Beautiful day: It's a song about the negatives and positives we face every day and we thank God for them because they make us who we are today like Kevin Downswell said stronger!
-snip-
The total views of this video as of September 18, 2024 at 10:39 AM = 22,706,382.
****
Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcases Jamaican Gospel singer Jermaine Edwards' 2014 composition "Beautiful Day".
This post also showcases some of the YouTube videos and a YouTube video short that features Rushawn Ewears who popularized this song via the numerous remix videos of him singing the chorus of "Beautiful Day" as a Jamaican primary school student.
In addition, this pancocojams post includes a YouTube short of teenage Rushawn watching a @trinix video short of him singing "Beautiful Day as a young student. A video of a Jamaican interview of Rushawn is also included in this post along with a 2023 video of "Beautiful Day" that features Rushawn Ewears, Jermaine Edwards, and UK rapper Prinz.
The content of this post is presented for inspirational, religious, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Jermaine Edwards for composing and recording this song in 2014. Thanks to Rushawn, Prinz, and all others who are featured in these videos. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT HOW THIS SONG BECAME POPULARIZED
It's A Beautiful Day refers to a TikTok song sung by a young Jamaican boy named Rushawn Ewears in a school setting with the primary lyrics, "Lord I thank you for sunshine / Thank you for rain / Thank you for joy / Thank you for pain / It's a beautiful day." -snip- Here's a comment from the discussion thread for the video that is embedded at the top of this pancocojams post.:
@Wummybeem, 2023 "The little boy who sang this song made me search for the song. Who would have thought that such a beautiful song has been released for over 8yrs now and it didn't go viral? This song really humbled me and made me more appreciative of everything I have been through. Thank you Jermaine Edwards for blessing the world with such a beautiful song.
Edit:
Thank you all for liking my comment I pray God's blessing and peace find you wherever you are "
****
LYRICS - BEAUTIFUL DAY (THANK YOU FOR SUNSHINE)
Jermaine Edwards, Rushawn, and Trinix*)
Lord, Thank you for sunshine Thank you for rain Thank you for joy Thank you for pain It's a beautiful day-ay-ay-ay-ay It's a beautiful day-ay-ay-ay Ay, Prinz, Lord I want to thank you for this blessing Give thanks to my family Cos they're the reason I ain't been stressing Cos it's a beautiful day ay-ay-ay-ay It's a beautiful day ay-ay-ay Yo! Look! It's a beautiful day And I mean it (I mean it) And when the night time comes I'm give him thanks before I'm sleeping Cos it's a beautiful day ay-ay-ay-ay It's a beautiful day ay-ay-ay Let me paint you a picture Wake up I step out of bed As I'm reading the holy scripture I tell my mum I'll make her proud I'm working hard I'll make her richer And I have no doubt in my mind Like MJ, I follow that man in the mirror Whеn I'm, when I'm in need of protection He's my strеngth He's my pillar He puts food on my families plate So I'm thankful for the roof I have I'm thankful for my lunch and dinner They use to hate on my ting (Hate on my ting) But they wanna call me a winner (Call me a winner) I've seen people change like seasons From autumn to the winter Thank you for sunshine Thank you for rain Thank you for joy Thank you for pain It's a beautiful day-ay-ay-ay-ay It's a beautiful day-ay-ay-ay Lord I want to thank you for this blessing Give thanks to my family Cos they're the reason I ain't been stressing Cos it's a beautiful day ay-ay-ay-ay It's a beautiful day ay-ay-ay-snip-
This is one version of this song's lyrics. This version is published on https://genius.com/Jermaine-edwards-rushawn-and-trinix-beautiful-day-thank-you-for-sunshine-lyrics****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - The Kiffness x Rushawn - It's a Beautiful Day (Original song by Jermaine Edwards) The Kiffness, December 16, 2022 -snip-
The total views of this video as of September 18, 2024 at 8:58 AM EDT = 27,246,420.-snip-
From https://thekiffness.bandcamp.com/track/its-a-beautiful-day "I am an independent live electronic artist from South Africa.
[...]
Thank you for sunshine, thank you for rain 🙏🏼❤️ Really enjoyed making this remix with a touching message. I hope it encourages you as much as it encouraged me. Thank you 2022 for the highs & the lows that came with this year. I'm thankful to be here, making music & spending time with my family. Thankful for all the tough times too & the valuable lessons that came with them.
Original video performed by Rushawn from Jamaica: www.instagram.com/reel/CkvZ_N4vAr6/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Rushawn was 10 years old when this video was taken. He is now 16. (I assume the video is a repost, not the original) -snip- From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kiffness "David Scott (born 11 February 1988), also known by his stage
name the Kiffness,[2] is a South African musician, producer, and parody artist
who is the founder and lead singer of the band the Kiffness.[3][4] Despite the
band's name, Scott is referred to as the Kiffness alone.[5][6]"...
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #3 - TRINIX x Rushawn - It’s a beautiful day (Lyrics by Jermaine Edwards)
TRINIX, December 17, 2022
-snip-
The total # of views for this video as of September 18, 2024 at 10:35 AM EDT= 57,306,011
-snip-
Here's a quote from about Trinix from https://en.trinixmusic.com/bio
"TRINIX is a French duo of producers and musicians from Lyon, formed by Josh Chergui and Loïs Serre in 2012."
**** SHOWCASE VIDEO #4 - When Rushawn discovers our Beautiful Day video
@trinix, 2023
-snip-
No statistics are given for the total views of this video short.
Click https://youtube.com/shorts/W7VYzyb6e-k?si=hRzvcp4EBTviJLA6 to read comments
from the discussion thread of this video short.
Here's one comment from that discussion thread that was posted by Trinix:
@Trinix, 2023
"He was 8 years old when he sang this music, today he’s 17.
Seeing him smile is really touching. It’s for this kind of moment that we do
this job.
