Bulletin 88 Date : 27th Feb 2007
Cargo "it’s a strange cargo
that lives and breathes
that can feel the fear and pain
a strange cargo
that hears and sees
the depth of humanity’s shame."
These are the opening words of one of the songs from Paul Field’s latest CD entitled ‘Cargo’. He wrote it especially to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the passage of Wilberforce’s anti-slavery bill through parliament on March 25th.  Paul, who is better know for his musicals like Daybreak and Burning Questions, not to mention the chart topping single by Cliff Richard – the Millennium Prayer, has made a brave departure to produce this work. However, I think it is one of the best works he has done.
The CD comprises a number of songs on the theme of slavery plus narration written by Paul and spoken by Sir Tom Courtenay. It gives a vivid account of the pressure created by the twelve men who met in a London Printing Shop in 1787 who set up ‘the Committee for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade’. Some of the songs depict the pain and suffering of those who fell victim of this barbaric industry.
We are also reminded that slavery lives on today in different guises and encourages people to continue the struggle in order to set people free. He first narration ends with the words, ‘Nobody is free until everyone is free’.
I have invited Paul to the district during October and November of this year to perform his solo ‘Cargo’ concert. He will appear in Burton on Trent on October 5th at the Brewhouse, Watnall Road Baptist Church, Hucknall on October 6th and at Huthwaite Methodist Church on the weekend of November 17th & 18th. He will also be performing in West Bridgford on May 19th.
These concerts provide an opportunity for Christians to engage with their local community (shops, schools etc.) in order to:-
- Celebrate the work of Wilberforce and his co-workers
- Understand the tragedy of what happened during those bleak years
- Work towards the elimination of slavery today by engaging with the Trade Justice Movement and identifying companies who continue to exploit people
There are a number of web sites providing useful information on the subject including:-
In 1781, the slave ship, Zong, sailed for the West Indies from the coast of Africa. 133 slaves were thrown alive overboard due to a shortage of water. Abolitionist Olaudah Equiano urged that the crew be tried for murder. In court, John Lee, the Solicitor General, said, “They acted out of necessity … The case is the same as if horses had been thrown overboard.’
If you would like more information on Paul Field and how to organise a ‘Cargo’ concert or to invite Paul to take part in a Sunday service, please reply to this email.
See www.paulfield.com/cargo for more details. |
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