My Misunderstood Lyrics (Funny Songs, Pt. 1)

How funny it is to misunderstand song lyrics! I've been doing it all my life. Are you like me...do you find out the correct words, and still sing the wrong ones? Don't you wish you could go back to the ignorance of not knowing what they're supposed to really be saying?

There will be several posts on this topic. This first one is comprised of a list dear to my heart, songs whose lyrics I enjoyed misunderstanding from an early age.

1. "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight," by England Dan and John Ford Coley. This song has stood the test of time, making me laugh every time I hear it. Early on, instead of the correct, "I'm not talking 'bout moving in...," I'd bellow, "I'm not talkin' 'bout the Liberty Bell!" Don't ask; there's no explanation. 

England Dan and John Ford Coley had some great hits!

I love "We'll Never Have to Say Goodbye" and "Love is the Answer," too.

2. "Man in the Mirror," by Michael Jackson. There's no way he's really saying "And no message could've been any clearer." For thirty-two years, it's been "And no mustache for the man and the clipper," and I'm not about to stop now! 

3. "Ready Yourselves," by Casting Crowns. This band has some terrific contemporary Christian songs, but I couldn't figure out why they were repeating, "Radio says...radio says!" I wondered what that had to do with Jesus, but figured I was missing something. How relieved I felt when local DJ Carol Davis admitted to thinking that they said the same thing!

4. "Ain't No Woman," by The Four Tops. This wasn't my error, but my friend's mom's, affectionately called "Mammy." When we were kids, she'd sing, "Ain't No Woman Like Louella Potts," and we'd laugh our heads off. Now, my children and I listen to it on Pandora and sing the same wrong words, on purpose! Gotta love preserving laughs for posterity.

5. "The Star Spangled Banner," by Francis Scott Key. This also wasn't mine, but I loved how Beverly Cleary wrote about it in Ramona the Pest, and again, my children and I talk about it to this day. On the first day of kindergarten, Ramona is puzzled by the lyrics, "By the dawnzer lee light." She concludes that a "dawnzer" is a fancy word for lamp, and even uses it to impress her family, stating that her sister should "...turn on the dawnzer...it gives a lee light."

Sincerest apologies to Frank Key!

Chidren are precious.

6. "Breaking Up is Hard to Do," by Neil Sedaka. My dad was always listening to oldies, so I was, too. He taught me who sang what, and in what year. To this day, I remember all about Frankie Avalon, Bobby Vee, and all the rest. Anyway, I couldn't figure out why Neil told his love, "Don't take your love away from me. Don't you leave my heart in Missouri."

7. "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." At a very young age, maybe three, I remember making up my own words to this song. My heart was entirely childlike, not intending in the least to denigrate the meaning. At the place where one would normally sing, "His truth is marching on," I'd croon at the top of my lungs, "He's in his booster seat!" This still makes me cackle, as in my mind, the "he" in my line was a rooster! As I said, children are precious.

8. Finally, my favorite...all because Barry Manilow boasted, "I write the songs that make the whole world sing!" For making such a bold claim, I took him seriously. I actually believed that Barry Manilow wrote every song the whole world sang, including "Happy Birthday"! I told my friends, "I know who wrote 'Happy Birthday;' it was Barry Manilow!" How disappointed I was to find out that Barry wasn't quite the composer I'd thought, although his songs are satisfactory enough. 

Sorry, he can't take credit for "Happy Birthday," but

did you know that he did write

"And like a good neighbor, State Farm is there!"

Stay tuned over the next week or so for the list of the people. I asked you all to give me your misunderstood song lyrics, and will publish them in another post. I'm still open to suggestions (appropriate, please)....

"Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord," Ephesians 5:19.

Thank You, Lord, for songs, joy, and laughter!

On a Treadmill

This isn't about our cultural, fast-paced "treadmill;" today I was on an actual treadmill. I found myself alone in the little workout room, watching my girls play tennis through the window. It was peaceful being there by myself, without the tv in there blaring; all I could hear was my feet hitting the machine, and its electrical cranking noise. 

I decided that since I was alone, praying out loud was a good idea. A nice chat I was having with the Lord, when suddenly it came over me that yes, the Lord is here, in this workout room. I glanced at the treadmill beside mine, and was overcome with His presence, as if He were on it, exercising. I burst out laughing, thinking how Jesus would outrun me; He could turn the level to its highest and be light as a feather, not breaking a sweat, never getting tired. Not only did it overwhelm me, but it made me laugh. I imagined that treadmill zooming as fast as it would go, with Jesus on it, smiling and waving, because to His perfect body, it would be a cinch.

