Former Mayor of Georgetown and ex-Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Staff Sergeant, Pt. Ubraj Narine, has expressed deep concern over what he describes as the quiet disappearance of Guyana’s National Songs from public life under the current administration. In a strongly worded op-ed published in Village Voice News today, Narine accused the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government of neglecting these important patriotic traditions since returning to office in 2020.
“Our National Songs—the very heartbeats of our identity—have quietly disappeared from the national stage,” Narine wrote. “These songs, which once stirred our souls with pride and unity, seem to have gone under the bridge, forgotten or ignored by those entrusted with leading our beloved Guyana.”
Narine emphasised that these songs are far more than lyrics and melodies—they are “the echoes of our shared struggles, our dreams, and our hopes as a people.” He argued their absence from national functions and state events signals a wider decline in national pride and discipline. According to Narine, the PPP administration appears “more interested in promoting lawlessness, political favouritism, and division rather than cultivating patriotism and respect for our national symbols.”
Guyana has several cherished national songs that reflect its rich heritage and patriotic spirit. Chief among them is the national anthem, “Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains,” written by Archibald Leonard Luker with music by Robert Cyril Gladstone Potter. Other widely recognized songs include “My Guyana Eldorado” by W.H. Pilgrim, which celebrates the country’s natural wealth and promise, and “O Beautiful Guyana” by Walter Mac Arthur Lawrence, known for its vivid imagery of the nation’s landscapes and people. “Let Us Cooperate” serves as a rallying call for unity and collective effort, especially prominent during the cooperative movement of the 1970s, while “Green Land of Guyana” highlights the country’s lush environment and encourages national pride. These songs have long played a role in fostering patriotism, particularly through their inclusion in schools and national events.
Narine used the op-ed to urge all schools across Guyana—from nursery to secondary—to ensure children are taught these patriotic songs. “Let us remind our young citizens that patriotism begins with understanding and loving one’s country,” he wrote, asserting that this could help nurture a new generation committed to unity, respect, and service.
“Restoring the place of our National Songs is not a small gesture—it is a necessary step toward reviving national pride and unity,” Narine declared. He directly appealed to President Irfaan Ali: “Be patriotic at your national functions. Lead by example. Let our National Songs be sung with pride at every state event, every public celebration, every gathering that bears the flag of Guyana.”
Promoting patriotism, Narine stressed, is vital to national development. It instills a deep sense of belonging and responsibility among citizens, inspiring them to contribute meaningfully to their country’s growth and progress. In Guyana’s case, patriotism also serves as a unifying force in the face of external threats—encouraging citizens to stand behind the government in defending the nation’s territorial integrity, especially against Venezuela’s ongoing claims and occasional flare-ups from Suriname, both of which have wrongfully disputed Guyana’s sovereign land.
“Guyana deserves leaders who love the country not only in words but in deeds,” Narine concluded. “Let us bring back the music of our nation, for in those songs lies the spirit of Guyana.”
