Sir Galba
Encyclopedia
Sir Galba was a calypso singer
and recording artist in the 1940s and 1950s.
He was born George Brindsley McSween in the village of Birchgrove, St. Andrews, Grenada
, in 1919. A troubled man, he had a relatively brief career and life, but Galba is remembered for his outstanding calypsos and contributions to the development of the calypso scene in Trinidad
. He stabbed someone in a nightclub in 1952 and five years later, after stabbing his girlfriend, he committed suicide on September 18, 1957.
(3 BCE-CE 69) who only reigned for seven months from 8 June 68, until he was assassinated on 7 January 69. On the other hand, he could have been named after the galba tree Calophyllum antillanum
which is noted for its hard wood and was a favourite for making spinning tops. "Galba could also have been named for his skill with women: Ah fella who could "pitch galba" is skilled in delivering sexual pleasure to women."
Sir Galba performed at a number of shows in Grenada in 1945 in St George's, at the Eastern Theatre in Grenville and at the Spencer Gordon Hall in Paradise, featuring fellow calypsonians Small Island Pride (Theophilius Woods), The Mighty Zebra (Charles Harris), Lord Pretender, Lord Kitchener
and Lord Ziegfield (Percy Simon).
Along with fellow Grenadians Small Island Pride and Zebra, Galba had a big influence on Trinidadian calypso, laying the groundwork for the arrival of the Mighty Sparrow
, who arrived on the scene from Grenada in 1954.
Sir Galba became one of Trinidad's leading successful calypsonians soon after World War II, along with such greats as Kitchener, Killer, Melody, Spoiler, Viking, Zebra, Dictator, Terror, Wonder and others.
Sir Galba was noted for his clever and humorous lyrics. Unfortunately, few have survived. But the calypso, the 'Bajan Diplomat', taken from a recording, gives some idea of his playfulness. The calypso is partly a play on the lyrics of the popular song from the 1954 film, "Three Coins in a Fountain", but mostly a humorous dig at Trinidadians and Barbadians, especially sending up the broad Barbadian accent and playing on the common West Indian myth that Barbadians were often con artists (of course, he came from Grenada!). An MP3 version may be downloaded from:
Calypsonian
A calypsonian , originally known as the chantwell is a musician, from the Anglophone Caribbean, who sings songs called calypso. Calypsos are musical renditions having their origins in the West African griot tradition...
and recording artist in the 1940s and 1950s.
He was born George Brindsley McSween in the village of Birchgrove, St. Andrews, Grenada
Grenada
Grenada is an island country and Commonwealth Realm consisting of the island of Grenada and six smaller islands at the southern end of the Grenadines in the southeastern Caribbean Sea...
, in 1919. A troubled man, he had a relatively brief career and life, but Galba is remembered for his outstanding calypsos and contributions to the development of the calypso scene in Trinidad
Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands and numerous landforms which make up the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. With an area of it is also the fifth largest in...
. He stabbed someone in a nightclub in 1952 and five years later, after stabbing his girlfriend, he committed suicide on September 18, 1957.
Career
It is not known why he took the calypsonian name of "Sir Galba." Perhaps he named himself after the Roman Emperor Servius Sulpicius GalbaGalba
Galba , was Roman Emperor for seven months from 68 to 69. Galba was the governor of Hispania Tarraconensis, and made a bid for the throne during the rebellion of Julius Vindex...
(3 BCE-CE 69) who only reigned for seven months from 8 June 68, until he was assassinated on 7 January 69. On the other hand, he could have been named after the galba tree Calophyllum antillanum
Calophyllum antillanum
Calophyllum antillanum is an evergreen, medium-sized tropical tree in the Calophyllaceae family. It is also known as Antilles calophyllum; Alexandrian laurel; Galba; Santa Maria; mast wood, beauty leaf, West Indian laurel....
which is noted for its hard wood and was a favourite for making spinning tops. "Galba could also have been named for his skill with women: Ah fella who could "pitch galba" is skilled in delivering sexual pleasure to women."
