With Memorial Day being tomorrow I tried to think of one of Pap and Paul’s videos that fit the occasion. “Tear Drops Falling in the Snow” came to mind.
They learned the song from Laurie Lewis. We uploaded our version to YouTube back in 2010. With over 100,000 views its one of our most popular songs
TEARDROPS FALLING IN THE SNOW
Page by page our lives are written
In the Master’s book above
Wonder if he makes an entry
For each darlin’ mother’s love
Like the one I saw this mornin’
Enter though the station door
She was cryin’, softly cryin’
Teardrops falling in the snow
As she walked up to the window
Passing me, I let her through
She was waiting for a casket
One draped in red white & blue
Then she said “I’ll wait outside, Sir
Soon I know your train will blow”
I could see her through the window
Teardrops falling in the snow
Then the whistle of the engine
Broke the silence of the air
As it pulled into the station
On her lips there was a prayer
On the box there was a number
And a name inscribed below
As she gazed upon the casket
Teardrops fell upon the snow
There’s a new-made grave a-waiting
And it’s walls are dark and cold
Just to claim this mother’s darlin’
War for her has taken toll
But I’m sure they’ll meet in heaven
Where God’s children always go
And I always will remember
Teardrops falling in the snow
And I always will remember
Teardrops falling in the snow
Hope you enjoyed the song even though its a tear-jerker.
Tipper
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So fitting for Memorial Day! The guys did an amazing job w/it.
My family has been blest not to lose soldiers in recent years. My son did serve 12 years in the Air Force but thankfully not in wartime.
My great grandfather fought much of the Civil War & survived. His brother, however, was killed. Grandad’s letters were gathered & my dad.made them into a booklet that gives a firsthand view of that terrible time.
That video was my intro to BP&A. Scanning across youtube one night, saw the frame, thought; probably not any good, but ya never know. WOW! Pap’s tenor and Paul’s guitar. About the 12th time playing i began to notice Paul’s lead voice and perfect pitch. Posted it to fb & got a bunch of likes. Then i noticed there was a website. Checked it out, signed up, and the rest is history. Thank you Tipper for not only this but for keeping the Appalachian traditions going (we here in NE Mississippi are called the “foothills of”). My very favorite BP&A video.
Tipper, have you read Wendy’s Memorial Day post in Reflections of Olde Swain? If the details of the loss of one of Appalachia’s finest in WW1 doesn’t bring a tear to your eye you would have to have a heart of stone. A young draftee, just married and with a pregnant wife is sent to France only to lose his life on Armistice Day. The treaty had been signed at 5:45 AM but didn’t go into effect until 11:00. Had they made the treaty effective immediately he would likely have returned to Needmore and his young bride.
That young soldier was my 1st cousin 2X removed.
Ed-I haven’t read it, but I will!
Good! I did a few shows with one of my heroes, the late Larry Jon WIlson, he referred to my songs as “wrist-cutters”.
one of my special songs that i have always loved and a great version thanks for sharing it have an awesome week
Good song and good singing. Love the chimes, Paul!
Thank you for this song this weekend. Such a simple yet visual summing up of the tragedies that have befallen so many families. Darn, there’s something in my eye…
Beautiful song! And I will always Remember my Uncle: SGT GRADY LEE YOUNG – UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
WW II – 1924 –1945 8 JAN .. PLANE SHOT DOWN IN PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. My Daddy’s baby brother never made it back to his home in NE MS, never had the opportunity to have a family but now he has been joined by his parents and all his brothers and some day I will get to meet him in Heaven.
I was playing around with my phone on YouTube and that’s the first time I heard pap and Paul. they were singing that song.that got me hooked on b p&a. Now l have my phone loaded with :, you all.
Tipper,
I love to hear Paul and Pap sing. As I get older, I’m reminded of when my oldest brother came home from the Korean War. It was about 10 o’clock and we lived on Tucker Branch then. I was behind the screen door and I didn’t know who Bud was, making my Daddy and Mama cry. He left for the War when I was real young, so I didn’t know him. He bent over to pick me up and I ran and hid under the kitchen table.
The next morning I was up in his arms, giving Bud the Love and all, he deserved. Harold was playing with something at Bud’s feet. Neither of us had seen Army shoes before. But Mama and Daddy seemed so relaxed to know their Boy was home and safe. …Ken
It’s no wonder that song is one of your most popular. The title told me it was going to be a tear jerker. The guys did an amazing job.
Yes, a tear-jerker for sure. So very many never made it back at all, not even to be buried back at home. And I suppose most families have never yet made it to the places their soldier lies. I for one know I can never be properly grateful for what those who have gone before did, not just soldiers, but mothers and fathers and workers of all kinds.
Always look forward to the Sunday song. Loved this one. Everyone stay safe and well.
That is such a sad song. After listening to that song I listened to Pap and Granny sing My Father Owns It All. Love it!!!