Song a Day Meme: Day 29

[willowisp]

Before elementary school and then over weekends and summers during elementary, I often spent the night at my maternal grandparent's house. They lived a trivial drive away and, when I was older, a fairly trivial bike ride away from our house. One of the rituals at their house, one in which my sister and I participated in for as long as I can remember, is Polkas and coffee with breakfast.

Granted, "coffee: for my little sister and me consisted of a teacup of milk and sugar with a few tablespoons of coffee, but it was exciting for us. And, despite warnings from horrified well-meaning adults that it would stunt our growth, Pamela and I are very glad we took the chance, since we're both tall. I fear what my height might have been if I'd skipped drinking coffee in those formative years ;).

Both Polkas and coffee are now indelibly linked to those days with my Grandma and Grandpa. There was an almost palpable sense of love and another feeling which I wasn't actually aware of as a child, but recognize now -- a feeling of perfect security. When Grandma made the coffee and put on the Polkas and Grandpa made breakfast (especially pancakes), the whole world was wrapped up in a cocoon of love and safety; nothing could possibly get me. It's a feeling I can re-live in memories, but which I'm afraid I'll never be able to experience firsthand again.

I have identified at least two sources for the Polkas; Marion Lush (aka "The Golden Voice of Polkas") and Bobby Vinton. My favorites were from Mr. Lush, however, because to me his voice was just like Grandpa's (or maybe Grandpa's was just like his). I have since discovered that Mr. Lush performed dances other than Polkas, namely Obereks and Waltzes, we still, as a family, refer to everything he performed as "Polkas". Today's song, "Just Say Dzien Dobry", is from my childhood with the best of memories.

• day 01 – your favorite song: "Shades of Gray" as performed by The Monkees.
  
• day 02 – your least favorite song: "(She Was A) Hotel Detective" by TMBG.
  
• day 03 - a song that makes you happy: Beethoven's 6th, 1st movement.
  
• day 04 - a song that makes you sad: "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton.
  
• day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone: "Trouble Me" by 10,000 Maniacs. (Ray Hall)
  
• day 07 - a song that reminds you of a certain event: "The Throne Room" by John Williams. (Our wedding recessional)
  
• day 06 - a song that reminds you of somewhere: "Blackstairs" by Clannad. (My uncle's house)
  
• day 08 - a song that you know all the words to: "Irony" by Leah Zicari.
  
• day 09 - a song that you can dance to: "Caribbean Blue" by Enya.
  
• day 10 - a song that makes you fall asleep: "Music of the Night" by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
  
• day 11 - a song from your favorite band: "Perfect Time" by Maire (Moya) Brennan.
  
• day 12 - a song from a band you hate: "Tequila" by The Ventures.
  
• day 13 - a song that is a guilty pleasure: "Trigger Happy" by "Weird Al" Yankovic.
  
• day 14 - a song that no one would expect you to love: "The Final Countdown" by Europe.
  
• day 15 - a song that describes you: "Eyes of Mercy" by October Project.
  
• day 16 - a song that you used to love but now hate: "Jerusalem" as performed by Anuna.
  
• day 17 - a song that you hear often on the radio: "When She Cries" by Restless Heart.
  
• day 18 - a song that you wish you heard on the radio: "Everything Possible" by Fred Small, with special note to the version as performed by The Flirtations.
  
• day 19 - a song from your favorite album: "Epilogue (Finale)" from Les Miserables -- The Complete Symphonic Recording.
  
• day 20 - a song that you listen to when you're angry: "Living in Wartime" by Michael Callen.
  
• day 21 - a song that you listen to when you're happy: "River of Dreams" by Billy Joel
  
• day 22 - a song that you listen to when you're sad: "Dark Time" by October Project.
  
• day 23 - a song that you want to play (wish you could have played) at your wedding: "Ubi Caritas" as performed by the SUNY Oswego College Choir in 1991 or 1992.
  
• day 24 - a song that you want to play at your funeral: "I'm Going To Go Back There Someday" by Paul Williams and Kenny Ascher, sung by Gonzo in The Muppet Movie.
  
• day 25 - a song that makes you laugh: "What Kind Of Self-Respecting Faggot Am I?" by Romanovsky and Phillips.
  
• day 26 - a song that you can play on an instrument: "Land of the Silver Birch", traditional Native Canadian (soprano recorder).
  
• day 27 - a song that you wish you could play: "Full Moonlight Dance" by Karen Beth (s/play/sing)
  
• day 28 - a song that makes you feel guilty: "I Wish You Were Here" as performed by Holly Near
  
• day 29 - a song from your childhood: "Just Say Dzien Dobry" as performed by Marion Lush.