[训练]惠特妮休斯顿葬礼
CLAPPING hands and swaying to gospel hymns(福音诗)in the church where Whitney Houston’s powerful voice once wowed her congregation(集会), the biggest names
in entertainment sang along (跟唱)with the choir( 合唱队)to remember the
pop superstar at her hometown funeral(葬礼) Saturday.
“We are here today, hearts broken but yet with God’s strength we celebrate
the life of Whitney Houston,” the Rev. Joe A. Carter told the packed New Hope Baptist Church after the choir behind him sang “The Lord is My Shepherd(指
导者).”
Mourners(悲伤者) including singer Jennifer Hudson and Houston’s mother,
gospel singer(福音歌手) Cissy Houston, stood, swayed and clapped along in the aisles(走廊). Gospel singers BeBe Winans and the Rev. Kim Burrell joined with pop stars like Alicia Keys in paying tribute to(赞颂) the 48-year-old pop
superstar who first began singing in the Newark church.
“You wait for a voice like that for a lifetime,” said music mogul(显要
人物) Clive Davis, who guided Houston’s career for decades(数十年).
The service had lighthearted moments too, such as Kevin Costner remembering
a young Houston using her winning smile to get out of trouble, Houston’s cousin
Dionne Warwick offering short insights(深刻见解) about the singer.
The most powerful moment was reserved for the end. As Houston’s casket(棺
材) was carried out, her hit “I Will Always Love You” played. Bobbi Kristina began crying, and the sobs of Houston’s mother rang throughout the church.
Houston’s ex-husband(前夫), Bobby Brown briefly appeared at the funeral before leaving. Brown arrived as the service began. He walked to the casket,
touched it and walked to the back of the church.
Brown said in a statement(声明) that he and his children were seated(坐下) but asked repeatedly to move. Brown says he left because he didn’t want
to create a scene.(大吵大闹) As he left, Brown appeared upset(出现沮丧).
Houston was buried next to her father, John Houston, in nearby (邻近的)
Westfield, New Jersey.(SD-Agencies)