Release Date: 1953
Label: Folkways Records
Tracklisting:
Alfred Henderson - Ring Play 00:00
Alfred Henderson, Gabriel Adderly - Fire Dance 01:14
Baptist-Methodist Group - In the Upper Room 03:46
Baptist-Methodist Group - Please Hear Me When I Call 07:26
Baptist-Methodist Group - Walk and Talk to Glory 10:44
Church of God Congregation (Nassau, Bahamas) - Church of God Congregation, Nassau-1 13:08
Church of God Congregation (Nassau, Bahamas) - Church of God Congregation, Nassau-2 16:42
Church of God Congregation (Nassau, Bahamas) - Church of God Congregation, Nassau 23:08
Harcourt Symonette, Gabriel Adderly, Alfred Henderson - Jumping Dance 26:30
Howard Johnson, Alfred Henderson - Heel and Toe Polka 30:58
Howard Johnson, Alfred Henderson, Gabriel Adderly - Jook Dance 32:20
An Ode to the Bahamian Spirit
In the heart of the Lucayan sea, where the turquoise waters roll,
There lives a mantra etched in gold, the heartbeat of a soul.
Not merely words upon a crest, or ink on parchment dried,
But a sacred vow of unity, a nation’s source of pride.
Four pillars hold the ceiling high above our island home,
From the pine forests of Abaco to the Inagua’s salt-white foam.
Forward is the steady beat, the drum within the breast,
The refusal to be stagnant or to settle for the rest.
It is the stride of progress since the dawn of '73,
A sovereign people breaking chains to find their destiny.
Like the marlin in the current, we push against the tide,
With innovation in our hands and history as our guide.
It means we build the bridges where the gaps were wide and deep,
And plant the seeds of industry for future sons to reap.
Upward is the eagle’s gaze, the lifting of the eye,
To heights of excellence that reach beyond the summer sky.
It is the student in the classroom, the athlete on the track,
The reaching for the highest star and never looking back.
It speaks of moral character, of rising from the dust,
Of building up a government on integrity and trust.
Like the towering Royal Palm that bends but does not break,
We lift our standards higher for the next generation's sake.
The cascarilla tree — its biology, geography, harvesting, uses (traditional, commercial, scientific, and industry), and what it would take to establish a lucrative cascarilla processing/export business in The Bahamas.
Cascarilla refers to the dried bark of Croton eluteria, a small aromatic tree in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). The plant is native to the Caribbean region, including The Bahamas, and also grows in parts of Central America and other tropical areas. It typically grows as a shrub or small tree up to about 12–20 feet tall with pale yellowish-brown fissured bark, scanty lance-shaped leaves, and clusters of small white fragrant flowers (often in spring).
The name Croton eluteria reflects its botanical lineage: Croton from the Greek for “a tick” (referring to seed shape) and eluteria said to reference the island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas.
In the field, the bark is easily stripped from twigs and branches, then dried before further processing.
The Queen of Rake n Scrape, our very own Sweet Emily, has a special gift for everyone this Valentine’s season. She just announced her brand-new single titled “Can’t Help Falling In Love.”
Sweet Emily shared the big news on her Facebook page, showing off a beautiful new cover (check it out above!) and giving us the heads-up that this track is dropping just in time for the holiday of love. Whether it comes out right before or on Valentine’s Day, it’s definitely going to be the perfect song to set the mood.
We all know and love Sweet Emily for her classic hits that get everyone on the dance floor, like:
She’s been busy lately, too! You can find her featured in the 2026 Bahama Beat Calendar presented by BAF General. She’s standing alongside other Bahamian greats like Shine, KB, Juliet Believe, and Stileet. It’s amazing to see our legends getting the shine they deserve.
Make sure you keep an eye out for the official release of “Can’t Help Falling In Love.” Once it drops, be sure to share it with your friends, family, and that special someone!
