YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND IN ME 🎶
- Randy Newman
Another one of those very sweet Disney songs about Friendship.
When people are still listening to a song, even 30 years after it was composed, it means they wrote a good song.😊
(Song shared from a page on YT and the pictures are from the Disney page.)
The rainy season has just been endless, this year. Much longer than the usual 4 months. The unseasonal showers began in May, and we're almost in October; but it doesn't seem to have finished, pouring down on the earth. It almost feels like we've been sitting under a waterfall, non-stop for so many months.🌧☔️
While we're so 'Grateful', for a more than adequate supply of water, for the year ahead; we can't help smiling, every time the sun peeps out, from behind those gloomy clouds, which are still visible.🙏
But very soon, as the monsoon ends and the weather changes again, we'll be grumbling and complaining about the October heat.🌞
I guess, our human nature makes us behave like that.🤷🏻♀️ We forget to be 'Thankful for the many Blessings', which we receive in abundance, every single day.
The end of the rains, is usually the time, to look out for rainbows. I haven't seen one yet, this year. But I did think of two songs that talk about 'Rainbows', sung beautifully by Eva Cassidy.🌈
I've always loved the Disney songs. More than half the 'wonder and magic' of a Disney movie, is because of the memorable songs, in almost all their films. I have lots of favourites among them.😊
I found this lovely version, of one of the Disney songs that I like, today.
- Leslie Odom Jr. 🎶
Also sharing a duet of the same song.
- Kelly Clarkson and Cynthia Erivo 🎶
This is another lovely version of the same song, which I enjoy listening to, sung with an entire orchestra.
- Sara Bareilles 🎶
(Songs shared from various YT pages.)
The Stop-Gaps Cultural Academy has been encouraging Choral Music for a few decades now, by giving different Choirs, an opportunity to sing at their various concerts. Lots of people, have always enjoyed the Stop-Gaps concerts, over the years.🎶
About six years back, they also began organising a 'Children's Choir Festival'. Every year, this event gives us a chance, to listen to the voices of children, blending together in harmony. The groups that participate, are from schools, parishes, and other choirs as well.
Listening to the children singing, some days ago, made me remember the time, when we used to also sing in groups at various school events, as kids. The difference though, is that while we would mostly just sing the melody and some simple seconds, back then; now, children are learning how to sing three and four part harmonies, at such a young age...and I think, that's so wonderful.👍
I love how so many schools especially, have gradually started introducing their students, to the joy of singing in harmony, by bringing in music teachers, who have the ability to train children, to sing different voice parts, in a choir.
A few of the choirs, that participated in this year's festival, had very tiny, young children; and I was really amazed at their ability to sing harmonies, so melodiously and effortlessly, even though they are so little. Hearing them sing so beautifully, made everyone who was there, smile.😊💕
The songs chosen were all related to this year's Theme - 'A Song for Peace'.🕊
The concert happened, just two days before the 'International Day of Peace'. So, the meaningful songs, also brought out that message of 'Peace', which is so relevant, at a time when so many places in the world, are being devastated by war and disharmony.🤍
Many years ago, a student of ours, took his own life, when he was in Class 10. He had been sitting in my classroom, earlier that morning; and in the evening, we received news that he was gone forever, just like that.😪
I will never forget what I felt on that day, and in the days and weeks after that. How much I wished, that I had spoken to him; if I had only known, what he was going through. How often I asked myself, why I hadn't been more observant, or noticed, any visible or invisible signs, or changes in his behaviour, which may have indicated, that he was troubled.
There have been a few other instances too; when I have known young people, who have taken this extreme step. And whenever, the person is someone you know, you always end up wishing, that you could have done something; just anything at all, to prevent them, from ending their life.🤷🏻♀️
Unfortunately, a lot of times, there are no visible signs of deep anguish, or of emotional distress or pain; because people can be extremely good at disguising, how they really feel, behind a cheerful face or talkative chatter.
Maybe the signs are there; but friends, family and people around a person like this, need to care and listen enough, to notice minor changes in behaviour, mannerisms, and to the things they say, or maybe don't even know, how to express.
But sadly, in this world of 'Over-Connection', people are more 'Disconnected', than ever before. Everyone is so caught up, in living their own lives; that no one really takes the time to notice, when someone begins to slowly fade away into the darkness, quietly.😔
I saw the poster below, a few days ago; and discovered that the International Association for Suicide Prevention, collaborates with the World Health Organisation and the World Federation for Mental Health, to observe a day every year, on the 10th of September, called 'World Suicide Prevention Day'.
So I thought, that I would write something about it today, just to create a little more awareness.✍️
I'm also sharing two songs, that speak about this.
LEAVE A LIGHT ON 🎶
(Talk away the dark)
- Papa Roach and Carrie Underwood
YOU ARE NOT ALONE 🎶
- One Voice Children's Choir
(Videos shared from various pages on YT.)
Seven years today, since that final farewell,
How quickly the days and months, have turned into years.😔
But at every step of the way, each minute of every day,
Your presence and affection, this daughter's heart longs for, through her tears.😪
Miss you Always and Forever.🤗❤️
A MOTHER'S LOVE ✨️💖🎶
- Jim Brickman (One Voice Children's Choir)
LULLABY (GOODNIGHT MY ANGEL) ✨️💖🎶
- Christina Perri
(Songs shared from different pages on YT.)
No one could ever take the place of a 'Mother', in the life of her 'Daughter'.😪
In a week, when there is an absolute fruit salad of a million flashbacks and questions, floating around in my mind; these lovely 'Mother-Daughter' songs, made me smile, for a little while.✨️💖
FOREVER MY LITTLE GIRL 🎶
A LETTER TO MY DAUGHTER 🎶
A MOTHER LIKE YOU 🎶
(Songs shared from various pages on YT.)
Weeks like these, make me think of songs like these.😔
REMEMBER ME 🎶
- Coco (Disney)
WHEN YOU ARE GONE 🎶
- Jim Reeves
PLEASE REMEMBER 🎶
-LeAnn Rimes
(Songs shared from various pages on YT.)
The Stop-Gaps brought together many amazing choirs and performers, that we all enjoy listening to, in their Concert 'A Call to Peace', which happened at the Tata Theatre, NCPA yesterday.
'Bridging the World with Song' - That is what Alfred D'Souza and 'The Stop-Gaps Cultural Academy' have been doing for many, many years, at every concert they do. Each Choir and Soloist who sang last night, chose very meaningful songs, that brought out the message of 'Peace, Love, Harmony and Brotherhood'.🤍
In a world that is constantly tattered and torn by violence, disharmony, bloodshed, negativity, irrational thinking and the completely illogical loss of innocent lives; an evening like this, filled with melodious songs, that calm and soothe the heart and soul, is like 'A Rainbow of Hope'.🌈 🕊One that reminds all of us, who love music, that the joyous 'Melody, Harmony and Rhythm' of beautifully written songs, filled with positive thoughts, can truly 'Heal the World and make it a better place, for the entire human race'.🎶
It was wonderful to have a choir from Borivali 'Symphony Voices', conducted by Allan Rodrigues, performing in this concert also. They made us feel so proud, with their wonderful harmonious singing.👏👏👏
The best part about an evening like this, besides enjoying all the beautiful songs, sung by every choir and soloist, is getting an opportunity to hear many of my favourite choirs and singers on one evening, and to meet lots of music loving friends.
A chance to listen to lots of old friends, singing in, or accompanying various choirs, to hear some amazing soloists, to feel proud of a few ex-students who were performing, and to meet many, many friends, who were in the audience too; made last night, even more special.😊💕
