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The People
shall we start with..
Dispatch-
The band that redefined independent music. A tri-vocal, funk-coustic, instrument-swap, groove genre, Brad Corrigan (Braddigan),
Pete Francis Heimbold (Repeat), and Chad Urmston (Chetro), started the band in 1996. Since then, they have gained a loyal
"cult" following (which we like to think stands for Connected Under Lovely Tunes), leading up to the historic 7/31 (see "The
Things").
Shane (aka
Insane Shane) Shane started off as Dispatch's PR (public relations). She grew up with Brad and has been with the band since
day 1. Years after Chad came back from Zimbabwe (see "The Places"/"The Things")
they dreamed up the idea of the Elias Fund. She has been working on the idea ever since, organizing Dispatch reps and turning
them into "EF'n" reps. She's the one who sends out all the updates and comes up with awesome ideas. The Elias Fund would be
nothing without her, and I think we all owe her a round of applause for letting us be a part of it!
Elias- Chad’s
friend from Zimbabwe (see “The Places” for elaboration.
Honest- One
of Elias’ two sons, whom is the first focal point of the Elias Fund, to send to collage so he can help us to change
the course of life for people in section 17.
Manuel- One
of Elias’ two sons, whom is the first focal point of the Elias Fund, to send to collage so he can help us to change
the course of life for people in section 17.
EF'n Reps-
any or all of the 265 (and counting) representatives of the Elias Fund, as nicknamed by Shane.
The Places
Zimbabwe-
Where the story of Elias starts. It is the worst AIDS-infected country in Africa- being 50% more infected than anywhere else. Chad traveled to Zimbabwe in ’94 to teach the locals
English. What he didn’t know was that he would be leaving with a lifelong friend, named Elias.
Section 17-
Zimbabwe is divided into sections, and section 17 is where Elias, Honest, and Manuel live.
The Hatch Shell-
Where 7/31 took place. Over 110,000 people traveled from all over the world to see Dispatch play their last show on July
31, 2004.
The Things
- Chad traveled to Zimbabwe in ’94 to teach the locals English. What
he didn’t know was that he would be leaving with a lifelong friend, named Elias.
- Upon returning from Africa, Chad writes a song for Dispatch to play about his trip and the friends he met there, called Elias
- 110,000 Dispatch fans crowd into the Hatch Shell on July 31, 2004 for the farewell show, inspiring:
- Shane and the Band dream up the Elias Fund
The Song
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Elias |
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Lyrics by Chad Urmston
Dai Jesu achoinekwa ndaizofara naye.
Dai Jesu achoinekwa ndaizofara naye.
Taizofara
naye fara naye.
Taizofara naye fara naye.
Dai Jesu achoinekwa ndaizofara naye.
Dai Jesu achoinekwa ndaizofara naye.
Taizofara
naye fara naye.
Taizofara naye fara naye.
Kwaziwai? Kwaziwai?
Makasimba, here?
Ndakasimba kana makasimbawo.
Ndakasimba,
ndakasimba. Ndakasimba kana makasimbawo.
You raise your head, you beat the sun
But your boys they lie so close to
you
Do you dare get up and wake the two
Oh Elias, I see you there at work in the day time
Do you think you answer
all the questions in the world
In just one word - I think you could
'cause if you die will I get word that you're gone
or
will I hear it in passing conversation
or will I stop short and fall to the ground
distance is short when your hand
carries what your eye found
hold my hand just one more time
to see if you're really going to meet me
hold my hand
just one more time
to see if you're really going to meet me
Honest and Manuel, well they're at school now
Given the
chance that their father's never seen
To see what's beyond section 17
And in ten years when you look back at your boys
Well
you know they're grown way taller than the tallest
Sugar cane in the field
chorus
I see your wife she stands
stooped over by the fire outside
and I see your boys and when they look up
you know I think they got their mother's
eyes
'cause she looks so proud she looks so happy
she looks so proud she looks so happy
chorus
Note:
First stanza is in an Eastern Zimbabwe tribal language called Shona. Translation provided by Kelsey Reardon below:
Dai
Jesu achoinekwa ndaizofara naye.
If I could meet my Jesus I would be very happy with Him.
Taizofara
naye.
We would be happy with Him.
Kwaziwai?
How are you?
Makasimba,
here?
How are you feeling?
Ndakasimba kana makasimbawo.
I am
fine and I hope the same for you.
Ndakasimba, ndakasimba.
I am fine, oh, I am fine.
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