GOLDEN LOCKET

(Words & Music by John & Ingrid DrePaul)

Verse: 1
 

Bridge: 1
Suddenly, I was awaken by the sound of ah lil child crying…!
I don't know who it was. So ah thought maybe I was dreaming.
Turned around looking, no one was there! So I kept on listening.
Then it came so clear! De sad voice of ah lil girl, as she sobbing…!

Verse: 2
Round de corner, near by to de Emperor Valley Zoo,
There she was dis little girl and her mother too…!
I went up and ah ask she what de problem could be?
Plenty tears running down her face as she hug-up her mammy.

Bridge: 2
I knelt near her mother asking she wah happening…!
She said, "Life's not worth living - Ah prefer dying!" Oh-oh…!
Wid tears in she eyes, I spoke of her child, who held she so tight…!
I gave them much hope, promising everything will be all right…!

Verse: 3
Stopped ah taxi ah, gave her all de money in meh pocket…!
On her way home, she took from her neck ah Golden Locket.
Wid a hug she gave me saying, "Slingshot, may God bless you…!"
When de lil girl kissed me, she had one round she neck, too…!

Verse: 4
Fourteen years went by, visited dat island again…!
On my way to de Hilton Hotel, it started to rain…!
Accident on Lady Younge Road, near Look-Out Point Corner…!
Bleeding badly, I fainted, as ah car stopped by later…!

Bridge: 3
I woke up from a coma in de hospital months later…!
Ah female doctor, wid ah nice lady standing next to her…!
Round de doctor's neck, I saw something I'll never forget…!
In de lady's hand, she showed me my Golden Locket…!

Verse: 1
I have traveled many places in my lifetime
And have seen beautiful faces and treasures so fine.
But no matter where I may go, there is always one thing I know.
I swear by the stars up above, it's a Place that I love! It's

Chorus: 1
Guyana - You're always on my mind!
This love I have for You is so hard to find.
I hold You so very dear, with a love that is sincere.
No matter where I may roam, You're My Home, Sweet Home!

Verse: 2
You are our Mother! Our Father! We're your Protector!
Give us Guidance! Bless your Children, as we help each other!
Yes, I know some things won't go right. But, You're there to show us the light.
Beloved Country, we'll never part! You're forever in our heart! Dear

Chorus: 2
Guyana - You're always on my mind!
This love I have for You is so hard to find.
In my search for fortune and fame, I had to leave You to love you again!
No matter where I may roam, You're My Home, Sweet Home!

Verse: 3
In this world man has built many a great wonder!
My El Dorado was sculpted by the Hands of our Maker!
Roraima, standing tall! Kaiteur that majestic falls!
These Wonders keep drawing me back to My Dear Country! M-m…! My

Chorus: 3
Guyana - You're always on my mind!
This love I have for You is so hard to find.
Your praises I'll sing out loud and walk with my head high and proud!
No matter where I may roam, You're My Home, Sweet Home! Oh yea…!
No matter where I may roam, You're My Home, Sweet Home! M-m…!
No matter where I may roam, You're My Home, Sweet Home!
No matter where I may roam, You're My Home, Sweet Home!

[© 2003 All Rights Reserved - Soaring Heights Music and Publishing/ASCAP]

IT’S NOT TOO LATE!

(Words & Music by John and Ingrid DrePaul)

Verse: 1
I was strolling on de East Coast road in de morning!
No one was passing plenty doves all around were flying!
Two lambs in de middle ah de road running,
Rushing to de sides of their mother and dey bleating!
Dey jumping, playfully pushing!
See how dey trying to get to she underbelly!
Ah started staring - at de sight dat was in front ah me! oh yea…yea…!

Verse: 2
As ah turn de corner ah felt ah hand touched me shoulder! oh-oh…!
Ah started to shiver when ah saw dis tall slim stranger.
I felt ah sudden rush of breeze blowing,
Making me feel cold and ah started trembling!
I was shaking! almost crying!
Wen de voice start speaking, I almost tumble down to de ground!
Ah made ah whistling sound dat quickly spun me around! oh yea…yea…!

Verse: 3
Den he start to whisper, “Don’t be afraid! there’s no danger!” oh…oh…!
He caused me to wonder who was dis total stranger?
He said, “I was walking right besides you watching,
Listening to every thought and action your
People saying, and what dey doing!
I am an Angel of the Lord, who has appeared to you,
With ah message and dis warning for de people too!” oh me…yea…!

