Tag: music

Count Your Blessings Re-Revisited

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Here’s another tune for you using the idiom “Count your blessings.” Read the lyrics below:

Count Your Blessings and Smile

by George Formby

Though plans may often go wrong, let ’em hear your voice.
You’ll find that rhythm and song make the world rejoice.
Make life go with a swing, laugh at trouble and sing.
Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la, count your blessings and smile!

While you’re playing your part, keep a song in your heart.
Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la, count your blessings and smile!
Sing low, sing high, isn’t it grand beating the band?
Who wants to die? Oh what a happy land, hi!
Show them what you can do, make a hullabaloo.
Ho-ho-ho-ho-ha-ha-ha-ha, count your blessings and smile.

You got to get together, swing it around!
Get together, swing it around!
Make life go with a swing and a smile,
Laugh at trouble and sing all the while.
Count your blessings and smile!

While you’re playing your own little part
You’ve gotta keep a song in your heart,
Da-di-da-doh-di-da-da-dah, count your blessings and smile!

Sing low, sing high, isn’t it grand beating the band?
Who wants to die? Oh what a happy happy land, hi!
Show them what you can do, make a hullabaloo.
Ho-ho-ho-ho-ha-ha-ha-ha!
Da-di-da-doh-di-da-da-dah!

Count your blessings! (one,  two,  three)
Count your blessings! (four,  five,  six)
Count your blessings and smile!

Make life go with a swing and a smile,
Laugh at trouble and sing all the while.
Count your blessings and smile!

While you’re playing your own little part,
Keep a song in your heart.
Count your blessings and smile!
Sing low, sing high,
Who wants to die?
Show them what you can do,
Make a hullabaloo.
Count your blessings and smile!

Ho-ho-ho-ho-ha-ha-ha-ha!
Count your blessings and smile!
Smile! Come on! Smile!

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Count Your Blessings Revisited

US Adult Literacy1 Comment

Here’s a classic Eighties tune for you using last week’s idiom. Enjoy!

Count Your Blessings

by Ashford & Simpson

I had to learn, learn a lesson
Never forget to count my blessings
I had to learn, learn a lesson
Never forget to count your blessings

You can’t say
I love you too many times
Simple things mean so much
Like when was the last touch
When was the last kiss
When did you hold them like this

I almost lost the one I love
Searching ’round for something new
Before you make the same mistake
Let me pass this on to you

I had to learn, learn a lesson
Never forget to count my blessings
I had to learn, learn a lesson
Never forget to count your blessings

Though they don’t complain
Doesn’t mean that there’s no pain
To forget is the worst
So always put them first
Thinking of their needs
Make them the one you please

I almost lost the one I love
Searching ’round for something new
Before you make the same mistake
Let me pass this on to you

If you don’t see eye to eye
Come close to saying goodbye
Think how far you’ve come
The victories you’ve won
What’s kept you through the years
Was to dry each other’s tears
Memories you recall
Lets you know you have it all

I almost lost the one I love
Searching ’round for something new
Before you make the same mistake
Let me pass this on to you

I had to learn, learn a lesson
Never forget to count your blessings
I had to learn, learn a lesson
Never forget…

 

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Wandering Eyes Revisited

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Here’s a nice little ditty using last week’s idiom – listen and/or read the lyrics below:

Wandering Eyes

by Ronnie McDowell

I’ve got wandering eyes  – yes, it’s true, I love the ladies
I can’t deny the feeling the good Lord put down in my bones
I’ve got wandering eyes – oh, but don’t you worry, baby
My heart always stays here at home

Well, I saw you look at me when you saw me look at her
And there was no denying what went through your mind
You were filled with jealousy  – oh, but there’s no need to be
I’m just looking, girl, not looking to find

I’ve got wandering eyes  – yes, it’s true, I love the ladies
I can’t deny the feeling the good Lord put down in my bones
I’ve got wandering eyes – oh, but don’t you worry, baby
My heart always stays here at home

I’ve got wandering eyes  – yes, it’s true, I love the ladies
I can’t deny the feeling the good Lord put down in my bones
I’ve got wandering eyes – oh, but don’t you worry, baby
My heart always stays here at home

You should know by now, darling, when I took those vows
I meant every word that preacher told me to say
It seems so unnatural when I see a pretty girl
To turn my head and look the other way

I’ve got wandering eyes  – yes, it’s true, I love the ladies
I can’t deny the feeling the good Lord put down in my bones
I’ve got wandering eyes – oh, but don’t you worry, baby
My heart always stays here at home

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Autumn in New York

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Here’s a classic song by the late, great Billie Holiday having to do with fall in the Big Apple:

Autumn in New York
Written by Vernon Duke
Performed by Billie Holiday

Autumn in New York
Why does it seem so inviting?
Autumn in New York
It spells the thrill of first-nighting
Glittering crowds and shimmering clouds
In canyons of steel
They’re making me feel
I’m home

It’s autumn in New York
That brings the promise of new love
Autumn in New York
Is often mingled with pain
Dreamers with empty hands
May sigh for exotic lands
It’s autumn in New York
It’s good to live it again.

Autumn in New York
The gleaming rooftops at sundown
Autumn in New York
It lifts you up when you’re let down
Jaded roué and gay divorcée who lunch at the Ritz
Will tell you that it’s
Divine

This autumn in New York
Transforms the slums in Mayfair
Autumn in New York
You’ll need no castle in Spain
Lovers that bless the dark
On benches in Central Park
Greet autumn in New York
It’s good to live it again.

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Summer’s Almost Gone

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Here’s a fitting song for the end of summer – a classic from the immortal Doors:

Summer’s Almost Gone

By The Doors

Summer’s almost gone
Summer’s almost gone
Almost gone
Yeah, it’s almost gone
Where will we be
When the summer’s gone?

Morning found us calmly unaware
Noon burn gold into our hair
At night we swim the laughin’ sea
When summer’s gone
Where will we be?
Where will we be?
Where will we be?

Morning found us calmly unaware
Noon burn gold into our hair
At night we swim the laughin’ sea
When summer’s gone
Where will we be?

Summer’s almost gone
Summer’s almost gone
We had some good times
But they’re gone
The winter’s comin’ on
Summer’s almost gone

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What Street Compares with Mott Street in July?

US Adult Literacy3 Comments

Here’s another classic song about summertime in New York. Click on the place names in the lyrics to learn more:

Manhattan
Written by Rodgers and Hart
Performed by Ella Fitzgerald

Summer journeys to Niagara
And to other places aggra-
Vate all our cares.
We’ll save our fares.
I’ve a cozy little flat in
What is known as old Manhattan.
We’ll settle down
Right here in town.

We’ll have Manhattan,
The Bronx and Staten
Island too.
It’s lovely going through
The zoo.

It’s very fancy
On old Delancey
Street, you know.
The subway charms us so
When balmy breezes blow
To and fro.

And tell me what street
Compares with Mott Street
In July?
Sweet pushcarts gently gli-
Ding by.

The great big city’s a wondrous toy
Just made for a girl and boy.
We’ll turn Manhattan
Into an isle of joy.

We’ll go to Yonkers
Where true love conquers
In the whiles
And starve together, dear,
In Chiles.

We’ll go to Coney
And eat baloney
On a roll.
In Central Park we’ll stroll,
Where our first kiss we stole,
Soul to soul.

And My Fair Lady is a terrific show, they say.
We both may see it close
Someday.

The city’s glamour can never spoil
The dreams of a boy and goil.
We’ll turn Manhattan
Into an isle of joy.

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