Brooke gets a ride from Daddy
Cape Cod, 2011
I woke up this morning with a single line of a song in my head. It echoed from my childhood — in my father’s smooth, rich tenor. It was far too big for the car, where half of our singing happened. The other half took place in the kitchen cum concert hall, of course. Because when you baked, you had to sing. It was a law.
But the car was where we’d all sing together — the three of us, me, my mom and my dad. We’d sing slave spirituals and sixties folk songs. We’d sing Broadway tunes and old Tennessee Ernie Ford. We’d sing Elvis, Barbra and Neil.
The lines come back to me as I type. The car bouncing over the dirt roads of my childhood and all of us making up our own tunes.
Blue bird, blue bird on my shoulder, blue bird, blue bird on my shoulder. Oh, Johnny, I’m tired!
Lemon tree, very pretty, and the lemon flower is sweet, but the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.
Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, I fear you are unkind. I love you far better than all of mankind. I love you far better than words can air express, won’t you let me go with you? Yes, my love, yes.
One fist of iron, the other of steel, if the right one don’t get ya then the other one will. Saint Peter don’t you call me cause I can’t go, I owe my soul to da company store.
Daniel in da lion’s den, Daniel in da lion’s den. Put on your old grey robes, and your golden crown, and be ready when da great day come.
Swing low, sweet chariot. comin’ for to carry me home. I looked over Jordan, and what did I see? A band of angels comin’ for me. Comin’ for to carry me home.
But this morning, lying in bed, there was just one line.
And you will never walk alone.
I had to look up the rest of the lyrics, and when I did, I knew why.
When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the darkAt the end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of the larkWalk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blownWalk on walk on with hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walk aloneWhen you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the darkAt the end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of the larkWalk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blownWalk on walk on with hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walkYou’ll never walk
You’ll never walk alone.
Of all of the random and useless stuff stored in the depths of my brain, this is what I remembered this morning.
No accidents, my friends.
I can NOT say enough how much I love that song (you’ll never walk alone). I got attached to it as a teenager when I had a very challenge issue with an adult who (way) overcrossed his boundaries with me. It is a salve and an inspiration simultaneously.
…football anthem in the UK that song..
A very sweet memory and post. 🙂
Amen, Isiah 41:10 is it for me!
YOU are never alone! Youa re surrounded by angels and all of your brothers and sisters here on Diary! XOXO!
At 5:55pm every Labor Day my dad would sing this song along with Jerry Lewis on the MDA telethon. Now as a mom with a child on the spectrum, I have several times think back to it. That song bring strength and comfort to so many.
Thank you for remembering! Those were wonderful times with you and I’m so happy that they can still bolster you today.
Love you,
Mom
Nope. Never. xoxo
You’re definitely not walking alone.
I love that song, and that show. It’s gotten me through some rough times too. You have all of us holding your family in prayer.
Never. Ever. Alone.
If you look behind you, my footprints will be there beside yours.
You got that right, no accidents! That’s all Mary.
From Carousel. No accidents, indeed.
You’re not walking alone. You’re walking thousands strong.
Love you all so much.
Nope. Never. (((<3)))
loading it on iTunes as we speak, my 14 y/o daughter has reminded me what an amazing singer he was and I LOVE this one!
If you recall one of the others was “he ain’t heavy he’s my brother”, or child or … It’s also a good one at times like thjs.
Love,
Dad
I loved that part in Temple Grandin…powerful words, movie, life, and lesson. ((hugs))
Indeed, Jess. God is beside you all the way and our prayers fuel His angels. Even when you feel all alone and want to cry out in rage, He is there. Walk on, my friend, knowing this and knowing that you and your children are precious to Him. I so wish I could hold you right now.
as we sit here in the waiting room while our autistic guy has surgery, this was perfect….no accidents is right…..
Serious chills. Love you, my friend. xo
Sending many p&pts with you on this journey. Yes, you are not alone, ever.
Beautiful and to me the best singer of all time. Something else that I know helps me through even though I’m a blubbery mess when I read it is ‘ Oh the places you’ll go’ Dr Seuss. I hope that it can give you some peace too. You are not alone Jess.
It works both ways Jess. We don’t walk along either, you give so much of yourself, your family…that virtual, or face to face…we are there anyway we can be to someone who has given so much of herself. None of us will walk alone because of you.