This Is Madness [Song]

Uploaded by Gentle Benjamin
THIS IS MADNESS
By Mighty Sparrow
Album: Wanted: Dead or Alive

N.B. The song was originally transcribed from the album which is no longer available so there are slight differences with words used in this live performance.

[This is madness, this is madness]

Once upon a time this country was sweet
People coulda lime freely on the street
Whether was North of South, you coulda always walk
Without the fear of molestation and intimidation.
We had no money but used to live right
The people used to be just poor and polite
It didn't matter what, we were always taught
You have to honour your mother and father
And love thy neighbour.
Now honour and respect gone through the door
We living in a state of undeclared war
The youths acting like they insane, parents want to abstain,
Shouting out, "Don't call mih name. I ent taking no kind of blame!"

Something happen along the way, now honesty was simply thrown overboard
This is madness, madness, this is madness, total madness!
Something happen along the way, morality we can no longer afford
This is madness, madness, this is madness, total madness!

What's going on in my country, lord?
Tell me what is wrong I want to know.
Is hijackers, kidnappers and multiple murderers
Trinidad and Tobago, long ago was never, never so.

[This is madness, this is madness]

People used to go in to sleep anytime
With their window open, no worries 'bout crime
Because the burglarisers, the Peeping Toms
And mischief makers were all behind bars...Uhumm
Now the murder rate gone up, I ent telling lie
Like the crime wouldn't stop, don't care how we try
The realisation is that the laws of the nation
Is in chaos and total breakdown.
Rationality is no longer the norm
It might well be we need more social reform
Politicians too, finding themselves in all kind of sexual act
But allegations can't be used as fact
So, not me, I ent touching that.

Something happen along the way, now self-respect seem to have little value
This is madness, madness, this is madness, total madness!
Something happen along the way, when intellect cannot resolve an issue
This is madness, madness, this is madness, total madness!

What's going on in my country, lord?
Tell me what is wrong, I want to know.
The disrespect, the contempt, decent people cannot cope
Even the judiciary losing hope
In the battle against the crime and dope.

[This is madness, this is madness]

They could make the case, here was Paradise
And no other place on earth was so nice
On land or sea or foam,
Once your navel string did bury here
You did must come back home...Uhumm
The living was easy, now thing get so tense
The reason is clearly too much violence
I say the wicked and the evil
Intimidates and terrorises the decent people...Aha
But the oil and the other resources still doing well
Carnival, calypso and steelband still weave a spell
But is heart rending when you realise the fear you can't dispel
What was once a paradise, nowadays is just a living hell.

Something happen along the way, now dignity seem to be sick and forlorn
This is madness, madness, this is madness, total madness!
Something happen along the way, integrity is all but over and done
This is madness, madness, this is madness, total madness!

What's going on in my country, lord?
Tell me what is wrong, I want to know.
Why we cast aside intelligence and abandon common sense?
With unprecedented violence for which there is little defence.

[This is madness, this is madness]

The sorrow and the pain revealed in this song
By the things that I saying, I wish I was wrong
Because you must admit that it don't make sense
To wash your dirty linen in public
Tell me where to hide it?
Mamaguism have to stop, so take my advice
Is time to wake up and open your eyes
Bring back the good old days,
Let the lord be praised and leave the devil and his wicked, evil ways.
The nation's youth must know they mustn't stop trying
So talk the truth with them and stop all the lying
Leaders must be circumspect and guidance must be shown
The youths must use their intellect for a happy future of their own

Something happen along the way, for the unrighteous is now the rich and famous
This is madness, madness, this is madness, total madness!
Something happen along the way, the protective force is no example to us
This is madness, madness, this is madness, total madness!

What's going on in my country, lord?
Tell me what is wrong, I want to know.
The wickedness is widespread, even babies won't be spared
Murderers cutting off head and the citizenry running scared.

[This is madness, this is madness]

Lord, put a hand... save the nation!

[This is madness]

Source: The lyrics posted on this blog are often transcribed directly from performances. Although it is my intention to faithfully transcribe I do not get all the words and I have a knack for hearing the wrong thing. Please feel free to correct me or to fill in the words that I miss by dropping me a message via e-mail. I'd be forever grateful. Thanks in advance!
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A Note From The Gull

Thank you, Mighty Sparrow. These days, it is the deceit that is blowing my mind and the result, whether intended or unanticipated by those who seem unable to function without its cloak, will be the perpetuation of all the ills in our society of which you speak.

"Patria est communis omnium parens" - Our native land is the common parent of us all. Keep it beautiful, make it even more so.

Blessed is all of creation
Blessed be my beautiful people
Blessed be the day of our awakening
Blessed is my country
Blessed are her patient hills.

Mweh ka allay!
Guanaguanare