Mighty Sparrow - "Salt Fish" (1976)

I first heard this song on the Carribean Island of St. Christopher in the early 1990's (now known as St. Kitts). I was on a local bus with the native islanders and it was so surreal. I felt the root of tropical living when I heard this one.


Mighty Sparrow or Birdie (born Slinger Francisco, July 9, 1935, in Grand Roy, Grenada, West Indies) is a calypso singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Known as the "Calypso King of the World," he is one of the most well-known and successful calypsonians. He has won Trinidad's Carnival Road March competition eight times and has been named "Calypso Monarch" eleven times.


Salt Fish is one of the Funniest songs 'Mighty Sparrow' ever did. If you don't already know 'Salt Fish' was his greatest lover. This is sometimes seen as a very nasty and naughty song (read lyrics).


Saltfish stew is what I like
So doo-doo, give me day and night
I like you food, so don’t find me rude
My favorite, I sure every man in here already eat it


Saltfish
Nothing in the world sweeter than
Saltfish
English, colloquial, Bajans
Saltfish
It’s sweeter than meat
When you want to eat
All saltfish sweet


Very well, I like the taste
Though the smell, sometimes out of place
It hard to take, but make no mistake
I want you to know, it’s because it extra sweet it smelling so boy it’s
Saltfish
Big money does run behind it
Saltfish
Man does lick down man to find it
Saltfish
It’s sweeter than meat
When you want to eat
All saltfish sweet


Some like it hot, some like it cold
No matter what, I take it young or old
When it serve with wine, man does stew it fine
Put no pepper, the bone in the centre does be sweet like sugar


Saltfish
Some men does get drunk to taste it
Saltfish
Some does go and hide to face it
Saltfish
It’s sweeter than meat
When you want to eat
All saltfish sweet


I would die, a happy man
If I close me eye, with piece in me hand
Bury me, in the cemetery
Any money, put a saltfish picture on me tombstone saying


Saltfish
Sparrow was it’s greatest lover
Saltfish
He even adored the odor
Saltfish
It’s sweeter than meat
When you want to eat
All saltfish sweet!