Big Bamboo
Mighty Sparrow Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I asked my woman what must I do, what must I do
To make her honest and keep love too, and keep love too
She said Sparrow all I want from you, I want from you
Is a little little piece baby, just a little little piece of the big bamboo

Well she's ready for, bamboo, grows out from the ground, bamboo
It's so big and strong, bamboo stand up straight and tall, bamboo
Please it's what I want bamboo, tadadada bamboo lalalala bamboo laladedada bamboo tadadada
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars

I gave my woman a coconut , a coconut
She told me she thought, it was ok but, it is ok but
To my surprise she gave it back to me, right back to me
What good is the nut baby, tell me what good is the nut without the tree

Well she's ready for, bamboo, grows out from the ground, bamboo
It's so big and strong, bamboo, stand up straight and tall, bamboo
Please it's what I want, bamboo, tadadada bamboo lalalala bamboo laladedada bamboo
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars

I gave my woman a sugarcane, a sugarcane
Very very sweet, I must explain, I must explain
And she gave it back much to my surprise, to my surprise
I love this flavour I really,really love this flavour but not the size

Well she's ready for, bamboo, grows out from the ground, bamboo
It's so big and strong, bamboo, stand up straight and tall, bamboo
Please it's what I want, bamboo, tadadada bamboo lalalala bamboo laladedada bamboo dubydubydubydoo
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars

Now ever since the world began, the world began
Woman was always fooling man, fooling man
And, but they found out women were always true, always true
To the man then, who would jam them,when they really really would jam them
With the big bamboo

Well they're ready for, bamboo, grows out from the ground, bamboo
It's so big and strong, bamboo, stands up straight and tall, bamboo
Please it's what I want bamboo, tadadada bamboo lalalala bamboo laladedada bamboo dubydubydubydoo
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars

A Japanese came to America, to America
For a woman he brought out Rockefeller Plaza, Rockefeller Plaza
She said Hai Hai Hai no more Ari Ka Toh, Ari Ka Toh
You show up me with your bridges,
When I only want a few inches at the big bamboo

Well she's ready for, bamboo, grows out from the ground, bamboo
It's so big and strong, bamboo, stands up straight and tall, bamboo
Please it's what I want bamboo, tadadada bamboo lalalala bamboo laladeda bamboo tadadada
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars




The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars

Overall Meaning

The song “Big Bamboo” by the Mighty Sparrow is a humorous commentary on the age-old battle of the sexes. The singer in the song is attempting to please his woman by giving her gifts, such as a coconut and a sugarcane, but realizes that what she really wants is the “big bamboo”. The “big bamboo” is a metaphor for a satisfying sexual experience, and the woman in the song is portrayed as insatiable, always wanting more. The repetition of the phrase “working for the Yankee dollars” suggests that women are only interested in men with money who can provide for them, but the singer in the song is struggling to keep up with his woman’s demands.


The song also includes a verse about a Japanese man who is trying to please an American woman by buying her expensive gifts, but she ultimately just wants the “big bamboo”. This verse highlights not only the universality of the struggle between men and women but also the impact of Western cultural values on other societies.


Overall, “Big Bamboo” is a lighthearted and humorous take on a serious topic. It underscores the tendency for men and women to misunderstand each other and the difficulty of meeting each other’s needs and desires.


Line by Line Meaning

I asked my woman what must I do, what must I do
Sparrow is asking his woman how to keep her honest and keep their love alive.


To make her honest and keep love too, and keep love too
Sparrow is seeking advice to maintain love and honesty in the relationship.


She said Sparrow all I want from you, I want from you
Sparrow's woman states her only desire from him.


Is a little little piece baby, just a little little piece of the big bamboo
Sparrow's woman wants big, strong bamboo.


Well she's ready for, bamboo, grows out from the ground, bamboo
Sparrow's woman is prepared and wants real bamboo.


It's so big and strong, bamboo stand up straight and tall, bamboo
Sparrow's woman is insisting on big, strong bamboo.


Please it's what I want bamboo, tadadada bamboo lalalala bamboo laladedada bamboo tadadada
Sparrow's woman reiterates her desire for bamboo.


The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Sparrow's woman wants huge bamboo.


Working for the yankee dollars
Sparrow's woman has expensive taste and desires the best.