Our video has been shared all over the world and has
accumulated over 100 million views. Rushawn’s life has totally changed, he has
just signed with Sony Music alongside Jermaine.
The song is now available everywhere, so we’re counting on
you to spread it all over the world ️"
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #5 - "It’s a gift from God" says Rushawn
Jamaica Gleaner Jan 12, 2023
-snip-
The total # of views for this video as of September 18, 2024 at 19:53 AM EDT=1,271,597
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #6 - Prinz, Rushawn, Jermaine Edwards - Beautiful Day (Thank You for Sunshine)(Official Video)
Prinz, Feb. 2, 2023
-snip-
The total # of views for this video as of September 18, 2024 at 10:47 AM EDT=19,289,634
-snip-
Prinz is a United Kingdom rapper. Jermaine Edwards is a Jamaican Gospel singer
and is the composer of "Beautiful Day", and Rushawn Ewears is a Jamaican student who is featured in a number of viral remixes of Jermaine Edwards' song "Beautiful Day"
-snip-
Click https://www.dancehallmag.com/2023/02/27/news/jermaine-edwards-rushawns-beautiful-day-shines for a Feb.27, 2023 article about this video. Here's a quote from that article:
"Jamaican Gospel artist Jermaine Edwards is honored that the new remix of Beautiful Day, which features his protégé Rushawn Ewears, has debuted at No. 63 on the UK Singles chart dated March 2.
“It’s a great feeling of an accomplishment. It shows that people can remix versions of your song and they still do very well while it’s a part of my ownership,” Edwards told DancehallMag.
The new remix, which features fresh bars from UK rapper Prinz, was released on January 20, 2023. An official music video, released on February 2, begins with Ewears’ original clip back in primary school, before transitioning to a present-day setting in a church hall."...
Now age 16, Rushawn Ewears who sang the song – composed as
Beautiful Day by a Jamaican gospel singer Jermaine Edwards – when he was 10
years old during lunchtime in his class at the Top Hill Primary School in St
Elizabeth, recalled his former principal, Cavene Bisasor-Headlam.
She describes his story as one of “rags to riches”, noting
that the youngster had everything going against him.
“Academically, he was not doing well, and he was at the
lowest socio-economic level, but, because he wanted to write and sing his own
songs, he decided he had to learn to read,” the educator recalled.
[…]
Music lovers from as far away as Malaysia, Indonesia,
Africa, parts of Europe, the North, South and Central Americas, and the
Caribbean have contributed to Rushawn’s rendition becoming an overnight hit,
making the youngster an instant sensation.
Many have described him as a blessing, particularly, during
a time when the world needs its spirit lifted.
Rushawn’s class teacher at the time, Rose Binns, said that,
although he would sometimes have no shoes to wear to school or money to
purchase lunch, Rushawn and his brother would still find their way there, just
so Rushawn could sing to his classmates.
“When he started singing, the students would gravitate
towards him, and that motivated him. He was bent on being the star performer in
front of his personal audience,” she told The Gleaner, adding that the young
man, who is now a student at B.B. Coke High School, could be heard across the
classes.
“His classmates would use the desks as drums,” she added.
That stardom that Rushawn yearned for crept upon him
suddenly, and it is not clear if he has received any royalties for the use of
his voice in several remixes posted online.
The success of the song has been partly driven by South African singer David ‘The Kiffness’ Scott, who spoke with The Gleaner from his home.
He admits that he has never met Rushawn in person, adding it was likely they would meet in the future."...
-snip- This 2023 Jamaican newspaper article points out concerns about Rushawn not receiving any monies from these viral videos of him singing the chorus of "Beautiful Day" and noted that there have been fake GoFundMe donations drives for him.
Read the comment about Rushawn from the discussion thread for the Trinix video that is given after Showcase Video #4 in this pancocojams post regarding royalties and support for Rushawn from the French musician duo Trinix. In addition, at least one comment that I read indicated that the Kiffness has shared royalties with Rushawn from his video of Rushawn singing "Beautiful Day".
This is Part I of a three part pancocojams post about Black church choir "march arounds" during the church service.
Part I of this post showcases five videos of Jamaican church choirs marching around their sanctuary during church service. Selected comments from some of the discussion threads are also included in this post.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/03/video-of-black-canadian-church-choir.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. Part II provides some information about Jamaicans in Canada and showcases a video of a Black Canadian church choir marching around the sanctuary during a church service for that church's collection. Selected comments from that video's discussion thread are also included in this post. A number of those comments note that this "march around" style is from Jamaica.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/03/two-videos-of-new-jersey-church-choir.html for Part III of this series. Part III showcases two videos of what I refer to as "march arounds" by the choir of First United Tabernacle International Ministries' (Orange, New Jersey). Selected comments from the discussion threads of these two videos are also included in this post. A commenter in one of those discussion threads identified the pastor of that church as being Jamaican.
That post presents information about Jamaicans in the United States and includes a description of a church choir "march around" that I observed in Pleasantville, New Jersey (near Atlantic City) on March 10, 2019.
The content of this post is presented for cultural and religious purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/03/black-church-marches-processions-by.html for Part I of a pancocojams series that presents information about possible cultural influences on Black (African American) church usher, nurses, or choir processions. The links to the other posts in that series are found in that post.
****
DEFINITION OF CHURCH CHOIRS "MARCH AROUNDS"
"march arounds" - when the church choir leave the choir stand during the worship service and circles the sanctuary by moving up and down the aisles in single or double lines
The church choir may do a march around, in part, as a way of giving their collection. (Based on some YouTube videos) it appears that some church choirs in Jamaica do march arounds apart from collections to demonstrate their praise toward God and, in so doing, increase the presence of the Holy Spirit in that worship service.
****
DEFINITION OF CHURCH CHOIRS "MARCH INS"
"Church march arounds" differs from "church march ins".
