The Songs Writ for our Kids

Subject: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Apr 01 - 05:27 PM

At our Gathering (still going on!), Hyla sang us a song. He had written it as a lullaby for his son.... who ran around the yard with a shy, secret smile, playing with the other kids, as his dad sang US the song he'd sung to HIM many times.

So it occurred to me.... tell me about the songs that have been written for your children, or that you have written for others' chidren.

Heck-- post the song!

~Susan

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: Amergin
Date: 29 Apr 01 - 05:32 PM

Hi there, Susan! It sounds like you're having fun! Well the following is something I wrote for my neice, Brittany...such a sweet pretty girl she is....all of three months old....ahhhhh....

Brittany's Lullaby
(Tune: Sky Boat Song)

Chorus:
Sleep bonnie babe, like the flowers at rest,
As you lie in your mother's arms
Rock back and forth on the ocean's breast
Your smile reveals your charms

Your daddy's gone away, gone over the sea
Gone one week or ten;
But he will return, return just to see
His sweet little babe again.

(Chorus)

The moon shines bright, dancing at night
As you lie in your bed
Shadows on the wall in constant flight
Watched by your weary head

(Chorus)

Sleep little babe close your wee eyes
And sleep upon the shore
No longer, sweet babe, will you loudly cry
Daddy will sail no more

(Chorus)

As the years pass by your beauty unfolds
Watched by loving men
The day will come, soon I am told,
A woman will bloom again.

(Chorus)

Nathan

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 12:18 AM

Aw!!!!!

Your folkbaby. I was wondering how she was doing, and if you were seeing a lot of her.

~S~

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: Amergin
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 12:54 AM

Well, she is doing great last I heard! Unfortunately, I haven't been able to make it up to see her in a while...her parents have been going through a bit of a money crunch and as a result don't have a phone so I can';t call to see if dad is going to be around....I could go up and see them when he is not...but I would feel funny about doing so...so I am limited to when he calls me up and by letters....oh well, such is life..

Last I heard they were seriously thinking about moving to North Idaho....so that would mean me makiing more trips up there and seeing them and my folks.....which aint so bad...

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 06:18 AM

I wrote this for Hammerite when she was about five-ish. She has grey eyes that seem to take up whatever colour they like & at the time they had a lemon/blue tinge.
It has a slow gentle tune. I never used to be able to sing it to her though, because she always filled up with tears when I got to the 'I am old' bit. Daft little moo!

Storm grey eyes
Lemon blue, pure & true
I see warm day skies
Coming through & shining on you.

Cornfield hair
Flying free in the breeze
There is more light there
Than the sun ever shone on me

(middle 8 thingy)
I am old but I cannot grow dim
While you shine in my eyes
I will watch, I will wait, I will wonder
What wonder transpires

Strong like the land
Like the clay & the soil & the sand
Stretch out your hand
All the world is yours to command

(middle 8 thingy)
I am old but I cannot grow dim
While you shine in my eyes
I will watch, I will wait, I will wonder
What wonder transpires

Storm grey eyes
Lemon blue



Ah! Brings back happy memories.....

Kris

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 07:47 AM

Kris, I think I hear the tune. It's wonderful. Lemon blue-- what a phrase. I know the kind of eyes you mean because you described it so creatively.

That is a VERY good song. (Tears.)

~S~

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 08:27 AM

Thanks WYS.

Next I'm going to write a song called 'stroppy 10 year old' :-)

Kris

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: black walnut
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 08:47 AM

Whatcha gonna do when the tickle person comes?
Are you going to scream?
Or are you going to giggle?
Whatcha gonna do when the tickle person comes?
Well, you'd better decide right NOW!

For my son, when he was a baby. He's 16 and a half years old now. And I can still drive him crazy with this song.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: MMario
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 09:16 AM

see The Uncle's Lament - in the DT.

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 09:36 AM

Can't find it MMario. What do I need to type in for the search in order to pull it up?

Kris

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: MMario
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 09:44 AM

try searching on [hush now] which are the first two words. It comes up as "Lullabye for a Borrowed Child" (sorry - I forgot what title it was under...)

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: GUEST,Scabby Doug AT work
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 10:09 AM

Wrote this one about/for my kids a couple of years ago...

WHEN

When you're asleep, you look like an angel,

when you're asleep and deep in your dreams,

When you're asleep, I stand back and wonder

when they talk of heaven is this what they mean?

