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| Song Lyrics for "Touch
the Sky" |
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| Backwards States |
| On a long road trip we were writing down
license plates from different states. After quite a while
we were stalled at around thirty states and getting
bored, so we decided to try to sing the names of the
states alphabetically in reverse. What you hear is the
end result of that effort. It took some time to get it
down, but it was fun. It's amazing how quickly you can
learn something when you add melody and rhythm. After
all, didn't you first learn the alphabet by singing? Most
of us do. Give the states a try. Backwards States Arrangement and Music copyright John Farrell, 1998 States were already named. Wyoming, Wisconsin, West Virginia Washington, Virginia, Vermont, Utah, Texas, Tennessee, South Dakota, South Carolina, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Oklahoma, Ohio, North Dakota, North Carolina, New York, New Mexico, New Jersey, and New Hampshire Nevada, Nebraska, Montana, Missouri, Mississippi, Minnesota, Michigan, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine and Louisiana, Kentucky, Kansas, Iowa, and Indiana, Illinois, Idaho, Hawaii, and Georgia, Florida, Delaware, Connecticut, Colorado, California, Arkansas, Arizona, Alaska, and Alabama! |
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| Feelings That I Have |
| I enjoy watching birds, especially eagles, hawks, and
osprey. One afternoon on Prince Edward Island a bald
eagle flew over the fields behind our house. It was
exhilarating watching it soar, and it made me feel
magnificent just seeing it. Later the same day I received
a telephone call from a good friend telling me that her
dad was very sick and in the hospital. This news made me
feel sad and weak. Those contrasting emotions were the
start of this song about feelings. My favorite verse is
about the "worm on a hook." This song can be
used as a starting point for having young students write
their own poetry or songs about their feelings. Feelings That I Have Copyright John Farrell, 1995 Sometimes I feel like an eagle I can see the whole world as I glide Sometimes I feel like a rabbit on the run Just looking for a place to hide Sometimes I feel like a lion Everybody listens when I speak Sometimes I feel like the cat has got my tongue My voice is small and weak Sometimes I'm up Sometimes I'm down Sometimes I spin around and round Sometimes I'm happy Sometimes I'm sad Feeling the feelings that I have Sometimes I feel like an oak tree My branches reach to the sky Sometimes I feel like a jellyfish Just riding the waves as they go by Sometimes I feel like a beaver I can change if I keep working on But sometimes I feel like a snowman in the sun I'm here now but soon I'll be gone Sometimes I feel like a sunrise Everything I touch is warm and bright But sometimes I feel like a dark and cloudy day I can't get anything right Sometimes I feel like a song that fills the air I'm a melody, a harmony, a verse But sometimes I feel like a worm on a hook This ain't much fun but it could be worse |
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| Happy Birthday |
| We learned this from Tom Chapin 's recording many
years ago and it's has been a part of our family birthday
celebrations ever since. Happy Birthday Traditional, Melody is "Mary Widow Waltz" by Franz Lehar Happy birthday, happy birthday we love you Happy birthday and may all your dreams come true When you blow out the candles one light stays aglow That's the love light in your eyes where e'er you go |
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| It's History! |
| Local and family histories are full of colorful
characters and happenings. It's enlightening to interview
elders and collect their stories. This song was written
to be used as part of oral history projects at Edmeston
Central School in Edmeston, New York and St. Lawrence
O'Toole in Brewster, New York. When the students
performed it they gave it the feeling of a show tune,
complete with hand gestures and choreography. It's History! Words and Music copyright John Farrell, 1998 Who? What? Where? How? Why? and When? Who? What? Where? How? Why? and When? It's your story, it's my story, it's our story, It's History! Who? What? Where? How? Why? and When? Who were the first to settle on this land? Why did they choose to make their homes right here? When did they arrive? How did they survive? What can we see today that tells us they were here? Who were the ones that helped to build this town? What were the hopes and dreams that brought them here? Where did they work and play? How did they celebrate? What can we see today that tells us they were here? Who were the ones who found fortune or fame? Why is it that we still recall their names? How did they serve and lead? What are their legacies? What can we see today that tells us they were here? What was it like to be alive back then? What brought joy and sadness to their lives? Let's see what we can find as we hold the hands of time And drift back through the years to yesterday |
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| It's Just A Game |
| As parents we sometimes forget why it is that kids
should be playing sports. This song comes from years of
playing, watching, and coaching. It is loosely based on
our daughter Maggie's girls' travel team. The Brewster
All- Stars. Fortunately, they have two benevolent
coaches, Ray Pellecchia and Joe Cloherty. The text of the
