Three songs for my wife on our 34th anniversary

Feb 08, 2013 Features / Columnists, Freddie Kissoon

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On this date, 34 years ago, I married a Wortmanville girl. How and why she put up with me for three decades and four years I do not know. They say opposites attract and indeed that is so. Quiet, totally non-aggressive and so soft spoken that it will strain her vocal cords if she tries to shout, she is the opposite of me. But there are things we need in each other.
In Janet, I see someone that I can talk to without being deceived and someone who I know will honour her word to me and freely and dearly walk the extra mile for me. I met her in 1978 at the height of the WPA activities when she knew that forever my life would walk a political pathway. It has not been easy for her since 1978, but she has stood with me in the raging tsunamis that have drowned my life.
In me, Janet sees someone with a willingness to offer protection and provide sincerity in a world of uncertainly, selfishness, fragility, deceit and deception.
We do share a lot in common – a passion to help the poor, literature, poetry and music of course. Music played a huge part in our courting days. In my vast music collection, I have so many songs that remind me of her. Whenever I listen to them, her image comes up in front of me. On this our anniversary I dedicate three songs to her.
IL MONDO
I first heard this Italian love sung by Engelbert Humperdinck when I was a 17-year-old youth in Wortmanville. The voice, lyrics and arrangement were a confluence of magical moments. I liked it since then. I would play it often for her when we studied together in Canada.
In 2005, the Italian baritone, Patrizio Buanne, made a superb cover of it with lush orchestral accompaniment that was a huge international hit. I think he equaled Engelbert but I still cling to the version of the old master
Lyrics
Stay beside me, stay beside me
Say you’ll never leave me
How I love you, how I love you
How I need you, please believe me
In your arms I found my heaven
And your lips have done their parts
Il mondo
Your love is all I need in my world
Let tender kisses plead in my world
How could I ever live without you
Il mondo
My heart belongs to you, so take it
And promise me, you’ll never break it
Say you’ll stay here in my arms
ALWAYS THERE
I heard this song a few years back by the tumour-stricken English tenor, Russell Watson and thought how vividly it applies to my life with Janet Kissoon. I suggest you listen to it and dedicate it to someone who has always there for you and on whom you know you can count. It is the perfect song about commitment that comes out of love and believing. Of course it is a lovely song that will be appreciated by anyone who loves music despite cultural differences.
Lyrics
When I’m less than I should be
When I just can’t face the day
When darkness falls around me
And I just can’t find my way
When my eyes don’t clearly see
And I stumble through it all
You I lean upon
You keep me strong
And you raise me when I fall
You are there when I most need you
You are there so constantly
You come shining through, you always do
You are always there for me
When life brings me to my knees
When my back’s against the wall
You are standing there right with me
Just to keep me standing tall
Though a burden I might be
You don’t weary, you don’t rest
You are reaching out to carry me
And I know that I am blest
I WON’T LAST A DAY WITHOUT YOU
When I met my wife, she was crazy about Karen Carpenter. She thought that Karen was the best female pop singer music produced. We spent countless days in Guyana listening to the Carpenters. The same in other countries in which we lived. I have every song that Karen Carpenter published. It was an uncanny situation because as I got older in my marriage and forever brought turmoil into our lives, I realized that the Carpenters actually sang two songs that were so applicable to me.
Later these two songs turned out to be so popular that today they are among some of the most covered ballads in pop music recorded by internationally acclaimed singers and musicians in many genres. The other favourite Carpenter song is “A Song for You” but I’ll let that one pass.
Lyrics
Day after day, I must face a word of strangers
Where I don’t belong
I’m not that strong
It’s nice to know there’s someone I can turn to
Who will always care
You’re always there
When there’s no getting over that rainbow
When my smallness of dreams won’t come true
I can take all the madness the world has to give
But I won’t last a day without you
So many times
When this city seems to be without a friendly face
A lonely place
It’s nice to know that you’ll be there if I need you
And you’re always smile
It’s all worthwhile
If all my friends have forgotten half their promises
They’re not unkind
Just hard to find
One look at you
And I know I can learn to live without the rest
I’ve found the best.

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