Jamaican Flotation
Art & Lyrics
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It is no secret that most of us in the U.S. are living a more comfortable existence compared to much of the rest of the world. Understanding this differential is one thing; seeing it up close and personal is another. Many years ago, I visited Jamaica. To observe people living in cardboard boxes and tin sheds tears at your heart. It's difficult to watch the day's events on the news at night. There are so many divisions and opposing groups with perceived differences. "Differences" that, in many cases, are based on superficial attributes or characteristics. The naive child in me wants this nonsense to go away. “Hello” and “good morning” are not fighting words. We have drifted too far into opposite corners. Alone, we can't change much, but I can certainly take a more introspective look at my own behavior. Maybe it can start with something as small and insignificant as a smile. I'm counting on the "ripple effect".
Lyrics:
Jamaican Flotation JRRothrock 5/18/2021
Time has come… for everyone!
Put out the flames… oh… lay down your gun!
My plea to you… each woman, ev’ry man…
Tears rolling from my eyes… we got to understand!
See… a man is knee-ling by the road…
Back is breaking from his heavy load.
Do what you do… no-no, don’t pass him by!
Reach out to him… if just to dry his eye!
Oh-oh-oh… we sail along on these stormy seas…
If the wind’s ever going to change, it must begin with me!
The tide will lift us up and carry us along.
No one’s too heavy. Lift as we sing this song!
STOP THE NOISE! Pray for a peaceful hush!
We go nowhere… you, pulling, as I push!
Differences… are fracturing our land…
But we are more alike than any understand!
Oh-oh-oh… we sail along on these stormy seas…
If the wind’s ever going to change, we got to cool the breeze!
The tide can lift us up and carry us along.
No one’s too heavy. Join in and sing our song!
Your heart would break if you saw what I see!
How did there come this space ‘tween you and me?
To know my heart, please look beyond my face.
You’ll see that I am YOU! We are the hu-man race!
Oh-oh-oh… back-to-back no longer nose-to-nose…
We pull the weeds so that a flower grows!
The tide can lift us up and carry us, my friend.
Smooth waters sail along together to the end!!!