Mother's Day: My Mother's Eyes 世上只有媽媽好

Songs I Love:

One of the most pleasant songs about mothers is My Mother's Eyes by Abel Baer and L. Wolfe Gilbert. It is from a film, Lucky Boy, screened in 1929. The lyrics are easy to remember with its rhyming couplet:

One bright and guiding light, 
That taught me wrong from right
I found in my mother's eyes

Those baby tales she told
That road all paved with gold
I found in my mother's eyes

Then the form changes with the chorus:

My Mother's Eyes by Russ Hamilton. YouTube Video by Li-Moh Chuah. Thank you.

Chorus:
Just like a wandering sparrow, 
One lonely soul, 
I walk the straight and narrow, 
To reach my goal.

God's gift sent from above, 
A real unselfish love, 
I found in my mother's eyes.  

Depending on who is carrying the song, the vocabulary varies a little. The present lyrics was Russ Hamilton's recording, ingrained a long time ago. There's also an introductory verse to the song, somehow not used by many singers, and it goes like this:

Back in childhood days, 
I can remember loving caresses showered on me. 
Mother's eyes would gaze at me so tender, 
What was their meaning? 
Now I can see.

Don't forget to check out the jazz clip below by Kenny Ball.  Exactly halfway through his Jazzmen take over and you won't believe it could be the same lullaby. You just wanna swing with them!

Singers and Instrumentalists who recorded, My Mother's Eyes:

The first lot includes Frankie Valli, Tom Jones, Russ Hamilton, George Jessel, Ella Fitzgerald, The Mills Brothers, Etta Jones, Tab Smith, Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen, Lonnie Johnson, Kevin Coyne, Nellie Lutcher, Sydney Devine and David Newton.

It is a simple tune and should be taught to the children. Tom Jones puts more soul in his voice and gives the song a new life. It's a personal choice. 

There's also Nancy Sinatra, Roland Stone, Christine Tyrrell, Karl Denver, Linda Hopkins, The Royal Teens and many others.

Folks, what gives. Does this one bring back memories? It was played everywhere in Singapore 60's.  Yes, but mostly the Russ Hamilton pressing. Come on give us your take on this lullaby.  Or is it a lullaby?  

This posting is for all mums. A Happy Mother's Day!

My Mother's Eyes by Kenny Ball and His Jazzmen. YouTube Video by

Images: Google.