Sometimes when things start to get me down, broken water pipe, stopped up drain, etc., I go to the piano and play the old songs. I mean the really old songs, “I Was Seeing Nellie Home”, “Darling Nellie Gray”, “Mocking Bird Hill”, “The Tennessee Waltz”; then, the not quite so old songs, “Til I Waltz Again With You”, “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” or maybe a song of my own writing. Not very lively songs, any of them. In fact, some of them are downright melancholy but somehow, they make me feel better.
I’m grateful to my mom and my brother who saw to it that I had piano lessons and gave me this wonderful outlet. In Best Left Buried, Darcy drives her red Ford Escape to see a friend, listening to the radio along the way. One of the songs she hears is “I Warm My Heart Around a Memory” by yours truly. That’s the fun of being a writer, you can put your song on the radio!
However, if I want to listen to music by someone else, my first choice is one of Matt’s CDs of 1930s music, the big band sound. A few years ago, he played bass with a group who recorded a couple of CDs. They set my feet to tapping and my heart to smiling. They are great to move to, and practice a few improvised dance steps.
In my private worship each morning, sometimes a hymn will pop into my mind and I sing it. Why not? The Lord doesn’t mind a rusty voice. I’m sure he looks on the intent of the heart. And, in the Bible, battles have been won by singers going in front of the army. Maybe it confused the enemy; I don’t know. I just know that songs can do marvelous things.
Music – it says things we can’t put into words; yet, it speaks to our hearts in powerful ways. No matter what time of day, there’s usually a background song playing in my mind. It helps put things in perspective!
I am always amazed by the emotions that music can bring out. It is sad that some younger ones have never heard such lovely songs as Mockingbird Hill and The Tennessee Waltz. Music is definitely a beautiful gift given to us by our Creator.
I agree completely, Sharon. I’m fearful that our old songs with such lovely messages are completely alien to young people. Even our hymns which often preached a sermon in themselves, are falling by the wayside. What passes for music today is often just noise and sometimes the message is far from uplifting.
I doubt if there is anyone who loves music more than I do, and few who are more lacking in musical talents. I remember well watching and listening to you playing the organ and piano at church. I also loved to hear you sing. I’m sitting here trying to remember the name of your partner who played the piano and sang with you???
I had always had the desire to learn to play the piano, so about 1965 or so I bought a piano, and decided to take piano lessons. That blessed Dr. Theodore Walstrum agreed to take me as a student. Needless to say, I wasn’t exactly the best student although I tried very hard. Our nephew, then about 8 years old, came to live with us during the time I was taking lessons. I walked in one day and there he was, playing the piece that I was working so hard to master. I told Cecil that I thought we had the wrong person taking lessons. Dr. Walstrum agreed to take James as a student, and it was a perfect match.
Now, I have a 5-year-old grandson who can go to the piano and pick out just about any song he knows. He loves music, has a very good voice, with a personality to match. He will be taking piano lessons one of these days, and perhaps I can vicariously live my dreams of music virtuosity through him. He just finished kindergarten, and the other day they had a talent show at school. He took his keyboard to school and played “Mary Had A Little Lamb” for the class.
I do gon on, don’t I?
Thanks, Eva, for your sweet comment. Lola is my dear friend who played the piano or organ while I did the other. She, by the way, still plays for her church while I don’t. I play for my own entertainment though and still enjoy it. She still has a beautiful singing voice and mine…well, I only wish I did. I remember Dr. Walstrum and I’m glad your nephew took lessons. I imagine your grandson will do well in music. Isn’t it a joy to listen to our grandchildren and see their talents? Constantly amazing!