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.
Dorothy
Mighty Sparrow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You are my turtle dove
Oh you are the one I love
You are my turtle dove
Let me hold you tight, tight, tight and with all my might
You shouldn't stay away from me, Oh, no Dorothy
Come a little closer, you are so divine
Darling, I have no appetite
I can't even sleep at night
Would you please tell me what to do
I only think of you
Darling, will you marry me? I am in misery
We'll have a happy family, Oh yes Dorothy
Come a little closer, you are so divine
Hug and kiss me darling and tell me you are mine
Rest your head on my shoulder dear
And whisper in my ear
Kiss me sweet sweetie don't let me go
Oh I love you so
Tell me I am your only man, let me hold your hand
From now until eternity, Oh please Dorothy
Come a little closer, you are so divine
Hug and kiss me darling and tell me you are mine
If I live as long as Methuselah
I'll always remember
That you are my one and only girl
I love you heart and soul
No one else can take your place, darling in my embrace
No other one but you for me, cross my heart Dorothy
Come a little closer, you are so divine
Hug and kiss me darling and tell me you are mine
The song "Dorothy" by Mighty Sparrow is a love song that expresses the deep and passionate feelings of the singer towards his lover. The singer starts off by expressing his love and likening his lover to a turtle dove. He implores her not to stay away from him and promises to hold her tight with all his might. The singer requests that she comes closer to him and hugs and kisses him while expressing her love for him. He talks about his inability to eat or sleep due to his love for her and in desperation asks her to marry him and start a happy family together. Throughout the song, the singer is besotted with his lover and desires to be with her forever.
The lyrics of "Dorothy" reveal the deep love and commitment of the singer to his lover. The constant repetition of her name throughout the song gives her a sense of importance and makes the song more personal. The metaphors used in the song, such as the comparison of his lover to a turtle dove, add to the romantic tone of the song. The song ultimately reflects the power of love and the lengths one is ready to go to be with the one they love.
Line by Line Meaning
Darling you are the one I love
My dearest, you hold a special place in my heart and I feel a strong and sincere love towards you
You are my turtle dove
You are my precious, loyal and affectionate partner, whom I cherish deeply
Let me hold you tight, tight, tight and with all my might
I want to embrace you passionately and show you how much you mean to me
You shouldn't stay away from me, Oh, no Dorothy
I miss you terribly and I want you to come back to me as soon as possible, my love
Come a little closer, you are so divine
Get closer to me, my darling, because I find you incredibly beautiful and alluring
Hug and kiss me darling and tell me you are mine
Express your affection towards me physically and verbally, and confirm that your heart belongs to me
Darling, I have no appetite
I am unable to eat or enjoy food because I am too preoccupied with thoughts of you
I can't even sleep at night
My mind is filled with longing for you, my sweet love, to the point where I can't rest or close my eyes
Would you please tell me what to do
I am lost without your guidance and advice, and I am seeking your help to find a solution to my troubles
I only think of you
My mind is consumed by thoughts and memories of you, my beloved, all day and all night
Darling, will you marry me? I am in misery
I can't bear the thought of living without you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you as your husband
We'll have a happy family, Oh yes Dorothy
Together, we will create a joyful and harmonious household, filled with love and laughter, my dear Dorothy
Rest your head on my shoulder dear
Please, allow me to offer you comfort and support by holding you close and letting you rest your head upon my shoulder
And whisper in my ear
Share with me your innermost secrets and desires in a sweet and intimate manner, my love
Kiss me sweet sweetie don't let me go
Plant a tender kiss on my lips, my darling, and hold me tight so that I feel secure and loved
Oh I love you so
I am head-over-heels in love with you, my dear, and I can't imagine ever feeling differently
Tell me I am your only man, let me hold your hand
Assure me that I am the only one you love and desire, and allow me to take your hand in mine, showing our mutual commitment and affection
From now until eternity, Oh please Dorothy
I want to spend the rest of my days by your side, my love, because I can't imagine a life without you in it
If I live as long as Methuselah
Even if I live for an incredibly long time, like the biblical figure Methuselah, one thing will remain unchanged
I'll always remember
I will never forget, as long as I live, the love that I feel for you, my dear
That you are my one and only girl
You are the only woman that I love, cherish and adore, and no one else can take your place in my heart
No one else can take your place, darling in my embrace
When I hold you in my arms, my love, I feel complete and fulfilled, knowing that you are the one for me
No other one but you for me, cross my heart Dorothy
I promise you, my love, that I will remain faithful and devoted to you, and that you will always be the only one for me
Contributed by Anthony L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@angel4play581
Honour n Respect This is the song Dad used to sing to Mum😪⚓🙏
@taniajones3438
I group listening. The mighty Sparrow
My parents we Calipsonias
And my father dance just like
Sparrow wine wine down to the ground
RIP lover man the salt fish man jajajaja just smile.
@DJTrinivibes4U
Tuneeeeeeeee!!!