Coming Home is one of life's best moments. I believe it will be one of the next life's best moments also. So this blog is dedicated to what I view as the best moments of life.
My first memory of hanging stockings was bringing our own chosen real-life "I wore this last week" sock to the fireplace, where we pinned them to the twine that was attached by little nails. I reasoned that if I brought a bigger sock I would get more loot. (I didn't know very much about Santa in those days.) My stocking of choice was definitely of the knee-sock variety. And this is how it went for a while.
Then the Miller stocking tradition started to get real. My Aunt Kay created the most beautiful sequined stockings complete with our own names and design. As a child was added to the family so was a stocking. When we saw our family hanging on the mantel every Christmas season our sense of belonging grew. Each of us different, but each of us a Miller. We were a unit bound by forever bonds...blood, love, eternity.
When I got married I wasn't sure what the proper stocking protocol should be. Should I bring my stocking to my new home, leaving the original 12 and diminishing the size of the Miller clan? That wasn't right. I would always be a Miller. The "Laurie" stocking had to remain on the mantel where it belonged. New Stoker stockings had to be created for the new family that had been created. My sister, Mary, understood this necessity and made one for Paul and one for me. Then when Stoker babies started arriving I realized it was my responsibility to provide. New baby--new stocking. Didn't the Stokers look glorious hanging on the mantel with their cross-stitched names and patchwork red and green?
Then the Stoker babies began to marry and multiply. What to do now? Well, if they brought their spouse and offspring to Christmas we provided a stocking because Santa would be coming after all. That met the practical Christmas Eve need, but the heart of the tradition was missing. This year I put up a stocking for every Stoker child, spouse and grandchild. All the humans that belong to me are hanging on my railing. It didn't matter if they were in attendance on Christmas morning, they are still mine and I want to see their stocking. Because stockings mean you belong...forever....no matter what... and there is always love for you here.
I hope there's a stocking hanging for me in Heaven.
So I’m doing the thing I don’t believe in,
digital Christmas cards. Hopefully next year I’ll be back in envelope licking
and stamp buying, but we’re on a bit of a spending freeze so here is your 2014
Stoker Christmas letter.
The good news is Paul is back in GA. He lived in
NM and TN last year and commuted home most weekends. Paul and I both learned some things with this
arrangement. Paul learned that it’s not that fun to cook for yourself, although
he’s very good at lasagna and chicken enchiladas. Also, he still really likes
to play tennis. He missed his family,
but drowned his sorrows in tennis lessons and tournaments. Sadly, that came to
a temporary end when he tore his ACL. But, he had it repaired and is
recovering like a champ.
I learned that all those years of my putting
Paul’s cereal box away was not really helping him. When I visited him I discovered that he
really wants it left on the table so it’s ready for him in the morning. I also
learned that husbands and dads are a big deal and weekend visits aren’t as good
as living together all the time. Did I mention that getting the oil changed and
taking the car in to the shop is a
traumatic experience? About killed me.
Speaking of babies, Rebecca is awesome. She
is happy and good and trying to grow up and leave like the others. I’m trying to act casual, but it will be a
sad day when she doesn’t come singing through the door. In light of her efforts
to grow up, I will be placing more emphasis on teaching her home skills. I guess
she can live on yogurt, cheese, Mini Wheats and apples, but she might need a
couple of meals up her sleeve. This is her first year in school
chorus. She is working on her vibrato
(aren’t we all?) and sings much louder in the shower than ever before. I’ve got
to watch her though, sometimes she reads scriptures and writes in her journal
when she’s supposed to be doing her homework.
Gabe is also awesome. He’s getting pretty smart
for a guy who says he doesn’t like to learn.
I told him I was applying to be a substitute teacher.
With a concerned look he commented, “Hopefully you won’t have to do math
because, well, you know, you’re better in other areas.” Code for “You’ve never
answered a math homework question yet.” The other night at dinner he observed,
“This knife is made in Brazil. Why don’t
they make anything in the USA except notebooks?” He’s loving and kind. When I
was having Rebecca clean her room I said, “Rebecca, I want your room to be as
beautiful as you are.” Gabe’s comment was, “That’s really beautiful. That’s 10,
no, 11 times more beautiful.”
