Calypsos from Trinidad: Politics, Intrigue and Violence in the 1930s

Calypso music has often been used as a form of political protest. This was particularly true in Trinidad in the 1930s, when the collapse of the agricultural economy coincided with the discovery of oil—a situation that gave rise to economic disparity among the island’s residents. The songs in this collection reflect the social, political, and economic conditions of the time. Many of the songs were sung by Attila the Hun, a popular Calypso singer of the day. The detailed liner notes with song lyrics was edited and annotated by musicologist Dick Spottswood.

Track Listing

101	Iere Now And Long Ago Atilla The Hun and Lord Beginner	02:57
102	Money Is King The Tiger	02:59
103	The Gold in Africa The Tiger	03:02
104	Bargee Pelauri The Lion	03:02
105	Send Your Children to the Orphan Home The Lion	03:06
106	Paramaribo The Caresser	03:01
107	Ah, Gertie The Caresser	03:00
108	Treasury Scandal Atilla the Hun	03:13
109	I Don't Know How the Young Men Living The Executor	03:03
110	Shop Closing Ordinance The Executor	03:06
111	Too Botheration The Growler	02:32
112	The Rats The Tiger	03:01
113	Down the Road The Tiger	02:52
114	Try a Screw to Get Through The Tiger	03:03
115	The Strike Atilla the Hun	02:24
116	Miss Marie's Advice The Tiger	03:03
117	Where Was Butler? Atilla the Hun	02:48
118	The Governor's Resignation Atilla the Hun	02:57
119	We Mourn the Loss of Sir Murchison Fletcher Lord Executor	02:57
120	Mr. Nankivell's Speech Atilla the Hun	02:57
121	Commission's Report Atilla the Hun	02:46
122	Sedition Law King Radio	03:06
123	The Five Year Plan Atilla the Hun	03:03