Senior Reporter
The life, career and legacy of calypso legend Slinger “Mighty Sparrow” Francisco was yesterday celebrated true to the larger-than-life persona he crafted in charming generations of music lovers over decades.
But while Francisco made a career from his sharp wit and baritone voice, his family said their patriarch was much more than an entertainer, as they shared their cherished memories of his role as a doting father at his state-assisted funeral at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), Port-of-Spain.
During her eulogy, one of Francisco’s daughters, Michelle Francisco, fondly recalled her early childhood memories with the man many affectionately referred to as ‘The Birdie,’ saying that while he frequently travelled as part of his schedule as an entertainer, he always found time to speak with her, even if they were hundreds of miles apart.
“Whenever I was sick, whenever I was upset, whenever I was fed up with my lovely siblings, it didn’t matter what part of the world Daddy was in, wherever he was, what the time difference was, my mom had to find him,” she told the audience.
“I would not rest until she found him and I can still hear his deep voice asking, ‘Miche … what’s wrong?’ Those words always made me feel that no matter how far away he was, my dad was always there for me.”
The younger Francisco said she and her other siblings learnt from an early age that their father was unlike the fathers of their peers, noting the nights spent at recording sessions, shows, calypso tents and the bonds formed with back-up musicians whom she likened to extended family members.
She said such proximity to the work behind the music industry was a valuable experience she carried with her to this day.
“I had a front row seat to the greatest artiste that the world came to know. But behind the legend was dad, and when I think of dad it’s not the stages, music or accolades that come to mind, it’s the little things,” she said.
“I remember the feeling of his scruffy beard tickling my stomach whenever he blew kisses into my belly button, making me scream with laughter. I remember him giving my sister piggyback rides and asking me to walk on his back as I was the smallest.”
But in his later years, Francisco said he still held on to his passion for music, noting that age did not deter him from enjoying the artform that made him a star.
“Even in his final days, that love never left him, I remember him lying in bed tapping his fingers and I asked him, ‘Daddy are you singing a song in your head?’ He turned toward me, he gave me that beautiful infectious smile and he simply nodded up and down.
“That moment will stay with me forever. Even when his body could no longer do the things it once could, the music was still there in his heart, his spirit and his soul.”
In this way, Francisco said she hoped her father’s story of grit, perseverance, and positivity would continue to resonate among the next generation of performers, empowering them to overcome their circumstances.
Borrowing the lyrics from Frank Sinatra’s I Did It My Way often performed by her father, Francisco urged young people to follow their path and do it “their way.”
Her sister, Karen Francisco, during her tribute, also performed her rendition of the same song. At the end of the performance, she told the crowd it was a full circle moment for her, as someone had prophesied this would happen when she was a child.
“When I was 11 years old, I heard this song, and I don’t know who said it, but they said I would sing it at his funeral, but I was scared, and I didn’t think I could. Clearly I was wrong.”
Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation president Ainsley King, during his feature address, praised the Mighty Sparrow for his tireless work ethic and contributions to developing the artform, noting that today’s artistes benefit from the foundation laid by him.
“He showed that the artform was not something small, it was not something seasonal, it was not a secondary artform,” King said.
“His contribution is also a part of the wider story of who we are as a people. Through his music, generations learned about our history, our humour.”
General consul of Grenada to T&T, Elwyn McQuilkin, paid homage to the Grenadian-born pioneer, noting that he often referred to his birthplace, Grand Roy, as Grand Rey, a play on words, with the latter translating to Big King, fitting for his title as a Calypso King.
“Trinidad and Tobago became his adopted home and provided the soil for him to flourish. Even in death, you cannot silence greatness,” McQuilkin said.
Spirited tributes in song
Following the tributes, there were performances from a slew of entertainers, among them Destra Garcia, who performed a spirited rendition of gospel single Eye on the Sparrow, which drew rousing applause from the crowd.
Soca legend Austin “SuperBlue” Lyons performed his rendition of Joy in My Soul, stirring the crowd before singing, “We have been blessed magnificently. Just like Moses part the Red Sea, he (Sparrow) part a way for we, for everybody in Trinidad and Tobago.”
Edwin “Crazy” Ayoung, Shurwayne Winchester and Ta’zayah O’Connor then performed Memories.
Roderick “Chuck” Gordon and David Rudder then performed Sparrow’s 1959 single Federation, a scathing commentary on the proposed West Indian Federation. They were eventually joined onstage by Winston “Gypsy” Peters and Barbados’ Mighty Gabby, drawing two standing ovations from the crowd gathered.
Calypso Rose appeared virtually, offering a tribute and condolences to the icon’s family, while Machel Montano performed his single, Almighty King of Calypso, which through its lyrics provided a chronology of the late calypsonian’s tunes and accolades.
Following the ceremony, Francisco’s body was taken to an undisclosed location. He is expected to be buried at a date which the family did not immediately disclose publicly.
