Vershon Simmons Tribute Video
Bermuda songstress Heather Nova’s “Together As One” — an anthem dedicated to both sailing and voyages of personal discovery — provides the musical accompaniment to a new video memorialising Vershon Simmons, the 18-year-old “Spirit of Bermuda” crew member who died in a road traffic accident on March 5.
A friend of the late Mr. Simmons created the YouTube tribute video showing the teenager at work and at play aboard the Bermuda Sloop Foundation’s 112-foot vessel.
The former Bermuda Institute student, who was pre-deceased by both his parents, was an avid sailor and had been deeply involved with the “Spirit of Bermuda” sail training programme. Ms Nova composed “Together As One” in 2005 specifically to raise awareness of the Bermuda Sloop Foundation’s efforts to introduce young Bermudians to the ocean around them — as well as to their own inner qualities.
Mr. Simmons had sailed aboard the “Spirit of Bermuda” on more than a dozen ocean voyages, including trips to the Caribbean, the US East Coast and transatlantic crossings to Europe.
Around 9:30pm this past Saturday, Mr Simmons was riding a motorcycle which was involved in a collision with a car on Harbour Road in Paget near the junction with Cobbs Hill Road.
He was seriously injured and pronounced dead later that night, marking the first road fatality for 2011.
Tributes to the teenager continue to pour in on a Facebook page set up in his memory.
Lyrics to “Together As One” :
The wind is up, I’ll take you with me
We’ll ride the waves and build a dream together
We’ll set the sails and as in life
We’ll take each turn; the fair and stormy weather
Cause it’s in our hearts, it’s in our minds
With only our fears to leave behind
And we’ll be sailing to get there
Sailing to come back home
Sailing, sailing
Together we can learn to live as one
We are an island in the sea
We are all sailors you and me, remember
So like our fathers did before
Let’s weigh the anchors and explore together
Cause it’s in our blood, it’s in our veins
We’re taking it back to win again
And we’ll be sailing to get there
Sailing to come back home
Sailing, sailing
Together we can learn to live as one
We have the chance to shine (we have the chance to shine)
To pull together, leave our differenes behind
Cause it’s in our hearts, it’s in our souls
Just as they did in days of old
Take up the challenge of the sea
And we can set our mind and spirits free
Cause we’ll be sailing to get there
Sailing to come back home
Sailing, sailing
Together we can learn to live as one
Yeah, together we can learn to live as one
RIP Vershon what can I say, gone too soon. My condolances to the family.
Awesome and so fitting!! May you Rest in Peace…..
A remarkable young man, a glimmer of hope for Bermuda’s future. We need to grow these young soles, he was truly an inspiration. Vershon should be an example to what works. R.I.P. little buddy.. God Bless… you touched the hearts of many in this ball of blue… “Hip Hip”
My, My what a fitting tribute to this wonderful young man. I didn’t know him or his family, but they should be so proud of what he had accomplished in his short time here on earth. May God continue to comfort the family and be proud of this young man. Like I said ….WHAT A TRIBUTE. WONDERFUL….
To the friend who produced this tribute,,, Thank You.
Tears welled up as I watched this..truly touching….RIP
So Sad a young man has diasppeared from our world at such a young age. I heard him speak at Mr. Goodwins funeral (also from the Sloop) and instantly thought he was a wonderful person
So Sad