Teino Evans, Staff Reporter

Clover Thompson (left), executive director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, hands over the costume worn by singer Roy Rayon during the 1987 Festival Song Competition, which he won with 'Give Thanks and Praise', to Stephney Ferguson, director of the National Library, where the costume is to be kept. It is expected to eventually become a part of the music archives. - File

Give thanks and praises we are twenty-five

Though the road was rocky and the hills were steep

Still we survived.

We put we faith and trust in the Father

He's keeping us alive,

So give thanks and praises we are twenty-five.

Chorus: 'Give Thanks and Praises' by Roy Rayon

IT IS almost 20 years since Roy Rayon delivered Festival Song Contest winner Give Thanks And Praises (1987), a song that celebrates Jamaica's 25 years of independence. However, even today, the song still has much impact and significance.

"It is simple ­ a good song and relevant lyrics. Don't care how we pretend to be violent and vicious, we are a religious people. Yes, it was celebrating our independence, but wi also giving thanks to our Father. It was a song for everybody and a song for all seasons," Rayon said. "It is something I can sing at school, church ... 100 years from now the song is still going to be very relevant."

While the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) records will show that Roy Rayon was the writer and performer of the song, Rayon said it was actually Grub Cooper who wrote it. And as the saying goes, "if you have a good horse and a good jockey then you must win the race".

Still, Rayon said not just anybody can perform such a song, as "dem can spoil it!"

A WINNING SONG

Rayon said everything about Give Thanks And Praises was a winner ­ the costume he wore, his energy on stage, the lyrics, rhythm and the popularity of the song among the people.

"Even the costume, it had the flags and all the National Heroes. We even handed that costume over to the Institute of Jamaica because we just thought that based on the significance and the way people spoke about it, it was the thing to do," Rayon said.

Those who have seen Roy Rayon in action know that when he takes the stage he offers nothing less than a fiery performance.

"Basically, that's Roy Rayon. I will use the same energy that I put into Give Thanks and Praises and put into a ballad or another performance. You either have it naturally or it is learnt ... I was born for the stage. I passed through drama school and learned the use of the stage and I move not just for the sake of moving but generally when I perform, it is the song, the mood, the energy that take me to that level," Rayon explained.

Although there are no specific means of measuring the impact of Give Thanks And Praises on the society then or now, Roy Rayon said one indication is the repeated requests to use the song for various occasions.

"Churches use it and persons for their 25th anniversary and since this year at least five schools have called to use the track ­ and this has been going on from 1987. And I have even heard where people have sung the song and have had experiences similarly to what would happen in Kumina or Poco ... People might even know that song more than the National Anthem," Rayon said.

Currently, Roy Rayon said he is still recording songs and three years ago released an album, Country Boy. Because of the nature of the music business, he has to just try and stay in the loop.

"Before Festival, there was Roy Rayon and after festival there will still be Roy Rayon. It's just a pity that some people only see you as singing those type of songs. I will not give up, because I still use the musical components and go into schools and promote my things. Since inception, I am also one of the preliminary judges for 'Rising Stars' and that is also one of the ways to stay in the loop, because you need to know what is happening and once you're still interested in the business yuh can't let it run leave yuh," Rayon said.

As for the current crop of JCDC finalists, Rayon admitted that he had not been paying detailed attention, but still had advice.

"Even though I got one of the CDs ,I need to pay a little bit more attention as to what is happening. I have not listened to the songs in great detail, but as somebody who got exposure from JCDC, you hope that what they are doing will work and that it creates the same magic that it used to. Because in years gone by, whether you call it popular song, festival song or whatever, it must connect with the people," Rayon said.