song has been illustrated by artist John Emil Cymerman
and is being published as a picture book by Boyd's Mills
Press, a division of Highlights Magazine for Children It's Just A Game Words and Music copyright, John Farrell 1998 The sun was shinning bright and the grass Was oh so green We were laughin', we were singin', it felt good to be a team. We had new shorts and socks - on our shirts they wrote our names Everything was goin' great until they said, "Let's start the game!" Then the other team appeared, they came like soldiers to a war They were big and they were fast and they looked mean. Their coach was yellin' at 'em, he even called us names. I couldn't help but wonder, "Does he know it's just a game?" It's just a game! It's just a game! We're only kids. We're not the pros. We joined the team to learn and play and have some fun. We'll try our best to win but if we don't there is no shame. Please remember this: "We're only kids - It's just a game!" Then the game began. We were nervous, we were scared Cause they were big and they were fast but they weren't mean. They did play well together. They scored time and time again. We made some good plays too and we tried hard until the end But then the game was over. We went and said "nice game!" Quickly thoughts of ice cream filled our brains. Till we heard a grown-up shouting, "It's your fault, you're to blame!" I wish someone would tell him, "It's okay, it's just a game!" As our season went along we lost every game but one But we got better and we learned stuff that was new Our coach says we're amazing. And our teamwork and our friendships grew and grew. But when the last game ended another team finished first They played well. They played hard. They were the best. And though the medals went to them we feel like winners just the same We never quit and we know "It's just a game!" |
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| Kilkelly, Ireland |
| I learned this amazing song many years ago on a
recording by Micky Moloney and Robbie O'Connell.The
Lyrics are based on a series of family letters sent to
the U. S. from Killkelly in County Mayo. Two of my own
great- grandparents and one grandmother emigrated to New
York from Ireland in the late 1800's. They came from
Limerick and Sligo. I have no doubt that the lyrics of
this song reflect some of the emotions and circumstances
that they experienced. Of course these feelings of
separation, love, and longing were and are shared by
immigrants from all places all around the world. I have done many family history projects with students, helping them collect stories and conduct interviews. This song has consistently been a favorite with fourth and fifth graders. Initially I was surprised by their depth of understanding. I should know better by now that kids are full of wonderful insights and surprises. Kilkelly, Ireland Words and music copyright Peter Jones, 1983 Kilkelly Ireland1860 My dear and loving son John Your good friend the schoolmaster Pat Mac Namara's So good as to write these words down Your brothers have all gone to find work in England The house is so empty and sad The crop of potatoes is sorely infected with A third to a half of them bad Your sister Brigid and Patrick O' Donnell are going to be married in June Your mother says not to work on the railroad And be sure to come on home soon. Kilkelly Ireland 1870 My dear and loving son John Hello to your Mrs. and to your four children May they grow healthy and strong Michael has got in a wee bit of trouble I suppose that he never will learn Because of the dampness there's no turf to speak of And now there is nothing to burn Brigid is happy you named a child for her Although she's got six of her own You say you found work but you don't say what kind Or when you'll be coming home Killy Ireland 1880 Dear Michael and John my sons I'm sorry to give you the sad news But your dear old mother passed on We buried her down at the church in Kilkelly Your brothers and Brigid were there You don't have to worry she died very quickly Remember her in your prayers And it's so good to hear that Michael's returning With money he's sure to buy land For the crop has been poor and the people are selling At any price that they can Kilkelly Ireland 1890 My dear and loving son John I suppose that I must be close on 80 It's 30 years since you've gone Because of all of the money you sent me I'm still living out on my own Michael has built himself a fine house And Brigid's daughters have grown. Thank you for sending your family's picture They're lovely young women and men You say that you might even come for a visit What joy to see you again Kilkelly Ireland 1892 My dear brother John I'm sorry I didn't write sooner to tell you But Father passed on. He was living with Brigid she says he was cheerful And healthy right down to the end Ah you should've seen him playin' with the grandchildren Of Pat MacNamara your friend We buried him alongside of Mother Down at the Kilkelly church yard He was a strong and a feisty old man Considering his life was so hard And it's funny the way he kept talkin'about you He called for you at the end Why don't you think about coming to visit. We'd all love to see you again |
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| Mistakes are Our Teachers |
| Most kids love wordplays and double entenders. So do
I. It's encouraging to remember that no matter how
successful someone is, he/she got that way by learning
from mistakes - even teachers! Don't mistake my meaning.
