Saturday, October 31, 2009

Songs My Mother Taught Me . . . Dem Bones



Happy Halloween, everyone.

This outstanding-in-its-field scarecrow is along the country road about eight miles from Silverton. I took the shot on my way home from my solo beach trip a few weeks ago.

Well, of course, one of the songs my mother taught me was Dem Bones! She had the cutest way of performing it in the kitchen when I was a kid. This is the 16th in an undetermined number of songs my mother taught me that I posted this month in her memory, and with it the series is closed. 





Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians sing in a youtube video uploaded by gerdenshed


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10 comments:

francessa said...

Hi Lydia,

I hadn't known this song before, but it's funny. It seems to be somehow connected to my present condition (see blogpost). Will write soon.

Khaled KEM said...

Lydia, thanks so much for your words of encouragement. It means a lot to me and I appreciate your interest in my poetry.
I come here from time to time to enjoy your posts and get informed about a lot of events, stories, and facts. Hopefully I will be able to write again and enjoy communication with you and the rest of my friends.

Wish you all the best.

Kh

Darlene said...

You have posted another song that is fun to sing. I guess Dem Bones is on most every singers tongue at one time or another.

I had never heard the Fred Waring version before. It doesn't seem to be the kind of song he and his Pennsylvanians would record.

kj said...

lydia, this has been such a special series. your mother gave you an irreplaceable gift, and i thank you for sharing it.

xoxo

Lydia said...

@Francessa- I tried the link at your post to read up on your condition but it locked up, so I'll try again. I'm worried about you and want your bones to get well!

@Khaled- It is always a pleasure when you stop by. And you're right, your poetry interests me (and impresses me too). Be careful not to overwork in your busy schedule.

@Darlene- I was surprised to see Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians come up in both youtube videos and mentioned in conjunction with the song when I Googled the piece. Who knew! I have only a vague memory of this group's name. The song, as you said, is well known and fun to sing.

@kj- Oh, you are so kind to thank me for the series. I really enjoyed doing it; have not done a "theme" at my blog before...it becomes a bit all-encompassing!

bfk said...

Hmm. This song was one featured in the wonderful dark humor film "The Ruling Class," starring Peter O'Toole. Thanks to you and your mother for jogging my own little macabre memory.

I'm going to miss this series. Perhaps one day you'll be whistling while on a walk and another might come to mind.

Lydia said...

@bfk- I'm not familiar with that movie; the choice of tunes says a lot about it, though.

I have a few songs still in drafts that I didn't use, plus my list had more not posted. But I tossed the list. I figure I'll do one of these from time to time.

Nancy said...

My father-in-law was from Kentucky and died at age 94 earlier this year. This song always reminds me of him. He was a doctor so the lyrics seem to apply, but it was his love of gospel music that brings him to mind when I hear this song. He wasn't a religious person, not by a long shot, agnostic actually. But he loved gospel music. It must have brought back childhood memories when he lived in the South.

Margaret Pangert said...

Hi Lydia! What a perfect post for Halloween! We used to get such a kick out of that song as kids.
Love the Silverton scarecrow! Is that in Oregon? It would make sense based on your other references, but I wasn't sure. No wonder you just can't go stand in line at the St. James for tickets to Finian's Rainbow! Some day! xxox

Lydia said...

@Nancy- Your father-in-law sounds like he was such a wonderful man (why can't I have a father-in-law like that?!). I'm with him; give me real gospel music over the weird stuff they call Christian music these days.

@Margaret- Yes, Silverton is the town I live in here in Oregon. The scarecrows are in a field on the road to Salem. It's a nice country drive.
Someday, yes. In the meantime you have a most wonderful evening at Finian's!

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