BS: Putting My House In Order

Subject: RE: BS: Putting My House In Order
From: GUEST,Wesley S at Home
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 12:29 PM

We got this version off of the Three Pickers CD with Ricky Scaggs, Earl Scruggs and Doc Watson. Earl Scruggs plays guitar on that one.

Speaking of Doc - we say his a week ago. He sang a wonderful song called "We shall be reunited" - at least I'm pretty sure that was the title. And Doc got choked up singing that one. It almost looked like he was going to loose it. It was a touching moment. I'm on the lookout for that song if anyone know it.

Subject: RE: BS: Putting My House In Order
From: GUEST,Wesley S at Home
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 12:21 PM

Jerry - Does this help ??

WHO WILL SING FOR ME ?

By John Thomas Ely

Oft I sang for my friends, when deaths cold hand I see
When I reach my journeys end, who will sing one song for me ?
I wonder who, will sing for me ?
When I'm called to cross that silent sea
Who will sing for me ?

When friends shall gather round, and look down on me
Will they turn and walk away, or will they sing one song for me?
I wonder who, will sing for me ?
When I'm called to cross that silent sea
Who will sing for me ?

So I'll sing 'til the end, contented I will be
Assured that some friend will sing one song for me.
I wonder who, will sing for me ?
When I'm called to cross that silent sea
Who will sing for me ?

Subject: RE: BS: Putting My House In Order
From: mack/misophist
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 12:13 PM

I rather like the medieval idea of "ars moriendi." Live your life so that, no matter when you die, you will be ready. But it's hard.

Subject: RE: BS: Putting My House In Order
From: Bobert
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 08:18 AM

Live your life so that on the day of your death even the undertaker will be saddened....

Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain

I try to keep the message of this quote in my thoughts 52 weeks a year, though, as my brother Jerry has stated, no matter how much effort we make we always come up just a tad short. But what is important is that, irregarless of our shortcomings, we continue to make the effort.

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: Putting My House In Order
From: 42
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 08:16 AM

After I posted I went back to read Mose's musings from Rick's memorial. He really was a sweet man...we did a dulcimer workshop together once when I could hardly play a tune ...he treated me like a star! We should all aim at having that kind of impact!



jen

Subject: RE: BS: Putting My House In Order
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 07:50 AM

If we lay forward the love, understanding and inner strength from ourselves to family, friends, neighbours then we feel better for doing so..we actually feel rewarded but is that why we do things? I try to do what I think the Good Lord wants me to and I believe if I get it right...the good feelings are His way of telling me I am in His will.
You may have and are entitled to your own theories about that...but I know that I need to make a greater effort..for...as Jerry says.."We all fall short of the Glory" and need to care more for our fellow man whoever he is. I gave up making New Years resolutions some years ago but know that at any time of my life, I need to make more effort...so keep trying to remind myself of just that.
Until my own house is in order, how can I consider myself fit to criticise, judge or condemn others?. Having said that even...does any of us have that right anyway?.......
Best wishes to all

Subject: RE: BS: Putting My House In Order
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 07:42 AM

The gift of music... that's wonderful, Jen. My gospel quartet sang at the wake for the son-in-law of one of the members of the group. Music is a beautiful way to remember the good in other's lives, and to
give comfort. There's a wonderful song by the Stanley Brothers, Who Will Sing For Me? that I've been meaning to learn. Maybe I'll set aside a few minutes today and finally write down the words and post them. The song is asking whether friends will sing at the person's funeral. There's a thread on that, too... probably should add the song.

We also do a song I wrote with the opening lines:

"It's a long and a lonesome journey
On a rough and a rocky road
It's not made for the weak, or the faint of heart
You have to carry such a heavy load"

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Putting My House In Order
From: 42
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 07:02 AM

Well Jerry, I think you do a fine job here. The contributions you make are thoughtful, thought-provoking and articulate and encourage others to be the same.

It's odd that we should be here at the same time today. This afternoon I'm planning to sing Handful of Songs at a memorial gathering for a friend who died suddenly late last week. Ever since I heard Rick sing it I've loved it. I may even dust off the dulcimer.

I think we need to look inside ourselves and see our own strengths! There will always be someone to notice the weaknesses.

go gently

jen

From what I've heard...I think you should be quoting your own songs! ;)

Subject: RE: BS: Putting My House In Order
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 06:52 AM

Nah, freinds are to bring round a decent bottle of wine just when you were really settling into what you were supposed to be doing that evening...

Subject: BS: Putting My House In Order
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 06:40 AM

With the New Year upon us, it's a traditional time for making resolutions. For a few days, we resolve to improve ourselves, and then for the rest of the year, we spend most of our time judging others, telling them what they're doing wrong and how they are failing to live up to our standards. A week after the New Year begins, most people have already forgotten what their New Year's resolutions are.

Throughout the year, there are endless threads where we rather smugly justify our lives by judging everyone else's (except those who agree with us.) A couple of New Year's resolutions won't change that, in Mudcat or our daily lives.

Each of us is born with a potential far beyond any that we ever realize. We all fall short of the glory. For myself, trying to put my house in order is a full-time job. While it feels good to draw attention to the perceived failings of others, I don't know anyone's heart but my own. I don't know what burdens others bring to Mudcat, or what they face when the computer screen goes blank. I don't know what has brought them to this point in their lives, and even less so do I know what they should do with their lives. If we were all so Damned wise, as we try to present ourselves, then why have we messed up our own lives so often?

The best we can do is to encourage each other, and look within ourselves to see our own weaknesses. That's a full-time job. Not just for the first week of the New Year.

As the song says, maybe it's time we "put a little love in our hearts." "That's what friends are for."

Onward and upward

Jerry