"March ins" - when a church choir or other church group/ministry (such as ushers or nurses) march into the church sanctuary-usually from the center aisle- to mark the beginning of the worship service or special program such as that group/s anniversary or a convention.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
In contrast to a number of videos of African American church choirs marching in to the sanctuary to begin the church service, I haven't found any YouTube videos of Jamaican church choirs doing "march ins". If you know of any links to those videos and/or if you know of this custom in Jamaica, please share that information in the comment section below. Thanks!
I also haven't found any online articles about Black church processions (marches), including Jamaican church processions, except those pancocojams blog posts that I've published. If you know of any other links to information or comments on this subject, please share them below. Also, please share your experiences with Black church processions (marches), including when and where you observed or participated in those marches. Thanks!
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Video #1. Bethel Born Again Apostolic Church (Hold on Out)
BROTHERTENNYSON, Published on Oct 22, 2010
Bethel Born Again Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic, 3 - 5 Oaklawn Road ,Jamaica The offering is collecting and the Bethel Born Again Mass Choir is singing "Hold on Out"
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/06/caribbean-church-choir-procession.html for a 2012 pancocojams post that showcased this video. The lyrics to this song are included in that post.
-snip-
Here are some comments from the discussion thread for this video, with numbers added for referencing purposes only:
House of Hung Realness, 2012
"The people who go through the most really know how to praise God. Old folks used to say "I wouldn't have religion that I couldn't feel" That's how you know God is real."
**
2. green3263, 2013
"this is an apostolic church"
**
3. XR3iescort, 2013
"this is great, never seen worship like this before..love it!"
**
4. Janice rose, 2013
"When i want to wake up the holy ghost in me i watch this clip, cant say thanks enough."
**
5. Eleisha Tamiya, 2014
"Holy ghost fire!"
****
Video #2: The Best is Yet to Come
Bethelapost Church, Published on Jul 12, 2013
The Voices of the Overcomers (Bethel Born Again, Oakland Road); Bethel Apostolic (Southfield, St. Elizabeth); Emmanuel Apostolic (Lancaster, St. Elizabeth) and Refuge Temple (Myersville, St. Elizabeth) Choirs ministering during the International Conference 2013 of Refuge Temple Ministeries on Tuesday, July 9, 2013
-snip-
The "march around" begins around 5:43 to the end of this video.
****
Video #3: He roll the sea away- Bethel Born Again Apostolic
Recardo Campbell, Published on Apr 26, 2015
THE ANNOINTED OFFERTORY SONG AT BISHOP CHOYCE CODNER'S FUNERAL
-snip-
Here are some comments from the discussion thread for this video, with numbers added for referencing purposes only:
1. Alethea Wright, 2015
"Keeno camp could you please put up the words to I rather be a old time Christian solider. Thanks I love the song but I can't catch the words"
**
2. Recardo Campbell, 2015
"When Israel out of bondage came,
A sea before them lay;
My Lord reached down His mighty hand,
And rolled the sea away.
Refrain
Then forward still—’tis Jehovah’s will,
Though the billows dash and spray.
With a conq’ring tread we will push ahead;
He’ll roll the sea away.
Before me was a sea of sin,
So great I feared to pray;
My heart’s desire the Savior read,
And rolled the sea away.
Refrain
When sorrows dark, like stormy waves,
Were dashing o’er my way,
Again the Lord in mercy came,
And rolled the sea away.
Refrain
And when I reach the sea of death,
For needed grace I’ll pray;
I know the Lord will quickly come,
And roll the sea away"
**
3. Mysteike, 2015
"God continually bless you Bethel. I love and miss you. Thank you Lord for Bethel. I need to go home for a refreshing."
**
REPLY
4. Jennifer Jones,2019
"I agree with you"
**
5. Don Hendricks, 2018
"Absolutely love this worship, really miss this."
**
6. Jacqueline Fyffe, 2018
"When we speak of bethel we have to speak high as mount bethel which is a high high place thank you lord when muzic hit you you feel no pain."
****
Video #4: Christian Warrior/Jubilee Medley
Jamaica Free Baptist Church Four Paths, Published on Jul 20, 2016
Youth Night - Convention 2016
-snip-
The march around begins at .55 in this video
-snip-
Here are two comments from the discussion thread for this video, with numbers added for referencing purposes only:
1. SANDY BEACH, 2018
"When I watch Jamaican church services like this I always wonder if they just enjoy the rhythm and dancing or if their minds are totally on the Lord of heaven and singing for his glory and enjoyment."
**
REPLY
2. Miya Henry, 2019
"Trust me they are singing to God because the holy ghost will start move"
****
Video #5: Jesus the Sweet Nazarene - Part 1
Jamaica Free Baptist Church Four Paths, Published on Jul 20, 2016
Convention 2016
-snip-
The walk around begins at around 3:13 in this video.
-snip-
Here's a comment from this video's discussion thread:
Roy and Jacqueline, 2019
"Dance and sing and jump for JESUS ♥️💕💝❣️❤️💟💗 glory to GOD 😭😭😭AAAAAAAAAAAMEN 💞😃🕊️✝️"
-snip-
Here’s a link to Part III of this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQZANWyX7Zshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQZANWyX7Zs I can’t find Part II.
****
This concludes Part I of this three part pancocojams series.
This is Part II of a three part pancocojams post about Black church choir "march arounds" during the church service.
Part II provides some information about Jamaicans in Canada and showcases a video of a Black Canadian church choir marching around the sanctuary during a church service for that church's collection. Selected comments from that video's discussion thread are also included in this post. A number of those comments note that this "march around" style is from Jamaica.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/03/two-videos-of-new-jersey-church-choir.html for Part III of this series. Part III showcases two videos of what I refer to as "march arounds" by the choir of First United Tabernacle International Ministries' (Orange, New Jersey). Selected comments from the discussion threads of these two videos are also included in this post. A commenter in one of those discussion threads identified the pastor of that church as being Jamaican.