This song is a play on words. Teachers help us learn and
grow. And understand our world Mistakes are Our Teachers Words and Music copyright, 1998 Mistakes are our teachers Our teachers are mistakes We have a chance to learn something From each mistake we make Thomas Alva Edison Made the light bulb shine But before he got it right He was wrong 500 times Wilber and Orville Wright Believed that they could fly It took years of falling down Before they reached the sky Rosa parks was right When she said " I will not move" The law was a mistake As Rosa's courage proved The great Henry Aaron The all time home run king For every homer Henry hit He took a thousand swings |
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| Playing Right Field |
| The first time I heard this song it touched me
deeply. It still does. I suspect each of us has certain
aspects of our lives that makes us feel like the kid out
in right field. It's great to know you're not the only
one. Thanks to John German for introducing me to this
song. Playing Right Field Words and Music copyright Willie Welch Saturday summers when I was a kid We'd run to the school yard and here's what we did We'd pick out the captains, we'd choose up the teams It was always a measure of my self-esteem 'Cause the strongest the fastest played shortstop and first The ones they picked last were the worst I never needed to ask it was sealed I just took up my place in right field Playing right field is easy you know You can be awkward, you can be slow That's why I'm here in right field Watching the dandelions grow Playing right field is lonely and dull Little leagues never have lefties that pull I'd dream of the day they'd hit one my way They never did but still I would pray That I'd make a fantastic catch on the run And not lose the ball in the sun Then I'd awake from this long reverie And pray that the ball never came out to me here in… Off in the distance the game's dragging on There're strikes on the batter, some runners are on I don't know the inning, I've forgotten the score The whole team is yelling and I don't know what for Suddenly everyone's looking at me My mind has been wandering. What could it be? They point to the sky and I look up above And a baseball falls into my glove Playing right field, it's important you know You gotta know how to catch You gotta know how to throw That's why I'm here in right field Watching the dandelions grow |
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| Rachel |
| Bob Blue is one of my favorite songwriters. He's also
a great friend of children and children's music. It's a
pleasure and privilege to include one of his songs on
this recording. Rachel Words and Music copyright Bob Blue, 1990 I used to be best friends with Rachel And Rachel was best friends with me We always dressed just like each other And watched the same shows on TV On weekends sometimes she'd sleep over We'd whisper till we fell asleep She's a friend that made me feel important She's a friend that I wanted to keep Oh Rachel, where are you now? Did I do something wrong? Did I hurt you somehow? Oh Rachel you once were my friend Will you ever like me again? A girl moved in next door to Rachel Her name was Melinda MacNeil The two of them struck up a friendship With no thought to how I might feel Melinda and Rachel went skating I didn't know Rachel had skates Now Melinda's the one that she plays with And I am the one that she hates Should I try and forget about Rachel? Should I hope that she'll come back to me? Should I try and make friends with Melinda? Can a friendship include three? Should I pack up and move to Alberta? If I did would she miss me at all? I hope she hears my song We can fix what went wrong Rachel, please hear my call |
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| Step by Step |
| At an S. D. E. (Society for Developmental Education)
conference in Nashua NH, I saw a poster that read, "Life Is A JOURNEY, Not A Race." This is my take on that sentiment. Dana, Jeff and Jon do a fantastic job providing the musical energy. Step by Step Words and music copyright, John Farrell, 1998 Step by step (Echo) One at a time " You don't have to run " There's plenty of time " If you fall down " Rise up and then " Step by step " Start movin'again " Life is a circle, the earth is a ball Seeds that are tiny grow so tall Seeds need the rain, seeds need the sun After the storm the rainbow will come Day by day (Echo) Follow the light " Riding the waves " Learning to fly " Feel how it feels " Reach for your dreams " Day by day " Let your heart sing " Step by step……………Day by day One at a time…………..Follow the light You don't have to run…Riding the waves There's plenty of time…Learning to fly If you fall down………. Feel how it feels Rise up and then……….Reach for your dreams Step by step……………Day by day Start movin' again……..Let you heart sing |
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| Summer's Here |
| While sitting in our van in a parking lot one summer
day, I overheard the kids in the back discussing black
flies. Our friend Ilsa said, " I've got twenty-four
bug bites." It struck me as a wonderful line and
something only a kid would come up with. On the spot we
began to list the people, places, and things that define
summer for each of us. Soon we had a chorus and the
beginning of a song. While I was writing the song, John
Fitzpatrick, a dear friend of ours and a cherished father
and grandfather to his family, died suddenly. We miss his
songs, his kindness and his friendship. The last verse of
