It is the story I hear at almost every family gathering or every other weekend when I decide to go home. My mother tells this story the best and although I have very vague recollections, I can attest that there is truth to it.
She says that as a child, I would not fall asleep at night unless she came to tuck me into bed. It was then that I would demand she sang me a song. She recalls there were times she would send my father to tuck me in but I would not relent. I wanted her to come by any means necessary or there would be sleep for none of us.
Between laughs, she recalls how tired she was from caring for four children during the day but I would have none of it. I would not be happy until she began to exercise her vocal range. She sang songs about her faith, our folklore, and nursery rhymes. The little spider went up the water sprout countless times and I am not sure if he/she ever made it out.
My mother hardly ever made it to the end of any of the songs. At times I think she needed the lullabies more than I did because she was the one who fell asleep. In the event I happened to dose off, her snores would awaken me. I vaguely recall hitting her to wake up from her slumber and in my childish glee I would say "sing mammy, sing." And like clockwork, my mother would begin singing one of the choruses she knew I liked.
We laugh about it now but when my mother says I made bedtime a difficult task, I truly understand what she means. Besides the fact that I was an impulsive child and played on my mother's emotions as if they were violin strings, I also realized where my love for music came from.
It does not end there, my father also tells me that no matter how many slaps I would get, I would not stop playing in his record player. At one point he thought I was going to a DJ. Although I would scratch his Bob Marley records, in hindsight he did not mind. Because there was nothing but sheer joy on my face and after all, children should be happy.
Those who know me know me well will tell you that I love music! I always have headphones on and if you need me to remove them you better have a good reason. Music keeps me going so much so I find it difficult to function without it.
There are stories in songs and behind them. Songwriters often act as storytellers, although they do not get enough recognition for it, they are preserving our stories and language.
We have songs written in our bones and our hearts, just like we have stories.
What songs are your bones singing? What story is behind your song?
Nice! I love this! Had me having nostalgic moments here. Keep om doing this.
ReplyDeleteWell, mission accomplished then.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading!
I never had a song growing up but there is one I sing to Kenzi all the time. Looking forward I guess that will be something she will hold dear. I loved it my love��
ReplyDeleteTrust me, she will cherish the memories.
ReplyDelete♥️