That post presents information about Jamaicans in the United States and includes a description of a church choir "march around" that I observed in Pleasantville, New Jersey (near Atlantic City) on March 10, 2019.
The content of this post is presented for cultural and religious purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
-snip-
The original version of this post included information about Jamaicans in the United States and my description of a church choir march around that I observed in New Jersey on March 10, 2019. Instead of including that content in this post, I'll publish it in a separate post along with a video of a march around by a New Jersey church choir.
****
DEFINITION OF CHURCH CHOIRS "MARCH AROUNDS"
"march arounds" - when the church choir leave the choir stand during the worship service and circles the sanctuary by moving up and down the aisles in single or double lines
The church choir may do a march around, in part, as a way of giving their collection/offering. (Based on some YouTube videos) it also appears that some church choirs in Jamaica and elsewhere do march arounds as part of a praise break i.e. to demonstrate their praise toward God and, in so doing, increase the presence of the Holy Spirit in that worship service.
****
DEFINITION OF CHURCH CHOIRS "MARCH INS"
"Church march arounds" differs from "church march ins".
"March ins" - when a church choir or other church group/ministry (such as ushers or nurses) march into the church sanctuary-usually from the center aisle- to mark the beginning of the worship service or special program such as that group/s anniversary or a convention.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
In contrast to a number of videos of African American church choirs marching in to the sanctuary to begin the church service, I haven't found any YouTube videos of Jamaican church choirs doing "march ins". If you know of any links to those videos and/or if you know of this custom in Jamaica, please share that information in the comment section below. Thanks!
I also haven't found any online articles about Black church processions (marches), including Jamaican church processions, except those pancocojams blog posts that I've published. If you know of any other links to information or comments on this subject, please share them below. Also, please share your experiences with Black church processions (marches), including when and where you observed or participated in those marches. Thanks!
****
INFORMATION ABOUT JAMAICANS IN CANADA
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaican_Canadians
"Jamaican Canadians are Canadian citizens of Jamaican descent or Jamaican-born permanent residents of Canada. The population, according to Canada's 2016 Census, is 309,485.[1] Jamaican Canadians comprise about 30% of the entire Black Canadian population.[2][3]
History
Most Jamaicans who arrive in Canada settle in the census metropolitan areas of Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and Hamilton. The total number of Jamaicans in Canada has increased dramatically since the 1960s,[4] and the reasons for coming are also different. Currently, Jamaicans can be found in every major Canadian city and occupy a multitude of occupations!
Origins
The first Jamaicans who moved to Canada were West Indian slaves imported into New France and Nova Scotia individually and in small numbers. In 1796, the Maroons of Jamaica entered Halifax and were the first large group to enter British North America (The Canadian Encyclopedia, 2000). The name Maroons was used to describe slaves who ran away from their owners and created free communities away from the European settlements in Jamaica. A war between the Maroons and the British broke out on the island of Jamaica in 1795. The war ended when the British, realizing that they could not win, tricked the Maroons into laying down their arms and then carried them into exile in Nova Scotia (James & Walker, 1984).
Governor John Wentworth settled the Maroons who numbered over 500 on the outskirts of Halifax and offered the men jobs to fortify the Citadel. Standing proud and still holding on to the memory of being betrayed by the British, the Maroons mounted a strong resistance and refused to be compliant Nova Scotian settlers. After numerous appeals to London, the Maroons were allowed to return to Sierra Leone in West Africa in 1800. The "Maroon Bastion" stands on Citadel Hill as an example of their legacy and the sense of pride they contributed (James & Walker, 1984).
Between 1800 and 1920, small numbers of West Indians were brought from Jamaica as labourers for the Cape Breton mines and from Barbados to work in coal mines in Sydney and Nova Scotia. Migration from the West Indies almost virtually stopped after 1920. As a result, the West Indian population in 1941 was smaller than it was 20 years earlier. Even though pressure for migration in the West Indies mounted, the Canadian government refused to allow any more non-whites into the country (James & Walker, 1984) (James & Walker, 1984)...
Agnes Macdonald, the second wife of the first Prime Minister of Canada, John A. Macdonald, was born in Jamaica. Her brother, Hewitt Bernard, was the recording secretary at the Charlottetown Conference in 1864. After Confederation, Bernard served as the private secretary to the Prime Minister between 1867 and 1873.
Michael Manley, the future Prime Minister of Jamaica, served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II.
After World War II, a great demand for unskilled workers resulted in the National Act of 1948. This Act was designed to attract cheap labourers from British colonies. This resulted in many West Indians, (including Jamaicans) coming to Canada. The Jamaicans who entered Canada after World War II did so because they still believed it was an opportunity to escape poverty and seek a new start in a world where personal advancement and success seemed to be encouraged. Wanting to stop the in-flow of black West Indians, the Walter Act of 1952 was passed to impose a "severely restricted quota" on black West Indians entering the country (James & Walker, 1984).
In 1955, Canada introduced the West Domestic Scheme (Anderson, 1993). This Scheme allowed eligible black women who were between the age of 18 to 35, in good health, no family ties and a minimum of a grade eight education from mainly Jamaica and Barbados to enter Canada (James & Walker, 1984). After one year as a domestic servant, these women were given a landed immigrant status and were able to apply for citizenship after five years. Even though the Scheme originally allowed only 100 women per year, 2,690 women entered Canada from Jamaica and Barbados by 1965. In 1962, racial discrimination was taken out of the Canadian Immigration Act and the number of Jamaicans who moved to Canada dramatically increased (Lazar & Dauglas, 1992).
