Monday Music: Smile

The music for the song, “Smile” was written by Charles Spencer Chaplin, who is more often remembered for his silent movies. When I worked at St. Andrew’s Foundation, I had two pictures hanging in my office.  On one wall was St. Francis of Assisi, on the other wall was Charlie Chaplin. Charlie Chaplin was a creative genius. He also had his share of personal struggles and controversies. 

Chaplin wrote the musical score originally for the movie Modern Times. Geoffrey Parsons and John Turner later wrote the lyrics for "Smile" to go with the music. The words seem to exemplify the life that Chalpin lived. In the movie, Chaplin, starring Robert Downey, Jr., there us a scene in which Charlie Chaplin goes back to England to visit his mother who has been committed to a mental institution. The musical score for the line, "Smile though your heart is breaking..." is playing in the background of that scene. 

Charlie Chaplin had a gift for holding sorrow and delight in one single image. Maybe that is why “The Tramp” has become such an enduring American icon.

Many have recorded the song, but Nat King Cole was the first. Here is Cole's song along with images of Charlie Chaplin.

Smile

(Words by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons
music by Charlie Chaplin)

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

Thunder on the Mountain

Once again, after a few days of triple digit heat, it was nice to hear thunder on the mountain (and in the valley) yesterday. It's also good to listen to "Thunder on the Mountain" by Bob Dylan (from Modern Times).

Thunder on the Mountain

By Bob Dylan

Thunder on the mountain, and there's fires on the moon
A ruckus in the alley and the sun will be here soon
Today's the day, gonna grab my trombone and blow
Well, there's hot stuff here and it's everywhere I go

I was thinkin' 'bout Alicia Keys, couldn't keep from crying
When she was born in Hell's Kitchen, I was living down the line
I'm wondering where in the world Alicia Keys could be
I been looking for her even clear through Tennessee

Feel like my soul is beginning to expand
Look into my heart and you will sort of understand
You brought me here, now you're trying to run me away
The writing on the wall, come read it, come see what it say

Thunder on the mountain, rollin' like A drum
Gonna sleep over there, that's where the music coming from
I don't need any guide, I already know the way
Remember this, I'm your servant both night and day

The pistols are poppin' and the power is down
I'd like to try somethin' but I'm so far from town
The sun keeps shinin' and the North Wind keeps picking up speed
Gonna forget about myself for a while, gonna go out and see what others need

I've been sittin' down studyin' the art of love
I think it will fit me like a glove
I want some real good woman to do just what I say
Everybody got to wonder what's the matter with this cruel world today

Thunder on the mountain rolling to the ground
Gonna get up in the morning walk the hard road down
Some sweet day I'll stand beside my king
I wouldn't betray your love or any other thing

Gonna raise me an army, some tough sons of bitches
I'll recruit my army from the orphanages
I been to St. Herman's church, said my religious vows
I've sucked the milk out of A thousand cows

I got the porkchops, she got the pie
She ain't no angel and neither am I
Shame on your greed, shame on your wicked schemes
I'll say this, I don't give a damn about your dreams

Thunder on the mountain heavy as can be
Mean old twister bearing down on me
All the ladies in Washington scrambling to get out of town
Looks like something bad gonna happen, better roll your airplane down

Everybody going and I want to go too
Don't wanna take a chance with somebody new
I did all I could, I did it right there and then
I've already confessed - no need to confess again

Gonna make a lot of money, gonna go up north
I'll plant and I'll harvest what the earth brings forth
The hammer's on the table, the pitchfork's on the shelf
For the love of God, you ought to take pity on yourself



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