When the red, red robin
Comes bob, bob, bobbin along, along,
There`ll be no more sobbin
When he starts throbbin
His old sweet song:
Wake up, wake up, You sleepy head
Get up, get up, Get out of bed,
Cheer up, cheer up, The sun is red
Live, love, Laugh and be happy!
Songs and music are expressions of joy. The above song was one of the few joys found in the times of the Great Depression. It was originally composed in 1926, a year after I was born, but became a favorite in the early 30`s when it was used as an audience warmer for one of the few places where joy could be found at an affordable price.
For only 25 cents a person could be removed from the dismal atmosphere of the hard times and gloom of the Great Depression. That was the price of admission to the old time movie theatre. The movie was often enhanced by giveaways of Depression Glass dishes and candy bars for kids. Before the movie began, there was a sing-along portion that would have words of an easy and happy song shown on the screen, and accompanied by a bouncing ball that would traverse the words in synch with the music. So, if you didn’t know the words and the rhythms, they were there for you.
The Red Red Robin song was by far the most popular and employed. Cheer up, cheer up, live, love, laugh and be happy were ingredients so desperately needed in those times. Well, maybe in all times, if one is unhappy. It certainly applies to the two Bobs that appear in the beginning of the song, and are transposed to be the subjects of this story.
They each encountered their version of the Great Depression, when they lost their spouses. Both suffered the same loss within a short number of years from each other. Prior to their losses they led the happy life of back row musicians in the newly created New Horizons Band of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. Back row boys in a band specifically designed and implemented for those individuals who lived a non-musician life, but who loved the expression of joy one finds in music. The New Horizons Band website is www.rocnewhorizons.org.
These guys were graced will some of the happiest moments of their lives in those times. Their families were intact, they were no longer under pressure from daily bread earning, they could play their instruments, life was good. Furthermore, the atmosphere was relaxed. Nobody worried if you missed a note, or were not picture perfect in your performance. Your best was good enough in that atmosphere. To top it all off, the back row boys could revert to their old carefree high school days, and goof around to their hearts content without being curtailed.
Backrow Bob, No.1, was widowed about three years prior to Backrow Bob No.2. Bob No. 1, was about ¼ century younger than his backrow partner, and still had potential for a fairly long future. No. 2, however, was already on borrowed time. Prospects for any kind of extended future for him were not realistic. He did, however, appear to have a healthy constitution, and his abilities were relatively unimpaired. He probably could, if he so desired, still perform some useful and purposeful forms of activity.
Two of these were his inherent desires for expression and conversation. Expression to the best of his (rather limited) ability through the playing of his favorite backrow instrument, the Tuba. Perfectionwise, not so good, but soundwise, very audible. He is better at conversation, and this story is offered in evidence. But, he enjoys both immensely. Enough to satisfy his need for fulfillment of the dwindling number of days he still has left on this planet. So let No. 2, blab away, and observe what No. 1 has done to find fulfillment after his loss.
Bob, No. 1, still had time in his life to seek to put back into his life, the essential ingredient to family that would provide a restart to his interrupted journey. A compatible and loving partner. Not an easy task…
One does not get rewarded unless he tries. You can`t win the lottery if you don`t buy a ticket. Not everyone gets rewarded, and very, very few win the lottery, but Bob No.1, did both. To boot, he double dipped in the winnings. He got to participate in the very enterprise that he was a participant in.
He now, in addition to playing his backrow instrument (the Baritone), he helps in the furthering of the same joy rejuvenation he just received himself.
Such a deal!!!
He participates in a most unusually rewarding enterprise. An enterprise that brings couples together in a most romantic setting and mode. A complete setting and operation catering to every need a wedding couple requires. All
being accomplished in one of the most popular wedding locations in the world – Niagara Falls.
How did he happen to fall in a mud puddle, and come up wearing a brown suit???
He knew happiness and joy. He lost it. He missed it. He searched for it, and he found it… That simple…
Here are four tenets recommended to redeem the loss of a spouse :
1. Do something
2. Go where the fun is
3. Be with supporters
4. Enjoy
Bob No. 1 did something. He got on the internet to search for a person looking for a partner. . He went to where he wanted to go to be happy (where the fun is). He found a person with whom he could find support in this quest. He involved his remaining family. They supported him. He went for it, and when I saw him last he was enjoying every minute of his new life.
I have appended a copy of his email to me when I asked him permission to use his story. It is interesting in that it reveals that his newfound partner was widowed as well. I have also included information relative to where he and his new bride, are enjoying themselves. “The Falls Wedding Chapel”.
I have another story, with a different ending, but the formula still applied. I call it the Mort story. It also happened at an earlier time in the same band.
So, not everyone will have the same experience, but the formula works. I have, in my own way, been doing several variations of the same theme. They work…