Verse: 4
He asked why ah shaking, ah said ah was feeling cold!
He put his hands ‘round me. He was so firmly in control!
Suddenly, I was carried on the shoulders of
This Angel, who rested me on de mountain peaks of
Roraima! In my Guyana!
Looking right ‘round me I saw the farest corner
Of my dear country! Oh such beauty! That is native to we! m-m…!

Verse: 5
Unite! oh my people love each other and be
The way we once were! Let the leaders face the anger
Of our people! De answer is simple!
Please come together and avoid destruction of de country!
You leaders, lost in denial, you losing yuh dignity! oh yea…yea…!

LAND OF SUNSHINE & FUN

(Words & Music by John and Ingrid DrePaul)

Verse: 1
I miss de sweet taste of fresh coconut water, mango, guava, and sugar - cane.
Longing so much to hear neighbor children laughter, as they run and play in de rain.
Jumping fences stealing fruits and donkey rides, having fun in de moonlight playing.
Liming wid friends down village country sides, eating roti, rice and dhal at dem indian wedding.
Though I have traveled many, distant shore, my lonely heart keeps yearning more and more!

Chorus
Caribbean! m-m-m -- Guyanese and Trinidadians
Caribbean! m-m-m -- Jamaicans and Bbarbadians
Caribbean! m-m-m -- Vincentians and grenadians
Caribbean! m-m-m -- Cubans and Puerto Ricans! - - Land of Sunshine & Fun!

Verse: 2
Standing on de river bank wid cast net in yuh hands, catching fish and shrimp fuh yuh supper.
Life is simple in we tropical lands, neighbor looking out for each other!
Country ladies wid baskets on dey head, walking down to de Market Square.
Street vendors sell drinks and sweet bread, lord, how I wish so much to be there!
Though I have traveled many, distant shore, my lonely heart keeps yearning more and more!

Chorus

Verse: 3
In our countries there are many different races, working - and living side by side!
You will always see smiles on their faces, reflecting hard work, love and pride.
Coconut trees swaying, bamboo standing tall, sounds of steelpan draw me nearer.
Young - and old lovers strolling on de seawall, hugging - and kissing up one another!
Though I have traveled many, distant shore, my lonely heart keeps yearning more and more!

Chorus
Caribbean! m-m-m -- Guyanese and Trinidadians
Caribbean! m-m-m -- Jamaicans and Bbarbadians
Caribbean! m-m-m -- Vincentians and grenadians
Caribbean! m-m-m -- Cubans and Puerto Ricans! - - Land of Sunshine & Fun!

[© 2003 All Rights Reserved - Soaring Heights Music and Publishing/ASCAP]

MY BEAUTIFUL ISLAND GIRL

(Words & Music by John and Ingrid DrePaul)

Verse: 1
I remember not so long - ago, honey, you came running to me,
Telling me you hurting so, darling! you got stung by a bumble - bee
And you cried! My beautiful Island Girl!
Your tears I dried cause you’re my beautiful Island Girl!

Verse: 2
We would rock in ah rice bag hammock, darling, underneath de mango tree!
Eating pelau from an iron pot, honey, no food has ever been so tasty,
As de one dat was cooked by my Island Girl!
My life begun when I met you my beautiful Island Girl!

Chorus: 1
And on de beach, darling, we would go strolling hand in hand!
And at midnight we would play love games on de sand!
Rocking in we hammock I would strum guitar all night long!
Yuh resting beside me as I sing you sweet, island love song!

Verse: 3
Those are the days that I’m longing for: perhaps they may not return.
Fond mem’ries keep dis ol’ heart beating! Darling, I can only yearn
And pray that we grow old together, Island Girl!
Oh yes, it’s true! You are my beautiful Island Girl!

Chorus: 2
I’ll never forget that special weekend down by de sea!
At Coco Reef in Tobago, darling, just you and me!
On de beach, honey, we would go strolling hand in hand.
And at midnight we sit and watch two lovebirds on de sand!

Verse: 4
Those are the days that I’m longing for: perhaps they may not return!
Fond mem’ries keep dis ol’ heart beating! Darling, I can only yearn
And pray that we grow old together, Island Girl!
Oh yes, it’s true! You are my beautiful Island Girl!
Oh yes, it’s true! You are my beautiful Island Girl!
You are my love! You are my beautiful Island Girl!

[© 2003 All Rights Reserved - Soaring Heights Music and Publishing/ASCAP]

THERE WAS A TIME

(Words & Music by John and Ingrid DrePaul)

Verse: 1
There was a time in Guyana!
Neighba socialize wid neighba as one: like sister and brother!
Look how we lived in Guyana!
If ah had ah problem neighbas would come to help solve de matter!
De lil food dey had, when times were bad,
All ah dem wud share some of it wid me, cause we live like fam’ly!
Children grow up good – yes! – just like dey should!
It was always “Hello Uncle!” and “Aunty!”