Andrew is in Provo, UT. He worked at Vivint full
time this fall, so he can go back to UVU in January.
He played Lacrosse with the UVU club team.
Eliza and Joseph and beautiful baby Hyrum live in Omaha,
NE. Joseph is in his 2nd year of Dental School at Creighton. Eliza
is a stay at home mom.
Jacob is finishing up at BYU. Isla was born in
Nov. Alexa stays home with the cute one.
Aaron is in his 2nd year of Dental
school at UNLV. Sweet Lucy was born in Oct. and her mom, Clarissa stays home.
Nathan is in his 3rd year of Med
school at UT in Houston. Ariane graduated this year and is working as a
Physical Therapist.
Brandon works for Nike in Portland. After a
rough pregnancy for Mallory, Amazing Eli was born in April. He joined Annabelle-6, Josh-4,
and Isaac-2.
Daniel lives in Savannah, GA now, but will be
moving to Panama City Beach, FL sometime this year. He will be leaving the military to work for
the reserves and fly for a private company. Erica has been very successful in
her photography business and stays at home with Caleb-8 and Landon-2.
My Christmas decoration day came a little later this year. So many planets have to be aligned for this to be successful. It starts with a feeling of inclination towards "Decking the Halls," followed by the availability of willing participants in the "bringing every box labeled 'Christmas' from the basement" activity. I find the textiles box which includes runners, stockings and fabric used for puddling, draping and tree skirting. At some point I run into the "Breakables" box. It is identified by thousands of styrofoam bubbles hiding Wal-mart bag wrapped Nativity pieces, some from the pretty white set, with 2 wise men, one shepherd, but no animals, some from the badly painted colored set with no wise men but 1 donkey, Father Christmas, and other random "look, but don't touch" items.
It pleases me to greet these old friends named Christmas decorations. I have ornaments from my childhood, from my children's childhood and from my recent "I want a color-coordinated tree because I'm old, so I'm buying cheap red ornaments with no sentimental only superficial value-hood" I love them all. All of the boxes and bins can be trusted except one...the light box. It's the box that says, "Look at all the lights we have. Aren't you glad you bought lights last year so you'd be prepared? Oh, sorry they don't work." I know that lights are not immortal, but I really needed them to be there for me this year. This is not the year I wanted to reinvest in the vital twinkling and magical aspect of the tannenbaum. I took each strand of hope to the outlet for testing, plugged it in, closed one eye to dampen the disappointment, and ta-da! It worked! The next lights....worked! All of the lights in the bin worked! That was a Christmas miracle, a small one, but I saw it.
Another gift I received came in the form of our last seminary class of the semester. A few weeks ago we studied the principle of developing and using our gifts for doing good and testifying of the Savior Jesus Christ. Someone suggested, and I agreed, that we should have a "gift sharing day" kind of like a talent show, but deeper, purer, a gift given in honor of Christ's birth. We set the date. Each student could either 1. demonstrate a gift. 2. Plan, execute and describe a service or 3. Bear testimony of the influence of Jesus Christ in their life. Most students committed to participation and preparation. When I reminded them on the Monday before the appointed Friday, they were, of course, surprised that the day was coming so soon. They're 9th graders after all. On Thursday night it occurred to me, "I need to have a lesson prepared. This gift giving activity could be over in 7 minutes." But bless their little hearts. In they walked with flute, violin, ukulele, guitar, and readiness. Something you need to know about me. I have exquisite fondness for a Christmas program. It's all I ask for from my children for Christmas. It fills my heart every time, and there I was on a Friday morning at 7:10 with my heart filled with love for these good teenagers. They all started with apologies and ended with power. Someone wrote a song, another wrote a monologue of Mary's observation of our modern Christmas celebration. There was service, singing, and just a lot of goodness. I'm blessed to know these excellent people.
