Alice Blue Gown

I mentioned my love of music yesterday and how it began when I was young. I still love music but much of today’s versions, I have a difficult time understanding.  I can still sing a lot of the verses from songs I learned as a child or teenager. And, I might enjoy singing some of the music today if I could understand the lyrics. Does anyone else have that problem?

I remember being in an operetta in school when I was in fourth grade. It was held in the gym and included students from a lot of different classes; some younger and a lot of them older.  I remember the number I was involved in with about a dozen other students was a routine we danced to the music  of “Alice Blue Gown”. I remember my mother making my long blue dress with a black grosgrain ribbon tie at the waist and little black grosgrain bows on the front of the bodice.  We practiced that routine and song so hard and so much I can still remember most of the steps and can certainly remember the song. I remember distinctly all of the people in the operetta gathering on the stage for a big picture. And, I remember seeing the picture in the annual when it came out. Oh, how proud I was!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLt7Ll3qck0

When Little John was a first grader, the students in his one room school house always had a Christmas play.  It was an exciting time for them to perform the Christmas story and sing carols. For whatever reason, the adults wanted Little John to perform a jig dance like he was known to do.  Of course, he loved performing so he obliged them and danced away to the laughing and clapping of hands. I have never figured out what a jig dance had to do with Christmas unless he was dancing around the Christmas tree but nonetheless, it was a part of the activities at his little school that stood out in his mind.  He also remembered that he had begun to suspect the story of Santa. So, when Santa appeared at his school, Little John very carefully checked Santa’s shoes and recognized them as belonging to the local store owner.  What a disappointment that was!

As I moved up into high school, there was always a talent show each year. Students were invited to perform whatever type of musical talent they had. My friend and I became very good at the art of pantomime and won first place one year for our rendition of “How Much Is That Doggie in the Window”.  And, I recall my future husband accompanying, via his double neck steel guitar, someone in one of the classes who sang. Of course, that was well before I knew he would be my husband someday. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AkLE4X-bbU

What a great time getting together with friends and loved ones when music is involved! I believe God smiles down on His children when they are together enjoying the company of one another. And, I know He provides us with memory so we can enjoy those good times over and over.

“A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.” Proverbs 15:13 NASB