By Gina Alzate, The Concept Whiz
Around the World
- song and lyrics by Connie Francis (1961)
Around the world I’ve searched for you
I traveled on when hope was gone to keep a rendezvous
I knew somewhere, sometime, somehow
You’d look at me and I would see the smile you’re smiling now.
It might have been in county town
Or in New York in gay Paree or even London town
No more will I go all around the world
For I have found my world in you.
Around the world I’ve searched for you
I traveled on when hope was gone to keep a rendezvous
I knew somewhere sometime somehow
You’d look at me and I would see the smile you’re smiling now.
It might have been in county town
Or in New York in gay Paree or even London town
No more will I go all around the world
For I have found my world in you…
There’s something poignant to a song that plays over and over in one’s mind. The song ‘Around the World’ stayed with me throughout the day until I finally relented to write about it. What is so haunting about songs and the memories they evoke, taking us back to the journeys of life we once held true to our hearts? I heard this song when I was young, all the way back in my youth in Manila. I had no knowledge what the song meant at the time as I had not learned to speak English then.
Yet, everyone around me sang it during those balmy nights when people gathered in street corners bringing their guitars and unrehearsed voices. It mattered not if anyone sang out of tune. What was beautiful was that everyone felt joyful in spite of the hardships they endured throughout their lives. In this moment in time as they belted out their vocal improvisations, all worries of the day were forgotten. The star of the show was their gratitude that they had made it through another day. So, I reflect now how much more fun life can be when taken one day at a time. It is amazing what songs can do to help us learn about living well.
As I heard this song sung, its lilting melody stayed with me. I understood as much that it evoked traveling around the world to these wonderful cities of choice. I often wondered what it was like to be with people who lived in New York, Paris or London. What is a county town? What I know of the Philippines is that we lived in cities, provinces and barrios. Some of us lived in the jungle. So I wondered. Did people gather at nights in the cities around the world to play bingo, sing songs, play mahjong or just gossip about the neighbors? Did they have the same worries, joys and challenges?
At an early age I dreamed of seeing the world, meeting people who spoke English and Spanish. I was fascinated with the idea of experiencing diverse cultures, seeing ancient and modern buildings people created from their imaginations. I felt intrigued by the imprints of civilizations from days gone by, still permeating today’s cultures. I wanted to experience first hand what the authors of books wrote about their journeys. I read about snow in Alaska and sandstorms in the Sahara, flying over Mount Fujiyama and sailing the Amazon River, riding camels in Saudi Arabia and elephants in Thailand. I heard of Scandinavian people who are tall and fair-skinned and of Africans who are dark skinned with textured hair. From the eye of a child, the world was full of wonderment, waiting to be discovered.
Today, I am grateful for the song playing in my head as it took me on a journey back around the world. What a treasure childhood memories can be when created with magic and curiosity.
About Gina Alzate
Gina Alzate is The Concept Whiz. She is Holistic Life Designs’ Metaphysical Therapy Educator. She is Host of several online radio talk shows and Broadcaster for World Radio 365. She is a lifelong student of Leadership and Empowerment, World Travels and Diverse Cultures, Metaphysics, Holistic Health and Spirituality. She teaches about human consciousness and personal awareness through radio broadcasting, writing and workshops on land and at sea. Contact her through World Tours and Cruises. Follow her on Twitter @GinaAlzate.
