Two Months of Celebration

Can you believe it?

November 1^st is here already,

We just celebrated the Christmas season

And November is back so rapidly.

Not that I am sorry

For it’s my second best favourite time,

The first best of course you know,

I just love to hear the Christmas chimes.

Independence time is so special to me

That I can never forget the rainy weather

When on the Garrison as a lad of thirteen

I watched the rise of the blue and yellow.

 

In water and mud all over the field

And the largest crowd in Barbados ever,

Heart bursting with excitement and pleasure

I saw the raising of the blue and yellow.

Ever since then I stand proud and tall

Grateful for the many battles won,

In the beautiful song of Desmond Weekes

I’m so proud to be a bajan.

For a moment I’ll forget the crime

And put behind the politics and economy

And for this wonderful month of November

Focus on being both a “B” and a “D”.

The “B” of course is for Barbadian

And the “D” is for Determination,

A Determined Barbadian I will be

As together we fight to lift our Nation.

Let’s not throw our hands in the air

And allow evil to have its way

But speak up when given the opportunity

Democracy says that we have a say.

Share a wise word with a youngster

That may have slipped off the solid track,

Do it out of respect and love,

Do not think he is too far to turn back.

  

For Barbados is what we have

The Good Lord gave us it,

Reliance on Him for its guidance

Should be our daily habit.

At this Independence time

As we render our poetry, drama and songs

Focus on things that are positive

For Barbados is where we belong.

Christmas follows Independence

And I see nothing wrong with this,

Two months of continuous celebration

I certainly would not want to miss.

One speaks of political freedom

The choosing of a government to rule,

Of statute books and legislation

And the ways in which we are schooled.

The other is about another freedom

Offered to all the peoples of the earth,

And that’s why we celebrate in December

The event of the Saviour’s birth.

While in the former a flag ascended

In the latter a cross was raised,

The former, a journey begun at Independence

The latter, at Bethlehem was the first phase.

The former depends on the latter,

Yes! We need to take Jesus on board

For without him to steer our Ship of State

Such a cost we could ill-afford.

If only our youth would listen

As Jesus the Saviour speaks to them

This little rock would become a haven

And the gem would return to Bim.

If only our leaders would be led

By the Leader identified in our Anthem

The economy and all would line up

As we return to the principles we abandoned.

Fairy tale I hear you say

Meaning this this Jesus thing and Bible stuff

But the truth of the matter really is

With God at the helm is more than enough.

 

If only we would be faithful to him

And follow the Saviour as he leads

Barbados would be blessed and prosperous

And God would take care of all our needs.

Stewart Russell © November 2017