The Old Familiar Faces

 

The Old Familiar Faces

I have had playmates, I have had companions,
In my days of childhood, in my joyful school-days—
All, all are gone, the old familiar faces.

I have been laughing, I have been carousing,
Drinking late, sitting late, with my bosom cronies—
All, all are gone, the old familiar faces.

I loved a Love once, fairest among women:
Closed are her doors on me, I must not see her—
All, all are gone, the old familiar faces.

I have a friend, a kinder friend has no man:
Like an ingrate, I left my friend abruptly;
Left him, to muse on the old familiar faces.

Ghost-like I paced round the haunts of my childhood,
Earth seem'd a desert I was bound to traverse,
Seeking to find the old familiar faces.

Friend of my bosom, thou more than a brother,
Why wert not thou born in my father's dwelling?
So might we talk of the old familiar faces—

How some they have died, and some they have left me,
And some are taken from me; all are departed—
All, all are gone, the old familiar faces.

Charles Lamb

ai art by me

When You Are Old by W. B. Yeats

 

ai art by me

Billy Strings killer vocal! "Ive Just Seen the Rock of Ages" Worcester, MA

 

I’ve Just Seen The Rock Of Ages

Oh, I was standing by the bedside
Where my fevered mother lay
When she called me close beside her
And I thought I heard her say
   
   I’ve just seen the rock of ages
   Jacob’s ladder hanging down
   I’ve just crossed the river of Jordan
   Now, my son, I’m homeward bound

Oh, as we gathered by her bedside
Tears begin to fill our eyes
Then she called me close beside her
And whispered softly her good-byes

Pine trees blowing cross the mountain
Where forever she will lay
There she’ll rest beside the fountain
There she’ll sleep beneath the clay

8 THINGS YOU'LL PROBABLY NEVER KNOW

 

8 THINGS YOU'LL PROBABLY NEVER KNOW

1. Secret admirers: Someone out there once had feelings for you and never spoke up.
2. Unseen joy: Your presence or actions made a stranger's day better without you realizing it.
3. Lasting memories: A kind gesture you made years ago is still remembered by someone.
4. A reason to stay: You have unknowingly been the motivation someone needed to keep going.
5. High praise: Your name has been mentioned in conversations as someone's example of a great person.
6. Loyalty behind your back: Someone defended or stood up for you when you weren't in the room.
7. Quiet smiles: Someone reads through your messages or thinks of you and smiles.
8. Silent inspiration: Your everyday life inspires people who may never say a word to you.

Google search for list.

ai art by me

OneRepublic - Say (All I Need)

Do you know where your heart is?
Do you think you can find it?
Or did you trade it for something
Somewhere better just to have it?

Do you know where your love is?
Do you think that you lost it?
You felt it so strong, but
Nothing's turned out how you wanted

Well, bless my soul
You're a lonely soul
'Cause you won't let go
Of anything you hold

Well, all I need
Is the air I breathe
And a place to rest my head

Do you know what your fate is?
And are you trying to shake it?
You're doing your best dance
Your best look
You're praying that you make it

Well, bless my soul
You're a lonely soul
'Cause you won't let go
Of anything you hold

Well, all I need
Is the air I breathe
And a place to rest my head

(Say) all I need
Is the air I breathe
And a place to rest my head

Do you think you can find it?
Do you think you can find it?
Do you think you can find it?
Better than you had it
Do you think you can find it?
Do you think you can find it?
Do you think you can find it?
Yeah, better than you had it (better than you had it)

(Say) all I need
Is the air I breathe
And a place to rest my head

(Say) all I need
Is the air I breathe
And a place to rest my head

Do you know where the end is?
Do you think you can see it?
Well, until you get there
Go on, go ahead and scream it
Just say

_______________________ these lyrics tho ____________

Well, bless my soul

You're a lonely soul

'Cause you won't let go

Of anything you hold

John Anderson : Seminole Wind (Official Music Video)

 

Fans (me!!!) and fellow musicians are devastated by the passing of country music legend John Anderson at the age of 71.

John David Anderson was born December 13, 1954, in Apopka, Florida, and passed away October 21, 2026, in Smithville, Tennessee.

Beginning his recording career in 1977, John went on to chart more than 40 singles on the Billboard country charts. His unforgettable signature songs, “Swingin’” and “Seminole Wind,” secured his place in country music history. While “Swingin’” brought him a major crossover hit, “Seminole Wind” revealed something deeper—a soulful, poetic tribute to the Florida Everglades that touched hearts far beyond country music.

There was something truly magical about John Anderson’s voice. The smooth, soulful sound of “Seminole Wind” will stay with me forever. Some voices are simply unforgettable, and some songs become part of us. John gave us both.

Rest peacefully, John. Your music will live on in the hearts of those who loved it. 

As you walk the road of life

As you walk the road of life

You’ll find it lined with doors

Some that look familiar,

Some you’ve never seen before

One will lead to nowhere

Whilst another leads to growth

One will lead to happiness,

To healing and to hope

Some will lead to sorrow,

Some to roads of discontent

One might lead you to the life

Of which you’ve always dreamt

And as you keep on walking,

You’ll meet people on the way

Some who’ll walk for miles with you

And some who cannot stay

And all along, you’ll have a key

Ornate and rough and old

And there’ll be times you’ll think

It’s meant for someone else to hold

But this key knows your story

One that they don’t truly know

And they won’t understand the way

It must be turned just so

They won’t hear it whispering

The way you often do

And they won’t know by heart

Each little dent and rusted groove

So though it may be tempting,

When life feels a little hard,

Don’t hand over your key to them:

It isn’t theirs to guard

Because one day you’ll find yourself

Standing before a door

That might just lead to all the things

That you’ve been hoping for

But only you can turn that key

To realise what’s behind it

The happiness you’re seeking

Waits for you to come and find it

So trust that you’re enough,

Believe in all that you can do

Remember you have everything

You need inside of you

And when you reach that door

To happiness, you can unlock it

Just as long as you don’t put the key

In someone else’s pocket

*****

Becky Hemsley 2024

Artwork by Gary-Nikolai Angelov

Source: Becky Hemsley Poetry on Facebook