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| Image is for illustration only |
DEAR MARY [MARLENE] LIM HAD PASSED AWAY TODAY
WEDNESDAY, 26TH JUNE, 2024.
RIP MARLENE: CONDOLENCES TO HER FAMILY N FRIENDS
A Mike Bangar Music Story:
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UP TO 2,900 VIEWS
23 COMMENTS, CHATS
Hi Andy,
Just to share another interesting episode for your blog. This true story that happened more than 40 years ago came to mind.
For those who lived, played or hung around the East Coast Road (Katong) area during that time will remember this lady everyone knew as Water Mary (we never got to know her real name) reason being, that whenever she was anywhere near large amounts of water, she would just immerse herself in it and get soaking wet. She loved it when it rained.
She used to live in one of the terraced houses in Katong and her regular hang-out was at the church which was across the road from her home. Most of the time when she walked out of the church, her clothes would be wet.
She asked if she could come in and join the fun. Mind you she spoke good English. When he invited her in, he asked if she could play any one of the two instruments available.
Liberace plays 'Chopsticks' YouTube Video from pianoplaylist.
"Yes," she replied without hesitation and proceeded straight towards the piano. And when she started to hit those ivories, we all went, "Oh my goodness!"
She was all at ease on the keyboard as her fingers flew, playing in the style of Winifred Atwell. All the popular piano tunes of the day came to her mind. And by heart too!
A few of the songs that she played included, My Tormented Heart (Toselli Serenade), Chopsticks and other piano hits by Atwell and Liberace. There were many more numbers that were played that afternoon.
But I can't recall all at the moment. Her solo performance went on for more than an hour and our home was filled with her selection of melodies.
After that, she left just as abruptly as when she came in but thanked us gratefully. Even our neighbours, who had gathered to watch her performance, were mesmerized and dumbfounded by her talent.
No one knew she could play so well. I still remember her in her sarong kebaya. She could have been in her late 40's or early 50's. We have never heard or seen any lady play the piano like she did, ever.
I hope this story keeps her memory alive. My family and I will remember her always.
Thank you, Andy.
Copyright Article by Michael Bangar.
(Try to play this song as you read Mike Bangar's story...)
My tormented heart
Cries out I still love you
Though I know you're gone
Your love lives on
To haunt my memory.
(1st verse).
Hi Andy,
Just to share another interesting episode for your blog. This true story that happened more than 40 years ago came to mind.
 |
| Michael Bangar |
For those who lived, played or hung around the East Coast Road (Katong) area during that time will remember this lady everyone knew as Water Mary (we never got to know her real name) reason being, that whenever she was anywhere near large amounts of water, she would just immerse herself in it and get soaking wet. She loved it when it rained.
She used to live in one of the terraced houses in Katong and her regular hang-out was at the church which was across the road from her home. Most of the time when she walked out of the church, her clothes would be wet.
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| Terraced homes in Singapore. A familiar scene in the 1960's |
She was a very friendly person and most people who knew her treated her well, including me. For a while in the mid-70's, after I had a family, we lived with my brother-in-law in the same area. He owned a Lawry organ and an upright Yamaha piano. One afternoon while all of us were at home and my brother-in-law was tinkling on his piano, we heard a lady's voice calling out loudly at the gate. It was this lady.
She asked if she could come in and join the fun. Mind you she spoke good English. When he invited her in, he asked if she could play any one of the two instruments available.
She was all at ease on the keyboard as her fingers flew, playing in the style of Winifred Atwell. All the popular piano tunes of the day came to her mind. And by heart too!
A few of the songs that she played included, My Tormented Heart (Toselli Serenade), Chopsticks and other piano hits by Atwell and Liberace. There were many more numbers that were played that afternoon.
After that, she left just as abruptly as when she came in but thanked us gratefully. Even our neighbours, who had gathered to watch her performance, were mesmerized and dumbfounded by her talent.
No one knew she could play so well. I still remember her in her sarong kebaya. She could have been in her late 40's or early 50's. We have never heard or seen any lady play the piano like she did, ever.
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| Winifred Atwell (1914-1983) n Liberace (1919-1987) |
Thank you, Andy.
Copyright Article by Michael Bangar.
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| The images and gif are for illustrations only. Images: Google. My Tormented Heart: Winifred Atwell. |
My tormented heart
Cries out I still love you
Though I know you're gone
Your love lives on
To haunt my memory.
