BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – CALYPSONIANS are social commentators. They bring to the public in rhythmic form the views, issues and opinions of politicians, dignitaries and the man in the street, to which some people take delight while some find them very reprehensible.
Some of these calypsonians would pen songs that would leave their audiences in a web of mystery.
One such calypsonian is a veteran in the art form named Lord Kut, and one of his songs seems to send his fans on a chase for answers.
For the 2013/2014 Calypso Monarch Competition, Lord Kut, born Devon Liburd, is contending with two songs – ‘Galo, Galo’ and ‘My Final Wish’. The latter – the more up-tempo of the two – speaks to a man on death row who requests as his final wish “a sweet woman to jam for carnival, a turkey, a gallon of mauby, a bottle of whiskey and a smoke of tampee”.
More of a stir has been caused by Lord Kut’s other song with calypso lovers racking their brains with the hope of figuring out what the word “galo” means.
SKNVibes spoke with the veteran about his song and the possible meanings of “galo”, which he opted not to explain its meaning because, as he indicated, it is one of those things better left unsaid.
“The song speaks about a little politician who was giving a speech to some people in a little village. He was so good and had such tremendous promise that when he stopped to catch his breath, they said, ‘Oh galo, galo.’ I wouldn’t say what galo means because that is the work that I do. It is a craft and people out there would pick up what it means. It is not for me to say.
“Many people have their own idea...the amount of people who have given their own interpretation of galo. My idea is galo is very good, so be careful when you speaking so they won’t have to sing oh galo on you.”
Of course, this media house tried its best to get the artiste’s assistance in unravelling the code which he so craftily etched in the song. But he was adamant that an important part of the art is leaving his listeners to decipher for themselves.
The calypsonian said the song is based on a true story and SKNVibes has heard several suggestions that the incident on which the song is based took place either at De Village or somewhere along the western or eastern corridors of the island.
But no matter what the assumption, Lord Kut maintains that he would not indicate what specific incident he is referring or which political figure was involved…at least not now.
Lord Kut is one of the 18 calypsonians who have advanced to the Semi-Finals of the Calypso Monarch Competition. And having been a calypsonian for the past 40 years, he told this publication that one of his main concerns and intentions is the preservation of the art form.
“My intention is to carry on the art form. I am not afraid of competition because I am a warrior. I am a serious competitor but my aim is to carry on the art form. But I know the two songs I have could win me the crown…”
What do you think the word ‘galo’ means?
