The Singalila song
My friend asked me, what I missed about Darjeeling....I then started thinking of my childhood years there.
I thought of the clouds that would roll up from the hills below, the 180 degrees of Himalayan mountain range that one could see form the town. the walk in the mist which would soak my eyelashes, the rain that would appear never to stop in the monsoon, the red rhododendron trees in April, the walks on lonely roads along the hill, friends, family, home...
Of the many places I have been to perhaps it is the purest part of me that I carry from Darjeeling . It is my breath of fresh air, it is my bundle of precious memories, of people, wonderful times, enchanting scenes, happy days, precious friends and heartfelt music.
Darjeeling has given me the mountain beauty in my spirit.This song I grew up singing from the bottom of my heart and on the top of my voice kind of sums up my travel from Darjeeling as I joined the cities below.....
"Along the Singalila skyline
I'll climb the rhodedendron road
To find beyond the fragrant springtime
The spirit's loftiest abode
And where the mountains meet the morning
The world held in a moment's span
I'll hear the Wisdom of the Timeless
To love my God and serve my fellow man.
Among the echoes of the valley
The Teesta rushing to the sea
I'll join the people bearing burdens
And sing the song that sets men free
And where the plains spread out before me,
I'll join the city's stirring throng.
With mountain beauty in my spirit
I'll sing to them my Singalila song."
The lyricist of the song would have been a teacher from my school, whom I never met. Perhaps he went by the name of Mr Swan.Thanks to him for putting the "Darjeeling" feeling and thoughts into wonderful words.
I thought of the clouds that would roll up from the hills below, the 180 degrees of Himalayan mountain range that one could see form the town. the walk in the mist which would soak my eyelashes, the rain that would appear never to stop in the monsoon, the red rhododendron trees in April, the walks on lonely roads along the hill, friends, family, home...
Of the many places I have been to perhaps it is the purest part of me that I carry from Darjeeling . It is my breath of fresh air, it is my bundle of precious memories, of people, wonderful times, enchanting scenes, happy days, precious friends and heartfelt music.
Darjeeling has given me the mountain beauty in my spirit.This song I grew up singing from the bottom of my heart and on the top of my voice kind of sums up my travel from Darjeeling as I joined the cities below.....
"Along the Singalila skyline
I'll climb the rhodedendron road
To find beyond the fragrant springtime
The spirit's loftiest abode
And where the mountains meet the morning
The world held in a moment's span
I'll hear the Wisdom of the Timeless
To love my God and serve my fellow man.
Among the echoes of the valley
The Teesta rushing to the sea
I'll join the people bearing burdens
And sing the song that sets men free
And where the plains spread out before me,
I'll join the city's stirring throng.
With mountain beauty in my spirit
I'll sing to them my Singalila song."
Singalila is a ridge overlooking the town of Darjeeling. It is at
an altitude of more than 7000 feet above sea level, in the Darjeeling
district of India. Darjeeling is a district which is wedged between the countries of Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and even erstwhile nations of Sikkim and Tibet.The Singalila ridge is well known for the trekking route to Sandakphu that runs through
it. Some of the most magnificent mountain views can be seen from here. It is also well known for its rhododendrons.
The lyricist of the song would have been a teacher from my school, whom I never met. Perhaps he went by the name of Mr Swan.Thanks to him for putting the "Darjeeling" feeling and thoughts into wonderful words.
Comments
I'm a more recent MH alum ('87). I was looking up the words to this song when I came across your blog. The words of this song evokes much of what I felt about my experience growing up there. You summed it up well.
Best
Alex
Knottum
That song was, indeed, written by Dr Charles Swan. I had the privilege of learning yet another song from him during his last visit to the school (I think it was in 1976).
Regards:
-Jayant S-