Songs

I will sing of loyalty and of justice

Psalm 101:1 NRSV

It was one of those rare moments in my history. Three years ago I flew into Kingston on the very night of his acclaimed performance at the Mona campus of the University of West Indies and regretted that I had not taken an earlier flight. In my wildest dreams, I never thought that he would come to me. But on Wednesday night, performing at my local music venue, was the man himself; the reggae legend – Jimmy Cliff. In Bournemouth of all places, not even London, he was performing his only concert in the U.K., ten minutes from my front door. And it was pure magic. It may be incomprehensible to some, but being in the presence of such an iconic fellow Jamaican, with a status similar to that of Bob Marley, was something truly remarkable and very special. There was very little pre-concert hype as my town is not noted as a Mecca for reggae enthusiasts. Even the outlet where I bought the tickets indicated that there would be plenty of time to buy as they did not expect a sell out. Little did they know!

The tone was set by an exceptionally accomplished warm-up band that paid tribute to Bob Marley and the Wailers. The acoustics were excellent within the multi million pound refit of the renovated venue that had been transformed from the local flea pit into a lavishly restored Victorian theatre with a 21 st century sound system. Arguably the best live music venue in the South, it was worthy of Jimmy’s presence. I had a front row view and he was superb; I have never witnessed such a stunning performance, so professional, so majestic and yet so personal. There was a reverence, like being in Church. He sang songs of deliverance and of love and gave the Psalms a universal consequence as they reverberated around the walls of the theatre. He did not flinch from his message of justice, condemning current wars and urging our continued concern for our Planet. I was struck by the spiritual impact of his words and the call to action, implicit within. There are not many occasions where I feel moved into balance, where I can worship as a totality: mind and body. But there, like King David, I danced before the Lord with all my might. As one of our contemporary prophets, Jimmy Cliff stands tall. He is a reminder of how powerful our music can be in lifting our praises in Divine adoration and in restoring our spirits. Something we need to do as often as we are able. I know one day I will be in a congregation that permits a spiritual outpouring at this level of cultural Joy.

I have faith that the future holds the promise of culturally affirming and inclusive worship in the U.K. that will speak to our hearts and touch our spirits of Whosoever calls on the name of the Lord. People of every descent deserve that special anointing of the Holy Spirit that speaks to our communal and individual conditions. Without this Touch from God we perish; starved of spiritual food and drink and unable to gather strength to live beyond a survival mode. We need this sustenance to live abundantly and to be all we can be in Christ.

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Psalm 40:1-3 NIV

May the Hoy Spirit of God sing songs that make your spirit dance!

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