When you awake, you bring out the sunrise,

when you awake, the day start to dawn.

When you awake the clouds start to scatter,

the long night is over and life can go on.

Middle eight

Now is the time to see what you're holding

don't wait till tomorrow is over and done.

Each minute that passes will never return and

Your life's what you make it you only get one

When you are grown you'll be a princess,

when you are grown you'll be a fine man.

When you are grown and wise as I wish you,

I'll be as proud of you as anyone can.

When I'm asleep, hold on to the magic,

When I'm asleep, build life from your dream,

When I'm asleep, take time to remember,

when they talk of heaven, it's life that they mean.

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: Grab
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 10:46 AM

A song my dad wrote for me, when I was about 2. Apparently he was swimming with me sitting on his back, and I was saying "song, song". So he asked "what about?" And I thought, and then said "Cammy-wammy petrol pump". :-) God knows why! Anyway, my dad being a seriously talented musician (the guy is superb on guitar, clarinet and recorder, even though he doesn't play much), he thought this up on the spot. And it's (c) Peter Bartlett, sometime around 1976...

I'm a cammy-wammy-wammy-wammy-wamel,
I'm a funny-looking ani-many-mammal.
I keep all my water in my great big hump,
So I don't need a bottle or a petrol pump,
I'm a (deep breath) cammy-wammy-wammy-wammy cammy-wammy-wammy-wammy cammy-wammy-wammy-wammy-wamel.

I'm a cammy-wammy-wammy-wammy-wamel,
I'm a funny-looking ani-many-mammal.
I can go through the desert with nothing to drink, When I last had a pint I hate to think.
I'm a...

I think there's a third verse as well, but it's been so long since I heard it, I can't remember. I'll get my dad to sing it to me and do it in Paltalk sometime. :-)

Graham.

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: Barry Finn
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 01:41 PM

Not close to lullabyes, more about the hurt & the heartake suffered in silence.

I'm The Bully, (words & tune by Barry Finn)

Oh how I love to stalk the weakling
Or the outcast or the lame
Give me a nerd, a geek or a loner
These unfit pre I'll treat the same

CHORUS: I'm the bully, you're my victum
I need the practice you need the pain
I'm the bully you're my victum
I know my game you'll get the blame

A shove on the stairs when no ones watching
A whisper of terror that none will hear
At a hundred paces I still can strike you
And keep it up year after year

Chorus

I'll chase you out of a crowed schoolyard
I'll ban you rom the public park
Ypo'll have no friends & no companions
You'll only have a broken heart

Chorus

I'll get others to gang up on you
The more I get the worst you'll look
When you finally fight back I've turned the tables
You're on my turf now & I wrote the book

Chorus

You can cry for help & beg for mercy
And tell the world just what I've done
It doesn't matter how it get started
Cause in the end most times I've won

Chorus

__________________________________________________________

You Wouldn't Know It To Look At Me by Barry Finn Tune: Australian, Trad. "One Of The Has Beens")

"You're not listening to me are you deaf in both ears. Don't you see what you've caused, have you been blind all these years. Could you just give an answer, so I know you're not dumb. For Christ's sake, you bird brain has a cat got your tongue"?

Chorus: I'm as cute as any other kid, I can run, jump & shout. You wouldn't know it to look at me, At times I can't work things out. I'm not stupid, I'm not lazy, I try very hard. With a little compassion I could go pretty far.

Well, school is a torture, the teasing won't quit. My thoughts go off track and my aide has a fit. There are some things I excel in, so much that I'm bored, You wouldn't know it to look at me, it takes all that I'm worth.

The kids scorn & laugh at me, I don't have a friend. You can feel my heart break, I wonder when this will end. The mistreatment & abuse I take, it's really a crime, But I'm told to ignore it, though it happens all of the time. Chorus: I know it's hard on my family, I can't change a thing. The aunts & uncles blame it on my folks & say it's poor upbringing. The love & affection others get all the time, I only hear people yell at me, when I ask where is mine.

I never feel comfort, no shoulder, no hug. A system to support me, was pulled out like a rug. If you can't understand this, you may be worse off than me But I won't hold it against you cause you're deaf & can't see. Chorus: I may be mildly autistic or just plain O.C.D. I may twitch with Tourette's, or have A.D.D. If you see me cross my eyes, instead of my T's You wouldn't know it to look at me that I have special needs. Chorus:

Copyright Barry Finn 1998

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: Trapper
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 01:52 PM

Here's one ... I tried to get every family member's name in it...

