Dr Lee's Rendition of Silverstein's 'The Giving Tree'

To all the children on Children's Day:
So you think only Singapore seniors are active? Think again. My friend Dato Dr. Lee Yan San (image 2 left) who hails from Penang is not only a good medical doctor but a great singer as well.

He has a family that backs him musically during his singing stints at home, on stage and in the recording studios. He has provided me with a few CDs and I have encouraged him to put his songs on You Tube.

Recently Yan San took a popular story/song from one of Shel Silverstein's (image 3) vast collection, recorded it with his music group and posted it on You Tube. It's called, The Giving Tree (image 1) and made popular by Bobby Bare in the 60s.

It tells a touching tale of a tree so giving with a boy that not only does it provide the child with a shade but allows itself to be cut down and be made into a boat. The song ends with the tree, now a stump. And the child? You must listen to the song to appreciate what the lyrics suggest. Actually the song reminds me of Elvis Presley's, Old Shep, with a slightly different theme of course. The Giving Tree is posted on the right bar.

Shel Silverstein was an American poet, singer, songwriter, composer, screenwriter, cartoonist and author of children's books. His books have sold over 20 million copies and translated into 20 languages (Wikipedia).

On a less serious tone here's another dose from one of Silverstein's books, Falling Up. It is called, Danny O'Dare:

"He did a dance called the Funky Chicken,/ He did the Polka, he did the Twist,/ He bent himself into a pretzel like this./ He did the Dog and the Jitterbug,/ He did the Jerk and the Bunny Hug./ He did the Waltz and the Boogaloo,/ He did the Hokey Pokey too. It's easy to see... Danny O'Dare wants to dance with me." You'll be surprised to find out who Danny is!

[About image 2: Yan San also has a knack for making friends. He met We Will Make Love 60s British megastar Russ Hamilton several years ago and they became great buddies. Russ had since passed on.]

1. If you like to read more about Russ Hamilton and Yan San check him out by clicking Labels below.

2. If you like to read Silverstein's books go to the bookshops or libraries. Tons of them around. Get Falling Up and Where The Sidewalk Ends. Read them to your children or grandchildren on Children's Day.

Images: 1) from You Tube, 2) from YS Lee Collection, 3) Google Images.

SINGAPORE CHILDREN'S DAY: FRIDAY OCTOBER 7th, 2011.