"Grenada After" (First verse, refrain, and melody written 10/25/83 on the day of the US invasion.) (Second verse written a few years later while walking to and from the Bergen Mall in NJ.) (Third verse begun only during a visit to Barbados in 2015 and still not finished.) Once we were a sunny spice isle Sitting down in the deep blue sea. For the tourist we'd always smile Looking happy as we could be. But when we were feeling hollow inside Came Maurice Bishop to show us pride In what a free people can achieve Given causes in which man can believe. But some fellows get swell of head And say they take it all themselves instead. They take his people, they take his life, And that's where my story begins. La la lai, who would try To defend the flag of Grenada now? La la lai, who would fly Here to spend a week in Grenada now? Time was, our masters would come in ships, And keep us down with the chains and whips. Just no way we could play that game. Steal a gun---got yourself to blame! But now friends from Europe and from the States Use I.M.F. loans and currency rates, Computer transactions---but that's okay, For this' a game we can learn to play. But if these rules are your true ones, Then why're you coming with the ships and guns? Why the bloodbath? and why the bombs? Does your system simply not work? La la lai, who would try To defend the flag of Grenada now? La la lai, who would fly Here to spend a week in Grenada now? Have you swum with the flying fish Or tasted love in an oil-down dish? Seen the moon rise behind the trees And danced all night in the ocean breeze? No, sir, you just live behind a desk... ... [rest addressed to the invasion planners] La la lai, who would try--- La la lai, who would try--- La la lai, who would try--- To defend the flag of Grenada Now?