I understand all the sentiment expressed and I will admit that this calypso attacks my emotions but in a different way. From the night Sniper sang this in 1965 and won, a Calypsonian named Pen Man claimed he had written this calypso. Because Pen Man was a bit psycho evidently no one took him seriously. Today in2010 Pen Man is a vagrant and a permanent patient in St. Ann's Hospital. On Sniper he never wrote a calypso and was jailed many times for fraud he was murdered in NY for a con in 1967.
Thank you for being positive! If you been in POS, chances are you passed by Pen Man many times during the day. He is normally seeking handouts from individuals he knows on Frederick St., and Henry St. He will not refuse contributions from strangers but he is not into asking from strangers! He can be also found outside Lucky Bakery and Lara Promenade. I haven't seen him for a period I hope he is still with us! I do not give him the chance to ever ask me, I does just give him!!
@seukeran . I heard Bomber say in an Interview some years ago that it was he who composed Portrait of Trinidad and that PenMan was paid for some lines which he had composed earlier in another Calypso and used by Bomber in this Calypso. Any views on this ?
@Quelvisv This is very informative, but why did not Pen Man sing the calypso himself? And why didnt he write more, since he apparently was so talented? People dont end up in St Ann's unless they've got something wrong with them. And which Trinidadian living in NY doh try to be a smartman?
I think Sniper deserves his fame. Without your input, no one would have know of this fraud. But thanks anyway.
@MrMichaelxavier ...Pen Man was one of those characters who used to be around Calypsonians alot and considered himself a Calypsonian. He was always kinda half-cracked and he used to sing to anyone who would listen and pass a little change! We must recognized the blow he must have felt when he heard Sniper won with it, he never really recovered, he basically went stirring mad and lived 24/7 in St Ann's, evidently he could not take it!! Pen Man recorded about four Calypsos somewhere in the 1980s.
@MrMichaelxavier ...also, there are many Calypsonians do not try smartman ting! That was very limited of you!! I agree Sniper deserves his fame, what I am saying is that Mr. Pen Man the composer is a destitute on our Streets in Port Of Spain, Trinidad. Another unknown fact: the Calypso that made Gypsy "For Cane" (1972), Gypsy stole it from his best friend Tallish. When Tallish went to audition with it Gypsy was already picked! To this day in 2011 Tallish does not speak to Gypsy!!
@Quelvisv Thank you my good man for your further comments. I did not mean that CALYPSONIANS were smartmen or tried to be smartmen, but rather Trinis who went up to the US and did not try to find proper or any work and resorted to their old ways. I do appreciate your concilliatory tone and your concern for someone who was cheated in life. There is not much you can do, given that calypsoes have a short life span and are generally seasona. However this one is in a different basket.
@MrMichaelxavier ...thank you Brother Xavier you are blessed because of your compassion! I am about to begin a journey that I sincerely believe that was somehow bestowed on me and I will like for you to come aboard! We are about to take this culture to many levels ahead. This Sept. we will be releasing a magazine called 'Soca Inc.' here in NYC, please contact me at: editor@socainc.com and I will gladly inform you or any other about this much needed project, again, thank you Bro. you are blessed!
@Quelvisv further, maybe you could ask the Minister of Arts or equivalent, to consider looking into the copyright of this calypso. If enough evidence could be found, Pen Man could be awarded the copyright, even if it's a bit late. I do sympathise with Pen Man and I commend you on your concern.
@MrMichaelxavier Brother the current Minister of Culture in T&T is The Hon. Winston Peters, he is also known in the Calypso industry as Gypsy! Now, you should make the connection when I told you earlier that Gypsy kinda took permanently the Calypso 'For Cane' from one of his closest friends Tallish! Please contact me at: editor@socainc.com
@Quelvisv I do not know penman personally,but had friends who had known him very well some of them went to school with him so Sniper did not write this song period.
THEY DON'T MAKE EM SO AGAIN!~~
Ultimate007Trini 2 months ago
this is kaiso kaiso
merlLH10 2 months ago in playlist calypso
any one know d chords for this song on guitar??
lightninedge15 2 months ago
Never knew of the story behind this, and if what you stated even scratches the surface of the true story, I would also say...how sad indeed.
I yet still appreciate this song very much.
ChristopherakaPaul 3 months ago
Calypso that speaks for itself. The greatest of all calypso.
wiredread 6 months ago
it's a shame that's such a beautiful calypso has so much baggage
MrRolandrichards 8 months ago
this tune bad and i think if our minister can support white oak an water he could surley houner dis composer he should look into it
123ryansohan 9 months ago
our land really overflows with talent thanks for posting
heads868 11 months ago
I understand all the sentiment expressed and I will admit that this calypso attacks my emotions but in a different way. From the night Sniper sang this in 1965 and won, a Calypsonian named Pen Man claimed he had written this calypso. Because Pen Man was a bit psycho evidently no one took him seriously. Today in2010 Pen Man is a vagrant and a permanent patient in St. Ann's Hospital. On Sniper he never wrote a calypso and was jailed many times for fraud he was murdered in NY for a con in 1967.
