ICONIC calypsonian Slinger Francisco (Mighty Sparrow) had an “enjoyable” 89th birthday at his New York, United States home, with his family and friends on Tuesday. Although he ate a lot and drank fresh juices, he pined for a Carib beer. In a phone interview yesterday, Sparrow, recipient of the Order of the Republic Of Trinidad and Tobago in 2014, said: “It was nice.
Enjoyable. I got a lot of phone calls. I was keeping in touch with my children and grandchildren.
My family cooked up a storm. I ate and I drank as much as I wanted to. Not alcohol.
A lot of fresh juices. I could have sucked a beer..
.a Carib. But I did not get any.
He added: “We had a nice time. Of course, they played my music. They played mostly the gospels and ‘Salvation’ and ‘I Used to Be a Sinner’.
..that sort of vibe.
” Asked how he felt about reaching 89, he added: “I am holding on. I am looking forward to whatever else is going to come. I am glad I reached this threshold.
If I make one or two more years, I am cool with it. Not complaining. I am not making any noise.
Quiet in my corner. I’m not sure when I will be coming home. But I miss home.
Everything. Just being home.” Sparrow, however, said he’s distressed by the murders and crime wreaking havoc in the country.
He made reference to his song “This Is Madness” released in 1995. “It’s a long time I have been a social observer,” he said. Then he hummed and recited some of the lyrics, including, “Once upon a time the count.
