THIS IS IN HONOR of my mother, Margaret, on her birthday. The Dutchman was one of her favorite songs in the last three decades of her life after hearing it first when Bob Shane, lead singer of The Kingston Trio, singled her out from a crowd during a lounge-act performance in Reno. He asked her name, and after she replied "Margaret," he sang this song to her. Her paternal roots were indeed Dutch (Van Swearingen originally). She longed all her life for the kind of love memorialized in this song, but it was not to be.
Note: The video I originally posted with this was removed by its owner. The replacement above (created by this person at youtube) is beautiful.
Of note: After my mother's death in 2000 my sister requested the two bookcases, one shown in this photo behind my mother. We split the books, so some in this image are now on my bookshelves. The painting hanging on the wall behind her is now on a wall in my house. It is titled The Isle of Capri and I treasure it.
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I posted about the significance of The Dutchman to my mother here as one in my series of posts titled
Songs My Mother Taught Me.
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Lovely tribute
ReplyDeleteWhat a Beautiful Photo.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beauty Margaret was. Dear you, I am so sorry for the space that Margaret's absence has left in your life. I am so happy you have so many wonderful memories of her. Big hugs to you.xxoo
ReplyDeleteA lovely tribute to your mother. She was a charming little lady at the age of 6 and looks so happy on her birthday. I am sure she was very feminine and must have loved that pretty dress.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful photo of your mother. These glimpses into a world of long ago are so special. Every Blessing
ReplyDeleteI love the pics. A wonderful tribute to your mom. I love walking down memory lane with you. Your mom was a very special person, as are you :)
ReplyDeleteI've never heard this song before. It's lovely.
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I have one of my late father's bookshelves. It isn't much to look at, but it means a lot to me to have it. I keep my favorite books on it.
ReplyDeleteYour mom looks so charming in that photograph. Shirley Temple, eat your heart out!
Absolutely lovely tribute. Another great post Lydia! Hugs
ReplyDeletemadamebutterfly~ Thanks much.
ReplyDeleteFrosty Duncan~ I think so too. I enjoy it more scanned because I can enlarge it to see more detail.
Belette~ Thank you for your sweet comments. I really do miss her most in the month between her birthday 9-27 and death on 10-27. xo
Darlene~ She was so cute, I agree. She said she was a tomboy but she obviously knew how to appreciate a fine outfit too. When I enlarged the photo I was impressed by the detail on the hat.
Freda~ Thank you. Glimpses, that they are. I'm grateful to have the photographs that I do of her.
Looking to the Stars~ You are sweet. I love walking down memory lane with you, too! We've been doing this for two years now and I hope it continues for many more. :)
Rachel Fox~ I am so happy to share it with you. xo
Fireblossom~ Cute comment about Shirley Temple, and (ironically) I do have a story there! My mother's father and Shirley's father occasionally rode the train together into Santa Monica and chatted about work, their families, etc. Mr. Temple gave my grandfather a cigar the day after his little daughter, Shirley, was born. The new father's excitement made enough of an impression on my grandfather to tell the family about it at dinner, and they later recognized Shirley's name when she hit the big screen!
Phivos~ Hugs in return and thank you for your comments.
I was very moved by this post, and by the song which I'd never heard before. Thank you for sharing this important moment with us.
ReplyDeletenathalie in avignon~ My pleasure to share it. Thank you for visiting both of my blogs this week. :)
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