National heroes · Manchester · written in Patois with an English translation
Norman Washington Manley born a Roxborough, right ya inna Manchester, pon di fourt a July 1893. Im come fram humble country beginnings, but im brain did sharp so till! A school im shine inna book AN inna sports — champion athlete, dem seh. Inna 1914 im win di Rhodes Scholarship an go a Oxford University a England. When World War One buck, im serve inna di artillery an get medal fi bravery. Afta di war im come home tun lawyer, an likkle-likkle im name ring out as one a di bes barrister dem inna di whole West Indies — King's Counsel, no less. Den come di hot year, 1938, when strike an worker trouble bruk out all ova Jamaica. Manley step een fi help settle di big dispute a Frome inna Westmoreland, an dat same September im start di People's National Party. Im fight haad fi mek evri big smadi get fi vote, no matta if dem rich or poor (universal adult suffrage) — an inna 1944 i come tru. Im tun Chief Minister inna 1955, an fram 1959 to 1962 im serve as di ONLY Premier Jamaica eva have, a lead di country up to Independence door. Im an Bustamante a cousin, yuh know — di two a dem build modern Jamaica politics between dem. Manley pass weh inna September 1969, an Jamaica name im National Hero. Manchester proud a har son: a greatness im greatness.
Norman Washington Manley was born at Roxborough, right here in Manchester, on the fourth of July 1893. He came from humble country beginnings, but his mind was extraordinarily sharp! At school he shone in books AND in sports — a champion athlete, they say. In 1914 he won the Rhodes Scholarship and went to Oxford University in England. When World War One broke out, he served in the artillery and was decorated for bravery. After the war he came home and became a lawyer, and gradually his name rang out as one of the best barristers in the whole West Indies — King's Counsel, no less. Then came the hot year, 1938, when strikes and labour unrest broke out all over Jamaica. Manley stepped in to help settle the big dispute at Frome in Westmoreland, and that same September he founded the People's National Party. He fought hard so that every adult could vote, whether rich or poor (universal adult suffrage) — and in 1944 it came to pass. He became Chief Minister in 1955, and from 1959 to 1962 he served as the ONLY Premier Jamaica ever had, leading the country to the door of Independence. He and Bustamante were cousins, you know — between them the two built modern Jamaican politics. Manley passed away in September 1969, and Jamaica named him a National Hero. Manchester is proud of her son: his greatness was true greatness.
Norman Washington Manley baan a Roxborough, rait ya iina Manchester, pan di fuot a July 1893. Im kom fram hombl konchri bigininz, bot im brien did shaap so til! A skuul im shain iina buk AN iina spuots — champian atliit, dem se. Iina 1914 im win di Rhodes Scholarship an go a Oxford University a England. Wen World War One bok, im sorv iina di aatilari an get medal fi brievri. Afta di waar im kom huom ton laaya, an likl-likl im niem ring out az wan a di bes barista dem iina di uol West Indies — King's Counsel, no les. Den kom di hat yier, 1938, wen schraik an worka chrobl brok out aal uova Jamieka. Manley step iin fi help setl di big dispyuut a Frome iina Westmoreland, an dat siem September im staat di People's National Party. Im fait haad fi mek evri big sumadi get fi vuot, no mata if dem rich ar puor (universal adult suffrage) — an iina 1944 i kom chuu. Im ton Chief Minister iina 1955, an fram 1959 tu 1962 im sorv az di UONLI Premier Jamieka eva hav, a liid di konchri op tu Independence duor. Im an Bustamante a kozn, yu nuo — di tuu a dem bil madan Jamieka palitiks bitwiin dem. Manley paas we iina September 1969, an Jamieka niem im National Hero. Manchester proud a ar son: a grietnis im grietnis.
The history and the figures come from the sources above. The Patois is mine.
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