You See Barbados Though?

A Mackie Holder Idea

You see Barbados though?

The more you look the more you know. Little less than a century ago Look how we were – oppressed and dirt poor But in the 30s, the masses took a stand And their Moses, Sir Grantley, shook up the land Started the journey to the Promised Land From day one the principled structure of Barbados was set And, thank God, it aint change yet Quick so The first political party, workers union were started Disease controlled before Barrow parted All kinds of laws for workers passed Sir Hugh and Sir Frank set an institution to last The Deep Water Harbour, Government headquarters, QEH Foundations set to build a great state All that, housing, and much more was done For eons we have been much more than sea and sun!! And under the BLP Universal adult suffrage for we And that was the real start of our democracy.

You see Barbados though?

The more you look the more you know. A new political party was formed The DLP created a storm Expanded education put us in another class The masses moved out from agriculture at last Light industry, businesses and tourism charted And something called the middle class was started Into the Civil Service, banking and teaching they went And began building the economy saving every cent Barrow wanted a better mirror image for we And that meant a move from the monarchy On 30 November 1966 Barbados became captain of its own ship And we began our Independence trip. You see Barbados though?

The more you look the more you know. Great progress in all areas in the 55 years since The world all over was convinced None more so than under Tom the son Our international business, network of roads done He brought in The Plantation

Tenantries Act Giving thousands ownership on plantations and that’s a fact Commission on Status gave women a modern foundation That, fellow Barbadians, is how you build a nation The National Drug Service, credit union movement and the NCF These things and so much more made Barbados the best Most of what he did in nine years still has Barbados set I wanna know why he aint a National Hero yet? You see Barbados though?

The more you look the more you know People want to know how Barbados get so It’s hard work, excellence and being in the know We were never in any way poor rakey Known as the “recalcitrant colony” that was we From the jewel in the crown we have been world class If you blink you will not see The greatness we have come to be You ever hear of the great Sir Garth? Greatest cricketer on earth or Mars! Looka, you aint know we start the Internet Archie by Emptage the first to get set We have IDB banking rules named after ThoringtonPowlett And Velma, the first female black transplant surgeon, don’t ever forget Juliet Daniel who isolated the Calypso cancer gene And Rihanna gives a whole new definition of what superstar means You really see Barbados though?

The more you look the more you know. Look, now at this stage in our history It’s time to write a new story On to a Republic Barbados will go On 30 November, 2021 it will be so A head of State under the Queen no more President Sandra Mason will open a new door The people of Barbados will carry on the show At home, in the Diaspora, from newborns to old Joes We’ve built a nation, all o we The best in the world, our country You and I will carry on the legacy Of Owen, Tom, Barrow and Grantley Freundel, David, Sandi and Bree The more you look the more you will see That our first female Prime Minister Mia Mottley Is taking the step that should have long been done Ever since Independence was won You really see Barbados though?

The more you look the more you know. Yes we have had doubts and fears Things become clear through the tears Friends of all, satellites of none - we know who we be People of pride, achievement and incredible industry Even in turbulent times we are still on the rise Our people with eyes firmly fixed on the prize Of building our nation and a better life for all As citizens continue to scale new walls Zane in car racing, Cherie Jones with her writing Alison Julien with domestic workers giving new lighting To the legacy of rum we making Katspraddle vodka In Barbados culture and innovation blooming – stand up and holla We have more than demonstrated we are a country that strives We will continue to succeed with drivers that can drive If you don’t know check out your history Don’t get confused by no sophistry As a colony and Independent nation we have set world trends There is nothing to fear that those trends will end We achieved so much before You think you know Barbados though? The more you look the more you will know Open up your eyes and see On with the Republic democracy!