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.
Pan Man
Mighty Sparrow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look at all them women jumping in the street
Steelpan music had them spellbound
You can′t tell the old from young
Woman by the group in town
And is only panman they hanging on
It's carnival time
And they had for so yard to yard
Any way you pass they gone mad
And they′re playing mas
Smoking, drinking, whining
And only singing
"No, we don't want no man
If you can't beat pan!"
Big Yankee excursion, they come down in style
The beat of the steelband have them going wild
I like to see how their mini jumping
And some of them thick like dumpling
Checking up their waist
Mama ye, there is bacchanal in the place
It′s carnival time
Women hototo looking fine
And they had for so yard to yard
Any way you pass they gone mad
And they′re playing mas
Smoking, drinking, whining
And only singing
"No, we don't want no man
If you can′t beat pan!"
The whole place on fire, gone hotter than hell
Man start to perspire, pan ringing like bell
Come on baby, do your own thing
Now until Ash Wednesday morning
I snatch a man pan
With that I collect a Yankee woman
It's carnival time
Women hototo looking fine
And they had for so yard to yard
Any way you pass they gone mad
And they′re playing mas
Smoking, drinking, whining
And only singing
"No, we don't want no man
If you can′t beat pan!"
Next year they go come back, I dance with them all
Yes, I make meh contact to get in the groove
I dumbstruck to drop six-guitar
Turn up, you go get some scratcher
So next time they come
They beating the biggest panman in town
It's carnival time
Women hototo looking fine
And they had for so yard to yard
Any way you pass they gone mad
And they're playing mas
Smoking, drinking, whining
And only singing
"No, we don′t want no man
If you can′t beat pan!"
Mighty Sparrow's song "Pan Man" celebrates the joy and excitement of Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago, particularly the role of steelpan music in the festivities. Sparrow urges listeners to "listen to the rhythm" and "look at all them women jumping in the street" as they are swept up in the magic of the occasion. The song's chorus, "No, we don't want no man / If you can't beat pan!" emphasizes the importance of steelpan music to the people of Trinidad and Tobago, and suggests that a man who cannot play the instrument is of little use to them.
Throughout the song, Sparrow describes the scene at Carnival as "hototo", or chaotic and wild, with women dressed up and dancing in the streets. He also mentions the arrival of a group of tourists from the United States, who are impressed with the steelpan music and dancing they witness. Sparrow himself makes a connection with a woman from this group after showing off his skills on the steelpan.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen to the rhythm, listen to the beat
The music of the steelpan is so captivating that everyone is enjoying the rhythm of the song
Look at all them women jumping in the street
The music is so good that even the women are having fun and jumping in celebration
Steelpan music had them spellbound
The music from the steelpan has captured the attention of everyone and has them in a trance-like state of mind
You can't tell the old from young
Everyone is enjoying the music regardless of their age, and it's impossible to distinguish who is old and who is young
Woman by the group in town
There's a group of women in town enjoying the steelpan music
And is only panman they hanging on
These women are only interested in hanging out with the panman who is playing the steelpan
It's carnival time
The event happening is the annual carnival celebration
Women hototo looking fine
The women are looking stunning in their costumes
And they had for so yard to yard
The women are celebrating in every part of town
Any way you pass they gone mad
No matter where you go in town, people are having a great time and celebrating
And they're playing mas
People are dressing up in costumes and having fun during the event
Smoking, drinking, whining
People are enjoying the event with smoking, drinking, and dancing
And only singing
People are singing and enjoying the music
"No, we don't want no man If you can't beat pan!"
The women are saying that they don't want any men who can't play the steelpan
Big Yankee excursion, they come down in style
Tourists from America have come down in style to enjoy the carnival festivities
The beat of the steelband have them going wild
The tourists are enjoying the music and going crazy over it
I like to see how their mini jumping
The singer is enjoying seeing the tourists dancing and jumping to the music
And some of them thick like dumpling
Some of the tourists are heavyset like dumplings
Checking up their waist Mama ye, there is bacchanal in the place
The singer is enjoying watching the tourists and the party atmosphere is wild
The whole place on fire, gone hotter than hell
The party is so wild that it feels like it's burning up in heat
Man start to perspire, pan ringing like bell
People are dancing so much that they are sweating and the sound of the steelpan is incredibly loud
Come on baby, do your own thing Now until Ash Wednesday morning
The singer is encouraging people to dance and have fun until the end of the carnival celebration
I snatch a man pan With that I collect a Yankee woman
The singer has taken a man's steelpan and used it to impress a tourist woman
Next year they go come back, I dance with them all
The tourist(s) are planning to come back next year and the singer is excited to dance with them all
Yes, I make meh contact to get in the groove
The singer has made a connection with the tourist(s) and is ready to enjoy the carnival festivities with them
I dumbstruck to drop six-guitar Turn up, you go get some scratcher
The singer is enjoying the music so much that he is speechless and he is advising everyone to get some alcohol to enjoy the party even more
So next time they come They beating the biggest panman in town
Next year when the tourist(s) come back, they will be partying with the best steelpan player in town
Contributed by Maria N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Joy A.
on Capitalism gone Mad
I hope there's a 2020 appearance in NYC!
I will definitely get tickets!
Amina Phillip
on Education Is Essential
I love your video and it is a good calypso that Ican makeone about education to
Bokaille Bodlo
on Witch Doctor
Bokaille Bodlo
Who could send me The lyrics of WITCH DOCTOR from Mighty Sparrow.
Thank you.
Bokaille Bodlo
on Witch Doctor
Who could send me The lyrics of WITCH DOCTOR from Mighty Sparrow.
Thank you.