the song is for John, Marge and their family. Summer's Here Word and Music copyright John Farrell , 1998 Twenty- four bug bite, freckles by the score Baseball, soccer, ice cream galore Old friends, new friends, strawberry pie Summer's here, another year, reach up and touch the sky Swimming in the ocean, fishing in the pond Riding bikes, playing cards, making up a song Shooting stars, bumper cars, lemon butterflies Summer's here, another year, reach up and touch the sky Reach up and touch the sky, reach up and touch the sky Summer's here, another year, reach up and touch the sky Swinging in the hammock, climbing up a tree Picking wildflowers, running on the beach Marshmallow chin, raspberry grins, catching fireflies Summer's here, another year reach up and touch the sky Reading to each other, reading all alone Teasing, fighting, talking on the phone Hummingbirds, jellyfish, asking how and why Summer's here another year reach up and touch the sky The barbecue is sizzling, the sun is sizzling too Running barefoot through the grass, trying to find my shoes Chocolate chips, melon pits Cygnus shinning bright Summer's here, another year, reach up and touch the sky Supper's on the table, there's always room for more Sleeping in the bunk room, playing sibling war Writing letters, playing life,watching clouds drift by Summer's here another year reach up and touch the sky Jumping from the hayloft, bonfires neath the moon Company's a coming , let's sing a welcome tune Acorn , sweet corn, birds begin to fly Summer's here, another year, reach up and touch the sky Rain falls on the garden, green fields turn to gold Rainbows decorate the sky, the young renew the old Everyone is crying, it's hard to say good-bye Summer's here, another year, reach up and touch the sky |
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| Tell Me Ma/ St. Ann's Reel |
| This song and reel are popular tunes in Ireland and
on Prince Edward Island. It was a treat having Kim, Brad
and Sigrid add their distinctive touches to this
recording. Makes you feel like dancing. Tell Me Ma/ St. Ann's Reel Traditional I'll tell me ma when I go home The boys won't leave the girls alone They pull my hair and they stole my comb But that's all right till I go home She is handsome, she is pretty, She is the belle of Belfast city She is courting 1, 2, 3 Please won't you tell me who is she? Albert Mooney says he loves her All the boys are fighting for her They knock on the door and they ring the bell Saying oh my true love are you well? Out she comes as white as snow With rings on her finger and bells on her toes Ol' Jenny Murray says she'll die If she doesn't get the lad with the roving eye Let the wind and the rain and the hail blow high And the snow come tumblin' from the sky She's as nice as apple pie, She'll get her own lad by and by When she gets a lad of her own She won't tell her ma when she comes home Let them all come as they will For it's Albert Mooney she loves still |
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| Your Spirit Dances On Words and Music copyright John Farrell 1998 Most of the music for this piece was composed during a visit I took to northern Ireland in September1996. I was touring the islands off the west coast with folklorist and musician Mick Moloney and archaeologist Michael Gibbons. There are three parts to the music, which is the background for the narration. The first tune " The Long Walk," was inspired by a walk we took along a nineteenth - century famine road in County Mayo. There is a memorial there commemorating one of the countless tragedies that occurred during those years of The Great Hunger. In the late 1840's hundreds of starving tenants walked several miles on this road to plead for food and help from the landlord. They were turned down and told to go away. As they walked home they were caught in a hard rainstorm. Due to their weakened condition many fell and slipped from the muddy road into the nearby river where they drowned. The second tune, " Leaving Achill," came from a story Michael Gibbons told about an elderly woman he had met on one of his visits to spectacular Achill Island. She talked about growing up on Achill but having to leave when she was still a young girl. For many years she had dreamed of returning to her childhood home but was unable to do so until she was an old lady. This music is intended to evoke her melancholy feelings of longing as well as her memories of the joys of childhood and a special place. I wrote the music from the backseat of the tour bus as we were leaving Achill on an crystal clear autumn day. Of all the magnificent scenery in western Ireland, Achill Island is unsurpassed in my mind. "Rambling With Michael Gibbons" is the lively hornpipe at the end of the recording. It's a tribute to the archaeologist and the tour guide extraordinaire from Clifden, Connemara, Ireland. If you're ever there, try to find the time to take a walking tour with Michael. It's something you'll never forget. The narrative for this piece was written after the music was recorded. Originally the selection was going to be just instrumental. After listening to the music and contemplating what I had learned on my trip to Ireland, I decided I wanted to tell some of the story of my ancestors. I still know only a handful of facts about my great-grandparents, but I have learned a little about the places and times they lived. As I began to write, it led me to tell about my parents and grand parents too. Thinking about ancestors, future generations, and the common threads that link us together is somewhat like looking in a mirror and seeing another mirror behind your back, in which you see yourself looking in a mirror looking at a mirror. It just goes on and on in both directions. I'm convinced we're all connected by the music and the stars and the dance. That's why I call this piece "Your Spirit Dances On." The photograph on the left side of the cover art is Thomas and Kate Farrell. They came to America in the 1860's. The photo on the right side is my mom and dad soon after they were married in 1931, a midpoint of our family history in America so far. The names of Thomas and Catherine Farrell and Mary Leonard Farrell have been engraved on the Immigrant Wall of honor at Ellis Island in New York City. |
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