In the happiness that being a first time grandfather brought, I was doing a lot of singing and two new songs emerged as I swung from well-known traditional ditties into my own wordplay. And there was Phoebe in my arms, feeling the vibrations of my voice, listening to the songs with no idea what they might mean as she nonetheless continued to learn rapidly about the multi-faceted world into which her mother had pushed her on January 15th.
Making this blogpost has given me an opportunity to write these songs down for the very first time. Just the words. I have my own tunes for them but you are welcome to create your own...
One day you will see the sea
Bursting on the shore
And what is more
One day you might see a starfish
Or perhaps a little crab
And he might pinch your toes
Who knows? Who knows?
One day. One day. One day...
One day you might see the stars
Travel up to Mars
If that's your dream
And up there, up there
You might float around
Never touch the ground
Or even make a sound
Who knows? Who knows?
One day. One day. One day.
One day you might climb a mountain
Right up to the top
Never have to stop
To take a breath
And up there, up there
You might see the world
Its patterns all unfurled
So green. So blue.
One day. One day. One day.
Slumberland
Ohhhhhh! We're off to Slumberland!
We're off to Slumberland!
We're feeling very sleepy
So we're off to Slumberland!
Who knows? Who knows?
One day. One day. One day.
One day you might climb a mountain
Right up to the top
Never have to stop
To take a breath
And up there, up there
You might see the world
Its patterns all unfurled
So green. So blue.
One day. One day. One day.
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Slumberland
Ohhhhhh! We're off to Slumberland!
We're off to Slumberland!
We're feeling very sleepy
So we're off to Slumberland!
All the little girls and all the little boys
With their bouncy balls and their shiny toys
Running to the river as happy as can be
Splashing in the water, merrily!
Ohhhhhh! We're off to Slumberland!
We're off to Slumberland!
We're feeling very sleepy
So we're off to Slumberland!
Love the songs! I'm a first time grandmother as of May and love it, even though my grandson lives 2,800 miles away. He (and his parents) are visiting me for two and a half months this summer. I am delighted, but exhausted. It's hard to be the Granny Nanny of a one year old.
ReplyDeleteGlad that my songs chimed with you Granny Margaret.
DeleteThe last one fits very nicely to the tune of The Farmer In The Dell.
ReplyDeleteThere's a hint of that in my own tune.
DeleteIf only every child in the world looked as joyful as Phoebe, if only every child could nod off to Slumberland in such peace and contentment and safety.
ReplyDeleteSweet Dreams, little girl. Sweet Dreams.
Haggerty
Tank-oo Unca Joan!
DeleteJoan? My London sister is called Joan.
DeleteI told her about Joan Chamorro (YouTube) he runs a jazz school in Barcelona.
My sister speaks fluent Spanish-French and likes dance music and Gene Kelly.
Then there is the great Joan Miro.
When Hemingway stayed with Bernard Berenson at I Tatti, near Florence, Berenson would take a Joan Miro from off the wall, and prop the painting next to Hemingway's bed. Papa loved Miro as well as Cezanne.
I long to get back to London and visit Tate Modern and Tate Britain.
Tate Modern has several Marc Rothko canvases and Tate Britain has Epstein's sculpture of Jacob and the Angel.
My belief and my unbelief tend to grapple with each other, like Jacob and his daemon. I am the shadow in those country churches you visit.
Haggerty
Ah...we get our Phoebe 'fix'. She's such a happy little thing!
ReplyDeleteShe is indeed. She hardly ever cries.
DeleteCreating on such a personal level brings a lot of satisfaction. I'm sure that some of this will be remembered and if you keep singing Phoebe will have lots of singing to remember.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to have singing in your DNA.
DeletePhoebe is a lucky little girl. Those songs are very sweet. 💗
ReplyDeleteThere were others but these are the best I think.
DeleteShe is growing very nicely and looks quite happy and contented.
ReplyDeleteYou were like that once Andrew, though you weren't a baby girl!
DeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteShe's a beautiful child. Those blue eyes have such depth.
ReplyDeleteLike you I'm having a wonderful time singing and playing and laying down memories.
Having your Granddad make up songs for you is so special.
Happy days, Adele
I love both songs, but the lyrics of the first one are just wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThese songs are very profound and raise some deep philosophical questions.
ReplyDeleteSong 1: Are there any actions to go with this?
Song 2: Slumberland? Does she need a new mattress already?
Can you please record your singing and upload it for us all to hear?
ReplyDeleteI would do that JayCee but sadly I have some nasty blog visitors. I do not want to sing to them.
DeleteThe favorite lullaby at our house: "Moon, Moon, Moon, shining bright, moon, moon, moon, my night light, moon, moon, moon, can't you see? Moon, moon, moon, he's watching over me."
ReplyDeleteMy William's little eyes would watch and droop, watch and droop lower, and then suddenly they'd stay closed, and he'd be ready to tuck into bed. He is 10 now, and would be outraged if I san him a lullaby. Enjoy these days, grandpa. They will not last.
The songs would look good in frames. Something for her and mum and dad to read and sing and think about.
ReplyDeleteThat girl has the bluest eyes. She's such a lucky girl to have a grandpa who not only sings to her, but writes songs for her.
ReplyDeleteLook at that little love! One day she will be aware of the sweetness of the gift from her grandfather- songs just for her.
ReplyDeleteLovely Phoebe is lucky to have variety in her sleepy-time songs. Must admit my children and grandchildren could pretty much depend on me only singing Edelweis when it came time for rocking and sleeping.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your lyrics!
ReplyDeleteLucky baby who will be sung to her life!
Also, if you have a great tune you can always put your own words to them. My aunt changed the words of "Surfer Girl" to "Christopher" and it worked out very well for my son! (She named her son "Christopher" just as I did.)
Phoebe has strikingly beautiful eyes. She is really starting to show the little differences in looks that will become her very individual self, isn't she? I think you should record your songs to preserve them. It was my experience that poems and songs I made up became lost in the mists of time as my children grew up. I wish I could go back and retrieve them.
ReplyDeleteI am glad I captured these two ditties. Thanks Jenny.
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