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FULL LYRICS & RELATED RESOURCES - See below.
This song is not overtly religious, however, it is a song of gratitude and respect, relevant to the secular feasts of Father’s Day, Mother's Day and it reflects on important themes of family and tradition.
I wrote 'Here's to You Mum and Dad' for my parents, Peter and Marie Kearney, and sang if to them while they were alive and well. Since then, I have sung it at both their funerals - Dad's in 1998, Mum's quite recently.
The song may be of interest. Perhaps your parents or grandparents were of that generation who were born soon after World War I, grew up through the Great Depression, came into adulthood during World War II, and started families in the lean years of the 1950s. If the song is appropriate for any occasion in your family or community, you are welcome to use it.
I wrote the song in 1992, and later recorded it for inclusion on my CD 'Islands of the Heart' (2003). My guitar accompaniment was supplemented by a lovely piano part improvised by renowned jazz musician, Kevin Hunt.
lyrics
HERE'S TO YOU, MUM AND DAD
So many years since you teamed up as one
In the times of war and lean years for Australia;
When we were young, half the world was round your knees.
The songs you'd sung became the very soul of ‘me’ -
You shaped our world, held it together with your love.
Some say that love is like a bird on the wing
Or a thing to prize like precious gold and diamonds.
That may be so, but if we look back down the years
Then who could know about the struggles and the fears?
You never failed..
You raised us children and you lived to tell the tale.
CHORUS A: So here's to you, my Mum and Dad
This song’s especially for you.
For all the years, for all to hear
The song I'm singing is especially for you.
To view the world and all the passing parades
We are lifted on the shoulders of another.
From where we stand, we can maybe glimpse the way ahead
But hand in hand, we can only follow where we're led
By worthy guides, in times of trouble at our side.
So, independent I could travel the world
Just to find that in the end I've come full circle.
As years go on, I find I'm thinking of you more,
I lean upon all the wisdom that's in store
From knowing you.
Nothing's old-fashioned once you've found that it is true.
CHORUS B: So here's to you, our Mum and Dad
This song’s especially for you.
For all the years, for all to hear
The song we're singing is especially for you.
Some say that love is like a bird on the wing
Or a thing to prize like precious gold and diamonds;
That may be so, but if we look back down the years
Then who could know about the troubles and the tears?
When all is done, we will remember
And your song will still be sung.
CHORUS A: So here's to you, my Mum and Dad
This song’s especially for you.
For all the years, for all to hear
The song I'm singing is especially for you.
CHORUS B: So here's to you, our Mum and Dad
This song’s especially for you.
For all the years, for all to hear
The song we're singing is especially for you.
This song's especially for you.
Words & music by Peter Kearney
credits
released August 31, 2019
RELATED RESOURCES
Available for purchase through Peter Kearney's Online Store:
1. PDF MUSIC for the song 'Here's to You Mum and Dad'. Link: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/566436
2. MUSIC BOOK: The music book is still available. Link: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/553816
3. CD 'Islands of the Heart': The cd for the whole album containing 'Here's to You Mum and Dad' + 14 other songs is still available. Link: peterkearneysongs.com.au/product/356144
RECORDED in the Little Portion Studio, Welby.
Lead vocal and guitar: Peter Kearney
Female vocals: Louise Cassidy midway through the song. Louise with Clare Michael and Catherine Mahony in the final chorus.
Piano: Kevin Hunt
Double-bass: Mark Scotland
Drums: Lachlan McBean
Violin: Bob McInnes
Flute: Simone Olding
COMMENTS:
* Beautiful ... I’ve not heard this one. It brought me to tears as both my parents have passed in the last five years. I think of them so often with sentiments very much in alignment with your words in the song and have huge gratitude for their incredible love and sacrifice at a very difficult time in history.
Peter Kearney is an Australian songwriter and singer. His early folk-hymns 'Fill My House' & 'The Beatitudes' are
internationally known. He has written many other songs of justice and peace, songs for children, and a musical-narrative on St. Francis of Assisi. His published recordings include 153 original songs.
LINKS BELOW are for Peter's:
- Website
- Online store
- Facebook Artist Page....more
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