Today, for some unknown reason, a 9th grade male student sang that song about me when I said I was coming to assist him. The song brought me back to my elementary school days when we used to sing as teachers tried to control our behavior before assemblies. We’d often crackle through “This Land is Your Land,” “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands” and “Michael Row the Boat Ashore.” (I’m still not sure why Mike’s rowing what such a hallelujah moment and set to song…and if you know, please enlighten me…but I digress.) The point is, I’m not sure most kids know these folk songs. I’m guessing someone well-meaning adult decided these songs were too political or religious to sing in school, but I can’t help yearn to belt out “Red River Valley,” “Polly Wolly Doodle” or “If I Had a Hammer.” It could because as I’ve noted before Pete Seeger’s songs are in my soul. (He was my first crush based upon a picture of him on an album and his voice coming from my 33 rpm LP.) I can’t help but wonder, how long Pete will still be with us and if our eventual loss of his body on earth will also lead to dust covering his life’s work. Not if I can help it, my friends. Not while I can still crackle out a tune or two. Wait for my songs…his songs, our songs…as I come around the mountain.
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