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.
We Like It So
Mighty Sparrow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Neighbour, look, if I was selfish man
I wouldn't be involved in this election
I done old already, I ent want fame
Plus I ent looking for fortune again
All I asking is that you pay close attention to
The many problems we all face from dawn to dawnYou're intelligent, I think, and you should face issues
But you behaving like a moron, cussin' me fuh wey I born
But yuh pipe ent have no water, you pay too much for butter
(Take yuh steel beam and go!)
The terrible school system is such a bloody problem
(Take yuh steel beam and go!)
Agriculture's in a state, planning is inadequate
(Take yuh steel beam and go!)
The northern and southern idol, the two kingpins of bobbol
We know. We like it so
(We like it so... We free!)
Anything that's wrong, he go put it right
Georgie Porgy tell we the other night
So instead of displaying impatience
Cool yourself and gih de fellah a chance
How the hell you could say O.N.R. go do better?
Bet we send you back Grenada in a drum
We and Georgie going to put it right together
We have freeness and freedom, plenty roti, plenty rum
Hospitals have no linen, is brown paper they using
(Take yuh steel beam and go!)
Public transportation is an abomination
Well, food, clothes and rent is proof
Cost of living gone through the roof
(Take yuh steel beam and go!)
Classified information for personal gain is common
We know but we like it so
(We like it so We free!)
Sparrow boy, you need psychiatric aid
To be in them bourgeois people motorcade
Me ent fraid to tell you straight to yuh face
You backing a jackass in a horse race
Georgie say all you ent getting one damn seat
O.N.R. come out to mamaguy
And Bokassa say how allyuh going to feel the heat
The penalty to oppose is high, that's political suicide
We have no house so we squat, living with cockroach and rat
(Take yuh steel beam and go!)
The cesspit flowing over, you could catch yellow fever
(Take yuh steel beam and go!)
Soldier in bulldozer break down mih shack in Morvant
(Take yuh steel beam and go!)
Is plenty sexual favours to be a ten days worker
We know but we like it so
(We like it so, We free!)
It ent have a single thing you could say
Could make me abandon mih balisier
No steel beam go fall down on top mih head
Sparrow, I's a P.N.M. till ah dead
Birdie you may be shock when ah tell you this
Hudson-Phillips is a Yankee C.I.A
And the whole ah O.N.R. is only communists
They'll take Carnival away and make people work each day
Is years you in ah union and can't get recognition... she say
(Take yuh steel beam and go!)
The unemployment levy murdering everybody
(Take yuh steel beam and go!)
Children come out ah college below elementary knowledge
(Take yuh steel beam and go!)
We grieving with frustration through maladministration
We know but we like it so
(We like it so. We free!)
This concern that you showing here for we
Could well cost you your popularity
Francisco, how come you ent understand?
We ent want no blasted opposition
Yes, just like Georgie Porgy, I done sharpen my gilpin
Waiting for the opposition tail
And anytime we catch them only backpedaling
I ent even want no bail, I ent 'fraid to make ah jail
Food you could produce here is imported from elsewhere
(Take yuh steel beam and go!)
To fish in yuh own water is jail in Venezuela
(Take yuh steel beam and go!)
No one to devise for we a good foreign policy
(Take yuh steel beam and go!)
Bribery and corruption control every decision
We know but we like it so
(We like it so. We free!)
The song "We Like It So" by Mighty Sparrow is a commentary on the state of politics and social issues in Trinidad and Tobago. The lyrics speak to the frustration and apathy felt by many citizens towards their leaders and the lack of progress in addressing societal problems. Sparrow addresses the listener directly, imploring them to pay attention to the issues they face from day to day and to hold their leaders accountable. He acknowledges that there are many problems, from the poor school system to inadequate planning and corruption, but suggests that the people have become resigned to the status quo and have grown accustomed to the problems they face.
The repeated refrain "We like it so. We free!" speaks to a sense of pride in their independence as a nation but also suggests a complacency or acceptance of the problems they face. Sparrow draws attention to the poverty, poor infrastructure, and lack of opportunities that many citizens face. He also addresses the political landscape and criticizes the opposition party for making false promises and engaging in political maneuvers. Despite the harsh criticism, the song ends on a defiant note, with Sparrow declaring his loyalty to his party and his willingness to go to jail rather than accept the status quo.
