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.
Sex Education
Mighty Sparrow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is meh foundation
Our rising population needs song education
To be recognized anywhere you go
To have your certificate to show
To enjoy any kind of happiness
Knowledge is d key to success
Children go to school and well
Without an education in your head
Your hold life would be pure misery you better off dead
For there is simply no room in this hold wide world
For an uneducated little boy or girl
Don't allow idle companions
To lead you astray
To earn tomorrow you got to learn today
For employment yes employment you must be intelligence
Its essential very essential to have your credential
But if you black headed like a mule
No one will employ a fool
You'll be the last one to be hired
And the first one to be fired
Children go to school and well
Otherwise later on in life you would catch rel hell
Without an education in your head
Your hold life would be pure misery you better off dead
For there is simply no room in this Hold wide world
For an uneducated little boy or girl
Don't follow idle companions or you would get burn
To earn to earn you got to learn
Illiteracy! Illiteracy!
Is man's greatest enemy
Its your duty yes your duty stamp it out completely
Ignorance is always in beats progress
Education saves you much distress
So learn learn learn as much as you can
For the nations future is in your hands
Children stay in school and learn well
Otherwise later on in life you would catch rel hell
Without an education in your head
Your hold life would be pure misery you better off dead
For there is simply no room in this Hold wide world
For an uneducated little boy or girl
Don't allow idle companions
To lead you astray
To earn tomorrow you got to learn today
The song "Sex Education" by Mighty Sparrow emphasizes the importance of education as the foundation for success in life. The lyrics serve as a call to action for children to go to school and learn as much as they can, warning of the misery that comes with a lack of education. The singer explains that education is essential for achieving happiness, recognition, and employment, and that ignorance is the greatest enemy of progress. The message is delivered in a straightforward, no-nonsense manner that emphasizes the importance of education and warns against the temptations of idle companions.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the importance of education as the foundation for personal success, warning that without an education in your head, "your whole life would be pure misery, you better off dead." The lyrics make it clear that education is both a duty and a necessity, without which one is doomed to failure. The song warns that failure to educate oneself will lead to unemployment, misery, and despair, and calls on children to "learn, learn, learn as much as you can" to ensure the future prosperity of their communities and nations.
Overall, Mighty Sparrow's "Sex Education" is a powerful message about the importance of education and the consequences of ignorance. The song serves as a warning and a call to action to children and adults alike, encouraging them to recognize the critical role that education plays in achieving personal and societal success.
Line by Line Meaning
Education! Education!
Education is important and should be emphasized.
This is meh foundation
Education is the foundation of one's life.
Our rising population needs song education
As the population grows, education is essential for success.
To be recognized anywhere you go
Education is necessary for recognition and respect.
To have your certificate to show
Education provides tangible evidence of one's accomplishments.
To enjoy any kind of happiness
Education is necessary for achieving happiness and success.
Knowledge is d key to success
Knowledge is essential for success in life.
Children go to school and well
It is important for children to attend school and receive a good education.
Otherwise later on in life you would catch rel hell
If one does not receive an education, they will face difficulties in life.
Without an education in your head
Without an education, life will be filled with misery.
Your hold life would be pure misery you better off dead
Life without education is not worth living.
For there is simply no room in this hold wide world
The world has little tolerance for uneducated individuals.
For an uneducated little boy or girl
Without education, children will struggle in life.
Don't allow idle companions
Negative influences can derail educational progress.
To lead you astray
Negative influences can discourage educational progress.
To earn tomorrow you got to learn today
Education is necessary for securing a successful future.
For employment yes employment you must be intelligence
Intelligence is essential for employment opportunities.
Its essential very essential to have your credential
Credentials are necessary for employment and career advancement.
But if you black headed like a mule
If one is stubborn or refuses to learn, they will struggle in life.
No one will employ a fool
Lack of education and intelligence leads to limited job prospects.
You'll be the last one to be hired
Educational deficiency impedes employment opportunities.
And the first one to be fired
Lack of education leads to job insecurity and vulnerability.
Illiteracy! Illiteracy!
Illiteracy is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.
Is man's greatest enemy
Illiteracy is the greatest obstacle to success.
Its your duty yes your duty stamp it out completely
It is our responsibility to eradicate illiteracy.
Ignorance is always in beats progress
Ignorance hinders progress and development.
Education saves you much distress
Education is necessary for reducing life's difficulties and challenges.
So learn learn learn as much as you can
Continuous learning is necessary for personal and professional growth.
For the nations future is in your hands
The future of the nation depends on education and learning.
Don't follow idle companions or you would get burn
Negative influences can lead to negative consequences in life.
To earn to earn you got to learn
Education is necessary for achieving financial stability and success.
Contributed by Max E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Toracube
ThI think this is the best album ever made.
Freddy Sparrow
Spaaaroooow!!!!!!! Thanks, straight from Martinique.
carlos ferran
Lyrics please