"Haiti I am Sorry", or simply "Haiti", is a calypso song written and composed by David Rudder, and first recorded in 1988 for the album Haiti by David Rudder and Charlie's Roots. The song, which begins with the words: "Toussaint was a mighty man/ and to make matters worse he was black...",[1] is a tribute to the glory and suffering of Haiti, and was described in the AllMusic review as "a remarkable ode to Caribbean unity".[2][3]
| "Haiti I am Sorry" | |
|---|---|
| Song by David Rudder | |
| from the album Haiti | |
| Released | 1988 |
| Recorded | 1988 |
| Genre | Calypso, reggae, soca |
| Length | 5:26 |
| Label | Sire, Lypsoland, London |
| Songwriter(s) | David Rudder |
| Producer(s) | Joe R. Brown, Charlie's Roots |
Personnel edit
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Impact edit
The song has been credited with having in 1988 "brought impoverished Creole-speaking Haiti to the attention of the English-speaking Caribbean",[4] and is frequently referenced in connection with ongoing political and environmental problems in Haiti.[5][6][7][8] It was selected by Margaret Busby as one her eight musical choices on Desert Island Discs in June 2021.[9]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Philip, M. NourbeSe (9 February 2010). "Letter to Haiti". M. NourbeSe Philip. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
- ^ Scaramuzzo, Gene. "Charlie's Roots / David Rudder | Haiti". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
- ^ James, Mike (25 January 2010). "Haiti I'm sorry". Catholic News.
- ^ Ransome, Debbie (28 August 2011). "Trinidad musician David Rudder: Calypso as commentary". BBC World Service.
- ^ Croft, Colin (24 January 2010). "Haiti I Am Sorry". Trinidad and Tobago Guardian.
- ^ "‘Haiti’ sung by David Rudder", When Steel Talks, 2008.
- ^ "Haiti should not suffer!". Jamaica Observer. 11 October 2016.
- ^ "Letters to the Editor: Haiti, I am sorry". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. 10 July 2021.
- ^ Green, Alex (26 June 2021). "Pioneering publisher Margaret Busby says industry still needs more diversity". Belfast Telegraph.
External links edit
- David Rudder & Charlies Roots – Haiti at Discogs (list of releases)
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