[Verse 1]
(Style: 5. Singjay style - Rhythmic, half-sung/half-spoken)
We filled the forms, put the ink to the page
Primary, Secondary, seeking a wage
The Church Agencies screened every line
SDA, Catholic, ECOM, doing just fine.
We sat for the boards, the recommendations were made
Hoping for the tenure, hoping for the grade
The Appointment Committee said, "Yes, proceed,"
Planting the garden, planting the seed.
[Pre-Chorus]
(Style: 12. Harmonized duet)
But the office was empty, the chairs were cold
A story of delay that is sad to be told.
[Chorus]
(Style: 6. Three part harmony - Classic Reggae Trio)
Oh, Manus Teachers, we missed the Gazette (Whoa-oy)
The 2025 tenure is something we won't get.
The Teaching Service Commission said "No"
Blocked the upload, stopped the flow.
Hard work exhausted, tears in our eyes
Blocked by the system, beneath the blue skies.
[Verse 2]
(Style: 7. Doubled Tracked lead & 3. Rasta chants)
(Doubled Lead):
The Chairman was gone for a week and a half
No PEB meeting, don't make me laugh.
Officers released for the polling and count
While the frustration of the teachers began to mount.
(Rasta Chants in background):
(Jah know! Babylon system delay! Burn the delay!)
(Doubled Lead):
We sent the list but the template was wrong
Now we singing this sad, sad redemption song.
Tried to access the online, but the screen went black
It was bad luck for Manus, no turning back.
[Bridge]
(Style: 13. Call and answer & 4. Screams and shouts)
(Lead): Did we try to call them?
(Choir): Calls not received!
(Lead): Did we try to reach them?
(Choir): We were deceived!
(Screams and shouts):
AYYYY! WHY?! The upload was BLOCKED!
Locked out! Yesterday was the deadline!
LORD HAVE MERCY!
[Verse 3]
(Style: 9. Whispered vocals & 10. Octave Doubling)
(Whispered vocals - intimate and sad):
I am so sorry to confirm the news today
The circular is real, there is no other way.
For the weeks I tried to bring the officers near
But my words fell down on a deafened ear.
(Octave Doubling - High and Low voice together):
New forms again in twenty-twenty-six
That is the only way to fix this fix.
Resources wasted, energy gone
But we have to keep moving, from dusk until dawn.
[Chorus]
(Style: 6. Three part harmony)
Oh, Manus Teachers, we missed the Gazette (Whoa-oy)
The 2025 tenure is something we won't get.
The Teaching Service Commission said "No"
Blocked the upload, stopped the flow.
Hard work exhausted, tears in our eyes
Blocked by the system, beneath the blue skies.
[Outro]
(Style: 8. Preacher and choir & 11. Round singing)
(Preacher Style - Spoken with heavy reverb):
But brothers and sisters!
Do not let your heart be troubled!
May the good Lord comfort you in this final week!
God is good, all the time!
There is always a way if we trust in Him!
(Round Singing - fading out):
(Group 1): Keep the faith in Him...
(Group 2 enters): Keep the faith in Him...
(Group 3 enters): Keep the faith in Him...
(All): Yah, man. Peace.
