Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon is urging Trinidad and Tobago to rediscover its love for the country.
Addressing the audience at St Mary’s College’s 14th biennial ceremony, the Archbishop used the lyrics of Freetown Collective’s “Take Me Home” to highlight what he believes is a new, powerful way of expressing national identity.
He said artistes this season have offered a message of unity, one rooted in pride, belonging, and a renewed commitment to the nation.
“Ah go cross any ocean to find it, won’t let no mountain get in my way, come cross the water been through the fire, I know that my heart will show me the way.”
He said the lyrics emerging from local creatives, like Freetown Collective’s “Take Me Home,” resonate deeply with citizens at a time when many feel discouraged.
“Every where you turn, you see people smiling. I don’t see no creed and race. Don’t nobody tell me about leaving. We fight for we think this is we place. And I think that that verse is really where we stand right now. Are we willing to fight for we Ting? Do we really believe this is we place?”
Archbishop Gordon said the music reflects a desire for a healthier relationship between citizens and the nation, one built on commitment rather than frustration.
He warned that negativity and despair have contributed to a mindset where many, especially the youth, see their future elsewhere. He used the lyrics of Freetown Collective’s “Take Me Home” to strengthen his call for a love of country.
“Take me home, take me home, take me home, Wake me up before I fall asleep. Take me to a place where lovers meet…”
“Marry me to the heart of Port of Spain. So if I ever leave ah bound to come again. You see that verse, I wish that was inscribed in every school, every national building, everywhere in this country… and I’ll tell you why, for the first time in my adult life, I’ve seen and heard a way of speaking of the relationship between the citizen and the nation.”
The Archbishop described the verse as a call for a “covenantal relationship” with Trinidad and Tobago, one that compels citizens to stand firm in both good and challenging times.
He encouraged citizens to choose hope over despair and to recommit themselves to building a stronger, more united Trinidad and Tobago.