Vintage /Retro/Real Calypso ( Trinidad)

[JHan]

this is just a *really* small selection of some vintage "kaiso" /calypso hits I really like. Decided to include the lyrics - Magistrate Try Himself and Wood in de Fire are hilarious, Good Citizen is more serious business.

Mighty Sparrow - Good Citizen (1967)

Sparrow dissects the continuing power of some of the elite in post-colonial Trinidad. This is typical for social commentary style Calypsoes, where even bright melodies masked serious lyrics addressing violence and injustice.

When does someone really become a good citizen?
I’d like to know for sure.
Why when the ordinary man disagrees with the establishment they call it treason?
Why should they persecute a brother for seeking black power?
Don’t they know a blind man could see that this is blatant hypocrisy,
The real traitors and them are all high in society.
Yet the government protecting all ah dem and penalizing you and me.

And in a million different ways they violate the law
It’s the same good, no good bastards who oppress the poor
They selling black market, making excess profit, paying a starvation salary.
These good citizens are the architects of economic slavery.

They say you have the right to criticize but then you are victimized,
And without any reason, many a time you find yourself
Politically paralysed by that same good citizen.
Yet these fakes and phonies enjoy a long life of luxury
While they spread corruption throughout the country.
When they should be arrested,
They’re protected and respected in the society.

And in a million different ways they violate the law.
It’s the same good, no good bastards who oppress the poor
With their false declaration, tax evasion, defrauding customs duty.
These good citizens are the architects of economic slavery.

In lust, in greed, in fraud, in strife they specialize
Double deals, double deals they idolize.
If you brave enough to open your mouth and criticize,
One time you are ostracized and or victimized.
Still they go unpunished and unaccused of any crime,
While on the backs of the ordinary man these vultures climb.
They use their riches and their power, make a mockery of the law
And have the law protect them same time.

And in a million different ways they violate the law
It's the same good, no good bastards who oppress the poor
They controlling bootlegging, dope peddling, prostitution and piracy.
These good citizens are the architects of economic slavery.

The Might Spoiler - Magistrate Try Himself (1958)

Aha, well this one is class,
They charge a magistrate for driving too fast (You mustn't doubt me)
Well this one is class,
They charge a magistrate for driving too fast
But is one courthouse in the district
He is the only magistrate there to run it
If you see how the people flock up he place
To see how the magistrate go try he own case.

Heself tell heself, "You are charged for speeding."
Heself start to shout, "The policeman lying!"
Heself tell heself, "Doh shout!” He said, "No sport!"
And he charge himself for contempt of court.

Aha, he said, "Go ahead, let mih hear what happen."
So the police said,"Sah, if you see how this man could speed!"
And he pointing at the magistrate, Johnny Mead
The magistrate ask him who he talking 'bout
"Is you/him ah mean!" the policeman shout out
The magistrate pick up a looking glass
And ask heself, "Is it true you were driving too fast?"

Heself told himself, "You are charged for speeding"
Heself start to shout, "The policeman lying!"
Himself told himself, "Don’t shout!" He said, "No sport!"
And he charge himself for contempt of court.

Aha, then Mister Caruth, he came up and he started to prosecute
The magistrate then call his lawyer to defend the defendant, who is your honour
And all the time that the lawyer talking
The magistrate serious, sometimes he laughing
Ah time the magistrate tell he own self, "Look, I have a great mind to take 'way your license book."

Heself told himself, "You are charged for speeding."
Himself told himself "The policeman lying."
Himself told himself, "Don’t shout!" He said, "No sport!"
And he charged himself for contempt of court.

Aha, yes ah nearly drop when the man take out he pen and start to sum up Partner,
I start to study if he going to put his own self in custody
I was wrong because again he took out the mirror
Heself tell heself to pay twenty dollar
He bus out a cry, he turn round and say, "Give me chance, ah want a lil time to pay."

Heself told himself, "You are charged for speeding."
Himself told himself, "The policeman lying!"
Himself tell himself, "All right, I will be kind.
Ah giving you five years to pay the fine."

The Mighty Sparrow - Wood in De Fire ( 1968)

(Talk to me) I am not at peace honey
(Talk to me) tell me you love me sincerely
(Talk to me) darling don't remain silent
(Talk to me) because I love the excitement
Doobdidoob doodeeyah
For when you talk I feel like a man
And I get more zeal and inspiration
Even though I know it is mamaguism.

Tell me you think I sweeter than honey,
Tell me if I ever leave you you'll kill me.
Scratch up meh back, bite up meh ears when I ask "what's the matter?"
Tell me is too much wood in de fire.

(Promise me) Promise me anything you wish
(Promise me) Give me in french or in spanish
(Promise me) Say something good or something bad
(Promise me) As long as I make you talk ah glad
Doobdidoob doodeeyah
A little love talk does turn me on
I could carry on from now till dawn
As long as I hear your sexy conversation.

Tell me you think I sweeter than honey,
Tell me if I ever leave you you'll kill me.
Scratch up meh back, bite up meh ears when I ask "what's the matter?"
Tell me is too much wood in de fire.

(Do yuh ting) Mama rev up your engine
(Do yuh ting) Give vent to your feelings
(Do yuh ting) Honeybunch doh stop at all
(Do yuh ting) Shame if the mosquito net fall
I want a nice little mournful cry
Like uh huh, uh huh, uh huh, uh huh...
Woy yoi yoi Sparrow, whywhywhy

[The Polack MSgt]

1. Good Citizen is the Trump Party theme song

[JHan]

2. yeah, definitely.

[The Polack MSgt]

3. These songs are so upbeat and dancebale and the horns are so bright

But the subjects are so grim.

Totally different in tone and style is "Those are people who died" from the Jim Carrol but in a weird way it reminds of those songs.

Music is upbeat and enthusiastic and the lyrics are down right subversive.

[JHan]

4. Yep, it functions the same ...very subversive.

Calypso also reminds me of the kind of subversive songs typical of the Weimar Republic era, like Weill and Brecht. Ironic, bright, while conveying tragedy.

Some calypsoes are in minor key, probably due to West African musical tradition where warrior songs are sung in a minor key. When Calypso moved from being a village affair to a more integrated cultural expression in Caribbean societies, seen in the more formal "calypso tent" funded by rich patrons, it changed. Calypsonians had to find a way to sing about controversial topics they were accustomed to without driving audiences away - especially in smutty calypsoes, where there's a lot of clever double entendre.

Calypso also shares A LOT in common with New Orleans music, like this is so creole.