While I was lying awake at quarter to four this morning (a normal occurrence) a jingly poem leaped into my mind, and frolicked there for quite a while. I didn’t remember all of it, but I knew the ending for sure was “And King David wrote the Psalms.” So this morning when fully awake I Googled it, and here it is:
King David and King Solomon led merry, merry lives,
With many, many lady friends and many many wives;
But when old age crept over them, with many, many qualms,
King Solomon wrote the Proverbs and King David wrote the Psalms.
(Here’s King David long after Bathsheba and his other ladies, in the throes of composing a psalm.)
I never knew the poem was actually written by anyone, but it was, and that someone turns out to be James Ball Naylor, a versifier and novelist of the turn of the 20th century. I knew for sure, however, that the poem came to me for a reason, and the reason is this: later today we — grandparents in our ‘seventies and ‘eighties — are expecting a weekend visit from two granddaughters, 22 and 21 respectively.
Some of you may remember them, a little younger, from this post:
The elder of the two (and first-born grandchild) invented the title of Papat for The Hub. It was her approximation of Grandfather, and it so charmed him that he refused to hear of its ever being changed. It sounded like Grandpa, he said, in an obscure Central European language. I demanded my own equivalent, which turned out to be Pamma. To this day we are Papat and Pamma to all seven grandchildren.
The jingly poem diverted me in insomnia, but it came with a more profound mission than that. It seems to me there’s a moral attached to the poem, which is, that it’s easy to forget the follies and frivols and fads of our own youth, and look with a jaundiced eye on today’s young people. It’s easy to forget — and fatal.
Papat and I may be of an age where proverbs and psalms are appropriate, but we mustn’t, we oldies, forget the music and the dancing. We’ll remember to rejoice this weekend with our granddaughters, and take delight, not only in our nicknames, but in their exuberances and rejoicings.
Shakespeare always has a word, or a line, for any idea or occasion, and this is no exception:
Dost thou think,Β because thou art virtuous, there shall be no more cakes and ale?
Let’s hear it, then, for the cakes and the ale and the young people!
That is so awesome! Two beautiful granddaughters! I love your names too. Such a cute story. My step-dad was called Poppy to all the grandkids. I guess we will see how it turns out with ours. π
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One of the good things to be waiting for! Good luck to Sydney and all of you.
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Your granddaughters sure are beauties and I love the masks! So colourful and pretty and they invented such cute names for you and hubby. Enjoy the weekend and have lots of fun. We are never too old to dance and enjoy cake and ale. π *hugs*
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Thank you!
π
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Enjoy cakes and ale and love, my friend, enjoy!!
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Thank you, Jen!
π
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Aren’t grandchildren grand? Yours are beautiful. Enjoy every moment as Papat and Pamma!
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P, They both TOWER over us! So disconcerting!
But very nice nevertheless. π
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Cheers, and yup yup. We were young once, too.
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Those were the days, my friend (a quick chorus or two?)
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lovely story..thanks a lot for sharing..enjoyed it
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And thank you for the visit!
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I say – Join in with the youngsters and grow old disgracefully π There’s too much of the ‘They have it so easy these days’ going on. They really don’t – they’re expected to learn about things that were just a twinkle on the horizon when I was at school! But keeping up with them is a great way to engage our own interest in life and the ever changing world around us π And if we can occasionally bring the voice of experience to help them on their way – then that’s all to the good!
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Yes, indeed, Martin. And I’m going to adopt your advice as a slogan: Grow old disgracefully.
I love it!
π
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Well said! Those that take delight in their exuberances, remain young, at heart at least. Enjoy the cakes and ale π
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We do our best. Thank you for the visit and the encouragement, Madhu!
π
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Such cute names! I say bring on the music and dancing. Grow older but never grow old. Rejoice and stay young at heart! π
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Another good motto: “Rejoice and stay young at heart!”
YES!!
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I find special nicknames to be such an expression of love!
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You know, you’re absolutely right — and that thought never occurred to me before! I guess I felt it, but never understood it. Thank you!
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And I am sure your beautiful granddaughters absolutely enjoyed having their Papat and Pamma with them to celebrate, to sing and dance!
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Wonderful clip, Patti!
Everybody, this video of Jimmy Durante will make your day. Maybe make your week!
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