Tribute to Barbara Frum

      

One night in 1937 there came a stork

Which visited Niagara Falls, New York

In 1937 a baby named Barbara was born

Now in 1992 for her today we mourn

In 1959 she graduated from UT

With a degree in Modern History

She started journalism in free-lance writing

Ushering a brilliant career in broadcasting

She tackled Macleans and Chatelaine

And for ten years she did retain

The top spot on "As it Happens" on the CBC

Always exuding her special charm and dignity

Then she was catapulted as the coveted hostess

Of the "Journal" and all agreed she was the best

Presiding over 26 episodes, a gargantuan task

And for better or more, no one can or dare ask.



It was a pleasure to see her in action

As she cornered Ministers in traction

Yes she became one of Canada's treasure

Up to her standards no one could measure

She knew the rules and none could bamboozle her

She would never let up until she got her answer

She stuck to the topic and kept her cool

Slicing like a technician using his tool

At home and even abroad she was the best

Travelling north, south, east and the west

She respected everyone below the ladder

Success never clouded her head, never

She was a real Canadian, was Barbara Frum

A woman of integrity and social decorum.





She would be missed by many American

Yes Canada has lost a great Canadian

Loved by both the French and English

With the Maple Leaf she had one wish

To see a peaceful and united country

Where all nations can live in harmony

Not where one ethnic group or one nation

Fighting over every trivial confrontation

She believed in "United we stand,

Divided we fall" for this good land

And if Barbara's death must not go in vain

Then we darn well have to work to maintain

The strength and determination of her

And by Cod, help us keep Canada together

Where the word distinct does not exist

Where everyone is included in the list

Where Canada comes first and foremost before all

And where proud Canadians can walk ten feet tall.



As we watched her on the telly

Reducing grown men to jelly

She was fighting back the tears

Hiding from us her real fears

Yes she suffered with a hideous phenomenon

And eventually after 18 years leukemia won

Everyone lost, foe, friend or chum

With the passing of Barbara Frum

Those who did not have lost a real experience regretfully

Those who did felt sad, empty but enriched thankfully

If Canada should go bust and Canadians go insane

Then dear Barbara Frum?s death would be in vain

But if Canada unite and stay as one

Then even evil leukemia has not won

For looking down at us from high above

She is still showering us with her love

Oh devious dark death where is thy shame?

Why do you have to defile the Frum?s name?

Why do you spare those who cheat and lie?

        Why do the good people always have to die?

Author's Notes/Comments: 

Barbara Frum was the greatest interviewer on the Canadian landscape whose voice was heard every day firstly on "As it Happens" and then later we saw her on TV on the "Journal" Canada has lost a great daughter- I missed her tremendously.

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