Mighty Sparrow

King Sparrow's Calypso Carnival Mighty Sparrow

Calypso King Mighty Sparrow (nee Slinger Francisco) is known for provocative and often bawdy lyrics, at one point describing rival Lord Melody's face as "ugly... like a crocodile." Beyond this professional rivalry, Sparrow jokes about politics ("I am very sorry for the poor little puppy in the Russian Satellite [Sputnik]") and women ("darling, you are the one I love, you are my turtle dove"). Three songs from this recording were reissued in 2000 on Calypso Awakening from the Emory Cook Collection (SFW40453): "Teresa," "Reply to Melody" and "Paye."