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.

Try Again
Mighty Sparrow Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

In the beginning if you do not succeed
Don′t feel your efforts were all in vain
A little more determination is all you may need
Success only comes after heavy strain
Sometimes we have to do it
Over and over again
Before we begin to see the light
Difficulties are ever present

Just like the sun and the rain
One day we gon' learn to do it right

′Til then we must try
Try again
Try not to complain
Learn to bear the strain
Trials and tribulations
Is their for everyone
The problems that we face each day
We should never let them stay
Don't let complacency block your way
I say try
Try again
Never give in
No pain, no gain
Life can complicated
And you can get damn frustrated
But then hold steadfast
A little time will pass
Try again
You will succeed
At last

Though not exclusively but especially the young
You want easy answers for everything

But when the preachers and the teachers
Having it hard in this town
Oh, what a job they have explaining
Showing the young people how they must persevere
More and more
Convincing them life is hard but it's sweet
Self discipline and application is the key to be sure
Before they can relax on easy street

′Til then they must try
Try again
Try not to complain
Learn to bear the strain
Life is what you make of it
Stop telling me you can′t do it
Destiny is your hand
Totally at your command
The only thing now is you to understand
You must try
Try again
Never give in
No pain, no gain
Stand up erect, don't falter
Like the rock of Gibraltar
So be courageous
Show your fortitude and class
In the end you will succeed
At last

Children today
Some of them does boast
Some does brag
They going to school merely to have fun
Well some of them ain′t even have a book in they bag
Security guard catching them with gun
Serious violence has increased
And is now out of hand
No respect from Father
No love from son
Girl children showing a weird sense of pride
In the evil they done
Praising who had the most abortion

You've got to try
Try again
Try to not complain
Learn to bear the strain
To yourself you must be honest
Then you could find happiness
United negro college space
And I hope a coconstrain
A mind is a terrible thing to waste
You must try
Try again
Never give in
No pain, no gain
Going to school with weapon
Could only bring self-destruction
Without no reward
You might be a great warlord
But the pen is mightier than the sword

So get up and get
Be responsible to yourself
Stop acting like the world owe you a living
Your quality of life depends upon you, no one else
Integrity comes from deep within
The disadvantages you may had
As youth growing up
Makes you feel that you must play tit for tat
But whether was child abuse, mental cruelty, or what
It must stop
You can′t spite others because of that

You've got to try
Try again
Try not to complain
Learn to bear the strain
None of us have to suffer
We can control we future
For whatever the mind perceive
Surely it can be achieved
Stop doubting yourself and say
"I believe
I go try
Try again
Never give in
No pain, no gain"
Show them your full potential
Ain′t limited to Carnival
For whenever the steel band pass
And we finish play we mas
Still we must have success within our grasp

Try
You've gotta try
Try
You've gotta try
Try again

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Mighty Sparrow's song "Try Again" convey a message of perseverance and resilience in the face of challenges and obstacles. The song encourages listeners to not give up easily and to keep trying until they achieve success. The opening lines emphasize that failure does not mean that one's efforts were in vain; rather, it suggests that determination and persistence are essential for achieving one's goals. The lyrics also acknowledge the presence of difficulties in life, comparing them to the ever-present sun and rain. The chorus repeats the refrain of "try again, try not to complain" as a reminder to remain focused and determined, even in the face of trials and tribulations.

The song further highlights the importance of self-discipline and application, particularly for the younger generation. It criticizes the notion of seeking easy answers and urges young people to persevere and understand that life can be both hard and sweet. The lyrics contrast the challenges faced by preachers and teachers with the desires of young people for an easier life. It reminds them that discipline and application are the keys to success, emphasizing that destiny is in their hands and encouraging them to never give in. The song also addresses social issues such as violence, lack of respect, and strange pride in wrongdoing. It emphasizes the need for individuals to be responsible, honest, and strive for their own happiness.

Overall, "Try Again" is a song that promotes a positive mindset and a resilient attitude towards life's challenges. It encourages listeners to embrace determination, perseverance, and self-discipline as essential attributes for achieving success.

Line by Line Meaning

In the beginning if you do not succeed
If you don't succeed at first, don't be discouraged.

Don't feel your efforts were all in vain
Don't think that your efforts were pointless.

A little more determination is all you may need
You might just need a bit more determination.

Success only comes after heavy strain
Success only comes after enduring hardships.

Sometimes we have to do it
Sometimes we have to keep trying

Over and over again
Repeatedly.

Before we begin to see the light
Before we start seeing positive results.

Difficulties are ever present
Challenges are always there.

Just like the sun and the rain
Just like the natural elements of sun and rain.

One day we gon' learn to do it right
Eventually, we will learn to succeed.

′Til then we must try
Until then, we must keep trying.

Try again
Attempt again.

Try not to complain
Avoid complaining.

