Songs for Parents   By: John Chipman Farrar (1896-1974)

By John Farrar

Dedication

Here's a rhyme for Barbara, Laughing white and pink, Here's a rhyme for smiling Ted, And one for Wink.

Now Dick's not much at reading rhymes, He'd rather sit and fish. Well here's a couple of verses, Dick, Read them if you wish!

Contents

Dedication

SONGS OF DESIRE

Summer Explorer Spring Wish Ambition Dreams Water Lily Humor Independence

SONGS FOR OUT OF DOORS

A Comparison Speculation Parade Flower Preferences Parental Advice Song for a Child Watching Clouds Problem Garden Musings My Garden Tracks Chanticleer Rainbow Windmill Cat Fish Visiting Castles Parenthood

SONGS OF CIRCUMSTANCE

Moral Song Serious Omission Choice Natural Fireworks Conspiracy Cuckoo Clock The Sentinel Royalty Crackers The Drum Theatricals Sally

SONGS FOR A CHRISTMAS TREE

Bundles The Candy Santa Claus The Tinsel Star The Ambitious Mouse Prayer

SONGS OF DESIRE

Summer Explorer

I'd like to be a gypsy With gold rings in my ears, Along the road to sit and sing, And not do another thing For years and years;

A road to dream upon by day, A fire for dreams at night, Free to wander far away, Free to shout and free to play, Quite impolite.

I'd pitch my tent beside a wall, All apple trees within, And if the apples didn't fall, I wouldn't hesitate at all. I'd climb and sin!

But if the weather wasn't fine, If all the world were rain, If there weren't anywhere to dine And goose flesh quivered up my spine I might come home again!

Spring Wish

A frog's a very happy thing, Cool and green in early spring, Quick and silver through the pool, With no thought of books or school.

Oh, I want to be a frog, Sunning, stretching on a log, Blinking there in splendid ease, Swimming naked when I please, Nosing into magic nooks, Quiet marshes, noisy brooks.

Free! And fit for anything! Oh, to be a frog in spring!

Ambition

If I were a rocket Shot high across the night, I'd rather burst in silver stars Than green or purple light;

For then, perhaps, I'd fool the moon, Although she's very wise, And thinking me a baby star She'd keep me in the skies.

Dreams

I'd like to dream my own dreams, Instead of dreaming those The silly sandman brings along Like moving picture shows.

I'd like to dream of palaces, Of magic meadowlands, Of silver gates and golden thrones And chanting fairy bands;

Of seas of spraying jewels, Of dancing crystal ships, Of the queen of all the elves herself Two rubies for her lips;

But, alas! I never dream such things, And when I jump and wake As an oozy ogre clutches me It's just a stomach ache!

Water Lily

I'd like to be a water lily sleeping on the river, Where solemn rushes whisper, and funny ripples quiver. All day I'd watch the blue sky all night I'd watch the black, Floating in the soft waves, dreaming on my back, And when I'd tired of dreaming, I'd call a passing fish, "I want to find the sea!" I'd shout, "Come! You can grant my wish!"

He'd bite me from my moorings, and softly I would slip To the center of the river like an ocean going ship. The waves would laugh upon me. The wind would blow me fast, And oh, what shores and wonders would greet me as I passed! Yes, if I were a water lily, I'd sail to sea in state A green frog for my captain and a dragon fly for mate!

Humor