MORTICIAN, JAMES WILSON, who is also a musician of note, has been suggesting that Barbadians should start singing the National Anthem at events rather than playing the official instrumental version.
It is a good idea, but it seems as if it has already been laid to rest. Perhaps, he should offer some rewards to ensure people make the effort. To those people who are avid supporters of his proposition, he may even want to offer a discount to them during the time when they may need his service.
Alternatively, Wilson can approach two politicians, one from the Dems and the other from the Bees to support his idea.
More precisely he should ask Minister of Culture, Stephen Lashley and his shadow Santia Bradshaw to come out publicly and indicate that they will be singing the National Anthem at public events henceforth.
Of course, he will also have to ask David Comissiong who is always willing to lend his support to a cause. Such a move may ensure it gains some public attention. After all, we have become so tied to politicians that it is only when they pronounce on something, then we follow, often blindly.
The Minister of Culture could certainly talk to not only his constituents, but all Barbadians to join the effort, whether they are from the villages, terraces, parks or heights. He can ask cabinet colleagues, Michael Lashley and David Estwick along with attorney at law, Hal Gollop, all accomplished musicians to hold a few sessions in King George V Park where people can gather to learn how to hold the correct note.
Since things are happening in the east, prominent resident Prime Minister Freundel Stuart could lend his voice to the effort.
Santia knows a lot of entertainers so she could invite Peter Ram and T.C. to show her people how to have some melody while singing the Anthem.
Dale Marshall should be there with his law partner, parliamentarian colleague and long time friend George Payne. Opposition Leader Mia Mottley could sing the anthem in contralto with support from Cynthia Forde and former BLP Member Maria Agard.
Former Prime Minister Owen Arthur and George Griffith can show off their baritone range.
Comissiong would get David Denny to be involved and they would most likely invite Tennyson Joseph.
After all, the singing of Barbados’ National Anthem is an occasion all present will be sharing the same sheet.
Knowing how politicians can sometimes move at snail’s pace, and that the public doesn’t always respond to them with any outburst of enthusiasm, Wilson may need to turn to the National Cultural Foundation to promote his worthy idea. Lashley would undoubtedly give the NCF the nod to get involved.
People enjoy singing at this time of the year, whether in key or not.
So at all the events coming up why not sing the anthem, starting with the Junior Calypso Monarch and Soca Royale competition. Let people know this will also be done at the start of the Pic-o-de-Crop final.
When there’s that big cricket match to honour Sir Garry’s 80 birthday, let’s sing the anthem at the start of the proceedings.
The business community would quickly follow, and Andrew Bynoe, Andy Armstrong and Eddie Abed will ensure it happens, whether at Rotary, Chamber luncheons or any big bash they are holding.
When the Barbados Workers’ Union holds its annual conference next month Gabby Scott should get Toni Moore and Washbrook Bayne to join him along with all the delegates and officials in singing the anthem. The political parties should also do likewise at their conventions which will soon be held.
Just imagine a function where we can see and hear Chief Justice Sir Marston Gibson, Director of Public Prosecutions Charles Leacock, Chief of Staff Colonel Alvin Quintyne and Acting Commissioner of Police Tyrone Griffith and Dr Delisle Worrell joining with Dr Eudine Barriteau to all lustily sing all the verses of the national anthem.
They will do it a capella and without a drag, not overdoing the chorus nor at the end. They don’t have to try to be a Luther Vandross r Whitney Houston.
But, please, don’t make the fundamental mistake of either forgetting the words, simply not knowing them, or claiming anthem amnesia. Go get a copy of the Barbados National Anthem and start rehearsing.
Carl Moore will not complain about noise pollution on any such occasion. Irving Burgie will be pleased and Wilson would have achieved a significant milestone.
Sing Bajans, sing with pride your National Anthem.