"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
Released1988
Recorded1988
GenreCalypso, reggae, soca
Length5:26
LabelSire, Lypsoland, London
Songwriter(s)David Rudder
Producer(s)Joe R. Brown, Charlie's Roots

Personnel

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Musicians
Production

Impact

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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

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References

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  1. ^ Philip, M. NourbeSe (9 February 2010). "Letter to Haiti". M. NourbeSe Philip. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  2. ^ Scaramuzzo, Gene. "Charlie's Roots / David Rudder | Haiti". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
  3. ^ James, Mike (25 January 2010). "Haiti I'm sorry". Catholic News.
  4. ^ Ransome, Debbie (28 August 2011). "Trinidad musician David Rudder: Calypso as commentary". BBC World Service.
  5. ^ Croft, Colin (24 January 2010). "Haiti I Am Sorry". Trinidad and Tobago Guardian.
  6. ^ "‘Haiti’ sung by David Rudder", When Steel Talks, 2008.
  7. ^ "Haiti should not suffer!". Jamaica Observer. 11 October 2016.
  8. ^ "Letters to the Editor: Haiti, I am sorry". Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. 10 July 2021.
  9. ^ Green, Alex (26 June 2021). "Pioneering publisher Margaret Busby says industry still needs more diversity". Belfast Telegraph.
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