FDR in Trinidad

About FDR in Trinidad

"FDR in Trinidad" (also known as "Roosevelt in Trinidad") is a calypso song written by Fritz McLean and popularized by Atilla the Hun (Raymond Quevedo) to commemorate U. S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's 1936 trip to Trinidad. As part of Attila and his band's repertoire in New York City during the 1930s and 1940s, it brought increased popularity to the genre. Roosevelt had become a calypso fan in 1934 following the band's performances in New York City during 1934. The song was covered by Ry Cooder in his 1971 album Into the Purple Valley, by Van Dyke Parks in his 1972 album Discover America, and performed in local skits.  more »

Year:

1972

2:27

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 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

When Roosevelt came to the Land of the hummingbird
Shouts of welcome were heard
Hummingbird, hummingbird, hummingbird
His visit to their island is bound to be
An epoch in local history
Definitely marking the new era
Between Trinidad and America

We understand that the president had just been
On a visit to Brazil and the Argentine
With Mr Cordell Hull in attendance
There they took part in a peace conference

Struck by his modest style
We were intrigued by the famous Roosevelt smile
In fact everybody was glad
To welcome Roosevelt to Trinidad

We were privileged to see the democratic
President of the great republic
With his charm and his genial personality
And his wonderful urbanity
To stop war and atrocity
And make the world safe for democracy
The greatest event of the century
In the interest of suffering humanity

Port of Spain threw open her gates
To the President of the United States
In fact everybody was glad
To welcome Roosevelt to Trinidad

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke Parks (born January 3, 1943) is an American composer, arranger, producer, musician, singer, author and actor. Parks is perhaps best known for his collaborations with Brian Wilson, and especially for his contributions as a lyricist to the Beach Boys album Smile and Wilson's 2008 solo project, "That Lucky Old Sun". more »

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