Category: Uncategorized

Forever Young

I first fell in love with the lyrics of this song when my high school science teacher, gave each one of us in his class a copy of the lyrics as a special gift.  This was in 1976 and they were the lyrics Bob Dylan wrote and recorded. Joan Baez recorded the song a year or two later. That gift hung on my mirror for years and still holds a dear place in my heart.

My mother always had a forever young spirit.  My best and most vivid memories of her are when she was being playful, laughing and doing something fun – like riding the indoor slide at the restaurant on the hill in Phoenix.  My Mom passed in 1997 but I sometimes channel her when I want to feel young again.

Being young the whole world is at your feet.  You can choose your path and go where you want to go and.  I felt this way leaving for college in the 70’s – I could do anything and live forever.  I thrived on that feeling!  As I got older I went through many ups and downs but I believe this “forever young” feeling is what has kept me positive about life. As we approach May of this year, my oldest son will be getting married and these lyrics remind me of what I wish for him!

Bob Dylan wrote this song for his son in the early 1970’s and also recorded it but it was a melancholy tune.  Joan Baez recorded it on her 1977 album.  I think most people remember the version recorded by Rod Stewart – it is much more upbeat!  I always wondered were they the same song? The lyrics are similar and the melody is close to the same but different. Well, today I searched and found out a bit more……

Answers.com

“They are different yet alike. The writer’s of the Rod Stewart song — Jim Cregan, Rod Stewart, Kevin Savigar — subliminally plagiarized Dylan. It’s best explained by this paragraph for Answers.Com:

Rod Stewart recorded a song titled “Forever Young”, which was released as a single and included on his Out of Order album in 1988. The song was remarkably similar to the Bob Dylan song of the same title, sharing not only a similar melody but many of the same lyrics. Upon threat of a plagiarism suit, Stewart acknowledged that he had subconsciously plagiarized the older song, and agreed to share his royalties with Dylan.

The credit for the song now includes Dylan with the other 3.

So, which is your favorite??

Here are the bob Dylan lyrics:

“Forever Young”

May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the light surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
And may your song always be sung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young.

Here are the Rod Stewart Lyrics:

May the good Lord be with you
Down every road you roam
And may sunshine and happiness
surround you when you’re far from home
And may you grow to be proud
Dignified and true
And do unto others
As you’d have done to you
Be courageous and be brave
And in my heart you’ll always stay
Forever Young, Forever Young
Forever Young, Forever Young

May good fortune be with you
May your guiding light be strong
Build a stairway to heaven
with a prince or a vagabond

And may you never love in vain
and in my heart you will remain
Forever Young, Forever Young
Forever Young, Forever Young
Forever Young
Forever Young

And when you finally fly away
I’ll be hoping that I served you well
For all the wisdom of a lifetime
No one can ever tell

But whatever road you choose
I’m right behind you, win or lose
Forever Young, Forever Young
Forever Young ,Forever Young
Forever Young, Forever Young
For, Forever Young, Forever Young

Here Comes the Sun!

January 2, 2021

Here Comes the Sun………….

Goodbye long lonely 2020 which felt like an endless winter……I have not written in awhile, I have been getting life back on track and organized after a move halfway across the country in the middle of a pandemic.

I have a habit of singing songs when I hear people say certain things.  We were visiting on zoom with friends yesterday and one friend remarked how she feels better when the sun is shining, especially after the rainy days we have had here at the end of 2020.

So, this song was stuck in my head all night long.

If the sun is shining I feel so much better.  I know some people have had a horrible year and 2020 has not been good to them.  I can say for my family it has not been a bad year but it has been fraught with stress.  I began the year in my first month of retirement and I was a bit apprehensive about what I would do with myself. Here I am 12 months later in a new home in a new state halfway across the country!

To those of you who have been more negatively affected by the events of the past 12 months, please use this time of the new year to begin to heal.  There is sun after rain and hope after despair just keep looking for it and you will find it. 

The eternal optimist,

MJ music lady

“Here Comes The Sun”

Written by George Harrison

Here comes the sun, doo-doo-doo-doo, here comes the sun
And I say it’s all right

Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it’s been here

Here comes the sun, doo-doo-doo-doo, here comes the sun
And I say it’s all right

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it’s been here

Here comes the sun, doo-doo-doo-doo, here comes the sun
And I say it’s all right

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it’s been clear

Here comes the sun, doo-doo-doo-doo, here comes the sun
And I say it’s all right

Here comes the sun, doo-doo-doo-doo, here comes the sun
It’s all right
It’s all right

We need Inspiration!

