The music video, to be launced this evening, September 18, 2020, is titled, “This Too Shall Pass”, and brings together fifteen artists across the Virgin Islands (VI) and USVI. The song is written by Mr Patrick Farrell aka ‘Soljah’ and Luis Ible Jr., both from the island of St Thomas.

According to Virgin Islands Consortium, the Calypso song features other artists from St Thomas, St John, St Croix, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda — exhibiting and encompassing the resilient spirit and togetherness of the Virgin Islands.

The 3 VI artistes are Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL) aka 'Queen Shereen', Ramon George aka 'Ramon G' and multiple Calypso monarch, Joycelyn M. Searles aka 'Sistah Joyce'.

At Large Representative, Hon Neville A. Smith (AL) is one of the sponsors of the song and video production.

At Large Representative, Hon Neville A. Smith aka ‘Sheep’ is one of the sponsors of the song and video production.

‘A great honour’- Queen Shereen

Hon Flax-Charles said it was a great honour to be involved and featured in the music video. “Patrick Farrell aka ‘Soljah’ and I go back a long way musically. It is a good thing to be able to collaborate with the US Virgin Islands, because we do have that relationship.”

She further said she attended high school in St Croix and the University of the Virgin Islands on St Thomas and she still has many friends in the USVI, emphasising that the two territories have a “great bond”.

Speaking about the production, Hon Flax-Charles told Virgin Islands News Online the video is going to showcase the beauty of both Territories. “And we are going to showcase the talent of persons in both Territories, whether it is in dancing and singing and so forth.

“It shows that when we put our heads together we can work together very well, especially at a time where we all are having challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But has the song says, this too shall pass and by working together it will pass and the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands will be better for it.”

From left: Shereen D. Flax-Charles aka 'Queen Shereen', Ramon George aka 'Ramon G' and Joycelyn M. Searles aka 'Sistah Joyce' feature, along with artistes from the US Virgin Islands, in an uplifting music video.

‘No situation lasts forever’- Sistah Joyce

Sistah Joyce told our newsroom, she also was “definitely humbled and honoured” to be a part of the music video.

Playing up the title of the song and the message, Sistah Joyce said we may be going through a pandemic “and of course no situation lasts forever so this too shall pass.”

In the meantime; however, Sistah Joyce advises the Virgin Islands to keep their immune system strong by healthy eating and drinking. “Wear your mask, practice social distancing. Keep practicing your personal hygiene and this too shall pass.”

‘We must stay focused’- Ramon G

2019 Soca Monarch Ramon G said he was “absolutely honored” to be a part of such an “iconic project alongside some of the greatest to ever do it in the both the BVI and USVI.”

Ramon G encourages everyone to stay resilient, safe, proactive and “most of all stay creative.

“In these times we need to focus on ways to capitalise and evolve our businesses, our talent, our mindset, and our whole lives so we can triumph over this pandemic. We must stay focused and steadfast, with Him always in our hearts, ‘THIS TO SHALL PASS.’”

Production ‘brings us closer together’- Hon Neville A. Smith

Meanwhile, production sponsor Hon Smith said he has been a supporter of local music for a long time and continues to do so through his company Frontline Systems, which promotes music and provides stage rentals, lighting and sounds.

“This is my background, from since growing up.”

Hon Smith said supporting the artistes for the music video is very important to him, not only because his company does work in the US Virgin Islands but because music is universal “and it really gets a message out there.”

The VI artistes being involved in the production, according to Hon Smith, “brings us closer together…It means a lot to be a part of it.”

'This Too Shall Pass'

But that simple vision for a song of hope has transformed into so much more. Titled, “This Too Shall Pass”, the song brings together fifteen artists across the British and US Virgin Islands.

Written by Mr Farrell and Luis Ible Jr., both from the island of St Thomas, the Calypso song features other artists from St Thomas, St John, St Croix, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda — exhibiting and encompassing the resilient spirit and togetherness of the Virgin Islands.

Although he initially intended for the song to be one of hope and encouragement for the people of the VI during Covid-19, Mr Farrell said he quickly realised that it could be applied to any situation where things are tough.

“Anytime you have a significant event in your life that may be bringing you down, you can turn this music back on and say ‘you know what, this too shall pass.' So, it is a song of hope for any situation,” said Mr Farrell.

Advice

His advice to anyone who is struggling during the pandemic, or any other situation is this: “Plain and simple, don’t be discouraged! Continue to have faith and hope, and one day we will see the sunlight.”

“This Too Shall Pass” will be released on the Consortium's Facebook platform this Friday at 7:30 p.m., with an accompanying video. Production of the song and video was sponsored by Hon Neville A. Smith (AL) and USVI’s Department of Tourism.

The song features:

Patrick Farrell aka 'Soljah'–STT

Malvern V. Gumbs –STT

Luis Ible Jr. –STT

M’Kayla Eustache aka 'Kay Jalisa'–STT

Jeffery “JC” Chandler III –STT

Chantal Harrigan –STX

Shereen D. Flax-Charles aka 'Queen Shereen' – VI

A.J. Ventura –STX

Lorna Freeman aka 'Fox'–STT

Tishelle Knight –STJ

John Gotty –STJ

Daniella Richardson aka 'Lioness'–STT

Ramon George aka 'Ramon G'–VI

Joycelyn M. earles aka 'Sista Joyce' –VI

Michonde Delauney –STX