The following are the lyrics of the song “Driftwood”. It was written by Justin Hayward and performed by the English rock band The Moody Blues whom Hayward was also a member in 1978.

Driftwood

Just like the driftwood of a dream

Left of the seashore of sleep

Just like the words that wouldn’t rhyme

Lost in the desert of time

Time waits for no one at all

No, not even you

You thought you’d seen it all before

You really thought you knew

I don’t remember what was said

In the confusion that night

I only know what’s on my mind

What’s in the future we will decide

Time waits for no one at all

No, not even you

You thought you’d seen it all before

You really thought you knew

I’ve shattered the illusion

Of fortune and of fame

But darling now I know you

Life could never be the same

Oh no… don’t leave me driftwood

On the shore

Time waits for no one my love

No, not even you

You thought you’d seen it all before

You really thought you knew

I’ve shattered the illusion

Of fortune and of fame

I’m waking up

I’m reaching up

I’m getting up from this game

Oh no… don’t leave me driftwood

On the shore

Oh no… don’t, don’t leave me driftwood

On the shore…

You can view the promotional video of the song on You Tube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an97c-1fp8k

This song is dedicated to all paper Caymanians and expats who work here in the Cayman Islands.

I take this opportunity of wishing everyone a very Happy New Year and I thank the Hon. Osbourne Bodden for reminding me how beautiful this song is. He obviously must like the song, too. I hope he continually plays it.

IMAGE: The Moody Blues

Letter to the Editor

Leila Elberta Ross-Shier

Hello,

Many years ago my father’s widowed uncle, Sam Shier, left his home in Montreal and moved to Grand Cayman Island. I was a young child at the time and recall stories of this somewhat eccentric uncle who used to walk great distances in Canada and was now swimming great distances off the shores of Grand Cayman Island. Word came back that he eventually married the woman who had written your national anthem. Until today I had never been sure there was any truth to that story. This afternoon, prompted by the fact that a friend is going to Cayman Islands, I looked him up on Google. Sure enough – there was the October 22, 2013 story from Cayman iNEWS.

I can’t tell you how delighted I am to actually see a lovely photo of Leila Elberta Ross-Shier, read a little about what a remarkable woman she was, and finally confirm this family legend. A very belated thank you for this story.

Patricia Mighton

New Dundee ON CANADA

“Leila Elberta Ross-Shier composer of National Song remembered” Published October 22 2013 at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/leila-elberta-ross-shier-composer-of-national-song-remembered/