Chorus: 1
I remember all those good times – back home, six races in unity!
Wen ah cry ah didn’t cry alone! All meh neighbas was there for me! oh yea! m-m-m!

Verse: 2
How people have changed in Guyana!
Some of us now walking down different road!
My sista and brudda, we’re not talking to each other!
Watch meh neighba fetch he own load! oh, no! no!
He staring - at me like we is enemy!
Ah cutting meh eye looking back at he! Why can’t we be free?
Now de children, my friend, imitate us and take on we problem!

Chorus: 2
Why, oh why, did tings turn out dis way? Our goals have gone astray!
We as ah nation will have to stay together as one! Or we’ll just drift away! oh yea! m-m-m!

Verse: 3
I see ah star not so very far, telling me bitter times on its way!
What more can i say?
Should we go on mixing wrong wid strong?
Hurting innocent people evry day! No, please I pray!
We just have one choice! Change direction!
Or see de country in confusion and rapid destruction!
I cry each day for my Guyana!
All meh people there live in fear and suffah!

Chorus: 3
How can you leaders be so crazy? Are you so blind, dotish, and power hungry?
Why can’t you join hands in unity, stop de racial cancer destroying we! and de country!

Verse: 4
You two leaders listen very carefully,
De loud and painful cry from everybody! end dis misery!
United we stand: Divided we fall!
Try your best and please understand! hear yuh people’s call!
How can we progress from dis stupidness?
When you encourage madness and violence on de helpless!
It’s never too late, leaders, please, clean yuh slate!
Let’s be One People! Nation! One Destiny!

[© 2003 All Rights Reserved - Soaring Heights Music and Publishing/ASCAP]

WHY?

(Words & Music by John and Ingrid DrePaul)

Verse: 1

meh chile ah can’t gie you no answer to yuh question! Why? Ah have no reaction!
Every time ah look in de paper is fear and confusion! Why? Disrupting de nation!
Every day is ah shooting - and robbing, senseless killing! Why? Kidnapping - and raping!
It leaves me wondering - and crying; meh poor heart tearing! Why? Is there no ending?

Chorus: 1
Daddy, hurry…! come quickly! Look is dem bad people! Run fast! Come see!
Awee neighba Ramroop in trouble! He ain’t able!
Look! Dey breaking down he door! Why? oh lawd! No more! Why? oh-oh!

Verse: 2
Confrontation don’t lead to unity, just total destruction! Why? Plenty misery!
How many more innocent lives must we bury? look at dem sad faces! Why? Grieve fuh family?
Why we going down dat same old pathway? Dis is de question! Why? Dat facing we nation!
Destruction we seeing each day! Is either migration! Why? Or mass liquidation!

Chorus: 2
Dey shooting up de place at dey own pace, with sheer violence: Dey don’t hide dey face!
Nothing does come in dey way everyone just run away
Helpless and defenseless! Why? oh-oh! Must dis be? // It’s everyday…!

Verse: 3
Meh chile ah can’t gie you no answer, darling, to yuh question! Why? Ah sad situation!
Big trouble in store fuh Guyana! Is fear and disruption! Why? Upsetting de nation!
Every day is ah shooting - and robbing, senseless beating! Why? Looting - and burning!
Hear de people voices crying, how dey heart breaking! Why? Is there no ending? oh-oh…!

[© 2003 All Rights Reserved - Soaring Heights Music and Publishing/ASCAP]

WAKE UP MY GUYANA!

(Words & Music by John & Ingrid DrePaul)

Chorus: 1
Wake up, my Guyana…! It’s the dawn of a brand new day…!
Wake up…! Everybody get up…!
My Guyanese people “good day…!” May blessings come your way…!
Every day…! Work or play…! Yes, Dear God I pray…! m-m-m…!
Rise up and do your ting…! Just let your voices ring out loud…!
Stand up and be proud…!

Verse: 1
You’ve been down hate’s cold road before, and found nothing good waiting there I am sure…!
So much sorrow and hardship you’ve endured!
Now your prayers are heard! Keep spreading the word!
Open up your heart! You got a brand new start /// o yea!

