A Trip Down Memory Lane - Old Published Writings and Letters to the Editor

Walking down memory lane I could find some treasures to preserve, some joyful and memories that brought mixed emotions too. 

During the past year, I decided to take pictures of some of my earliest publications. The first writing of mine that got published publicly on mainstream media was a poem! I was happy to see my first poem published in the Teenager magazine in July 1986. Six months later I got to see the second poem published too in the January 1987 edition of the same magazine. 

Soon after the first poem appeared I was given the opportunity to write poems or articles for the Parish Bulletin of St.Francis DeSales Church. I remember how Mrs. Agatha Thomas would patiently wait for me to give her my submission! I really had no idea what a big deal it was to have an opportunity to write something for every edition of the Parish Bulletin. I had preserved one copy of every bulletin I wrote for, but unfortunately my father suddenly gave the entire set away to his father without checking with me and I never got to see them again. I wish I could have stopped him then.   

Here are some images of the first few of my writings that were published. 

 THE 'TEENAGER' MAGAZINE

'Teenager' magazine  - July 1986 & January 1987 

INSIDE PAGE WITH THE PUBLISHED POEM 

Poems by me published in the 'Teenager' - 'The Reawakening' & 'Autumn' 

WRITING PUBLISHED IN A NEWSLETTER - FEB 1987 

Writing titled 'Humanity' in the newsletter 'Vicinity' 

 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The very first Letter to the Editor I wrote was a letter appreciating the Times of India for starting a new section for students! I cannot remember which year it was. 

 A letter speaking about how hartals are causing much loss for the nation.

A letter written after there were attacks on the Christian community 

One of my dreams while I was growing up was to become a journalist. Later it changed and I decided I want to be a social worker. Even through the years of social work, my love for writing remained as it was close to my heart. 

While I was a child, I was very quiet. Writing and singing songs were the main forms of self expression for me. I am very happy that writing still is a big part of my life ! 

The Lie Song - A Song for Our Time!

Aren't you tired of all the lies that are going around?

Everywhere you look... lies, lies and more lies. Fake news, false reports and false evidence too. So I decided to write a song about lies - The Lie Song!

I hope you will like it!

Here are the lyrics of the song:

You cannot make a lie stand with a thousand legs You cannot make a lie stand on the mountain top It will come straight tumbling down down When the truth stands Oh you cannot make a lie stand with a thousand legs.

Chorus:

But you can stand up for the truth
That’s the only chance you’ve got
Cos no matter how it’s hidden
It’ll come right out on top.
If you tell a thousand lies
Just one truth will kill them all
Cos you cannot make a lie stand
Even if you’re tall.

You can run around the whole world and come right back Cos your lie will still be waiting to stare at you You can pay someone the whole world to lie for you But you cannot hold the truth in a thousand chains.

Written by Henrietta Decruz

- Copyright 2019

Revisiting my journey in writing

I began writing while in school, but the first thing I wrote which was published publicly was a 'Letter to the Editor' written in 1985, when I was a teenager!

This was followed by poems published by 'Teenager' magazine in July 1986 and January 1987. They were titled 'Autumn' and 'The Reawakening.'

I wrote a piece titled 'Humanity' a neighborhood newsletter titled 'Vicinity.' It feels very relevant today as it fits with what is happening due to the war in Ukraine. It was published in February 1987.

 

I must thank my school 'St. Francis Desales School (SFS, Janakpuri) and especially my teacher Anies Sebastian for being the first person to teach me about poetry writing. I began in Class V and never stopped! It became a lifeline for me, literally! Thank you Anies Ma'am! All the 'thank you's' I say will not be enough, it has made such a huge difference in my life.

Troll Karo - a Hindi song for Trolls!

 

Internet Troll - Vector illustration by Alexander Pavlov

Have you come across someone who trolls others? Lately I have seen how people go through a very tough time and get depressed even to the point of wanting to take their life because of trolls. 

It is especially distressing to see those with disabilities or physical features that are different from others getting trolled for what is beyond their control. No one should be trolled for features that they were born with! For that matter, those who have a different way of speaking or walking or any behaviour like a tick also, should not have to put up with such obnoxious behaviour. 

Yes, everyone likes to have fun but we need to learn when to draw the line. We need to be sensitive to the feelings of others. If we cannot make life easier for those who are going through a difficult time, we have no right to make it difficult either. 

One day in October, I wrote this song for Trolls. It is in Hindi and has a special message for the trolls. Check the translation in English given below the lyrics in case you do not understand Hindi. 

Here is a link to hear this song - 

Troll Karo song by Henrietta Decruz on Reverbnation

Here are the lyrics of the song. I hope you like it!

Troll Karo lyrics – Henrietta Decruz

 

Chorus:            Troll karo

Ha ha troll karo

Tera dil kitna hai

Ugly dekho!

 

Bura karna hai easy easy

Achcha karna hai mushkil

Tumne toh jag ko bata diya hai

Tum ho kitne kaabil!

