Lyrics for Papa Jack’s Birthdays (and other occasions)
I am not a music composer, but writing lyrics has always come easily. I’m Hammerstein waiting for my Rodgers…so while I wait, I use existing songs for my new and usually occasion-specific lyrics.
When our grandsons were young, I wrote many songs about their various developmental stages. They are both musical (play violin and have good voices) and would sing along with me. As they matured, I began to write more celebratory lyrics for various occasions, especially birthdays, usually for home performance (tough to find quiet spaces in restaurants!). The boys, Jack and William, being young were “naturals” in these home shows, occasionally hamming it up, but always giving their heart and soul.
– L.L.H.
65
The Elder Scholar’s Task is Burdensome
In Honor of Jack Hoeschler’s 65th Birthday
February 4, 2007
(Tune: A Policeman’s Lot is Not a Happy One by Gilbert and Sullivan)
Written and sung by Fulton Gallagher
When Jack Hoeschler’s not engaged in his employment (his employment)
Or working for Viterbo or the Guthrie (Guthrie)
You will find him sneaking peeks for his enjoyment (his enjoyment)
Not at ladies but of books on history (history).
Herodotus or Pliny or Ms. Tuchman
Hoeschler feels obliged to read each history tome (history tome)
Emporiums he leaves with piles of books, not just one
For the elder scholar’s task is burdensome.
Hoeschler feels obliged to read each history tome, history tome
For the elder scholar’s task is burdensome (burdensome).
When our grandson joins his BaPa in his bed, in his bed
Pat the Bunny or Goodnight Moon aren’t in sight, aren’t in sight
But some tales of Wellington and Fawkes are read, are read
Jack O’Brien finds Lord Nelson pure delight (pure delight).
Now don’t think that Hoeschler is so singleminded, singleminded
Reading hist’ry and neglecting his poor wife, his poor wife
Architecture volumes alternate with science, yes with science
Breaking up his shelves and spicing up his life!
Hoeschler feels obliged to read each history tome, history tome
For the elder scholar’s task is burdensome (burdensome).
75
To Papa on his 75th!
Sung by Jack and William O’Brien
Tune from Oliver
We’d do anything--for
Pops—to you we sing
For you mean everything, to us!
We’re ready to:
Wrest-le anywhere
Be flipped by our fav-rite bear
Take pins that are genr’ly fair
Love snares! And
On any trips:
We go hap-pily
To hear your lectures free
To learn facts taught in 3’s
By Pops! (You’re our Einstein!)
Would we take a train,
Or a horse!
Fly an aeroplane
But of course!
Sail through Sweden’s rain?
We are Norse!
While you fill our brains- with
A history course.
A diamond in the rough
You can be sometimes tough
But in your bod so buff
Your heart --is true to us!
We’ll risk life and limb
To keep you in the swim
Yes, we’ll do anything
Anything?
Anything for Pops!!!
76
76th Birthday Song for Papa
February 4, 2018
(Sung to “76 Trombones”)
Seventy-six great years has our Papa lived-
A thousand and more good deeds has he logged!
He’s admired by tens and tens of Minnesota citizens
For his aid to arts and underdogs.
Seventy-six fine toasts do we now proffer
Ninety and ten cake lights in the wings
Hoping for years and years full of laughter, full of tears
Hold on Pops, you’re our eternal King!
There are history sites of import spread around the world,
Inspiring, conspiring our merry band to see--
First class seats and tours complete await us all,
Learning lots, crossing o’er land and sea!
There are shelves and shelves of books in your fine library
Begging, calling us to read them all.
Authors who are very wise with hefty tomes of every size
And Pops there to guide us, lest we stall!
77
Jack Hoeschler’s 77th Birthday Song
(to Helsa Dem Darhemma)
Stars above are shining bright
Comets blaze this moonlit night
Nature celebrates the birth
Of Papa on this day.
St Paul City grants his wish
Knowing he’ll outlive Ms. Kisch
Tax refunds will everflow
A birthday gift to Pops.
Happy birthday, Papa
Happy birthday, Jack
We’re your favorite grandsons,
We’ll always have your back!
We’re so glad we have you
Teaching history plus
Buying books aplenty
Museums are a must!
Seven decades working hard
Seven bonus years award
Time to travel even more
With us your loving boys!
Egypt, Auckland, Turkey, Greece
London, Paris, even Nice
We’ll carry bags, we’ll carry you--
You’re our emotional glue!
78
For Jack Hoeschler’s 78th Birthday!
February 4, 2020
(Sung to: “5 foot 2, Eyes of Blue…”)
7-8
Ain’t it great?
One more year to celebrate!
It’s Papa’s birth-day we all hail!
Old skis and boots,
What a hoot!
Fashion ne’er his strongest suit!
Still… Papa beats us on the trail!
So if you
Run into:
A 6-foot-2
Draped in cashmere,
Custom clothes-
Botox nose-
You can bet that’s not our pere!
But can he teach!
Can he preach!
He’s our Einstein on the Beach!
So, Papa here’s to 10 more years!
(We love you deeply)
Papa: here’s to 10 more years!
(Plus, plus and plus!)
79
Song for Papa on His 79th Birthday
(Tune: “You Make Me Feel So Young”)
You always seem so young,
At 7-9 your springs hain’t sprung:
On skis you glide, on skates you spin
You’re such a champion in-dividual…
When you begin to speak
Facts shower us, you’re one smart geek!
We never tire of our Pops
You are the tops—non-stop!
You and we
Are just a trio of fun
Skiing, skating and hikes
Let’s next try some off-road bikes!
You make us glad to age
We’re catching up, don’t turn the page:
There’s travels to take,
More friendships and mem-ries to make--
And even when we’re old and gray
We’re gonna love you as we do today.
Cause your mind is still young
You’re body’s not done,
You’re 7-9 young—Hooray!
80
For Papa Jack Hoeschler on his 80th …February 4, 2022
Lyrics by LLH; Tune: Warts and All from “Honk”
Premiered A-cappella at the Minneapolis Club by Jack and William O’Brien
If you just sat back in your rocking chair
Life’s joys and cares would pass…
But you lived for adventure
So risked falling on your (Ask our Nonna what it’s called!).
Our Papa’s lived a balance act
‘Tween scholarship and sports,
At 80 he’s both smart and strong
The best coach and support!
Just know, Jack and William love you
Really do adore you,
Lectures and all (we love ‘em; keep ‘em coming).
Skiing, skating at the cabin,
Flying fast at Aspen--
You’re a ball (of fire!)
When you’re—feeling slightly creaky
You’re not getting weakly
You’re a stud (please pardon our French!).
Some-times
It takes a bit to ‘learn’ us,
But with you we have a ball—
For Jack and William really do adore you,
From the day we met you we adored you!
Jack and William love you—
Lectures and all!
Lectures and all!
Lectures and all!