The things I was sharing with Him had been racing through my mind: a 24-year-old who is very sick and might not make it, strongholds to be broken, ungodly attitudes to confess, thanks for this special time, plus others that particularly burden me. I said, "Lord, what would you have me know right now?" and was hit again with the image of Him right beside me, running on air, while my 40-year-old body felt every movement my legs made. I burst out laughing, right out loud, and was comforted as with balm at the feeling that He, too, was laughing with me. 

What a moment it was! My Savior, my Friend, right there with me, the two of us laughing together. I realized that it was a picture of truth: Jesus never tiring, doing what no human can do, and it brought immense peace. Getting tickled like that, by something the Lord was showing me, was also something I don't think I've ever experienced. I can't describe how good it felt to be laughing with Him, as if He had shown me something special and funny, a joke between the two of us. Still, He was glorified.

Nothing feels better than a belly-shaking, crying laugh. It's a gift from God, and as one of my heroes of the faith, Barbara Johnson, says, humor is everywhere. Laughing at what's funny doesn't mean we try to cover a problem or wear a mask. To me, it's seeing things, noticing silly little signs or cartoons, and photographing them to share. It's looking at an old joke book and delighting in corny jokes that no one gets anymore. Innuendo or off-color "humor" isn't funny to me; it's against God's design to make dirty what He made beautiful. There's pure joy and beauty in simple, innocent humor.

Speaking of Humor...
I had to snap a shot of these yesterday:

They are plain hilarious, and believe me, they smell just like what they are (except Snow; what is that supposed to smell like?). Maybe I'm behind the times, but I didn't realize the hip thing was to pay hard-earned cash to smell like a mixed drink, or...dirt! I can't believe single guys would line up to spray this on themselves. It gave me a huge laugh, especially the way the little cosmetics room smelled after I "tried out" each one in the air! Pee-you!

Here's a furry friend who brings us joy:

Nibbles likes to burrow between my side and my arm when the girls and I sit on the sofa and read. Guinea pigs are wonderful pets, and smarter than I ever imagined a rodent would be. She knows our schedule, and begs on cue when I either open the fridge or chop any food. She responds to her name, and purrs when we pet her. Gifts from God come in all forms, and it's interesting to note that everything that breathes requires love and care. Nibbles is a keeper.

Beautiful Bits...

This gal pops by the feeder for a morsel every now and then:

Have you ever attempted to photograph a female cardinal? I've tried for months, and this is the best I've gotten. Any slight movement from me, even behind the glass, causes these gals to dart away. Female cardinals look nothing like their red counterparts, and are extremely skittish. She makes a mess at the feeder, jerking her head wildly, and taking off quickly. Birds are fascinating and lovely gifts from God.

A distant relative in Summerhill, PA, shares my interest in genealogy. She discovered that our great-great-great grandfathers, Daniel (hers) and Peter (mine) Burtnett, were brothers. I had a chance to visit Peter's grave when I visited Summerhill back in April:

Imagine a man dying on his own birthday! Imagine making contact with a lady who is the descendant of his brother! Genealogy is a gift. It brings blood together, binds severed ties, and provides thrilling stories to boot! Anyway, my relative, who works at the library in Summerhill, has been faithful in researching family records and sending me fascinating information and photos. 

Peter's son, W.K. Burtnett, was town supervisor in Summerhill for a number of years, and records abound. How wonderful to see facts in real life, written on pages over a hundred years ago, in breathtaking cursive. I loved seeing my great-great grandfather's signature:

To learn more about W.K. and other Burtnetts, please check out my other blog, Burtnett Family Stories, etc. The link is on the home page of this blog.

Finally, God places beautiful things everywhere just as a taste of heaven. In so many areas, we see Him at work, creating, growing, making things new. Maybe two months ago, I planted some small begonias. With rain falling every day lately, they seem to have doubled in size overnight:

For all our troubles and heartbreak, there is still joy and laughter to be found. In Job 8:21, we read, "He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy." If Job was promised this with all the tragedy he underwent, then surely it applies to all those who love the Lord. I love giving myself permission to go out and find things that are lovely or humorous, and to delight in them. It's fun and healing to thank God for them, and do something to remember them in some way: draw, photograph, or just close your eyes and record the memory in your mind. In doing this, not only do we glorify God and honor what He made wonderful, but we are able to share it with others, further glorifying Him and bringing encouragement and delight to those who need it. 

Until next time!