It’s only a matter of time now…
Fame and fortune have to be just around the corner!
My fledgling career as a songwriter officially began yesterday morning when my youngest daughter, Cakes, made her “unofficial” singing debut!
If you are new to this blog, Cakes can really sing!…not in a “Wow, your voice is so amazing” kind of way…It’s more of a “why do I suddenly feel like crying” way. Her voice touches your heart when she sings.
Back in January, I was walking through Cake’s room to go sit on the side balcony when she said, “Dad, listen to this song that I am writing!”
She played the melody. It was really pretty.
“What about the words?”
“Well, I was wondering if you could help me?”
“Well, do you have anything?”
“Kind of…”
“Let’s hear it.”
She played it again with the words
“That is not what that song is about!”
“What do you mean?”
“The words don’t fit that melody.”
It just so happened that I had talked with each of my three “departed” children on the phone that very week. I was struck by the fact that although each of their circumstances were VERY different, I found myself repeating the same admonition to each of them: “You have to remember who you are.”
When I heard her sing along with her melody, that thought came to my mind. So, I wrote out some lyrics to the first two verses just to get her off to a good start.
In April, I heard, “Dad, can you help me with the song? I need to finish it for the graduation ceremony audition.”
“How far are you?”
It turns out that, although she had been working on it, she hadn’t really made much progress from when we started.
We worked on it but didn’t quite finish it in time so she auditioned by singing Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.” Although she wasn’t chosen to sing at the graduation ceremony, she was chosen to perform at “Class Day”.
About two weeks ago, we finally finished “Graduation Dreams”. She performed it for a few of the judges at school and was given permission to replace “What a Wonderful World” with “our” song!
Yesterday morning, my boss gave me permission to come into work late because “Class Day” had finally arrived.
When I got to the school, there were about 200 people in line waiting to get into the gymnasium. That was about what I expected.
Was I surprised when I entered the gym! There were more than 800 parents and over 300 fellow seniors in attendance!
They introduced her and said she was singing a song that she wrote with her father. No…I did not stand up a take a bow!
She did a great job singing and playing the piano! I just wish it wasn’t over a P.A. system!
Although this will by no means do the song justice, here are the lyrics. The (Young daughter) and the (High school teen) are different “voices” (with different music) in the same young woman.
“Graduation Dreams”
(Young daughter)
I’m on my way out, starting on my own…
I’m so excited to be on this road and…
I’m ready for new things to come my way.
Cause I have waited so long…
(High school teen)
Done with waiting, no longer a child.
Same people, same places, same ways, just different shades of brown!
Time to make my way, time to find my new home!
Soft cushions and chains are finally gone!
(Young daughter)
Every day new people, crowd me all around,
Teaching me the ins and outs, how it all breaks down.
Such a cool, hip crowd with so many things to say,
Every day something new, be it person, place or way.
(High school teen)
Years of waiting were such a waste of time.
Old people, old places, old ways, just weighing me down.
I’m making my own way! I’ve found my new home!
The rush of freedom says I’m all on my own!
(Heart cry)
Time’s passing by so fast, need to find a place to rest,
My heart can’t remember who I used to be…
(musical interlude)
(High school teen)
Reaching for the railing, it was always right here,
(Lost) people, places (and) ways, no longer near,
What happened to the care free girl who knew right from wrong?
So strong, so wise, but look at me now…
(Heart cry)
So tired of running, take me away
I’ve lost all that I hold dear! I gave it all away!
(Young woman)
Woke up this morning, to the warmth of the sun
Here in my own bed, still in my own home…
Same people, same places and ways, how I thank God!
Tears streaming down my face, I’m not all alone!
No longer rushing, don’t want to get away!
Near to my heart is all you said to me…
And I will take you with me when I am gone,
And I will take you with me when I am gone
Really, you have to hear it and we are working on that. Stay tuned!
