Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.

I have sent up my gladness on wings, to be lost in the blue of the sky.

I have run and leaped with the rain, I have taken the wind to my breast.

My cheeks like a drowsy child to the face of the earth I have pressed.

Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.

This stanza from the poem A Song of Living by Amelia Burr, sums up the mood and feel of last Wednesday’s thanksgiving service for musician, dancer, artist, holistic health practitioner, husband, father, and grandfather Irvin “Carrot” Jarrett, held at Webster Memorial United Church in St Andrew.

The poem, which was read by broadcaster Dahlia Harris, captured what seemed to have been the essence of the man and his outlook on life and living. This was corroborated by all those who took to the microphone to offer tributes to the 69-year-old who died suddenly at his St Andrew home a week before.

Best known as a former percussionist with the internationally renowned reggae band Third World, Jarrett was euologised as being so much more than simply a musician. But it was his love for life and living it well that was a constant theme in all the tributes.

Former Third World bandmate Ibo Cooper recalled the exact place and time he first met Jarrett as teenagers on the Mona campus of The University of the West Indies.

“It was September 1969 in N1 at the faculty of Natural Sciences at The University of the West Indies. I was late to sign up for the day lab and had to do the night one instead and we were both in the same position. I have a theory that we don’t just meet people, we know each other from another space and when we meet in this earthly space we recognise each other, having known each other before… that was me and “Carrot” that Monday night…

“Always the perfectionist, I have seen that man go 48 hours without sleep, making something, and when he’s done him dash it weh because it was not what he wanted it to be. He was a true polymath, everything he put his head to he was good at and [was] not satisfied if it wasn’t perfect,” Cooper remembered.

Jarrett’s five children — Ard, Rain, Sky, Summer, and Judah, also paid tribute to their father. Rain, the eldest daughter, spoke on behalf of her siblings and shared the attributes that their father imparted to them.

“A meta physician and an alchemist who believed in the power of creation encouraged us to believe in ourselves, drive our own lives and never to allow past experiences to tarnish the future. He was a virtuous man and a man of integrity, kindness and grit. We admired his ability to rise above in trying times. As we honour our father and keep his legacy alive, we do so by how we live our lives and invite you all to do the same. Be kind, be present, forgive those who have done you wrong, rise above, have compassion and live good with people.

“To our village, thank you so much for your presence, your calls, your messages and your prayers. We have been intentionally private. We have banded together and bonded but we feel supported and could not have got through this without you,” she told the packed church.

His former dance teacher and neighbour from the Harbour View community, Alma Mock Yen, remembered Jarrett, who wandered into her dance class after accompanying his two younger sisters to classes. She recalled his willingness to assist, his broad-minded nature, the way he accepted others as they were and his loyalty. She put her spin on the possible meanings of his moniker “Carrot”.

“You can look at it as ‘Carrot’ the vegetable which nourishes the body, and for those who knew him well he was possibly nourishment for your soul. There is carat, the gem weight, and perhaps he was worth his weight in gold. There is also caret, which means guide. And for some he was a guide to good, healthy habits,” Mock Yen said.

His widow Alisia was emotional as she shared her undying love for the man she wed six years ago.

“I can honestly say I have never been loved the way ‘Carrot’ loved me. I feel blessed and happy to have been so loved. He brought nothing but joy and happiness into my life. His spirit surrounds me. I feel comforted as I feel him consoling me when I am weak, reminding me to choose happy. Even in death he speaks to me. We spoke about this… whoever went first would find a way to communicate with the other,” she shared.