DADDY'S DARLIN' DEAR
(Al Boyce©)
Tune: Where The Praties Grow

Caitlin Clare, oh where's your hair,
And where's your nose and eyes?
Oh where does baby's bonnet go,
And can you show your size?
Oh will you give Papa a hug,
Or pat your Momma's hand?
Sure, you are the brightest baby
In the Boyceterous family band!

The telephone is ringin', Kate,
You'd better say "Hello!"
And crawl to see who's at the door,
Sure it's Tim and Bridget Coe!
Show Auntie Bea just how you eat
Potato chips so fine -
But for corned beef and cabbage
It's the Irish way to dine!

Can you "Peek-a-Boo" with Grandma Max,
Do you flirt with Grandpa Al?
Jump your little horse to Dublin town,
And you're Grandpa Tom's wee pal!
Can you "Pat-a-Cake" with Eileen
Or with your Graet-Grandma Mae,
Or fall asleep deep in the arms
Of the "Beat-Up" Gram today?

You love to tease your Uncle Steve,
And Auntie Val that's true.
You share your toys with cousins
Jess and Josh and Julie, too.
Joanna, Auntie Kit and Matthew
Miss you and your Mom.
And Auntie Cath loves no one more
('Cept for maybe Uncle Tom!)

With a smile as wide as all outdoors
You grin from ear to ear!
You're a miniature marvel,
You are Daddy's darlin' dear.
I love you Caitlin Clare, my little
Punkin' seed surprise,
Sure you are the finest apples
Of the both o' your father's eyes!

Daddy's Darlin' Dear © Al Boyce - All rights reserved

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: Trapper
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 01:56 PM

When my daughter Caitlin was born, she was about 11 weeks premature, and weighed only 2-1/2 pounds. As you might imagine, all of our preconceptions of being new parents were rudely shattered as Caitlin was "too little" to come home from the hospital for 2 months. "Too Little" became "Two Little" for this song....

TWO LITTLE HANDS
(Al Boyce ©)

Two little hands, reaching up to me.
Two little hands,
Ten little fingers wriggling,
Squiggly little baby giggling.
Two little hands gently demand
All of the loving any man can handle
Just holding two little hands.

Two gentle souls stand by your side.
Two gentle souls
Ready to guide you through
Life's trials, and watch you grow with pride.
Two gentle souls tenderly hold
The little bundle sent from God to care for,
Trusted to two gentle souls.

Two little eyes for all the world to see.
Two little eyes,
Holding the promises of
God's unbounded gifts to thee.
Two little eyes smilingly spy
To see the world look back
With faith and hope renewed
Into two little eyes.

Two Little Hands © Al Boyce - All rights reserved

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: Trapper
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 02:01 PM

Caitlin was a great "bed bouncer", as all young kids are, I'm sure!

BOUNCING ON THE BED
(Al Boyce© 11/15/92)

With my mom and dad still fast asleep
I kick my blankets in a heap
I yawn and shake the cobwebs from
My sleepy little head.
It's upon my bed I take my feet
Then crouch and take a mighty leap
And start another merry morning
Bouncing on the Bed!

CHORUS:
Then it's up and down and all around
Its deep into my bed I bound
The fluff and feathers flying,
Falling fast around my head.
And I whoop and shout a joyful sound
And jump and pound my mattress down
then take the heights, there's nothing quite like
Bouncing on the Bed!

Then my father opens up the door
And in a tired voice he roars,
"You cease your lusty leaping
Like a kangaroo!" he says.
He stumbles back to sleep some more
And when I hear him start to snore
I cannot help returning to my
Bouncing on the Bed!

Well time has passed, the years have flown
I have a house to call my own.
I met and woo'ed my darlin'
On a summer day we wed.
And now if by chance I hear a groan
And squeaking sounds that are well known
I'll go and join my babies while they're
Bouncing on the Bed!

Bouncing on the Bed © Al Boyce - All rights reserved

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: Trapper
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 02:07 PM

Caitlin, of course, lost all of her front teeth at the same time. In my family, it was always a tradition when kids went through this phase to call them "Toofless McGee". I started improvising these lyrics while driving her to daycare each day. For Christmas, we wrote them all down, one lyric per page, and Caitlin illustrated each of them. We published a book for each member of our family. Man, color photocopying is EXPENSIVE!!)

