'WATCH OUT MY
CHILDREN'
NOW UN THEME SONG
AGAINST DRUGS
By Jada Loutoo
Newsday
July 20, 2000
Page 8
Ras
Shorty I's landmark composition "Watch out my
Children" was yesterday adopted by the United Nations as the theme song
for its campaign against the proliferation of drug use.
The
announcement was made by Hans Geiser, Resident Representative for the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at Shorty's funeral at the Trinity
Cathedral.
Geiser's
announcement was met with appreciative and supportive applause.
Shorty,
born Garfield Blackman, composed the piece in 1997 out of love and concern for
the nation's youth.
Despite
a late start at 9.40 a.m., Shorty's funeral was befitting of the man who
conceived "Jamoo" or Jah's music - serene, celebratory and
reflective.
Shorty's
son, Sheldon Blackman reminded the congregation that the occasion was a
celebration. "Celebrate and be
joyful", he said moments after he and his siblings rendered a hair-raising
performance of "Watch out my Children" in both English and Spanish.
This
did nothing to console Shorty's sons, daughters and friends who throughout the
service wept constantly.
Blackman
said his father's purpose in life was "a messenger" and urged those
gathered to look at their lives and adopt his father's message.
In his
tribute, Steve Rabathaly, co-composer of Shorty's "Om Shanti", said
Shorty was a homespun genius and master craftsman.
Shorty,
Rabathaly noted, stood up to the nation and retired to Piparo to "rethink,
rebuild and reshape his family life after his musical drams were shattered in
1977".
Canon
Winston Joseph, in his sermon, remembered the theological conversations he had
with Shorty.
He equated
him to John the Baptist and the prodigal son, noting that unlike John, who was
the forerunner to Jesus, "Shorty knew Jesus".
The
congregation, transforming the Cathedral into a sea of white, stood entranced
when Shorty's children, accompanied by Andre Tanker on flute, rendered their
father's piece "Who God Bless".
Applause
punctuated their rendition.
Culture
Minister, Daphne Phillips brought greetings on behalf of Cabinet. She said the nation was convinced of
Shorty's contribution to culture. Social
and community Development Minister, Manohar Ramsaran noted that only Shorty could
achieve what others could not.
"He
was a visionary and philosopher," he said.
In spite
of an otherwise unblemished service, SuperBlue's choice of Bob Marley's reggae
hit "No Woman, No Cry" did not go down too well with mourners.
Reigning
Calypso Monarch, Winston Bailey (Shadow) - in white - and Ellis Chow Lin On,
manager of soca band Charlie's Roots, walked out the Cathedral in protest.