Chaos in our nation!

America is a country born from protests.  Remember the Boston Tea Party?  Perfectly good tea sunk in the ocean to get our point across.  We have been given the right to free speech and to protest to get our point across.  We cannot stop the outcry that is all over our nation right this minute.

If I were 30 years younger I probably would be out there marching peacefully (but my feet hurt and I probably would break a hip if I fell).  I was only 10 in 1968 – but I do remember the riots and I look now and wonder how did we get here today?

Those that look only at the looting and violence “do not get it”.  People are frustrated and are not being heard.  Peaceful protest was tried by taking a knee during the national anthem – but those people were ridiculed and not listened to.  So here we are – is anyone listening now?  Warning personal opinion coming – There has been a spark of hate ignited in this country and I believe it is fueled by our nation’s leader and his twitter account, his speeches and the lack of trust he inspires in many of us.

That is not the kind of inspiration we need right now.

We need someone like JFK who can inspire us with his speeches.

We need someone like MLK Jr. who can point to injustice and address it peacefully.

We need someone like Abraham who knew that slavery was dividing our country and fought to protect the whole Union with freedom for all.

That is why this song inspires me to look beyond these turbulent times and hope for the future that someone, anyone will stand up and INSPIRE this nation!

Abraham, Martin and John

Is there a Perfect Christmas?

Merry Christmas!

 

It is December 23rd and I have been out and about today.  Aerobics class was fun we exercised to Christmas music.  As I ran a few errands after the gym I got the feeling that everyone was stressed out.  The drivers were aggressive and speeding to get to their destination, the checkout people were not as friendly as usual, the people shopping were not as polite as usual and I wondered why today was so different from the last few weeks where people were smiling and saying Happy Holidays.  I came home after completing my errands, glad to be home out of the traffic and ready to relax for the holiday but thoughts about the lyrics of this some came to my head.

On this night of hope and salvation
One child lies embraced in a dream
Where each man regardless of station
On this night can now be redeemed

Where every man regardless of his nation
Ancestral relations
On this night the past can fly away

And that dream we’ve dreamed most
That every child is held close
On this night that dream won’t be betrayed

All as one
Raise your voices
Raise your voices
All as one on this Christmas day

All rejoice
Raise your voices
Raise your voices
All rejoice, Anno Domine

On this night when no child’s forgotten
No dream sleeps where he cannot see
No man here is misbegotten
And this night’s dreams are still yet to be

Where every man regardless of his nation
Ancestral relations
On this night the past can fly away

And that dream we’ve dreamed most
That every child is held close
On this night that dream won’t be betrayed

All as one
Raise your voices
Raise your voices
All as one on this Christmas day

All rejoice
Raise your voices
Raise your voices
All rejoice, Anno Domine

 

This song stresses to me how the Holiday is about the Savior who cams as man to save us from the imperfect life we live now.

Getting closer to the holiday I believe puts stress on those who are wishing for the “perfect” holiday.  Well, if there is one thing I have learned in this life so far is that “perfect” holiday does not exist.  The decorations do not matter, the food does not matter, the gifts do not matter – the perfection in Christmas comes from within – from the absolute KNOWING without a doubt Jesus Christ was born and became man for me – He is the Savior of the World.  That is my perfection and how I choose to live as a Blessed Child of God.

I love the song I have shared with you – the melody, the voices but mostly the words.  As a public school teacher I have encountered far too many children who will not have a Merry Christmas. On this night of Hope and Salvation…. the dream of every child is to be held close – there will be children out there who are not held close, they are ignored or even hurt by the hands of their own parents.  That is what this song means to me that one day – one day when Jesus comes back each and every child will finally be held close and taken care of.  Jesus came on Christmas to redeem each and every one of us. That dream we have dreamed most every child is held close that dream won’t be betrayed.

My heart breaks as I remember just a few of the children I have had in my classroom these past 36 years.  One child who had finger marks on his wrist and arm from being held too closely by a father.  One child who had a bruise and scratches on her cheek., When I asked her, she told me “Mom did it” I wanted to cry.  Even closer to home a, 3 year old child left alone in an apartment for 2 days because Mom is involved in the drug world.  This Christmas will not be perfect – nothing will ever be perfect – until………..

Mary, did you know?