TOOFLESS MCGEE
(© Al Boyce 4/2/92)

1 Toofless McGee is me, they say,
I came over the hill from far away.
I'm itchin' for fun, and I'm ready to play,
Toofless McGee is me, they say.

2 Toofless McGee is me, they say,
When I fall asleep, on my bed I do lay.
I fell asleep for a year and a day.
Toofless McGee is me, they say.

3 Toofless McGee is me, they say,
I danced in a dance they call the ballet,
I jumped in the air, and I did a jette,
Toofless McGee is me, they say.

4 Toofless McGee is me, they say,
I saw a dragon I wanted to slay,
I asked my mom, and she said, "OK",
Toofless McGee is me, they say.

5 Toofless McGee is me, they say,
I made a dinosaur all out of clay.
He growled too loud, I squashed him on the tray.
Toofless McGee is me, they say.

6 Toofless McGee is me, they say,
I looked at the sky, it was rainy and gray.
When the sun came out, I was struck by a ray.
Toofless McGee is me, they say.

7 Toofless McGee is me, they say,
I sailed in a boat, in a place called a bay.
I fished for a fish, caught a big manta ray,
Toofless McGee is me, they say.

8 Toofless McGee is me, they say,
I fed my pony on apples and hay.
He whispered to me he was happy and gay,
Toofless McGee is me, they say.

9 Toofless McGee is me, they say,
I fought with a bull, and I shouted, "Ole!"
When I turned around, the bull ran away,
Toofless McGee is me, they say.

10 Toofless McGee is me, they say,
I ran a race they called a relay,
I handed off to my friend whose name was Renee,
Toofless McGee is me, they say.

11 Toofless McGee is me, they say,
I climbed a mountain in the far Himala's.
I fell off a cliff while I was on belay,
Toofless McGee is me, they say.

12 Toofless McGee is me, they say,
I talked with a Frenchman with quick repartee.
He mumbled too softly, I said "Qu'est ce que c'est?"
Toofless McGee is me, they say.

13 Toofless McGee is me, they say,
I whipped up an egg and I made a souffle.
I cooked it too long, so I called it "flambe."
Toofless McGee is me, they say.

14 Toofless McGee is me, they say,
I was riding a whale and it started to spray.
I wiped off my face, and I shouted "Hooray!"
Toofless McGee is me, they say.

15 Toofless McGee is me, they say,
I drove 'round the world in a Ford Model "A".
Then I traded it in for a new Chevrolet.
Toofless McGee is me, they say.

16 Toofless McGee is me, they say,
I rode on a donkey who started to bray.
Asked a horse, "Can I ride you?" He answered me, "Neigh!"
Toofless McGee is me, they say.

17 Toofless McGee is me, they say,
I went to Hawaii, they game me a lei,
I ate me some poi, it was squishy and gray.
Toofless McGee is me, they say.

18 Toofless McGee is me, they say,
I came over the hill from far away.
I'm itchin' for fun, and I'm ready to play,
Toofless McGee is me, they say.

Toofless McGee © Al Boyce - All rights reserved

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: mousethief
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 02:12 PM

This very short one I used to sing to my daughter, Nancy, whom we called "the Binker" (after "Binky" i.e. pacifier). We also called her "Roo" (from "Nanneroo") and "Boo" (because it rhymed with "Roo", I think).

To (roughly) the tune of "H-A-double R-I-G-A-N spells Harrigan":

Nancy,
Nancy Binker Boo
You're the cutest Binker
Anybody ever knew!

Alex

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 03:45 PM

More!!!!!!!

~S~

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: Trapper
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 04:52 PM

Caitlin died 3 weeks before her ninth birthday. This is the last song I wrote for her, trying to make some sense of it all. It is, as of today, still unperformed. We had just started reading installments of "The Hobbit" as her bedtime story each night. I found the "book" she was writing about the unicorns in her toybox.

UNFINISHED STORIES
(© Al Boyce 7/29/95)

"Silently and carefully
He crept towards the cave.
The stench was overpowering,
Bilbo tried hard to be brave.
And there he saw a dragon
In his treasure trove so deep...."
Then I closed the book and said,
"Girl, it's time you went to sleep!"

CHORUS 1:
Just one more page, please
Before you close the book.
Just one more chapter Dad,
Let's have another look.
It's hard to close the cover,
and put the book away,
and leave unfinished stories
to read another day.

