Oh Mama look what de devil do!
A Podcast on Caribbean Calypso and Politics
Lyrics to all of the songs discussed in the episode are included below.
In this experimental episode of Caribbean Progress with Rasheed Griffith, Rasheed reviews three Caribbean songs with two long-time friends Kenidi Prescod and Akil Walton. These songs fall under the genre of social commentary calypso, referencing political decisions throughout the Caribbean. This episode was light, fun, but educational and we hope you enjoy it.Â
Note: Bajan means Barbadian.Â
Resources
Gypsy - Sinking Ship
Ras Iley - IMF Take Over
Mighty Sparrow - Federation
Caribbean Progress Podcast episode with Anton Howes
Notes Towards Caribbean Dollarization (Part 1) by Rasheed Griffith
What Should A Caribbean Think Tank Do? by Rasheed Griffith
Contact Info: CPSI
Twitter: @cpsi_org
Email us at progress@cpsi.org
Song Lyrics
Gypsy - Sinking Ship
[Spoken]
This is an SOS from the Trinidad
Location, seven miles off the coast of Venezuela
SOS SOS Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! Help! Help!
The Trinidad, a luxury liner, sailing the Caribbean Sea
With an old captain named Eric Williams
For years sail smooth and free
But sadly Eric Williams passed away
The ship hit rough water that day
Someone turn the bridge over
To a captain named Chambers
Mi blood crawl, things start to fall
Hold mih head when a sailor bawl
Captain, this ship is sinking
Captain, these seas are rough
We gas tank almost empty
No electricity, we oil pressure reading low
Shall we abandon ship?
Or shall we stay on it, and perish slow?
We don't know, we don't know
Captain, you tell we what to do
The Trinidad, oh she was a beauty,
With wealth that few surpassed
And in her day she sailed majestically
They were few in her class
Faithfully, she fulfilled her sailors' needs
Some were overpowered by greed
And so they pilfered slow
Some took by bulk an' go
Now she look dull, she's at a lull
She could barely sit on her hull
Captain, this ship is sinking
Captain, these seas are rough (Oh Yes)
We gas tank almost empty
No electricity, we oil pressure reading low
Shall we abandon ship?
Or shall we stay on it, and perish slow?
We don't know, we don't know
Captain you tell we what to do
The Trinidad, in her day of sailing
She was a friend to one and all
She never once ever hesitated
To answer all SOS calls
And yes, well she always did her best
To help out those in distress
Now it's so sad to see, she's in difficulties
Those she help jeer, some of them cheer
And sarcastically declare,
Captain, this ship is sinking
Captain, these seas are rough
We gas tank almost empty
No electricity, we oil pressure reading low
Shall we abandon ship?
Or shall we sit on it, and perish slow?
We don't know, we don't know
Captain, you tell we what to do
[Spoken]
If only there was something I could have done to restore the credibility of this beautiful vessel. Money is no problem.
Now there's a lot of fingers pointing
Suspicion running strong
Who's to be blamed for all her failures?
Who's to be blamed for doing her wrong?
Now please remember, I'm warning you
For thirty years she had the same crew
Who hold the keys to her vault
So we know who's at fault
Now it's up to you, it's up to me
To make her worthy to go back to sea
Captain, this ship is sinking
Captain, these seas are rough [oh yes]
We gas tank almost empty
No electricity, we oil pressure reading low
Shall we abandon ship?
Or shall we stay on it, and perish slow?
We don't know, we don't know
Captain you tell we what to do
We don't know, we don't know
Captain, you tell we what to do
We don't know, we don't now
You tell we what to do
We don't know, we don't know
You tell we what to do
Put up a flag! Oh gosh, we don't know
You tell we what to do
Should we turn to the World Bank for help?
We don't know, we don't know, we don't know
We don't know, we don't know, we don't know
Somebody put in an application to the World Bank
Probably we get some help to do the repairs
We don't know, we don't know, we don't know, You tell we what to do
Ras Iley - IMF Take Over
Heeeelp
Heeeelp
We were warned,
but we didn't take heed.
Now the money gone,
all because of our greed.
Off to Washington,
scared as hell you run.
Put this blessed land,
straight in the IMF hand.
Now it is plain to see, trouble in the country
Cause when they hold you
And they squeeze you
There is nothing you can do
Oh Mama look what de devil do. (IMF takeova)
Trinidad and Jamaica too. (IMF takeova)
Their only aim is to devalue (IMF takeova)
They don’t care about me and you (IMF takeova)
They cut we by we throat,
We hanging on a rope.
I wonda when I go recover,
Because the IMF takeova
The people march
Yes, they march in protest
They sound like class
All the songs of sadness
Hit by a storm
In summer is not the norm
Everyone got scared
Because they were all unprepared
And how, we know
More trouble for tomorrow
No signs of easing
Nothing improving
More and more heartaches to come in
Oh Mama look what de devil do. (IMF takeova)
Trinidad and Jamaica too. (IMF takeova)
Their only aim is to devalue (IMF takeova)
They don’t care about me and you (IMF takeova)
They cut we by we throat,
We hanging on a rope.
I wonda when I go recover,
Because the IMF takeova
Oh Mama look what de devil do. (IMF takeova)
Oh Mama look what de devil do. (IMF takeova)
Oh Mama look what de devil do. (IMF takeova)
Oh Mama look what de devil do. (IMF takeova)
With tunnel vision
You only see straight ahead
But if its open
You will see all around instead
It is plain to see
That those who lead we
Are as blind as a bat
Can't tell a shoe from a hat
And we must bend
For all of them who don’t care
If the country
Goes back to slavery
Oh Lord please have mercy on we
Oh Mama look what de devil do. (IMF takeova)
Trinidad and Jamaica too. (IMF takeova)
Their only aim is to devalue (IMF takeova)
They don’t care about me and you (IMF takeova)
They cut we by we throat,
We hanging on a rope.
I wonda when I go recover,
Because the IMF takeova
IMF takeova
IMF takeova
IMF takeova
IMF takeova
IMF takeova
Mighty Sparrow - Federation
People want to know why Jamaica run
From the Federation
Well they want to know why Jamaica run away
From the Federation
Jamaica have a right to speak she mind
That is my opinion
And if you believe in democracy
You'll agree with me
But if they know they didn't want federation
And they know they don't want to unite as one
Independence was at the door
Why didn't they speak before
This is no time to say you ain't federating no more!
When they didn't get the capital site
That nearly cause big fight
When Sir Grandley Adams took up his post
That even made things worse
They bawling "we ain't want no Bajan premier
Trinidad can't be capital for here!"
So the grumbling went on and on
To a big referendum
But if they know they didn't want federation
And they know they don't want to unite as one and only one
I say to tell the Doctor you're not in favour
Don't behave like a blasted traitor
How the devil you mean you ain't federating no more!
Sorry but no Federation again
I think it's a big shame
After so much efforts and energy
Goodbye everybody
Right now it's only a memory
We failed miserably
Some may say we shouldn't have parted
But it's Jamaica who started
If they know they didn't want federation
And they know they don't want to unite as one
Just tell the Doctor you're not in favour
Don't behave like a blasted traitor
This is no time to say you ain't federating no more!
Federation boil down to simply this:
It's dog eat dog and survival of the fittest
Everybody fighting for independence
Singularly Trinidad for instance
We going get it too so don't bother
But I find we should all be together
Not separated as we are
Because of Jamaica
If they know they didn't want federation
And they know they don't want to unite as one
Tell the Doctor!
Tell the Doctor you're not in favour
Don't behave like a blasted traitor
How the devil you mean you ain't federating no more!
Outside, man!