The West Cheshire Hospital in Chester was the old asylum. Before that it was called Diva, the Roman word for the city. Essentially it comprised of the main 1829 Georgian building with scores of satellite two story wards connected by brick built corridors which gave visitors the sense that you were in fact underground.Those corridors were long and dark a creepy and as a student nurse, I negotiated them always in a hurry.
One night, after 8 pm, in winter, I was walking up that corridor from Whitby ward, when I heard singing. A woman was singing Moon River gently to herself somewhere ahead of me. The voice was elderly and faltering, but because of the acoustics had a certain emotional power to it and every time I turned a corner I expected to see a patient , who was probably late for curfew, walking back to her ward.
But I saw no one
I just heard the voice always a little way ahead
Two drifters off to see the world,
There’s such a lot of world to see
We’re after the same rainbows end
Waiting round the bend
My Huckleberry friend
Moon River
And me”
And it stopped when I reached the main corridor and the sliding green door which lead to the nurses home, beyond the Church.
Dear John, you are a fund of interesting stories, all much appreciated. That was a spooky experience for you though. Sending you best wishes, Charmaine
ReplyDeleteIt was unnerving but those corridors were totally frightening ……
DeleteI immediately heard Andy Williams in my head...it was constantly on my sister's record player in '63 or so.
ReplyDeleteMy sister used to play the sound of music constantly
DeleteThat's a unique and somewhat spooky memory! Love that video.
ReplyDeleteIt’s terribly emotional I thought, and the way the pianist holds his trunk at the end
DeleteHow eerie, lovely, and one of the many experiences in this world that are not dreamed of, Horatio. Moon River is one of my favorite songs and that video is charming.
ReplyDeleteWishing you and your fellow students success in those last two assignments that are due today.
Big hugs!
We are still waiting , but my tutors acknowledged my portfolio being sent
DeleteI'm so glad for that! Whew!!!
DeleteHugs!
Audrey Hepburn every time. The song belongs to her!
ReplyDeleteExactly! So ethereal.
DeleteShe sang it the best
DeleteIt's a lovely song and the story is not creepy at all:)
ReplyDeleteThe fact I’ve remembered it after nearly 40 years says something
DeleteIf that was a ghost, I don't think you were in any danger. Moon River isn't a menacing song, and whoever was singing it clearly had no ill intent. A lovely story. xx
ReplyDeleteI never thought it was a ghost, moon river is nectar to a gay man , even one who didn’t know he was gay
DeleteOh John that made me laugh
DeleteMoon River is loved by more gay men than you could shake a “ stick” at
lol
Keith
Xx
Keith is so right
DeleteMy BGF Howie has the song as his ringtone
Lesbians have anything from Tracy Chapman
Lee
Well, you learn something new every day! Whenever I hear Moon River, I'll think of you. I've always loved it. xx
DeleteYes, it was the song played at my wedding too
DeleteGreat ghost story! Repost at Halloween. Moon River is one of my favorite songs. There used to be a YouTube version w aerial tour of NYC at sunset, pre 2001, so the Towers were still there. Stunning, I d cry and cry.
ReplyDeleteI tried looking for the video you mentioned , no luck
DeleteNo it was removed due to copyright infringement, too bad. So beautiful.
DeleteSuch a heartwarming video. I heard this song way too much for a while and tired of it, but this rendition made me appreciate again.
ReplyDeleteThe elephant was swaying to the tune don’t you think
DeleteI agree the elephant was swaying to the song, ears flapping, and tail swaying also. I thought the elephant really loved the final chord, too. Sublime!
DeleteHugs!
That eerie moment with “Moon River” echoes long after. The empty corridors and soft singing paint a haunting memory of the past.
ReplyDeleteI know it was a patient, the song was from the early 1960s, and this was in 1983
DeleteThere are spooky tales about many of the old British hospitals.
ReplyDeleteI remember in a quiet moment in the night shift, hearing someone crying, a childlike, tired crying by the old basement operating theatre.
All of the patients were asleep, and nobody was around.
My colleague sent me to make coffee.
I forgot to put my name.
DeleteNellie, I too have heard calling, I’ve also experienced oxygen being turned on and televisions coming on in the wee small hours
DeleteI’ve felt “ something” pass me on a corridor once too
Love that memory and the video made me cry. I think all life is connected, especially through song.
ReplyDeleteYes art, music , song, humanity , nature, all connected
DeleteThe calmness of that animal
Sometimes, it's not good to walk alone . . .
ReplyDeleteX
DeleteThe day before our cruise holiday we attended our friend's funeral and were greeted by his favourite song, Moon River. It was an emotional moment.
ReplyDeleteThe following day on the ship we walked into an empty ballroom to again hear Moon River played. We knew Terry was with us. He loved cruising. xxx
It’s one song I will have at my funeral
DeleteI had it at my wedding too
this made me cry.....sad and joyful. I have seen this clip before....but it's the song......that I recall fondly from my childhood, as being one of my Fathers favorites....and even though I haven't heard it in years.....I remember every single word.....and sang along with this..with tears....but good ones. thank you, John.
ReplyDeleteSusan M/ Calif.
i am slightly terrified.....
ReplyDeletedon’t fear the ghosts, it is the living that want to hurt us.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! I lived next to a graveyard for years and it was very peaceful, unlike the town centre!
DeleteFor my funeral I want Ashokan Farewell! Ever heard it? Kathy
ReplyDeleteIt's a lovely song and I appreciate your mentioning it.
DeleteWishing you well.
Hugs!
Absolutely wonderful video.
ReplyDeleteAt school (R.C.) we were taught that humans were superior to animals because animals don't possess a soul. This illustrates otherwise - and highly movingly, bless the lovely creature.
Many moons ago I went to this hospital for an interview to do my nurse training. I remember creeping along the shadowy corridors aged 17, wondering if I really wanted to train there! In the end, although they offered me a place I chose to go to Manchester Royal Infirmary as I though Manchester would be a more exciting city to move to.
ReplyDeleteI believe that I read that when Audrey Hepburn sang the song while filming Breakfast at Tiffany's, the entire film crew wept, overcome with emotion. Some songs just have that power.
ReplyDeleteLovely song. Makes me think of Audrey Hepburn and Andy Williams.
ReplyDeleteDeliciously creepy John...... Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteI wonder what a "huckleberry friend" is. Could it be the same as a "raspberry friend" who is always farting or a "potato friend" who spends most of his/her life sitting on the sofa watching reality TV shows and munching "Wotsits"?
ReplyDeleteThink of Huckleberry Finn -- childhood friends in rural places, before the 1920s (Georgia, in Johnny Mercer's case).
ReplyDeleteSpooky, but lovely.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I enjoyed it, I wonder if the elephant would have enjoyed Audrey Hepburn's version as much. The elephant and the others in the sanctuary always gather when their pianist friend arrives to serenade them.
I find the corridors in the lower levels of our local hospital spooky and once felt quite nervous when walking through them, silent and alone after an appointment.
ReplyDelete