‘The leaking hose in Port-of-Spain’

Much has been said of the destruction of the people’s mall and who is to be blamed as to the lack of water, insufficient equipment. Had we taken heed of our calypsonians in the aftermath of 1978 which destroyed the businesses in the same area, making room for The Peoples Mall, this disaster could have been avoided. At least one bard hit the nail on the head when he sang “The leaking hose in Port-of-Spain” [Pun Intended] Only those patrons who would have gone to the particular tent would have heard The Mighty Unknown sing this ditty to the tune “Fire brigade water the road.”

Merchants bawling murder
Everyday is fire fire
Ah say something wrong
Why dey want to burn out the whole ah tong
Insurance companies very displeased
But is de unemployed workers feeling de squeeze
Dey putting the blame on WASA
An’ up to now dey doh have ah pump to pump seawater

Eh you Mr Minister of Fire
I say you could do better
Is ah medical surgeon have to disclose
Allyul have too much ah blinking ole hose
When yuh point so
Water going so
An’ when yuh point so
Water wetting fireman toe
Is we the taxpayers feelin the blows
So is away wid dem blasted ole hose.

The twenty fif’ of June nineteen thirty two
I man near get bun up too
Ah talkin’ ‘bout the fire in the treasury
For three days it light up the whole city
And in nineteen fifty eight
Salvatory building met the same fate
That’s why ah begging’ the government
To give us some new fire equipment

Eh you Mr Minister of Fire
I say you is ah liar

The business happening right under yuh nose
Still yuh have so much blinking ole hose
When yuh point north water going south
An when yuh point south water goin’ in fireman mouth
Is we the taxpayers money expose
So is away wid dem blasted ole hose

On the other hand The Grandmaster gave us an “eyewitness” account of the fire; a piece of reporting that should have made every reporter turn his/her pad and pen.

Allyuh hear dey strike again
They burning dong Port-of-Spain
As the brigade sound the horn
Well ah never see so much fire since ah born

Oh gorm what’s wrong down town Port-of-Spain burning dong
If you see the way how it gallop
Both Madison and Hadeed Manshop
Oh gorm etc
As the flame got higher and higher
We could see the death of Esquire
Oh gorm etc

From Sealeys the fire start
Move to the city’s heart
In less than half an hour
He take Janouras an’ eat Monalisa
Oh gorm etc

As the brigade start fumbling
He do so an’ snatch Easy Living
Oh gorm etc
He dive down an’ cook little Mille Fleur
Come upstairs an’
Destroy Petite Popo
Oh gorm etc

The brigade was plenty fun
As the fire start to bun
Dey run into confusion
Dey bring de hose but dy cyar fine de hydrant
Oh Gorm etc

He run through the town like a menace
Hodgkinsons and Taurel was a furnace
Oh gorm etc
United Grocers get ah taste too
Roas’ beef an’ roas pork was the menu
Oh gorm etc

Well the public want to know
How dis ting could happen so
As December reach again
Is fire, fire in the heart of Port-of-Spain
Oh Gorm etc

The brigade an’ dem blaming WASA
No water to out dong the fire
Oh gorm etc
The public blaming the government
Dey say the brigade not efficient
Oh gorm etc