Four strong winds that blow lonely
Seven seas that run high
All those things that don’t change,
Come what may.
If the good times are all gone
Then I’m bound for moving on
I’ll look for you if I'm ever back this way.
This melacholy folk song about love lost came to me today as I raked leaves. I used to strum it on my guitar back in college, but without Google, I had no way made no effort to learn its origin. So today I did some research and found this. Four Strong Winds was written by Canadian folk singer Ian Tyson in the early 60's, first performed by the Brothers Four (a group of college fraternity brothers) and later popularized by Neil Young.
What's this got to do with raking leaves? Nothing! But I had time to think. Someone recently commented, and I realized, how blessed I am to have a husband who loves me, and four children who are like four strong winds in that they're determined to find their way in the world. They are delightfully different and certainly "blow" along different paths.
What's this got to do with raking leaves? Nothing! But I had time to think. Someone recently commented, and I realized, how blessed I am to have a husband who loves me, and four children who are like four strong winds in that they're determined to find their way in the world. They are delightfully different and certainly "blow" along different paths.
I think they're strong and I often wonder what made them so.
Did God just decide: "I will create those four Haller kids as strong!"
Or - having a mean mother, they couldn't wait to get out on their own
.... that's probably it!
So far, two have moved several times and very far away.
They take care of themselves, earn a living, pay bills, figure out how to cook.
It's evident I've been outsourced.
One moment this makes me sad,
but then
I consider the alternatives
and I'm thankful and content ...
to have raised four strong winds.
My four strong winds with me.
Did God just decide: "I will create those four Haller kids as strong!"
Or - having a mean mother, they couldn't wait to get out on their own
.... that's probably it!
So far, two have moved several times and very far away.
They take care of themselves, earn a living, pay bills, figure out how to cook.
It's evident I've been outsourced.
One moment this makes me sad,
but then
I consider the alternatives
and I'm thankful and content ...
to have raised four strong winds.
And in case you're unfamiliar with the song, here are the Brothers Four performing it in the early 60's. I find this clip a fascinating look at college-age kids of the time: politely listening, intently studying the performers and tenderly singing along. They lack the frenzy seen in today's concert venues.
Interesting, since it was the dawn of the turbulent 1960's.
Interesting, since it was the dawn of the turbulent 1960's.
2 comments:
Thanks, mom!
We're strong winds...I like the sound of that! =)
Ah, thank you for posting that link! What a trip down memory lane. I spent about an hour going down the list of folk song links on the right sidebar, lots of old favorites there—from 7 Daffodils to Where have all the Flowers Gone. All the harmonies and good lyrics. Glad I have kleenex by the computer!
Do you think the teens today listening to rap or hip hop will have the same connection to their performers that the folk artists made with their audiences?
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