A true calypso send-off it was for Winston “Mighty Shadow” Bailey in the Grand Stand of the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain yesterday, where renditions of the “Dingolay” master’s more popular songs were sung by fellow calypsonians in tribute.
The instruction to wear white ‑ a symbol of life and celebration, which encompassed the essence of Bailey, 77, was well adhered to by all in attendance. Bailey, who died on October 23 of diabetes-related complications, had actually told relatives his wish was that those attending his funeral wear white in his honour, although he was well known for his black attire during performances.
There was no ‘weeping and gnashing of teeth’ at the four-hour long funeral service yesterday. In fact, very few tears were shed, as for the most part it was a Carnival celebration, with singing, dancing and traditional moko jumbies who donned the country’s national colours and even one who wore a Shadow-like black outfit.
From Austin “Super Blue” Lyons, to Kees Diffenthaller, to David Rudder, each took to the microphone paying their respects in song, moving the gathering with runaway hits like One Love, Dingolay, Bassman and Poverty is Hell, some of the masterpieces Bailey had moved his audiences with over his five decades in the business.
Programme coordinator for yesterday’s proceedings, Omari Ashby, told mourners if they had to cry it should be tears of joys. He subsequently described Bailey’s funeral “as the best ever.”
From 9 am, Shadow’s opened casket was placed for public viewing at the savannah, as throngs of people from all walks of life crowded in to get a last glance of his body, forcing a ‘call for order’ to be made.
Shadow looked peaceful in a non-traditional all-white suit completed with a black suede hat—nothing like his customary wear likened to the Midnight Robber.
His family fulfilled his request to spread joy and love at his funeral, holding up brave faces despite their loss.
Delivering the eulogy, Bailey’s son Sharlan mad it clear his father had requested that no one should cry at his funeral but should play his music.
“He didn’t want tears…he wanted people to wear white for a celebration. I wish he (Shadow) was here to see how many people loved him.”
Sharlan admitted his father’s height and size intimidated many people but insisted he was a “teddy bear.” He said in Curepe residents addressed Shadow as the “King.”
Describing his father as a visionary and musical scientist, Sharlan said many people tried to mimic Shadow but none could have sounded, talked, looked or walked in his shoes.
National Carnival Commission chairman Winston Gypsy Peters, who had to be consoled during the ceremony, could not hold back tears as he hovered over Bailey’s casket and remembered his old friend.
In paying tribute, Selvon Noel (Mistah Shak) sang Shadow’s infectious “Soucouyant,” which brought everyone to their feet. Waving their hands, they chanted the hook line of the song to their delight.
It was Rudder who brought down the curtain with Bailey’s famous Poverty is Hell, causing mourners to leave their seats and gravitate towards the stage as they danced, pranced and sang to their hearts’ delight, turning the funeral service into a Carnival-like atmosphere.
Rudder was later joined by members of the calypso fraternity as they belted out a number of Bailey’s hits, backed by a noisy rhythm section and the Desperadoes Steel Orchestra.