 

Chorus

 

Hare ek ko izzat dena seekho

Tab hi milega izzat tumko

Mehnat se apna naam kamaao

Tab jaanoge ke izzat kya hai

 

Chorus

 

Janam se koi bura nahi hota

Jaise karoge waise bharoge

Kar lo kar lo khudpar kaboo

Nahi toh Upar wale se maar milega!

 

Isliye toh kehte hai –

Troll mat karo

Izzat do

Khud jiyo

Auro ko jeene do!

 

Written and composed by Henrietta Decruz

  

Translation of lyrics into English:

 

Troll away,

Troll away,

I can see your

Ugly ugly heart.

 

It is easy to do bad things

But doing good things is hard

You have shown the whole world

How capable you are!

 

Learn how to show everyone respect

Only then will you yourself get respect

Work hard to earn yourself a good name

Only then will you know what respect is.

 

No one is bad by birth

Whatever you sow you will reap

Come on, come on have some self control

Or else you will receive a knock from God.

 

That is why we say –

Do not troll

Give respect

Live

And let live.

 

-          Translated by Henrietta

Wherever we go - we emit good or evil.
Choose to emit goodness and people will remember you with love even when you are gone.  

God has a plan for me - a Song

When you are going through tough times, it is very important to have a positive outlook and hope so you can overcome every problem. A person who doesn't have hope is one of the poorest persons in the world. The truth is if we have faith in God, we will always have hope, for He is always near those children who trust in Him! 'God has a plan for me' is a song that expresses trust and faith in God and reminds us that though tough times come, it is a passing phase and God will get us through the difficult time. Here are the lyrics of this song: God has a plan for me Chorus:
God has a plan for me I can see His love is in everything He does for me - 2 It may not be a sunny day It may not be a rosy way But I know that the Father's love is true And I know He an make all things new.

Chorus Though disappointments dot my way Though many people may turn away But I know this is a passing phase He will fill me with His love and grace.

Chorus So I will keep looking at my Lord So I will keep singing praise to God For only Jesus can bring me victory For only God knows the end of my story.

Chorus. Lyrics and song composition by Henrietta Decruz ('Copyright 2020) Published on 22nd May 2020

True Love - My First Song!

True Love is the first song I wrote on my own when I was a teen!

The first time this song was performed by me with a band including my sister Agnes, Glentin D'Silva, George and Albert Charles at 'Youthfest 85', for a music competition organized by the Delhi Archdiocese in 1985. Most of the bands sang Boney M songs, we too sang Rivers of Babylon. Nobody expected us to win and we did! I believe this song played a part in our winning the top prize as it was the only original song played there!

Our performance at the 'Youthfest 85' also got us our first television programme on Doordarshan - India's only television channel at that time. Anujith Kumar had watched us perform and recommended us to Youth Forum's programme producer Ashok Budhiraja. Amidst exam schedules and other delays it took about a year but finally the very first half an hour programme featuring my songs was aired on 6th August 1986. It featured six of my original songs in 'Youth Forum' on Doordarshan's Delhi Metro Channel. 

We had one more programme on the DD Delhi Metro channel on 20th July 1987 and our producer Ashok Budhiraja felt that we deserved to be on the National Doordarshan Channel. He introduced us to P.K. Mohanty and a third recorded programme of my songs was aired on the DD National Channel on the 21st April 1987. This programme could be seen all over India! The best thing is our producer P.K Mohanty said he didn't get so many letters for any other programme he made. The programme was repeated on public request so many times that we lost count!  

The current track I have of this song is from the video recording we had of programme aired on the National Channel in April 1987. The programme featured 6 songs written and composed by me. My sister Agnes accompanied me in the vocals. The Band included Alex Fernandes on the keyboards,  (Late) Tony Banks and Mark Fernandes played the guitar and Lucius Fernandes played the drums.

My heartfelt thanks to all the band members and to the DD producers Ashok Budhiraja and P.K. Mohanty for featuring my songs in their programmes. At that time there were no talent shows or means for talented artists to rise and perform before the nation. I am really grateful to God for how he picked up totally a obscure person like me and placed me up on national TV without doing anything to get there.

True Love was recorded and performed for All India Radio, Goa in June 1990. The programmed was aired on 9th July 1990.

I have plans to record this song again with fresh music as it is one of those songs that everyone who heard has loved! It has also won me the maximum prizes! It gives me great joy when the hearers love my song!