I gave my woman a coconut , a coconut
Sparrow tries to please his woman with a coconut.


She told me she thought, it was ok but, it is ok but
Sparrow's woman wasn't impressed with the coconut.


To my surprise she gave it back to me, right back to me
Sparrow's woman rejects his gift of a coconut.


What good is the nut baby, tell me what good is the nut without the tree
Sparrow's woman desires more than a simple coconut.


I gave my woman a sugarcane, a sugarcane
Sparrow hopes to impress his woman with a sweet sugarcane.


Very very sweet, I must explain, I must explain
Sparrow raves about the sweetness of the sugarcane.


And she gave it back much to my surprise, to my surprise
Sparrow's woman wasn't impressed and gave the sugarcane back.


I love this flavour I really,really love this flavour but not the size
Sparrow's woman demands more than a small sugarcane.


Now ever since the world began, the world began
Sparrow acknowledges woman's power since the beginning of time.


Woman was always fooling man, fooling man
Sparrow thinks women can be deceiving to men.


And, but they found out women were always true, always true
Sparrow realizes that women want honesty too.


To the man then, who would jam them,when they really really would jam them
If men can satisfy them, women will satisfy men back.


A Japanese came to America, to America
Sparrow tells a story about a Japanese person in America.


For a woman he brought out Rockefeller Plaza, Rockefeller Plaza
The Japanese person built something impressive to impress his woman.


She said Hai Hai Hai no more Ari Ka Toh, Ari Ka Toh
The woman rejected the impressive gift because it wasn't what she wanted.


You show up me with your bridges, when I only want a few inches at the big bamboo
The woman wanted big bamboo, not impressive structures.


Working for the yankee dollars
Sparrow's woman has expensive taste and desires the best.


The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Sparrow's woman wants huge bamboo.


Well she's ready for, bamboo, grows out from the ground, bamboo
Sparrow's woman is prepared and wants real bamboo.


It's so big and strong, bamboo, stands up straight and tall, bamboo
Sparrow's woman is insisting on big, strong bamboo.


Please it's what I want bamboo, tadadada bamboo lalalala bamboo laladeda bamboo tadadada
Sparrow's woman reiterates her desire for bamboo.


The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Sparrow's woman wants huge bamboo.


Working for the yankee dollars
Sparrow's woman has expensive taste and desires the best.


The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Sparrow's woman craves big, strong bamboo.


Well she's ready for, bamboo, grows out from the ground, bamboo
Sparrow's woman is prepared and wants real bamboo.


It's so big and strong, bamboo, stands up straight and tall, bamboo
Sparrow's woman is insisting on big, strong bamboo.


Please it's what I want bamboo, tadadada bamboo lalalala bamboo laladeda bamboo tadadada
Sparrow's woman reiterates her desire for bamboo.


Working for the yankee dollars
Sparrow's woman has expensive taste and desires the best.




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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@juancarlosreinaleal2434

Mighty Sparrow – "Big Bamboo" Lyrics

I asked my woman what must I do, what must I do
To make her honest and keep love too, and keep love too
She said Sparrow all I want from you, I want from you
Is a little little piece baby, just a little little piece of the big bamboo

Well she's ready for, bamboo, grows out from the ground, bamboo
It's so big and strong, bamboo stand up straight and tall, bamboo
Please it's what I want bamboo, tadadada bamboo lalalala bamboo laladedada bamboo tadadada
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars

I gave my woman a coconut , a coconut
She told me she thought, it was ok but, it is ok but
To my surprise she gave it back to me, right back to me
What good is the nut baby, tell me what good is the nut without the tree

Well she's ready for, bamboo, grows out from the ground, bamboo
It's so big and strong, bamboo, stand up straight and tall, bamboo
Please it's what I want, bamboo, tadadada bamboo lalalala bamboo laladedada bamboo
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars

I gave my woman a sugarcane, a sugarcane
Very very sweet, I must explain, I must explain
And she gave it back much to my surprise, to my surprise
I love this flavour I really,really love this flavour but not the size

Well she's ready for, bamboo, grows out from the ground, bamboo
It's so big and strong, bamboo, stand up straight and tall, bamboo
Please it's what I want, bamboo, tadadada bamboo lalalala bamboo laladedada bamboo dubydubydubydoo
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars

