word love: Smile Jamaica

Feeling out, feeling down,

This feeling wouldn't leave me alone,

Then up came a one that said (hey, Dread)

"Hey Dread, dry Natty Dread, and smile!"

You're in Jamaica: c'mon and smile!

(In Jamaica, y'all) Get it together, y'all!

(In Jamaica, y'all) Get it together, now!

In Jamaica, y'all.

Soulful town, soulful people,

Said, I see you're having fun,

Dancing to the reggae rhythm,

Oh, island in the sun,

Oh, smile!

(In Jamaica) C'mon and smile!
(In Jamaica, y'all) Get it together, right now!
(In Jamaica) Get it together, children!
(In Jamaica, y'all)

We're gonna help our people, help them right;
Oh, Lord, help us tonight!
Cast away that evil spell;
Throw some water in the well,
And smile!

(In Jamaica) C'mon and smile!
(In Jamaica, y'all) Get things together, right now!
(In Jamaica) Get it together, right now!
(In Jamaica, y'all)

Riddim wise (wise),
Dub-a wise (wise),
And other wise (wise)
Can't criticize (-cize) our smile.

(In Jamaica) You're gonna smile!
(In Jamaica, y'all) Get it together, right now!
(In Jamaica) Get things together, right yow!
(In Jamaica, y'all)

Help my people, help them right!
O Lord, help us tonight!
Cast away evil spell;
Throw some water in the well,
And smile!

(In Jamaica) You're gonna smile!
(In Jamaica, y'all) Get it together, children!
(In Jamaica) Get things together, right yow!
(In Jamaica, y'all)

Soulful town, soulful people,
Said, I know, I know that you're having fun!

Listen/Watch on YOUTUBE

By: Honorable Robert N. Marley (Feb 6, 1945 - May 11, 1981), Jamaican musician and cultural icon

word love: hymn

God be in my head, and in my understanding;

God be in mine eyes, and in my looking;

God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;

God be in my heart, and in my thinking;

God be at mine end, and at my departing.

-Sarum Primer, 1558

I love hymns. They are a comfort to me, and this week has been crazy here in my homeland (#1, #2, #3, and #4), and in the land of my birth (#1 , #2, #3, and #4)...don't get me started. People are sick. This world is twisted, sad, & unsafe. So I take a deep breath and just regroup.

word love: Sweet and Dandy

Eh-eh! Etty inna room a cry

Mama seh she mus' wipe 'er eye

Papa seh she no fi foolish like she neva been to school at all

It is no wonder

Is a perfect ponder

While they were dancin' in dat ballroom last night

Eh-eh! Johnson inna room a fret

Uncle seh 'im mus' wuol' up 'im head

Auntie seh 'e no fi foolish like is not time for his weddin' day

It is no wonder

Is a perfect ponder

While they were dancin' in dat ballroom last night

One poun' ten for de weddin' cake

Twenty bokkle of cola wine

All di people dem dress up inna white fi go eat off Johnson weddin' cake

It is no wonder

Is a perfect ponder

While they were dancin' in dat ballroom last night

But they were sweet an' dandy, sweet an' dandy

Sweet an' dandy, sweet an' dandy

They were sweet an' dan-deh... sweet an' dan-deh...

by: Toots & the Maytals, 1968 (Jamaican ska/rock steady band, 1964 to present)

Listen/watch: Video of song (also a clip of the movie, The Harder They Come)

"Toots portrays a couple on the verge of their wedding ceremony, having last-minute nerves and being both soothed and urged on by their older relatives, while the guests wait to celebrate. The language is vernacular, poetic, evocative and immediate; the music is both edgy and upbeat, falling in a long melodic curve through each scene-setting verse, and then rising with equal length and good humor through the chorus to the concluding image of the happy couple dancing."

--> More translation and interpretation....Source.

I absolutely am in love with this song. One of my all time favorites.