<p>My Artist in Residence involvement with the University of Guyana has produced some very fulfilling exchanges, some of which I had expected but there were some surprises which I’ve mentioned before. One of them, as a result of some whim that I can’t recall, was a poem I wrote, after an exchange with some Turkeyen students, entitled We come here to shine, and sent to Vice Chancellor Ivelaw Griffith.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ever an instigator, the VC promptly suggested that I put the poem to music, which I promptly did, but since the song has to be sung by a student, the Deputy VC, Dr. Paloma Martin, located a young lady, Diana Chapman, to tackle that part.</p>

<p>The next step was for Diana to record the song, but some technical problems, including equipment malfunction at the studio, got in the way.&nbsp; However the project is going forward, with the equipment fixed, and the plan now is to get the recording done during the upcoming week.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Diana is a good vocalist and will sing it in her style, with a drum track of her choice, but to get the interest going I am including here the lyrics of the song:</p>

<p>We come here to shine&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>(Copyright Dave Martins 2018)</p>

<p><strong>(Verse 1)</strong></p>

<p>We come with our intentions strong</p>

<p>to prove that yes we do belong</p>

<p>to do the work and toe the line</p>

<p>We come here to shine</p>

<p>We come to learn and to prepare</p>

<p>we see the future very clear</p>

<p>the time for us is waiting there</p>

<p>Yes we come here to shine</p>

<p><strong>(Chorus)</strong></p>

<p>We come here from Supenaam, Lusignaan, New Amsterdam</p>

<p>We come from Kingston and Backdam</p>

<p>We come here to shine</p>

<p>We come here from LBI</p>

<p>from Rosignol and from Annai</p>

<p>from Uitvlugt and Karasabai</p>

<p>We come here to shine</p>

<p><strong>(Verse 2)</strong></p>

<p>We come from logee on the ground</p>

<p>Or bottom house in Albouystown</p>

<p>But we won’t let that get us down</p>

<p>‘Cause we come here to shine</p>

<p>We know how hungry belly feel</p>

<p>And why some people turn and steal</p>

<p>We see the wrongs we need to heal</p>

<p>So we come here to shine</p>

<p><strong>(Chorus)</strong></p>

<p>We come here from Supenaam, Lusignaan, New Amsterdam</p>

<p>We come from Kingston and Backdam</p>

<p>We come here to shine</p>

<p>We come here from LBI</p>

<p>From Black Bush Polder, from Annai,</p>

<p>From Buxton and Karasabai</p>

<p>We come here to shine</p>

<p><strong>(Verse 3)</strong></p>

<p>Dont talk to me ‘bout separate</p>

<p>We come here to congregate</p>

<p>and help each other stand up straight</p>

<p>We come here to shine</p>

<p>We know it’s not an easy time</p>

<p>We know we have to bear the grind</p>

<p>We’re here to seek and yes to find</p>

<p>We come here to shine</p>

<p><strong>(Chorus)</strong></p>

<p>We come here from Supenaam, Golden Grove, New Amsterdam</p>

<p>We come from Linden and Backdam</p>

<p>We come here to shine</p>

<p>We come here from LBI</p>

<p>from Providence and from Annai</p>

<p>from Uitvlugt and Karasabai</p>

<p>We come here to shine</p>

<p>We come here from Adventure</p>

<p>Vreed en Hoop and Parika</p>

<p>We come here from Bartica</p>

<p>We come here to shine</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Article adapted from:&nbsp;<u><a href="https://www.stabroeknews.com/2018/sunday/so-it-go/05/27/we-come-here-to-shine/">https://www.stabroeknews.com/2018/sunday/so-it-go/05/27/we-come-here-to-shine/</a></u></p>
