Music and songs have featured in my life from as far back as memory takes me. They act as reminders of times past or of loved ones who sang the lyrics round our fireside.
I must honestly admit that none of them changed my life.
HARRY BELAFONTE – ‘Scarlet Ribbons (For Her Hair)’
I had plenty of ribbons for my hair, tied in large chocolate box bows. There was one to match each outfit, but none of them were scarlet. I was never allowed to wear red of any tone, shade or hue, because back all those years ago, ‘red hair’ and ‘red clothes’ were thought to clash.
There were times when the house was filled with noise, gangly legs everywhere and boys pretending they were airplanes, trains or playing buses on the stairs, that I thought it would be great to be an only child…
But I could never imagine being nobody’s child. This one always brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye.
Foster and Allen – Nobody’s Child
I’m nobody’s child I’m nobody’s child I’m like a flower just growing wild
There’s no mommy’s kisses and no daddy’s smiles
Nobody wants me I’m nobody’s child
As I was slowly passin’ an orphan’s home one day
I stopped there for a moment just to watch the children play
Alone a boy was standin’ and when I asked him why
He turned with eyes that couldn’t see and he began to cry
I’m nobody’s child….
Some people come for children and take them for their own
But they all seem to pass me by and leave me all alone
I know they’d like to take me but when they see I’m blind
They always take some other child and I’m left behind
I’m nobody’s child…
No mother’s arms to hold me or soothe me when I cry
Sometimes it gets so lonely here I wish I could die
I’ll walk the streets of heaven where all the blinds can see
And just like for the other kids there’d be a home for me
No mommy’s kisses and no daddy’s smiles nobody wants me I’m nobody’s child
I hope it taught me to have respect for all children.
Music that changed my life was chosen for us by Maria the Silver Fox. I suggest you have a little gargle, then step on the scale to see what high notes she reaches before chorusing your way around our other active members: Delirious, Maxi, Maria/Gaelikaa, Maria SilverFox, Padmum, Ramana, Shackman speaks, The Old Fossil, Will Knott.
Love that Belefonte tune – he’s such a political activist these days it’s sometimes hard to remember what a great singer he is – saw him livw twice
No, music hasn’t changed my life either, except in the very general sense that I early on became passionate about particular types of music, and in the sense that music always gives me a lift when I’m feeling a bit down.
shackman – I like the Belefonte voice and rendition, his politics I leave on your side of the pond.
Nick – I like to listen to music each day, but it varies with my mood and time of day.
Can’t imagine my life without music. And yes it broke down defences so yes there were changes made.
XO
WWW
WWW – I never had the talent to play an instrument, but life would be dull with listening to music.
I had never heard of Nobody;s Child, but I am married to a man who who lost his mother before he was two and his father before he was eight. Even with sight, living as an orphan is heart-breaking.
Belafonte and scarlett ribbons was a favorite of mine, too. I loved the photo and the big ribbon in your hair. I am glad we wrote about music two weeks in a row. Kind of fun!!!!
I love your photo. Too bad you weren’t allowed to wear red. My mom dressed me in it so often that I hated it. I didn’t start to wear red again until I was in my 40’s.
This is poignant to me in experience I am living now. I have been dealing with the fallout from someone who has essentially become nobody’s child and has deeply hurt someone close to me. But, thankfully, it is a pain from which they will recover, though it will take some time.
Judy – Now that my gold has paled to silver, red appears in my wardrobe. Raspberry is my favourite.
Fossie – I feel your pain and hope the situation settles and those concerned learn to know they are really loved.
Two of your songs the Scarlet Ribbons and Nobody’s child are my favourites too and strangely enough, the latter was also a favourite of Urmeela’s. I used to sing it for her.
Ramana – I am nobody’s child, so now you can sing it to me!
I like the photo very much, especially the freckles! 🙂 Mine only came out when I was in the sun. Both songs tell stories, sad ones, and they always catch my attention, FAR BETTER than the stuff that seems to pass for music these days.
Alice – I am inclined to agree about the modern noise that passes these days for music. 😛