By Sonja Herter (Korol)
Former Donwell resident
Don’t the tunes of yesterday bring back memories?
Every so often old songs and musical tunes are featured on programs to which a person can relate. They take us back in time.
In my teenage years, and even earlier, a local hit parade was featured on the radio. I made a point of tuning in to this program to hear the top tunes of the week. A book and pencil were close at hand so I could copy the words to the song. Then I could sing it to my heart’s content. With this accomplishment, I entertained my mother as she pre-pared weekend meals in the kitchen while I did the weekly Saturday house cleaning. Some times she had enough of my singing and told me to hush up, but at other times appreciated the distraction from what she was doing.
Now as I listen to the present tunes there is no way of copying the songs. Early songs seemed to have a message, whereas the present tunes repeat the same phrase over and over. They take a more of the rock and roll flavour rather than the country western to which I am familiar.
In my teaching days, part of the music program in my classroom was singing some of the old songs. Everyone should be familiar with Old MacDonald Had a Farm but then there were old stand-bys like She’ll be Coming Round the Mountain with its actions and My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean which may not be known by the present generation.
Then there were the rounds which caused some confusion and laughter when sung. A recent afternoon was spent in entertaining seniors with many of the old songs. As the song sheets were handed out, a spark lit up in the eyes of the audience and many did not need the words because they were there in their memories, just waiting to be released.
For many, when singing they forgot their loneliness and any aches and pains they may have had. What a great way to spend an afternoon! What songs will the present generation sing when they are seniors?
