both lyrically and musically. In this song, Sparrow once again deals with an issue of international concern while at the same time reflecting on those who have been in the forefront of the struggle.
Willie Dead is a humorously and classically executed double entendre, so convincing that you will mourn for Willie. Another powerful and appealing social commentary is Raperman. The King assumes the role of messenger and protector of women and underscores his position with the following tracks, Born To Love, and Don't Give It Up.
The Mighty Sparrow has proved himself as the Quintessential Calypsonian, par excellence, with over seventy (70) albums to his credit. He is richly endowed with many gifts. He possesses an amazing ability not only to put into works and tempo the exploits of society, but to crown it all with showmanship and appeal. His great contribution to the artform and our lives has unraveled the mysteries of Caribbean life, leaving the professionally trained sociologist and economist befuddled.
A combination of talent, hard work and opportunity enabled Sparrow's ascendance to Calypso King of the World. He brought honor, glory and dignity to an indigenous art form that was once scorned upon by the elite of Caribbean society. He is one extraordinary entertainer who utilizes the medium he masters not just to entertain but also to edify, enlighten, and educate.
The King is currently preparing for the new millennium when he will re-enter the World Monarch and Road March Competitions for a cataclysmic encounter with his competitors.
Without doubt, as The Mighty Sparrow, The King of Kings, is the real Supreme Serenader.
A Death Of Kennedy
Mighty Sparrow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
May he rest in peace for ever more
It will take us over a century
To get a next man like Kennedy
He never should have passed through Texas oh-oh
The world never miss a man so since de death of Christ
And lord it was terrible oh what a sacrifice
Not one word he said
When dis Texas gunman shot him in de head and he dead
I said de Texas gunman shot him in de head and he dead
He was loved he was feared
He was respected even in the East
Yet he was known to be a man of peace
All his trouble was for humanity
His salary went to charity
He was a man amongst men
We all lost a friend
The world never miss a man so since de death of Christ
And lord it was terrible oh what a sacrifice
He's gone and without a prayer
Not one word he said
When dis Texas gunman shot him in de head and he dead
I said de Texas gunman shot him in de head and he dead
In Cuba in Berlin and in Vietnam
Like a champion Kennedy handled de situation
The civil rights bill the tax reduction
The troops in the school against segregation
The beginning of a good relation with the bald head man.
The world never miss a man so since de death of Christ
And lord it was terrible oh what a sacrifice
He's gone and without a prayer
Not one word he said
When dis Texas gunman shot him in de head and he dead
I said de Texas gunman shot him in de head and he dead.
November 22nd was the day he died
When I got the news how I cried
To me Kennedy meant security
Lots of hope and equality
Then dis trigger-happy clown shot him down
The world never miss a man so since de death of Christ
And lord it was terrible oh what a sacrifice
He's gone and without a prayer
Not one word he said
When dis Texas gunman shot him in de head and he dead
I said de Texas gunman shot him in de head and he dead.
In "A Death of Kennedy," the Mighty Sparrow mourns the loss of President John F. Kennedy, whom he believes is now in heaven. He wishes for eternal peace for the president and laments that it may take over a century to have another man like him. The song points out that Kennedy never should have passed through Texas - this is a reference to the fact that Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963.
The lyrics also delve into the circumstances surrounding Kennedy's murder. The Mighty Sparrow believes that the entire world felt the loss of Kennedy, and compares his death to that of Christ, calling it a "terrible sacrifice." He notes that Kennedy did not have a chance to say a prayer before he was shot, emphasizing the suddenness and brutality of the assassination. Despite this, Kennedy was a beloved figure, admired for his humanity and generosity. He was a man of peace, and all of his trouble was for the betterment of humanity. The song ends with the Mighty Sparrow lamenting that Kennedy's death was caused by a "trigger-happy clown."
Line by Line Meaning
President Kennedy is in heaven I'm sure
The singer believes that JFK is in heaven
May he rest in peace for ever more
The singer hopes that JFK will rest in peace forever
It will take us over a century
It will be over 100 years until we see another leader like JFK
To get a next man like Kennedy
It will take a long time to find a leader as great as JFK
He never should have passed through Texas oh-oh
The singer believes that JFK should never have gone to Texas
The world never miss a man so since de death of Christ
The world has not missed someone as much as JFK since the death of Christ
And lord it was terrible oh what a sacrifice
JFK's death was terrible and a great sacrifice
He's gone and without a prayer
JFK died without saying a prayer
Not one word he said
JFK did not say a single word after being shot
When dis Texas gunman shot him in de head and he dead
JFK was shot in the head by a gunman from Texas and died
He was loved he was feared
JFK was both loved and feared
He was respected even in the East
JFK was respected even in the East
Yet he was known to be a man of peace
Despite being loved and feared, JFK was known as a man of peace
All his trouble was for humanity
JFK's efforts were all for the betterment of humanity
His salary went to charity
JFK donated his salary to charity
He was a man amongst men
JFK was a great man among great men
We all lost a friend
Everyone lost a friend in JFK's death
In Cuba in Berlin and in Vietnam
JFK was involved in and handled situations in Cuba, Berlin, and Vietnam
Like a champion Kennedy handled de situation
JFK handled every situation like a champion
The civil rights bill the tax reduction
JFK was responsible for the civil rights bill and tax reduction
The troops in the school against segregation
JFK sent troops to schools to fight against segregation
The beginning of a good relation with the bald head man.
JFK had a positive relationship with a bald-headed man (possibly Nikita Khrushchev)
November 22nd was the day he died
JFK was assassinated on November 22nd
When I got the news how I cried
The singer was deeply saddened when he heard the news of JFK's death
To me Kennedy meant security
JFK represented security to the singer
Lots of hope and equality
JFK brought hope and equality to the world
Then dis trigger-happy clown shot him down
An overeager and careless person shot JFK
Contributed by Kaelyn R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jubaljohn6509
The Mighty Sparrow is the Master
@avedwards1
Never forget the words. The master at work. We love him in Panama.
@calypsored1
what can i say but to let you know that you are the best, i always respect your words in you songs well done GOD BLESS.
@albertowilliams2538
Pls Up Load The Complete Version... I Was Ten Years Old When Mom Bought That Record And Still Have it...