Recently in Music Category

Redwall in My Head

Mrs. Happy Housewife

on April 16, 2010 9:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Am I the only mom who hums the Redwall theme song? I always thought the tune was rather catchy. I never actually watched the show, but the children saw all of the episodes - thanks to Netflix. And, yes, they informed me of every discrepancy with the Redwall books.

For those who play instruments, here is the sheet music.

The Official Redwall website is here.

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Mrs. Happy Housewife

on March 24, 2010 12:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'd like to alert you to a new sidebar feature.

If you look at the far right sidebar,

below my photo,

below the Twitter button,

I have added a Google Friend Connect widget.

Google Friend Connect allows readers of a site to form a community. It also allows Google Friend Connect members to become friends with each other, if they so wish. Doesn't that sound...friendly?

If you enjoy this site and feel so inclined, won't you please be my ~~neighbor~~ Google Friend.

I think Mister Rogers would definitely approve.

Fare Thee Well, Davy

Mrs. Happy Housewife

on March 18, 2010 3:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fess Parker, who played Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone, and the father in "Old Yeller" has passed away. We knew him best as Davy Crockett in the vintage Disney series, which is reputed to be the first miniseries in the history of television.

In honor of Mr. Parker, here's "The Ballad of Davy Crockett"

"The Ballad of Davy Crockett"

Born on a mountain top in Tennessee
Greenest state in the Land of the Free
Raised in the woods so's he knew every tree
Kilt him a b'ar when he was only three.
Davy, Davy Crockett, King of the wild frontier!

In eighteen thirteen the Creeks uprose
Addin' redskin arrows to the country's woes
Now, Injun fightin' is somethin' he knows
So he shoulders his rifle an' off he goes.
Davy, Davy Crockett, The man who don't know fear!

Off through the woods he's a marchin' along
Makin' up yarns an' a singin' a song
Itchin' for fightin' and rightin' a wrong
He's ringy as a b'ar and twice as strong.
Davy, Davy Crockett, The buckskin buccaneer!

Andy Jackson is our general's name
His reg'lar soldiers we'll put to shame
Them redskin varmints us volunteers'll tame
'Cause we got the guns with the sure-fire aim.
Davy, Davy Crockett, The champion of us all!

Headed back to war from the ol' home place
But Red Stick was leadin' a merry chase
Fightin' and burnin' at a devil's pace
South to the swamps on the Florida Trace.
Davy, Davy Crockett, Trackin' the redskins down!

Fought single-handed through the Injun War
Till the Creeks was whipped an' peace was in store
And while he was handlin' this risky chore
Made hisself a legend for evermore.
Davy, Davy Crockett, King of the wild frontier!

He give his word and he give his hand
That his Injun friends could keep their land
And the rest of his life he took the stand
That justice was due every redskin band.
Davy, Davy Crockett, Holdin' his promise dear!

Home fer the winter with his family,
Happy as squirrels in the ol' gum tree,
Bein' the father he wanted to be,
Close to his boys as the pod and the pea.
Davy, Davy Crockett, Holdin' his young 'uns dear!

But the ice went out and the warm winds came
And the meltin' snow showed tracks of game
And the flowers of Spring filled the woods with flame
And all of a sudden life got too tame.
Davy, Davy Crockett, Headin' on West again!

Off through the woods we're ridin' along
Makin' up yarns and singin' a song
He's ringy as a b'ar and twice as strong
And knows he's right 'cause he ain't often wrong.
Davy, Davy Crockett, The man who don't know fear!

Lookin' fer a place where the air smells clean
Where the trees is tall and the grass is green
Where the fish is fat in an untouched stream
And the teamin' woods is a hunter's dream.
Davy, Davy Crockett, Lookin' fer Paradise!

Now he'd lost his love an his grief was gall
In his heart he wanted to leave it all
And lose himself in the forests tall
But he answered instead his country's call.
Davy, Davy Crockett, Beginnin' his campaign!

Needin' his help they didn't vote blind
They put in Davy 'cause he was their kind
Sent up to Nashville the best they could find
A fightin' Spirit and a thinkin' mind.
Davy, Davy Crockett, The man who don't know fear!

The votes were counted and he won hands down
So they sent him off to Washin'ton town
With his best dress suit still his buckskins brown
A livin' legend of growin' reknown.
Davy, Davy Crockett, The Canebrake Congressman!

He went off to Congress and served a spell
Fixin' up the Gover'ment and laws as well
Took over Washin'ton so we heared tell
And patched up the crack in the Liberty Bell.
Davy, Davy Crockett, Seein' his duty clear!

Him and his jokes travelled all through the land
And his speeches made him friends to beat the band
His politickin' was their favorite brand
And everyone wanted to shake his hand.
Davy, Davy Crockett, Helpin' his legend grow!

He knew when he spoke he sounded the knell
Of his hopes for White House and fame as well
But he spoke out strong so hist'ry books tell
And patched up the crack In the liberty Bell.
Davy, Davy Crockett, Seein' his duty clear!

When he come home his politickin' done
The western march had just begun
So he packed his gear and his trusty gun
And lit out grinnin' to follow the sun.
Davy, Davy Crockett, Leadin' the pioneer!

He heard of Houston and Austin and so
To the Texas plains he jest had to go
Where freedom was fightin' another foe
And they needed him at the Alamo.
Davy, Davy Crockett, The man who don't know fear!