Quelvisv 1 year ago 3
@Quelvisv yes...apparently it was written by Pen Man
seukeran 1 year ago
@seukeran
Thank you for being positive! If you been in POS, chances are you passed by Pen Man many times during the day. He is normally seeking handouts from individuals he knows on Frederick St., and Henry St. He will not refuse contributions from strangers but he is not into asking from strangers! He can be also found outside Lucky Bakery and Lara Promenade. I haven't seen him for a period I hope he is still with us! I do not give him the chance to ever ask me, I does just give him!!
Quelvisv 1 year ago
@seukeran . I heard Bomber say in an Interview some years ago that it was he who composed Portrait of Trinidad and that PenMan was paid for some lines which he had composed earlier in another Calypso and used by Bomber in this Calypso. Any views on this ?
SuperSnk1 8 months ago
@Quelvisv This is very informative, but why did not Pen Man sing the calypso himself? And why didnt he write more, since he apparently was so talented? People dont end up in St Ann's unless they've got something wrong with them. And which Trinidadian living in NY doh try to be a smartman?
I think Sniper deserves his fame. Without your input, no one would have know of this fraud. But thanks anyway.
MrMichaelxavier 10 months ago
@MrMichaelxavier ...Pen Man was one of those characters who used to be around Calypsonians alot and considered himself a Calypsonian. He was always kinda half-cracked and he used to sing to anyone who would listen and pass a little change! We must recognized the blow he must have felt when he heard Sniper won with it, he never really recovered, he basically went stirring mad and lived 24/7 in St Ann's, evidently he could not take it!! Pen Man recorded about four Calypsos somewhere in the 1980s.
Quelvisv 10 months ago
@MrMichaelxavier ...also, there are many Calypsonians do not try smartman ting! That was very limited of you!! I agree Sniper deserves his fame, what I am saying is that Mr. Pen Man the composer is a destitute on our Streets in Port Of Spain, Trinidad. Another unknown fact: the Calypso that made Gypsy "For Cane" (1972), Gypsy stole it from his best friend Tallish. When Tallish went to audition with it Gypsy was already picked! To this day in 2011 Tallish does not speak to Gypsy!!
Quelvisv 10 months ago
@Quelvisv Thank you my good man for your further comments. I did not mean that CALYPSONIANS were smartmen or tried to be smartmen, but rather Trinis who went up to the US and did not try to find proper or any work and resorted to their old ways. I do appreciate your concilliatory tone and your concern for someone who was cheated in life. There is not much you can do, given that calypsoes have a short life span and are generally seasona. However this one is in a different basket.
MrMichaelxavier 9 months ago
@MrMichaelxavier ...thank you Brother Xavier you are blessed because of your compassion! I am about to begin a journey that I sincerely believe that was somehow bestowed on me and I will like for you to come aboard! We are about to take this culture to many levels ahead. This Sept. we will be releasing a magazine called 'Soca Inc.' here in NYC, please contact me at: editor@socainc.com and I will gladly inform you or any other about this much needed project, again, thank you Bro. you are blessed!
Quelvisv 9 months ago
Comment removed
SuperSnk1 8 months ago
@Quelvisv further, maybe you could ask the Minister of Arts or equivalent, to consider looking into the copyright of this calypso. If enough evidence could be found, Pen Man could be awarded the copyright, even if it's a bit late. I do sympathise with Pen Man and I commend you on your concern.
Michael Xavier, Australia
MrMichaelxavier 9 months ago
@MrMichaelxavier Brother the current Minister of Culture in T&T is The Hon. Winston Peters, he is also known in the Calypso industry as Gypsy! Now, you should make the connection when I told you earlier that Gypsy kinda took permanently the Calypso 'For Cane' from one of his closest friends Tallish! Please contact me at: editor@socainc.com
Quelvisv 9 months ago
@Quelvisv you should write a calypso
heads48 2 months ago
@Quelvisv I do not know penman personally,but had friends who had known him very well some of them went to school with him so Sniper did not write this song period.
63Hinds 6 months ago
@Quelvisv ==how sad.
dcarasco 4 months ago
thank you for giving us this, i have been looking for this song forever,
trinidalinsuccess 1 year ago
My favorite calypso of all times......."Trinidad is my land and of it I am proud and glad"....."Small but over whelming in worth."
febeau 1 year ago
Bittersweet memories of when i was a child... when homework was my biggest problem ... Trinidad and Tobago really is blessed :)
dxs1976 1 year ago
I agree with kiga1995. something to think about!!!!!
Akroma1972 1 year ago
Why is this song not a national song, held in the same regard as God Bless our Nation?
kiga1995 1 year ago
Thanks for this video......I remember what trini used to be.
realpej 1 year ago
Thank you this! :)
poosungee 1 year ago
Trinidad is my land and I am indeed so proud!
trinigurl98 1 year ago
Means so much to me as a trinidadian living in the U.S. Go Kamla!
trinigurl98 1 year ago
sing it proudly
Roughspec 1 year ago
Dis song will make anyone miss home.
candywandy12345 1 year ago
thanks man!!!!
Dhar40 2 years ago