Happy 9th Day of Christmas!  I don’t have ladies dancing today but I have two of my favorite Christmas songs to share with you.

The first is a popular song and I will share the version sung by Pentatonix.  There is something about acapella singing I adore, it goes straight to my heart.

Mary, did you Know? https://binged.it/2R3TqvN

I have always had a special place in my heart for Mary, the Mother of God.  Maybe because I have her name, maybe it got stronger while I was pregnant.  To have new life inside of you and to know that you are a part of God’s plan to CREATE life.  Pretty spectacular feeling!  I can be certain that Mary felt the same things all pregnant mothers feel, but on top of that she had the Angel of God tell her this was the Savior, the Lamb of God, the Son of God.  What might she have been feeling with those added pressures? 

The song looks at our perspective – did she know all the details of her Son’s life?  Well, no she didn’t but she had the same hopeful feelings during her pregnancy that all mothers do.  What will my child look like?  What will he or she become or do in the world?  Don’t all Mothers aspire to leave the world a better place and hope that our offspring are part of making it a better place?  Mary had one more thing to rely on and that was her faith that these promises told to her by the Angel and to Joseph in a dream were in fact the voice of God telling her who this child really was – the Son of God!

This next song is not as well know but really speaks to my heart and is probably one of my all time favorite songs.  This is a song more from the perspective of what Mary was thinking and helps me connect with what she might have been feeling and how she got through hard times of doubt and pain.

Breath of Heaven (Mary’s Song) https://youtu.be/TOQRtYYERGo

Again, it connects me to Mary –  Even after the message from the Angel, even after the dream Joseph had, surely she had her doubts about this baby?  I can believe it was her faith that kept her going.  Well, her faith along with the occasional visits from strangers (the king bearing gifts) and the words from strangers (Simeon).

“Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him; 34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also),that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.” – Luke 2:25, RSV-2CE  

Those encounters must have kept her and Joseph going every single time they doubted.  And in those times of doubt Mary’s faith led her to pray and ask for that light Breath of Heaven to be with her.  I have sung this song and said this prayer through hard times of my own and asked that God just send a small breath of heaven to push me through the hard time and remind me of His love and promise to take care of me always.  Maybe that is what Mary prayed for – the breath of God to help her through the task of raising the Son of God.

 

 

Christmas Past

Christmas past

Many childhood memories surface around the Christmas Holiday.  Many of them include music – Adeste Fidelis Oh come All Ye Faithful – I can still HEAR my Mom singing that hymn literally I hear her voice singing it in latin.  Adeste Fideles

I was the youngest of three girls and there was quite a gap in our ages.  My oldest sister A was 16 when I was born and my middle sister C was 11 when I was born so I really was “the baby”.  My Mom called me her baby until she passed away.  It was almost like I was an only child with all of us being so far apart. So, when I became conscious of Santa I was the only one in the house getting Santa presents and it was pretty cool to have all the attention.

I few gifts that stick out in my memory was the year I REALLY wanted a puppy – but did not get one – a real one at least.  I had my pretend puppy in the basement and he was there every time I went down there to play, he walked with me to school and waited for me each afternoon. I believe I had that “puppy” until at least May – maybe I was just lonely?

The year I got my own stereo and headphones was the best – I could listen to my music as loud as I wanted anytime I wanted – it was most likely the Osmonds! The Osmonds

I loved Christmas, I still do.  The music, I love listening to it, I love singing it I love playing it.  Even this year as a member of our community band I still enjoy, really enjoy playing all of the traditional Christmas music.  You’d think after playing Christmas Festival almost every year since I was in high school I would be sick of it by now but noooo I LOVE IT! Christmas Festival – Boston Pops

Music has always carried me away to a happy place, it touches something inside me that is very hard to explain and Christmas music even more so because of all of the memories attached to it.

TO all who took the time to read this entry, thank you and a very Merry Christmas to you! 

Welcome to my life!

I have been planning to start this Blog for many months now and finally on December 2, 2018 it is done.  What will I write about?  Well, my first love has always been and will always be music so you will read my thoughts on musical pieces and how they have affected my life.  I also will include personal thoughts about my life and the world around me.  I hope this will allow my children and grandchildren to know me better.  I love discussion and welcome comments, but remember this is all my own opinion so you might not agree with everything I share, but I am adult enough to hear your side.  So, Happy First day of Advent 2018 and Welcome to my Life!!!