Have I mentioned that my cousin lives 15 minutes away from me? She's even in my own stake. (church region similar to a diocese) I love having her in my world. A couple of weeks ago she took me to lunch at "The Fork in the Road." It's where a person would go to eat southern...squash casserole, fried chicken, jalapeno chicken chowder, homemade current jam on cornbread or biscuit, hummingbird cake. It's also where a person would go to visit with their cousin about kitchen remodeling, children, dogs, the good stuff. This was definitely a gift, but the real gift came on Friday night. I'm singing in a choir that was performing at the Peach Tree City Church Nativity Festival. It was minutes before showtime and the director asked me to make some copies. All was well until I ran out of paper. There was none to be seen. This wasn't my usual church building so I was feeling the panic. As I went into the hall looking for help, guess who walked in... my cousin. She's a girl who can get things done. In not very much time Kim had contacted the wife of the man who was the holder of the paper (it helps to know people) and I was in copy business again. I called out a thanks and wisked away, but I thought for a long time about how the help was there when I needed it and it was in the form of a cute cousin with skills.
Some elves came to our house on Saturday. Well, not really our house, more like the neighbor's. Our neighbors had hired them to power wash their sidewalk. Their truck and trailer were parked 10-15 ft. in front of our driveway. My husband assured them that it was no problem. When they had finished and gone my daughter told me, "They blew off our lawn." "What?" "The sidewalk people blew the leaves and pine needles off of our lawn. I asked them what we owed them and they said, 'Merry Christmas." It does feel like a Merry Christmas.
One of the sweetest gifts I'm given every morning started when school started. There is a darling little bus-waiter who enthusiastically waves as if we are best friends, and well she should because she has become one of my best friends. As the mornings got colder and darker and I varied my departure time and route to avoid traffic delay I forgot about the moment that was the highlight of many days. Then I started driving by her bus stop again at 6:54 am, There stands this little darling with her coat and mittens and bundled up sweet face peering into the darkness, and as I drive by she waves a shivery albeit friendly wave and makes my day. Someday I need to tell her how much she cheers me up. In the meantime I'll just pray for Heaven's choicest blessings on these good gift givers.
It started. Decorated Christmas trees on facebook, a few festive neighbors with their Christmas lights twinkling, 3 merry Christmas cards which I refuse to open until I've written my Christmas letter. (I like to reward myself.) The yuletide celebration has begun, except for not necessarily at the Stoker house. My tree remains in the back corner of my basement not only unfluffed, but a prisoner in it's original box, sealed shut with 2 yr. old duct tape. My Christmas music is still in the special container underneath the regular, this is what we listen to every day, music. And frankly, my Christmas spirit is also wrapped tightly and stored underneath my usual selfish, task oriented, worried, distractable place.
Well, it's time. It's time to start the party. Bring out the cheer and the gladness and joy. Hang the stockings, sing the carols, and give the gifts, the good gifts, the gifts that last and bless and warm the heart. That's my desire anyway, although I've come to know that good gift giving is an art that needs to be developed.
I'm always on the lookout for good gifts, and they can be found in surprising places. My friend told of a morning spent in the busy post office. In an effort to remain positive and eliminate any irritation that might creep into her thoughts as she stood in line with not a few others, she commented to the person next to her, "Isn't it great to live in America where we have a postal service that delivers our mail in a dependable and safe manner?" Her line buddy smiled, "Ma'am, it really made my day to hear you say that. I'm a retired postal worker." Gift given.
I was in the home of a successful educated woman who had served as a colonel in the Air Force. She told of her mother who raised 4 children on a cook's wages. One of the experiences this grown daughter remembers was walking to school with her mother in first grade. They were poor and walked by a certain building every day. The young girl told her mother that someone at school said that if they went into that building they would be given food and clothing. The mother replied, "We will never go into that building. We will live on what we earn. If I take you into that building then you will take your children into that building." This gift of courage and self sufficiency blessed these children as they all gained college educations and went into life with the confidence that they could support themselves.
