Thursday, May 29, 2008

Denyse Plummer's declaration to Trinidad and Tobago

How de people small-minded, macoscious and loud



The eccentric Denyse Plummer sings on her love of Trinidad and Tobago at the Dimanche Gras Calypso Monarch finals in 2001. It should be noted that the stage set includes costumes designed by Peter Minshall. These were part of the opening ceremony for the 1999 Miss Universe pageant which was held in Trinidad.

As a calypsonian, Denyse Plummer began her career with an awaking reminder that Trinidadians can be cruel. During her performance at Skinner Park, San Fernando, she was pelted with toilet paper. Her perseverance since then has allowed her to follow her dream. In 2001, she was crowned Calypso Monarch of the World.
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They say meh country so stressfull, so tense
With raise hate, young jail bait, too much violence
Girl pack up and go, this sweet Trinbago
I tell dem no way

How de people small-minded, macoscious and loud

Of bobol and scandal they boastful and proud
Yet somehow I see, all this foolery
As window dressing, dey still ah blessing

You see ah just eat ah curry-cue

Peas, rice and cascadoux
Two crab and callaloo
Meh neighbor just gimme

Nah leaving

Meh navel string so deep and freedom doh come cheap
Where else in de world you know

Sweet Pan and Calypso
People just overflow two days in the street
Nah leaving

Is here wey conceive me, is here ah go dead
I see a people creative who must overcome

Make magic from old steel, from rusty old drum
So why should I fear, some tears here and there
I tell dem no way

Comradery so special like natural instinct

Dey meet you by de river, is come take ah drink
Unspoken but kind, no silent bad mind
So forget New York and and de old talk

You see ah just drink some babash brew

Puncheon rum and Mountain Dew
Ah hot plate ah Pelau too
Meh macomere just bring me
Nah leaving

Meh navel string so deep and freedom doh come cheap
Where else in de world you know

Jump high then wine down low
And if you don't get on so, dey watch you silly

Nah leaving


Is here wey conceive me, is here ah go dead

Mayaro, Maracas Bay
Nah leaving
Savannah wey children play Nah leaving
De sorrel, de mauby bark Nah leaving
De corn soup, de bake and shark Nah leaving
De Oval, see Lara bat Nah leaving
De picong, de tit-for-tat Nah leaving
De ritual of Carnival Nah leaving
De Soca Chutney Bachannal

I wake up one morning and before I stretch

Is fry bake, my doubles, meh nostril done ketch
And there for my view, an ocean so blue
I going no where

Humming birds and black birds dat sing in de trees

Chaconia and spices dat pass in de breeze
Wild meat by de grap, agouti and lappe
In forrest grazing, it so amazing
You see ah just watch ah football match

Wey Trini and Yankee clash
So much fun, de balls dat lash
Meh head still dizzy

Nah leaving


Meh navel string so deep and freedom doh come cheap
Where else in de world you know

Milk and de honey flow
Vagrants does bend down low and drink from ah drain

Nah leaving

Is here wey conceive me, is here ah go dead Barb wire, roll wire, we living in jail
Somehow I know, Denyse will prevail
As folks will recall, our problems are small
I going no where

De heart of my people is of solid gold
Of Soca dey move you with rythym and soul
So who want to leave, because dey believe
Dat out dey easy, I say dey crazy You see ah just eat ah curry-cue
Peas, rice and cascadoux
Two cab and callaloo
Meh neighbor just gimme

Nah leaving
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Cascadoux - A fresh water fish which in Trinidadian folklore, if you eat it, you will return to the country to die.
Macomere - A busybody friend

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