The function of calypso
Socio-political
Calypso’s original purpose - to praise, to deride, to comment on, and to relate – are skillfully reflected in today’s lyrics. The lyrics of the modern day calypso typically involve social and political commentary, often laced with humorous satire on current events. It is not surprising then, that this genre is revered by many as the collective voice of social and political conscience.
For example, the Mighty Sparrow (Slinger Francisco), who dominated the calypso scene until the late 1970s and was acclaimed as the ‘undisputed calypso king of the world’, has won numerous awards over the years based on his proclivity for writing and performing songs with underlying social and political themes.
His lyrics to "Jean and Dinah" (1956), celebrated the departure of the US troops from their naval base in Trinidad and the consequent demise of prostitution as a lucrative trade. During World War II, 12,000 acres of Trinidad's northwest peninsula (Chaguaramas) were leased to the U.S. government for a naval base, and over 30,000 U.S. troops stationed there. The presence of such a large number of eligible foreigners was considered by many to be a major social upheaval - stimulating a profitable prostitution trade for local girls like Jean and Dinah, but emasculating the sexual prowess of Trinidadian males like Sparrow: "When the Yankee was in full swing …Just imagine how I was suffering." Although the mass exodus of the ‘foreign competition’ at the end of wartime activities was viewed as a pleasurable turn of events by Sparrow: "Since the Yankees gone Sparrow take over now ..." it was perceived as economically depressing for those who benefited from what they considered a very rewarding trade: "Well, the girls in town feeling bad …No more Yankees in Trinidad …They going to close down the base for good …Them girls have to make out how they could."3
Other song titles underscore the influence of calypso on politics and society in Trinidad and Tobago, profiling the calypsonian’s role as a modern day prophet, giving counsel on issues as diverse as they are relevant: crime, culture, education, ethnicity, family life, national elections, political parties, sports, religion, unemployment: "Education a must" (Mighty Sparrow, 1977), "Caribbean Unity" (Black Stalin, 1979), "Corruption in Common Entrance" (Cro Cro, 1988), "Poverty Is Hell" (Shadow, 1993), "Little Black Boy and Rhythm of the Nation" (Gypsy, 1997), "Crying in the Ghetto" (Singing Sandra, 2001), "HIV" (Shadow, 2001), "From Naipaul to Shame" (Chalkdust, 2002).
A well-penned calypso (written by the performer or an independent composer) has often signaled or served as a death knell for many politicians or for a particular political party. So influential have been calypsos on politics and society in Trinidad and Tobago that many politicians literally cringe at the start of the carnival season, unwilling to visit the calypso tents to listen to the ‘picong’ (satire) leveled at them through the lyrics of popular calypsos. In 1986 when a slump in petroleum prices triggered a financial crisis in Trinidad and Tobago, calypsonian Gypsy’s (Winston Peters) "The Sinking Ship" vented the mood of the country, laying blame for the country’s economic woes squarely on the shoulders of the Prime Minister George Chambers: "Captain, the ship is sinking …Captain, the seas are rough…Shall we abandon ship … Or shall we stay on It… And perish slow?" Gypsy’s potent lyrics provided fuel for opposing political parties and were often quoted in political speeches. The Sinking Ship is only one example of the partisan type calypsos which influenced the voting electorate in 1986, resulting in the political demise of the People National Movement (PNM) of which George Chambers was the political party leader – the PNM lost the national elections in 1986.4
Next page: Risqué Calypsos