Every week in church we have 3 meetings. We start with Sacrament meeting where families all sit together. Then the children go to Primary and I go with them to play the piano. The adults and youth go to their respective meetings. The last hour is divided further with the men and women meeting in their own groups. I finish with the children about 20 minutes before church ends so I can join the women for the last few minutes. Last Sunday there were only about 12 minutes left, and I wondered if I should risk disrupting the class with my entrance or just wait in the hall. I chose to sneak in and listen. They were discussing the role of women and the impact we can have on people's lives. The teacher commented that when she started asking the Lord what he wanted her to do instead of telling Him what she was willing to do, that's when she started to feel happy and at peace. Something to think about.
Then another wonderful woman made a comment, "We need to be flexible. I worked for 35 years. When I retired I told myself that I would finally relax. I would watch a movie everyday. And then I got a phone call. My great grandson was in the NICU. He was in bad shape and his parents were in no position to take care of him. When I saw him I said, 'Fight little buddy, and I'll take care of you.' He survived and has been with us for 7 wonderful years. Now we have his little sister. She sleeps in a crib by my bed. The other night she put her little hand through her crib rails and said, 'Mama? hand.' She's a handful, but brings so much joy. I'll care for her 'til the day I die." That's what good gift giving looks like.
It looks like sacrifice and love, and putting other people's needs before our own and sharing smiles and time and being grateful. Howard W. Hunter encouraged, "This Christmas, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend, Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gently. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again."
When I was a young mother I was excited to fill my children's life with music. I had fond memories of parents singing to me and me singing with siblings. My problem, however, was that when it was time to sing, I couldn't remember any songs. I finally asked my sister for a list, which she provided. I kept that little cardboard list in the cupboard for review so I was more prepared for singing to sleep, comforting, and music activities. Now my children have requested some lullaby and fun song ideas. In light of the help I received I was happy to make a list. Then I started thinking, what if we gathered new songs, songs from our childhood, videos of songs, etc. It could be amazing! Thank you family for sharing the legacy of music. The list has been divided into a Lullaby post and a children's songs post. Here is a family lullaby song list which is followed by lyrics and videos: Angel Lullaby, Pretty Little Ponies, Sunrise Sunset, For Baby, Rock-a-Bye Baby, Hush Little Baby, My Sweet Lady (Baby), Edelweiss, Greensleeves, Look At the Baby, You are my Sunshine, Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World, Lullaby in Blue, Cotton Fields, River Lullaby, Go to Sleepy Little Baby, Blue Birds Over the White Cliffs of Dover, Rose, Rose, Red, All Through the Night, Glad That You were Born, Goodnight My Angel, Tessa-Tomorrowland, They All Laughed, When Irish Eyes are Smiling, A Hundred and Sixty Acres, Moon River, Oh Danny Boy, I'm Just a Country Boy, and Sylvie. Church songs: I Feel My Savior's Love, Mother Tell Me a Story, I am a Child of God, I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus, My Heavenly Father Loves Me, A Child's Prayer, The Family is of God, I Love to See the Temple, Families Can Be Together Forever, Love is Spoken Here, As I Have Loved You. If the Savor Stood Beside Me, Baptism, I Need Thee Every Hour.
I'll walk in the rain by your side, I'll cling to the warmth of your hand.
I'll do anything to keep you satisfied, I'll love you more than anybody can.
And the wind will whisper your name to me, little birds will sing along in time.
Leaves will bow down when you walk by and morning bells will chime.
I'll be there when you're feeling down to kiss away the tears that you cry.
I'll share with you all the happiness I've found, a reflection of the love in your eyes.
And I'll sing you the songs of the rainbow, a whisper of the joy that is mine.
Leaves will bow down when you walk by and morning bells will chime.
I'll walk in the rain by your side, I'll cling to the warmth of your tiny hand.
I'll do anything to help you understand, and I'll love you more than anybody can.
And the wind will whisper your name to me, little birds will sing along in time.
Leaves will bow down when you walk by and morning bells will chime.
Hush, Little Baby (Brahm’s
Lullaby)
Hush, little baby, don't say a word.
Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird
And if that mockingbird won't sing,
Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring
And if that diamond ring turns brass,
Papa's gonna buy you a looking glass
And if that looking glass gets broke,
Papa's gonna buy you a billy goat
And if that billy goat won't pull,
Papa's gonna buy you a cart and bull
And if that cart and bull turn over,
Papa's gonna buy you a dog named Rover
And if that dog named Rover won't bark
Papa's gonna buy you a horse and cart
And if that horse and cart fall down,
You'll still be the sweetest little baby in town.
Lady (Baby), Are you Crying?
Lady, are you crying, do the tears belong to me?
Did you think our time together was all gone?
Lady, you've been dreaming. I'm as close as I can be.
And I swear to you our time has just begun.
Close your eyes and rest your weary mind. I promise I will stay right here beside you.
Today our lives were joined, became entwined.
I wish that you could know how much I love you.
Lady, are you happy, do you feel the way I do?
Are there meanings that you've never seen before?
Lady, my sweet lady, I just can't believe it's true.
And it's like I've never ever loved before.
Close your eyes and rest your weary mind. I promise I will stay right here beside you.
Today our lives were joined, became entwined.
I wish that you could know how much I love you.
Lady, are you crying, do the tears belong to me?
Did you think our time together was all gone?
Lady, you've been dreaming. I'm as close as I can be.
And I swear to you our time has just begun.
Alas, my love, you do me wrong,
To cast me off discourteously.
For I have loved you well and long,
Delighting in your company.
Chorus:
Greensleeves was all my joy
Greensleeves was my delight,
Greensleeves was my heart of gold,
And who but my lady greensleeves.
Look at the
Baby ( Janeen Brady)
Look at the baby
oh look at her eyes
what do you think she can see?
though she smiles rather strangely
and stares at the skies
I know she’s not looking at me.
Chorus:
Do you think she
is smiling at angels
hovering ever so near.
Maybe their telling her secrets you and I can’t hear.
Look at the baby
oh look at her smile.
What is she trying
to say?
Do you think she gets lonely
each once in a while
that angels came calling today.
Chorus:
For the angels and
baby were playmates
in heaven before she was born.
And maybe they’re lonely for their little
friend
on this beautiful sun shiny morn.
"You
Are My Sunshine"
You are my sunshine, my only
sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You never know, dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping
I dreamt I held you in my arms
When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
So I hung my head, and I cried
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You never know, dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
I'll always love you and make you happy
If you will only say the same
But if you leave me to love another,
You'll regret it all one day
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You never know, dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
Somewhere Over The Rainbow / What A Wonderful World"
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow
Blue birds fly
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Dreams really do come true ooh oh
Someday I'll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney tops
That's where you'll find me
Oh, somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly
And the dream that you dare to,
Oh why, oh why can't I?
Well I see trees of green and red roses too,
I'll watch them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
Well I see skies of blue
And I see clouds of white
And the brightness of day
I like the dark
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people passing by
I see friends shaking hands
Saying, "How do you do?"
They're really saying, I...I love you
I hear babies cry and I watch them grow,
They'll learn much more than we'll know
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world world
Someday I'll wish upon a star,
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney top
That's where you'll find me
Oh, somewhere over the rainbow way up high
And the dream that you dare to, why, oh why can't I? I?
Lullaby in Blue
(Intro)
Hushaby… Rockaby… listen to my Lullaby in Blue
Blue lue lue lue lue lue lue lue lue lue lue
How I love my pretty baby. Sweet and precious pretty baby
How I love my pretty baby. Honest to goodness I do
See here Sandman’s a’coming
and he’ll be here mighty, mighty soon
And if you don’t cry, he’ll be dropping by
with a great big lollypop moon
Dream, dream, dream (How I love my pretty baby)
be an angel dream (Sweet and precious pretty baby)
dream dream be a (How I love my pretty baby)
Darling, I love my pretty baby
Honest to goodness I do (together)
Honest to goodness I do (together)
Blue lue lue lue lue lue lue lue lue lue lue
(repeat once with Daddy leading and mommy harmonizing this time)
Cotton Fields"
[Chorus 1:]
When I was a little bitty baby
My mama would rock me in the cradle,
In them old cotton fields back home;
[Chorus 2:]
It was down in Louisiana,
Just about a mile from Texarkana,
In them old cotton fields back home.