(1st verse).
Nice story Mike. Good read. Thank you !
ReplyDeleteWow! What an amazing story!
ReplyDeleteAlso loved the music links ... Liberace was a marvellous entertainer and fabulous pianist, and Sarah Vaughan ... what a voice!
Hope all is well with you and yours.
Brother Andy,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the blog my wife added that her late Aunt Polly's late husband was related to the lady in the story.
Yes, I know who she was. I was a volunteer at church... cleaning n doing housekeeping on Saturday mornings. After we mopped the floor clean n dry she would come into the church. At the doors are found holy water... She would use it to sprinkle on her feet and footwear, and dirty the floor.
ReplyDeleteWe knew her condition and would just tell her politely to refrain from doing so. Sometimes she would listen but sometimes no. Yes, she's quite good at the keyboards. Sometimes she helps herself to the piano n play.
God, Bless Her Soul.
Great videos. Thanks, bro.
ReplyDeleteA great nostalgic sad song that touches your heartstrings. I heard it when I was young. Tks bro.
ReplyDeleteVery sad story and song MY TORMENTED HEART, very sad. Lived along East Coast Road.
ReplyDeleteI was a Geylang boy and I am not familiar with that area and the story does not make any recollection.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for the comments. It is indeed a sad story and we must thank Michael for taking time and effort to write it.
ReplyDeleteThat's a nice recollection of fond memories when times were simpler and an awareness of others around you. Unlike today which personifies a self-centred society that is anti-social.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see Winifred Atwell, Liberace referred to. These were pianistic entertainers and I wonder how many will remember them.
Locally does anyone remember Esther Singleryan (not sure of spelling), Trudy Connor or Eddie Gomez. They were our Singapore pianistic entertainers.
Dear Mary had passed away today, Wednesday, 26th June, 2024.
ReplyDeleteRIP MARY.
CONDOLENCES TO HER IMMEDIATE FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
WE LOVE YOU ALL.
By coincidence, a story a friend Michael Bangar wrote [above], about strange WATER MARY who lived the the Katong Telok Kurau area, was also a sister of a friend called Alfred Wong.
ReplyDeleteThis story was written years ago on the blog.
Water Mary had just passed away today.
Lovely story, Andy.
ReplyDeleteNever heard before. But many Peranakan ladies grew up in fairly wealthy families and learning to play the keyboard was common those days. Some were compelled by their rich parents to learn to play, some became competent and loved the instrument, many fell out and dropped out.
She must have been on of those who became competent, played what she like and although eccentric in some ways, was gifted in some other ways.
Bless Her Soul.
My deepest condolences.
ReplyDeleteLovely, heart warming story, Andy.
ReplyDeleteI have passed this to several Musical Groups to pianist like Bob Seah of Peranakan In. Let's see if one of them can tell us something.
ReplyDeleteTo take some time to write, that's lovely Ron
ReplyDeleteAnd Jimmy Yap, as usual, you take trouble to do the utmost.
Thanks so much.
And of course to Alfred Wong who called me personally to address the situation.
Thanks all.
RIP MARY
ReplyDelete😟 🙏
What strange coincidences?
ReplyDeleteOr just the way the Lord likes to to be...
When strangers meet in unique circumstances to put a name to a sweet misunderstood lady.
❤️❤️
❤️
Yes indeed so divine appointment ot meet with Aileen out of the blue, unplanned.
ReplyDeletePity I hadn't heard her play the piano, only heard Aileen.
I didn't have the good fortune to hear WATER MARY play the piano.
I used to live in Lorong N, Telok Kurau, looking for lost dogs in the vicinity, to adopt them for a few days and then to send them to the pound at Aljunied, while schooling at ST Patrick's... Do you remember TAY BUAN GUAN?
ReplyDeletePassed away today?
ReplyDeleteMay she RIP.
I believe she was a spinster.
ReplyDeleteChen Zhiqing Chen
ReplyDeleteHope to meet new friends
Maggie Xing
Hello friend, please forgive my manners for making comments in your comment box without your permission. You always share wonderful posts here but we are not friends, I tried sending you a friend request but it didn't work, if you don't mind send me a request to be friends. Thank you
Andy Young
Maggie Xing hi. Just share but only about music; no need for any formalities. Thanks...