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BEFORE GOD
Before God and all
mankind,
I pledge the
love and loyalty
of my heart, the wisdom and
courage
of my
mind, the strength and vigor of my body in
the
service of my fellow citizens.
I promise to stand up for Justice, Brotherhood and
Peace, to work
diligently and creatively, to think generously and
honestly, so
that Jamaica may, under God, increase
in
beauty, fellowship
and prosperity, and play her
part
in
advancing the welfare
of the whole human race. |
ETERNAL FATHER
Eternal Father bless our land
Guard us with Thy mighty hand.
Keep us free from evil powers
Be our light through countless hours
To our leaders, Great Defender,
Grant true wisdom from above
Justice, truth, be ours forever,
Jamaica Land we love.
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica
Land we love.
Teach us true respect for all
Stir response to duty's call.
Strengthen us the weak to cherish
Give us vision lest we perish
Knowledge send us Heavenly Father
Grant true wisdom from above,
Justice, truth, be ours forever
Jamaica Land we love.
Jamaica, Jamaica, Jamaica
Land we love. |
I
PLEDGE MY HEART
I pledge
my heart forever
To serve with humbled pride
This shining homeland ever
So long as earth abide
I pledge my hear this island,
As God and faith shall live.
My work, my strength, my love and
My loyalty to give.
O green isle of the Indies,
Jamaica, strong and free,
Our vows and loyal promises,
O heartland, ’tis to thee
- by Victor Stafford Reid |
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National Flag
National Flag-The
Black depicts the strength and creativity of
the people; Gold, the natural wealth and
beauty of sunlight; and green, hope and
agricultural resources. |
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Doctor Bird
National Bird- The
doctor bird or swallow tail humming bird, is
one of the most outstanding of the 320
species of hummingbirds. It lives only in
Jamaica. These birds’ beautiful feathers
have no counterpart in the entire bird
population. |
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Coat Of Arms
The Jamaican national
motto is ‘Out of Many One People’, based on
the population’s multi-racial roots. The
motto is represented on the Coat of Arms,
showing a male and female member of the
Taino tribe standing on either side of a
shield which bears a red cross with five
golden pineapples. The crest shows a
Jamaican crocodile mounted on the Royal
Helmet of the British Monarchy and mantling. |
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Lignum Vitae
National Plant- The
Lignum Vitae was found here by Christopher
Columbus. Its name, when translated from
Latin, means “wood of life” – probably
adopted because of its medicinal qualities.
The short, compact tree is native to
continental tropical American and the West
Indies. In Jamaica it grows best in the dry
woodland along the north and south coasts of
the island. |
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Blue Mahoe
National Tree- The
Blue Mahoe is the national tree of Jamaica.
It is indigenous to the island and grows
quite rapidly, often attaining 20m (66ft) or
more in height. In wetter districts it will
grow in a wide range of elevations, up to
1200m (4000 ft.) and is often used in
reforestation. |
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Ackee
National Fruit- Ackee
is the national fruit of Jamaica as well as
a component of the national dish – ackee and
codfish. Although the ackee is not
indigenous to Jamaica, it has remarkable
historic associations. Originally, it was
imported to the island from West Africa,
probably on a slave ship. Now it grows here
luxuriantly, producing large quantities of
edible fruit each year. |
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