Together

Mission accomplished.

Yes, some days I question my sanity.  I had to be back for work today for a number of reasons, so spreading the trip out was not an option.

Backstory, here:  Saddle Up.

That post was written a little after 4am on Saturday morning, just before I got in the car to leave. Looking back, I left out the fairly important detail of the week, noting that Adeline is getting Christened/Baptised at Thanksgiving morning Mass.  How fitting.

Anytime you have over 4,000 songs in your iTunes library, you are bound to hear a song you don’t recall ever hearing before, even though you obviously did.  I had a few of those moments along with a few “how did that get in my library?”

One song that gnawed at me on the way up is “Together” by Corey Smith. My daughters introduced me to his music over a decade ago and we’ve seen him live a few times. I have most of his music and I especially like his early work.

While “Together” will not bump Alice’s Restaurant Masacree as my official Thanksgiving song, it does share a compelling story.

I encourage you to take a few minutes from whatever you are doing and ponder the sentiment behind this song.

The lyrics:

Lord I wish that you could take me Back to 1983  Before my folks untied the knot that bound our home And busted up the family tree We’d get up early every Sunday Pile into my grandaddy’s van Head over to the steeple three generations in a pew And I couldn’t wait until the altar call began

Together we’d all stand and sing along We’d do the gospel Mawmaw taught us every song When it was over we’d go have a Sunday meal The preacher’s call on Brother Bill he’d bless the food And we’d all share in it together Together

Lord I wish that you could take me Back to those Raven county hills We’d head up to Black Rock Mountain for a family affair Throw some hot dogs and burgers on the grill I’d pull up a chair beside my Mama Listen to her brag on all us kids To this day I can’t believe how proud that woman was After all of the crazy things we did

Together we’d all enjoy the feud Take in the laughter, let it heal our blues I was barely 18, but even then I understood There was power in the blood that kept us hangin in Holdin on together

Together There’ll be a wedding or a funeral Every year or so We’ll see the familiar faces Sayin’ oh ain’t it a shame we don’t get together anymore ‘Cept at these awkward places Yeah the sanctuaries and the fellowship hall have really become a drag

Now everybody’s gettin older We’ve all gone our separate ways But I’m tired of the excuses and I’ve made up my mind We’re meetin up at my house this comin Saturday I’ll get some barbecue and light beer Sweet tea and kool-aid for the little ones We’’ put lawn chairs in the backyard Sit and catch up on lost times Watch the kids runnin round don’t it sound like fun

Together same blood within our veins A new generation to proudly share our family name We’ll raise a bottle to the ones who came before The ones who ain’t with us anymore Lord, I bet they’re happy knowin’ We’re all here together When it’s over we’ll all say a long good-bye Oh baby sister don’t you cry it won’t until We’ll all be together Together Together Together Together