OLDIES SUNDAY: The Cimarons – Paul Bogle (1976)

Monday October 14 will commence “Heritage Week” in Jamaica. The week leads up to the celebration of our National Heroes on October 21st, and the Island has a number of events lined up. We try to highlight the celebration of our heroes every year on “Oldies Sunday“, and today is no different. Today’s selection comes from The Cimarons with their track, “Paul Bogle“.

The self produced “Paul Bogle” track was released in 1976 through the Cimarak label, and it finds The Cimarons highlighting the contributions of the late National Hero, Paul Bogle. Bogle was a Deacon and Activist from the Parish of St. Thomas, and was instrumental in the 1865 Morant Bay Rebellion. The song encourages everyone to say Bogle’s name loudly, and salute him for the great things he has done in prompting the freedom of Black people in Jamaica. His sacrifice was widely regarded, and he was posthumously awarded the title of National Hero by the Government of Jamaica in 1969 along with George William Gordon, who was involved in the Morant Bay Rebellion, Marcus Garvey, Alexander Bustamante, and Norman Washington Manley. He was immortalized through numerous publications, songs, events, and art, and was the face of the Jamaican 10 cent coin, the $2 bill, and since 2023, is one of the faces of the $50 bill. This past October 11 was recognized as “Paul Bogle Day” in Jamaica. The track became a favourite for many listeners thanks to its dose of knowledge, and was featured on The Cimarons’ 1976 album, “On The Rock“. It was re-recorded and released in early 2024.