Community says farewell to 'mother' Singing Sandra

FINAL RITES: Officiating ministers Mother Indira Palmer and Mother Marilyn Ferguson pray over the body of former two-time national calypso monarch Sandra
FINAL RITES: Officiating ministers Mother Indira Palmer and Mother Marilyn Ferguson pray over the body of former two-time national calypso monarch Sandra "Singing Sandra" DesVignes-Millington at the Hirondelle Street basketball court in Morvant on Monday. - ROGER JACOB

The Hirondelle community, along with close friends, relatives and colleagues bade a final farewell to Sandra “Singing Sandra” DesVignes-Millington on Thursday at the Hirondelle basketball court in Morvant.

She was lauded as an inspiration to people in the area and a “mother” to many, not just in the calypso community, but in her community as well.

Photo by ROGER JACOB

She was "officially" given the title of mother by Bunji Garlin, while recording the collaborative hit Lie, according NWAC National Calypso Queen Makeda Darius, who read her eulogy.

“(It) was made possible when DesVignes-Millington’s musical arranger Carlyle “Juiceman” Roberts brokered a meeting of the minds between Garlin and Sandra. The opening lines in the song were ‘Eh Eh! Mother, how you doing?’

“She was the true embodiment of a calypsonian. Sandra single-handedly changed the perception that one must write their own calypsoes in order to be called a true calypsonian.”

Housing Minister Penelope Beckles signs a memorial poster at the funeral for Singing Sandra. - ROGER JACOB

In the eulogy, Darius recounted DesVignes-Millington's rise in the calypso fraternity, from her beginnings as a singer in the Mighty Sparrow’s tent in the early 80s to her mega-hits as a solo artiste as well as a member of the calypso quartet the United Sisters, and her involvement in several bodies which supported calypso, including TUCO and TUCO’s Kaiso House.

“Sandra was a lover of all things calypso. She loved the art form and the practitioners. With all the accolades and extensive travels, she showed up with her sisters wherever calypsonians gathered.

“She accepted the motherly role as adviser for many aspiring calypsonians, like myself, Patrice Roberts, Karene Asche, Stephen Marcelle, Krystal Beckles of Barbados, Alana Sinnette and countless others can give testimony to her love, care and guidance. We are blessed to have known a humble and phenomenal spiritual woman,” Darius said.

Calypsonian Michael Osuna, better known as Sugar Aloes - an Orisha priest - officiates at the funeral. - ROGER JACOB

Officiating at the service, calypsonian and Orisha priest Michael “Sugar Aloes” Osuna spoke of DesVignes-Millington's caring nature, saying she would give her last to her people.

“Sandra was a lover. She would give away her last and then turn to someone and say: ‘You know, I just give away my last something, give me one, nah…’ So she didn’t know she wanted it before she gave it away?

“You would ask her, 'Sandra can I have a cigarette?' and she would give you. And when you tell her it is only one there, she would ask you: ‘So how much you want to smoke?’

"Five minutes after that she would ask someone for another cigarette.”

NWAC National Calypso Queen Makeda Darius hugs fellow calypsonian Alana "Lady Watchman" Sinnette. - ROGER JACOB

DesVignes-Millington, 64, died in hospital last Thursday. While no official cause of death has been revealed, several members of the calypso community said she had been ailing.

The two-time Calypso Monarch winner sang hits that included Voices from the Ghetto and Sexy Employers (Die with My Dignity).

Drummers accompany the mourners as they sing. - ROGER JACOB

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"Community says farewell to ‘mother’ Singing Sandra"

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