SONGS SUNG WITH HEART

Two articles in a row written in foreign languages are too much. But yesterday, a friend of mine sent me a link with a video from the United Kingdom. It’s only a song, perhaps it’s not the best one, but its singularity is that military wives sing it. Gareth Malone, a TV chorister, formed the choir. He managed to bring together one hundred women while their husbands, based in Chivenor and Plymouth, were serving in Afghanistan. They’re abroad fighting  to protect, as their wives’ T-shirt shows, ‘Queen & Country’. Striking!

The name of the song is ‘Wherever you are’, music composed by Paul Mealor[1] and lyrics composed of words and poems from letters between themselves and their deployed partners. It became the UK's Official Christmas number one[2] of 2011, having sold an astonishing, at least for me, 556,000 copies in the week leading up the Christmas, more than the rest of the Top twelve combined. Its title was inspired by words engraved on a bracelet that a Royal Marine gave his wife before leaving for Afghanistan. Nothing has been heard about it in Spain (only some isolated bloggers…).

Samantha Stevenson
PHOTO: www.dailymail.co.uk

But, the more I read, the more surprised I am. Profits are going to the Royal British Legion (RBL)[3] and the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA)[4]. Even the Government has been involved waiving VAT on each purchase of the song.  Only there’s something I didn’t understand at all: The campaign launched by Internet ‘trolls[5]’ who have called Samantha Stevenson, the soloist star of the choir, ‘vile and disgusting’ due to her tattoos[6]. I can only tell you, dear Mrs. Stevenson, don’t let it get to you. There’re lots of cowards on the Net. Look after your children, wait for your husband to return (I hope he is already at home) and, please, keep on singing!

Yes, it’s true; this song touched me deeply. Sometimes, I envy Americans, Canadians, Australians, British, French…their sensitivity to their soldiers. Now, when I’m about to deploy for a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan, those voices have shaken my heart. Of course, I’ve bought their CD[7]…But don’t get confused…¡Gibraltar Español!

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[1] He was described by the New York Times as one of the most important composers to have emerged in Welsh choral music. He was the composer of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s royal wedding (motet Ubi caritas was performed at Westminster Abbey).

[2] The song ‘Wherever you are’ beat its closest rival –the single by X Factor winners Little Mix – by five to one. I honestly doubt this kind of things could happen in Spain. 

[3] The Royal British Legion provides welfare to the whole Armed Forces family - serving, ex-Service and their dependants. They also campaign on issues affecting Service people, are the custodian of Remembrance, run the Poppy Appeal and are one of the UK's largest membership organizations. www.britishlegion.org.uk

[4] They are the UK's oldest Armed Forces charity. They provide practical help and assistance to anyone who is currently serving or has ever served, even if it was only for a single day. Each year, they support more than 50,000 people in the Armed Forces community. AS stated in its homepage: Because we believe that their bravery, dedication and commitment deserve a lifetime of support. www.ssafa.org.uk

[5] Troll: A person who submits deliberately inflammatory articles to an internet discussion.

[6] Source: www.dailymail.co.uk.

[7] In my dreams is the name of their Album. Actually, I did a pre-order through Amazon.uk because it will be released on 5^th of March 2012.