Thanks for the Memory

Thanks for the memory
Of sentimental verse,
Nothing in my purse,
And chuckles
When the preacher said
For better or for worse,
How lovely it was.

Thanks for the memory
Of Schubert's Serenade,
Little things of jade
And traffic jams
And anagrams
And bills we never paid,
How lovely it was.

We who could laugh over big things
Were parted by only a slight thing.
I wonder if we did the right thing,
Oh, well, that's life, I guess,
I love your dress.

Thanks for the memory
Of faults that you forgave,
Of rainbows on a wave,
And stockings in the basin
When a fellow needs a shave,
Thank you so much.

Thanks for the memory
Of tinkling temple bells,
Alma mater yells
And Cuban rum
And towels from
The very best hotels,
Oh how lovely it was.

Thanks for the memory
Of cushions on the floor,
Hash with Dinty Moore,
That pair of gay pajamas
That you bought
And never wore.

We said goodbye with a highball,
Then I got as high as a steeple,
But we were intelligent people,
No tears, no fuss,
Hooray for us.

Strictly entire nous,
Darling, how are you?
And how are all
Those little dreams
That never did come true?

Awfully glad I met you,
Cheerio and toodle-oo
Thank you,
Thank you so much.

THANKS FOR THE MEMORY
(Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin)

Happiness Is. . .

I believe that it's the simple, often overlooked things in life that bring the greatest joy.


From the musical "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown"
Music and lyrics by Clark Gesner,
Happiness

Happiness is finding a pencil
Pizza with sausage
Telling the time

Happiness is learning to whistle
Tying you shoe
For the very first time.

Happiness is playing the drum
In your own school band.
And happiness is walking hand in hand.

Happiness is two kinds of ice cream...
Knowing a secret...
Climbing a tree.

Happiness is five dif'rent crayons...
Catching a firefly...
Setting him free.

Happiness is being alone ev'ry now and then.
And happiness is coming home again.
Happiness is morning and evening,
Daytime and nighttime too.
For happiness is anyone and anything at all
That's loved by you.

Happiness is having a sister
Sharing a sandwich
Getting along-

Happiness is singing together when day is through.
And happiness is those who sing with you.
Happiness is morning and evening,
Daytime and nighttime, too,
For happiness is anyone and anything at all
That's loved by you.

This Ragged Old Flag

Image taken of a flag which was recovered from ground zero at the World Trade Center.

Ragged Old Flag - Johnny Cash
I walked through a county courthouse square
On a park bench, an old man was sittin' there.
I said, "Your old court house is kinda run down,
He said, "Naw, it'll do for our little town."
I said, "Your old flag pole is leaned a little bit,
And that's a ragged old flag you got hangin' on it."
He said, "Have a seat," and I sat down,
"Is this the first time you've been to our little town"
I said, "I think it is"
He said "I don't like to brag, but we're kinda proud of
That Ragged Old Flag

"You see, we got a little hole in that flag there,
When Washington took it across the Delaware.
and It got powder burned the night Francis Scott Key sat watching it,
writing "Say Can You See"
It got a rip in New Orleans, with Packingham & Jackson
tugging at its seams.
and It almost fell at the Alamo
beside the Texas flag,
But she waved on though.
She got cut with a sword at Chancellorsville,
And she got cut again at Shiloh Hill.
There was Robert E. Lee and Beauregard and Bragg,
And the south wind blew hard on
That Ragged Old Flag

"On Flanders Field in World War I,
She got a big hole from a Bertha Gun,
She turned blood red in World War II
She hung limp, and low, a time or two,
She was in Korea, Vietnam, She went where she was sent
by her Uncle Sam.
She waved from our ships upon the briny foam
and now they've about quit wavin' back here at home
in her own good land here She's been abused,
She's been burned, dishonored, denied an' refused,
And the government for which she stands
Has been scandalized throughout out the land.
And she's getting thread bare, and she's wearin' thin,
But she's in good shape, for the shape she's in.
Cause she's been through the fire before
and i believe she can take a whole lot more.

