By Miriam Erasmus ( then Backhouse ) 1973
Well I haven’t known you long
But I often think about you
And the way you’ve helped me along.
So many times you’ve taken my hand
And led me through the day
Just when I felt I couldn’t go on.
But I couldn’t find the way to say
Thank you my friends
For, whoever I am, there’s part of you in me.
When I came here three years ago
I had so much to learn
You were patient and you were kind.
Whenever I stumbled
There was always someone there
To ease my troubled mind.
But I couldn’t find the way to say
Thank you my friends
For, whoever I am, there’s part of you in me.
From each of you a lesson in life
But most of all how to face the world
With your backs against a wall.
I know it hasn’t been easy
When I made all those mistakes
But you see I’m learning from you all.
But I couldn’t find the way to say
Thank you my friends
For, whoever I am, there’s part of you in me.
But now this lesson’s over
And it’s time to close the book
And to put it to the test.
And wherever I go I’ll never forget
The faces that I know
And the teachers that I love best.
And maybe someday I’ll find the words to say
Than you, my friends
For, whoever I am there’s part of you in me.
Having just lost another friend that I met in my ‘20s, this came to mind….
This was written in honour of the teachers who helped me through my first job after leaving college in 1971.
It was Raistrick Secondary Modern School in Yorkshire.
I went to visit it a few years ago, but it has been demolished for a housing estate.
The teachers, many of whom were seasoned in the field of teaching disinterested, ‘no hope’ youngsters were very tolerant of this bright eyed and bushy tailed young student who was passionate about sharing Music and Drama with these teenagers !!
They taught me so much about how to get through the days against all odds, and how to give each child a fighting chance in this unforgiving world. I owe each one such a gratitude, and, as I write, I can see them and hear their voices. They have become part of me.
As I have lived through another few decades, each friend and acquaintance has left a part of them in me !!
Author Bio:
Singer / Songwriter / Journalist Miriam was born in Lewes, Sussex in 1948, and has spent her whole life sharing music.
In the ‘70s, as Miriam Backhouse ‘The First Lady of Folk’, she toured Europe with her own, and traditional songs. She still does a mini tour every Summer.
In 1977 she married John Erasmus and moved to South Africa.
They earned their living as “Mim and John” playing music for all ages.
Now she enjoys sharing stories of life in South Africa and her travels.
Contact Author:
YouTube link.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnpj8REUlOzHPXnPnULwpKg
Facebook link.
https://web.facebook.com/miriam.erasmus
