God
in Carnival or
calypso's Pater Noster
Sunday, February 15, 1998
IT IS as stunning in concept as it is in execution, David
Rudder's new "High Mas" in which he draws on the Catholic quarter of his
religious upbringing (throw in there Orisha, Baptist and Anglican) and comes up with what
I can only call the holiest of wines:
Our Father who has given us this art
So that we can all feel like we are a part
of this earthly (lesser) heaven... amen
Forgive us this day our daily weaknesses
As we seek to cast our mortal burdens on this
city...amen
Oh merciful father, in this bacchanal season
Where some men will lose their reason
But most of us just want to wine and grind and have
a good time
because we feeling fine, Lord... (as we seek our lost
humanity)... amen
And as we jump up and down in this crazy town
Send us some music for some healing... amen
Our Father who has given us this art
so we can all feel as if we are a part
of your haven... amen
Forgive us this day our daily weaknesses
As we seek to cast our mortal burdens on this painful
city... amen
And this day when we come out to play and sway
and do a little breakaway
Some will say what they have to say,
but only you know the pain we're feeling... amen
And as it was in the beginning of J'ouvert
so shall it be on Carnival Tuesday ending (good
vibes)... amen
Chorus:
Everybody hand raise
Everybody give praise
Everybody hand raise
And if you know what I mean... put up your finger
And if you know what I mean... put up your hand
And if you know what I mean.. put up your finger
And if you know what I mean then scream
O, give Jah his praises
O, let Jah be praised
O, the Father in his mercy
Send a little music, to make the vibration raise
So Carnival day, everybody come and celebrate
Everybody come and celebrate
See the ragamuffin congregate
Everybody come and celebrate
And everybody say ooh, a a, ooh, a, a I love my country
ooh a a, ooh a a, I feelin' irie (repeat)
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