A Surrey woman鈥檚 birthday song for Queen Elizabeth II has become a requiem with even more meaning, now that she鈥檚 passed.

Four years ago, Donna Hanson wrote and recorded 鈥� in celebration of her 92nd birthday.

The song was sent to Her Majesty through the office of Governor General of Canada, and Hanson later received a note on Buckingham Palace letterhead saying Elizabeth was 鈥渄eeply moved鈥� and 鈥渧ery touched by the warm sentiments expressed鈥� in her song.

Posted to YouTube in 2018, a video that features a slideshow of photos of the queen is now being viewed by an increasing number of people. 鈥淲hen I look at the analytics, we鈥檝e seen a big spike over the past few days,鈥� Hanson said Friday (Sept. 16).

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Hanson feels that her song is now even more relevant, 鈥渂ecause people are saying the exact same things on the TV and radio, and people are expressing what is communicated in the song,鈥� she said.

鈥淚 just hope the song gets out there more and is heard by more people 鈥� not for my sake, but for hers.鈥�

Elizabeth died Sept. 8 at age 96 at Balmoral Castle, her summer residence in Scotland. Her funeral is planned for Monday, Sept. 19.

Now retired from a job with the Ministry of Labour, Hanson says Queen Elizabeth II has always been a part of her life. Growing up in North Delta, 鈥渉er beautiful portraits graced the (school) walls and gave me a sense of stability, respect, and honour for my country and my country鈥檚 relationship with England,鈥� Hanson posted to YouTube.

In April 2018 Hanson鈥檚 song was recorded with The Lady Larks vocal group at the home of one of the singers, with musical direction from Karen Lee-Morlang. 鈥淭his is the only song I have written,鈥� Hanson notes.

Her inspiration came while listening to a song by Michael Bubl茅 (鈥淐lose Your Eyes鈥�) while walking in Bear Creek Park, not far from her home. 鈥淭here were phrases which talk about the strength of a woman,鈥� Hanson recalled at the time, in Melanie Minty鈥檚 arts column.

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Posted below are the lyrics of 鈥淒evoted Heart, A Song for My Queen, Elizabeth鈥�:

You graced the hallways of my life

From the time when I was small.

You lived within my history

And raised the standard for us all.

Your task was handed down to you

Destiny made clear your fate

And you鈥檝e been true unwavering,

A path you didn鈥檛 choose to take.

CHORUS

Beauty is deeper

Grace comes from within

When you do well

With what you鈥檝e been given.

You made it count

Right from the start

Your crowning jewel is your devoted heart.

Sometimes when we鈥檙e not very sure

And our world seems so fragile

Your presence gives stability

With your warm, familiar smile.

Good people leave a legacy

Like the beauty in a pearl.

You always will remain a gem

Within the crown of my own world.

And we want to thank you, for your devoted heart

tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com
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