Sunday, October 2, 2011

Mares Eat Oats

 I'm not sure what triggers certain memories of my dad, but whatever the reason, I had one today.

We were driving down the highway in his old red Dodge truck and he was singing a song from 1944 by the Pied Pipers called, "Mares Eat Oats".

I must have only been six or maybe seven years old, but I can still picture that moment in time as if it happened yesterday. We were in Susanville, California and it was a crystal clear day with a deep blue sky overhead as we zipped down the road. I can smell the Ponderosa Pines and other evergreens that covered the mountainous landscape. The dashboard of the truck was quite simplistic by today's standards. A few gauges and the trusty old radio. Remember when radios had four or five black push buttons on them for presets? This was one of those types.

Of all the things I remember about this snippet in time, my favorite is seeing my dad with a sheepish grin on his face singing in his deep voice, "Mares it oats and does eat oats and little lambs eat ivy. A kid'll eat ivy too, wouldn't you. A kid'll eat ivy to wouldn't you..."

If you're so inclined and would like to hear the song, I've included the link below.

I love when these memories flash back across the brainwaves.

Here's the link http://www.archive.org/details/PiedPipers-MaresEatOats1944

5 comments:

Jeff B said...

Thanks to BJ for pointing out that I had my comments turned off. It should be back in working order now.

Roan said...

My mom used to sing this one, too. Nice memory.

Jeni said...

Your mention of this little ditty/song brought back a lot of good memories for me too, Jeff. The song was written the year I was born -a long, long time ago -and no, I don't recall hearing it quite that early on but I do remember my mom singing it off and on when I was a youngun! I sang it too for my kids when they were little as well -also quite a long time ago too now! It's an ageless, nonsensical piece, for sure but cute as all get out all the same!
Thanks for the memories today!

Desert Songbird said...

I think smells often are the most evocative of a memory. I catch a faint hint of something, and BAM! a memory will flood my mind.

Nice memory for you to treasure. :)

Travis Cody said...

Now that prompted a memory for me of the same song, but I didn't know the words...only the sounds.

Maresydotes and dosydotes and little amsydivy.

Hehehee. Now that's funny.