First I must say Happy Earth Strong to Marcus Mosiah Garvey this day I celebrate and so honor to be chosen to keep the memory of this great leader alive. Marcus Mosiah Garvey was a great speaker a man way before his time, now all of his words are coming to pass.
My morning started with a phone call to my brethren and we both shout out at the same time Happy Earth day to Marcus Garvey and how grateful we are for the words he left us. Sonia was in the office crying I ask why you are crying. She say "Spear I cannot believe we make it through to see today and to read the poem Emanuel posted on the forum that Marcus Garvey wrote,” slowly she read the poem to me. After a discussion on the poem and a bit of refection we both when to our Bikram Yoga class. Before we leave she put up the song Grandfather from the new Album Jah Is Real on the MySpace site and I hang the black/ red and green flag on my front door.
Yes I am proud to be a man of 63 years old and to be gray, I don’t have any intention to pretend that I am in my thirty I accept my age and his happy to be myself. No dye for me to look younger than I am.
Every day I get request from bands wanting to open for me at various shows, and it often puzzle me, why I never get request on how we can come together to strength the distribution of our music or to ask how am I doing. I and my partner work hard every day to stay independent and we faces many challenges, yet we stand strong . What I learn none can do anything for you that you cannot do for yourselves. Just like the person that pretend to be a journalist so he could get promotion CDs to sell on EBay before the released date, we live in a world of where people are chosen wealth over knowledge and it is causing them more than what they gain. Anything that come too easy with cause you shame in the end. If you cut the line and jump to the front of the line in the end you will be right back at the back of the line where you belong in the first place. Life is a journey with many twist and turn and you will always ended up right back where you start from. Is this person that rush to eBay to make money from Jah is Real hurting Burning Spear or himself. I say he is hurting himself look what happen to so many record label and companies that the tide turn on, It too will turn on the entire illegal Pirate, and If you are not a part of the solution then you must be a part of the problem.
These are the words that Jah have Emanuel posted this morning to remind Sonia and me just to be calm, and keep cool, Keep cool no matter what come our way. You can read more on the forum.
Suns have set and suns will rise
Upon many gloomy lives;
Those who sit around and say:
"Nothing good comes down our way."
Some say: "What's the use to try,
Life is awful hard and dry."
If they'd bring such news to you,
This is what you ought to do.
Chorus
Let no trouble worry you;
Keep cool, keep cool!
Don't get hot like some folk do,
Keep cool, keep cool!
What's the use of prancing high
While the world goes smiling by.
You can win if you would try,
Keep cool, keep cool.
From the hands of this young lion in Sweden Jah send us a message. He knew that our way will be long and the road is still going to be foggy but he will be I and I eyes sights.
Both Sonia and I never thought our live would be touch by so many wonderful people. Jim and George thanks for sticking with us through the good time and the time we call learning time, As Kevin would say Daddy college don’t come free, you have to pay your tuition and earn your degree.
Marcus Garvey and all the great men and women that fought for our rights knew that we cannot have any fear. None can hold any power over you or me if we don’t allow them to do so. I have seen and hear the so call strong cry and the so call weak smile. Anyone that seeks wealth over knowledge cannot gain the happiness this earth has to offer.
I am truly blessed because Jah Is Real will leave from my hands into your hands. On this day august 17,2008 I Burning Spear present Jah Is Real to you this is the day I will always remember, I will follow in the foot step of Marcus Mosiah Garvey to be self reliance , I will not compromise and will stick to the plan because I am grassroot. Jah is Real will make history for the first time I record an album that took a life unto its own. Jah had position all the players he wanted in line. The sea and the river became a part of his plan, the Creator wanted to show both you and I that he is real, and we should never have any fear or doubts his plan for us.
Mr Garvey break the cycle of fear and he didn’t care, I Burning Spear will keep cool, keep cool.
Jah Is Real and he will help me to overcome the devil.
