“No matter what challenges we face,
there’s always something we could find
to give thanks for”
While this song was written in a
celebratory theme, I remember seeing
Andy Sheafe, who co-composed the song,
go through some really tough times as a
pannist/arranger. It was a song to give
hope through the rough times that one
may face, and in a sense rather than
seeing all the things that are not going
one’s way, perhaps there are also many
other blessings to be thankful for. In our case, we had the instrument born in
Trinidad and Tobago, and many talented
people involved, making great music. Some people have described this song as
somewhat spiritual, and maybe in a way
it is. We go through all the lessons in
life, only to be humbled into realizing
how fortunate we may be.
When Andy first played a bit of the
verse and chorus for me on the pan and
asked me to work on a bridge, everything
just seemed to fit. Some years later,
when I saw Andy again, he told me that
every time he is going through a rough
patch, he listens to this tune.
Natasha Joseph plays pan on the vocal
track, whereas I thought I would be
adventurous and ask Liam Teague, to do
the pan version of this song. He willingly agreed, and was very
professional, writing out the music
notation and chords just before he put
down his tracks. It was the first time
I met Liam, not knowing we would be good
friends many years later, and I thank
him for sharing his talent with me at
that time.
Years later after recording this piece,
Amrit Samaroo arranged the song for St.
Augustine Girls High School, scored by
Kareem Brown for the Pan in Education
CD.
»
Sanch Electronix Ltd.
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Give thanks!
Lyrics:
Verse
Blessings in dis land, deserve a pan celebration
No, we can’t ignore, what we all have strived so hard
for We
must have we ups and downs, but just take a look around
Brother let us use de pan, to give thanks for what we
have
Chorus
Jump up in de jubilation
Come join in dis celebration
Yes feel dat rejuvenation, music for all man
Somewhere in dis madness, there mus’ be a plan So
for all our gladness, let us give our thanks
Bridge Is
there an anger that we don’t see
There is a danger, it controlling we
But deep down within our souls, there’s a rhythm to make
we move
Turn our direction towards de pan, and believe We
making it right, let’s shake up tonight
Just show how ya feel, by playing de steel
Whenever de dusk reach dawn, we still hope we could
right de wrong We
know de spirit could never die, so be strong.
Instrumental (using Verse chords)
Verse
Hardship in dis life, can distort our point of view
Yet throughout our strife, go for what we wish to pursue We
can shape our destiny, but we know it eh easy
Doh forget we all human, and give thanks for what we
have
Chorus
Bridge We
have a choice, to live and breathe
What is dis voice, mesmerizing me
And just how we sweat in pan,
There’s a journey with fellow man
There’s so much to appreciate, and await
Who knows what’s in store, pan music for sure
Just bring out de drum, and work up de rhythm
Nobody go keep we down, use de pan to wake up de town
Just remember it’s not too late, to celebrate
Verse
Sometimes we doh see the forest from the trees
And we may be blind to all we have in our country
While we live with all our fears, let’s remember in our
prayers
Celebration by de pan, giving thanks for what we have
Chorus
Short Bridge We
here one day, but next day we gone
Do we dare say, life has just begun We
go through futility, to restore our humility
Learning from each experience, is the key
