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)

Jay Olivine is Ziggy Stardust’s fourth favourite lyricist in Northeast Brisbane. 

He is a hitless wonder who scratches out demos in a dark booth beneath his kitchen. 

Sometimes he adds distortion to cover the snores of his dog. Sometimes he gets away with an acoustic number. 

His dream (not his dog’s dream) would be to license his lyrics to someone who would take them somewhere beautiful. He keeps dreaming. 

Olivine is a common green rock. Jay Olivine is not.

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.

gospel and  country music lover, singer/songwriter, conservative, christian,  truth soldier Brother.  i want to thank everyone on soundcloud for your support, right now i have got   100,000 plays i reached my goal                            show we had  last night, with J Ryan Daniels & Pace Alexander the host of The Sonic Truth Revolution Show, it was a pleasure too me for them to have me on as their first guest on their new Tue, night show, i really enjoyed my self, i want too thank my Truth Brother's , J Ryan Daniels & Pace Alexander for having me on, we had a great time, i also want to thank all of my great supporter's on Soundcloud, and everyone on Soundcloud, Facebook & Twitter for tuneing in and listening to the show last night, i love everybody, and everybody take care now. hey my soundcloud friend's i love you all and i support you,  and i appreciate your support, here lately i've been getting  comment's that i don't appreciate, just wanted to let you know there are some people on here that are jealous, and one thing i can't stand is a jealous singer or musician, and i've had my share of them down through my singing career, i don't have any time for a jealous singer or musician, they may be the best singer or musician, but if they are jealous they ain't worth 2 cents,  i'm not on here to make a name for my self or be a star, i just love music, and love to hear other people sing and play, if they don't want to support me that's fine, i made it before with out them, if they don't have anything good to say about me, they don't need to say anything at all, i don't need their support.  if you will  look close at the background picture of the Snail, you will see my picture in the center of the Snail's coil, i found this Snail in my garden not to long ago, i was amazed  and scared when i cleaned the dirt off of it, and saw my picture in the center of the coil on that Snail Shell, i couldn't believe it, so i took a picture of it with my phone, everybody can see it, it only show's up on my phone, my family took a picture of it 2 or 3 time's, and nothing showed up, just the Snail, i took another picture of it, and there it was again , my picture on the Snail.

@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

Greetings.. Thanks for listening..Born in Holland, came to the US when I was 10 years old.. I've Been playing, composing, writing, arranging, recording, mixing, mastering, engineering, producing music of all genres..Playing electric guitar, Slide, Dobro, Nylon Guitar, Bass, Accordion, Flute, Keyboards, Piano, Organ, Synthesizer, Vibraphone, Harmonica, Drums & Percussion since I was 10 years old, self taught.. many different styles and genres to choose from. These songs are the representation of a lifetime's work! 
Superior recordings.. using the best Microphones, Neuman U-87's, Dynamic Microphones, Ribbon Mics, Shure SM-57 & SM-58, and a variety of dynamic and condenser microphones used in these recordings with today's latest software, Pro-Tools, Mastering Labs,  Reaper, Audacity and various hardware and software products from Germany, Australia, France, and various places from all over the globe. 48 Channel Mixing console, Various outboard effect units...Thank you for listening!

Welcome visitorians! hope you like the noise! 

de Morgan's law:

How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?

“Every person must choose how much truth he can stand”, said Irvin Yalom, American writer and psychiatrist. “Self-awareness is a supreme gift, a treasure as precious as life. This is what makes us human. But it comes with a costly price: the wound of mortality.” 

Due to the Soundcloud restrictions over the amount of people one may follow, please be aware I've reached the authorized limit and therefore cannot temporarily follow you back. Stream the love, peace !

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:

My name is Martin Hirsch, I work with  Mixcraft 9 and 10 / Ableton Live 10 / Steinberg Cubase and Studio One Music Programms / Computer win 11 / Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 Interface / KRK Rokit Powerd 6 and ADAM AUDIO 7 Studio Speakers / Midistart Keyboard / Novoation Launchkey Mini /  Austria Audio AKG OC 818 Microphon . I only work with Loops that are licensed and legally purchased

Music should make you feel happy... if it doesn't you haven't found the music for you yet!!

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

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

I am 17 years old and a singer / songwriter. I started my Music Career 5 years ago. 
For as long as I can remember I have wanted to sing and create music. When I was 8, the Music Teacher at school told me I couldn’t sing, and not to think about a future in music. 
From that day on I have been even more determined to sing, write music, take chances, and be prepared to fail many times. 
I write songs about resilience, perseverance and above all else believing in yourself and not listening to anyone who doubts you.
One of my supporters on SC wrote this comment recently, ‘You are the queen of hope and encouragement’ 
It made me feel proud of my music journey so far! 
Thank you for listening 🤍



IMPORTANT INFORMATION. This Account, and its entire content, is protected by Music Lawyers, London. 
It is monitored continually. Please do not use or copy. 
Thank you. 
The Copyright to all songs is protected by PRS. 
Cover songs licensed by PRS- promo only. 

Verified Artist on Spotify / Verified Artist TikTok

https://www.babystepmagazine.com/single-post/getting-to-know-mia-wilks

****SUBMIT YOUR MUSIC @ http://freshonthenet.co.uk/
For a UK Music Review 


My songs are written and recorded on an iPad or Mac Book 

Finalist - Song Academy 2023 - Central Line to Town - Plested / Jimmy Napes 

Semi Finalist - 3 Songs - International UK Singing Competition teenager catagory 

Trafalgar Square London Solo Concert - 2022 - One hour solo acoustic set - 15 songs.

*All songs (lyrics, musical score) fully Copyrighted Mia Wilks PRS


5000 approx International radio plays 

You can find me on

You Tube
Boomplay Nigeria
Boomplay Ghana
Amazon Music
Deezer
Spotify
Apple Music
Peloton
iTunes