Let
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By Kirk Diamond
Writing My Prayer in Song
“
It Be Done ” came to be because I was being overwhelmed with everything that was happening ; COVID-19 , the Amazon Rainforest being on fire , and police brutality and racial tension throughout the world . It didn ’ t matter where you were on the planet , you were affected . The only thing I felt I could do was pray , and so my latest single ,“ Let It Be Done ,” is my prayer in song .
The opening line , “ When it gets dark , we shine like the sun , illuminate the moon for the world to see ,” is me talking about us artists and musicians . The job we have basically as public servants to ensure the world can feel a bit lighter with our music and find hope and some peace through our words , melodies , and instruments .
My favourite lines from the lyrics are , “ Jah , break every shackle , every chain , and we will never be conquered again / Good must overcome the evil , all of the power to the people .” Jah is what we Rastafarians call God . The line is speaking to not necessarily physical shackles and chains but mental ones . A lot of us are imprisoned by ignorance . Not understanding each other . Good versus evil was always the battle . Not colour or sex or class . So , we must choose the side . I suggest good , although no one can choose for us . We have all of the power with our choice .
I also speak on the less fortunate who somehow can find enough happiness in their situation to be able to smile and laugh . A lot of times we see people who are in better situations , but they ’ re depressed and suffer from other mental issues and find it hard to smile . Meaning we should be grateful for what we have .
I also showed this in the video , which was shot in Uganda , East Africa . I chose Uganda to shoot the video because it captured everything I wanted to say and the feeling with the song was perfect to me . It shows that a lot of us should really display a lot more gratitude for what we have . At the same time , it shows how the people in Uganda are able to come together and find joy and peace in their own situation .
The production of the song was done by myself and my band , The Movement of Ahryel . I had the melody in my head with a few words . The band laid a demo of the idea so I could finish writing . After about three days of completing the lyrics , the band came together to create the final instrumental . The feel I wanted was the nostalgic ‘ 70s reggae feel . A heavy roots sound that people would be able to feel before even hearing the message in the words . In the production we have a keyboard synthesizer playing the lead lines , organ playing bubble and shuffle with the piano bang , guitar chops , and the bass , drums , and percussion are playing in a roots reggae / dub style . Also added light dub effects in some parts with the piano bangs to capture the true essence of dub .
I believe the ‘ 70s was the golden era for reggae music with a message . Bob Marley , Peter Tosh , Jacob Miller , Dennis Brown , and Gregory Isaacs are some of the greats from that era . I needed to feel like if they were here to hear this song , they would be proud to know this type of music is still being created or has resurfaced to do what it was meant to do . That is , to deliver a message to the people . So , since I have a message , I wanted to use that foundation to bring it across . I went into the booth with all of that in mind and I was pleased with the outcome . If hope had a sound , I wanted this song to capture it . If unity had a feeling , I wanted this song to deliver it . The meaning of “ Let It Be Done ” is to have faith and hope , knowing that everything will be alright even in times of uncertainty . We have the power to choose and become anything we want . We just have to take care of each other on this planet because we have nowhere else to go .
Kirk Diamond is a Juno Award-winning reggae singer , songwriter , producer , and social activist . He is known for spreading musical messages of inclusion , unity , and love for all walks of life . Having held multiple # 1 spots on the Canadian Reggae Chart for over 25 collective weeks , Diamond has been named one of CBC ’ s ‘ 10 Canadian Reggae Artists You Need to Hear .’ www . kirkdiamondmusic . com .
Ð CANADIAN MUSICIAN 29