PR – The two top officials of the Democratic People’s Movement (DPM), Peter David and Arley Gill, have joined the rest of Grenada, and millions in the Caribbean and worldwide, in mourning the death of renowned calypsonian Mighty Sparrow.
MP David, DPM’s Political Leader, called Sparrow the “greatest calypsonian ever’’.
Sparrow was born on July 9, 1935, in Grand Roy, St. John. He died last Saturday in New York. He was 91.
“We pause to remember a great Grenadian and a Caribbean icon, the Mighty Sparrow—the greatest calypsonian ever,’’ said David.
“From humble beginnings in Grand Roy, Sparrow— born Slinger Francisco—was taken to Trinidad and Tobago, where he grew up and established himself as the quintessential King of Calypso,’’ he added.
“For over 75 years, Sparrow told Caribbean stories with passion, daring and humour, captivating the essence of a people and elevating our collective spirits through generations. As Mohammed Ali was to boxing, Bob Marley to reggae and Sir Garfield Sobers to cricket, Sparrow was simply—The Greatest!’’
Sparrow’s accolades also include capturing eight road march championships in Trinidad and Tobago, seven calypso monarchs and two Kings of King titles.
In 1987, Sparrow was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of the West Indies.
In 2015, he received the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and is a recipient of Trinidad and Tobago’s highest honour—the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
Gill, an attorney who grew in St. John, referred to Sparrow as a “legend’’, who migrated to T&T “at a tender age, making his mark in Trinidad as a talented vocalist, lyricist, producer and entertainer’’.
“I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Dr Slinger Francisco and to the calypso fraternity on the passing of a giant and genius of calypso music,’’ said Gill, Deputy Political Leader of The Movement.
According to Gill, a former Grenada Culture Minister, for almost 60 years, Mighty Sparrow — the Calypso King of the World — “reigned high above the calypso kingdom. Today, the world mourns the passing of a Caribbean legend and statesman, whose contribution to Caribbean civilization is beyond reproach.’’
Throughout Sparrow’s professional career, said Gill, he “wooed audiences from Lavantille to London with his charisma and memorable hits such as: “Yankees Gone’’; “Sa Sa Yea’’; and, “Drunk and Disorderly’’.
“The Mighty Sparrow is a legend in any genre of music” said Gill, “and his contribution to the calypso fraternity and to world culture is worthy of our highest consideration. As a matter of fact, his life and legacy are worthy of regional and global celebration.”
Gill continues: “I am beyond pleased and proud, that in 2022, I had the honour and privilege of staging the inaugural Mighty Sparrow Day in Grenada. Efforts must be made to continue amplifying and memorializing the life and legacy of a son-of-the soil—in the land of his birth.”
In the words of Gill, “as the world mourns the passing of The Mighty Sparrow, let us keep his memory alive by honouring the man, his message and his music — and may his life serve as an inspiration to current and emerging artistes to dream big, aim high, and work hard to perfect their craft.
“Paper! Paper! Read all about it! Who killed the Sparrow? Nobody knows… Sparrow dead!” Those words, Gill pointed out, are lyrics from Sparrow’s 1970 hit, “Sparrow Dead’’.
“Fifty-six years after this song was recorded, we can reflect on Sparrow’s humour and be glad that he lived—and gifted the world many of the greatest calypsos ever written,’’ Gill said.
“May the soul of the greatest calypsonian that ever-lived rest in eternal peace and may his legacy live on in our memories and in his music.’’
