It scares me how quickly we forget things, how quickly memories just disappear .. The exception is the “big occasions” or the “big moments” such as wedding days, terrific concerts, children being born or even total disasters such as an accident, big or small.
When we do remember certain moments, that weren’t “big moments” as such – what happened that makes these stay with us specifically?
I grew up in a musical family .. Not in a way that you might imagine with us all playing instruments but there was always some music playing. Mum and Dad always had music on in the car or at home so we were raised on Johnny Mathis, Glen Campbell, Perry Como, Jose Feliciano, Johnny Cash and many more. I guess this rubbed off on me as I started collecting music seriously from the age of 13.
One Christmas, at least a few days after the main event I remember feeling a little nostalgic and I started going through my parents old albums hoping to find some gems that would still be relevant to me.
I remember putting on this album by a blind artist, Jose Feliciano, which my folks used to listen to with us and stated moving from track to track carefully lifting and placing the stylus or needle at the start of each track ..
This special song, which turns out was actually written by The Bee Gees (I am only just after discovering this by the way) came on and for some reason I started to cry, and cry quite uncontrollably and just couldn’t stop!
I guess I listened to the words, was taken in by how soulfully it was sung, remembered all those times I listened to it with my folks and recalled a time of lost innocence: “When I was small and Christmas trees were tall” .. Why does that moment stay with me to this day?
I was thirteen!
Greg Canty is a partner of Fuzion Communications
Full lyrics: The First of May
When I was small, and Christmas trees were tall,
we used to love while others used to play.
Don’t ask me why, but time has passed us by,
someone else moved in from far away.
Now we are tall, and Christmas trees are small,
and you don’t ask the time of day.
But you and I, our love will never die,
but guess who’ll cry come first of May.
The apple tree that grew for you and me,
I watched the apples falling one by one.
And as I recall the moment of them all,
the day I kissed your cheek and you were gone.
Now we are tall, and Christmas trees are small,
and you don’t ask the time of day.
But you and I, our love will never die,
but guess who’ll cry come first of May.
When I was small, and Christmas trees were tall,
do do do do do do do do do …
Don’t ask me why, but time has passed us by,
someone else moved in from far away.
Music and lyrics: Barry, Maurice, and Robin Gibb (Bee Gees)
What an amazing song – check it out!
Tags: bee gees, Christmas, Fuzion Communications, Fuzion PR, Greg Canty, Jose feliciano
Greg Canty Fuzion Blog 
December 28, 2010 at 4:44 am |
Bee Gees Live Forever!
thanks for the The First of May Lyrics!
And Happy New 2001 Year!
December 28, 2011 at 8:03 pm |
You are so welcome Billy – most people don’t know they wrote it
December 24, 2011 at 7:02 pm |
Am I allowed comment ? I love this blog post !!
December 28, 2011 at 2:11 pm |
Memories are important ingredients that help us to become whole.
It is the love in each memory that is the glue that holds us, when we most need it, or comes in an unexpected jolt of loss of times past. Memories are part of life’s sustenance.
Your shared memory is beautiful Greg, thank you.
May I wish you & yours a healthy, joyful & love filled 2012.
December 28, 2011 at 8:02 pm |
Thanks for the fab feedback Trich – see you next year !
December 29, 2011 at 1:54 pm |
Hi Greg,
What a beautiful way you have of crafting words. I totally agree with what “irishminx” writes. Memories like that just need a little trigger and whoosh…amazing.
About 5 years after my dad died I was flickin through the channels and I happened to stumble upon the Masters in Augusta and the exact same happened, uncontrollable sobbing because of what was stored as “shared happiness”.
Looking forward to your blogging excellence next year.
Thank you,
Alan.
PS – a beautiful song, indeed.
December 29, 2011 at 5:35 pm |
Wow – thanks for the feedback Alan. Sometimes I wonder should I post my personal stuff online on my blog but then I get feedback like yours and Trich and know that I should..
Happy New Year to you and we should toast your golf loving dad !
December 29, 2011 at 6:38 pm |
Funny, had a twitter conversation last night about the evolution of Roses & Quality Street sweets from the valued and wonderful selection to the homogenized and sterile cluster of cavity invitations that they have become. But the truth is that they probably were pretty much the same then as they are now (with the exception of the nut brittle and the MAY CONTAIN NUTS) But our eyes see things differently as kids, they contain wonder, excitement and no cynicism. And long may that last!
December 30, 2011 at 12:59 am |
Great post Billy – is it the wonderment we miss or the memory?
January 3, 2012 at 12:35 pm |
So powerful Greg!! What a great read as usual.
January 3, 2012 at 12:37 pm |
thanks for the feedback Conor – that song gets played the odd time in my home and it always has that emotional kick to it!
Happy New Year to you & let this one be the best yet!!
July 21, 2016 at 8:48 am |
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