His land is biggest and his land is best
From grassy plains to the mountain crest
He's ahead of us all meetin' the test
Followin' his legend into the West.
Davy Davy Crockett, King of the wild frontier!

Chopin, You Sound Good For 200

Mrs. Happy Housewife

on March 1, 2010 1:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Cast_of_Chopin's_hand.JPG Because it is the 200th birthday of Frederic Chopin, a free album of his music is available for download from Amazon.

Free - I like the sound of that. And isn't that cast of Chopin's hand really creepy? But not near as creepy as what happened to Chopin's heart. Click on his name to find out what it was.

Come On, Baby, Take a Bow

Mrs. Happy Housewife

on February 1, 2010 9:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ok, either President Obama has a serious bowing fetish or he's getting a lice check. Really, I can't think of any other reason why the man would bow to Mayor Pam Iorio of Tampa, Florida. She's an Italian who was born in Maine and grew up in Temple Terrace, Florida, so we can't say it's an Asian or Middle Eastern custom.

All this bowing has me thinking of a cute little movie by my favorite pint-size actress:

Does President Obama need his own pink tutu and tap shoes?

Thanks to All American Blogger for the laugh.

Who is Lady Gaga?

Mrs. Happy Housewife

on February 1, 2010 7:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While many were watching the Grammy Award Show, the children and I had our own TV viewing.

First, we watched "A Special Duggar Delivery". It was so sad to see the suffering of the Dugger parents and their tiniest baby. We're glad to hear that Josie is now doing well. The show will resume this Tuesday at 9pm Eastern Time. If you visit the TLC website, you can view photos of Baby Josie. You can also visit a forum and read silly and inane comments about the Duggars. I especially enjoyed the accusation that the Duggar children are uneducated about World Cultures. Most Americans do not send their children off to foreign countries to aid the indigenous population. That is more of an education than reading a textbook. What a logic fail!

Next, we viewed the rest of the "Emma" miniseries on PBS's Masterpiece Theater. Hooray! We loved it. Though it did not include all of our favorite lines or scenes and did have an anachronistic PDA (public display of affection), one member of the family has petitioned for this "Emma" to now be declared our Emma. Is this so long and farewell to faux British accents? No, I think we can love more than one Emma. However, for those of us who long to see a bit of post-wedding bliss (my daughter), this newest incarnation illustrated just how romantic Mr. Knightley was.

Just an aside: people always rave over Mr. Darcy, but I've always been a Mr. Knightley fan. I'm not talking about looks, just character. To me, Mr. Darcy is just too high maintenance and is really a "fixer-upper". Mr. Knightley, though, is nearly perfect and aptly named. Just wanted to get that off my chest. Thanks.

So, who is this Lady Gaga? (No, I don't really want to know.) Doesn't Gaga sounds like baby babble.

Neighborly

Mrs. Happy Housewife

on November 23, 2009 1:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Since I'm still recovering from the whole brain surgery thing, my sister-in-law invited us over for Thanksgiving. My neighbors heard and surprised us by ordering Thanksgiving for us so that I won't have to leave the house. Isn't that so sweet?

My post-surgery update:

My stitches are out and the Dr says my incision looks great.
My hair, where they shaved my head, is growing like mad. The rest of my thick hair covers the area.
I left the house to get the stitches out and was very happy to go home again. I was really dreading going somewhere for Thanksgiving. That's why my dear neighbors bought us a cooked dinner.
H is back at work but D is in charge and watches me better than a Mother Hen.
If I bend over, it feels like my head will explode. So, I don't do that.
I can't really spend much time at once on the internet, but I am at Twitter.

On my Free Things page, you can find my Thanksgiving Menu - if I was able to cook.

I hope to post again before Thursday. If I don't, here's Tennessee Ernie Ford singing one of my favorite harvest hymns:

For My Son

Mrs. Happy Housewife

on October 27, 2009 3:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Each morning, he wants us to sing this hymn:

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee, earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain call us to rejoice in Thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blessed,
Wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, all who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the happy chorus, which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o'er us, brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward in the triumph song of life.
Related Sunday Hymn Post at The Common Room.

Goin' Home

Mrs. Happy Housewife

on October 26, 2009 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A lovely song from Reagan's funeral, this was based on Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 "From the New World" (my daughter's favorite classical piece), 2nd Movement:

Going home, going home,
I'm just going home.
Quiet-like, slip away-
I'll be going home.
It's not far, just close by;
Jesus is the Door;
Work all done, laid aside,
Fear and grief no more.
Friends are there, waiting now.
He is waiting, too.
See His smile! See His hand!
He will lead me through.

Morning Star lights the way;
Restless dream all done;
Shadows gone, break of day,
Life has just begun.
Every tear wiped away,
Pain and sickness gone;
Wide awake there with Him!
Peace goes on and on!
Going home, going home,
I'll be going home.
See the Light! See the Sun!
I'm just going home.

By the way, if you listen to the opening notes of Symphony No. 9, 4th Movement at Wikipedia, you'll recognize that John Williams stole the Jaws theme from Dvorak.

Labor & Delivery Music

Mrs. Happy Housewife

on October 26, 2009 9:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fourteen years ago, singing two songs by Rich Mullins helped me stay focused. I happened upon them this morning and thought I'd post the video with lyrics for one.