Song for Beryl

Song written by Kim Wilde, Ricky Wilde & Mark Cummins as a tribute to Beryl Askew. Ninth track of the album Wilde Winter Songbook.

Kim about ‘Song for Beryl’

Beryl was a lady already in her late 70’s when we first came to know her, and who became a great friend of our family. We met whilst making a community garden in our village, and she would take care of Harry and Rose while I got on with the planting! Beryl lived alone in sheltered accommodation, and was increasingly less mobile before becoming house bound. We formed a close bond with her and shared good times and bad. I know she’ll be at the great ‘pub in the sky’ enjoying a glass of white wine as she hears this song, written especially for her. (1)

Credits

Acoustic guitar & additional vocals: Ricky Wilde
Percussion: Jonathan Atkinson
Additional vocals: Scarlett Wilde
Produced & engineered by Ricky Wilde
Recorded at Hawbush studio
Mixed by Ricky Wilde & Sean Vincent at RAK Studios, London

Interview source

(1) Track by track, Kimwilde.com website (UK), 11 November 2013


Lyrics

The years have taken hold,
A young girl now so old,
She tells me she’ll be fine,
Alone at Christmas time.

She has a little tree,
With lights for company,
And when I go she’ll be,
Alone at Christmas time.

Although the years they tried to break you,
You just kept holding on,
How can one so fragile be so strong?

I’m glad I knew you then,
And you called me your friend,
I’ll raise a glass of wine,
In memory…