Now ever since the world began, the world began
Woman was always fooling man, fooling man
And, but they found out women were always true, always true
To the man then, who would jam them,when they really really would jam them
With the big bamboo

Well they're ready for, bamboo, grows out from the ground, bamboo

It's so big and strong, bamboo, stands up straight and tall, bamboo
Please it's what I want bamboo, tadadada bamboo lalalala bamboo laladedada bamboo dubydubydubydoo
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars

A Japanese came to America, to America
For a woman he brought out Rockefeller Plaza, Rockefeller Plaza
She said Hai Hai Hai no more Ari Ka Toh, Ari Ka Toh
You show up me with your bridges,
When I only want a few inches at the big bamboo

Well she's ready for, bamboo, grows out from the ground, bamboo
It's so big and strong, bamboo, stands up straight and tall, bamboo
Please it's what I want bamboo, tadadada bamboo lalalala bamboo laladeda bamboo tadadada
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars



All comments from YouTube:

@juancarlosreinaleal2434

Mighty Sparrow – "Big Bamboo" Lyrics

I asked my woman what must I do, what must I do
To make her honest and keep love too, and keep love too
She said Sparrow all I want from you, I want from you
Is a little little piece baby, just a little little piece of the big bamboo

Well she's ready for, bamboo, grows out from the ground, bamboo
It's so big and strong, bamboo stand up straight and tall, bamboo
Please it's what I want bamboo, tadadada bamboo lalalala bamboo laladedada bamboo tadadada
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars

I gave my woman a coconut , a coconut
She told me she thought, it was ok but, it is ok but
To my surprise she gave it back to me, right back to me
What good is the nut baby, tell me what good is the nut without the tree

Well she's ready for, bamboo, grows out from the ground, bamboo
It's so big and strong, bamboo, stand up straight and tall, bamboo
Please it's what I want, bamboo, tadadada bamboo lalalala bamboo laladedada bamboo
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars

I gave my woman a sugarcane, a sugarcane
Very very sweet, I must explain, I must explain
And she gave it back much to my surprise, to my surprise
I love this flavour I really,really love this flavour but not the size

Well she's ready for, bamboo, grows out from the ground, bamboo
It's so big and strong, bamboo, stand up straight and tall, bamboo
Please it's what I want, bamboo, tadadada bamboo lalalala bamboo laladedada bamboo dubydubydubydoo
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars

Now ever since the world began, the world began
Woman was always fooling man, fooling man
And, but they found out women were always true, always true
To the man then, who would jam them,when they really really would jam them
With the big bamboo

Well they're ready for, bamboo, grows out from the ground, bamboo

It's so big and strong, bamboo, stands up straight and tall, bamboo
Please it's what I want bamboo, tadadada bamboo lalalala bamboo laladedada bamboo dubydubydubydoo
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars

A Japanese came to America, to America
For a woman he brought out Rockefeller Plaza, Rockefeller Plaza
She said Hai Hai Hai no more Ari Ka Toh, Ari Ka Toh
You show up me with your bridges,
When I only want a few inches at the big bamboo

Well she's ready for, bamboo, grows out from the ground, bamboo
It's so big and strong, bamboo, stands up straight and tall, bamboo
Please it's what I want bamboo, tadadada bamboo lalalala bamboo laladeda bamboo tadadada
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars
The big big bamboo bamboo lalalala lalalala lalala
Working for the yankee dollars

@buddybaboolall3460

Sparrow cant be replaced. He was the best .

@curtiss744

I love this , I so miss the oldtime calypso

@redmanlanedonmiguelrd4541

Luv this mix ,playing patience n jamming

@alpalmer7321

Just awesome!  Jovial, sexual connotation, amplified with great music composition, life  (another book of it's knowledge,  experiences and wisdom),  a unique piece of poetry made to please and further satisfy the mind and the soul.  A blessing to all mankind.  All, each and every one should take it in.  Thank  God his Majesty lasted this long.

@keelybilcom9256

Ladies...... Listen to that baseline...... Time to get up and dance........ awesome 💃

@trinitype69

still listening in 2015

@amedidzatabutupanjie695

haahaaha king of calypso music,,,,,,,,,u large mighty sparrow
still in 2018

@anthonynoray5111

Sparrow for prime minister it's long over due.

@elainecoore4250

you're too funny still waiting for you

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