singing it

I inherited many things from my father: tendency towards the narrative, my hairline, my waistline,... my singing voice—which is on par with the hairline and waistline. Even in six years of forced church choir, I was often asked to be a "listener." Dad has asked for music at his memorial, and I can honor him best by not singing.

But there is a song that I always imagined I would sing at his funeral, or would ask my friends to do so. The closer the time comes the less I think I will cite the song, save for the opening lines. I remember vividly the first time I heard Suzi sing this song: I was with Jennifer Farnette, Patsy Reed, and Mary Jo Freeman at the Douglas Corner Cafe to hear Suzi Ragsdale, Verlon Thompson, Darrell Scott and Jelly Roll Johnson sing in the round. It was maybe 1994. I teared up then, and I almost full out cry when I hear it now. One of my absolute favorite of Suzi's songs is My Father's Eyes (link opens in iTunes). She has a keenly beautiful voice, and the lyrics cut a little close to the heart as well.

I was born with my father's eyes,
and my mother's disposition.

Now and then, in a town this size, it's a cross to bear the resemblance.
Once I ran away to Memphis, to find someone different to be.
But all I could change was my address.
And now I know, I'll always see through my father's eyes.

yeah my Dad, he;s still going strong, and she still in love with my mother.
I just know we could last that long if we work things out together.
If this world is any indication, it's a longer than longer shot.
But I think we could be the exception.
Hell, I just can't see why not through my father's eyes.

Though we may travel fast and travel far,
One thing we can;t get past is who we are.

If someday we should have a child, I hope he's just like his father:
Heart of gold, and brilliant smile and a perfect sense of humor.
Or maybe some combination of the best that we both can be.
And wouldn't it be amazing, to see him looking back at me through my father's eyes.

Sure, the parentage line takes on a twist with the whole "my kid would have two dads" thing, and I don't think all of Dad's friends would be able to work through that bit so it's best left out, no matter how powerful a notion I find it to be.