[Chorus 3:]
Oh, when them cotton bolls get rotten( Cotton fields get rockin)
You can't pick very much cotton, )(We
aint getting very much cotton)
In them old cotton fields back home.
Chorus 2
In them old cotton fields back home.
River Lullaby (Prince of Egypt)
Hush now, my baby
Be still love, don't cry
Sleep like you're rocked by the stream
Sleep and remember
My lullaby
And I'll be with you when you dream
Drift on a river
That flows through my arms
Drift as I'm singing to you
I see you smiling
So peaceful and calm
And holding you, I'm smiling, too
Here in my arms
Safe from all harm
Holding you, I'm smiling, too
Hush now, my baby
Be still, love, don't cry
Sleep like you're rocked by the stream
Sleep and remember this river lullaby
And I'll be with you when you dream
I'll be with you when you dream
Go to Sleepy,Little Baby
Go to sleepy, little baby
Go to sleepy, little baby
When you wake, we'll patty patty cake
And ride a shiny little pony
Laurie:
Mom used to sing this to us at night:
Blue Birds Over the White Cliffs of Dover
There'll be bluebirds over
The white cliffs of Dover,
Tomorrow, just you wait and see.
I'll never forget the people I met
Braving those angry sky's
I remember well as the shadows fell
The light of hope in thier eyes
And though I'm far away I still can hear them say
Sun's up
For when the dawn comes up
There'll be bluebirds over
The white cliffs of Dover,
Tomorrow, just you wait and see.
There'll be love and laughter
And peace ever after.
Tomorrow, when the world is free
The shepherd will tend his sheep.
The valley will bloom again.
And Jimmy will go to sleep
In his own little room again.
There'll be bluebirds over
The white cliffs of Dover,
Tomorrow, just you wait and see.
Rose, Rose, Rose, Red
Rose, rose, rose, red
Will I ever see thee we
I will marry at thy will, sire
At thy will.
Thou poor bird
Take thy flight
High above the sorrows
of this sad night.
Amanda: All Through the Night
Sleep, my child, and peace attend thee,
All through the night
Guardian angels God will send thee,
All through the night
Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,
Hill and dale in slumber sleeping
I my loved ones' watch am keeping,
All through the night
Angels watching, e'er around thee,
All through the night
Midnight slumber close surround thee,
All through the night
Soft the drowsy hours are creeping,
Hill and dale in slumber sleeping
I my loved ones' watch am keeping,
All through the night
Glad that You Were Born
MILLY
Through your eyes skies look brighter
Grass more green clouds are whiter.
When you're close cares grow lighter,
I'm glad that you were born.
Through your eyes hills stretch higher.
When you smile you inspire hearts to sing in a choir.
I'm glad that you were born.
Born to laugh, born to dream
Born to spread your light.
Through your eyes I see clearer
You bring God so much nearer.
Life has grown so much dearer,
I'm glad that you were...
ALL
Born to laugh, born to dream.
Born to spread your light.
MILLY
Through your eyes I see clearer
You being God so much nearer.
Life has grown so much dearer
I'm glad that you were born.
"Lullaby (Goodnight, My Angel)"
Goodnight, my angel
Time to close your eyes
And save these questions for another day
I think I know what you've been asking me
I think you know what I've been trying to say
I promised I would never leave you
And you should always know
Wherever you may go
No matter where you are
I never will be far away
Goodnight, my angel
Now it's time to sleep
And still so many things I want to say
Remember all the songs you sang for me
When we went sailing on an emerald bay
And like a boat out on the ocean
I'm rocking you to sleep
The water's dark
And deep inside this ancient heart
You'll always be a part of me
Goodnight, my angel
Now it's time to dream
And dream how wonderful your life will be
Someday your child may cry
And if you sing this lullabye
Then in your heart
There will always be a part of me
Someday we'll all be gone
But lullabyes go on and on...
