Father Ho Lung takes a musical journey

Against the background of pouring rain and intermittent lightning and thunder, and in a spacious living room so labelled because its only furniture came in the form of a number of settees, nicely arranged, The Gleaner spoke with Father Richard Ho Lung, founder of the Missionaries of the Poor (MOP).

The conversation was insightful, as he told of his sojourn into the music ministry, the source of his inspiration for his writings and a preview of MOP's upcoming production, Acts of the Apostle.

It would be amiss to begin this story without describing the simplistic beauty of Missionaries of the Poor Sacred Heart Monastery, located downtown.

The brother's love of nature and open space was one of the first things to have registered once inside. The living room opened into a library with an adjacent chapel a few steps away. A beautiful flower garden spreads from the front of the building, down the sides and is supported by more flowers planted at various areas.

Thus was the setting in which Father Ho Lung, wearing his customary long white robe with blue sash, shared his story.

He has written a large volume of songs that have made their way into schools at different levels. Father Ho Lung has also written well-known theatrical works.

But what many persons do not know is that the Father has no musical training. In fact, he was not allowed to do music class at school.

"I was kicked out of music class because I could not read the notes, did not sing well and could not play the instruments," said the gentle-speaking Father Ho Lung.

Perhaps that was why, as a young priest, he was able to recognise the boredom of the children at Mass, and decided to do something about it. So he "wrote some Jamaican songs, because I was hearing some melody in my mind". Some were written with a mento rhythm. The first song was Jesus Born on the Land, and included words such as "tek yuh mawga soul ... and run to Massa God and cry out for mercy". "The children began to pay attention," he said.

Building a catalogue

With a love for music and the melodies that he kept hearing in his mind, Father Ho Lung said he associated with others who, like him, love music, and they built up a catalogue. That led to the creation of their first album.

Then he moved to themes and, along with his friends, staged A Christmas Show Oratory. Subsequently, little dramatic pieces such as The Story of Peter were included at concerts.

Soon, what began with a few concerts has led to major dramatic productions, with helping the poor the ultimate goal.

His first full-length dramatic piece was written in 1972 or '73 with the trilogy Sugar Cane. Like some of his later writings, it was based on a real story, juxtaposed with a corresponding Biblical one. Then came Ruby, followed by Amazing Grace, all based on his experiences and those of persons with whom he had interacted.

These stories highlight the ordinary man, hope, strength and forgiveness. "I love the ghetto and love the poor and I am fascinated by good and evil," Ho Lung explained.

Clear inspiration

With a master of arts in literature, Father Ho Lung said his style of writing is influenced by the ancient Greek tragedies and the structure of William Shakespeare pieces such as Othello and King Lear.

So how difficult is it to write a script?

"The basic script where the inspiration is clear, the line of the story is clear, and the characters are clear in my mind, usually comes fast, once I meditate, spend a lot of time praying about the characters, and see where they are going - they take on a life of their own in your mind," Father Ho Lung explained.

And how long did it take him to write Acts of the Apostle?

He wrote the basic story in about three days, "as the story came fast, but the music took longer, the harmony has to be right, and rhythm express the situations."

Father Ho Lung said he does not like to repeat his works. So Acts of the Apostle is not only a new script but will depict something different. The two-hour long story is based on the biblical figures Peter and Paul, and will depict heaven and hell. However, hell will be more symbolic in the struggles and the celebration of emptiness. Ho Lung admitted it was a challenge to create hell. Both the depiction of heaven and hell will be mainly presented through songs. He has also created a mystic female character. Susanna has been created in the story because he does not want the musical to be male-dominated.

Productions of Father Ho Lung and Friends are often seen by a large number of Jamaican children. Father Ho Lung wants to, in Acts of the Apostle, teach them "there is a way of maintaining values, standing up for what you believe in, never running away. There is courage and heroism in all of us once we believe."