An Islander's Progress; being a song concerned with empire and imperialism, and their consequences, and reincarnation.

". . . false accounts of the role Britain played regarding colonisation not only misleads students but supplies them with a false sense of pride. This filter on reality may then be applied to view topics concerning race, discrimination and equality in their adulthood . . . (as a result) . . . racism is embedded in Britain’s history and society."
― Martin Greenwood: The Impact of the Past: How British Colonialism Affects the Modern World: May 4, 2021

Lyrics:
Over the seas and far away (and far away)
When I was young, I joined the ships leaving from the harbour
“Fair winds and following seas” went cries to each and every boat
We hastened down to Africa, then caught the Trade Winds west
With foul holds full of sad lost souls to toil in lands remote
But I drowned off the Florida coast in a raging hurricane
My body lost forever, but my soul it did remain

Proud Islander I was my friend, one of our doughty sailors
Whose cargo to America brought us wealth and God’s good favors
Proud Islander I was my friend
Though hard these days to comprehend
Proud Islander was I . . . Proud Islander was I

Over the seas and far away (and far away)
When I grew up, I yearned to be a brave strong soldier lad
So, I upped and joined the army, and sailed east to India
When the sepoys rose against us, we strapped them to our cannons
And blew them all to Hell and back in the name of Queen Victoria
But cholera came to claim me in a ravaging blue death
My body gone forever, but my soul it would not rest

Proud Islander I was my friend, proud of our mighty regiments
That did our people all inspire by seizing lands and continents
Proud Islander I was my friend
Though hard these days to comprehend
Proud Islander was I . . . Proud Islander was I

Over the seas and far away (and far away)
When good Queen Liz attained the throne, I joined the colony police
And fought the Mau-Mau brutally, with torture and fell murder
Yet in truth I’ll willingly admit to a conscience slightly stricken
When I forced a poor young Kenyan girl to couple with her father
Years later they avenged her fate, strung me up by a noose
My body left for animals, but my soul it still was loose

Proud Islander I was my friend, proud of our glorious history
That encompassed many centuries, albeit often bloodily
Proud Islander I was my friend
You may find it hard to comprehend,
Proud Islander was I … Proud Islander was I

My friend I’ve lived for centuries, seen the rise and fall of nations
I’ve seen bright mornings shining while a dark night duly lengthens
For all my sins it is my fate to be reborn again
I’ve not atoned! Proud Islander, I still am my friend!

Proud Islander I am my friend
Though I find it hard to comprehend,
I’m never going to die . . . I’m never going to die
I’m never going to die

Vocabulary:
Sepoys: The term sepoy referred to all native soldiers in the service of the British East India Company's army. For a number of reasons, many sepoys were involved in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 against British rule. It's fair to say both sides committed atrocities during the Rebellion. It was repressed by the British and quite a few sepoys were executed as described in the song.

Mau-Mau: militant African nationalist movement that originated in the 1950s among the Kikuyu people of Kenya. The Mau Mau advocated violent resistance to British domination in Kenya. The British suppressed their rebellion by means of war with the Mau-Mau fighters and the use of detention camps for large swathes of the population.

Music: Michael Sellers; Sergio Aguilar
Lyrics: Michael Sellers; Gerry Verdier
Vocals: Michael Sellers
Guitars & bass, keyboards, & musical arrangement: Sergio Aguilar
Drums: Sergio Aguilar
Sound engineering & production: Sergio Aguilar
Album Cover photo: Image originally from cottonbro studio on Pexels
Cover design: Michael Sellers; Loretta Sellers Fortuny

One Singer Left to Mourn

An Islander's Progress

Buy at Bandcamp

An Islander's Progress (UK Songwriting Contest: Star Rating: 5 Commended Entry)

Follow us : https://linktr.ee/djrickyrose

just passionate, not professional at all, home studio

Composer, guitarist, singer stranded on a beach in Yucatan, Mexico.  Gigged in bands as a drummer since I was a kid in Thailand, Brazil, and the US, and indelibly influenced by all of these places.  No claims to fame beyond shoulder rubbing with the renowned on rare occasions.  I am blessed with collaborators like English singer/songwriter Michael Sellers and producer Sergio Aguilar, plus a roster of other dazzling musicians in Mérida.  So I ain't done yet.

Snakepatch is an original band formed by Pete Rapetti and Paul Kraus with occasional guest Musicians. * Click on song picture to see track info.

