Our Nation is Born – Vibrating Scakes Classic of 1979

This paper will reach the readers two days before Independence, so I have decided to shift my focus this week. I listened and watched Scakes’ performance of Our Nation is Born on Thursday, October 17,  when he performed at the Sir Dwight Venner Lecture Series at the UWI Global Campus. He did it again at the launching of a book on the Spiritual Baptists by Claudius Fergus at the Botanic Garden’s Curators Lodge on Friday, October 18. I don’t know how many persons have over the years being paying careful attention to the lyrics. It is indeed a classic in the true sense of the word “a creation of the highest excellence”. It demands a high place in our school’s curriculum, perhaps in Social Studies. “Independence is a milestone/ In our march to prosperity”. A milestone is a significant event in our history; prosperity has to do with success, good life and well being.

Our country has a ‘real nationality.’ We are a nation of many races…The strength of so many faces/ Shall bear the prospects of our fate”; paying tribute to the different groups that have helped to build and make up our nation. As we reflect on this moment in history when colonialism is gone and our nation is born, it is time “to share a love with someone… (in this) time of national freedom.” October 27, the day on which our nation was born. Let us be reminded that “all ah we share “one history, one ecstasy, one destiny.” Hailing them up, “Hey, hey, hey, hey…!

But we must not forget our past. We must “praise our heroes/Who fought slavery to the last.” He singles out Marcus Garvey who had branches of his movement here, Stubbs being the Centre, but also Lowmans Leeward and Clare Valley. He visited this colony as it was then in 1937 and delivered two lectures, one on his way south to British Guiana, and the other on his return north. He was hosted by George McIntosh and the Workingmen’s Association that had entered the Legislative Council in 1937. Garvey’s sacrifice as well as all who fought to bring us to October 27, 1979, must be remembered.

Although there were those who manipulated the “franchise” of adult suffrage, he reminds us that “there is still hope of a bright tomorrow”. For the under-privileged, “Let love excel our wishes.” To advance demands “plenty of work”, remembering that there is no turning back for, Back Is Death for the Nation/ That Upholds LESS ACTION AND LOTS OF TALK (my emphasis). But how do we move forward? He tells us!

“My people join hand in hand now/Put your differences aside/Get your hearts and soul together/We got to build this nation with pride/Work in harmony with good leaders/Never elect no one here to rule/Then we can feel at home like good comrades/Our People Must Not Be Election Tools.”
As we approach our 45th year of Independence, with elections expected next year, Scakes leaves us with a gem. He asks us to come together as proud people of a nation. What he stated in 1979 is perhaps even more precious today. He is asking us to “join hand in hand”, with “hearts and souls together”. 1979 was a milestone. We still have to build this nation “with pride”. He calls for us to work in harmony with “good leaders”. And certainly “never elect no one here to rule”. We can then “feel at home like good comrades”. His distinction between good leaders and rulers is an important point for “Our people must not be election tools.” This year’s Independence anniversary can well be the last before our next election. So, the warning is there. For the nation back is death. We have a nation to build. Let us avoid being Election Tools.”
Scakes’ Calypso Gem is perhaps even more significant today than it was 45 years ago. Our Nation is Born. We will in a couple days be 45 years old! We have to begin to act like mature 45-year olds. There is plenty of work in order to advance. So, sing on Scakes!

Dr Adrian Fraser is a social commentator and historian