Slinger Francisco (The Mighty Sparrow) was yesterday in good spirits and recuperating well following emergency surgery on Sunday to treat an incarcerated right inguinal hernia.

His wife, Margaret Francisco, confirmed this, saying he was at the Washington DC home of Carlton Joseph, promoter of the show Sparrow was performing at on Saturday when he began getting severe pains in his right groin in the middle of his set.

According to a press release issued by Joseph, three doctors at the venue tended to the calypsonian and had him taken by ambulance to Montgomery General Hospital in Olney, Maryland where he was further examined and hospitalised to be prepped for the surgery performed by Dr George Conrad.

"Slinger Francisco, Mighty Sparrow suffered an acute attack of right groin pain while performing at a venue in Maryland on Saturday July 24.

"Doctors Patricia Sandiford, Jacinta Arrington and Roger Weir administered emergency care on the premises and when Mr Francisco was stabilised he was transported by ambulance to Montgomery General Hospital in Olney, Maryland," the release stated.

The release went on to state that Sparrow tolerated the procedure well and was in a stable condition immediately after coming out of surgery. He was discharged on Monday and taken to Joseph's home where he continues to recuperate.

Making light of rumours of his death last week, Sparrow had sung two verses of "Sparrow Dead," which he originally did some years aback after rumours of his death even then.

"It was a more subdued Sparrow who performed from a seated position centre stage. Although he appeared to be physically weak and less than his normally active on-stage self, his humour was there and the voice strong and unmistakably Sparrow. He had the appreciative patrons on their feet dancing, waving and singing along," the release stated.

Nearing the end of his performance it was observed that Sparrow was clutching his lower right side while making a painful grimace. Sparrow ended his performance prematurely and was assisted off the stage. Following the surgery Sparrow jokingly declared when questioned by the people around him about his ordeal, "The only thing is, I ain't dead yet. Hallelujah."

—Reporting by Wayne Bowman