Experimental magic 🧙‍♂️

Influenced by rock icons such as John Fogerty and Bruce Springsteen

Playing live and writing & recording in Nelson New Zealand - began recording in 2004 once technology was available to make CDs using industry standard equipment at home. Radio airplay on Fresh FM and the TLC network from 2005. The track IS THIS WHO I THINK IT IS was a finalist in the 2009 NZ MLT songwriting contest.  In Dec 2012  DUNEDIN SOUND reached  no. 26 on NZ on Air "The Audience" chart. In December 2015, RIP OFF THE SCAB and DREAM DESTINATION were selected by a US A&R agent for promotion to artists, In July 2017 - HIGHEST ROOM also picked up by a US agent for promotion. July 2018 DON'T YOU TURN AWAY selected by NY agent to promote to a London soul singer. August 2018 LOVE MY LIFE assigned to BuyNZ audiovisual advertising. December 2018 WHERE CIGARETTES FALL forwarded by Taxi.com to US TV music director. Latest 3 albums seek to marry singer songwriter Imagery with multi-harmony musical movement. 2024 FLOATING INTO WONDER and ECCENTRICITY SO BEAUTIFUL got airplay on a New Foundland radio station. Dec 24 FAKING IRONY and CAUGHT UP IN A WAR have have gotten a foothold in Spotify.

Hi Everyone! I'm a Songwriter / Musician (Keyboards) & Vocalist that loves creating, playing, arranging  & recording Music !
All Songs Available for Licensing !
https://www.youtube.com/@donnadior1/videos

** There is ZERO AI involved in the Creation of My Music **

@JTSunrise was born in Chicago, IL (the City of Blues) in 1968. JT grew up on a rural horse farm at Cuba Township near Fox River Grove, along the C&NW tracks, about an hour by train outside the city. Summer nights before the internet were for sleeping outside and watching stars, singing and playing guitar to his girlfriends, and hitching trains from his backyard. Anywhere JT went, he had his acoustic guitar slung around his back. JT also learned bass and banjo, and started a folk band in high school, playing house parties and school concerts and busking the commuter train station in Barrington, IL.

His teenage years took him around the world and to Tempe, AZ in 1987, (age 19) where he lived in the same building (and jammed often) with Spiral Stairs, a seminal guitarist who would later form the band Pavement. JT played acoustic sets at the legendary Sun Club. During this time, Robin Wilson of the Gin Blossoms (JT’s record store clerk friend) did his sound.

Seattle Music Era

Arriving in Seattle in 1992 with his Tempe barista girlfriend PJ (now wife), JT immersed himself in a city alive with music innovation. This was to become known as a time when Seattle bands reshaped the musical landscape. Amidst the scene, JTSunrise carved a niche and performed shows, blending busking music with the amplified Seattle sound, his Tempe-styled lyrical command, and the soul of Chicago street blues.

His performances became the background of Seattle’s music venues, from the intimate setting of **Art Bar** to the historic **OK Hotel**, where grunge legends made history. He captivated audiences at **Sit & Spin**, a venue combining a laundromat with a bar and live music, and found a true home at the **Lake Union Pub**, a legendary punk dive bar that embraced him as their own. Each chord, each lyric, carried the weight of personal experience.

Musical Influences and Style

JTSunrise draws from icons like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Billy Bragg, alongside bands he admired in Tempe such as Gin Blossoms and Dead Hot Workshop. The bands at the Sun Club and Long Wongs in Tempe, AZ shaped his sound and approach. These influences, coupled with the music scene in 1990s Seattle (including Elise Sauer, Obe-Wan Kenobe, and everyone to ever perform at the Lake Union Pub), molded his blend of folk, punk, country blues, and acoustic pop.

Signature Songs and Contributions

Among his many contributions to the musical landscape, a few songs stand out:
- **"Saint James Infirmary"**: A haunting rendition of the classic ballad.
- **"Biscuit Roller Blues"**: A soulful, gritty track that showcases blues roots.
- **"Kevin Song"**: A heartfelt, melodic piece that resonates deeply with listeners.
- **"Cure For Pain"**: A Morphine song that explores themes of struggle and redemption.
- **"Mama Tried"**: A tribute to Merle Haggard, blending acoustic blues with heartfelt emotion.
- **"O Danny Boy"**: A timeless ballad, rendered with sincerity and grace.
- **"Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain"**: A fusion of folk and rock.

Prolific Output

JTSunrise has a substantial discography on SoundCloud, with over 200 tracks available. This includes a mix of original songs, raw covers, and collaborations with other artists. His music spans genres like folk, bluegrass and country blues, cowboy country, and 90s acoustic rock, reflecting his diverse influences.

Commitment to Seattle’s Artistic Community

JTSunrise’s influence extends beyond music. His commitment to authentic Seattle art is evident in his participation and support of local artists and musicians. As of 2024 he remains a licensed Pike Place Market busker, a role that allows him to share handmade music directly with the community any time, creating intimate, memorable experiences for locals and visitors.

Thanks everyone for support! 

Find other Art  and Videos by #JTSUNRISE: IG, YouTube, X, TikTok, BlueSky interweb media @JTSunriseMusic
www.linkedin.com/in/jtsunrise-music-1528072b0

My band Nickel and Steel's debut album out now.  Preview a few tracks at Nickel and Steel's SoundCloud page:  https://soundcloud.com/nickelandsteel

Check the album out at the streaming services below:

Michael Sellers is a guitar playing singer-songwriter from England, now living and recording songs in Merida, Mexico. 

Landing page: https://linktr.ee/michaelfirthsellers