CALYPSO D-CEYLON
by Desmond Kelly
1. Recently, I have chosen several “songs” of my choice, hopefully with the idea that our valued eLanka readers & members would derive at least a bit of pleasure via the “memories” that these songs would undoubtedly bring them.. Of course, the numbers are.on “you-tube,” sung & played by various groups & vocalists, & because of this very fact, I have taken it upon myself to “pick-out”only the very best versions, as many of these songs became so very popular, many varied Artistes went ahead to “record” them, some, actually “murdering” the song involved, unfortunately.
2. I would like to STRESS that NONE of the songs/tunes/original compositions of these “Hits” has been used by myself or eLanka for.ANY financial gain, whatsoever. Actually, it is the other way around. eLanka & “your’s truly” commercialize these songs, some.of which, unfortunately forgotten, in the.hectic World we.live in today.We PROMOTE songs “gratis”&, as far as I am concerned, if the songs I have chosen, bring even a skerrick of happiness to any Lankan Aussie, or, for that matter, ANY Lankan expatriot anywhere, I would be more than happy, because, one of my favourite phrases, often repeated, tells us all,
“If Music be the food of Life, Play on.”!
3. As many of our Lankan/Aussies already know, God has given me the gift of “Song-writing”. I thank HIM for this & have used the gift as well as I possibly could.
Not being certain as to how many of.our Sri Lankans know the FACT that Clarence Wijewardena, one of my personal “favourites”, as far as Sinhalese Composers’ were concerned, used to “compose” each song he wrote, using just an old “exercise book” to write the “arrangements” on. There was nothing special about that, but, how many of my readers know that before he started each song, he would write a short.prayer to the “Blessed Virgin Mary” on the apex of each page, humbly asking her for “help” in writing each song.
Of course, SHE helped him. Listen.to.just one of his “hits”, Dilhani, and you will see what I mean. The very first “Sinhala-Song” to bring tears to my eyes, shortly after arriving in Melbourne in 1962. It reminded me SO VERY MUCH of the Country we HAD to leave. God bless you Clarence & may you rest in peace now.
4. This, too, I have written, many times. I “write” these “articles” for eLanka, the leading website for all Lankan/Aussies & other Lankan expatriots everywhere, I suppose, My “stories” are then picked up by a Newspaper called “The Lanka Times” & published especially for those who still have no interest whatsoever, in the “Inernet”. I am also very proud to be “featured” on the “Sooriya” Website in Sri Lanka.
What I am trying to say here, is the fact(also), that it is most difficult to “try” about half a dozen “projects” at the same time, when one is eighty-one years old. I do not “grizzle” however. I thank God for HIS help in keeping my “brain” working, although the “old-body” has taken quite a severe beating. No excuses here, but everything I write is done on “impulse”. There are no “drafts”, no “notes”, nothing. What you see is what you get. However, in writing, my fairly large “fingers” frequently hit the “wrong-letter” on this tiny “tablet” in my hand, and I would be very appreciative IF my readers will excuse the odd “typo-error” that occurs from time to time. Thank you, in advance, for that.
5. Finally, I do believe that Lanka is.now “re-living” the old Baila/ Calypso craze of days gone by. Why it was ever discarded (this craze), I’ll never know. We guys were “brought-up” on this type of music/dance.
I have to also say that while I was a vocalist,guitarist, entertainer & everything, I was NEVER a dancer. I did try “tap-dancing” once, but.fell into the “sink” & nearly drowned. Anyway, to get back to this “story”, this time, I am featuring an original composition of mine, both lyrics & music, DEDICATED to CEYLON, as I knew her.
“CALYPSO D-CEYLON”
“(CALYPSO D- LANKA)”
This lovely little Country that I lived in
Filled with “natural beauty”, up to the brim
It attracted “tourists” from near & far
And was called “Ceylon”, but now, Sri Lanka.
It is a Country, that, beyond any doubt
There is really something to “sing” about
Take her “other name”, to say in the least
Lanka is the famous “Pearl of the East”
Take Colombo, Kandy, or even Galle
Just take any place in Lanka, at all
The “moral” of our Land, is “Simplicity”
Interlaced with warm “Hospitality”
We have had some.very good years of life
We have also had our “struggle & strife’,
But however dismal, was the.outlook
Peace came always first, in our Country’s book
True, there was some trouble, from ’58
Filled with lots of “fighting, for goodness sake! !
But name me.just ONE Country that’s trouble-free
Of everything that goes with “disharmony”
After everything is all “said & done”
There can never be “another Ceylon”
With it’s Elephants & Coconut-trees
Where flowers in profusion, sway in the breeze
Every word in this Calypso is true
Otherwise, I would not sing it to you
Now, that all her “banners” I have unfurled
Our Homeland too, will take her place in the World
CEYLON too, will take.her place in the World
SRI LANKA too, will take her place in the World.
Note:- I love that little COUNTRY, folks. Hope you do too. Above song is available, via eLanka, BUT, only for the “TOP” Calypso Group in Lanka.
So, “If your band is just a “fake”
Jump into the “Beira-Lake”
Desmond Kelly
Star of eLanka.
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