The Darktown Strutter's Ball Hoagy Carmichael
Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning Alan Jackson
Fields of Gold Sting (live)
Poetry Written by Ernie Abbott
The Three Greatest Things
(1 Corinthians 13:13)
My grandfather once said: “The three greatest things are faith, hope and love,”
He’s looking down on us from heaven above.
He’s up there singing and dancing to the Darktown Strutter's Ball,
He set the bar high and cast a shadow real tall.
“The greatest of all is love,” he once replied,
Words he believed till the day he died.
I believe a loving family is God’s true blessing,
Throughout this rhyme it is something I’ll be stressing.
His dad was named Herbert, born in 1871,
He died in 1930, his last days in the sun.
His mom was named Gertrude, she loved to be called “Kate,”
She arrived here from England, to marry into our family was her fate.
She and Herbert had four kids, two girls and two boys,
They settled in Pawtucket, Rhode Island with no fanfare or noise.
They led humble lives, working to support the family was their way,
And each day on bended knee, I’m sure they would pray.
I wish I could have met them, but it wasn’t to be,
I’ll have to wait ‘til I’m in heaven, for them to see.
A visit to Walnut Hill Cemetery to see their grave,
It’s something I do on occasion, to thank them for all they gave.
Getting back to my grandfather, John Robert by name,
I miss him dearly, things just aren’t the same.
And my grandmother Eleanor Arnold was a beautiful person,
Of that I couldn’t be any more certain.
I can still see her drive away, in her VW with top down,
She always seemed to be smiling, very rarely did I see her frown.
She loved singing and dancing, an occasional Manhattan to drink,
She loved her four boys, though she wished for a girl she could dress in pink.
John Robert, JR, is their oldest son,
A successful life, hard fought and won.
Arnold was next, a business owner,
With two kids and four grandchildren, he’ll never be a loner.
Dennis was the third born, he has a great sense of humor,
A good time was had when in his company, and that’s no rumor.
Bruce is the youngest, her last attempt to have a girl,
To try one more time, they decided to give it a whirl.
In the end she would often say, she was glad he was a boy,
To express her love for them all, she was never coy.
She loved to go watch him play, no matter what the band,
Every chance she had, she would be on hand.
Highland Memorial is John and Eleanor’s final resting place,
I go visit quite often, I can still see their face.
They’re in the Buttonwoods section, can you believe that,
They supported us all, no matter who was at bat.
In conclusion, my grandfather was a beautiful man,
Supporting his family in all they do, was his plan.
He is sorely missed, God bless his loving soul,
He will forever wander in those Fields of Gold.
He once said: “The three greatest things are faith, hope and love,”
He’s looking down on us from heaven above.
He’s up there singing and dancing to the Darktown Strutter’s Ball,
He set the bar high and cast a shadow real tall.
Written by Ernie Abbott
November, 2011
THIS IS MY FAMILY TREE, YOU SEE
We traced our tree back fifteen generations,
To Bishops Stortford England, it’s 1470, and the USA isn’t even a nation.
His name is William Abbot,
Spelling our last name with one ‘T’ was the habit.
Next came John in 1495,
I’m not sure how long he was alive.
His son William was born in 1525,
With his wife Margaret, they had five kids who survived.
The first of three George’s in 1550 was born,
His wife was named Bridget Wylley, they had ten kids now all gone.
His son, also named George was born in 1587,
He and Elizabeth brought nine more kids into the world, thank heaven.
The last George was born June 14th in 1615,
He left England on a ship named Arbella in search of a dream.
He arrived here in 1637, just 22 years of age,
Roxbury, Mass was where he first settled as he turned the page.
In 1646, he married Hannah Chandler, born May 22, 1630,
They moved to Andover, Mass and raised 13 kids, all very sturdy.
He became a founding father of that place,
A proprietor, farmer, and well-respected man was the case.
In 1843, descendants gathered and erected a monument made of granite,
Located in the South Church burial ground, for all to see on this planet.
“In reverence for their moral worth and Christian virtues”,
It stands 6 feet tall and will really move you’se.
His son William, born in 1657, a weaver by trade, was our next heir,
Elizabeth Geary (Geery) was his wife, having 12 kids was not that rare.
