This week I didn’t read one of the books that I did actually
share in the Kindergarten class where I volunteer.
Instead I sang it.
WAKING UP IS HARD TO DO, a song from Neil Sedaka, is
a perker-upper in crayon colors illustrated by Daniel Miyares.
It comes with a bonus for me here in Florida; the main character is
an alligator who has to get to school.
The kids didn’t care that I’m not a professional singer. They joined
in, too & we croaked together though a lively time.
In a writer’s illogical way, the success with that for story time,
led me to look online at clips of Shari Lewis
and Lamb Chops singing,
then onto clips of comic Soupy Sales’ crazy old kid’s TV show,
and then I found the brilliant math professor-satirist
Tom Lehrer,
liberal lyricist of the 1960s.
As of 2015 in his 80s, Mr. Lehrer lived quietly, as he apparently
fervently wishes, according to sources I won’t cite.
I wish him his desired anonymity in this crazy world,
great good healthy days & alligator-sized
appreciation for the joy that listening to his songs
brought me on Inauguration Day. I suspect
they will now be a comfort through the weekend & beyond.
Here are some Tom Leher lines about the lip-service paid to unity:
But during National Brotherhood Week
National Brotherhood Week
It’s National Everyone-Smile-At-
One-Another-hood Week
Be nice to people who
Are inferior to you
It’s only for a week, so have no fear
Be grateful that it doesn’t last all year!
c. Tom Lehrer, all rights reserved
I know your kindness and good will lasts
all year & as the first month winds down
in this strange new year, I appreciate more than ever
this nourishing nest of Poetry Friday readers & writers.
Bookseedstudio 
4 responses to “Re-DISCOVERED: Tom Lehrer”
It appears we had the same childhood in good old New Jersey. And I sure do remember Tom Lehrer, Mr. Irreverence. I have a feeling that irreverence will be one of the ways we get through the next four years. Gentler poetry too. We’ll keep our heads up somehow! And, oh yeah…we’ll sing.
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Ms.Jan, I know the kids had so much fun with you and the book. Wish I had been there. Thanks for the memories about Shari and Lamb Chop – so much like you. Enjoyed the post.
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Jan, I agree with Linda. This is both a fun and a touching post. And I remember Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop and Soupy Sales! Not as familiar with Tom Lehrer, although you’ve intrigued me enough to Google him.
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Ha! You make me laugh and say, “awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww” all in the same post. Smart and snazzy, Jan!
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