He sounded prophetic on numerous poetic lines of his songs about death in general.
He personalized some lyrics with thought-provoking memories about his own… ‘Ine ndifuna pa Maliro anga msanzachulitse kundiyamika…’
He mirrored his final destiny in various captivating songs.
He never faked his own destiny, he was true to himself….. ‘Mzimu wa Soja udzagonaa…’
When it comes to music industry in Malawi, the word legend is often tossed around far too easily.
But rest assured, the late ‘Soldier’ Lucius Banda, an extraordinarily gifted musician, a brilliant and prolific songwriter, was one.
In contrast to the general leaning that a legend is someone who has achieved above and beyond in his particular field, the reality is that there are so many who go on to do so.
But a true legend is someone who metaphorically, never dies.
Soldier, lives on. He lives on, not only by his individual feats and in memory of many, but also through his traits of character.
Lucius will be fondly and forever remembered for his contribution to the growth of the domestic music industry, his extra ordinary talent and above all his humble and generous affable nature.
And on a somber Thursday afternoon amidst a choreography of wailers , ‘son of the poor’ will be making his final transition, amidst the diminishing sounds of the humming birds of Sosola Village.
A chapter well lived will finally be closing its giant pages. A man whose determination, expressed in logarithms of music, was a wakeup call to the human will, finally rests.
A soldier of the poor! Oh how can any term of excellence ever describe your fearless art, your sense of fortitude and nationalism? How? Fare thee well, ‘Amboba’.
