A call to Rise

Q: Archbishop J, what is the state of the soul of our nation (IV)?

With the 2025 Carnival, a profound shift has occurred in our nation’s soul, marked by the transformative power of music.

The anthem ‘We Rise’ by Yung Bredda (Akhenathon Lewis) captures this awakening, moving us from despair to hope, from darkness to light. This shift in musical consciousness reflects a profound spiritual movement within our people, calling us to reflect on the state of our collective soul.

Throughout history, music has been a powerful vehicle for expressing the spirit of a people. In this year’s Carnival, we have witnessed a monumental journey from the hedonistic individualism of past decades to a vision of communal resilience and hope. This transition is not just cultural but deeply spiritual, and it is essential to recognise the consequences and significance of this shift.

Our nation’s journey can be seen through two biblical metaphors: the Exodus and the Exile. In Exodus, the people of Israel move from slavery to freedom, mirroring our movement from social and moral decline to awakening.

In Exile, the people return from captivity to rebuild ruined cities—a powerful metaphor for our own efforts at restoration and renewal following decades of moral and social collapse.

In 1961, we embarked on the path of Independence with bold vision and aspiration. Yet, by the 1980s and 1990s, our dreams succumbed to consumerism and greed. Gated communities and exclusive Carnival bands became symbols of social division and isolation. Hedonism became a cultural value, and while some amassed wealth, others were left behind in squalor.

The gap between rich and poor widened, and the murder rate escalated from 403 in 2014 to 623 in 2024. This grim reality left many despondent as if darkness had taken permanent root in the national soul.

From darkness to light: a spiritual shift

Yet, amid this despair, something changed. Yung Bredda’s Calypso anthem ‘We Rise’ became a profound call to hope and renewal. The artist himself embodies this transformation, moving from a Trinibad artist peddling music of violence, negativity, hedonism and the rich and famous lifestyle, to a new message of resilience and hope.

The opening lines of his song reflect the harsh reality of desolation that shaped his former life:

Hear the cries in the streets at night

So many dreams gone out like light

Youths dem caught in a system cold

Chasing shadows that take dem soul

These words depict the stark reality of youth, caught in a cycle of broken dreams and hopeless striving. Yet, the song does not linger in despair. It turns toward resilience and renewal, signalling a profound spiritual movement within our people:

But the rhythm of hope is strong

Feel de beat go guide us along

Plant the seed of change in the ground

And reap the fruits of love from this song.

The pulse of the Spirit

Here, the rhythm of hope becomes more than just music; it symbolises divine guidance, the pulse of the Spirit moving through our collective consciousness. The beat signifies God’s grace, lifting the soul from darkness into light. The metaphor of planting a seed and reaping love speaks to the fertility of our cultural soil—a soil rich in heritage, strength, and resilience.

This movement from darkness to light reflects the mystical journey of the soul as described by St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Ávila. It is the passage from the Dark Night to the dawn of consolation, where God transforms despair into hope and emptiness into fulfilment.

The song becomes a hymn of spiritual ascent, reminding us that no darkness can last forever.

Collective healing and Ubuntu

The chorus of ‘We Rise’ powerfully affirms communal hope:

I’m sure we can rise from the shadows as we shine

Through the pain and the sorrows leave the darkness behind

For the youth and the future let the healing begin

In de rhythm of we island let love pull us in.

This chorus embodies the African philosophy of Ubuntu: “I am because we are.” It represents a conversion from individualism to togetherness—collective healing through shared responsibility.

In a nation fractured by inequality, this song calls us back to the communal spirit, where healing is not just personal but collective. It echoes the Catholic social teaching of solidarity and the common good, challenging us to reject isolation and embrace unity.

Reality and resilience: confronting social collapse

The song does not ignore the harsh realities of our society:

For the common man times real hard

Crime and murders driving we mad

And de youth dem can’t find no work

For the system take dem for joke

This verse is a stark analysis of social collapse, acknowledging the struggles of ordinary people. It confronts the failure of systems that have marginalised the youth and bred violence and despair. Yet, the song defiantly proclaims:

Let the positive find control

We must not lose sight of our goal

In spite de stress and de strain

Let us build our country again

This is resilience at its best—stubborn, unwavering, and grounded in the conviction that hope is not a luxury but a necessity. It aligns with the mystical tradition of finding God’s presence even in suffering and using that encounter to fuel transformation.

Hope beyond crisis

The song does not shy away from the realities of corruption and social decay.

Politicians drive dey nice car

While the poor man bite he finger

Oil money blow way like dust

De people don’t know who to trust

Yet, Yung Bredda’s response is not despair but determination:

But every crisis we will master

We will cast the evil away

We make this solemn pledge here today

This is a call to spiritual warfare and moral courage, a plea to confront evil with the resolve to overcome it. It mirrors the Ignatian principle of spiritual combat—standing firm against despair by embracing faith and collective action.

The dreamers must wake up

The final verse brings the message home:

From de ghetto I born and grow

I learn to make joy from sorrow

Though my story was hardship and pain

I see the blessings falling like rain

Every time the setbacks would come

I keep the faith and weather the storm

With every step and toil I strive

Just to keep my dreams alive

Here, Yung Bredda becomes a symbol for the nation—a resilient spirit that refuses to be crushed by adversity. It calls to mind the call of 3Canal: “Calling all dreamers, wake up!”

The song is an anthem of hope, grounded in the belief that despite the flaws of our systems and the failures of leadership, the spirit of our people will rise.

In ‘We Rise’, we hear the soul of a nation moving from desolation to consolation, from brokenness to healing. This song captures a moment of profound spiritual awakening, where music becomes both a prayer and a pledge.

As we listen, let the message take root in our hearts, committing us to communal renewal, unity, and love. Let us rise from the shadows together, letting God’s grace move through us as we rebuild and heal. We Rise!

Key Message:

There is a movement in our consciousness toward hope and resilience. It is not an escape from reality; it is facing it and defying it with hope.

Action Step:

Reflect on how you are facing reality and your ability to hold hope in the face of the challenges.

Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 61:1-4