Charlyn, Angel of Kensington
Charlyn's Grace: A Tapestry of Immigrant Life in Kensington
Lyrics
From St.Christopher's house
Starting from St. Christopher's house
Into the streets you set out
Embarking on a journey through the streets
With the dispossessed and the broken-down
With those who have been deprived and worn out
You looked around and saw the need
Noticed the necessity
Dug in your heels, rolled up your sleeves
Committed and ready to work hard
You were no stranger to the refugee
Familiar with assisting refugees
And you wouldn't let the bully boys get you down
Refusing to be intimidated by aggressors
These are your streets, from the projects to the slums of Chinatown
Claiming ownership of the streets, encompassing all areas from housing projects to the impoverished parts of Chinatown
From Denison square to the synagogue steps
Spanning from Denison square to the steps of the synagogue
The shopkeepers and merchants, all families of immigrants
Highlighting the unity of shopkeepers and traders, all descendants of immigrants
Charlyn, Charlyn, angel of Kensington
Addressing Charlyn as an angelic figure associated with Kensington
Laundry hanging in the alley yards
Depicting the sight of laundry hung in the backyards of alleys
Cats sunning on the hoods of parked cars
Observing cats basking in the sun atop parked cars
Children messing 'round in the vacant lots
Children playing in empty spaces
Fish-market woman laughin' out loud
Portraying a fish-market woman joyously laughing
Old Portuguese men hanging 'round
Elderly Portuguese men lingering around
In the ancient smoke of a local bar
Amidst the aged smoke of a local bar
You feeding birds right out of your hand
Charlyn feeding birds directly from her hand
On the sidewalk cafe while the street preacher quotes old testament
Amidst a sidewalk café, while a preacher quotes from the Old Testament
Charlyn, Charlyn, angel of Kensington
Reiterating Charlyn's angelic role in Kensington
Down in Alexandra Town
Referencing Alexandra Town
I can almost hear the old steel drums ringing out
Evoking the sound of old steel drums in that area
Courage, take courage
Encouragement to be brave
For every lonely soul that you lifted up
Praising Charlyn for uplifting lonely individuals
Pushing out the walls of this neighbourhood
Expanding the boundaries of the neighborhood by her actions
I guess that's why they call you the angel of Kensington
Reasoning why she's known as the angel of Kensington
Charlyn, Charlyn, Angel of Kensington
Reiterating Charlyn's role as an angel in Kensington
This is your family, this is your family
Acknowledging the community as Charlyn's extended family
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