After the 1960s
Because changes in the Immigration Act allowed non-whites to enter Canada without restrictions, many Jamaicans took advantage of the opportunity and entered Canada with the hopes of achieving their goals for a better life. After the purging of many racist immigration policies, a large number of Jamaicans started to enter Canada as tourists and many would later apply independently for landed immigrant status (Anderson, 1993). In the late 1960s, the Canadian government instituted the Family Reunification clause into its immigration policy, which made it even easier for Jamaicans and other groups to bring their loved ones to join them in Canada (Anderson, 1993). Thus, during the 1970s and '80s, many Jamaicans who entered Canada were children and husbands of the Jamaican women who moved to Canada between 1955 and 1965. According to Anderson (1993), Caribbean immigrants to Canada were more likely to settle in large cities and their provinces of choice were Ontario and Quebec. The largest concentration of Jamaican immigrants can be found in the following areas of Greater Toronto: Scarborough, Old Toronto, North York, York, Ajax, Pickering, Mississauga, and Brampton. Other cities include Montreal, Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Kitchener, Waterloo, Windsor, and Halifax (The Canadian Encyclopedia, 2000).
In 1989, 86.7% of Jamaican immigrants settled in Ontario, 7.4% settled in Quebec, 2.6% settled in Alberta, 1.7% settled in Manitoba, 1.1% settled in British Columbia and 0.6% settled in the rest of Canada. Jamaicans made up 27.5% of the total number of West Indian immigrants for that year (Anderson, 1993). Because of language concerns, most of the West Indian immigrants settle in Ontario as opposed to Quebec.
Demography
Sources:[5][2][6][7][1]
Jamaica by far has been the major source of West Indian immigration to Canada since West Indians were allowed in Canada. Between 1974 and 1989, 35.7% of all West Indian immigration to Canada came from Jamaica. Nevertheless, there was a decline during the early '80s, a recovery during 1986 and a decline again by 1989 (Anderson, 1993). According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, Jamaicans made up 40% of West Indian immigration in the early 1990s.
In a 1996 overview from Immigration Canada, Jamaica was ranked eighth in terms of the number of its citizens immigrating to Canada. Jamaica is preceded by countries such as China, Pakistan, and the Philippines in the number of its citizens that migrate to Canada. The number of Jamaicans immigrating to Canada declined in 1997 and again in 1998. Jamaican immigration to Canada is at an all-time low; it was ranked number 10 by Immigration Canada in 2000.
In 2006, 79,850 Jamaicans lived in the City of Toronto, and 30,705 lived in the Toronto suburb of Brampton.[8][9]
[...]
Population
According to the 2006 Census, 231,110 Canadians identified themselves as Jamaican Canadian.[2] The actual number of Jamaican Canadians should be larger, given that many people identified themselves as "Black" "West Indian", or "Caribbean".[2] In the 2011 Census, 256,915 Jamaican Canadians were counted, comprising an 11.2% increase since the previous census.[5] A total population of 309,485 was tallied in the 2016 Census, an increase of 20.5%.[1]"...
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO OF A BLACK CANADIAN CHOIR MARCH AROUND
Offering time @ Abiezer (View the choir in action)
1baw2009, Published on Apr 13, 2009
Abiezer Pentecostal Church: 96 Milvan Drive Toronto, Canada--It's offering time @ Abiezer (This is how we do it every Sunday.)
-snip-
Although there are other YouTube videos of Abiezer Pentecostal Church choir online, this is the only video of that choir marching. This also is the only YouTube video that I've found of Black Canadian choirs marching. I've also not found any YouTube videos of African American church choirs, ushers, or nurses marching around (i.e. engaged in a church processional other than marching in to the sanctuary to begin a church service, church/group anniversary service.
I don't know if Abiezer Pentecostal Church had or has a significant number of Jamaicans in their congregation. Based on the videos that I've watched of some Jamaican church march arounds (some of which are showcased in Part II of this pancocojams series), and based on some of the comments featured below, it seems likely that this choir march around custom at Abiezer was influenced by some of the congregation being of Jamaican descent.
Note that it wasn't just choir members who were marching in this video. At the end of this video, some women in white who are likely church ushers or church nurses march in single file behind the choir.
Description of this march: The Canadian marchers have a set, resolved look on their face that conveys strength and determination. The facial expressions of the Jamaican marchers (in videos showcased in Part II of this series) are more diverse as some of those marchers appear to be experiencing the exultation of feeling the Holy Spirit.
The Black Canadian choir perform a forceful, aggressive style of marching in place and moving forward. This body stance reminds me of jogging or performing a chugging style of dance. As noted by several commenters in this video's discussion thread, this is the same or very similar to the marching style of Jamaican choirs as shown in various YouTube videos. In contrast, during choir march ins that I've observed in New Jersey (since the 1950s), in contrast to the collection march that I observed in New Jersey in March 2019 (described below in Addendum #2), and in contrast to the YouTube videos of African American church choir march ins, African American church march ins during Sunday church services have a less forceful style of marching. During those marches, the body is held erect, and the head is held up.
The Jamaican influence of Toronto, Canada's Abiezer Pentecostal Church choir is also evidenced by the fact that they are marching to two Jamaican Gospel songs.
-snip-
Click the link provided above for information about possible influences on how and comments about why Black church marches were done and are still done in some African American churches.
-snip-
Here are some comments from the discussion thread for this video, with numbers added for referencing purposes only:
1. FaithfulKweenBhee🐝, 2009
"Love it....and the two girls in the front of the choir line...Lord yall better march!"
**
2. IsaiahRaymondDyer09, 2009
"OH YES MARCH & RIDE ZION! MARCH & RIDE! I LOVE this!!! GLORYYYYYYYYYYY!!"
**
3. 1baw2009, 2009
"I don't know if there is a defined theory behind this (marching at offering time). I need to think about it.
-snip-
This comment was probably written in response to a question about the reason for marching at offering time, although I can't find that question in that discussion thread
**
4. TO ON, 2009
"the spirit of God reigns. a church that engages its people is a church that truly challenges every fiber of ones belief. praises is one such example. kudos to the choir."
