(Sung by: The Professor) (Tempo: 105 BPM. Classic Social Commentary Kaiso. Heavy Kick Drum, Majestic Brass Section, Walking Bass. Vocals: Serious, Baritone, Storytelling) (Intro: Spoken - Solemn Tone) We raise the flag on Independence Day. We sing the anthem. We boast about sovereignty. But look at the line outside the Embassy at 5:00 AM. Folder in hand. Sweat on the brow. Waiting for a stranger to tell you what you worth. Kaiso! (Verse 1) I see a young man standing in the morning sun He have a Master’s degree, he is a brilliant one. But he trembling there with a bank statement file Hoping the Consular Officer might give him a smile. He have to prove he not going to run away He have to prove he have a reason to stay. He have to justify his breath, justify his space Just to get a entry pass to a foreign place! We independent, yes, that is what we say But we begging for validity every single day! (Chorus) It is a VISA... or a measure of your worth? Why the Caribbean cahn provide for the land of birth? We exporting the nurse, we exporting the brain And telling the youth that leaving is the only gain! We have the Anthem, we have the Flag so high But we need a foreign stamp just to touch the sky! It is a shame... oh Lord, it is a crying shame That "Success" and "Migration" mean the very same name! (Verse 2) Sheldon say we perfecting "Coordination Theater" We talk about unity, but we act like a traitor. We hold big conference with fancy food and wine But try to move a box of mango across the border line! You cahn move the goods, you cahn move the skill We kill the integration with a political pill! Small minds thinking that "Small" is an excuse While the talent flowing out like a open sluice! We say "Brain Drain" like it is the weather forecast But is a surrender of the future... erasing the past! (Bridge) [Trombone Solo - Mournful but Strong] (Chant) We exporting people. And importing hope. We reach the end. Of the sovereign rope. (Spoken) If you stay, they ask: "Why you fail?" If you go, they say: "You make it!" We have to break that chain. (Verse 3) We building hotels for the tourist to come But we making strangers out of the children at home. A visa is a travel document, that is true But now is a trophy for me and for you. If you get rejected, you feel small and weak Like you don't have the right to stand up and speak. But the fault is not the Embassy gate, my friend The fault is the system that we refuse to mend! Until we build a home where the talent can bloom We just rearranging chairs inside a waiting room! (Outro) So what is the measure? Is it the stamp? Or is it the soil? Pemberton ask the question. But who answering? The line getting longer. Wake up. (Fade out with heavy brass)
