Remembering the Jamaican Anthem, A Prayer in the Pandemic
August 6, 2021, marks the fifty-ninth anniversary of Jamaica’s independence. Coming off the heels of a festive Emancipation Day 2021 celebration, Jamaicans will seamlessly transition into their independence celebrations, themed, ‘Jamaica 59: Come Mek We Celebrate Online’.
It is a time when the ‘little but tallawah’ nation will celebrate the momentous event of August 6, 1962, when the Union Jack flag was lowered, and Jamaica’s own was raised; when the constitutional documents representing Jamaica’s Supreme Law was delivered to the first Prime Minister, Sir Alexander Bustamante, and when the National Anthem (a prayer) was officially renditioned.
Over the years, Jamaica has been dubbed a religious country, which perhaps pays homage to the national anthem – a nation’s prayer. The Jamaica national anthem is the creative work of four persons, the late Rev and Hon Hugh Sherlock, OJ, OBE; the late Hon Robert Lightbourne, OJ; the late Mapletoft Poulle and Mrs. Poulle. As a prayer, the Jamaica national anthem is a reverent acknowledgment of God’s presence and the importance of His hand in the future sustenance of the nation. It is the united expression of a people, calling on God to bless, protect and guide them, and bless their leaders with divine wisdom to advance the nation.
While Jamaica’s national anthem does not show up on any list of best anthems, arguably Jamaica’s anthem is one of the sincerest prayers of a people and one of the most emotional of anthem-prayers you will ever hear. For Jamaicans, it is the prayer that goes before every learning and every win. As a people, failure is regarded as a myth, and life is observed as a divine opportunity to learn or win! Today Jamaicans are still filled with pride when their national anthem is echoed on a global stage, in school devotions, national events, church events, or even at family gatherings.
On August 6, 2021, Jamaicans worldwide will join hearts and stand at attention, to sing their national anthem in prayer for their land. However, in respect of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, most celebrations will be held online. As noted by Minister Olivia Grange in a release on the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport website, “The restrictions of Covid-19 limit what we can do and limit our gatherings, but we can stay home and …. enjoy the offerings …produced by the [Jamaica Cultural Development Commission] JCDC and my Ministry to ensure that we all can still celebrate while we keep safe.” Minister Grange has invited all Jamaicans to celebrate from wherever they are. So, in the words of the minister, to all Jamaicans:
“Put your flag outside your door. Put it in your yard. Decorate your building. Decorate your storefront. Use the Jamaican colours and create that Spirit of Independence, especially since we can’t go out there and have fun and celebrate in large gatherings. So, … be bold with the black, green, and gold.”
Are you a Jamaican, or do you know any Jamaicans? How are you celebrating Jamaica’s independence online this year? Message us; we would love to celebrate with you.
For more information on ‘Jamaica 59: Come Mek We Celebrate Online,’ Visit the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport website.