Sparrow the Scold - I

Sparrow the Scold - I

By the seventies, Caribbean tourism became dangerous.
Several well-publicized murders and increasing violence
between rival troupes of calypsonians was keeping away
tourists and the Yankee dollar.

In Woom Poom, Sparrow personally guarantees the safety
of a visiting lady.

He exhorts her to "shake up ye woom poom, breakaway!
We can rest Ash Wednesday". The melody is so enchanting,
I had to listen to it many times before I caught on
to the undertone of reassurance in the face of legitimate fears.
Around the same time, the Jamaican Tourist Board ran the
"Come Back to Jamaica" campaign. It took me a long time to
recognize the tune as John Lennon's "War is Over (Happy Xmas)",
but later found they were both based in an old folk melody "Skewball".

In Rope, Sparrow directly takes on the gang rivalries, urging them
to "behave yourselves in public".

"While everyone was jumping up and having a good time
They were pelting and fighting, trying to spoil a songline."
"Boasting how they afraid no one, not even police
But this year is for love and peace so this nonsense must cease".

This song features a driving bassline and chordal rhythm guitar
throughout, with a horn section over it all.

If only rappers devoted as much effort in controlling their fans worst excesses.