They never die
That's how you
And I
Will be
Tess:
Tomorrowland
There's a wonderful place called tomorrowland
And it's only a dream away
And the moment you get to tomorrowland
You'll forget about today.
You'll be walking on clouds,
You'll forget every care,
And your troubles, like bubbles, will vanish in air
The odds were a hundred to one against me
The world thought the heights were too high to climb
But people from Missouri never incensed me
Oh, I wasn't a bit concerned
For from hist'ry I had learned
How many, many times the worm had turned
They all laughed at Christopher Columbus when he said the world was round
They all laughed when Edison recorded sound
They all laughed at Wilbur and his brother when they said that man could fly
They told Marconi wireless was a phony, it's the same old cry
They laughed at me wanting you, said I was reaching for the moon
But oh, you came through, now they'll have to change their tune
They all said we never could be happy, they laughed at us and how!
But ho, ho, ho! Who's got the last laugh now?
They all laughed at Rockefeller Center, now they're fighting to get in
They all laughed at Whitney and his cotton gin
They all laughed Fulton and his steamboat, Hershey and his chocolate bar
Ford and his Lizzie, kept the laughers busy, that's how people are
They laughed at me wanting you, said it would be, "Hello, Goodbye."
But oh, you came through, now they're eating humble pie
They all said we'd never get together, darling, let's take a bow
For ho, ho, ho! Who's got the last laugh?
Hee, hee, hee! Let's at the past laugh, Ha, ha, ha! Who's got the last laugh
now?
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
There's a tear in your
eye,
And I'm wondering why,
For it never should be
there at all.
With such pow'r in your
smile,
Sure a stone you'd
beguile,
So there's never a
teardrop should fall.
When your sweet lilting
laughter's
Like some fairy song,
And your eyes twinkle
bright as can be;
You should laugh all the
while
And all other times
smile,
And now, smile a smile
for me.
Chorus
When Irish eyes are
smiling,
Sure, 'tis like the morn
in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish
laughter
You can hear the angels
sing.
When Irish hearts are
happy,
All the world seems
bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are
smiling,
Sure, they steal your
heart away.
For your smile is a part
Of the love in your
heart,
And it makes even
sunshine more bright.
Like the linnet's sweet
song,
Crooning all the day
long,
Comes your laughter and
light.
For the springtime of
life
Is the sweetest of all
There is ne'er a real
care or regret;
And while springtime is
ours
Throughout all of
youth's hours,
Let us smile each chance
we get.
A Hundred and Sixty Acres
I got a hundred and sixty
acres in the valley Got a
hundred and sixty acres of the best Got an
old stove there that'll cook three square And a
bunk where I can lay me down to rest.
Up at
dawn to greet the sun I've
forgotten what a care or worry means Head
for home when day is done With
my pocket money jinglin' in my jeans. I've
got a hundred and sixty acres full of sunshine Got a
hundred and sixty million stars above Got an
old paint hoss, I'm the guy who's boss On the
hundred and sixty acres that I love!
Up at
dawn to greet the sun I've
forgotten what a care or worry means Head
for home when day is done With
my pocket money jinglin' in my jeans.
I've
got a hundred and sixty acres full of sunshine Got a
hundred and sixty million stars above Got an
old paint hoss, I'm the guy who's boss On the
hundred and sixty acres that I love! Got an
old paint hoss, I'm the guy who's boss On the
hundred and sixty acres that I love!
Moon River
Moon river, wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you're going, I'm going your way
Two drifters, off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see
We're after the same rainbow's end, waiting, round the bend
My Huckleberry Friend, Moon River, and me
Moon river, wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style some day
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker
Wherever you're going, I'm going your way
Two drifters, off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see
We're after that same rainbow's end, waiting, round the bend
My Huckleberry Friend, Moon River, and me
Oh Danny Boy
Oh, Danny Boy, the pipes, the
pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side,
The summer's gone, and all the flowers dying,
tis you, tis you must go and I must bide.
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