Sunday, September 16, 2007

Bing Crosby and my sister and the good old days

Quite some time ago, I was telling my sister how much I remember about the house where she and her husband, Russell, lived, in New Market, Iowa, around 1950.  I remember the little china tea set she let me play with (if I was very, very careful).  And how much I loved to play with my baby nephew, Larry, who would giggle at the least excuse.



And I so well recall the fancy radio with a record-player in a drawer in the bottom of it.  There were Bing Crosby records that I was allowed to listen to, at the age of six or so.

Maxine and I discussed the Bing Crosby song, "Dear Hearts and Gentle People", this year; how it was among the songs I heard at her house as a child.  At some sort of school program, I told her, me and some other kids peddled our bicycles around in a circle while that song played, and the parents watched.

I told her I could download that song online, which I did.  And next time she was here, I played it for her and told her I could put it on a CD for her.

Recently, she asked if I had made that CD.  I had forgotten about it, but told her I'd get right to it.

Now, you'd have to meet her to know, but Cliff and I will both tell you that my sister is the closest-to-perfect person we have ever seen walking this earth.  And as a sister, she is 100% perfect.  Trust me on that.

So I went to half.com and found I could get a CD of several of Bing Crosby's most popular songs for a bargain price.  And I ordered one for my sister.

Of course I copied all the songs to my computer before I gave the CD to her.

Except for "White Christmas", and perhaps "Dear Hearts and Gentle People", I'm not really a Bing fan.  I'm way too young for that.

But I'm listening to all those songs right now, and finding pleasure in the fact that my lovely sister will be hearing them at her house from time to time.

And I think perhaps I am a Bing Crosby fan after all.

I love those dear hearts and gentle people
Who live in my home town
Because those dear hearts and gentle people
Will never ever let you down

They read the good book
From Fri till Monday
That's how the weekend goes
I've got a dream house
I'll build there one day
With picket fence and ramblin' rose

I feel so welcome each time I return
That my happy heart keeps laughin' like a clown
I love the dear hearts and gentle people
Who live and love in my home town

There's a place I'd like to go
And it's back in Idaho
Where you're friendly neighbors smile and say hello
It's a pleasure and a treat
To meandor down the street
That's why I want the whole wide world to know
(I love those dear hearts)
I love the gentle people
(Who live in my home town)
Because those dear hearts and gentle people
Will never ever let you down

They read the good book
From Fri till Monday
That's how the weekend goes
I've got a dream house
I'll build there one day
With picket fence and ramblin' rose

I feel so welcome each time that I return
That my happy heart keeps laughin' like a clown
I love the dear hearts and gentle people
Who live and love in my home town

(Home, home, sweet home)
(Home, home, sweet home)
(Home, home, sweet home)
(Home, home, sweet home)


8 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is the nicest thought - -  Sisters are so very special.   I always loved Bing.  Who could forget White Christmas.  "On Ya' - ma

Anonymous said...

I love some of his osngs too...and use to love to watch his movies too.
love ya,
carlene

Anonymous said...

well Im not too young. Dear Hearts and Gentle People was on the top ten list when I was in 8th grade and we sang it so often I still don't need the words to sing it...... what sweet memories it brings
Sandra

Anonymous said...

What lovely words.  I don't think I've had the pleasure of hearing this song before but have watched lots of the movies he was in.... what a lovely entry that painted lots of happy scenes and memories.
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Good Morning.  This entry gave me fond memories of growing up too.  My parents loved music and I grew up listening to Bing, Dean Martin, Rosemary Clooney, etc.  Good stuff still today !  

Anonymous said...

I love his crooner's voice and music, the "beating of the kids", not so much.  

Anonymous said...

Never did warm up to that music, lol! However, I suggest you put your copies of the songs on a CD also - remember how my computer blew up on me recently - I lost all my music, too! Copies are a good thing!

I am glad you found something so lovely to do for your sister :-)

xoxo

Anonymous said...

Well...I'm only 41 and I love Bing. There are several of his Christmas classics that get queued up in my MP3 collection every year.