On Thursday 27th day of August 2015, the passing of tropical storm Erika devastated the Nature Isle of the Caribbean, Dominica. This small island was brought to its knees. The islands electricity grid went down, the water supply was cut off, telecommunications was disrupted. The main City, town and villages were unreachable due to major flooding and landslides causing severe damage to roads, bridges and the general infrastructure. Most disturbing was the tremendous loss of life where the village of Petite Savanne suffered the worst blow. Over 20 lives were lost and the survivors were forced to evacuate their homes never to return. The Prime Minister of Dominica, The Honorable Roosevelt Skerrit, in his address to the nation couple days later commented “The visual damage I saw today, I fear, may have set our development process back by 20 years.”

A group of artists headed by Cornell Phillip have come together in a collaborative effort to produce a song to aid in the relief effort. These artists include Carlyn XP, Michele Henderson, Tasha P, Heston, Omalie 360, Devine Songz, Aima Moses, Knutkase and Atunyah. The song is titled “Dominica Strong” written by Carlyn Xavier Phillip, composed and produced by Cornell Phillip. Other musicians included Jervon Henderson on Bass and Chad Augustine on Guitar. A video has also been made directed and edited by Jawanza Stuart. The song and video will be freely distributed via social media together with a link to the official funding site for relief of the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica. The artists urge all who receive the song to contribute to the cause. They also encourage everyone to freely distribute the song to create awareness to the fund raising effort. All involved have donated their time; effort and talent completely free of charge and in some cases have made financial contributions to the project. 100% of the proceeds will go to the Erika relief effort. Thanks for your kind and generous support and donation.

http://www.gofundme.com/DA-erikaReliefFund

DOMINICA STRONG written by Carlyn Xavier Phillip

VERSE 1
How can we stop the tears from falling
What can we do to ease the pain
How can we stop the rivers from raging
Cause I know we will never be the same
What have you done to us Erika?
What have you done to my Dominica?
But it’s okay things will get better
Cause I know we can always count on the father

CHORUS
We are one
There’s no time to fuss and fight
We are one
Together we must unite
We are one
Oh oh ho oh
DOMINICA STRONG
We are one
There’s no time to fuss and fight
We are one
Together we must unite
We are one
Oh oh ho oh
DOMINICA STRONG

VERSE 2
I think of the things we took for granted
And now most of them will be no more
I think off the ones who are still missing
And hoping that they will be secure
And I wish I could take away their pain
And I wish I could put a stop to all the rain
And I wish I could turn back the hands of time
And I wish I could tell them it will be fine
And I know some of you have passed away
And I know we will see again some day
We’ll get down on ‘ou knees and pray
Just wonna hear Dominica say

CHORUS

BRIDGE
Thank God for another day
And don’t you ever forget to pray
We won’t succumb to fear
‘cause he’ll never give us more than we can bare
Come on let’s lend a hand
Together we shall rise again
We shall rise again
We raise ou’ hands to you father
And we thank you we thank you we thank you
We raise ou’ hands to you father
And we praise you we praise you we praise you