Slinger Francisco, better known as The Mighty Sparrow, affectionately dubbe… Read Full Bio ↴Slinger Francisco, better known as The Mighty Sparrow, affectionately dubbed, The Birdie is the unrivaled Calypso King of the World, with a career that spans over 40 years and counting. This artist par excellence has earned his rightful place as "King of the Calypso World" by defeating every other competitor/pretender to his throne. He has entertained audiences across the globe, including, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America, to name but a few.

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.

Shake Your Waist
Mighty Sparrow Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ah gonna get a gallon ah liniment
To rub you down in the night
′Cause to keep me happy and content
Girl you have to be moving light
You got arthritis in your hip bone
You got rheumatism in your spine
When ah want to move like a cyclone
You be telling me "take meh time"

All you doing is eating and drinking
And you getting fat like a hog
(Doh come back in meh place
'Til you learn to shake your waist)
You′re bussing up all de bed spring
And you're heavier than a log
(Doh come back in meh place
'Til you learn to shake your waist)

Woman before I touch you you′re bawling
Ah got to choke you for you to stop
Ah believe is police you calling
And you want them to lock me up
Women you giving me too much trouble
You driving me out meh damn mind
Why you doh make yourself a little souple
Ah tired teaching you how to wine

All you doing is eating and drinking
And you getting fat like a hog
(Doh come back in meh place
′Til you learn to shake your waist)
Lawd, you are bussing up all de bed spring
And you're heavier than a log
(Doh come back in meh place
′Til you learn to shake your waist)

Oh, girl!

You is the stiffest woman that ever
Come to give me a little play
But you move and twist like quicksilver
When there's money to come your way
Give me back meh money you damn cheat
You have more tricks than little Bo Peep
Like a macajuel who just done eat
As you lay down you want to sleep

All you doing is eating and drinking
And you getting fat like a hog
(Doh come back in meh place
′Til you learn to shake your waist)
Lawd, you bussing up all de bed spring
And you're heavier than a log
(Doh come back in meh place
′Til you learn to shake your waist)

Ah-ha!

The other night ah jook you wid a needle
Ah throw ice water on your head
And still you ain't move a muscle
Ah say, maybe meh woman dead
Since you born you never perspire
It don't seem to me like your concern
But any time dis bed catch on fire
Ah gonna leave you there ′til you burn

All you doing is eating and drinking
And you getting fat like a hog
(Doh come back in meh place
′Til you learn to shake your waist)
Mama yo, you bussing up all de bed spring
And you're heavier than a log
(Doh come back in meh place
′Til you learn to shake your waist)

Ooooh!

(Doh come back in meh place
'Til you learn to shake your waist)

Overall Meaning

In "Shake Your Waist," Mighty Sparrow sings about his frustration with his partner's lack of movement, both in terms of dancing and in bed. He starts off by saying he needs to get liniment to rub on her before they can engage in any activities because she has arthritis and rheumatism. He complains that she eats and drinks too much and has become overweight, making it difficult for her to move as much as he wants her to. He even expresses the fear that she might be dead because she doesn't even move when he pokes her with a needle or pours ice water on her head. Sparrow seems to be at his wit's end with her and concludes by warning her that if the bed catches on fire, he will leave her there until she burns.

The lyrics in "Shake Your Waist" represent Sparrow's humorous, playful tone that's characteristic of calypso music. However, it also highlights the role that dance plays in Caribbean culture as a way to release stress and anxiety. Calypso music and dance allow people to express themselves freely and connect with others in the community. Moreover, the song also addresses the gender dynamic in relationships and the idea of control and domination. In this case, Sparrow wants his partner to move and respond to his actions but ultimately vocalises his frustration in a humorous way.

Line by Line Meaning

Ah gonna get a gallon ah liniment To rub you down in the night ′Cause to keep me happy and content Girl you have to be moving light
I'm going to use some ointment to massage you at night because for me to be happy and satisfied, you need to be moving swiftly.

You got arthritis in your hip bone You got rheumatism in your spine When ah want to move like a cyclone You be telling me "take meh time"
You're experiencing arthritis and rheumatism, which limits your movement speed. Whenever I want us to move faster, you tell me to slow down because of your conditions.

All you doing is eating and drinking And you getting fat like a hog (Doh come back in meh place 'Til you learn to shake your waist) You′re bussing up all de bed spring And you're heavier than a log (Doh come back in meh place 'Til you learn to shake your waist)
All you're doing is eating and drinking, which has caused you to gain weight and become heavy. You keep breaking the bed springs and I won't let you back in my place until you learn how to dance.

Woman before I touch you you′re bawling Ah got to choke you for you to stop Ah believe is police you calling And you want them to lock me up Women you giving me too much trouble You driving me out meh damn mind Why you doh make yourself a little souple Ah tired teaching you how to wine
Before I even lay a hand on you, you start crying and I have to restrain you to calm you down. I think you're even calling the police to arrest me. You're stressing me out and I'm tired of teaching you how to dance.

You is the stiffest woman that ever Come to give me a little play But you move and twist like quicksilver When there's money to come your way Give me back meh money you damn cheat You have more tricks than little Bo Peep Like a macajuel who just done eat As you lay down you want to sleep
You're the least flexible woman I've ever been with, yet you can bend and move quickly when money is involved. Please give me my money back, you deceitful person. You're full of tricks and you're like a snake after a meal; you get lazy once you're in bed.

The other night ah jook you wid a needle Ah throw ice water on your head And still you ain't move a muscle Ah say, maybe meh woman dead Since you born you never perspire It don't seem to me like your concern But any time dis bed catch on fire Ah gonna leave you there ′til you burn
The other night, I pricked you with a needle and poured ice water on your head, but you still didn't flinch. I thought you might be dead. I've never seen you break a sweat, but if the bed catches on fire, I'm going to leave you there to burn.

(Doh come back in meh place 'Til you learn to shake your waist)
Don't come back to my house until you learn how to dance.

Contributed by Josiah S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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