Born Edric Browne in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, where his childhood was imbued with the African traditions of Shango and Spiritual Baptist Shouting, he assumed the name George E. Browne in homage to the family friend, Richard E. Braithwaite, whose library introduced him to works of black history and activism.
Browne joined a Norwegian tanker at the age of 20 and, after a brief stay in Australia, signed off in Scotland in 1941. After befriending other expatriate Trinidadians in Glasgow he relocated to London and began to earn his living as a musician. In 1947-8 he co-founded (with Bermudian Ken Gordon, uncle of newsreader Moira Stuart) the Three Just Men group and toured in Europe and North Africa with the trio the following year.
He inherited the name Young Tiger from the calypsonian Growling Tiger when in 1953 he recorded a cover version of Tiger's song "Single Man". Young Tiger's hits dating from that same year include "Calypso Be" and "I Was There" - the latter being his observations about the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II - and "Mamzelle Josephine". Subsequently embracing jazz music, he recorded with a number of bands, including Humphrey Lyttelton's Paseo Jazz Band. In the 1960s he pursued an acting career for a time - he played the role of Jesus Christ in a passion play produced at the First World Festival of Negro Arts in Senegal in 1966 - and in 1970 he gave up music to open a London restaurant and health club with his then wife. When that was forced to close because of rent increases, they moved to the USA, where for a time they had restaurants in Florida and California.
He returned to the UK in the late 1980s, living in retirement in Croydon. His calypso "I Was There" featured on the 2002 Honest Jon compilation London Is the Place for Me: Trinidadian Calypso in London, 1950-1956. Following the re-release of his "Calypso Be" on London Is the Place for Me, Vol. 2 (November 2005), Browne played at the BBC "Electric Proms" festival in 2006, performing a few songs together with the London is the Place for Me Allstars.
I Was There At The Coronation
Young Tiger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I enjoyed myself to my heart′s content
I could not follow the procession
But I was there to see the Corination
I was there
At the Corination
I was there
At the Cornination
From the night before just to see the march
The night wind was blowing, freezing and cold
But I held my ground like a young creole
I was there
At the Corination
I was there
At the Corination
My stoic stance soon paid dividends
For I saw them coming around the bend
Then I percieved in all her glory
The golden coach with her majesty
She was there
At the Corination
I was there
At the Corination
Her majesty looked really divine
In her crimson robe, furred with her mind
The Duke of Edinburugh dignified and neat
Sat besides her as Admiral of the fleet
He was there
At the Corination
I was there
At the Corination
One thousand Guardsmen marching ahead
Physicians and surgeons all in good stead
All the lords of the Admiralty
The War Office and the Air Ministry
They were there
At the Corination
I was there
At the Corination
Navy, Army, Royal Air Force
Cheifs of Staff, United Kingdom of course
The Royal Horse Guard we chanced to see
Escort of the Household Calvary
They were there
At the Corination
I was there At the Corination
At the Corination
Troops from Dominions and Colonies
Australia, New Zealand, and West Indies
India, Ceylon, West Africa
Newfoundland, Gibraltar, and Canada
They were there
At the Corination
I was there
At the Corination
The procession was about 50, 000 strong
It stretched for much more than 6 miles long
Millions of people, all happily
Shouting three cheers for her majesty
They were there
At the Corination
I was there
At the Corination
As I stood looking, rapturously
A feeling of elation came over me
I felt what pleasure, such beauty gives
I shall never forget as long as I live
I was there
At the Corination
We were there
At the Corination
I was there
At the Corination
Millions there
At the Corinationnn
The lyrics of "I Was There at the Coronation" by Young Tiger is about the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. The song describes the singer's experience of being at the Coronation and his excitement throughout the event. The singer explains that though he could not follow the procession, he enjoyed himself to his heart's content. He took up his position at Marble Arch from the night before just to see the march. The procession was about 50,000 strong and stretched for much more than six miles long. The singer saw the golden coach with Queen Elizabeth II, who looked divine in her crimson robe, furred with her mind. He also saw the Duke of Edinburgh dignified and neat, sitting beside her as Admiral of the fleet.
