Lullaby and Goodnight

I was propped up in my bed the other night getting ready to read, when the most thrilling thing happened.  I saw Isaiah move for the first time.  How magical!  I wanted him to keep moving, so I thought singing might excite him.  Not that he would be able to understand the words or discern that it was his mother's voice.  But he might hear something. 

I wanted to sing him this song my mom used to sing to us.  All five of us.  She rewrote the lyrics to Lullaby and Goodnight.  Until I looked up that song just now to provide a link to the original lyrics, I had no idea what they were.  Brahm's Lullaby meant nothing to me.  But the song my mom used to sing meant everything. 

I started to sing her song to Isaiah.  I soon realized I didn't remember all the words to that version either. 

It was about 11:30pm.  I called my mom anyway.  She was awake watching a movie with my little sister. 

"Mom, I forgot the words to Lullaby and Goodnight, and I need to sing it to Isaiah.  Can you sing it for me?" 

She did.  And in those few moments, the sound of my mother's voice incited the tenderest feelings of nostalgia.  Of course there were tears in my eyes.  So much that when it was time to sing the song to Isaiah, I couldn't all the way because the tears wouldn't stop.  Oh emotions.  I finished it eventually, regardless if I was choked up most of the way through. 

Here are her words.  I love you Mom.

Lullaby, and good night. 

Let your dreams be of Jesus. 

Close your eyes, think of Him, 

And let him give you peace. 

Think of Him, Isaiah, and His heavenly home. 

He'll come back just for us. 

And we'll live with Him there. 

You're Just Too Good to be True

Today I was listening to some music while cleaning my kitchen.  (After Marcus suprised me with cooking breakfast... Awww...)  And Lauryn Hill came on with Can't Take My Eyes Off You. 

I've always loved this song.  Growing up, instead of listening to music from my decade of origin (80s), at the Kipapa house we listened to music from the 50s, 60s & 70s.  Oldies but goodies.  So I'm used to the classic version by Frankie Vallie & The Four Seasons. 

Either way, I've never quite listened to the lyrics like I listened to them today.  What a perfect song for Isaiah!  

Of course being pregnant & emotional, I teared up every time I tried to sing it... 

You're just to good to be true.  Can't take my eyes off of you. 

You'd be like heaven to touch.  I wanna hold you so much. 

At long last love has arrived.  And I thank God I'm alive.

You're just to good to be true.  Can't take my eyes off of you. 

Try to sing that one to your baby or child.  Can you do it without crying? 

Now I just have to figure out which version is the most appropriate.

The classic version is wonderful.  The bridge before the chorus is unforgettable, and then with Frankie Vallie, you can almost yell the chorus, and yelling music is fun. 

But then with Lauryn, I can hear a mother singing to her child.  And her voice...  Also Lauryn brings soul to her version.  Soul that rarely existed with the Oldies I grew up singing.  Lauryn's version might be a little more appropriate for the Marcus side of Isaiah.  He grew up listening to Oldies too, but instead with Teddy Pendergrass & Al Green. 

Okay I've decided.  An old classic song from my side coupled with the soul and heart from Marcus's side. 

Take a listen, see if you agree. 

Can't Take My Eyes Off You by Lauryn Hill

Can't Take My Eyes Off You by Frankie Vallie & The Four Seasons

I asked Marcus if it could be our song for Isaiah.  I can envision us singing it to him. 

Our song or my song, he's got a song.