Don't worry, be happy!

by Faiphoto source: poets.org

We will depart from poetry thisweek, and instead consider a songwritten by Bobby McFerrin. McFerrinis well known in the musical worldtoday for his unconventional music,produced by, among other things,tapping different parts of his bodyand using his voice in imaginativeways. He is a serious classicalmusician, having performed as guestconductor with many philharmonicorchestras (愛樂交響樂團).

As befitting ( 適合於) the New Year season, Ihave picked the song Don't Worry, Be Happy,which came out in 1988. Since then, it has beenpicked up by other artists, including Jackie Chanwho included it in his film Gorgeous (《玻璃樽》). The song begins with these words:

Here is a little song I wrote

You might want to sing it note for note

Don't worry, be happy...

It then continues to list some of the troublesthat we face in life:

Ain't got no cash, ain't got no style

Ain't got no girl to make you smile

McFerrin is not recommending a fool'sparadise, where people think life is like a walkdown the garden. He clearly states in the songthat life is full of trouble, but

When you worry you make it doubleDon't worry, be happy...

Let us take it to heart as we begin our new year!