"Once upon a time there was
Two thousand unicorns,
But now there's only one," she wrote,
And drew a herd with horns.
"A big mean red bully
Drove them all into the sea...."
Then my daughter put her book away
And said, Dad, come play with me!

CHORUS 2: Just one more page, please
Before you close the book.
Just one more chapter Caitlin,
Let's have another look.
It's hard to close the cover,
And put the book away,
And leave unfinished stories
To read another day.

It was in the heighth of springtime
When she was almost nine.
I woke to find her in her bed
With a tummy ache, and crying.
I rushed her to the doctor
For him to take a look,
But in my girl's eighth chapter
Death had closed her book

CHORUS 3: Just one more page, please
Before you close the book.
Just one more chapter God,
Let's have another look.
It's hard to close the cover,
And put the book away,
And leave unfinished stories
To read another day.

Her story wasn't finished,
But it's moral I will tell,
Give yourself to boundless love,
And unbridled joy as well.
And hug your friends and family,
Let them know how much you care,
For you never know what page you're on
Or how long they'll be here.

CHORUS 4:
Just one more page, please
Before you close the book.
Just one more chapter,
Let's have another look.
It's hard to close the cover,
And put the book away,
And leave unfinished stories
to read another day.

Unfinished Stories © 1995 Al Boyce - All rights reserved

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: Hawker
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 06:59 PM

That is so beautiful, It made me cry.
Lucy

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 07:02 PM

Oh God, Al.

Me too.

~S~

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: Amergin
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 07:28 PM

Jesus, Al, that was beautiful....

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: mousethief
Date: 30 Apr 01 - 11:23 PM

Words fail. Wow.

alex

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: Amos
Date: 01 May 01 - 12:28 AM

Here's one I wrote for another -- Aine's charming daughter Caty, and her favorite kitten Maxie:

Caty's Kitten Song

Maxie Cat has feet like snow Shows them everywhere she goes Maxie loves to lick her fur Listen to my Maxie purr!	Taking purple bubble baths Maxie comes to have a laugh While I try to plainly say Things she'll need to know someday
Purr, purr! Like a drum Hear her everywhere she comes Hey, there mommy, look at that! Up in the air goes Maxie Cat!	She sits on the toilet seat While I talk and scrub  my feet Purring like a motor boat Taking very careful notes!
I love lots of different things, Purple popsicles, and rings, Kellan, Braden, TV shows, Bedtime snacks on purple clothes!	Kellan and his best friend Jack Love to dance with Maxie Cat And when Mommy starts to play We can dance and play all day
Pokémon and Sailor Moon Mommy playing Irish tunes Peanut butter, stuff like that, But most of all I love that cat!	We can jig and dance the fling Hornpipe, waltz or anything Nothing is as fun as that, Dancing with my Maxie Cat!
Maxie leaps up in the air Catching baloon strings and hair Licks me with her tongue and then Leaps up in the air again
In the mirror she gets smitten With another snow-foot kitten Then she'll turn and run out back Looking for her brother Jack!

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 May 01 - 12:30 AM

Showoff! I gotta copy that background to my HTML template file!

Good song too. I'd remembered that from my trip out to CA last summer and hoped you'd post it-- I can almost hear you singing it.

~S~

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: KingBrilliant
Date: 01 May 01 - 06:03 AM

Trapper, that's heartbreaking. I'm so sorry....

The love really shows in all these songs doesn't it. I suppose when we write for our children we write from the heart whether the songs are funny or serious.

Keep them coming everyone...

Kris

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 May 01 - 09:11 AM

Please PM people you can think of to ask for more songs. I think we are on to something important.

~S~

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: Bert
Date: 01 May 01 - 04:11 PM

Here's a kinda lighthearted one to help you recover from the those wonderful but serious songs above.

Someone's been cutting their toenails
I really don't know who
they've left one there, way up in the air
on a carpet of midnight blue.

They must have been taking a shower
and it didn't all go down the drain
As I look in the sky, I feel in my eye
a few soft drops of rain.

They've used too much talcum powder
and shaken it all around
those sprinkles of white all over the night
are making the stars shine down.

It must be a pretty young angel
taking a tub up there
now the day is done, in the setting sun
I see a few strands of her hair.

So go to sleep my darling
now that the day is through
there's a freshly scrubbed young angel
watching over you.

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: GUEST,Bert
Date: 01 May 01 - 07:05 PM

Refresh - thread of the bloody week

Subject: RE: The Songs Writ for our Kids
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 May 01 - 09:18 PM

More please!