Music fills my soul and I am doing OK.
My blogging friend for many years, Cro Magnon, lives in a lovely area in Southern France. He is a sustainable farmer, a talented artist, and a lover of good food. He writes about grandchildren, recipes, dogs, his beautiful home and sometimes politics (the last of which I ignore). People can be friends even if we don’t agree on everything. I appreciate all types of music, but I am especially fond of folk and country songs. This is one of my favorites and I think Cro would like and relate to it also (with a different color wine).
Old dogs and Children and Watermelon Wine.
How old do you think I am?" he said.
I said, well, I didn't know.
He said, "I turned 65 about 11 months ago."
I said, well, I didn't know.
He said, "I turned 65 about 11 months ago."
I was sittin' in miami pourin' blended whiskey down
When this old gray black gentleman was cleanin' up the lounge
When this old gray black gentleman was cleanin' up the lounge
There wasn't anyone around 'cept this old man and me
The guy who ran the bar was watchin' "ironsides" on tv
Uninvited, he sat down and opened up his mind
On old dogs and children and watermelon wine
The guy who ran the bar was watchin' "ironsides" on tv
Uninvited, he sat down and opened up his mind
On old dogs and children and watermelon wine
"Ever had a drink of watermelon wine?" he asked
He told me all about it, though I didn't answer back
"Ain't but three things in this world that's worth a solitary dime,
But old dogs and children and watermelon wine."
He told me all about it, though I didn't answer back
"Ain't but three things in this world that's worth a solitary dime,
But old dogs and children and watermelon wine."
He said, "women think about they-selves, when menfolk ain't around.
And friends are hard to find when they discover that you're down."
He said, "I tried it all when I was young and in my natural prime;
Now it's old dogs and children and watermelon wine."
And friends are hard to find when they discover that you're down."
He said, "I tried it all when I was young and in my natural prime;
Now it's old dogs and children and watermelon wine."
"Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes;
God bless little children while they're still too young to hate."
When he moved away I found my pen and copied down that line
'Bout old dogs and children and watermelon wine.
God bless little children while they're still too young to hate."
When he moved away I found my pen and copied down that line
'Bout old dogs and children and watermelon wine.
I had to catch a plane up to atlanta that next day
As I left for my room I saw him pickin' up my change
That night I dreamed in peaceful sleep of shady summertime
Of old dogs and children and watermelon wine.
As I left for my room I saw him pickin' up my change
That night I dreamed in peaceful sleep of shady summertime
Of old dogs and children and watermelon wine.
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Tom T. Hall
Hi, Arleen!
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful song, dear friend. This is the first time I've heard it and I'm happy to know it is a favorite of yours. I'm sure your old friend in France will appreciate it, too. Tom T. Hall sings from the soul. I have discovered that I like this style of country music more than do most of my friends, even those who live in the heartland, the south and the southwest.
The line in "Old Dogs and Children and Watermelon Wine" that resonates most with me is "God bless little children while they're still too young to hate."
I hope your year is going splendidly, Arleen. Just a reminder that my three week blog hiatus begins tomorrow. Mrs. Shady and I are moving and I will need that span of time to pack, move, unpack, organize and get settled in. I hope to resume my blogging schedule by Valentine's Day. Take good care of yourself until we meet again, dear friend Arleen!
I hope that this is an easy and good move for you and your wife. Good luck and I will be reading you soon.
DeleteNot a song or an artist I know. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis is a song, written and sung by Tom T Hall in 1972. I discovered it last year. Tom is no longer that young man in that video, Sue, but good songs never grow old.
DeleteMusic is such a connector. We all have our favorites that bring memories and good feelings.
ReplyDeleteMy sister was named ... Arlene.
That is so true about music.
DeleteMy two best friends in high school were named Arlene. We were the original Three Amigos. I was the Arleen with the two e’s in the middle. The name was never popular, but a little more then than now.
I am well, but my computer and iPad aren’t. I bought a new one but sm waiting for my son to do all the installation work. He has been busy lately.
ReplyDeleteI love that song and can listen to it over and over again.
Oh, I love that song. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIt is so sweet, and we can all use a little sweet.
DeleteI remember that song well. It's been ages since I heard it - thanks for the memories.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great photo in your header today!
Winter has finally come to my part of Pennsylvania, Jenny, p and although it is not my favorite season, it does give us some lovely scenes.
DeleteLately I have been listening to The Willie Nelson station on the radio. They play a lot of Tom T Hall songs, but this one touched my heart for many reasons.
I forgot about Tom I Hall.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think he records any longer and if it wasn’t for listening to Willie Nelson’s radio station (a big favorite of mine), I would have never heard his music.
DeleteI agree with him about the old dogs and children; now I shall have to taste that watermelon wine! Thanks for that Arleen; I'd not heard it before. Of course I love children (mostly my own), and I have a special liking for old dogs, there is one (Duke) who comes to see me quite often. I always think we have something in common!! x
ReplyDeleteI am glad you liked it, Cro. It is such a sweet song, both music and words. I have not heard of watermelon wine before but alcohol can be made with any fruit.
DeleteThanks for sharing that Arleen - I have always enjoyed that song.
ReplyDeleteThe Guardian wrote back in 2005 about Tom T Hall, “Hall is as much a poet and philosopher, a peerless observer of the human condition, as he is a songwriter”. All of his songs are stories.
DeleteThank you for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard that song before but I really like it.
ReplyDeleteSo true in so many ways.
It does get you to think about the past.
Love, sandie
Now that I am old, I can relate to that song. The older one gets, the more one knows what is really important in life. I know that I love old dogs and children, Sandi, but I am not sure about the Watermelon wine.
DeleteThere are two songs from Tom T Hall that I really like: How I Got to Memphis and Tulsa Telephone Book.
