Temporary

Earl “Husla” Brown is amongst the artists who stayed on island. In his song ‘Temporary’ he reflects on the reasons why people left the island, recounting discussions with artist colleagues like Tabu and Kanzie, who have left the island. Tabu’s Song ‘Never Forget You’ offers the complementary view of the difficult decision to leave Montserrat, framing Montserrat as the caring mother who is losing her children.

Temporary

‘I went away / On a holiday
Met Montserrratians who left / After the eruptions
I met Tabu and Kenzie / Roxanne and Tiny Winy,
I beg them come back / Come back to Montserrat
They tell me:

Seaport / temporary,
Heliport / temporary
Airport / temporary
Transport / temporary’
How can I come back to a place like that?
Money / temporary,
Economy / temporary
Festival City / temporary
You and me / temporary

Since I come back / I accept the fact
That is plain to see we / Lack stability
We begging from day to day / Frustrated can’t see me way
My people come back / Come back to Montserrat
They tell me:

Action / Temporary,
Construction / Temporary,
Education / Temporary,
Relocation / Temporary
How can I come back to a place like that?

Woodlands / Temporary,
St. Johns / Temporary,
Chinlands / Temporary,
Virgin islands / Temporary

The more I sing / This temporary thing
It comes an excuse / Many choose to use
No matter where you live today / You living from day to day
Get out and come back / Come back to Montserrat

In Antigua / Temporary,
Dominica / Temporary,
St. Lucia / Temporary,
Anguilla / Temporary,
Montserrat is home / Home for your own

In Leicester / Temporary,
Manchester / Temporary,
Colchester / Temporary,
Colchester / Temporary

– Song 'Temporary' by Earl "Hustla" Brown

Never Forget You

‘I’ve seen the tears of my mother / Suffering from neglect,
After all she’s done for her children / How could they turn their backs and forget,
They don’t recall the love that she gave them / In the most nurtured time of need,
The moral standards which she’s invested / That has enabled them to succeed.

And now times are hard they’ve all gone abroad / Not a letter of how you do

Montserrat I will never forget you
Not even if I’m down and out
Montserrat I will never forget you
I will always remain so proud
Montserrat I will never forget you
Even I am one in ten thousand
Montserrat I will never forget you
Remember you wherever I go’

– Extract from Song 'Never Forget You' by Tabu