The year 1979 saw many changes of national leadership in countries across the world. These included military leaders, elected leaders, heads of racist regimes and all manner of dictators.
In 1980 the world famous calypso singer and songwriter, the Mighty Sparrow, in a commentary on the year released his famous song ‘Wanted Dead or Alive.’ In it he gives a commentary on the year and many of the world leaders who were deposed in some way.
In this project we look back at 1979 through analysing the lyrics of the song (see below) and have produced pages on each of the leaders mentioned and also on some of the countries.
LISTEN: Wanted Dead or Alive – (Soca 101).mp3
Lyrics
Lyrics
The rule of the tyrants decline
The year, 1979
It’s bombs and bullets all the time
So they corrupt, so they vile
So it’s coup after coup all the while
Human rights they violate
They thought they were too great
So in disgrace now they live in exile
Gairy is a wanted man
Idi Amin is a wanted man
Shah of Iran fighting hard to survive
He too was wanted dead or alive
Strikes, demonstrations & wars
Injustice is always the cause
Politicians turn too soon from
poor people into tycoons
Corruption must bring horrors
South African Vorster resign in disgrace
Muzurewa take away Ian Smith place
The Uganda devil was easily cat straddled
Beaten up and chased, what a waste.
Gairy is a wanted man
Patrick John is a wanted Man
The Shah of Iran fighting hard to survive
He too is wanted dead or alive
The Shah have a short time to live
Because the Ayatollah don’t forgive
When you see church ruling state
With pure vengeance and hate
Situation must be explosive
General Somoza from Nicaragua
Thought it was easy with the Sandanista
With the help of Venezuela, Panama and Cuba
They kick him straight to America
Gairy is a wanted man
Bokassa is a wanted man
Ali Bhutto tried so hard to survive
He too was wanted dead or alive.
Grenadian Mongoose was bad and so brave
The send the old Bishop straight to his grave
After that, well Gairy skip town
With his diary and him obeah gown
No more people to enslave
Trinidad neighbours all expecting mayhem
Anytime anything could happen to them
Eric Williams taking a back seat to avoid banana
but everyone know he ‘fraid Carl
Gairy is a wanted man
Park Chung Hee was a wanted man
Achempong tried so hard to survive
He too was wanted dead or alive
