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Baha'is winning Olympics song celebrates world unity
Blend American jazz, Brazilian samba and Chinese traditional sounds and what do you have? A song played at the Olympics in Beijing.
Keith Williams (left) and Phil Morrison
“Beijing Olympics Hao Yuing (Good Luck),” written by Baha'is Phil Morrison and Keith Williams, was one of 30 songs selected by Olympic organizers to communicate to visitors the spirit of the 2008 Games.
The lyrics also convey some of the principles of the Baha'i Faith: “Just one human family,” “The earth will celebrate -- For World Unity,” “Promoting peace and friendship for all -- The world will come together -- we'll open up the gate.”
The jazzy song's first strains were penned by Mr. Morrison, bassist and composer, back when China was chosen to host the Olympics.
The country and its music are dear to Mr. Morrison and Mr. Williams, known professionally as the Phil Morrison Trio featuring Keith Williams, who have "gigged" there three times for several months at a stretch since 1999.
When the jazz veterans, who live in Brunswick, Ga., learned in March of a competition to select the Games' official songs, pianist/vocalist/arranger Mr. Williams added a section, the piece was re-recorded and away it went.
In April, the duo got a congratulatory phone call from Beijing. Their song had been chosen from approximately 3,000 entries and was, in fact, the only winner written by American-born artists.
Unlike most of the winning songs, which tend to be anthems, “Beijing Olympics Hao Yuing” has a "party celebration" flavor, Mr. Williams said. "The lyrics are very positive. The Olympics are China's gift to the world and the lyrics say, ‘Come join us in the human family.’"
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Comments
WOW!
unity&love
What delightful news about
Yes!!!! I'm in Nanjing and
Yes!!!! I'm in Nanjing and the Olympics are very important milestone to world unity. I look upon them as a ring ceremony uniting China and the rest of the world. PS are you the Fletcher Bennett I knew at UBC? It's Gary here in China. It's a wonderful time in a great country.
Looking for Fletcher Bennett
TO CONVEY THE PEACE MESSAGE
From Brunswick to Beijing!
Wounderful Job
Olympics
Congratulations...
What a wonderful honor...I followed this during the olympics and it must have been so exciting.
Congrats...
What a tremendous event this must have been...
I really appreciate this
I really appreciate this composition as it has a meaning and a very valid point to make - World Unity, we have seen so much of issues going on between countries and religions, we should all work towards World Unity..
You Should Be Very Proud
What an amazing accomplishment, and our only local winner. The lyrics are flawless, and I hope that something similar will be chosen for the Olympics in Vancouver next year. Congratulations on this exciting accomplishment.
Congrats
Congratulations
Beijing Olympic
Where every the words of Bahaullah go's without any dought, it will shine. My sons Jonathan Ganesh and Yanni Ganesh was talking lots about your song but now i am going to hear it and i am sure the very word and sound must have touch the heart and soul of the Beijing Olympic Committe members
I actually didn't realize
I actually didn't realize that was a Bahai song until now.
Congratulations
this seems to be reallly
interesting
This is inspiring music and a great story thank you.
phil morison
hey! that song is up on youtube its pretty motivational
Unity and peaceful world is
Unity and peaceful world is the best thing we can give to the next generation.
Olympics
Congratulations to a wonderful collaboration. I have attended the Keith and Keith Yard Parties featuring a unifying and diverse crowd and musical performances. Old days ;) ! More happiness is sure to come!
thanks for your talent
I really appreciate this composition as it has a meaning and a very valid point to make - World Unity, we have seen so much of issues going on between countries and religions, we should all work towards World Unity.. These are words of russian girl who know what she says.
This is inspiring music and
This is inspiring music and a great story thank you.
Great!
hard work
What a way to compliment the hard work of the Chinese people who took a lot of time to make the Olympics a success and incomparable to others. This was one of the best Olympic Games the world has ever seen starting from the beautiful stadiums like the Birds nest, to the lighting and most importantly the opening song, which advocated for peace through out the world. Since the Olympics are such a landmark, I feel the organizers of the event made the right decision to choose “Beijing Olympics Hao Yuing meaning Good Luck by Keith Williams and Phil Morrison from Bahai. This song infused different cultures that made it a masterpiece.
I really appreciate this
I really appreciate this composition as it has a meaning and a very valid point to make - World Unity, we have seen so much of issues going on between countries and religions, we should all work towards World Unity.. These are words of russian girl who know what she says.
Great opening song and great
Great opening song and great show....Beijing was perfect!
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