by Julian Putley
SunFun Calypso by Julian Putley
The contest is about to begin . . . and the first calypsonian is Tortuga's own . . . Lord Pompey!" The calypsonian ran forward onto the stage. He was dressed in black trousers, white shirt, black bow tie and a multi-coloured jacket with tails, covered with sparkling sequins. A shiny top hat set at a jaunty angle but with the top sliced open, like an open tin can, completed his attire.
The announcer then went on to explain all the previous achievements of his career and that his first-time rendition, specially written and composed for this year's Calypso King Contest was . . . 'De Politishun.' It started like this:
"All o' we done vote ya into power
All o' we our wishes dem gone sour
De pledges an'de promises ain' here
We plans, we dreams, all done disappear
De taxes, all de money, where it be?
It shaw ain' here, helpin all o' we
It in a bank belongin' to de Swiss,
We should o' never vote a man like dis."
Lord Pompey was a real showman. He pranced across the stage, gesticulating, pointing. He strutted, he danced, he contorted, he cavorted and the crowd loved it. The horn section were brilliant too.