Monday, February 4, 2013

lest i forget these too


i thought if i have to do this then what better way than to make it stay. And for want of a better title i shall stick with it although i know i can never ever forget these. Ahhh!! there are so many. Some still alive and kicking and some hibernating.  

It takes just any long ride and i am singing of those hibernating although not vocally but in a manner where only i can hear and they can hear too. Something about rides and dormant ones. Some weird connection. And juxtaposed therein are labyrinths of various happy moments of school trips and excursions. Of friends and music swapping. Dream weaving and silly gossiping. Of paper thin crisp deep fried translucent potato chips and Fanta...

 # 1: The Birdie’s Ball is always the first to emerge from hibernation. And Along with #1 i also see hazy features of the two convent nun sisters...one fair and taller than the other who played the piano, i feel irritated that i can't recall her name. Sister Mary Florence and Sister Mary----?

They taught us this and later i taught this to my son when he was in the 1st grade. This  birdie also got him his first trophy in singing. Shirin Maam his music teacher later delightfully incorporated this birdie into her music lessons. Thank you Sister Mary Florence and sister Mary---.

i have searched the internet but could not reproduce what i had learnt. Although the lyrics, the sheet music is there i was unable to get any version of this delightful and joyfully sung in all outdoor trips song. Here is goes-

Spring once said to the nightingale
I mean to give you birds a ball.
So the nightingale asked the birdies all,
The birds and the birdies great and small.
Chorus:
Tra-la-la-la-la,
Tra-la-la-la-la,
Tra-la-la-la-la,
Tra-la-la-la-la
Soon they came from each bush and tree
Singing sweet their songs of glee.
Each one fresh from it's cozy nest,
And each one dressed in his Sunday best.
Chorus:
Tra-la-la-la-la,
Tra-la-la-la-la,
Tra-la-la-la-la,
Trala-la-la-la
The Cuckoo and Wren they danced for life,
The Raven waltzed with the Yellow Bird’s wife.
The awkward Owl and the bashful Jay,
Wished each other a very good day.
Chorus:
Tra-la-la-la-la,
Tra-la-la-la-la,
Tra-la-la-la-la,
Trala-la-la-la


The woodpecker came from his hole in the tree
And bro't his bill to the company.
For cherries ripe and berries red,
'Twas a very long bill so the birdies said.

Chorus:
Tra- la -la- la la
Tra- la- la- la- la
Tra- la -la- la -la 
Trala- la- la- la
They danced all day till the sun was low
The mother birds prepared to go.
Then one and all both great and small,
Flew home to their nests from the birdies ball.
Chorus:
Tra-la-la-la-la,
Tra-la-la-la-la,
Tra-la-la-la-la,
Trala-la-la-la
 # 2 is my favorite for it's teen dreams and it's peppy but feeling very new cross over music. 
Susan Raye - L. A. International Airport 
Standing in that silent hall;
Waitin' for that final call
Says he doesn't love me anymore
Shakin' hands, I pack a bag;
Tremblin' voice, I call a cab
Slowly I start walkin' through the door;

The cab arrives, he blows his horn
I stumble out in the early morn'
Tell him of the place I've got to go
Hit a hundred signal lights; Peterbilts in a traffic fight
Gettin' to these doors has been so slow.

L.A. International Airport
Where the big jet engines roar
L.A. International Airport
I won't see him anymore.


Stewardess in a mini-skirt; Hippie in a leather shirt
Starlet on her way to Naples; Rome
While I'm wonderin' where it's at; I see a Paris diplomat
College kids are tryin' to get back home;


Baggage car goes quickly by; See my case and I start to cry
Stumble to the lounge to be alone

And while I'm tryin' to get some rest; I bite my lips and try my best
To fight the pain that's makin' me leave home.

L.A. International Airport
Where the big jet engines roar
L.A. International Airport
I won't see him anymore.


With Silver wings across the sky; Vapor trails that wave goodbye
To those below who've got to stay at home
I wish that I had flown at night; So I could take that Champagne flight
Rid myself of every tear I own;
Soaring high above the heavens; In a seven-forty-seven
Fighting back the tears that curse my eyes
Captain's voice so loud and clear; Amplifies into my ear
Assuring me I'm flying friendly skies.

