00:24He was born Slinger Francisco, but he won the hearts of many as the mighty Sparrow.
00:29Today, the birdie took his last flight, but he will soar in the memories of thousands.
00:35The Ministry of Culture hosted a public viewing at the famed grandstand in the Queen's Park
00:40Savannah, and we spoke to those in attendance about the great man.
00:43I love the mighty Sparrow, and for some reason, I feel emotional.
00:50Jean and Dinah happened to come out in the same year that I was born.
00:57If you know, you know, right?
00:59And it's just touching that he's no longer here with us.
01:03However, his music will live on.
01:07I used to go to Sparrow every Saturday, Caravan Saturday.
01:09The whole weekend is by Sparrow.
01:11It must be, I like Sparrow.
01:13I used to go to the tent anyway, Sparrow doing the idea.
01:18I was six years in 1956 when he sang Jean and Dinah.
01:23So everybody was singing Jean and Dinah, New Calypso on the block, Calypso on the block.
01:29I remember my mother buying the record because we had a little turntable.
01:33So from 1956, Calypso's coming down the line, Two Smutnik in the sky, Father said to play
01:42as he own, May May, all these songs.
01:46So as little boys, you would sing them in school and so.
01:49I am from St. James.
01:50So I grew up with Sparrow, you know, Jean and Dinah as a little boy coming up from St. James.
01:56You know, they tell us we could only reach by Long Sickle Road.
02:00But Jean and Dinah was so sweet.
02:02We ended up by Roxy.
02:04But Sparrow is an icon.
02:08You know, and I, you know, and I think this gathering here today, where I saw all the
02:14Carnaval characters and things, that is super for him in his honor.
02:19Everybody came out.
02:20I see fellas, I mean, from quite south, deep south, were in the parade.
02:26Also, I saw children in school uniform.
02:31I saw St. Mary's boys in the dress uniform.
02:35St. Mary's, I'm an XCIC boy, you know, and I was pleased to see that.
02:40Your favorite memories of Sparrow, your favorite song of Sparrow?
02:42My memory of Sparrow as a child.
02:45Always like how we just perform on stage and you always interact with the crowd
02:49and make you enjoy yourself.
02:51Sparrow's daughter, Karen Francisco, belted out a touching rendition of Sinatra's
02:55timeless tune, My Way, in honor of her father.
02:59So powerful that it even brought some to tears.
03:15Let's hear some of the people's favorite songs.
03:18This is my favorite song.
03:20All Souls is sweet.
03:21Tina and Dinah, Rosita and Clementina, on the corner posing.
03:27Yes, your life is something they selling.
03:29Melda, oh, you're making wedding plans.
03:33Carry me to be the opium man.
03:37All you two, you can't get through.
03:42I still ain't for married to you.
03:45Philip, my dear.
03:49There was a man in my bedroom.
03:53He looked just like you.
03:56But it wasn't for me.
03:59Gina and Dinah, Rosita and Clementina, on the corner posing.
04:04Bet your life is something they selling.
04:06If they know they didn't want federation, and they know they don't want to unite as one,
04:14they're going to tell the doctor in that thin paper.
04:16Don't behave like a blasted street.
04:18How the hell do you mean you are federated no more?
04:20Some good day we'll have to go right back from where they came.
04:28Dominic Romroop, TV6 News.
