James Wong's lyrics live on to inspire us

The huge outpouring of sadness following the death of Hong Kong's father of Canto-pop, James Wong Jim, culminating at a memorial service attended by more than 20,000 people yesterday, is unprecedented, even by the city's standards of celebrity worship.

Wong was certainly a person to be admired, for the heart-rending and inspiring lyrics which moved Hong Kong people so much and provided so many memories. Over the past week, sorrowful messages have flooded internet message boards, newspapers and magazines, paying tribute to Wong for his contributions, not only to music, but the popular Cantonese culture which he introduced through his lyrics and his writing.

What a pity though, that this emotional outpouring did not take place while Wong was alive, when he would have been able to appreciate how much his work meant to so many people.

His lyrics captured the hearts of many because they were lyrics that spoke to the people.

They were a reflection of their hearts and minds, of good times and bad. The lyrics shared their joy, felt their pain, and provided words of comfort and encouragement in times of difficulty.

Under the Lion Rock, written in the 1970s when Hong Kong was experiencing an economic downturn, encouraged people to work hand in hand to overcome difficult times and pursue their dreams. It still touches a chord in many Hong Kong people.

Wong was the only person who could have dared rewrite the lyrics of Santa Claus is Coming to Town to Deng Xiaoping is Coming to Town, in the aftermath of the June 4 Tiananmen crackdown.