Classic Canto tune to rally troops
A set of gloomy figures on the economic downturn marked the opening of the Budget speech, but Antony Leung sought to dispel any anxiety - with the lyrics of a heart-warming Canto classic.
At the end of his hour-long maiden speech, Mr Leung recalled with nostalgia past hardships Hong Kong had passed through in an apparent effort to lend an element of perspective to the current economic downturn.
'In Hong Kong we have the wonton noodle, dai pai dong tea and noisy but lively teahouses . . . we have all grown up in Hong Kong,' he said.
'Many of you may still remember the days of water rationing. Today we are in the rough. It is high time for all of us to pitch in.'
Then he read out part of the lyrics of veteran singer Roman Tam's Below the Lion Rock, before closing the 50-page budget document and walking away with a grin.
'Of one mind in pursuit of our dream, all discord set aside, with one heart on the same bright quest, fearless and valiant inside.
'Hand in hand to the ends of the Earth, rough terrain no respite, side by side we overcome ills, as the Hong Kong story we write,' he read.
At a press conference later, Mr Leung said he chose the song because he believed Hong Kong people would be able to pull through the recession.
'I believe with Hong Kong people's hard work and intelligence and our country's support, we will be able to find the new way out,' he said.
Writer James Wong Jim penned the lyrics in 1979 to Below the Lion Rock, which was the theme song of an RTHK TV social-realism series of the same name at the beginning of the 1970s.
The tune conveyed the message of a sense of community as society changed, and has won many hearts in Hong Kong.
Wong, also an actor, said yesterday Mr Leung's secretary rang him last week and asked for his approval to read the lyrics.
'I'm very honoured and I must compliment Mr Leung on his good taste,' said the 62-year-old former advertising man, bursting into a laughter.
'I'm surprised the song can still be applied to today. I've just discovered the world hasn't changed much. The song was written at a time when Hong Kong faced rapid changes.'
Wong said his favourite line in the song was the heart-warming last words.
But Mr Leung held a different view. 'What I feel is the strongest part is the words about setting aside discord to pursue the same goal,' he said. 'I hope that'll be what happens in Legco.'
