The Masters Poem by Tricia Whyte

As a child the first tune I heard was by a Sparrow
He had a mighty voice that I just had to follow
His song ‘Jean and Dinah” made me see
A part of Trinidad’s History
I never read about it in my text books
His lyrics let me know the true crooks.

When I was ten I prepared for First Communion
Did not know much about God but I had religion
Then I met this man from Point Fortin
All dress in Blue, he asked me
Who are you?
I said I am a Catholic
He said that he was A ‘Soca Baptist.’

As a teenager my parents tried to warn me
But life was sweet and they would not let me be
Mother said she will send me to the grandfather
I told her what I would rather
After meeting me and my friend
The man wrote a song call
‘Watch out my children’

In the early twenties I lost touch with my roots
I had new songs to go along with my dancing boots
I never understood what they were saying
And was not sure if it was music playing
My Uncle told me they will pay for their deeds
When I come back from ‘Rally around the West Indies’


In my thirties I began “Face Reality”
I did some bad things, and said a few
I have hurt people and people have hurt me
Some I had to cut down to a smaller size
Why must “I Apologize”
Then my God Father put everything to rest
When he told them I am “still de best”

The night Watchman had me in a conversation
He said you see that young man
They once told him “he was too young to soca”
Watch him now he “Attack with full force”
The grand master gave him his source.

I stand tall and proud because of the guidance I have receive
With the memories of my school teacher’s Chalkdust on my shirt sleeve
If trouble come while I am on the path to Zion
I know how to come out fighting like a Roaring Lion
One day I will shake the hands of the Explainer
And tell him thanks for making understand
Why Lord Kitchener Grand Master