Random thoughts on experiences and matters of interest. Hoping to foster a vibrant community of readers and contributors. It's the next iteration of Buzzing Around, which began as a school project.
Well...Christmas 2017 is almost over. I hope you all had a wonderful day filled with the warmth of family, good cheer and beautiful memories.
I welcome viewers from Portugal to these postings. I hope you enjoyed the visit.
Today I'm going to share my fave Christmas songs that give me chills. Like this one by Peabo Bryson.
Peabo Bryson "Born On Christmas Day" (Credit: arshcenter 2014)
These songs speak to the glory that was manifested in the birth of this child more than 2,000 years ago and I'm more interested in the fact that Christ walked the earth than in the actual date of his birth.
Mariah Carey "Jesus Born On This Day" (MariahCareyVEVO 2015)
When a child is born, no-one knows his/her potential, that's why it is so very important for parents to provide a nurturing environment for their children.
Pentatonix "Mary Did You Know?" (Credit PTXOfficial 2014)
While there may be an inkling as leadership traits emerge over the years, no-one knows when they are raising a future world leader, a future Olympian (and I don't mean one who shoots his girlfriend through a bathroom door thinking "it's an intruder" 😠) or a future Nobel Laureate in Literature or Economics or Science. Similarly, if someone ends up on the streets or in prison, we need to
remember that all babies begin with a clean slate and its the
experiences they have that mould them into the men and women they
become. If any of you are parents, it is wise to remember that. I'm sure most parents want to raise children of light not darkness.
So, as I sign off with "My Christmas Prayer" I ask you to remember the reason for this season of hope, peace, joy and good will. It's not Santa Claus, it's the birth of the Christ child, as these songs all say. Until next time...
Bebe Winans featuring Rob Thomas "My Christmas Prayer" (Credit: One UnconditionalLove 2014)
Having discovered that readers of this blog have hailed not only from Barbados, but Poland, Ukraine, Germany, The United Kingdom, France, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Thailand, Ireland, Venezuela as well as the United States, I'm going to focus on Bajan talent - music, arts and craft, success and survival stories - instead of my original intent, which was to share my random thoughts, musings...and the occasional rant. You will not find the salacious here, but perhaps some inspiration.
This means that nearly half of this blog's readers know little of Barbados' culture. So, to put some of our traditions into context, I'll give a little history.
Of course, we're a tropical island - so it doesn't snow. It's the music that makes the season for me.
Food and merriment are hallmarks of the Bajan Christmas. Baked ham is a favourite dish in many homes. During slavery (and remember slaves were chattel, that is property), Massa gave the slaves a Christmas holiday. He and his family celebrated in the European tradition. The slaves were given extra rations of meat, extra flour/meal (or whatever the carbohydrate of the day was), extra rum and they were allowed to party, so they danced and the drums beat well into the night. So there are lots of parties and family gatherings at Christmas.
Then, during the colonial era, people were so poor, they could only afford new socks and ribbons for the children, a new suit for the males and a new dress for the females at Christmas. They went to Church and then they went to Queen's Park in the city of Bridgetown for the Exhibition with its displays of livestock, a merry-go-round for children and sweetmeats to snack on. So Christmas was a day to look forward to. Today, people still shop for that new outfit and matching accessories. Churchgoers wear their new outfit to the 5:00 a.m. services, some also go to The Park (Queen's Park) where the Exhibition has given way to a free performance by the internationally-acclaimed Royal Barbados Police Force Band and a few accomplished vocalists rendering seasonal favourites.
Let's listen to the Mustard Seed Kids featuring the Queen of Soca, Alison Hinds, as they tell us about what happens at Christmas in Barbados (set to the tune of a very popular Crop Over song "Something's Happ'ning"). You'll hear about the ham, the shopping and the real reason for the season...the birth of Jesus.
"Christmas Happ'ning" (Credit: Russell Watson - 2012)
There is so much talent in Barbados per square mile. Here's another of our excellent vocalists with one of my seasonal local faves - Kimberley Inniss, with "It's Christmas Fa La La La La". Not sure if there's an official video of this one. But enjoy nonetheless. Her look may not be as marketable as a Rihanna or Shontelle but she
has a very fine voice.
Credit: bwe music (2016)
I've already featured, Tamara Marshall, whose vocal ability is outstanding. In this song, she wonders why her significant other only dotes on her at Christmas. A guilty conscience for a year of neglect...perhaps? It's a pity there's no official video around of this one.
Tamara Marshall - "Why Can't It Be Like This?" (Credit: Tsunami Tsam 2010)
Finally, I'll sign off with this one by Pastor John featuring Bevil Joseph, which I find totally infectious. Why don't you hug somebody and wish them "Merry Christmas"? 😉
John Yarde featuring Bevil Joseph - "Caribbean Christmas" (Credit John Yarde, 2017)
Merry Christmas from Barbados where we don't have snow but "plenty sunshine and de beach!" 😀
Wishing everyone the joy and peace of Christmas this year.
Today I'll share a few of the more humourous Barbadian Christmas tunes. Some will surely bring a smile to your face - after all we need a light moment amid the hassle and hustle that invariably comes with Christmas.
As I didn't feature Barbados' lyrical master in my Independence Day tribute to Bajan music, I'll start with the "Bajanised" (yes, I'm coining a word, that's why I studied linguistics 😉) version of Mummy kissing Santa Claus - except that it's not Mommy but Maizie, a chap's girlfriend. This one warrants a chuckle.
Red plastic Bag: "Maizie" (Credit: Bajanbloom Bloom)
Clearly Maizie totally bamboozled (that's a Bajanism for completely fooling someone) her local sweetheart.
If you're in the cold, a punch a crema would warm the insides. Here's Barbados' first major musical ambassadors with "Drink A Rum" - and for those who've not yet heard, rum was first produced in Barbados apparently.
The Merrymen: "Drink A Rum" (Credit: Edward Spencer)
Well, this one by Sach Moore and the Sandpebbles is very funny - it doesn't show Bajan women in a nice light however, so feminists will cringe and may complain that this form of quid pro quo is really the world's oldest profession for a woman. Still, the music is sweet for days!!
Sach Moore & The Sandpebbles: "Wha Yuh Gotta Gimme Fuh Christmas?" (Credit: bajanmusicfan).
The modern version of this is by Eric Lewis of MADD, a local comedy group, also popular for their Crop Over contributions. He declared: "She Mistake Me Fuh Santa Claus." I always thought it was "she musee tek me fuh Santa Claus"!
Eric Lewis: "She Mistake Me Fuh Santa Claus" (Credit: bwe music)
If you're thinking Bajans too commercial with this Christmas thing, two of our most beautiful voices have the right spirit for the season...I've declared myself a Biggie fan, so enjoy his reggae version of "Little Drummer Boy".
Geoffrey "Biggie Irie" Cordel: Little Drummer Boy: (Credit: Bajanbloom Bloom)
And here is Tamara Marshall, who began singing gospel and then moved on to more secular material. She sings: "Do You Hear what I Hear?"
Tamara Marshall: Do You Hear What I Hear? (Credit: bwe music)
I'll sign off with the Merrymen's "Happy Birthday Jesus" to show we know the reason for the season isn't gifts and themed parties but the entrance into our time of the Saviour of the World. "For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3: 16).
The Merrymen: Happy Birthday Jesus (Credit: Bajanbloom Bloom)