**
5. 1baw2009, 2009
"Chorus: 1
Dont you hear the bells are ringing?
Dont you hear the angels singing?
Its the glory, hallelujah, jubilee.
In the land of sweet forever, just beyond the shining river, they will ring the golden bells for you and me.
Chorus: 2
Im riding with Jesus, on the Alleluia Train
Im singing, Im shouting on the Alleluia Train
And when I reach the station, Heaven is my destination
Im riding with Jesus, on the Alleluia Train"
-snip-
These are the lyrics for the medley of two songs that the choir sung and marched to: "Ring Them Golden Bells" and "Riding With Jesus" (also known as "On The Hallelujah Train")
**
6. jchotboy, 2010
"The two girls in the front of the choir takes the cake for me such great worshippers.. Continue to bless the lord in your worship"
**
7. antonette holder, 2010
"Y'all got me dancing at work! This is my type of worship!"
**
8. eldergunter80, 2010
"I LOVE THIS!!!! KEEP ON PRAISING HIM ABIEZER"
**
9. limitedtasks, 2010
"This is off the chain " OFFERING TIME " usually you see people running the other way ( out the door ) We can't touch this, go ahead and STOMP ALL OVER THE DEVILS HEAD!!!!!!Buffalo, New York"
**
10. lovejones238, 2010
"I must say I was like why am I watching this over & over then finally realized, I began to feel this just like the saints on the video were, as we say where I'm from, "they began to feel it" and so did I ..great post...I love the energy."
**
11. musu480, 2010
"BLESSING A RUN DE CHOIR DUNG!!!!"
-snip-
I think a standard English translation for this Jamaican patois is "Blessings run down on this choir".
**
12. Marshalee Ricketts, 2010
"bLESS THE LORD AM RIDING WIT JESUS AN THE HALALUJAH TRAIN,THANK YOU JESUS HEAVEN WILL BE MY DESTINATION. THIS WHAT REALLY WORSHIP IS"
**
14. NYCsistahofvirtue, 2011
"march march march saints unward christian soldiers!"
**
15. John Blackwood, 2011
"This church must be Jamaican background!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish I could hear the bass player a little bit more thou! If I go to Canada.. I must find this church , where ever y'all are. GOD BLESS THIS CHURCH! AND THE CHOIR!!!!!!!"
**
16. Sherice Tomlin, 2011
"This is my Favorite...Imma do this at my church this year. You guys are the bomb. "
**
17. Trey Cox, 2011
"I remember coming to Abiezer as a child and seeing the choir do this same march around! Simply Awesome, glory to God, and i love the songs, the choir rock is classic! Go Ahead!!!"
**
18. Alma Tyler, 2011
"On the hallelujah train. Lovin' them sisters hats. God Bless this church. i am going to have to visit soon."
**
19. Tonya Anderson, 2011
"This is what church is all about... giving GOD your all!!! I was truly blessed by this video."
**
20. Tiffi, 2012
"I feel the Jamaican in this church"
**
REPLY
21. MJQ7688, 2013
"I was just thinking that about this church being Jamaican! They got DOWN!"
**
22. Mo W, 2012
"Its obvious that this church is jamaican .. The TRAIN!!!!!!!! HALELLUJAH TRAIN iM RUNNING JESUS ON THE HALELLUJAH TRAIN !!!!!"
**
23. desmarie spence, 2012
"This is how we do it in Holiness Born Again in Jamaica."
**
24. lilmadea07, 2012
"This is what you call praise. What is the name of this song?"
**
25. desmarie spence, 2012
"1.When they ring the golden bells- The Pentecostal Hymnal #141 2. Riding with Jesus"
**
26. Sashagaye mannings, 2013
"i have never seen such a march i loooooooveeeeeee it"
-snip-
As an aside, I just noticed that this commenter has part of my maiden name (Manning)!
**
27. Margaret Mcpherson, 2015
"these saints just know how to trample on them serpents and demons, the action is so important keep on fighting and trampling them forces
**
28. ddoddy76, 2015
"ok no offense .....but what was the point?"
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REPLY
29. Miya Henry, 2016
"They make it seems they are marching into heaven... must pentecostal church do this to have a mind set of how they will be like in heaven. I don't know if I'm right but it's my idea"
**
REPLY
30. Maubaki Wilson, 2016
"Hey Ms.Henry you are 100% correct..the act of them physically marching signifies unity and strength in Jesus' name. The way they marched with such precision and power was the anointing of God on them. People don't always have to run around and speak in tongues lol..you can concentrate that power into something else"
**
31. Kemo Clarke, 2016
"i love it soilder of jesus christ halleluia"
**
32. KRISSY MCINTOSH, 2016
"This church reminds me of my church, keep praising God. Im talking about Bethel Born Again Apostolic on Oakland Road in Jamaica, thats how we worship on a Sunday morning. Love u Pastor Yvonne Codner and Bishop Barracks"
**
33. Vito Motola, 2017
"giving a offering is a type of worship to Jesus."
**
34. Lisa Jackson, 2018
"What happened to church..."
**
REPLY
35. Jessica Woods, 2018
"Lisa Jackson Nothing... Listen to the music it's Jamaican. African churches also worship in a similar manner. I think Black Americans would do close to the same if we didn't integrated."
**
36. ItsKayTho, 2018
"I remember a church I attended, the whole choir would come down circle the church, turn around and go back up the offering aisle. & they took their time too! I love this choir’s energy"
**
37. Neecy Watson, 2018
"A Holy Ghost work out!!!!!!!!❤️"
****
This concludes Part II of this three part pancocojams series.
