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.
Mango Vert
Mighty Sparrow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Interesting Facts ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was in confusion
This Yankee man and a woman
Was in confusion
The woman give him something to eat
With stringy, stringy hair but it tasting sweet
He say ah rather do without
It go stick up in me teeth, ah done wash me mouth.
She said,
If you eat it right
The hair won't stick in you teeth
And you bound to say
How it tasting sweet, sweet, sweet
But if you eat it wrong
Don't walk in the street
Everybody go know
When they see the hair in your teeth!
So the Yankee tell her: "Honey
Tell me why you forcing me
As a rule when ah done brush me teeth
I want nothing more to eat"
So she said: "Take it easy Joe
It seem to me like you don't know
But this thing is tasting so nice
If you eat it once you must eat it twice."
Man,
If you eat it right
The hair won't stick in you teeth
And you bound to say
How it tasting sweet, sweet, sweet
But if you eat it wrong
Don't walk in the street
Everybody go know
When they see the hair in your teeth!
All this time I living next door
What they talking 'bout I don't know
But the conversation interest me
So ah listening attentively
She try to rub the thing in he mouth
He started running and jump about
She said you think a making sport
Keep running ah go push it straight down your throat!
Joe,
If you eat it right
The hair won't stick in you teeth
And you bound to say
How it tasting sweet, sweet, sweet
But if you eat it wrong
Don't walk in the street
Everybody go know
When they see the hair in your teeth!
Believe I wanted to know
I ain't care if they call me macaw
After listening attentively
Ah knock on the door very boldly
When ah bust the door and ah enter
Ah see them standing up in the centre
The stupid Yankee catching cold feet
Is a mango vert the man 'fraid to eat.
She said,
If you eat it right
The hair won't stick in you teeth
And you bound to say
How it tasting sweet, sweet, sweet
But if you eat it wrong
Don't walk in the street
Everybody go know
When they see the hair in your teeth!
Mighty Sparrow's song Mango Vert tells the story of a Yankee man and a woman discussing a particular food item. The song begins with the Yankee man and woman in confusion as the woman offers him something to eat, which he believes has some stringy hair in it, so he initially refuses to eat it. However, the woman insists that if he eats it right, the hair won't stick in his teeth, and it would taste sweet. Despite his hesitation, she convinces him to try it, and he eventually enjoys it. A third person who has been listening to their conversation decides to join them and finds out it's a mango vert that the Yankee man was afraid to eat.
The song is about overcoming one's fears and hesitation, and how one's perception can change depending on how one approaches something. The woman's advice on how to eat the food without getting hair between the teeth is a metaphor for how to approach new experiences. It could also represent embracing the unfamiliar and taking a leap of faith.
Facts about Mighty Sparrow's Mango Vert:
Interesting Facts
Note: This section uses generative AI, which can be inaccurate.
Line by Line Meaning
A Yankee man and a woman
There was a man and a woman, both from America.
Was in confusion
They were perplexed about something.
The woman give him something to eat
The woman offered him food.
With stringy, stringy hair but it tasting sweet
The food was covered in hair, but it tasted sweet.
He say ah rather do without
He refused to eat it.
It go stick up in me teeth, ah done wash me mouth.
He was worried it would stick in his teeth and he had already brushed his teeth.
If you eat it right
The woman then attempts to convince him to eat it properly.
The hair won't stick in you teeth
Eating it properly will prevent hair from sticking in his teeth.
And you bound to say
Eating it properly will result in him proclaiming.
How it tasting sweet, sweet, sweet
How delicious the food is.
But if you eat it wrong
However, if he eats it improperly.
Don't walk in the street
He should not go outside in public.
Everybody go know
Everyone will know.
When they see the hair in your teeth!
If they notice hair stuck in his teeth.
So the Yankee tell her: "Honey
The man then speaks to her.
Tell me why you forcing me
He asks why she is forcing him to eat it.
As a rule when ah done brush me teeth
He usually does not eat after brushing his teeth.
I want nothing more to eat"
He does not want to eat anymore.
So she said: "Take it easy Joe
She tells him to relax.
It seem to me like you don't know
She implies he is unaware.
But this thing is tasting so nice
The food is very tasty.
If you eat it once you must eat it twice."
If he eats it once, he will definitely have to eat it again.
All this time I living next door
The singer had been living next door this whole time.
What they talking 'bout I don't know
He was not sure what they were discussing.
But the conversation interest me
He was interested in the conversation.
So ah listening attentively
The singer begins to intently listen.
She try to rub the thing in he mouth
The woman tries to persuade him to eat the food.
He started running and jump about
He jumps around and runs away from her.
She said you think a making sport
She thinks he is playing around.
Keep running ah go push it straight down your throat!
She threatens to force it down his throat if he keeps running away.
Believe I wanted to know
He wanted to know what was happening.
I ain't care if they call me macaw
He does not care about being called names.
After listening attentively
After paying attention to the conversation.
Ah knock on the door very boldly
He boldly knocks on their door.
When ah bust the door and ah enter
He barges in the door.
Ah see them standing up in the centre
He sees them standing in the middle of the room.
The stupid Yankee catching cold feet
The American man is frightened.
Is a mango vert the man 'fraid to eat.
The food in question is a mango.
Contributed by Natalie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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