I have been known to write and sing a few goof ball songs in my day – and here’s the most recent.  It’s a little ditty I composed for the farewell dinner/program for my Carthage colleague Jane Livingston,  who retired as head of our piano program after 20 years as a full-time faculty member.

I emceed the program, which included warm words of tribute from former department chair Dr. Richard Sjoerdsma – some touching words from Jane’s mentor at Northwestern University (we were honored to have her there) – a video presentation featuring tributes from a number of her students (young and old alike) and some spoken tributes from students and colleagues who were present.

At one point, I said “it seems to me that no celebration of Jane’s remarkable life and legacy would be complete without hearing some great piano music.”  At that point,  I sat down at the piano – and there was a sense of expectation in the air that I was about to play Chopin or Rachmaninoff ….

Instead,  I began playing chopsticks!

 

I need to give credit to my wife Kathy-  the long-time music teacher at Schulte Elementary School – who shared with me what amounts to the first half of the refrain of The Jane Song:  Chopsticks are lots of fun.  Easy for everyone.                                                                             Just keep a steady beat:  1…2…3… then repeat.

I added these words to complete the refrain:                                                                                 Chopsticks are such a joy – for every girl and boy.                                                                          Why not jump in?  It’s a place to begin!

The verses follow after that.

  1. But don’t forget to flow- to play in an elegant legato!                                                                   Play gently!  Not so loud!  Pretend you’re a soft and shimmering cloud!    refrain

2. Soon you’ll be playing Bach, Beethoven,  Scriabin and Gluck!                                                     On second thought, it’s best to begin in the elementary book!    refrain

3. We tip our hats to Jane, who so very seldom was heard to complain.                                           Thru up’s and down’s, thru smiles and frowns, her patience and grace are renowned.

Dear Jane, we offer our tribute and praise. For sure we will miss you for all of our days.       Wherever you go or whatever you do- forever and ever, Jane, we will love you.

 

No one recorded the program itself,  so this is a recording of the song I made a few days later.  I hope it gives you a chuckle.