Correcting History as a Fitting Tribute is Made to Valerie Rodway

Feb 08, 2019 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

I was pleased to read in the 6th February 2019 issue of the Kaieteur News that the Government of Guyana intends to honour Ms. Valerie Rodway on the centenary of her birth. I think a postage stamp with her image is a fitting tribute to her contribution as a teacher and musician.
I must however hasten to add, as the daughter of Vere T Daly, Guyanese Historian (A Short History of the Guyanese People and the Making of Guyana), Author and Writer of the ‘Hymn for Guyana’s Children’, I believe it is my duty to my father, my family and to posterity to correct the misconception given on the website of the Ministry of the Presidency and published in your newspaper that Ms. Rodway penned the words to the song ‘Hymn for Guyana’s Children.’
In a similar way that she set Martin Carter’s poem to music, Ms Rodway wrote the musical score for ‘Hymn for Guyana’s Children.’ Attributing the words of the song to her therefore, would be diminishing my father’s legacy.
I have written to the Ministry of the Presidency, asking for the correction to be made on its website from which I presume you got your information. I write to you now as a member of the Fourth Estate, with responsibility for educating the Guyanese people through the publication of both current and historical facts.
I hope you will publish my letter in your newspaper.

Olney Daly

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News