Lyr Add: Mr. Nankivell's Speech - Attila

Subject: Lyr Add: Mr. Nankivell's Speech - Attila
From: RyBurhans
Date: 25 Jun 14 - 03:40 PM

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

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mr. Nankivell's Speech - Attila
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Jul 14 - 11:44 PM

Here's how I hear the first verse:

Hand me the Port-of-Spain [I assume he's referring to a newspaper]
To read Mr. Nankivell's speech again
Hand me the Port-of-Spain
To read Mr. Nankivell's speech again
Replete with tact and sympathy
Fearfully(?) and Christian charity
We promise that whatever they do, Trinidad will remember you.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Mr. Nankivell's Speech - Attila
From: Gda Music
Date: 11 Jul 14 - 07:36 AM

Re your *Mr Nankivell`s Speech* transcription. I have the CD
"Calypsos from Trinidad - The 1930s"ARHOOLIE - FOLKLYRIC CD 7004.

Here Now and Long Ago                     Atilla The Hun,Lord Beginner
Money is King                            The Tiger
The Gold in Africa                        The Tiger
Bargee Pelauri                            The Lion
Send your children to the orphan home    The Lion
Paramaribo                               The Caresser
Ah, Gertie                               The Caresser
Treasury Scandal                         Atilla The Hun
I don`t know how the young men living    The Executer
Shop closing ordinance                   The Executer
Too botheration                           The Growler
The rats                                  The Tiger
Down the road                            The Tiger
Try a screw to get through                The Tiger
The Strike                               Atilla The Hun
Miss Marie`s Advice                      The Tiger
Where was Butler                         Atilla The Hun
The Govenor`s Reignation                  Atilla The Hun
We mourn the loss of
    Sir Murchison Fletcher                Lord Executer
Mr Nankivell`s Speech                     Atilla The Hun
Commission`s Report                      Atilla The Hun
Sedition Law                              King Radio
The 5 year plan                           Atilla The Hun

All lyrics are printed along with an informative and interesting
24 page booklet. Edited and annotated by Dick Spottswood.      
(1991 - Arhoolie Productions Inc)

I have not corrected your Nankivell`s transcribed post but I could email you a page or 2 from the booklet if it would help?

GJ