Today is my birthday. I woke up singing a song, which had a significant influence on why I worked for the same company for 37 ½ years. I like to believe that everyone has a theme song or songs that inspire them. You know the tunes that get you through the tough stuff and the joy.
My mother’s theme song was Second Hand Rose. I can close my eyes and hear her sing. I can see her open the ironing board cabinet, the one my left handed father installed. My mother was right handed so the set up was a little awkward especially when using the sleeve board. The cord would get in the way or come out of the wall on the back stroke.
When the iron hit the fabric she began her rendition “Second Hand Rose …with my second hand clothes”. The lyrics scared me because I was getting hand me downs from my two sisters. I believe mother’s song inspired me to be heavier and taller than my sisters at an early age.
She sang Frank Loesser ‘s I get the neck of the chicken” while cleaning the house. “I get the neck of the chicken; I get the rumble seat ride. I get the leaky umbrella, why oh why”. This tune explains the period of my life I refer to as ‘The Dark Years’.
Dad had several theme songs. The chorus from Benny Davis and Harry Akst 1925hit Baby Face which he sang to his children, grandchildren and few great grand children. I bet they all remember the words “Baby face, you got the cutest little baby face, there's not another one could take your place, Baby Face”. He sang the words over and over because he did not know the rest of the lyrics.
Heart, from the musical Damn Yankees was another of his favorites. He made the most of the half a verse he knew. “You've gotta have heart, Miles 'n miles n' miles of heart”. He hummed the melody to fill in the missing words. My father voice was in tune a trait I didn’t inherit.
Whenever we traveled or he needed a mental break from reality he sang the first and third verse of Home Home on the Range. He loved western movies and this cowboy song from an unknown author that was stuck in his memory.
“Oh,give me a home where the buffalo roam,
Where the deer and the antelope play;
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day.
Oh, give me a land where the bright diamond sand
Flows leisurely down the stream;
Where the graceful white swan goes gliding along
Like a maid in a heavenly dream.
Home, home on the range,
Where the deer and the antelope play;
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word,
And the skies are not cloudy all day”.
I constantly find myself singing the same two verses, when traveling. Cruising on the boat, driving in a car, riding my bike, the mode of transportation doesn’t matter, the words just come out of my mouth, often off key. My propensity to move and desire to travel may be rooted in this song.
But, I digress. The song in my head this morning was an altered version of 16 Tons.
“16 tons and what do I get another day older and closer to death. St Peter don’t you call me cause I can’t go. There’s lots more living in me stowed”.
The original version influenced my work life. Every time I wanted to quit the tune popped in my head. “16 tons and what do I get, another day older and deeper in debt. St Peter don’t you call me cause I can’t go. I Owe my soul to the company store”. So now you know why.