Overall, the song is a powerful statement on the many challenges facing Trinidad and Tobago and the need for citizens to hold their leaders accountable and demand change.
Line by Line Meaning
Neighbour, look, if I was selfish man
I'm not a selfish person for being involved in this election
All I asking is that you pay close attention to
Please pay attention to the problems we face
But yuh pipe ent have no water, you pay too much for butter
You have no water and overpriced butter
The terrible school system is such a bloody problem
The school system is bad
Agriculture's in a state, planning is inadequate
Agriculture is not great
The northern and southern idol, the two kingpins of bobbol
North and South are problematic
Anything that's wrong, he go put it right
Anyone who tries to solve our problems
How the hell you could say O.N.R. go do better?
You can't say O.N.R. will do better
Hospitals have no linen, is brown paper they using
Hospitals are using brown paper for linen
Public transportation is an abomination
Transportation is terrible
Well, food, clothes and rent is proof
Cost of living is high
Classified information for personal gain is common
Corruption is common
Sparrow boy, you need psychiatric aid
Sparrow needs aid for supporting the bourgeoisie
Georgie say all you ent getting one damn seat
Georgie says no seat for Sparrow
The penalty to oppose is high, that's political suicide
Opposing comes at a high cost
We have no house so we squat, living with cockroach and rat
Homeless and living with vermin
The cesspit flowing over, you could catch yellow fever
Overflowing cesspits could make people sick
Soldier in bulldozer break down mih shack in Morvant
Shacks in Morvant are destroyed
Is plenty sexual favours to be a ten days worker
Prostitution is common for short-term jobs
It ent have a single thing you could say
I'm committed to my party
Birdie you may be shock when ah tell you this
You may be shocked to hear this
And the whole ah O.N.R. is only communists
O.N.R. is communist
They'll take Carnival away and make people work each day
Carnival will be taken away and replaced with work
Is years you in ah union and can't get recognition... she say
Unions don't get recognition
The unemployment levy murdering everybody
Unemployment tax is hurting everyone
Children come out ah college below elementary knowledge
Graduates have poor knowledge
We grieving with frustration through maladministration
We're frustrated with poor governance
This concern that you showing here for we
Your concern for us
Francisco, how come you ent understand?
Why don't you understand?
Yes, just like Georgie Porgy, I done sharpen my gilpin
I'm ready for action with Georgie Porgy
The whole ah O.N.R. is only communists
O.N.R. is communist
They'll take Carnival away and make people work each day
Carnival will be taken away and replaced with work
Is years you in ah union and can't get recognition... she say
Unions don't get recognition
The unemployment levy murdering everybody
Unemployment tax is hurting everyone
Children come out ah college below elementary knowledge
Graduates have poor knowledge
We grieving with frustration through maladministration
We're frustrated with poor governance
Contributed by Sadie C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@dereckgeorge3702
PNM Favorite ❤️ SONG 🎶 for T&T …… Trinidad 🇹🇹 and Tobago 🇹🇹 😂😂😂😂
@Calypsocalover
It is amazing how after more than 25 years plus, these songs are still very relevant today, not only in TnT, but throughout the other islands. It shows that the Caribbean countries have not progressed. What a pity? Play this song in any Caribbean country today and see the stark truth. The names of some parties and players/politicians may change, but the issues are the same. Hail, Sparrow. .
@oaofficeautomation
The only difference now is that it's a few bags of cement instead of steel beam.
@premgoberdhan6348
AWESOME!!! A LINGUISTICS ARTICULATION CELEBRATION.
@avebrown8510
Calypsocalover .org ni
@teasersmuchee
Only worst
@elvinsam8005
Nick Benz yryoyouyyw
Ryytwyyryrryrpyyrwwyywwwpyryrrywrrwyrwwywrywrywrrrwwwwpyrwyryryrwywyoeryryyyy
@mastatrooper9940
I love the line, Classified information for personal gain is common".
@djpredetorsoundsystem2976
I like this big tung boom sound
@mshimada-li5st
sparrow's most exciting song,sweeter than ever!