L.A. International Airport
Where the big jet engines roar
L.A. International Airport
I won't see him anymore.
Although this long lost one was not taught in school it has secured it's place in the deep recess of the heart. Memories rush in of Mitchelle a friend in the colony who not only introduced this song to me but also Trini Lopez and some dancing to all these songs. How i envied her when she grooved in that small space of our dormitory of a room. Thus my no 3 is an extension of my memories of learning to jive. Of English songs and  Mitchelle et al. Even after so many years it brings many smiles to remember how great it felt...those days of Mills and Boons starry nights.
i laugh even harder when i find how hopelessly i get stuck when i try to emulate the #2 now.  
 # 3 Trini Lopez - Jeanie Marie
She's for me my Jeanie Marie, She's for me my Jeanie Marie
I love her so, my Jeanie Marie,   woah
Down by the sea with Jeanie Marie, kisses so sweet from Jeanie Marie,
Can't let her go, my Jeanie Marie
Never knew anyone could take my heart,
and make it feel so good,
but Jeanie Marie took it right from the start,
and made it feel like it should
just a two my Jeanie Marie, she's my queen, oh Jeanie Marie
I love her so my Jeanie Marie,  woah woah
 # 4 Under The Old Linden Tree: i love all that yodeling this has in it's chorus. How complex the brain storage file seems for although i remember each line and it's didle chorus i can't fish out the name of the Sister (nun of the convent) who taught us this in just one particular class as a preparation for a school picnic the very next day.
One bright early morn in the month of May
Under the old linden tree
We danced and we sang till the end of the day
Under the old linden tree
We sat in the branches so sturdy and strong
And filled all the air with a yodeling song


Chorus: hi didle ha ha ha ha
            hi didle ha ha ha ha 
            hi didle ha ha ha ha
            hi didle do

How everyone ran when it started to rain
Under the old linden tree
We sat warm and dry till the sun shined again
Under the old linden tree
And when we were hungry, we had plenty to eat
And we were thirsty we had cider so sweet


Chorus: hi didle ha ha ha ha
            hi didle ha ha ha ha
            hi didle ha ha ha ha
            hi didle do

We made pretty garlands to put in our hair
Under the old linden tree
The boys all so sturdy the girls all so fair
Under the old linden tree
And when we went home at the end of the day
We walked arm in arm as we sang all the way


Chorus: hi didle ha ha ha ha
            hi didle ha ha ha ha
            hi didle ha ha ha ha
            hi didle do

#5 Harry Belafonte-Jamaica Farewell still induces some sense that feels akin to being in a magical spell. i remember and try to catch up but it plays tricks and i always land up losing the tempo and spoiling the softness associated with #5. The lyrics remain etched into all those grooves of my restless brain no matter what and still remains the one i never get tired of singing to myself.


Down the way where the nights are gay
and the sun shines daily on the mountain's top
I took a trip on a sailing ship
and when I reached Jamaica I made a stop.

But I'm sad to say
I'm on my way
won't be back for many a day
my heart is down
my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town.
Sad to say I'm on my way
won't be back for many a day
my heart is down
my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town.

Down at the market you can hear
ladies cry out while on their heads they bear
Akki rice salt fish are nice
and the rum is fine any time of year.

But I'm sad to say
I'm on my way
won't be back for many a day
my heart is down
my head is turning around
I've had to leave a little girl in the Kingston town.
Sad to say I'm on my way
won't be back for many a day
my heart is down
my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town.

Sounds of laughter every where
and the dancing girl swinging two and fro
I must declare my heart is there
though I been from Maine to Mexico.

but I'm sad to say
I'm on my way
won't be back for many a day
my heart is down
my head is turning around
I've had to leave a little girl in the Kingston town
Sad to say I'm on my way
won't be back for many a day
my heart is down
my head is turning around
I had to leave a little girl in Kingston town.

All long rides have a trance like effect on me. And in my trance i am waking these up and many many more. But when i run out of my beckoned- out- from- the- caverns- of- memory stock i just fall into deep but happy hibernation myself. Those who accompany me in my journeys find it rather amusing. My inactive calmness quite contrary to when i'm not on the road.
Probably all of my super active self later is a result of this conservation of sufficiency achieved when i hibernate. Maybe one day i shall surprise them all with my hibernators. How about that !!!
So let me practice and what better way than to wake them up right now...the hibernators!!

# 1 has to be done the way i taught my son...no other alternative unless some kind soul guides me to some upload somewhere.

# 2 is right here-



#3 and Jeanie Marie



#4 and i'm fortunate i got not one but two beautiful renditions





And last but not the least #5

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