Dancing Boy

I looked at some of the tags on this blog site and Drew was clearly lacking attention. So, here's some long overdue Drew love.

When I was a little kid, my Dad played Harry Chapin songs pretty much daily. If my father had theme music it would be something by Harry Chapin. In my opinion, Chapin is probably the most underrated singer songwriter of his generation. Few singer-songwriters have the ability to write songs that take on new meanings as you get older.

Dancing Boy, was a song that my father played when I was about Drew's age. At the time I remember thinking it was an excuse to get me to dance, which I often did. Well, I'm a father now and I have my own Dancing Boy. Drew will be four in June and he continues to amaze me everyday. His humor, his antics, his unabashed approach to life, and well, his dancing. Drew's got a thing for Kid Rock, Ray Lamontagne and the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "Hot Dog" song. Quite an eclectic taste and he's probably game for some Harry Chapin - sooner rather than later.

So I started thinking about this song and of course there are no live version of Chapin singing Dancing Boy so I had to make my own video. I'll be honest in saying that looking back at these pictures stirred some great memories inside of me. And if you know Drew, it should stir similar emotions in you as well.

As you watch the video, I encourage you to read the lyrics. I was going to bold the lyrics that make me pause and reflect on this little man I have the prevelidge to call son, but it seems like every word of the song was written for a father and son. My dad's a whole lot smarter than I ever gave him credit for as a kid.

And now that Harrison is here, all of six weeks, I get to have two dancing boys. A good way to go through life, don't you think?

Harry Chapin's, Dancing Boy

When your daddy plays guitar,
You dance without a smile.
Kid you may not have great rhythm,
But you sure got style.
Just four years old and still it seems,
You've got it figured out.
When daddy sings, and then you dance,
The people clap and shout.

Cuz, you're my dancing boy,
And it's so scary how you trust me.
Just one look from you,
And I come pouring out like wine.
Dancing boy, I'm sure by now that you must see,
You're dancing means much more to me,
Than any dream of mine.

Yes, I'm so proud when you are with me,
That my heart digs in my throat.
And when you stop to strut your stuff,
My eyes go all afloat.
And when I have to leave you home
As sometimes it must be.
I feel that with my leaving
I leave far too much of me.

Yes, you're my dancing boy,
And it's scary how you trust me.
Just one look from you,
And I come pouring out like wine.
You're my dancing boy,
I'm sure by now that you must see,
You're dancing means much more to me,
Than any dream of mine.

You know the time will come my dancing boy
When you're dancing days are done,
And when daddy and his dancing boy
Will have dwindled down to one.

You know the world will've taught you other steps
To match the march of time,
So you'll have to keep our dancing days
Dancing in your mind.

Yes, do your dancing, boy,
Cuz it's so scary how you trust me.
Just one look from you,
And I come pouring out like wine.
Do your dancing, boy.
I'm sure by now that you must see
You're dancing means much more to me,
Than any dream of mine

All My Life's a Circle

I love this picture. I am three years old standing in my grandparent's living room wearing a t-shirt that reads "Shady Oak Fish Camp." The look of amazement, bewilderment, concern and surprise is due to the message coming from the other end of the phone. My parents are calling me from the hospital and telling me that I have a brand new sister. "Her name is Erica" they told me. I am so grateful my Grandma thought to take the picture.

I got another phone call today. This phone call was from my little sister, Erica, who is now all grown up, 31, married and living in Boston. She called me from the hospital. She had a baby girl.

Funny how life always seems to find a way to work itself out, to make the edges round, to become the same all over again, to come full circle.

These are the best parts of life, aren't they? There is nothing I enjoy more than seeing the face of a friend who is a father or mother for the first time. Knowing what they are going through, the experiences and emotions I have felt, they now have too. They are different, but in the end, they are very much the same.

All of us, humans, if you will, just trying to carve out a space in this world, trying to build relationships with people from father, mother, brother, sister, friend, co-worker or the stranger walking by that nods and smiles, hello. We're all better because of each other. Today, I am better because my sister and her husband know one of life's greatest joys. They are the parents of Austin Elouise Maite Archabal.

So I welcome my niece into this world and hope that in 25-30 years or so she has the same experience her mother is having now. I hope she realizes that this is a joy passed down through every generation, through every person that has ever lived.

I would be remiss if I didn't reference my favorite Harry Chapin song here. As you many know, Harry Chapin is best known for his song "Cats in the Craddle" but his best work is burried on albums that aren't mainstream, with songs that never made it to the radio because they were deemed too long. Why are we in such a big hurry?

Here is Harry Chapin singing, "Circle" - it runs about five minutes long, but I am sure if you look close enough you can find the relevance in your own life, and more importantly, the lives of everyone around you. Don't be in a hurry, sit back and enjoy.

The lyrics are below.





Circle
by Harry Chapin

All my life's a circle;
Sunrise and sundown;
Moon rolls thru the nighttime;
Till the daybreak comes around.

All my life's a circle;
But I can't tell you why;
Season's spinning round again;
The years keep rollin' by.

It seems like I've been here before;
I can't remember when;
But I have this funny feeling;
That we'll all be together again.

No straight lines make up my life;
And all my roads have bends;
There's no clear-cut beginnings;
And so far no dead-ends.

Chorus:
I found you a thousand times;
I guess you done the same;
But then we lose each other;
It's like a children's game;

As I find you here again;
A thought runs through my mind;
Our love is like a circle;
Let's go 'round one more time.

Chorus