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Chronicle Pepperpot December 27, 2015
The Singing Lords of Christmas
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hrist is Lord of Christmas. And this is celebrated in various ways and in various genres of writing all over the world. Perhaps the most significant acknowledgments can be found in the world of literature – poetry, song, dramatic and cinematographic arts. In Guyana, we have long enjoyed and continue to appreciation the artistic offerings originating from outside. Then there was a period of criticism and awakening when many Guyanese scoffed at White Christmas, Blue Christmas, Chestnuts roasting on an open fire/The Christmas Song, Twelve Days of Christmas, Winter Wonderland, Let it snow, ‘Rudolph, the red-nosed Reindeer, etc.
Later around the 1950s, a cultural juncture of our history, there was a climate conducive to music, leading to a musical revolution as it were where persons were composing due to the fact that the top recording studio in the Caribbean was located in Robb Street, Georgetown, Guyana. From that recording studio (Al Seales’ GEMS) came a number of evergreen and popular Christmas songs. And some of us were inspired to write our own poetry and songs celebrating the Lord of Christmas. Although they are many outstanding pieces, I will concentrate on two evergreen local favourite songs because they tie in with the above title. The first piece of music is ‘Happy Holiday’ by Lord Melody and The Four Lords. Here is a sample: Church bells are ringing, Santa Claus on his way, Happy Christmas to you dear, Happy Holiday. My darling, wishing you the best. You know that my love for you did last and will last for many more Christmases. Happy Holiday According to Vibert Cambridge, “A confident bass, a wailing saxophone, and a sensitive piano introduce “Happy Holiday.” When that quintessential Christmas song is heard, Guyanese at home and abroad feel the spirit of the season.” The other bit of music is ‘Christmas is with us again’ by Lord Canary. Here is a sample: Christmas is with us again Children with their sweet refrain Merrily hear how they rhyme Melodiously while church bells chime Choirs sweet carols they sing
Oh what great tidings they bring Hatred and fighting must cease It’s now time for love and peace Form the opening bar, one is immediately drawn into the festive realm of a good Guyanese Christmas with all the concomitants of breaking house and redecorating, shopping for special groceries and new curtains, cleaning old floral arrangements and adding new sprays, shopping for greeting cards – this usually takes a long time, baking goodies and preparing for the pepperpot and black cake, selecting that proper outfit for in church and out of church celebration and the list of things to do goes on and on. Christmas is with us again’ is pregnant in connotation especially for the children of yesteryear who are now parents trying to recapture the real spirit of Christmas. After inviting us, one and all, into the song, the composer goes to the crux of the matter with the second line which is very important, “Children with their sweet refrain.” A refrain from a child covers a range of concerns for the season which parents and guardians would do well to adhere to if the season is to go well and if there is to be joy and goodwill. This simple poem, eight rhyming lines with measured meters, performed with a soothingly melodious voice is a powerful evocation of Christmas. All of these issues reinforce my resolve for next Christmas to put plans into motion to encourage more writings on such a season in which we all participate. Another competition perhaps! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. (Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com)