The Orisha faith as a source of supernatural power (whether good or evil) had been recognized in the earliest calypso recordings, but whether these powers were deserving of public reverence and respect is a different matter. Sparrow’s “Shango Man” provides an example of this duality: the calypso is...
[Verse 1]
Playing Shango Man up in Pari Land
So miserable, mocking Shango people
Well, a woman slap me with a broom
Meh head start to spin
On meh forehead she brand me with a spoon
And she start to sing, oh oh!
[Chorus]
Ojo Romey O!
You should see me dance the Shango
Ah could feel the rhythm roll
Deep down in meh soul
Ho-sign Jahwayla
Ah beat the drum to bar Lucifer
Alar garda fee-leh fu-osho
Ojo Romey O!
[Verse 2]
Rolling on the ground, people dancing 'round
Then they lift me up, spin me like a top
Well they cut off the goat head in the mud
Lord! Meh belly boil!
And then they makе me drink up the goat blood
Mixed with olivе oil, singing:
[Chorus]
Ojo Romey O!
You should see me dance the Shango
Ah could feel the rhythm roll
Deep down in meh soul
Ho-sign Jahwayla
Ah beat the drum to bar Lucifer
Alar garda fee-leh fu-osho
Ojo Romey O!
[Verse 3]
When the spirit catch you, nothing you could do
Except dance like hell, try to break the spell
Well everybody tell me I was great
They say I'm a boss
Under the spirit ah was dancing ah jarjar
And riding ah horse and singing:
[Chorus]
Ojo Romey O!
You should see me dance the Shango
Ah could feel the rhythm roll
Deep down in meh soul
Ho-sign Jahwayla
Ah beat the drum to bar Lucifer
Alar garda fee-leh fu-osho
Ojo Romey O!
[Verse 4]
Ever since that day I can't keep away
I must be on spot every feast they got
Now I am a proper Shango Man
That does beat the drum
So if you want to join the Shango band
Follow me and come, come on
[Chorus]
Ojo Romey O!
Come see the Sparrow dance the Shango
Feel the rhythm roll
Deep down in your soul
Ho-sign Jahwayla
Ah beat the drum to bar Lucifer
Alar garda fee-leh fu-osho
Ojo Romey O!
Shango!
Shango!