The song expresses the singer's elation at being present at such a grand event. He felt immense pleasure and beauty, and he could not forget the experience as long as he lived. Through the song, the singer assures the listeners that he was indeed present at the Coronation, which was a significant moment in the history of the United Kingdom.
Overall, the song "I Was There at the Coronation" is a reflection of the excitement and pride felt by the people of the United Kingdom during the coronation of their queen. It reminds us of the importance and significance of such events in a nation's history.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, let me tell you ladies and gents
I want to share my experience with all of you
I enjoyed myself to my heart’s content
I had a really good time
I could not follow the procession
I couldn't keep up with the parade
But I was there to see the Coronation
But I was still able to witness the event
I was there
I was present
At the Corination
At the Coronation ceremony
I took up my position at Marble Arch
I chose to stand at Marble Arch
From the night before just to see the march
I arrived the night before to secure a viewing spot
The night wind was blowing, freezing and cold
The weather was very cold and windy that night
But I held my ground like a young creole
But I stayed there anyway, tough and resilient
My stoic stance soon paid dividends
My patience and perseverance eventually paid off
For I saw them coming around the bend
I saw the procession approaching
Then I perceived in all her glory
Then I saw her in all her majesty
The golden coach with her majesty
The carriage that carried the queen
She was there
Queen Elizabeth was present
Her majesty looked really divine
The queen looked magnificent and holy
In her crimson robe, furred with her mind
Wearing a fur-trimmed red robe
The Duke of Edinburugh dignified and neat
Prince Philip looked composed and well-kept
Sat besides her as Admiral of the fleet
He sat next to the queen as the head of the navy
One thousand Guardsmen marching ahead
A thousand soldiers led the procession
Physicians and surgeons all in good stead
Medical professionals also participated
All the lords of the Admiralty
All naval officers of high rank and privilege
The War Office and the Air Ministry
Military and air force officials were also present
Navy, Army, Royal Air Force
All three branches of the military were represented
Cheifs of Staff, United Kingdom of course
The leaders of the British military were there
The Royal Horse Guard we chanced to see
We were lucky enough to see the elite horse guards
Escort of the Household Calvary
The cavalry of the queen's personal guards
Troops from Dominions and Colonies
Soldiers from British territories and former colonies
Australia, New Zealand, and West Indies
Countries like Australia, New Zealand, and West Indies sent troops
India, Ceylon, West Africa
India, Ceylon, and West African countries also participated
Newfoundland, Gibraltar, and Canada
Other territories like Newfoundland, Gibraltar, and Canada also sent troops
The procession was about 50,000 strong
The parade had around 50,000 participants
It stretched for much more than 6 miles long
It covered a distance of more than 6 miles
Millions of people, all happily
Millions of people were there, all in good spirits
Shouting three cheers for her majesty
They were cheering for Queen Elizabeth
As I stood looking, rapturously
As I stood there, enraptured and enchanted
A feeling of elation came over me
I was filled with joy and excitement
I felt what pleasure, such beauty gives
I experienced the pleasure and beauty of the event
I shall never forget as long as I live
I will always remember this moment
We were there
We, including millions of people, were present
Millions there
Millions of people were there
Writer(s): George Browne
Contributed by Maria P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@alfredtheamazing
Listening to this today on the day of Charles' coronation!
@alanndevuyst6681
My father from Belgium was there too. Took the ferry all the way and then the train to London. I am so glad I found this song here thanks to an article in The Guardian today on Charles III coming coronation. I had heard it for the first time in 2003 on a Cambodian radio station, and began recording it after the first verse...but that cassette got lost, yet the refrains stuck in my head forever. I was there...
@aproragadozo2
Thank you for sharing this memory, and happy to have helped finding this song. Enjoy!
@SHEARMINATOR
GOD bless the queen of England R.I.P
@F1fan56
I love those old calypsos. That was tremendous!
@Madbrad2000
History right here.
@titobeats6276
hits differently now huh?
@aproragadozo2
Quite, post-Brexit especially.
@brigitteazocar942
Me encanta esta canción. Divina.
@jameswest7141
Quality tune, real main room banger!