A Jazzy Song for Mama!

Today is my mother’s birthday and I want to dedicate this blog to her.  She is one of the most amazing women I know and is loved by so many.  Whenever my friends (who know her) ask me how life is going, they invariably ask me how my mum is as they miss her.  She leaves such an impression on everyone whose life she touches – no matter what age or who they are.  She has a quality that is rare… the quality to be the authentic person that she is with no facades or masks.  That is what makes her special.  She loves everyone unconditionally and gives of herself fully and genuinely ‘sees’ the person she is with.
A few years ago, for my mum’s 60th birthday, I wanted to surprise her with a gift of a song I composed for her.  The lyrics were composed by all 4 siblings (I’ve written the lyrics below).  I composed a slow version of the song but then decided to create a second more upbeat and jazzed up version as birthdays are supposed to be joyous!  I’ve shared a very rough version of the jazzy song below as well as the lyrics.
So dearest mum, enjoy this special day as we all celebrate you and how very special you are from afar.  I love you.
[audio:https://www.elikamahony.com/wp-content/uploads/Jaleh-jazzy-version-NEW.mp3]
Lyrics of the song:
Mama, you gave life to us.  Thank you for raising us and enabling us to grow under His shelter.  Mama, you prayed for us, Asked Him to guide us, to show us the way and to serve Him forever.  What a blessed soul you are…  Mama must mean compassion,  Mama you show care, Your love is a boundless ocean,  Your faith a changeless mountain,  The patient gardener, the generous spring, tending our lives under your wing.


Elika & Mum

22 Comments

    Leila November 24, 2009Reply

    What a beautiful picture–makes me so HAPPY!! Love you two so incredibly much.

    Varya November 24, 2009Reply

    It is a beautiful song, dearest Elika. It is all true what you wrote about your mother. You are blessed to have her and she is blessed to have children to give back her all the love and appreciation they have. Happy birthday to your mama!

    Walter Heath November 24, 2009Reply

    Wow. Another look at your amazing talent. Your mother must be happy and proud that her children revere her so much.
    Peace,

    Farzam November 24, 2009Reply

    Elly – what a beautiful blog post! It captures how very special our mama is and what a brilliant and resplendent soul she is!

    Heather Cardin November 24, 2009Reply

    I had the pleasure of meeting your mother when I was on pilgrimage. I remember her, although we spoke no more than twice, because she absolutely exuded the most loving and gentle demeanor I’d ever encountered from someone on first acquaintance. You are indeed blessed to have such a mother, as she no doubt feels about her children. I didn’t know she was your mother until I saw this picture…and congratulations to both of you!

    Katharine Key November 24, 2009Reply

    I am loving this!!!! You need to sing more jazz.

    Elika November 24, 2009Reply

    Thanks everyone for writing in. I hope my mum gets to read these loving comments very soon!
    Thanks Katharine and Walter – I have really enjoyed singing different genres of music lately so thanks for your encouragement. 😀

    Keith Williams November 24, 2009Reply

    Elika………..It’s Keith Williams…..Wow! Nice song. Very jazzy and I like the different
    rhythmic feels that you used; a little Latin, a little swing, and a little Dixieland. You
    really should try doing more of these types of songs on your future CDs. What a great tribute to your mother and I’m sure that she was pleased to tears. I wrote one
    for my mother for her birthday last year. I hope that Phil and I get the chance to meet her on one of the trips that we may make to China, or if you come to the San Francisco bay area with her. Take care———Keith

    Phil Morrison November 24, 2009Reply

    What a wonderful tribute to your mom….and an example of the broad range
    of your talent. Ella Fitzgerald or Billie Holliday would be proud of you:-).
    ….can’t wait for Keith & I to return to Beijing so we can do some more music
    with you…..Congratulations to your mom….your family is indeed Blessed! phil

    Jarome November 25, 2009Reply

    Wow, so that’s where you got some of those lovely attributes from Elika! Katharine, Phil and Keith, I like your suggestions!
    Elika has been shy to tell you that her future song releases will feature more new original jazz pop fusion! Exciting stuff, can’t wait for everyone to hear it.

    Elika November 25, 2009Reply

    Thanks Jarome… I’m not shy dear… just wanted to blog about the new songs in more detail. Look forward to sharing more about them soon. 🙂
    Phil and Keith – you are both sorely missed in Beijing and I can’t wait for you to come back so we can jam some more. You were the ones who opened me up to the world of jazz. I can’t thank you both enough.

    Taraz November 25, 2009Reply

    I love the Song!

    jaleh November 25, 2009Reply

    Wow! What can I say? I really don’t deserve all this! i feel so honored, humbled, grateful, blessed to be alive to see our wonderful children who are the shining stars in each corner of the world. Thank you for being my mentors too! Thank you for all the beautiful friends. Thank you my love Elly for all your wonderful talents that you share with the world. I love you all
    yours ever mama

    Sigi Guy November 26, 2009Reply

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
    I was one of the lucky poeple who met your Mom! She invited us (Boaz and I )for a persian dinner at your house and that was after a long long flight from Kenya to Beijing, that was an amazing evenning.
    I feel that I was burnt with her love and kindness, she is such a wonderful person. Happy Birthday!
    Love from Sigi

    Sherri November 28, 2009Reply

    Lovely tribute to Jaleh. She deserves it!
    Looking forward to hearing more jazz from you…

    Elika November 28, 2009Reply

    Mum love – so glad you feel loved by friends and family. It was lots of fun surprising you!
    Thanks dear Taraz for writing. Glad you like the song.
    Dear Sigi – I’m so glad you got to meet my mum. I remember that night was very special.
    Thanks Sherrijoon for writing. I will be doing some jazz songs and will let you know when they’re ready. 🙂

    Sigi Guy December 7, 2009Reply

    Elika, we loved the Jazzy song !

    Karen Shrimpton January 6, 2010Reply

    Dearest Elika,
    I am just catching up on your blog and feel honoured to know you and your lovely family. Jaleh holds a very special place in my heart too. We are all blessed.
    Hope to see you soon.
    Lots of Love,
    Karen x

    Mona May 10, 2010Reply

    Hi Elika,
    Thank you for that about Mama!!!
    I have met your mum in many places but i didnt know she was your mum!!! I liked her from the start I met her in Zambia, Nairobi, and Uganda!!! seeing you and her I know why I liked both of you . You are special souls.
    Thank you for sharing.

    Shohreh Moldenhauer May 12, 2010Reply

    Elika joon; LOVE your voice; LOVE your music and LOVE this song for sure.
    We use your music in all our Baha’i meetings and firesides.
    Thank you so much for sharing.

    jaleh September 29, 2012Reply

    My love Elly just came across this blog!I have no other words than this prayer…
    My God, my Adored One, my King, my Desire! What tongue can voice my thanks to Thee? I was heedless, Thou didst awaken me. I had turned back from Thee, Thou didst graciously aid me to turn towards Thee. I was as one dead, Thou didst quicken me with the water of life. I was withered, Thou didst revive me with the heavenly stream of Thine utterance which hath flowed forth from the Pen of the All-Merciful.
    O Divine Providence! All existence is begotten by Thy bounty; deprive it not of the waters of Thy generosity, neither do Thou withhold it from the ocean of Thy mercy. I beseech Thee to aid and assist me at all times and under all conditions, and seek from the heaven of Thy grace Thine ancient favor. Thou art, in truth, the Lord of bounty, and the Sovereign of the kingdom of eternity.
    Bahá’u’lláh

    jaleh September 29, 2012Reply

    With your talent you can do anything! Waiting for more jazz songs…

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