Posted on 07/03/2008 12:17:30 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Obama inspired songs popping up across the Caribbean
With John McCain in Mexico Thursday and Barack Obama polling off the charts in Canada, the Caribbean is also weighing in on the U.S. presidential election, as a slew of Obama-inspired calypso songs are popping up across the islands.
Dubbed the “poor man’s newspaper” by practicioners of the genre, calypsos are often nuanced pieces of social commentary, meant to take the pulse of the population.
Of all the Obama-themed songs, the most popular is a song entitled “Barack the Magnificent” by Trinidadian Calypso legend Mighty Sparrow, a pioneer of the genre who is wildly popular throughout the Caribbean.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
“Barack the Magic Negro” by white comedian Paul Shanklin isn’t too bad.
H
All the world wondered...
I don’t usually buy into that crap, and I’m going to reread the prophecies, but the longer this goes on, the more eerie it gets. On top of the disasters and economic situations around the world.
B O Lyrics
(with NO apologies to Harry Belafonte)
B-o, B-ay-ay-o
Election Day come and he wan’ go home
B, he say B, he say B, he say B, he say B, he say B-ay-ay-o
Election Day come and he wan’ go home
Work all night on a drink a’rum
(Election Day come and he wan’ go home)
Stack banana till morning come
(Election Day come and he wan’ go home)
Come, Mr. Tally Mon, tally me banana
(Election Day come and he wan’ go home)
Come, Mr. Tally Mon, tally me banana
(Election Day come and he wan’ go home)
It’s six foot, seven foot, eight foot, BUNCH!
(Election Day come and he wan’ go home)
Six foot, seven foot, eight foot, BUNCH!
(Election Day come and he wan’ go home)
B, he say B-ay-ay-o
(Election Day come and he wa’n go home)
B, he say B, he say B, he say B, he say B, he say B
(Election Day come and he wan’ go home)
A beautiful bunch a’ripe banana
(Election Day come and he wan’ go home)
Hide thee Deadly black tarantula
(Election Day come and he wan’ go home)
It’s six foot, seven foot, eight foot, BUNCH!
(Election Day come and he wan’ go home)
Six foot, seven foot, eight foot, BUNCH!
(Election Day come and he wan’ go home)
B, he say B-ay-ay-o
(Election Day come and he wan’ go home)
B, he say B, he say B, he say B, he say B, he say B
(Election Day come and he wan’ go home)
Come, Mr. Tally Mon, tally me banana
(Election Day come and he wan’ go home)
Come, Mr. Tally Mon, tally me banana
(Election Day come and he wan’ go home)
B-o, B-ay-ay-o
(Election Day come and he wan’ go home)
B, he say B, he say B, he say B, he say B, he say B-ay-ay-o
(Election Day come and he wan’ go home)
Gotta go.....BRRAAAAAHGHHAHFHHFHFHHAHHFAHAHHAFAJ!
I haven’t heard any Obama-inspired songs around these parts.
The cult like worship of this man is starting to get a bit frightening.
The cult like worship of this man is starting to get a bit frightening.
“Barak, you magnificent bastard, I read your book!!”
“Barak, you magnificent bastard, I read your book!!”
During the backstage meeting, which was also attended by publisher and attorney Brian Figeroux, community activist Gerry Hopkins, political organizer Jordan Thomas, and Caribbean immigrant Derek Webster, The Mighty Sparrow also presented Sen. Obama with a CD of a calypso which he composed and recorded as a tribute to Obama.
The song gives an exposé which takes the listener through Barack’s humble beginnings and his rise to the top. The sharp lyrics, which are skillfully interwoven with a rhythmic Caribbean melody, present Barack as a true family man, capable intellectual, effective grassroots leader and legislator, and a progressive Presidential candidate with a solid agenda for real comprehensive reforms in education, healthcare, economic development, and foreign policy.
With respect to the issue of whether or not Obama is ready to govern the United States, Sparrow observes, “Were we ready for 400 years of slavery? Based on what I have heard, read and researched, I am very impressed by the resplendent vision of Obama. He is resilient and wise. It is easy to equate him to Solomon."
In more ways than one, Sparrow’s calypso captures the sentiment of most Caribbean-Americans interviewed by CAW for this story. And like The Mighty Sparrow, who is of Grenadian/Trinidadian origin, most of those interviewed about their opinions of Barack, believe that he stands out as a well-qualified candidate.
“Barack! Barack! He is fighting for openness and honesty in government. Barack – is doggedly defiant; phenomenal strength; and wisdom beyond comment,” Sparrow sings in the chorus.
The calypso single, titled Barack the Magnificent, is not yet available in record stores.
I think you might have something there. Satan is alive and well.
No meter or rhyming present at all. (Unless you want to stretch "defiant" to "comment".) Very unartful.
I think Mighty Sparrow has a song about the Obeah Man (voodoo) — maybe he can re-work the lyrics. Or maybe he doesn’t need to.
Maybe his friend Calypso Louie Farrakhan will write some..............
Ooooh, goodie! Maybe under his annointed leadership, we can be just like Haiti.
He hasn’t done a thing yet but open his mouth, flip flop on almost every issue, and throw people under his bus.
Ooooh, goodie! Maybe under his annointed leadership, we can be just like Haiti.
Most of these people want a free pass to the US.
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