Chorus: 2
Hello my Guyana…! The rain has stop falling…!
The sun now shining! Yes, my people…! Everybody smiling! m-m
Good day to you! & you! & you! & you! & you! and you, too…!
Keep on trucking! Get Guyana moving! yea-yea-yea…!
You must creep before you fly! Never give up! Always try…!
Walk with yuh head high! Walk good Guyana! Reach for de sky!

Verse: 2
Your daily struggles are nothing new…! They’ve always been with you in all that you do…!
The dawn of a new day has come for everyone…!
Whether old or young…! Sing it one more time…!
This anthem of mine…! oh yea…!

Chorus: 3
Wake up, my Guyana…! Let us all come together…!
Wake up…! And unite forever…! m-m-m...!
Proud native sons and daughters be strong for each other!
Wake up…! My sister and brother…! oh yea…!

It’s now up to you and me to move this beautiful country
In de right direction…! And start build we nation…! oh yea…!
So put your shoulders to the wheel, and together you will feel
Guyana moving! (Big up Guyana!) – with pride as she growing…!

You must try to understand, the children’s future and this land
Are in your hands! Wake up- Guyana! Every man and woman…!
So teach the children conservation and respect for our nation,
Each and every day! Wake up Guyana! It’s the only way! oh yea!
(da-da daa…! da-da daa…! da-da daaaaaaaaa…!)

[© 2004 All Rights Reserved - Soaring Heights Music and Publishing/ASCAP]

PIRATES

(Words & Music by John & Ingrid DrePaul)

Verse: 1
Plenty baccanal everywhere all awee living here in fear…!
Is sheer nonsense and lunacy plenty tiefing in de country…!
Every time wid no reason or rhyme, like we just can’t see wha happening to we.
So much poverty and plenty misery keeping we down wid no where to run.
Is real baccanal…! When de people bawl!
 

Slingshot with The Mighty Sparrow (Francisco Slinger).

Chorus:
Pirates…! all around de place…!
Pirates…! every creed and race …!
Pirates…! all ah dem ah de same…!
Pirates…! dey ain’t gat no shame…!
Shame…! Shame…! Shame…! Shame…!

Verse: 2
It’s nothing like long ago… de skull and cross bone flag you know…!
Pirates don’t rob everybody, just de rich and nobility…!
But nowadays, banna, it’s de latest craze…! fast cars and cell-phone high life and big-big home…!
Ah blind man could see, oh lawd, how dey robbing we! As dey plunder here! there! and everywhere!
Is real baccanal…! when de people bawl…!
chorus:

Verse: 3
Opposition and government, come together in parliament
and put an end to dis piracy…! Alyuh bury de coffin real quickly…!
It’s ah crying shame, oh lawd, don’t point de blame! Stop yaking yuh jaws! Pass stiff-stiff laws!
Ah begging yuh, please, see eye-to-eye wid we: alyuh silence only breeding mo’ piracy…!
Is real baccanal…! when de people bawl…!
chorus:

Verse: 4
All you pirates everywhere, take fair warning and beware…!
Slingshot sailing de seven seas…! He guh bring yuh down to yuh knees…!
Meh people angry! No jobs! No money! Alyuh betta run..! cause Captain Slingshot in town!
He gat no mercy fuh bareface piracy who robbing we blindly in awe country…!
is real baccanal…! when de people bawl…!

Chorus:
Ppirates…! all around de place…!
Pirates…! every creed and race …!
Pirates…! all ah dem ah de same…!
Pirates…! dey ain’t gat no shame…!
Shame…! Shame…! Shame…! Shame…!

[© 2004 All Rights Reserved Soaring Heights Music and Publishing/ASCAP]

YOU’RE NOT ALONE

(Words & Music by John & Ingrid DrePaul)

Slingshot and St John's Orphans - Georgetown, Guyana.

Verse: 1
As you walk along the road of life you’ll find,
That your path is filled with obstacles unkind…!
And the journey to your destination’s not known
Drinking empty promises and all alone…!

Verse: 2
That path was taken by so many before you
And the heartaches they all suffered are not new
Keep your head high as you stay the narrow course
There are those whose fate in life is sometimes worse

Chorus:
So put some kindness in the words you want to say
You will feel a whole lot better in this way…!
There is always someone there to call your own
Just remember, my dear friend, you’re not alone

Verse: 3

Slingshot sings for St Ann's Orphans - Georgetown, Guyana.

