The magnificent cathedrals of Europe with their stained glass windows have captivated us for centuries. The focal point of worship within the sanctum was the pipe organ, firmly built into the structure. The echoes of this organ would resonate and enrich the hymns sung in adoration to God, originally, in Latin. The first pipe organ was installed by Pope Vitalian in Rome. However, there were certain days of worship in the church when the folks gathered in the side chapels (the cathedrals were built in the shape of the holy cross). During this service, the hymns could not be accompanied by the pipe organ, as the organ could not be relocated. Hence, the choir (or a few members) would assemble in the small chapel and sing without musical accompaniment. This was the real birth of acappella music, which in Latin meant: music in the style of the chapel. The word choir derives from the consummation of the French word quer and Latin word chorus. The ancient Gregorian chant is also a style of acappella. In the Byzantine Rite of the Eastern Orthodox Church the liturgies are sung without musical accompaniment.
Born to sing
To those who appreciate this style of singing in Sri Lanka, the name of Lylie Godridge will bring back memories. Lylie can be hailed as the “godfather of acappella” in our country. I first heard the LG Singers as a child of 8 years, at the carol service of St. Peters Church, Fort. To me, the baritone voice of this man sounded so majestic, and it was then that I realized this unique style of singing without any musical instrument. My second encounter with ‘Uncle Lylie’, as he was affectionately called by thousands, was at a Scout camp, at the school by the sea. As we gathered around the radiant glow of the campfire he taught us to sing the African song Kumbaya. It was funny that one of our scouts who generally took some time to digest input in any form, was strangely led to imagine that Kumbaya was a man’s name of Dravidian origin, perhaps like Kandiah!
Brothers in harmony
Raw talent of any form must be spotted and nurtured to achieve success. This was the case of John Lylie Godridge. His vocal prowess was spotted by a British priest, Father Dudley. The 7-year-old boy from Kotahena (Colombo 13) was rightfully awarded a full scholarship at his school, in view of his outstanding voice. Soon, the parishioners of Christ Church Mutwal (today referred as gal palliya) would be blessed by his rendition of hymns. Lylie was born to sing. The Almighty One had favoured this youth like the biblical figure David, who wrote the Psalms. It is interesting to note that Lylie ended up as an English teacher at his alma mater.
It was in 1960 that the management of the YMCA requested Mr.Godridge to form their choir. Using his keen musical sense he filtered a group of men and selected 45 of them. They sang with glee. Sometime later, in 1962, this choir disbanded. Being a visionary Lylie at age 34, again selected some of the ardent singers and formed the Lylie Godridge Singers on 15 May 1962. They met at their ‘vocal headquarters’, No 207 Allen Avenue, Dehiwela on a Tuesday evening at 6 pm. This practice time and day of the week continues to this day. For their uniform they chose a simple white shirt and maroon tie. Their motto was ‘Service in Song’.
The pioneer members of the group were Leonard Bandaranayake, Douglas Perera, Maurice Lea, Ivan Seniveratne, Stanley Arnold, Paul Bibile, Dunstan Fernando, Ian Wickremenayake, Robert Joseph, Donald Jayasinghe, Valentine Daniel, Herbert Roberts, Willet Fernando, Hector Fernando, Lister Fernando and Spencer Berman. Of the original group some have passed onto the golden shores. Paul Bibile continues to sing with the choir to this day. Robert Joseph, also a founder member went on to sing for five decades.
The great Master also trained many school choirs at various stages. A few years prior to his untimely demise he came up with the concept of the 500 voice choir, a Sri Lankan first. Later in 1998, a few months before his death, he led a choir of 1,025 students who gave a stellar performance. The late President J.R. Jayewardene commissioned Mr.Godridge to tour Europe and some other countries as an ambassador of song, which he gladly did with the company of Willet Fernando, sometime in 1979.
Jungles, taverns and trains
I was blessed to visit the residence at Allen Avenue, where the ‘boys’ continue this fine musical tradition. Today, the group is led by Lylie’s eldest son Willie, with support and insight from the younger son Christopher. The two Godridge brothers shared some of their memories , as they once toured the length and breadth of our island with their father. Christopher remembers an incident when they were returning from Batticaloa in the 1970s.They came across an Ashram deep in the eastern jungles. Inspired by the solitude of this forest retreat the choir silently assembled and began to sing. Willie remembers singing at a rather strange location- the washroom of the BMICH. The choir had been asked to perform at a certain event. Lylie was a man who adhered to time. Punctuality was part of his life. However, the organizers kept delaying and Lylie was growing impatient. He ordered the group to ‘assemble’ in the large washroom, and began to sing, to keep himself calm. The organizers delayed. The choir left!
Christo recalls another incident in India. The choir had to board a train from Hyderabad to Madras. The train was crowded, which is normal by Indian standards. The entire choir had to stand for almost 14 hours. Some had gone to sleep while standing. A betel chewing Indian, also exhausted by the long journey had decided to start hurling insults at Lylie, assuming the foreigner was travelling alone. Suddenly that worthy was ‘confronted’ by the 15 man choir. The once defiant Indian immediately vanished into another compartment! Having reached their venue, when the choir was ready to perform none of them could tie their shoe laces as they all had swollen feet, standing in the train! Other members of the choir now join me in the hall at Allen Avenue, and the room explodes with laughter.
The choir had performed in Jaffna. Willie recollects a visit to the local tavern under the shade of the resilient Palmyrah tree. Some of the boys, out of curiosity entered the joint. Suddenly, a tall man dressed to resemble a hermit, walked in. He was served in a large black coconut shell. The hermit raised the shell with one hand, and then encountered an obstacle - his long unkempt beard was in the way. Looking up into the sky, the hermit grabbed his beard holding it against his mouth; he then gulped down the toddy, through his beard, using it as a filter!
Yuletide echoes
It was lovely to hear them rehearse in 4 part harmony, with Willie Godridge at the helm seated near the old Barrat and Robinson piano, which was made for the tropics! Some of his mannerisms remind me of his legendary father. He uses a ‘pitch pipe’ to guide the men at the beginning of each song. The choir goes through some Christmas carols. This year they have added a new Italian hymn, In note Placida (peaceful night). The distinct bass voice of Eshantha de Andrado has great depth, and roars like the engine of a Boeing 747 flight. Their rendition of Silent Night is brilliant. The Lylie Godridge singers celebrated 50 years of singing in 2012. The splendid legend of Lylie lives on at Allen Avenue.