What many do not know, however, is that the church, over the years, has encouraged the faithful to be culturally sensitive/appropriate - both in the way we theologise and in the way we express the apostolic faith. Our former Diocesan Bishop, recently reposed in Christ, The Rt Rev. Alfred Reid, was a champion of this. Long before there was a Reggae Month, there was a Reggae Mass, commissioned by Bishop Reid.
Long before there was a Reggae Month, there was a Reggae Mass, commissioned by Bishop Reid.
Bishop Reid was also chair of the committee that oversaw the publication of the new hymnal for the Church, published in 2010. Also known as the "Blue Book" or the "CPWI", the new hymnal is an improvement over its English predecessor, "Hymns Ancient and Modern". None of the 273 hymn entries in the A&M, first published in 1861, is from the region. Like duh!
The CPWI contains (at my last count) thirty-two Caribbean hymns. Most are original compositions, written to rhythmic idioms associated with the Caribbean (eg. Jamaican folk, traditional spiritual, reggae and calypso). Some are written to English, Hebrew and German tunes. A third of the hymns identified contain Creole.
Below is a list of Caribbean hymns from the CPWI that can be intentionally engaged during Reggae/Black history month. I have included only hymns appropriate for the liturgical season, as such, Caribbean Christmas and Advent hymns are left out (though I acknowledge the lines are blurred and, as such, one could forward a solid case for including them here):
Rejoice this Easter Day #179
Jah is my keepa #229
The right hand of God #239
Jesus come today #245
Enter into Jerusalem #303
Gather, Christians #309
Lord, thy Church on Earth is seeking #331
O praise ye the Lord #376
The Lord is my shepherd #477
I come to the cross like a small boat #523
By these let all men know I am a man #543
By the rivers of Babylon #544
You have all our future #553
Who leads you through haze #555
O God who is the breath of life #557
Father Lord, we offer you #586
Let us enter into covenant with Christ #604
Let us talents and tongues employ #605
O Lord, thy blessing shower #701
All things bright and beautiful #707
God of the earth and sky #713
In this our beauteous island #714
Once more, O Lord, we come #716
Thank you, Father #721
With every seed that’s planted here #726
Lord God, your name we praise #734
In addition to the above, the CPWI contains four African-American spirituals.
There is also what is popularly known as the Black National Anthem - "Lift Every Voice And Sing", hymn #554.
The Church has not always gotten it right in her pre and post disestablishment years. She is, however, on to something explosive, when, in her official hymnal, she puts to rest any doubt one may entertain about her position on and movement toward a liturgical and theological identity that is contextually/culturally conscious. Maybe many, if not most of us, haven't seen it because we haven't been looking closely enough and with discernment.
Good article Bertram, I truly believe everything takes time, but our Church leaders need to move with times and make it possible for the Church within the Caribbean to bridge the gap and create music which is very relatable to those within the region both young and old. I has been said that if we don't know our history we won't know where we coming from so remembering our history is rather important but creating a future is where we all should be looking and aiming at in terms of creative music within the church.