ReplyDeleteCLICK HERE for Bazza’s instantly intransigent Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
I know and like the former, but never heard so latter so I You Tubed Tulsa Telephone Book. Of course, I enjoyed it. His most popular song and probably the one he made the most money is “I Love” and I do. He is a great songwriter and wonderful storyteller.
DeleteHow sweet of you to share that song with Cro. :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Tom T. Hall. There's such a sweet gentleness to his music. I used to sing some of his songs to our children when they were young. Three of our favorites: "Sneaky Snake," "I Care," and "I Love."
Thanks for the memories. :)
That’s just the right word, Susan - gentleness and the world needs more of that. I Love is a wonderful song also.
DeleteHi, Arleen...I love music...and I love country music. Music stirs the soul...and one's heart. Emotions flow...and often tears.
ReplyDeleteI love this song, too. :)
It is a sweet one, Lee. I love the way he sings.
DeleteDear Arleen, thank you for introducing me to a new singer and a new song. I'll go to youtube and so what other songs of his I can find. It's wonderful when something new comes into my life. Peace.
ReplyDeleteHe has quite a few You Tube videos. He has retired, but his music is still enjoyed by millions. Listen to “I Love”. I am sure you have heard that one before.
DeleteThanks for the song, Arleen. It is beautiful. So are you.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you liked it, dear George. I think you are beautiful also.
DeleteCountry songs tell such good stories. I found a new favorite Seven Spanish Angels, by Ray Charles and sung by him and Willie Nelson back in 2009 or so. Thanks for this on and for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteI am a fan of bothRay Charles but never heard that song. I will You Tube it now.
DeleteSo glad to see your blog again, Inger.
That's nice Arleen :) I agree, we can all be friends even when some of our views and lifestyles differ!
ReplyDeleteYes, we can; we just have to stay clear of some subjects.
DeleteWhat a catchy, toe-tapping tune with a great message! Thanks for introducing it to me, Arleen. I also like your pretty new photo.
ReplyDeleteJulie
I am glad you liked it, Julie. He has such a sweet voice and tells such nice stories. I am really into “nice”.
DeleteI change my picture about every four years, kind of what I have to do at the DMV.
I saw your blog on the side on mine and recognized the photo immediately as being Tom T.!
ReplyDeleteTom T. Hall lives on a farm about 6 miles from my daughter's house, outside of Nashville. Last fall when I found an old banjo and dulcimer in my garage in Georgia I sent him a note asking if he knew where I could have them repaired. I also told him I used to sing his I Love song to my daughters. He answered me and sent me a big photograph of himself and signed it for me. Later his office manager emailed me about my instruments. Tom’s wife died about 4 years ago – they worked together on many tunes. He is retired but busy with his animals on the farm. I guess living in Nashville now, Music City, I can see many artists. Last time I was in my daughter’s car as we were going to pick up my grandson at a birthday party. I stayed in the car looking at the house across the road with horses in the field, etc. My daughter told me that this was Dolly Parton’s house! How about that!
That is so cool and it is nice that he answered you and gave you advice about your musical instruments. He sounds as kind and sweet as his music.
DeleteIn life, I've always found that it's the differences that make people most interesting rather than the similiarities...whether we agree with them or not :)
ReplyDeleteThat is true. We can all learn something from each other and in the end agree to disagree and remain friends. Unfortunately, that does not happen much anymore.
DeleteYes, he does. I really enjoy listening to his music.
ReplyDeleteLoved it when I first heard it years ago . Love it still, and see so much more now.
ReplyDeleteLoved it when I first heard it years ago . Love it still, and see so much more now.
ReplyDeleteIt is an old song, recorded 47 years ago. However, I have only heard it in the past few years since I often listen to Willie Nelson’s radio station when I am driving around.
Deletethis is one of the most beautiful song i ever heard dear friend :)
ReplyDeletethank you for uplifting my day
poetry he sang his farmer version so finely
i agree that people can be still friends if they have different opinions about things and this shows their wisdom :)
blessings to your days ahead friend!
I am glad you liked it Baili.
DeleteIt is good to surround ourselves with people of different opinions. We can learn to understand another’s perspective even though we don’t agree.
I haven't heard that song for many years, so I thank you for mentioning it here. I read the words, then played the song - and sobbed. The line that catches me every time is the one about 'old dogs', all the more now having lost several 'old dogs'. The song brings back all those precious memories and such a longing to have them back again. xx
ReplyDeleteYes, Rambler, it is a song that touches one in so many ways, loneliness, aging, and the love we have for the innocence of children and our pets. It is a heartbreaker but I love to listen to it.
DeleteJust stopped in to say howdy, see how you're doing and thank you for always stopping in and also leaving me always kind comments, you brighten my day my friend! Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. It's spring here....much is bursting into bloom, but it's very very chilly, we are having a cold spell. I'm ready for the warm days to come back, LOL!
ReplyDeleteSpring is starting here also, however, we never really had winter up here (yet) this year.
DeleteIt's interesting to come at songs and poems that I thought I knew when I was much younger and see a very different take as I've grown older. Really enjoyed your post and your visits to Buttercupland.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true, Carol. I am not sure I would have listened so closely to the words in 1972.
DeleteHey Arleen, appreciate your tagline “Starting Over, accepting changes” Change is creepy, but we shouldn't be so dreadful of it. In order to accept change and not be afraid of it, one must be relaxed with the unknown. I believe we should look changes in a pessimistic point of view. One of the top and old songs of Tom Hall “Old dogs and Children and Watermelon Wine.” Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMusic is the best balm for the soul. It's never too late to discover good music and fall in love with it. I realized this just a month ago and developed this sudden interest to learn to play a musical instrument.
ReplyDelete