NAPARIMA COLLEGE
~ FOREVER ~

"The Tradition"
Naparima is a boys' school. However,between 1939 and the mid-1970's, there was a senior program of two years duration, said to be equivalent to the first year of university, but in fact superior to some degree programs today, in which graduates of Naparima Girls High School came together with the seniors of Naps. It was always an exciting program, with high ideals and high achievements.

The following calypso was a highlight of one of the first calypso contests at Naps,
and throws some "picong" at events and persons at Naps in 1962.

MIDI version of "The Tradition": here.

For vocals, make sure your Netscape is set for .mpg or for RealAudio,
and then go for the local yokel's vocals.

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The Tradition
words & music (c) krm

I came to Naps with plenty ambition,
And found it was right to my taste.
I quickly learned the various traditions
Abounding in the place.
There was losing InterCol,
And winning volleyball,
And heckling masters in the line...
But one tradition they didn’t tell me ‘bout,
I observed with the passing of time.

Chorus:
It was HC girls with their wide blue skirts,
And HC girls with their pleated skirts,
And they make this tradition (of which I wasn’t told):
A master must marry an HC girl.

Well, it was back in ‘56; (yes, I was up here then
Though I was none the wiser);
Mr Winston Samlalsingh married Joan Persad,
Then went to make fertilizer.
He was happily mated, and soon emulated
By masters coming up the line...
And one master they didn’t tell me ‘bout,
I observed with the passing of time.
Chorus:

Well, time went by and in ‘59
There was competition for a new craft.
Mr Mac and Matadeen were vying hard
For a female member of staff.
As might be expected,
Science was accepted:
Mr Mac, you better find a new lime...
But he said, “No bother, no moral disorder,
I’m simply biding my time.”
Chorus:

Well, I smiled to myself, but I was the fool:
Mr Mac had the last laugh on me.
In the middle of teaching Milton in school,
He stole a nice, nice HC girl from me.
He said: “The functional features of Comus’ masque...”

And she said: “Sir, explain that...”
And all I could do was sit and stare.
If I sit down by the wench,
He put me on the bench;
I make an objection,
Is straight detention;
I show she the homework,
He send me up for strokes -
I tell you, it really wasn’t fair.
But one little thing I want to say to him:
Mr Mac, lend me your ear...
“Take good care of her;
Take good care of her!”
Chorus:

So all these girls became their teacher’s pet,
But the opposite holds just as true.
With all these lady teachers we have, you can bet
I’m falling in love, too.
I will play football, and be a left-winger,
Because I want to attract Mrs Springer.
The masters taking all the girls from we.
And don’t think Strings soft,
You should see show-off
Whenever he go in 6B.
Chorus:

Well, who is next? We cannot say,
But in this matter all are learners.
Who can say, not far from today,
There may be an increase of Turners.
And this year I see a nice Chinee
So, strong possibee, it might be Mr Yee.
Is only me still throwing me line.
That is why I come back still,
Patsy, marry me, eh girl,
I find I’m here a long time...

Chorus:
And I want an HC girl with her bright white shirt
An HC girl with her pleated skirt.
I’m gonna break this tradition and really go for gold,
And I’m going to marry an HC girl!”