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Irving Burgie (pronounced; Bur'jee) is best known as the writer of such classic calypso tunes as "Day-O" and "Jamaica Farewell." The composer of eight songs on Harry Belafonte's groundbreaking 1956 album Calypso, the first album in the United States to sell one million copies, Burgie went on to write another 28 songs recorded by Belafonte. Additional songs by Burgie, including "The Seine," "El Matador," and "Wish You Were Here" were recorded by such folk acts as the Kingston Trio, Jimmy Buffett, and Miriam Makeba. In 1966, Burgie wrote the lyrics for the National Anthem of Barbados. He inherited his interests in West Indian music from his mother, Viola, who was born in the Barbados, West Indies. His father was born in Virginia. Burgie grew up in a West Indian neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY. A rabid fan of radio's hit parade as a youngster, Burgie's interest in music didn't become serious until he was serving in the U.S. Army in the early '40s. Inspired by an alto saxophone in his troop, ...