I can read; I can write; I can smoke my daddy's pipe.
Those were the words to the simplest of songs that my Aunt Norma taught me to play on the piano when I was 5 years old.
I used to stay at my Uncle Red and Aunt Norma’s farmhouse in rural Kossuth County from time to time. On some of those cold winter days, Aunt Norma would entertain me with a variety of tasks. Between baking cookies, playing with Legos and watching “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood,” she would have me hop up next to her on the piano bench. I would watch in amazement as she played a number of songs so beautifully, most without any sheet music. She instructed me on how to play the piano respectfully and to not damage the keys, knowing full well how tempted I was to start crashing both hands down and make some noise.
With her amazing patience, she showed me to how to play a song with one finger, hitting 13 notes on a total of four keys. I thought I was Liberace. Once I mastered that little ditty, she taught me how to play “Chopsticks.” Kind of. Playing any instrument proved to not be my thing, but it wasn’t because of Aunt Norma’s efforts.
The fact that I can remember “I can read; I can write; I can smoke my daddy's pipe” 48 years later says something. And, yes, I can still play it, too. I was curious where those words came from, so I Googled it. I found a few somewhat-related references to a British saying and an inappropriate folk song. So I asked my friends, family and coworkers if they knew of the words to this piano tune. Crickets.
Turns out nobody knows what the heck I am talking about — except Aunt Norma, and I thank her for the memories.
How about you? Does “I can read; I can write; I can smoke my daddy's pipe” ring a bell? Shoot me a note and let me know.
Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading.
President and Publisher Big Green Umbrella Media shane@dmcityview.com 515-953-4822, ext. 305 |