Born March 28, 1697, his youngest child Paul was next in line,
When he sat down to eat, 12 kids would dine.
In 1722, he and wife Elizabeth moved to Pomfret, Connecticut to farm,
He died May 6, 1752 in a place peaceful and calm.
Our next descendent was Benjamin, born July 25, 1724,
He married Mary Ann Andrews and 9 kids was his score.
She died December 8, 1788, he then in 1790 married Hannah Brown,
In 1793, they relocated to a brand new town.
To Vermont, and a town called Brookfield,
June 21, 1807, was when he had his last meal.
His youngest child Asa was born May 25th in 1756,
His wife was Sarah Bidlick, with seven more kids in the mix.
He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War,
To put one’s life on the line for country, you couldn’t ask for more.
Their son Chauncey was next, a shoemaker by trade,
May 8th, 1794 was when he was made.
He lived in Hampton, Connecticut, with his wife Mary Ann,
Their son John Francis, born February 7, 1833 was the next man.
He married Sarah Louise Allen, born in 1843,
They added four boys and one girl to our family tree.
Born August 30, 1871, in Natick, RI, Herbert was my great-grandfather,
He married Gertrude "Kate" Thompkins in 1900 and the family grew four kids larger.
My grandfather, John Robert was their youngest child,
Born January 12, 1915, he was part of my life for a very long while.
He married my grandmother, Eleanor Arnold, after dating a very short time,
They had four sons, both worked hard every day to make a dime.
My father, John Robert, JR, was born November 6, 1938,
A short time living in Baltimore was not their fate.
Back to Rhode Island, my grandfather got into the business selling oil,
The work was hard, through the rain, sleet, and snow he would toil.
They were a big part of my life, always in view,
We lived in their home on Stearns Street, in years, just a few.
They were loving, smiling, and easy going,
To this day I miss them dearly, if you want to be knowing.
Our weekends at Buttonwoods were always the best,
We played games, swam, and under the big tree at the ‘point’ we would rest.
That time together I will always cherish,
Trips to Jolly Cholly’s and Rocky Point we would always relish.
I was lucky to have them in my life for so long,
I loved hearing my grandmother in the choir sing those gospel songs.
Bethany Baptist Church was where a lot of time was spent,
My grandfather, a church leader, was always a gent.
The Highland Memorial cemetery, in Johnston, RI, is their final resting spot,
Ironically they’re in the ‘Buttonwoods’ section, believe it or not.
I visit on occasion to reminisce, cry and smile,
It makes my soul feel good, if only for a while.
So now you know all the ancestors in my family tree,
From 1470 to the present, for all to see.
Every one of them has a piece in what is me,
I’ll try to live up and be all that George and Sarah would want me to be!
Written by Ernie Abbott
April, 2011
LEGACY
This is another song about my family tree,
Filled with many amazing people, as you will see.
We’ve had business owners, teachers and artists,
Each generation working their hardest.
To better the world, they have given much,
Many lives have been positively touched.
From lessons in music with an amazing musician,
We have doctorates in the family, and a few physicians.
Lots have chosen to teach,
Many lives they have been able to reach.
To change one life is to change the world,
Some have joined the military, patriotism unfurled.
To leave this world a better place,
Has always been the goal we have faced.
We teach our children to love and respect all,
Following the lead of those whose shadow stands mighty and tall.
I enjoy family picnics and our time together,
I wish they lasted longer, perhaps forever.
Unfortunately, it’s something of which I have no control,
They have been the best of times, truth be told.
Potato salad, burgers, and dogs,
Fish in the pond and frogs on the log.
Swimming in the pool to stay cool,
We’re not even thinking about going back to school.
Hot days and trips to the beach,
Clam cakes and chowder within reach.
Cool drinks like Del’s lemonade,
Tanning in the sun or relaxing in the shade.
Our family has been truly blessed,
Rich lives, warm homes, and little stress.
We remember those who have passed away,
A little piece of them we carry with us each day.
It is a legacy of peace and so much love,
Something in this world there is much too little of.
We will continue to love life and do our best,
Until the day God calls us to rest.
Our elders lead by example and show us what’s right,
Avoid obfuscation, keep your goals clearly in sight.
Work hard in your chosen field,
Do your best each day, your beliefs never yield.
