"Do we really relate to our identity as a
Trinbagonian or West Indian? For some, the pan
jumbie is an identity as a state of mind."
"Identity” will always be a memorable song
for me. It was the year I returned from working
in Norway, and I remember listening to the
melody play on a CD player for Denyse Plummer
and her team, along with the writer of the
lyrics, Christophe Grant.
It really felt fresh,
and the reaction was so very positive. It was
the first of 3 consecutive years that I would
work with Christophe, a gifted songwriter and
lyricist, an interesting experiment, as
Christophe had mainly been known for his social
commentary winning songs. His concept for the
song seemed to be a perfect fit for the melody,
and Leston Paul’s magical touch and arrangement
of this song was just what was needed to bring
the combination to life.
Edwin Pouchet, arranger for Silver Stars really
loved the song, and it felt really great that my
music would be played by the band where I first
learnt to play the pan as a tenor player back in
the early 90’s. In 2003, there was no
differentiation of Small, Medium or Large
categories in the conventional bands, and
therefore coming 4th in the semis
among all the conventional bands and reaching
the finals was quite an achievement for Silver
Stars.
I enjoyed hearing all the arrangements of the
song, and it would surprise me in 2005, when
music from previous years was allowed to be
played, that the song would again be played by a
single pan band (who went on to win the South
and Central Panorama).
Verse I am a born West Indian,
Spawned from emancipation,
But still they asking me,
What is my identity;
If you think that ah mad,
I from Trinidad,
Land of Calypso,
Pan, Tassa, and Limbo...
Chorus And brother dis riddim deep inside me,
Have me jumping in ecstasy,
Have to wave meh flag,
Mama, not to boast or brag;
Yes I just simply crave,
Just to jump and to wave...
Feel how de Earth it shaking,
De North Stand - it vibrating,
Come on, celebrate with me.
Interlude Pan jumbie - dat's my identity! (Repeat times 3)
Verse From since de first Camboulay,
We come out to ramajay,
We pledge to beat we drum,
Jamming until they kingdom come;
Bamboo to biscuit pan,
Then on to de steelband,
As de iron ring,
A freedom song we sing...
Chorus
Bridge You see I learn from small,
From small how to play meh pan,
You see ah learn from small,
From small, got to take a stand;
Cause de world have no pity,
If you have no identity,
I am pan, sweet pan and pan is me,
Yes, you see,
I am pan, sweet pan and pan is me!
Verse Check out de syncopation,
Phil-harmonic vibration,
Mama, it is so real,
All this haunting sound of steel;
Pan men go take a bow,
We salute you now,
As we shake we mas,
To soca, steel and brass.
Chorus
Interlude Pan jumbie - dat's my identity! (Repeat times 3)
Verse Go search de whole internet,
For de true meaning of 'fete',
Nothing you will not find,
Cause it's just a state of mind;
Somewhere within your soul,
As de tenors roll,
Lord, it's plain to see,
It's your identity.