TRUE LOVE

Chorus:  
  
True Love, it’s too hard to find
True Love, you’d never even mind
To find a true love beside you today
To find a true love beside you today

1.                  I’ve been walking for almost another day

I’ve been clinging to my thoughts throughout the way

Still there’s not a soul to find

With a heart and perfect mind

I’ve been wandering throughout today.        Chorus

2.                  Since last weekend I’m thinking over it

I need someone beside me when I sit

Still there’s not a soul to find

With a heart and perfect mind

I’ve been wandering throughout today.        Chorus

3.                  When I see someone like me I just think

There must be someone in the world with a link

Still there’s not a soul to find

With a heart and perfect mind

I’ve been wandering throughout today.       Chorus

- Henrietta Decruz (C)

Vocals: Henrietta & Agnes
Musicians - Keyboard: Alex Fernandes
Guitar: Tony Banks, 

and Mark Fernandes
Drums: Lucius Fernandes

Listen to the audio track TRUE LOVE - here 
https://soundcloud.com/henrietta-decruz/true-love-by-henrietta-decruz

YouTube link to the True Love song video

Words, My Friend

Words

I missed you.

It’s been a long time

Since we had heart talk.

I’m sorry

I was hiding from you.

Some heart-aches

Some urgent situations

Took my attention away

For a while.

You’ve been my faithful friend

You always listen patiently

As I vent off

The good, the bad, the ugly…

What would I do without you!

As I sit here alone

At my favorite perch on the terrace

And watch the birds fly home

It’s good to have a trusted friend along…

You.

Today was just another day

Routine to the careless eye

But my heart would say otherwise

It touched rock bottom

In sadness and despair

As a dream tugged away

Like a balloon on a string

Cut loose and flew away.

Someone cut the string

So abruptly

I couldn’t do anything.

Words, my friend

Have you met Tears, my other friend?

Well you both should meet some day…

Because what I’m not able

To share with one

I share with the other.

Tears is a friend

I don’t have to talk to

She silently understands

The emotions of my heart

 As tears flow down my cheeks.

Between the two of you

I share my grief, my pain

Even my lessons, the stress, the strain.

Have I ever told you

How much you mean to me?

Well amidst a world full of people

You are my best friend.

You don’t leave me

You don’t deceive me

You never cause me pain

But you are always near

Whenever I need 

A trusted friend!

Follow Me - a Song

I've been through a lot of storms in my life and through the ups and downs I had to spend a huge chunk of time in pain - alone. During this time it was the Lord God who stood by me and reassured me, comforted me through His Word, His loving presence in my life. 

The song 'Follow Me' contains the words and the gentle leading that I felt from the Lord during my difficult times. It portrays what the Lord did for me during those toughest times in my life. The truth is I owe my life and all that I am... and ever will be to Him! This song is my tribute to the Lord! I thank Jesus for all He has done for me !! 

A Special Nudge

In 2010 while I was contemplating which song of mine to work on as my entry to the UK Songwriting Contest, a strange thing happened. I was attending a 2 day workshop in church. On the evening of the first day, which was a Saturday and I sensed a nudge to keep my songbook in my bag for the next day. It came repeatedly until I just kept the book in my bag. 

The next day being Sunday, there was worship in church and I sensed the Lord asking me to pick my songbook and sing this song! I found myself thinking, 'Lord, they will think I am promoting myself! Moreover, no one knows the song so they won't be able to play any instrument along...' But then I sensed this was important to Him so I asked the Pastor's wife to check with the Pastor if it was okay to sing this song as the Lord was asking me to sing it. It was meant for someone in particular. She checked with him and said he said, "Yes!" so I was given permission to sing it. 

I decided to stand in the aisle and sing. I said that there was a song that the Lord wanted me to sing and that He wanted to speak to someone specially through this song. I started to sing it and as I sang the first verse and the chorus, I heard someone sobbing loudly. I didn't know who it was, I just kept singing. At the end of the song, I asked the Lord if it was okay, that the person would speak to me. A young girl came and said that she felt like every word was meant for her. I was overwhelmed. 

The Recording

This experience led me to choose to work on this song. My friend and colleague from CBN Paul Matthew was gracious to help me with the background music though he had a tight schedule. We recorded my voice in his home studio and he did the sound mixing too. I am glad that this song got me the Finalist position in the UKSC Contest! I am the first Indian to become a Finalist in this contest. 

It was overwhelming that the Lord used this song to touch that young girl. Knowing how the Lord led me to choose this song, I decided to make it free to download and asked the Lord to take it wherever He wanted to take it and to touch all the lives He wants to touch. 

Here's a lyric video of my song 'Follow Me.' 

Here are the lyrics of the song. 

Follow Me  

I can see there’s so much hurt inside

Neath the smile that you are trying to hide

Hope is crushed, dreams all fade away

And you think, don’t wanna live another day.

Chorus:         

Pick up your cross and follow Me,

There’s so much good for you to see

Throw all your burdens in My Hands

Even if you don’t understand

Just know, I care,

I’m there,

Forever I’ll be true,

That’s how much I love you.

Yes, they hurt, they cause a lot of pain,

And you tried, all your efforts were in vain,

For every deed of kindness you were hurt

And you thought that you had just no worth.   

Chorus

You wonder how you will see the sun,

You’re tired how can this race be run?

Can’t you see that though they tried their worst

You’re standing still, and you won’t bite the dust.

Chorus 

~ Written and composed by Henrietta Decruz (C)


This song is free to download at this link .