The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #154852 Message #3636633
Posted By: RyBurhans
25-Jun-14 - 03:40 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: Mr. Nankivell's Speech - Attila
Subject: Lyr Add: Mr. Nankivell's Speech - Attila
This was a fun transcription. It's a beautiful historical calypso:
http://open.spotify.com/track/5yeLrI5bj2cFeI03ozBN3Q
Nankivell's Speech- Attila the Hun
And me the Port-o-Spain
To read Mr. Nankivell's speech again
And me the Port-o-Spain
To read Mr. Nankivell's speech again
Briefly ?drissak(phon.) ? and sympathy
?Fearfully? and Christian charity
We promise that whatever they do, Trinidad will remember you
Imagine the moral courage of that man
In the legislative co'ncil, to stand
And give his opinion, without on fear
In the midst of the members sitting there
To get on his feet and openly say
That the (yu)pressed worker deserves more pay
Be sure t'erect, right in this city, a monumental(sic) his memory
There were many Trinida(y)dians there that day
In the council, but they didn't say
A word in defense of the working man
Although they are natives of the fiery land
They didn't vote to argue or commend
But to blindly support the government
And Nankivell, though not a Trinida(y)dian
Fought for our emancipation
Spoke feelingly and strikingly
Logically and conscientiously
His diction was perfect, elocution great
To describe his speech, words are inadequate
He said, "We will plant the cane and dig the oil"
"And develop the estates with sweat and soil"
"While employers are living luxuriously"
"Why should we die in misery?"
His speech created a sensation
And was welcome by the population
There is a rumor he will-ah be recalled
By the commissioners, he has been blackballed
It is a million miles oversea
Beloved in all hearts, he'd ever be
For the entire multitude offers undying gratitude