Sir Galba performed at a number of shows in Grenada in 1945 in St George's, at the Eastern Theatre in Grenville and at the Spencer Gordon Hall in Paradise, featuring fellow calypsonians Small Island Pride (Theophilius Woods), The Mighty Zebra (Charles Harris), Lord Pretender, Lord Kitchener
Lord Kitchener (calypsonian)
Aldwyn Roberts , better known by the stage name Lord Kitchener , was one of the most internationally famous calypsonians. He was the son of a blacksmith, Stephen, and homemaker, Albertha.-Life:...
and Lord Ziegfield (Percy Simon).
Along with fellow Grenadians Small Island Pride and Zebra, Galba had a big influence on Trinidadian calypso, laying the groundwork for the arrival of the Mighty Sparrow
Mighty Sparrow
Mighty Sparrow or Birdie is a calypso singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Known as the "Calypso King of the World," he is one of the most well-known and successful calypsonians...
, who arrived on the scene from Grenada in 1954.
Sir Galba became one of Trinidad's leading successful calypsonians soon after World War II, along with such greats as Kitchener, Killer, Melody, Spoiler, Viking, Zebra, Dictator, Terror, Wonder and others.
Compositions
- "Irene", which he sang in the Young Brigade Tent during the 1951 Calypso campaigns, was obviously based on the American traditional folksong "Goodbye Irene," made popular by the WeaversThe WeaversThe Weavers were an American folk music quartet based in the Greenwich Village area of New York City. They sang traditional folk songs from around the world, as well as blues, gospel music, children's songs, labor songs, and American ballads, and selling millions of records at the height of their...
' 1950 version. The words to this calypso may be found at
- "Hooligans Hide Yourself"
- "Too Many Fires" recorded on a Sagomes 78 rpm disk produced in England in 1952 with Mighty Skipper singing "Talking Parrot" on the flip side.
- "Put the Knife on the Shelf"
- "Calypsonian from Toco" (Recorded in 1949)
- "Residents of Nowhere Square" (Recorded in 1949)
- "Man in the Garden Hiding" for which he was crowned Calypso King of 1952.
- "I Don't Want Any Women Police in Trinidad"
- "The Queen at Montego Bay" - He received second place for this song in an inter-island calypso contest at the Governor's House, Port of SpainPort of SpainPort of Spain, also written as Port-of-Spain, is the capital of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the country's third-largest municipality, after San Fernando and Chaguanas. The city has a municipal population of 49,031 , a metropolitan population of 128,026 and a transient daily population...
, for Princess MargaretPrincess Margaret, Countess of SnowdonPrincess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon was the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth II and the younger daughter of King George VI....
in 1955. The other five calypsonians who were chosen to sing were Lord MelodyLord MelodyLord Melody was a popular calypsonian, best known for singles such as the self-deprecating "Boo Boo Man", "Shame & Scandal", "Jonah and the Bake", "Juanita" and "Rastaman Be Careful"...
, Mighty Dictator, Mighty Spitfire, Mighty PantherMighty PantherNative to Trinidad, Mighty Panther is a "legend" of Trinidadian calypso music. He has shared the stage with numerous calypsonians including "Charmer", aka Louis Farrakhan . At the age of 11 he found a gold pocket watch and he carries it around his neck, believing it brings him good...
, and Lord Viper).
- "Mr. Christine from Barbados" in 1954 on 78 rpm Vitadisc TC 106 with "Boys Days" by the She She Calypso Band on the flip side.
- "Bajan Diplomat." On a Vitadisc 45 rpm with a steelbandSteelpanSteelpans is a musical instrument originating from The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago...
playing "The Happy Wanderer" on the flip side. This recording was made some time after the movie "Three Coins In the Fountain" (1954), starring Clifton Webb and Dorothy McGuire. See the Wikipedia article: Three Coins in the Fountain (1954 film)Three Coins in the Fountain (1954 film)Three Coins in the Fountain is the 1954 film that introduced the song of the same name, which became an enduring standard. It tells the story of three American girls looking for romance in Rome while employed at the American Embassy...
.
Sir Galba was noted for his clever and humorous lyrics. Unfortunately, few have survived. But the calypso, the 'Bajan Diplomat', taken from a recording, gives some idea of his playfulness. The calypso is partly a play on the lyrics of the popular song from the 1954 film, "Three Coins in a Fountain", but mostly a humorous dig at Trinidadians and Barbadians, especially sending up the broad Barbadian accent and playing on the common West Indian myth that Barbadians were often con artists (of course, he came from Grenada!). An MP3 version may be downloaded from: