A boy in this year's senior class ("I") is a ukelele player. Back when he was a sophomore and we still had a school, he would sit on sophomore bench and play his uke and sing for classmates. I was/am a fan. He has such a sweet, pure voice.
During the course of the year, I told him that one of my favorite songs is a ukelele version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" sung by Brother IZ or Israel Kamakawiwo. "I" sounds a lot like Brother IZ. He knew a bit of the song and played a few bars for me.
Several months later on my 51st birthday, "I" brought his uke to class and sang the entire song for me. It makes me teary just thinking about it. I will never forget that, ever. I miss seeing "I" and hearing his impromptu concerts in the halls. I think I've seen him once in our Trailer High.
Anyway, this is the real Brother IZ's version of the song that "I" sang for me. You'll see that Brother IZ was morbidly obese. He died from respiratory complications. This video is actually a memorial to him. Just listen to that voice and know that we, at Trailer High, are lucky enough to have a student who sounds just like him.
Oh, and just like "Auld Lang Syne," there are several versions of this song that I love! This won't be the last you'll hear of it from me.
5 comments:
I love that! I have it on my computer and haven't listened to it in a long time. Thanks for reminding me of it. It must be so bittersweet to be a teacher. I think I would cry at every graduation!
That is so beautiful, and spreading his ashes at the end gave me goosebumps & tears. Thank-you so much for sharing that. Back to an earlier question, I'd love to save that to my computer, but I don't know how.
I swear, your school is filled with special students....if a kid did that here in school, I think he's be laughed at. How special. I learned the ukelele in grad 6, always wished I'd kept it up.
what a special gift!
Like I told you earlier mrs. e, this is my favorite song. Thank you.
I always liked the song the way IZ sings it, but didn't know anything about him.
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