In this section, we have selected five such ‘first-time’ music exercises by young Wong Jim. All of them were created in the turbulent 1960s. As Wong himself probably knew, these were unmistakably exploratory, immature works. But because they were immature, they displayed a directness that bore the honest imprint of a young mind and an untried time.
In his later years, Wong said he treasured his youth. He enjoyed being monkey-like – always naughty, sometimes naïve, perennially playful, forever young. In this sense these Wong Jim exercises are irreplaceable records of a monkey-like character and an era that set free the monkey in all of us.
Young Wong Jum-sum adored Mando pop master composer Yao Min, but did not get the chance to put lyrics to the latter’s compositions until the he passed away in the 1960s. Tears of Love was the first fruit of that ‘collaboration’.
The tune was Yao Min’s Lovers’ Tears, set to Wong Jim’s English lyrics. The performers were the Chopsticks, every inch the hybrid presence that symbolized Hong Kong popular culture's unique vitality.
Composer: Yau Mien 姚敏
Lyricist: James Wong 黃霑
Vocalist: The Chopsticks 筷子姊妹花
Oh why do lonely tears have to fall
When sadly I recall my love for you
The moments that we’ve shared
Were so real so true
But now you’re gone
And I’m alone, alone and blue
Oh now my lonely tears have to fall
And sadly I recall my love for you
If I had never cared
And love we’d never shared
Oh then my tears will never fall
Will never fall
Though spring is here
And love so near
Your sweet words of love
I no longer hear
When you’re not here no love is near
I still remember oh so clear
our love so dear
Oh now my lonely tears have to fall
And sadly I recall my love for you
If I had never cared,
And love we’d never shared
Oh then my tears will never fall
Will never fall
