SONGS I LOVEThis story does not report the recent earthquake but today's) tragedy reminds me of the great and beautiful people who live in N.Z. May God help them in their calamity. 14.11.2016
It's a tragedy that New Zealand's Christchurch has been hit by an earthquake. The city brings back memories, having been there way back in the early 70s, when I was on a three week attachment from my one year stint in Wellington.
The people are truly a lovely lot; they are warm, polite, hospitable, kind and mostly generous. My short stay had been a memorable one. I know the situation in Christchurch will improve and hope the people well.
During the second weekend in this floral city, our group decided to travel south for a two day fun trip to Dunedin. As I wandered alone downtown on the second day and amidst witnessing a group of colorfu,l screaming school girls on racing bicycles, I met a lass gazing at the statue of *Robert Burns. We struck up a conversation and she told me she was Scottish. During our chat, we realized our interest were in Burns' poetry and pop music. Since the latter was more interesting, we whiled away our time exchanging songs and melodies.
So amidst discussion about Elvis, Cliff, Donegan, Donovan, Marmalade, Connie Francis, The Beatles and Russ Hamilton, she asked me if I knew a song by Badfinger. I was struck dumb. "Bad who?" I asked surprised as I heard loudly the ego-bubble bursting. So as the Brit group was revealed, I learnt a song.
To this day, Come And Get It (1969) will always be associated with Christchurch and Dunedin as these line stick in my mind:
If you want it, here it is come and get it
Mmm, make your mind up fast
If you want it anytime I can get it
But you'd better hurry, cause it may not last...
.
*Robert Burns, The Bard, was a Scottish poet and a lyricist (1759 – 1796).
**No matter the tragedy within their ranks, Badfinger was one of the greatest Brit bands ever.
**No matter the tragedy within their ranks, Badfinger was one of the greatest Brit bands ever.
5 comments:
This post brings loads of fantastic, good memories for me of Christchurch, NZ and especially Dunedin!
My son-in-law David is a born and raised in Dunedin product.
He is married to my younger daughter. Two weddings were held one each in Dunedin and in S'pore.
Both extended families flew across the oceans for the memorable occasions.
Andy, your musings at Robert Burns statue has got me lyrical as well. I was similarly captivated.
In Dunedin, I went alone to fish at the Harbour with fishing gears I brought from home. My grandsons and others joined in later and experienced for the first time reeling in the fishes, including barracudas.
I have lots of blogposts about NZ and our trips there.
Thanks for the memories.
Do you not have a pic of thy bonnie lass to show us?
It would be fabulous if you do and add her to your post!
Thanks unk Dicko.
First, regrets I didn't make it for the Yong Tau Foo makan at Siglap. We could all have met, but saw your group on Lam's blog.
I took off a posting of one of Robert Burns' poems because I had a comment from a friend on my personal email that it didn't suit the 60s music theme.
I have posted it back; this one's for you Dick.
No bonnie me lassie! Far away and long ago. Just friends...
Haha...I understand lah.
I have met "bonnie lassies" in my younger travelling days too. Remembered there were some pics of them and even letters after the trips I kept for momentos.
No idea where they are today.
So long ago too....
These people that I have met during my studies overseas are wonderful and dear to me.
Usually we keep in touch because of our interest in music or English Literature; nothing more.
If you love the Beatles you might like Badfinger. Same genre of music. They are not like the Everly Brothers or the Platters.
Thanks for visiting again.
A country so unique you would want to visit it again and again. Victoria University of Wellington has a culture of learning that is as special as it place up in the hills near the Rose Garden.
This posting has been rejuvenated.
Let's pray for the earthquake victims and hope that things will come to normal again soon.
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