Lyr Add: My Mother's Garden

Subject: My Mother's Garden
From: Barry T
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 01:54 AM

In another thread, Jeri quietly offered one of her tunes... a beautiful and poignant ballad about her fondest memories of her mother. Certain songs evoke emotions like none others. This is certainly one of those, though both lyrics and melody.

For the benefit of those who did not see the other thread, I am hauling this tune into the Mudcat limelight so all can enjoy it and find it easily in the future.

Jeri, you have amazing talent to create the tunes you do. I predict that this one will be around for a long time!

For your enjoyment click here. 'Hope I did it justice, Jeri! :-)

Subject: Lyr Add: MY MOTHER'S GARDEN
From: Barry T
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 02:03 AM

The lyrics...

MY MOTHER'S GARDEN

I wish I had a song for Mom.
Of joy and life and laughter
Of how springtime follows winter
Now and ever after.

My mom cared for my garden when she moved in with me
I was glad to let her do it, I couldn't keep up with the weeds
Sometimes, I would come home to find she'd been working in the flowers
Weeding here, planting there for untold peaceful hours.

It was a good flower bed, and the sun it shone on all
And people always noticed it when e'er they came to call
Today I cleaned her garden, in quiet happy toil
And sowed some seeds of her beloved wildflowers in the soil.

She'd dug up all the irises, one day when I came home
I complained they were the one thing that could manage on their own
She smiled and said that they'd come back, for Iris always do
And I held my tongue, for mother always knew.

Last year there were no irises, and mother too had passed
I thought she'd been wrong to believe the fragile flowers could last
But this morning as I cleared debris from last year, past and gone
I found them sprouting once again, tiny, sure and strong.

And she wanted only one thing the night before she died
She wanted me to take her home, but this one thing was denied
I regret I tried to hold her here, I wanted her to stay
But she knew her time had come, only "goodbye" left to say.

But this morning in the garden, she told me she'd come home
And she would always be with me, I'd never be alone
In the garden, I will know she's there and everything's alright
In the garden, I will feel her love as the flowers feel the light.

I wish I had a song for Mom
Of joy and life and laughter
Of how springtime follows winter
Now and ever after.

Subject: RE: My Mother's Garden
From: The Shambles
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 02:13 AM

song for my mom. The original thread.

Subject: RE: My Mother's Garden
From: Jeri
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 10:01 AM

Barry, and all - the song was about Bet's memories of her and Katlaughing's mother. Yes, it does involve memories of my own mother, but Bet's original words called those forth. I don't think I'd be wrong to say Bet's words touched a lot of people.

The first verse, 3rd line should be:
"Sometimes, I would come home to find she'd been working in the flowers"

Barry, it's beautiful. I don't think it's possible for you not to do ANY tune justice. It's an honor, and I'll never cease to feel amazed and joyful when someone takes something I've written and adds a bit of their own heart and soul.

---

Edited Barry's posting of the song to reflect change. --JoeClone

Subject: RE: My Mother's Garden
From: Barry T
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 10:32 AM

To Bet (and Katlaughing): My apologies for not following the thread accurately on the source of the lyrics. But now we witness something even more special... a collaborative gem grown right here at Mudcat!

The words evoke strong memories of my own mother. Different time, different place, different garden, same love, same emotions. How extraordinary this power of word music!

Subject: RE: My Mother's Garden
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 11:29 AM

That's alright, Barry, no need to apologise, esp. with that absolutely beautiful arrangement. Between you, Jeri, and Bet, I am awash in tears, again. This song has so much meaning, I am glad it has touched others as well, esp. Jeri with her wonderful creativity. Thank you both so much; Mom would love this, esp. if she'd read bet's words.

I talked to bet last night, she is up to her ears in Christmas music programs at school and only one day off on the weekends to get anything done around the house, right now, but she is going to try to check into the other thread, soon. I will email her about this one and our collective kids about both, so they can share in this, too.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: My Mother's Garden
From: Lyrical Lady
Date: 04 Dec 00 - 11:22 PM

Thanks to all of you for such a beautiful piece. I enjoyed your arrangement Barry, a wonderful tribute. LL