This post showcases a sound file of the song "Holy Ghost Power" as sung by the Grace Thrillers, a renown Jamaican Gospel group. Information about the Grace Thrillers and the lyrics to this song are also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the Grace Thrillers for their musical legacy. Thanks also to the transcriber of this song, to all those who are quoted in this post, and thanks to the publisher of this sound file on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE GRACE THRILLERS
From http://www.dancehallreggaeworld.com/the-grace-thrillers.html The Grace Thrillers Gospel Group
"The Grace Thrillers is now a musical institution. The group was founded in 1971 by Mr Noel Willis.
Although the members of the has change over the years, it still remains one of the most international recognize gospel group originating out of Jamaica.Its current membership, including CEO and founder Noel Willis, consists of: Noel Willis, Jr.Alrick O' Connor, Mary Lewis, Shalli Burchell, Natalie Foster, Cadian Brown, Althea Hemmings and Larry Snow (overseas member).The Thrillers has performed in countries such as The united states, United Kingdom, Canada and The Caribbean."...
THE Grace Thrillers are arguably the most influential act in reggae gospel. In the 1980s, their songs such as Living Waters (Jesus Jesus) and Can't Even Walk won them a large secular following.
According to Leroy Smith, who joined the group in 1978, the 'Thrillers' always yearned for a following outside gospel circles. But he recalls opposition from traditionalists when they made the breakthrough.
"Some of the churches gave us a lot of flack to the point that they refused to embrace us," said Smith, whose distinct tone can be heard on Can't Even Walk, Amen and He Brought Me Out.
While they were shunned by some members of their own faith, Grace Thrillers received enthusiastic response from reggae and dancehall fans. Their songs were hits in dances and made the play-list of the hottest radio disc jockeys....
The Grace Thrillers — who will be honoured by the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association on Saturday — have gone through several changes in the last 10 years.
Smith, original member Sandra Brooks, Dian Barnett Stewart, Shirley Willis and Patricia Archer are now members of Thrillers United."
****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLE: grace thrillers - holy ghost power
DanielJBlyden Uploaded on Apr 16, 2011
****
LYRICS: HOLY GHOST POWER
(as sung by the Grace Thrillers)
The Holy Ghost power movin' just like a magnet
The Holy Ghost power movin' just like a magnet
Movin' here, movin' there, just like the day of Pentecost
The Holy Ghost power movin' just like a magnet
The Holy Ghost power movin' just like a magnet
The Holy Ghost power movin' just like a magnet
Movin' here, movin' there, just like the day of Pentecost
The Holy Ghost power movin' just like a magnet
The Holy Ghost power movin' just like a magnet
The Holy Ghost power movin' just like a magnet
Movin' here, movin' there, just like the day of Pentecost
The Holy Ghost power movin' just like a magnet
Welcome, welcome, welcome
Blessed Holy Ghost, we welcome you
Come with power and fill our temple
Holy Ghost, we welcome you
Welcome, welcome, welcome
Blessed Holy Ghost, we welcome you
Come with power and fill our temple
Holy Ghost, we welcome you
Welcome, welcome, welcome
Blessed Holy Ghost, we welcome you
Come with power and fill our temple
Holy Ghost, we welcome you
Fire, fire, fire
When my soul caught fire
When my soul caught fire
When my soul caught fire
It burnt out carnal nature
Hallelujah what a Saviour
hen my soul, my soul, my soul caught fire
Fire, fire, fire
When my soul caught fire
When my soul caught fire
When my soul caught fire
It burnt out carnal nature
Hallelujah what a Saviour
When my soul, my soul, my soul caught fire
Fire, fire, fire
When my soul caught fire
When my soul caught fire
When my soul caught fire
It burnt out carnal nature
Hallelujah what a Saviour
When my soul, my soul, my soul caught fire
Fire, fire, fire, fire will fall me
Fire, fire, fire, fire will fall me
Just like the day of Pentecost
Fire will fall me
Just like the day of Pentecost
Fire will fall me
Fire, fire, fire, fire will fall me
Fire, fire, fire, fire will fall me
Just like the day of Pentecost
Fire will fall me
Just like the day of Pentecost
Fire will fall me
Fire, fire, fire ,fire will fall me
Fire, fire, fire, fire will fall me
Just like the day of Pentecost
Fire will fall me
Just like the day of Pentecost
Fire will fall me
It's coming down, down, down
It's coming down
When the glory of the Lord is coming down
When the saints begin to pray
And the Lord shall have His way
When the glory of the Lord is coming down
It's coming down, down, down
It's coming down
When the glory of the Lord is coming down
When the saints begin to pray
And the Lord shall have His way
When the glory of the Lord is coming down
It's coming down, down, down
It's coming down
When the glory of the Lord is coming down
When the saints begin to pray
And the Lord shall have His way
When the glory of the Lord is coming down
Blessed Holy Ghost come down, fall on Zion
Blessed Holy Ghost come down, fall on Zion
If you call at midnight, Jesus hears and He answers
If you call at midnight the Holy Ghost sets your soul on fire
The inspiration from the preacher, sent the sinner to the alter
Sets you soul on fire
Blessed Holy Ghost come down, fall on Zion
Blessed Holy Ghost come down, fall on Zion
Blessed Holy Ghost come down, fall on Zion
If you call at midnight, Jesus hears and He answers
If you call at midnight the Holy Ghost sets your soul on fire
The inspiration from the preacher, sent the sinner to the alter
Sets you soul on fire
Blessed Holy Ghost come down, fall on Zion
Blessed Holy Ghost come down, fall on Zion
Blessed Holy Ghost come down, fall on Zion
If you call at midnight, Jesus hears and He answers
If you call at midnight the Holy Ghost sets your soul on fire
The inspiration from the preacher, sent the sinner to the alter
Sets you soul on fire
Blessed Holy Ghost come down, fall on Zion
Oh, let the power fall on me, my Lord
Let the power fall on me
Oh, let the power from heaven, fall on me
