Musical Monday: What a Wonderful World

When my youngest three boys were in kindergarten they had the angel teacher from heaven. She was sweet and thoughtful and saw straight into their souls. She knew their potential and celebrated everything innocent and optimistic about being five. At the Christmas program she had the children line up side-by-side on the stage, each holding a big painting down toward their knees. Then What a Wonderful World would begin. When the cue of the right lyrics came, they each would lift the painting skyward and smile as big as the sun. The art work was their own, and it was pure and happy and beautiful. All three Christmases that I went to that program to watch my boys I couldn't keep it together. I am crying while I sit here typing this entry. These were some of the most spiritual experiences I have ever had, as I watched my little men on that stage showing their clean, hopeful view of the world.
Last night my friend Midge came over (a little reluctantly at first) to join me in this week's recording. We had a great time as we went through it a few times and finally came up with a good take. We laughed and we talked about the vibe of the song. We were happy singing it, and hope you are happy listening to it. Just click on the title below.

What a Wonderful World


Kazzy's voice has been silenced by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act(see the details here). Sorry you can't listen to her sing directly. But send her a message and she'll try to work something out.

Midge:

I see trees of green,
Red roses too.
I see them bloom
For me and you.
And I think to myself,
What a wonderful world.

Kazzy:
I see skies of blue,
and clouds of white.
The bright blessed day,
The dark sacred night.
And I think to myself,
What a wonderful world.

Midge:
The colors of the rainbow,
So pretty in the sky.
Are also on the faces
Of the people going by.

Kazzy:
I see friends shaking hands,
Saying, "How do you do?".
They're really saying,
"I love you."

Midge:
I see babies crying.
I watch them grow.
They'll learn much more
Than I'll ever know.
And I think to myself,
What a wonderful world.

Kazzy:
Yes, I think to myself,
What a wonderful world.

Midge (low), Kazzy (high):
Oh, yeah...

14 comments

CHERRANNE | January 4, 2009 at 11:26 PM

:-) This is cool. I loved working with your boys! You are a Master blogger!

Luann | January 5, 2009 at 3:43 AM

I loved those first grade programs too. Also, I can never get enough of this song. Thanks for a cheerful post at the beginning of a very cold and dark January. I needed it. :)

Juliana | January 5, 2009 at 7:15 AM

Gorgeous!! Your two voices sound absolutely lovely together! Thank you for sharing this beautiful reminder of the goodness of life. :)

Midge | January 5, 2009 at 7:19 AM

Thank you for a "wonderful" experience. I felt like a recording star by the end. lol

Joshie was lucky enough to have the same K teacher and that was my favorite part of the program.

Thanks again.

ps - send fan mail to ........ LOL

April | January 5, 2009 at 8:43 AM

I think there should be a musical Mon-Sun! True story! I loved it!!!

Heidi | January 5, 2009 at 12:22 PM

Ah, Kazzy, you sound like a professional! I love that song, anyway, and I was already crying after reading your post. Can't wait til next monday!

Heather of the EO | January 5, 2009 at 2:22 PM

You guys rocked it! I love Mondays :)

Mrs4444 | January 5, 2009 at 4:14 PM

Just beautiful. What a treat to have a friend to sing with like that. My sister Michelle and I could do that, but we just don't make the time. Guess we should!

And I can relate to crying when kids sing ANYTHING; anybody's kids, too. It just taps into a place in my soul that is so moved...love it.

Heidi | January 5, 2009 at 4:35 PM

I forgot to mention--love the new pic of you in the upper right hand corner! Keyyyy-ute!

Kazzy | January 5, 2009 at 10:22 PM

I do think this song makes a good new year's one! I hadn't really thought about it before recording it- I just chose it because it is optimistic and cheerful. Thanks for the feedback!

Emily | January 6, 2009 at 1:58 PM

BEAUTIFUL singing and message!

Margy | January 7, 2009 at 2:45 PM

I adored the kindergarten program! What a great memory! I still have the palm tree painting Jack did for it (I love it because he painted a palm tree in my honor--he knew it was my favorite kind of tree).

Little GrumpyAngel | January 9, 2009 at 6:36 PM

Beautiful! You gave me goose bumps! Gorgeous voice, truly. I love this song.

For my in-laws 50th anniversary video shown at the reception, they had background music to introduce the arrival of each of their 6 kids. My husband picked this song for his segment. We just really love the lovely optimism in this song.

Stacia | February 25, 2009 at 7:01 PM

Hey I have gone through a few of your musical monday's and I'm impressed with your voice as I previously told you in class when you visited. Your tone and vibrato and easy and even. I think you have a beautiful gift.- Stacia