The power of music is often underrated. We’ve all been moved to tears or moved to dance by lyrics or a tune. But, for some people a song can truly change their life.
Such is the case for Elsie Balawing, a girl from the Philippines with the voice of an angel. Elsie, who has been totally blind since birth, has recently become a viral star after a video of her singing “I Will Always Love You” was posted to Facebook.
Elsie, whose age is unknown, sang the Dolly Parton-penned song as performed by Whitney Houston for the 1992 blockbuster movie The Bodyguard as she sat outside her family home that sits in a remote fishing village in the Philippines.
According to Darrell Burnett, the Facebook user who originally posted the video, Elsie has never been to school and never learned English, so she listens to songs and memorizes them. Other videos posted by Burnett show Elsie singing other English songs such as Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect,” “Just Give Me A Reason” by Pink and Ray Charles’ “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
Elsie’s rendition of “I Will Always Love You” has been viewed more than 11 million times since it was originally posted. Elsie may never know the impact that her voice has had on the millions of people who have heard her sing, but one thing is certain…Elsie is proof that songs can transcend language barriers and distance.
Hear Elsie sing “I Will Always Love You” below. To hear more from the talented young lady, click here.