JJ's Songs -- Part 6

2007-10-8 04:34:00

Lyrics By Novelist and Spiritual Teacher Joseph John (JJ) Dewey

I wrote this for my sister's wedding day. Because my singing voice was not that great and also the bias that comes from being the younger sister she didn't have much positive to say about the songs I wrote.

Even so I thought I would take a change and write her a song for her wedding day. I knew she would be embarrassed if I sang it so I hired a professional to make a recording and press a couple records. When I received the record I was quite pleased. It sounded great to finally have one of my songs professionally performed with a quality voice, arrangement and background music.

I took the record to the wedding and after the gifts were opened I handed it to my sister and told her that was her present and asked her to play it for the group.

She looked horrified. I could see her visualizing how I sounded walking around the house screeching out my favorite rock and roll and she thought I just may just embarrass her to death. Even though I persisted she refused to play it for those attending.

Finally after everyone was gone except for the immediate family I pressed her again to play the record. She finally agreed.

She played the record and her heart sank and tears welled up in her eyes. "This is different than anything you have ever written before" she said, "This is beautiful."

I told her that a professional can make my music sound much better than I can and was glad she liked it.

She was very sorry she never played it during the reception and has had fond feelings toward the song and me for writing it to this day.

Unfortunately I had only two copies of the record made. One for me and one for her and they have both been lost. Someday I will have them professionally done again. I still have the sheet music.

  

Grown Up and Gone Away
(circa 1967)

Here comes the bride, she's my little sister
All dressed in white and I'm gonna miss her
Married tonight, she's my little sister
Grown up and gone -- away
Grown up and gone -- away

Tonight she wears a happy face
A pretty girl all dressed in lace
Lots of luck to my little sister
Grown up and gone -- away
Grown up and gone -- away

She grew up so fast
There wasn't time to know her
The favors she did ask
There wasn't time to show her
Time flies like a thief
Steals good intentions
It's beyond belief
The things I want to mention.

The future takes a turn tonight
I see her eyes, they're burning bright
I hope she loves her long new life
Grown up and gone -- away
Grown up and gone -- away

She grew up so fast
There wasn't time to know her
The favors she did ask
There wasn't time to show her
Time flies like a thief
Steals good intentions
It's beyond belief
The things I want to mention.

There goes the bride, she's my little sister
In a painted car and I'm going to miss her
Married tonight, she's my little sister
Grown up and gone -- away
Grown up and gone -- away