Many days temptations will get in your way
False pride and deception will rule the day.
There are those who have no heart and sympathy
Putting success and greed above humanity

Verse: 4
Don’t be shackled to some false ideology
That encourages sheer hate and disharmony
Rise up and shake them off for you and me
Using faith, hope, love and plenty charity

Chorus:
So put some kindness in the words you want to say
You will feel a whole lot better in this way…!
There is always someone there to call your own
Just remember, my dear friend, you’re not alone

verse: 5
I was touched by what I read the other day
How some total strangers went out of their way
Yes, they joined together and helped a family
Whose simple lives were broken by tragedy…! so --
 

Slingshot with St Ann's & St John's Orphans - Georgetown, Guyana.

Verse: 6
Come together, my dear friends, it’s not too late
Just free your self and mind from endless hate.
Treat your neighbors as you would have them treat you
Let love be the guiding light in all you do.

Chorus:
So put some kindness in the words you want to say
You will feel a whole lot better in this way…!
There is always someone there to call your own
Just remember, my dear friend, you’re not alone
Just remember, my dear friend, you’re not alone
Just remember, my dear friend, you’re not alone

[© 2004 All Rights Reserved - Soaring Heights Music and Publishing/ASCAP]

Slingshot has written and composed more than 40 songs so far, and has filmed and appeared in more than 15 musical videos. Here is a sample list of his compositional achievements:

1 - A VERY MERRY GUYANESE CHRISTMAS – Mash Fever CD [5:42]
2 - ANNABELLE COME DANCE (Instrumental) - Jump for Carnival CD [3:41]
3 - BERBICE GYAL - Home Sweet Home CD [3:26]
4 - BERBICE RIVER CROSSING - Home Sweet Home CD [3:38]
5 - BICYCLE BUILT FUH TWO - Sweet Island Woman CD [5:12]
6 - BROKEN DREAMS - Remembering CD [3:23]
7 - CARIBANA JAM - Sweet Island Woman & Jump for Carnival CDs [4:46]
8 - CHRISTMAS IN GUYANA - Home Sweet Home CD [4:34]
9 - DE MISSING PUSSY CAT - Jump for Carnival CD [5:59]
10 - DR. SLINGSHOT – Mash Fever CD [4:13]
11 - ENERGY SOLUTION - Jump for Carnival CD [6:05]
12 - GOLDEN LOCKET - Jump for Carnival CD [5:25]
13 - HARRY & MILLIE – Mash Fever CD [4:15]
14 - HARRY RAM - Jump for Carnival CD [4:35]
15 - HOME SWEET HOME - Home Sweet Home CD [4:55]
16 - IN DE MOONLIGHT - Sweet Island Woman CD [4:00]
17 - ISLAND OF DREAMS - Remembering CD [5:32]
18 - ISLAND OF DREAMS - Home Sweet Home CD [4:12]
19 - IT’S NOT TOO LATE! - Home Sweet Home CD [5:10]
20 - LABOR DAY BACCANAL - Sweet Island Woman CD [6:12]
21 - LAND OF SUNSHINE & FUN - Sweet Island Woman CD [4:56]
22 - LEWE JUMP FUH CARNIVAL - Jump for Carnival CD [4:44]
23 - LOVE ON CARNIVAL DAY - Jump for Carnival CD [3:23]
24 - MASH FEVER – Mash Fever CD [4:28]
25 - MY BEAUTIFUL ISLAND GIRL - Home Sweet Home CD [4:26]
26 - MY EL DORADO DREAM – Mash Fever CD [5:10]
27 - NANA & NANI - Jump for Carnival CD [5:20]
28 - NO. 63 BEACH (Instrumental) - Home Sweet Home CD [4.03]
29 - OH BABE - Home Sweet Home CD [3:09]
30 - PARKWAY JAM PARTY - Sweet Island Woman CD [5:23]
31 - PIRATES – Mash Fever CD [5:42]
32 - RAGGA ON TONIGHT - Sweet Island Woman CD [3:54]
33 - REMEMBERING (Beeda’s Song) - Remembering CD [4:24]
34 - RUN! JUST RUN! - Jump for Carnival CD [4:41]
35 - SWEET ISLAND WOMAN - Sweet Island Woman CD [4:55]
36 - TEK AH TASTE - Jump for Carnival CD [4:18]
37 - THERE WAS A TIME - Home Sweet Home CD [6:11]
38 - TROPICAL WALTZ - Remembering CD [3:44]
39 - WAKE UP, MY GUYANA! - Mash Fever CD [5:09]
39 - WHY? - Home Sweet Home CD [5:25]
41 - YOU MAKE ME HAPPY! - Home Sweet Home CD [5:16]
42 - YOU’RE NOT ALONE - Mash Fever CD
 

To request a particular song from the List provided, contact Slingshot.