With this ring ...

Despite my decades-long advocacy for true independence from our deeply entrenched colonial mentality, I freely confess to being a huge admirer of British tradition. For the British, that is.

So, when The Old Ball and Chain elbowed me in the side at 3 a.m. last Friday, I kept the grumbling to a minimum, fixed a pot of coffee, woke up (in that order), and huddled with her around what used to be known in my childhood as the telly to watch Prince William and Kate Middleton become William and Catherine, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Yes, you've caught me watching the Royal wedding.

I never cease to be impressed by the general orderliness of the British people and their easy willingness to follow rules. It was evident during last Friday's events as crowds of thousands remained patient, yet excited, and obeyed every crowd-control order. Score: Civilisation-1, Terrorism-Nil.

The understated nature of Kate's outfit and accessories (did anybody notice the size of her bouquet?) sent exactly the correct signal to British subjects ('masses' in Jamaica) that, although she represented wealth marrying wealthier, she also represented them; understood the plight of the common commoner (she herself being a most uncommon commoner before this); and wouldn't flaunt either her previous or current station.

great wedding songs

As the ceremony progressed inside Buckingham Palace, my mind drifted and, instead of the traditional formalities (including the incredibly genteel joint pledging of troths), I imagined the words of the world's greatest wedding song coming from the bride and groom.

WILL: Do I love you with all my heart and soul?

I do. I do.

KATE: Do I promise I'm yours to have and hold?

I do. I do.

PUBLIC: Will you share the future come what may?

WILL: Yes, that's how it will be.

PUBLIC: Will your love grow stronger every day?

KATE: You will see. Yes, you'll see.

WILL: Do I want you forever close to me?

I do. Yes, I do.

KATE: Do I want you to rule my destiny?

I do. I do.

PUBLIC: Do you now make a sacred vow to be to each other true?

WILL AND KATE: I do. I do! I do!

That song, recorded in 1960 by Benjamin Franklin Peay and Ruth Lee Jones (whom you might know as Brook Benton and Dinah Washington), deserves far more attention than it gets nowadays from our so-called vintage music experts. My good friend, the great Bunny Goodison keeps telling me that it was a "foundation piece" and Old BC, the unlikeliest of popular music experts, insists she heard it on the radio regularly when she was growing up but (confession time again), until recently, it had completely eluded my musical radar. I guess you're never too old to learn.

The single most important matter of note for me at the royal wedding was the obvious and unrestrained happiness of The Queen. Her public display of emotion (British style), as the newly married couple emerged from the registry and bowed to her, and again when she was returning to Buckingham Palace, was unprecedented in my experience. Finally, it's clear that Her Majesty understands how a common pig might feel as he wallows in the mud. You could almost see her brain spinning like a gig, and I could imagine her thoughts: "At last, I can die now. It won't matter anymore."

public support

The overwhelming public support for the event proved to all and sundry that the continued revival of the monarchy would rest in the hands of Will and Kate. It was a rare cross section of modern England that turned out, although the majority of the crowd did have a distinctly traditional English look. Every age demographic was represented. Parents brought young children (no baby goats allowed). Enthusiastically waved Union Jacks were everywhere.

Jamaica doesn't need to copy British tradition. We should develop our own. But what we must try to emulate is the British respect for their traditions. Charters of Rights won't help. What's required is the entrenchment of Jamaican values and attitudes in the hearts and minds of our citizens from birth and insistence on continued respect for these throughout life. It was so once.

For me, though, this wasn't quite the wedding of the century, although it comes close. I'm waiting for the most anticipated American answer to the royal wedding. That'll be the day Spiderman marries Mary Jane Watson. There'll be no pledging of troths. Instead, Spiderman will say, "With this ring, I thee web."

Peace and love.

Gordon Robinson is an attorney-at-law. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.