Let the power fall on me
Oh, let the power fall on me, my Lord
Let the power fall on me
Oh, let the power from heaven, fall on me
Let the power fall on me
Oh, let the power fall on me, my Lord
Let the power fall on me
Oh, let the power from heaven, fall on me
Let the power fall on me
Let the power fall on me
Let the power fall on me
(Power, power, power, power, power..) Power, fall on me
I feel like the fire shut up in my bones (fire, fire)
I feel like the fire shut up in my bones (fire, fire)
Singing Glory, Hallelujah, oh yes
I feel like the fire shut up in my bones
I feel like the fire shut up in my bones (fire, fire)
I feel like the fire shut up in my bones (fire, fire)
Singing Glory, Hallelujah, oh yes
I feel like the fire shut up in my bones
I feel like the fire shut up in my bones (fire, fire)
I feel like the fire shut up in my bones (fire, fire)
Singing Glory, Hallelujah, oh yes
I feel like the fire shut up in my bones
Send some more Elijah to pray the power down (Amen)
Send some fire, also send the rain
To heal the sick and raise the dead and glorify His name
I would like to hear Elijah pray again
Send some more Elijah to pray the power down (Amen)
Send some fire, also send the rain
To heal the sick and raise the dead and glorify His name
I would like to hear Elijah pray again
Send some more Elijah to pray the power down (Amen)
Send some fire, also send the rain
To heal the sick and raise the dead and glorify His name
I would like to hear Elijah pray again
The Holy Ghost power is movin' just like a magnet (movin', movin')
The Holy Ghost power is movin' just like a magnet (movin', movin', movin')
Movin' here, movin' there, just like the day of Pentecost
The Holy Ghost power is movin' just like a magnet (movin', movin', movin')
The Holy Ghost power is movin' just like a magnet (movin', movin')
The Holy Ghost power is movin' just like a magnet (movin', movin')
Movin' here, movin' there, just like the day of Pentecost
The Holy Ghost power is movin' just like a magnet (movin', movin', movin')
The Holy Ghost power is movin' just like a magnet (movin', movin', movin')
The Holy Ghost power is movin' just like a magnet (movin', movin', movin')
The Holy Ghost power is movin' just like a magnet (movin', movin', movin')
The Holy Ghost power is movin' just like a magnet (movin', movin', movin')
The Holy Ghost power is movin' just like a magnet..
This post showcases a video of and lyrics for a medley of Jamaican Gospel songs that are performed by African American Gospel singer Donnie McClurkin and his choir.
The content of this post is presented for religious and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the composers of these religious songs and thanks to Donnie McClurkin and his choir for performing them. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
****
LYRICS: JAMAICAN GOSPEL MEDLEY
(as performed by Donnie McClurkin and choir)
I've got my mind made up and I won't turn back
Because I want to see my Jesus someday
I've got my mind made up and I won't turn back
Because I want to see my Jesus someday
I've got my mind made up and I won't turn back
Because I want to see my Jesus someday
I've got my mind made up and I won't turn back
Because I want to see my Jesus someday
Goodbye world, I stay no longer with you
Goodbye pleasures of sin, I stay no longer with you
I've made up my mind to go God's way the rest of my life
I've made up my mind to go God's way the rest of my life
Goodbye world, I stay no longer with you
Goodbye pleasures of sin, I stay no longer with you
I've made up my mind to go God's way the rest of my life
I've made up my mind to go God's way the rest of my life
Born, born, born again thank God, I'm born again
Born, born, born again thank God, I'm born again
Born, born, born again thank God, I'm born again
Born, born, born again thank God, I'm born again
Born of the water, spirit and the blood thank God, I'm born again
Born of the water, spirit and the blood thank God, I'm born again
Born of the water, spirit and the blood thank God, I'm born again
Born of the water, spirit and the blood thank God, I'm born again
I've got my mind made up and I won't turn back
Because I want to see my Jesus someday
I've got my mind made up and I won't turn back
Because I want to see my Jesus someday
I am under the rock, the rock that's higher than I
Jehovah hides me, I am under the rock
Go tell my enemies, I am under the rock
Jehovah hide me, I am under the rock
Jesus name so sweet, Emanuel name so sweet
Jesus name so sweet, Emanuel name so sweet
Jesus name so sweet, Emanuel name so sweet
Jesus name so sweet, Emanuel name so sweet
Every rock, me rock upon Jesus Jesus' name so sweet
Every rock, me rock upon Jesus Jesus' name so sweet
Every rock, me rock upon Jesus Jesus' name so sweet
Every rock, me rock upon Jesus Jesus' name so sweet
I've got my mind made up and I won't turn back
Because I want to see my Jesus someday
I've got my mind made up and I won't turn back
Because I want to see my Jesus someday
Oh, I want to see Him, look upon His face
There, to sing forever of His saving grace
On the streets of glory let me lift my voice
Cares are past, home at last, ever to rejoice
Yes, I want to see Him, wanna look upon His face
There, to sing forever of His saving grace
On the streets of glory let me lift my voice
Cares are past, home at last, ever to rejoice
I've got my mind made up and I won't turn back
Because I want to see my Jesus someday
I've got my mind made up and I won't turn back
Because I want to see my Jesus someday
I've got my mind made up and I won't turn back
Because I want to see my Jesus someday
I've got my mind made up and I won't turn back
Because I want to see my Jesus someday
Fire, fire, fire, fire fall on me
Fire, fire, fire, fire fall on me
On the day of Pentecost, the fire fall on me
On the day of Pentecost, the fire fall on me
Fire, fire, fire, fire fall on me
TheFabriekjes .Herman Fabriek, Published on Jun 4, 2013
Music
"Caribbean Medley" by Donnie McClurkin (AmazonMP3)
-snip-
The word "Guanines" that was given in the video sub-titles is supposed to be Guyanese - people from Guyana, South America.
I pray God's blessing and peace find you wherever you are 
"