Learn to bear the strain
Adapt to and endure difficulties.

Trials and tribulations
Challenges and hardships.

Is their for everyone
Are present in everyone's life.

The problems that we face each day
The challenges we encounter daily.

We should never let them stay
We should not allow them to persist.

Don't let complacency block your way
Don't allow contentment to hinder your progress.

I say try
I suggest trying.

Never give in
Never surrender or give up.

No pain, no gain
You must endure hardships to achieve success.

Life can complicated
Life can be complex.

And you can get damn frustrated
And you can become extremely frustrated.

But then hold steadfast
But then remain determined.

A little time will pass
Some time will elapse.

You will succeed
You will achieve success.

At last
Finally.

Though not exclusively but especially the young
Although not solely, but particularly the young.

You want easy answers for everything
You desire simple solutions for everything.

But when the preachers and the teachers
But when the religious leaders and educators

Having it hard in this town
Experiencing difficulties in this city.

Oh, what a job they have explaining
Oh, how challenging their task of explaining is.

Showing the young people how they must persevere
Teaching the youth how they should persist.

More and more
Increasingly.

Convincing them life is hard but it's sweet
Persuading them that life is tough, but also enjoyable.

Self discipline and application is the key to be sure
Self-control and commitment are essential, without a doubt.

Before they can relax on easy street
Before they can enjoy a comfortable life.

Til then they must try
Until then, they have to continue trying.

Life is what you make of it
The quality of life depends on your actions.

Stop telling me you can′t do it
Stop claiming you are incapable of doing it.

Destiny is your hand
You control your own destiny.

Totally at your command
Completely under your control.

The only thing now is you to understand
The only thing left is for you to comprehend.

None of us have to suffer
None of us need to endure hardship.

We can control we future
We can control our future.

For whatever the mind perceive
Because whatever the mind perceives

Surely it can be achieved
Certainly, it can be accomplished.

Stop doubting yourself and say
Stop questioning yourself and say

I believe
I have faith.

I go try
I will attempt.

Show them your full potential
Demonstrate your complete ability.

Ain′t limited to Carnival
Isn't restricted to Carnival.

For whenever the steel band pass
Because whenever the steel band passes

And we finish play we mas
And we finish playing our masquerade

Still we must have success within our grasp
Still, we must have success within our reach.

Children today
Current generation of children

Some of them does boast
Some of them boast.

Some does brag
Some brag.

They going to school merely to have fun
They go to school just to have fun.

Well some of them ain′t even have a book in they bag
Well, some of them don't even have a book in their bag.

Security guard catching them with gun
Security guards catching them with guns.

Serious violence has increased
Serious violence has escalated.

And is now out of hand
And is now beyond control.

No respect from Father
Lack of respect from fathers.

No love from son
No love from sons.

Girl children showing a weird sense of pride
Girls showing a strange sense of pride.

In the evil they done
In the wrong they have committed.

Praising who had the most abortion
Praising those who have had the most abortions.

To yourself you must be honest
You must be honest with yourself.

Then you could find happiness
Then you can find happiness.

United negro college space
United Negro College Fund.

And I hope a coconstrain
And I pray for a contribution.

A mind is a terrible thing to waste
A mind is a valuable resource that should not be squandered.

Going to school with weapon
Attending school with a weapon.

Could only bring self-destruction
Can only lead to self-destruction.

Without no reward
Without any reward.

You might be a great warlord
You might become a powerful leader.

But the pen is mightier than the sword
But the written word has more influence than physical strength.

So get up and get
So, rise and take action.

Be responsible to yourself
Take responsibility for yourself.

Stop acting like the world owe you a living
Stop behaving as if the world owes you a living.

Your quality of life depends upon you, no one else
Your quality of life depends on your own actions.

Integrity comes from deep within
Integrity originates from within oneself.

The disadvantages you may had
The disadvantages you may have had.

As youth growing up
As you grow up.

Makes you feel that you must play tit for tat
Makes you feel like you have to retaliate.

But whether was child abuse, mental cruelty, or what
But whether it was child abuse, mental cruelty, or anything else.

It must stop
It must come to an end.

You can't spite others because of that
You cannot resent others because of that.

None of us have to suffer
None of us have to endure hardship.

We can control we future
We can control our future.

For whatever the mind perceive
Because whatever the mind perceives.

Surely it can be achieved
Certainly, it can be accomplished.

Stop doubting yourself and say
Stop questioning yourself and say

I believe
I have faith.

I go try
I will attempt.

Try
Attempt.

You've gotta try
You have to try.

Try
Attempt.

You've gotta try
You have to try.

Try again
Attempt again.

Writer(s): Simon Wilcox, Mike Green, Jason Centeno, Seth Trotter, Doug Mccarthy, Robert Ragan

Contributed by Alexis L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS