eLanka

Monday, 24 Nov 2025
  • Home
  • Read History
  • Articles
    • eLanka Journalists
  • Events
  • Useful links
    • Obituaries
    • Seeking to Contact
    • eLanka Newsletters
    • Weekly Events and Advertisements
    • eLanka Testimonials
    • Sri Lanka Newspapers
    • Sri Lanka TV LIVE
    • Sri Lanka Radio
    • eLanka Recepies
  • Gallery
  • Contact
Newsletter
  • eLanka Weddings
  • Property
  • eLanka Shop
  • Business Directory
eLankaeLanka
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • Home
  • Read History
  • Articles
    • eLanka Journalists
  • Events
  • Useful links
    • Obituaries
    • Seeking to Contact
    • eLanka Newsletters
    • Weekly Events and Advertisements
    • eLanka Testimonials
    • Sri Lanka Newspapers
    • Sri Lanka TV LIVE
    • Sri Lanka Radio
    • eLanka Recepies
  • Gallery
  • Contact
Follow US
© 2005 – 2025 eLanka Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Home » Goodnews Stories Srilankan Expats » Articles » “DEFYING GRAVITY” – by Des Kelly
ArticlesDESMOND KELLY

“DEFYING GRAVITY” – by Des Kelly

eLanka admin
Last updated: February 4, 2022 7:26 am
By
eLanka admin
ByeLanka admin
Follow:
Share
2 Min Read
SHARE

“DEFYING GRAVITY” – by Des Kelly

This particular song, a rather strange one, also titled “The Executioner’s Song”, written by John Cacavas, based on a true story written by a very famous Author named Norman Mailer, about a convicted murderer named Gary Gilmore, sentenced to death for his crimes, only to have the sentence reduced to imprisonment, by his defence lawyers, and then DECIDE that he wished to be executed, rather than spend long years behind bars.

Gary Gilmore then educated himself in law, using books issued to him by the prison library, to have his reduced sentence revoked, and his own death sentence carried out.

A very strange tale indeed, beautifully penned by Mailer.

More Read

Elanka newsletter
eLanka Newsletter -23rd November 2025 -4th Edition – Sri Lankans In Australia
Ever wondered how many hours a Sri Lankan needs to sleep per night? – By Dr Harold Gunatillake
OUR FATHER – By Lakshman Navaratne

Gilmore had his sentence of death finally carried out, and this is where the SONG “Defying Gravity” makes it’s entry.

An epic documentary was then filmed, and Country Music Star Waylon Jennings was picked to sing the Cacavas song, as the background music for the documentary, climaxing as the body of this convicted murderer was being driven out of the prison premises for internment in an area picked by Gary’s relatives, no doubt.

The story of Defying Gravity does not end there either.

This writer did like the song, and decided to record it together with Waylon Jennings, in what he now terms a “Kelly-Klassic”. This is done “Singalong-Style”, & features Yours truly singing with the various Stars that I have admired. These songs are done purely as entertainment, and are not for sale. What Cacavas & Jennings did, to enhance Mailer’s book, Kelly is doing, to hopefully enhance the song that Defies Gravity. Hope you like it, folks. Let us remember Gary Gilmore and the fact that CRIME DOES NOT PAY.

 

Desmond Kelly.

(Editor-in-Chief) e’Lanka.

TAGGED:John CacavasKELLY KLASSICNorman Mailer
Share This Article
Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article D. S. Senanayake The architect of Sri Lanka’s independence From bondage to freedom
Next Article MultiConnexions is pleased to share this invitation from National Backyard Cricket MultiConnexions is pleased to share this invitation from National Backyard Cricket
FacebookLike
YoutubeSubscribe
LinkedInFollow
Most Read
10 Pictures With Fascinating Stories Behind Them!

“A PICTURE SPEAKS A 1000 WORDS” – By Des Kelly

Look past your thoughts so you may drink the pure nectar of this moment

A Life Hack for when we’re Burnt Out & Broken Down – By Uma Panch

Narration of the History of our Proud Ancestral (Orang Jawa) Heritage. by Noor R. Rahim

eLanka Weddings

eLanka Marriage Proposals

Noel News

Noel News

Noel News

Noel News- By Noel Whittaker

EILEEN MARY SIBELLE DE SILVA (nee DISSANAYAKE) – 29 September 1922 – 6 April 2018 – A Woman of Value an Appreciation written by Mohini Gunasekera

K.K.S. Cement Factory

Dr.Harold Gunatillake’s 90th Birthday party

Sri Lanka's women's cricket squad in Melbourne

Cricket: Sri Lanka’s women’s squad in Melbourne

- Advertisement -
Ad image
Related News
Articles

Sri Lanka ‘zimbabwe-yed’ at Rawalpindi

Articles Charles Schokman

SUNDAY CHOICE – God Has A Plan for our life -by Charles Schokman

Articles Obituaries

IN LOVING MEMORY OF MALCOLM JOSEPH MACKAY

Articles Arundathie Abeysinghe

New reef ridge discovered in Colombo – By Arundathie Abeysinghe

Articles

DOROTHY DANDRIDGE (1922-1965) – BY SIR CHRISTOPHER ONDAATJE (Special to: The ANCHORMAN)

  • Quick Links:
  • Articles
  • DESMOND KELLY
  • Dr Harold Gunatillake
  • English Videos
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sinhala Videos
  • eLanka Newsletters
  • Obituaries
  • Tamil Videos
  • Sunil Thenabadu
  • Dr. Harold Gunatillake
  • Sinhala Movies
  • Trevine Rodrigo
  • Tamil Movies
  • Photos

eLanka

Your Trusted Source for News & Community Stories: Stay connected with reliable updates, inspiring features, and breaking news. From politics and technology to culture, lifestyle, and events, eLanka brings you stories that matter — keeping you informed, engaged, and connected 24/7.
Kerrie road, Oatlands , NSW 2117 , Australia.
Email : info@eLanka.com.au / rasangivjes@gmail.com.
WhatsApp : +61402905275 / +94775882546

(c) 2005 – 2025 eLanka Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.