"So we raise her up every morning
And we bring her down slow every night,
We don't let her touch the ground,
And we fold her up right.
On second thought
I DO like to brag
Cause I'm mighty proud of
That Ragged Old Flag"

Let's not forget to give thanks.
Thanks to the men and women who have fought and still fight to keep America free, thanks for our government which isn't perfect but desperately struggles to provide for and guide it's people, and thanks to God for granting us time here on this blessed soil. Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!

Listen to This

Jon Schmidt put this arrangment together for his 7-year-old daughter, Sarah. It is a mix of Love Story by Talor Swift and Viva La Vida by Coldplay. At the end of the clip he relates the story behind the music. It's BEAUTIFUL. So, pause the music player at the bottom of my blog and treat your ears to this. . .

The Tracks of My Tears

I love what Adam Lambert did with this song on American Idol. I bought the track on iTunes and now it's stuck in my head. It was originally performed by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles.

The Tracks Of My Tears - AI Lyrics

People say I'm the life of the party
Cause I make a joke or two
Although I might be laughing loud and hearty
Deep inside I'm blue
So take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears. . .
Outside I'm masquerading
Inside my hope is fading
Just a clown
Since you put me down
My smile is my make up
I wear since my break up with you. . .
Take a good look at my face
You'll see my smile looks out of place
If you look closer, it's easy to trace
The tracks of my tears.
I need you, I need you, I need.

Viva La Vida

Upon first hearing it, I was really struck by this song and intrigued by it's meaning. On the internet I was able to find many different theories from many different people, but none from the artist, Coldplay. Although I can't speak for the band's personal beliefs, I am determined that this song is their interpretation of Jesus Christ's experience on earth. Their interpretation of what it was like for him to "live the life" as a human being. A very interesting one, at that. Here is the man we believe to be the true king and yet, when He came to rule, He was born in a stable, lived His life virtually homeless and was eventually betrayed, tortured, and crucified.

For example, the song says "I know Saint Peter won't call my name." In one night alone, Peter denied Christ 3 times, and pretended not to know Him. The video starts with an image of a red rose blooming and dying. Many religions believe the rose to be a symbol of Christ and His divinity. The lyrics stating that, "People couldn't believe what I'd become." I think they are talking about when the Savior was filled with fury and cleansed the temple. Jesus Christ's popularity was such that even John the Baptist, the man who prepared the people for Christ to come, ended up with his head on a silver plate. In the end of the video the artists all fade away like their turning to dust, which seems an appropriate way to end, the artists themselves are simply presenting their views but really, all they are is dust. . . in the wind :) These are just some of my thoughts and although it's not Gospel Doctrine, the song has given me some things to contemplate. . . at 5 a.m. this morning.

With that in mind, pause the Josh Groban music below, read the lyrics below and then watch the video. What do you think?

Viva La Vida lyrics
I used to rule the world
Seas would rise when I gave the word
Now in the morning I sleep alone
Sweep the streets I used to own

I used to roll the dice
Feel the fear in my enemy's eyes
Listen as the crowd would sing
"Now the old king is dead! Long live the king!"

One minute I held the key
Next the walls were closed on me
And I discovered that my castles stand
Upon pillars of salt and pillars of sand

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can't explain
Once you go there was never
Never an honest word
And that was when I ruled the world

It was the wicked and wild wind
Blew down the doors to let me in
Shattered windows and the sound of drums
People couldn't believe what I'd become

Revolutionaries wait
For my head on a silver plate
Just a puppet on a lonely string
Oh who would ever want to be king?

I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing
Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
Be my mirror, my sword and shield
My missionaries in a foreign field

For some reason I can't explain
I know Saint Peter won't call my name
Never an honest word
But that was when I ruled the world

(Repeat Chorus)