Shortshirt's Nobody go run me. Writer Shelly Tobitt, Mandolin Vivi Gkeka, Piano Dr. G. Roberts


King Shortshirt’s NOBODY GO RUN ME
Musical musings by Dr. George Roberts
Mandolin: Vivi Gkeka
Piano and arrangement: Dr. George Roberts
Videography Dr. Gwendolyn Roberts
This piece has an interesting story. When my Athenian collaborator Vivi first heard it she was completely taken by it. She found to be such a great song. She insisted that she wanted to do a mandolin version.
I protested that this is a classic Antiguan song written in the Antiguan context. She wasn’t born here. Did she know what ’Nyam’ meant?
She was not deterred. In preparation for the arrangement I went through with her the full message and interpretation of the song. I explained to her the whole concept of ‘Bad mind’, which is really what this song is protesting. She caught on immediately, and this gave her more grist for the mill. We have ‘bad mind’ in Athens too, she said.
And so I had no choice. Put together and tweaked, we ended up with this concert version of the ‘Bad Mind’ song. Hope you will enjoy it as much as we did.
And yes, she knows the meaning of ‘Nyam’!
Tell them I say
I was born in this land, I will die in this land
Nobody go run me, from where me come from
Me mumma mus’ nyam
Me poopa mus nyam
Me woman mus’ nyam
Me pickney mus’ nyam.
She will be doing a concert and teaching season in her native Greece soon. If she gets any bad mind there she can always play this for them!
Thanks so much for listening to these musings. Your appreciation makes it all worthwhile. It has been humbling to learn of the difference that these postings have been making in some lives.
I would be grateful if everyone subscribes to my KZbin channel @Dr. George Roberts. You can share and like this selection at • Shortshirt's Nobody go... . Also please encourage friends and family to do likewise. I will be regularly uploading musical musings to this site as they emerge.
GMR

[@deborahavrillockhart3719]

One of my favorites. This is not ordinary doc. It’s in a class of its own. The visuals are lovely too, including you and Vivi. Love your shine shoes and gleaming piano!

[@paulabraithwaite9727]

This is such a great musical interpretation

[@BusyBeeDesignGR]

Beautiful composition, traveling interpretation, full of "images" congratulations!!!!👋👋👋

[@robertsgmo1]

Thanks!!

[@ersteinedwards8829]

Fantastic...A Classic! Mallet Edwards

[@maryanneredman491]

Really enjoyed this interpretation of one of the outstanding Calypso classics.

[@robertsgmo1]

Thanks!!

[@ol.lampropoulos9908]

Your "bad mind" is wonderful

[@normashoreybryan]

Amazing!

[@Young1806]

This gave me goosebumps! Love it!

[@robertsgmo1]

Thanks!!!

[@robertsgmo1]

Thanks!!

[@nikosz66]

Μπράβο !

[@SirClare]

❤

[@robertsgmo1]

Thanks!!

[@joanviera-salmon8837]

This cover of this traditional Calypso masterpiece adds a different flavour. Yes, I could still 'hear' the words through the differing arrangement. I like it. It does still take second place to the Original.

[@robertsgmo1]

Thanks!!

[@robertsgmo1]

Thanks!!