We Gatherin’

 

It is interesting in 2020

That we have planned “a gathering”

For bajans far and near

To join in celebrating.

A joyous home coming time

A time of great reflection,

A time of reminding one and all

Of the need for introspection.

Having commenced in January

In the parish of St Lucy

And continuing throughout the year

Highlighting each parochial legacy.

“We Gatherin’” is upon us

With St Lucy now complete,

And so it is on to St Peter

Where we have been promised a treat.

No doubt there will be comparisons

As each parish grabs its chance

To advertise its resources

And our fair nation enhance.

For Barbados is a blessed country

And the right thinking will agree

We have punched above our weight

So give praise to the Almighty.

From St Lucy in the north

To St Philip in the south,

Nothing demeaning about our Nation

Should ever exit our mouth.

So at this time of gathering

We must surely lift the standard,

Each and every single parish

Rallying around its banner.

Notice we started with FAITH

In the parish of St Lucy,

A reminder that our achievements

Are the blessings of the Almighty.

For there is nothing we can do

Without His enabling strength

And in our honesty should confess

He is our shield and defense.

They say you will find a Barbadian

In every part of the world,

“We Gatherin’” is calling everyone,

I hope by now they have heard.

It would be good if we could have

All the countries represented

Where Barbadians make their living

And their prospects are cemented.

For the world is a global village

Of which Barbados is a part

And wherever a Barbadian is

Barbados should be in his heart.

As we celebrate “We Gatherin’”

During this God-given year

May we also take time to think

Of the gathering over there.

I speak of that great gathering

Of believers dead and alive,

It’s time that Barbadians everywhere

Begin to catch that vibe.

In this “We Gathering’” year

Let us be prepared for home going

For we know not about tomorrow

Or what today will bring.

How remarkable it would be

If in this “We Gatherin’” year

Our nation recommit to Almighty God

And entrust its future to His care.

Let’s implement the national anthem

Especially the second stanza

So that it becomes our trademark

Rather than mere propaganda.

We are reeling under the impact

From the spoilage of our country

By persons of disrepute

And entirely bent on villainy.

 

May 2020 be remembered

Not only for the year “We Gatherin’”

But the year of new beginnings

For our beloved country Bim.

Stewart Russell © February 2020