God blessed us with a beautiful family,
It happens without rhyme or reason, all quite randomly.
They settled in the USA with it’s amazing past,
We love our country and pray the dream will last.
Like all families, we have had our ups and downs,
We’re spread around the country in other states and towns.
I wish we were all together here,
But that’s impossible, as we follow different careers.
Some in the north, others down south,
We keep in touch by e-mail and word of mouth.
We will support each other through thick and thin,
As our mother earth through space does spin.
I love my wife and son without a doubt,
Love of your family is what it’s all about.
Friends come and friends go,
But family is always there, through the rain, sleet and snow.
What the future holds, I do not know,
Parkinson’s stealing my body, albeit very slow.
I’ll have to retire from all I love to do,
The school, the ARC, and basketball reffing too.
The disease will progress with each passing day,
How much time I have left, I can’t say.
Hopefully I’ll make it to the big 6-0,
I’m not quite ready yet to go.
It won’t be pretty, it’s an ugly thing,
I’ll try to keep my head up and continue to sing.
Hannah and me will record a song on the cape,
It’s called Froggy Woggy Creek and will help me escape.
Bruce wrote the music and laid down some tracks,
Sax, flute, piano and drums in the back.
We joke about winning a Grammy,
A music video and maybe a trip to Miami.
Actually, we just do it to have some fun,
Our fifteen minutes of fame in the sun.
It will be our little piece of posterity,
Not everyone gets the chance, it’s really a rarity.
Written by Ernie Abbott
April 2011
MY RIDES HERE
HE SENT AN ANGEL TO SEE ME,
ONE WITH WINGS TO HELP ME FLEE.
THE LORD SAID IT’S TIME FOR THIS ONE TO COME HOME,
HE WILL NOW HAVE HEAVEN IN WHICH TO ROAM.
HIS HEIRS ARE ALL THERE, INCLUDING HIS MOTHER,
PEOPLE HE LOVED, LIKE NO OTHER.
IS THERE EVER A TIME WHEN ONE IS READY?
IT’S ALL VERY ABSTRUSE; WHY HE BECKONS ME NOW IS ALL VERY HEADY.
DON’T PUT OFF ‘TIL TOMORROW, THINGS YOU WOULDN’T WANT TO GO UNDONE,
TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS BEFORE YOUR LAST DAY IN THE SUN.
“GOD MOVES IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY,”
(POEM BY WILLIAM COWPER 1731-1800)
PAY HOMAGE TO HIM ALL YOUR DAYS.
WHEN YOU GET TO THE GATE, YOU’LL BE ASKED TO ATONE,
HOW YOU LIVED YOUR LIFE IS WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT, “HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN AMONG YOU, LET HIM BE THE FIRST TO THROW A STONE.” (JOHN 8:7)
SONNET WRITTEN BY ERNIE ABBOTT
January, 2012
HE SENT AN ANGEL TO SEE ME,
ONE WITH WINGS TO HELP ME FLEE.
THE LORD SAID IT’S TIME FOR THIS ONE TO COME HOME,
HE WILL NOW HAVE HEAVEN IN WHICH TO ROAM.
HIS HEIRS ARE ALL THERE, INCLUDING HIS MOTHER,
PEOPLE HE LOVED, LIKE NO OTHER.
IS THERE EVER A TIME WHEN ONE IS READY?
IT’S ALL VERY ABSTRUSE; WHY HE BECKONS ME NOW IS ALL VERY HEADY.
DON’T PUT OFF ‘TIL TOMORROW, THINGS YOU WOULDN’T WANT TO GO UNDONE,
TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS BEFORE YOUR LAST DAY IN THE SUN.
“GOD MOVES IN A MYSTERIOUS WAY,”
(POEM BY WILLIAM COWPER 1731-1800)
PAY HOMAGE TO HIM ALL YOUR DAYS.
WHEN YOU GET TO THE GATE, YOU’LL BE ASKED TO ATONE,
HOW YOU LIVED YOUR LIFE IS WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT, “HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN AMONG YOU, LET HIM BE THE FIRST TO THROW A STONE.” (JOHN 8:7)
SONNET WRITTEN BY ERNIE ABBOTT
January, 2012