Canadian Journal of Family and Youth, 10(1), 2017, pp 499-504 ISSN 1718-9748 University of Alberta http://ejournals.library.ualberta.ca/index/php/cjfy A Compilation of Song Lyrics Relating to the Family Theresa Muskeg Mama Poirier Introductory Paragraph Five years ago, I began a quest for enjoyment which has evolved and expanded into an epic journey. A ukulele for X-mas quickly gave way to the guitar. While attaining a degree as a sociologist, at 55 years of age, I blossomed to become a musician, poet, author, artist, and performer. With nearly 160 completed pieces of music alone, I have amassed a portfolio any artist would be proud to have. I have composed songs for a Metis language webpage, and painted a wall mural at MacEwan University. I have had song lyrics and stories published. I hold my own on the same stages with some of Edmonton s finest musicians and poets. Inspiration comes from life s many ups and downs. I dare to call myself a prodigy since I am self-taught in all my art. However, currently, I am in my 3rd year of psychology, at MacEwan University for a 2nd degree, allowing me to practise music/art therapy. Sweet Baby is a song about anticipating the birth of my first grandchild, yet written through the eyes of the mother to be. Epic Odyssey is my story, events of my life Who Needs TV is also about my life, alcoholism, and family. So Shy is about watching the reactions of children to my busking in the LRT (light rail transit) station in Edmonton, Alberta. The Day My Boyfriend Died, indeed humor, was a black thought put into prose. 499
Sweet Baby Let me see forever skies and open up your eyes Look forward to your surprise It s all that you ll realize Rest in my arms sweet baby rest in my arms Let my love keep you warm rest in my arms Look forward to the Sun Laugh and sing with everyone Rest in my arms sweet baby rest in my arms Sleep sweet baby but don t you sleep so long I m waiting for you to sing your song no don t you wait so long I m waiting for you to sing your song Don t make me wait so long Sleep sweet baby but don t sleep too long Let me see forever skies and open up your eyes It s a great day to be alive You ll arrive right on time 500
Epic Odyssey Been over 50 years in the works, do you really want hear about all those jerks I ll tell my tale, I insist. I m gonna make the New York bestsellers booklist I ll share my pain, my shattered dreams. No, this ain t a fiction, no fantasy This is real life the biggest gamble, the only rap good enough, for my ramble : They re gonna make a movie, just you wait and see All about my tragic life, my epic odyssey They re gonna make a movie, all about me All about my tragic tale my epic odyssey I ll tell you about my epic life, how I was once a very good wife Found my spirit, saved my soul, got some guts and got out the door No, I ain t a tragic hero but a hero I am Don t think I never lost faith; I m all pluck and sand Babe I been beat robbed and abused, but I been blessed to sing the blues Pick myself up when I m down; I came back with a brand new sound My stories gonna get me a contract, already got this awesome soundtrack No my tales no litany, you can look forward to a trilogy Some people call me an oddity; others say I m a prodigy Is life what it ought to be/mines an epic odyssey? There s no end to my story, even when I go to meet old glory The words etched onto my page are eternal babe, never gonna fade 501
So Shy I saw you hidin behind your mama s thigh I know you re smiling, got a twinkle in your eye I saw you hidin behind your mama s thigh! I saw you holdin on to your daddy s hand I know you re laughin, wanna join my little band? I see you smilin, so smile big and wide! I saw you holdin on to your auntie s skirt I know you wanna play, like you re gonna burst C mon, let me see ya, but don t you ever cry! I saw you hidin behind your Nana s coat I know you re just a kid, But you ain t no billy goat C mon, let me see ya dance as you go by! 502
Who Needs TV : Who needs TV? That s what I said Who needs TV when you got family? I got a three-ring circus I could go to everyday My family s a bunch of talented drunks Acrobats all the way My brother, man, he s lucky. He really should be dead He summersaulted backwards 360 off my deck. He didn t get a scratch, break a bone, or mess his hair He sat straight up beer in hand still sitting in his chair! My other brother s lucky; he really should be dead Graceful like a snow angel backstroked off my deck Spread eagle in slow motion flying through the sky Stunned when he got up Stunned he s still alive! Yes, my family s been blessed but not so all the time I also had a sister who fell but she did not survive Yeah, she was drinking forever and a day Guess the odds were stacked against her. Somebody had to pay. I used to be an acrobat; partake in all the fun But one day I fell so hard I knew the end had come I no longer had the skill for flying through the sky I no longer had the will for making my family cry! 503
The Day My Boyfriend Died It wasn t suicide He mis-stepped the last step Then he said goodbye It was nice outside He must have lost his balance He was pretty high I felt joy inside I m finally free from that fool I smiled big and wide You know that I lied It was just a happy thought The bastard s still alive! 504