VOA标准英语2010年-Hundreds Turn Out to Say Goodbye to Le

This is a April 7, 1994 file photo of singer-actress in New York City. Singer Lena Horne, who broke racial barriers as a Hollywood and Broadway star famed for her velvety¹ rendition of "Stormy Weather," has died at age 92.

Lena Horne, the iconic African American singer and native New Yorker who crossed the color line to make it big in the world's of Hollywood and popular music was remembered at a funeral service in Manhattan on May 14.  The final sendoff for Horne, who died May 9 at the age of 92, was attended by celebrities³, dignitaries and fans.

Hours before the legendary⁴ Lena Horne's funeral service was scheduled to begin, mourners and well-wishers had already lined up outside Saint Ignatius Loyola Church to pay their respects. 

Rochelle Thompson, an African American woman did not know Horne personally, but credited her with inspiring her own, more humble⁵ singing career. 

"I am here to celebrate her because that lady stood for me so I could stand here today,” said Thompson.  “I am wearing my pearls the way she used to tie her pearls. And in my repertoire⁶ I do [the song] 'I've Grown Accustomed to His Face [according] to her version.”

Personal friends such as Marjorie Andrews, who was introduced to Horne thirty years ago through family relations, were also in attendance. She both loved and respected Horne, who was the first African American to land a major Hollywood contract, at a time when blacks were cast only in subservient⁷ roles.

"She was a wonderful person and she absolutely outstanding. She had a beautiful voice. She handled herself with great dignity her entire life. She has been an outstanding role model for everybody black and white. It was a great honor to know her, it really was," said Andrews.

Famed opera diva Jessye Norman comes to show her respects to Lena Horne, 14 May 2010

Indeed, it was more than Horne's talent as an entertainer that brought artists such as Vanessa Williams, Dianne Carroll, Dionne Warwick and the international opera star Jessye Norman to Saint Ignatius Loyola on Friday.   

"I adored her,” explained Jessye Norman.  “And I still do. When one imagines that a talent that great and a person with that much inner and outer beauty could have had obstacles simply because of the color of her skin, it makes me weep."

Many top dignitaries, like New York State Governor David Paterson, also made a point of coming to Horne's memorial service.

"Well, I know the family so I would be here anyway,” said Paterson.  “But even if I didn't, it's the fact that Lena Horn is an icon² of American history. I loved her music. I loved her. I never met her, but I feel the loss."

Bill Wheeler, a decorated Tuskegee combat pilot, remembered the joy Horne brought to his fellow African American servicemen during her visits to their Army Air base in Alabama between 1943 and 1945. 

"She would come down to our graduation ceremonies and it was incredible the effect she had on the entire population of the base,” said Wheeler.  “We all loved her! It was a new world, okay? Instead of being the humdrum⁸ statistical⁹ world, everything seemed to turn into butterflies and perfume. But she was also a fighter. She was a freedom fighter. She fought for what she believed and she stood for what she believed in. and that was anything that was fair. And that characterized her until she died."

Soon, inside the packed church, Horne's coffin¹⁰ was solemnly brought in, and the congregation began to sing an old spiritual hymn¹¹ dear to Horne herself. After an hour-long service of words both sacred and nostalgic and of course, music, the world finally said goodbye to the legendary Lena Horne. She was 92 years old.
 

1 velvety   

adj. 像天鹅绒的, 轻软光滑的, 柔软的

参考例句：

• a velvety red wine 醇厚的红葡萄酒
• Her skin was admired for its velvety softness. 她的皮肤如天鹅绒般柔软，令人赞叹。

2 icon   

n.偶像，崇拜的对象，画像

参考例句：

• They found an icon in the monastery.他们在修道院中发现了一个圣像。
• Click on this icon to align or justify text.点击这个图标使文本排齐。

3 celebrities   

n.（尤指娱乐界的）名人( celebrity的名词复数 )；名流；名声；名誉

参考例句：

• He only invited A-list celebrities to his parties. 他只邀请头等名流参加他的聚会。
• a TV chat show full of B-list celebrities 由众多二流人物参加的电视访谈节目

4 legendary   

adj.传奇（中）的，闻名遐迩的；n.传奇（文学）

参考例句：

• Legendary stories are passed down from parents to children.传奇故事是由父母传给孩子们的。
• Odysseus was a legendary Greek hero.奥狄修斯是传说中的希腊英雄。

5 humble   

adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低

参考例句：

• In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见，他将在选举中获胜。
• Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。

6 repertoire   

n.(准备好演出的)节目，保留剧目；(计算机的)指令表，指令系统， <美>(某个人的)全部技能；清单，指令表

参考例句：

• There is an extensive repertoire of music written for the flute.有很多供长笛演奏的曲目。
• He has added considerably to his piano repertoire.他的钢琴演奏曲目大大增加了。

7 subservient   

adj.卑屈的，阿谀的

参考例句：

• He was subservient and servile.他低声下气、卑躬屈膝。
• It was horrible to have to be affable and subservient.不得不强作欢颜卖弄风骚，真是太可怕了。

8 humdrum   

adj.单调的，乏味的

参考例句：

• Their lives consist of the humdrum activities of everyday existence.他们的生活由日常生存的平凡活动所构成。
• The accountant said it was the most humdrum day that she had ever passed.会计师说这是她所度过的最无聊的一天。

9 statistical   

adj.统计的，统计学的

参考例句：

• He showed the price fluctuations in a statistical table.他用统计表显示价格的波动。
• They're making detailed statistical analysis.他们正在做具体的统计分析。

10 coffin   

n.棺材，灵柩

参考例句：

• When one's coffin is covered,all discussion about him can be settled.盖棺论定。
• The coffin was placed in the grave.那口棺材已安放到坟墓里去了。

11 hymn   

n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌

参考例句：

• They sang a hymn of praise to God.他们唱着圣歌，赞美上帝。
• The choir has sung only two verses of the last hymn.合唱团只唱了最后一首赞美诗的两个段落。