SO GOES the lyrics of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 official song, titled `The Game of Love and Unity’, put together and performed by the Caribbean trio, Jamaican-born Shaggy, Barbadian entertainer Rupee and Trinidadian Faye-Ann Lyons.

The official song, which had the input of several Caribbean and CWC stakeholders, along with months of planning and creation, was launched Thursday evening at a two-hour presentation in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.

The voices of the trio belting out `The Game of Love and Unity’ lyrics will now grace the airwaves across the Caribbean and the world and is expected to be on the lips of thousands of visitors come next March and April.

According to a press release, ICC CWC 2007 Marketing Manager, Damon Leon said, “The official song has had the input of a number of Caribbean and CWC stakeholders and I think the event and the region will have a song of which they can be proud.”

“We have been looking forward to launching the song to the world and embracing it as part of the spirit and identity of ICC Cricket World Cup 2007.”

Leon noted too that “the release of the song will herald a burst of promotional activity as we move towards the tournament.”

Speaking on behalf of his colleague artistes, Rupee said, “It is a pleasure working on such a magnificent project. We are going to showcase the best of the Caribbean to the world, including our diverse creative talent and our hospitality when we host the tournament.”

At the song launch were a host of executives from the music and recording industry, CWC stakeholders, officials from the Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana Local Organising Committees (LOC) and sponsors and media representatives.

The release said the evening was indeed an indication that ICC CWC 2007 will bring not only sporting action to the world but also a display of Caribbean creativity.

Prior to the start of the launch, which included a live performance of `The Game of Love and Unity’, there were several speeches and a fashion segment showcasing official ICC CWC 2007 merchandise.

Rupee, lead composer of the ICC CWC 2007 official song, is driven by his unique musical style which has created hits such as `Jump’ and `Tempted to Touch’.

The popular composer and performer also brings a blend of urban-influenced Caribbean music to this historic track, the release said.

Internationally-acclaimed artiste and Grammy Award winner, Shaggy, who brings his inimitable, distinctive style to the Cricket World Cup’s official song, is best known for his hit singles “Oh Carolina”, “It wasn’t me”, “Angel” and many others.

Shaggy has also been one of the biggest crossover successes in dancehall reggae and Faye-Ann Lyons is rapidly establishing herself as a musical force to be reckoned with following her Trinidad and Tobago Road March winning song `Display’.

She became only the third woman in the competition’s history to win this prestigious award and has used this as the platform to launch an escalating solo career.