Thursday, December 4, 2025

Troubled Times, Calypso Rhymes: Silver Lining and the Spirit of Merchant


Publication Note: This piece was first shared on Sokah2Soca on July 24, 2025, and is now presented in a reformatted version for Kaiso Dial.

It is time to pause and reflect. There is so much pain and uncertainty in the world today; sometimes we are burdened by self-doubt and burdened with pain, division, and uncertainty pressing on every side. However, there is always hope, and I have discovered a song that will undoubtedly aid in our healing. There's a timeless Calypso that reminds us to keep moving forward. Merchant's 1989 classic, "Silver Lining," serves as a soothing anthem for the fatigued and the disheartened. Arranged by Leston Paul, the track doesn’t shout—it soothes. It doesn’t demand—it offers. In a climate of chaos and cultural dilution, it reminds us that even in the darkest hours, Calypso knows how to comfort.

I was sold the moment Merchant sang, "There's always a glimmer of hope hidden behind every dark cloud." So don't give up hope now; we got to keep on trying. We got to keep on going. We got to keep moving on.”

Simple. Profound. Caribbean. It’s a lyrical mantra carved from struggle and stitched into hope. This song isn’t just music; it’s medicine—mending broken hearts and soothing quivering souls. It’s a rhythmic reminder that resilience lives in every beat, and hope shines even through the darkest skies.

At Sokah2Soca, we don’t just archive tracks—we amplify their relevance. Silver Lining is more than throwback nostalgia—it’s a living testament to the emotional intelligence embedded in Calypso’s DNA. This intelligence teaches survival through style and resilience through rhythm.

Whether you're navigating heartbreak, financial pressure, or the harshness of humanity itself, this tune meets you where you are. It offers comfort without cliché, strength without shame, and most of all—a call to keep going.

So when the world feels heavy, play this tune. Let the words be a symbol for optimism. Allow the arrangement to envelop you, akin to a gentle breeze sweeping through a bamboo grove. Let Calypso do what it’s always done: carry us—not away, but forward.

Merchants’s words reveal a truth we all recognize: music has the power not only to celebrate but to sustain. The positive aspect is not a mystery. It’s audible.

Now share this post. Tag someone who needs the reminder. Let Silver Lining find its way back into the hearts that need healing.

Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Silver Lining 
Artist/Performed by: Merchant (Dennis Franklyn Williams)
Album Title: Inner Visions
Arranged by: Leston Paul
Year: 1989
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago 
Genre: Calypso 🎶

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