CLASSIC WINDRUSH GENERATION CALYPSO 78rpm RECORD FROM LORD BEGINNER CELEBRATING THE WEST INDIES VICTORY OVER ENGLAND IN A 1950 TEST MATCH 

Lord Beginner (born Egbert Moore) was at the heart of the expansion of calypso music immediately after WW2. Originally from Trinidad, Beginner recorded and toured in New York with other leading members of the Trinidad's "Old Brigade" of calypsonians, but his cricket credentials were already established. In 1937 he wrote "Les Ames he played fine/Till he was bowled by the quicker ball from Constantine". In 1948 he emigrated to England on the Windrush, the first boat from the Caribbean bringing a new generation of immigrants to the UK. Also on the boat was the legendary calypsonian Lord Kitchener.

 Two of Lord Beginner's more well known calypsos were Victory Test Match - penned immediately after the 1950 Lord's Test won by West Indies and opening with the line "Cricket, lovely cricket"

At Lord's in 1950, West Indies defeated England in England for the first time. Egbert Moore, who sang under the pseudonym Lord Beginner, composed the most famous of cricketing calypsos to celebrate the occasion. He was accompanied by Calypso Rhythm Kings, 'supervision' by Denis Preston. It was recorded on the 'Melodisc' (1133) label.

 

Cricket lovely Cricket,
At Lord's where I saw it;
Cricket lovely Cricket,
At Lord's where I saw it;
Yardley tried his best
But Goddard won the test.
They gave the crowd plenty fun;
Second Test and West Indies won.

Chorus
With those two little pals of mine, Ramadhin and Valentine.

The King was there well attired,
So they started with Rae and Stollmeyer;
Stolly was hitting balls around the boundary;
But Wardle stopped him at twenty.
Rae had confidence,
So he put up a strong defence;
He saw the King was waiting to see,
So he gave him a century.

Chorus
With those two little pals of mine, Ramadhin and Valentine.

West Indies first innings total was three-twenty-six
Just as usual
When Bedser bowled Christiani
The whole thing collapsed quite easily;
England then went on,
And made one-hundred-fifty-one;
West Indies then had two-twenty lead
And Goddard said, "That's nice indeed."

Chorus
With those two little pals of mine, Ramadhin and Valentine.

Yardley wasn't broken-hearted
When the second innings started;
Jenkins was like a target
Getting the first five in his basket.
But Gomez broke him down,
While Walcott licked them around;
He was not out for one-hundred and sixty-eight,
Leaving Yardley to contemplate.

Chorus
The bowling was superfine, Ramadhin and Valentine..

West Indies was feeling homely,
Their audience had them happy.
When Washbrook's century had ended,
West Indies voices all blended.
Hats went in the air.
They jumped and shouted without fear;
So at Lord's was the scenery
Bound to go down in history.

Chorus
After all was said and done, Second Test and the West Indies won!

THIS IS A CLASSIC CALYPSO 78 ON THE SUBJECT OF CRICKET

DISC DETAILS

UK MELODISC 1113   10" 78rpm SHELLAC

A SIDE: VICTORY TEST MATCH - CALYPSO

B SIDE:- SERGEANT BROWN - CALINDA

Condition - V/V+  
SOME SCUFFS AND MARKS BUT STILL PLAYS GREAT
labels may differ slightly from the stock photos
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