10 members (Fdemetrio, VNORTH2, Gary E. Andrews, Perry Neal Crawford, couchgrouch, Sunset Poet, Guy E. Trepanier, bennash, Bill Draper, David Gill),
4,088
guests, and
270
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Welcome to the Just Plain Folks forums! You are currently viewing our forums as a Guest which gives you limited access to most of our discussions and to other features.
By joining our free community you will have access to post and respond to topics, communicate privately with our users (PM), respond to polls, upload content, and access many other features. Registration is fast, simple, and absolutely free; so please join our community today!
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490
Top 20 Poster
|
OP
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490 |
God's Way
Grandma please tell me the story again I'd beg How the fire in China took your family's land How it left your father a newly-poor man His fortune burning down to ashes in a can
The sad thing your mother did leaving you to die I imagine you cried lying there on the ground It seems to me a miracle you were found I'm mad for you though I wasn't even around
CHORUS Oh, Lee-ahh, my Lee-ahh, she'd say In her broken-English way The hardest thing is to forgive But when you finally do Always you will be glad you did Oh, Lee-ahh, my Lee-ahh, she'd say Remember that is God's way
She'd get down on her knees, clasp her hands and pray I'd wait there knowing she could take a long while Sit and stare at her ivory comb and nail file Feel peace fill the room as she'd look up and smile
I hope you're not angry anymore, my Lee-ahh Those church people found me and took me from the street They were not rich but gave me good things to eat Taught me the Bible and refused to bind my feet
BRIDGE I looked at her perfect feet And understood she was right Rich Chinese girls of her day Had their little feet bound tight A fashion that left them maimed Condemned to a life of pain
CHORUS Oh, Lee-ahh, my Lee-ahh, she'd say In her broken-English way The hardest thing is to forgive But when you finally do Always you will be glad you did Oh, Lee-ahh, my Lee-ahh, she'd say Remember that is God's way
Ending They picked her up off the street that day I'll always remember that is God's way(
(c) 2013, Lisa Gundling
*edited her little feet out -- thanks, Bill!
Last edited by Lisa Gundling; 09/04/13 11:32 AM.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,199
Top 100 Poster
|
Top 100 Poster
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,199 |
What a beautiful story. I'm surprised you've been writing so long and just got to it. I'm not sure Granny's feet need to make the ending. So is the "s" in Lisa silent? Bill
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 319
Serious Contributor
|
Serious Contributor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 319 |
Lisa this is not only heart wrenching, but also inspirational how your grandmother's faith kept her heart the right way toward God. Awesome song
Summer
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 29,275
Top 10 Poster
|
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 29,275 |
WOW!
Really Powerful Message here, Mz Maryland. Unique as all get-out!
Great Write...Very-Touching. Hard to believe that Old Tradition's only 2 Generations-Back! Women sure got the short end of the stick, not all that long-ago!
"Kudos!"
Best Wishes, Big Hugs, & a Wee FHS, Stan
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 11,534 Likes: 28
Top 10 Poster
|
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 11,534 Likes: 28 |
Yeah I'm on board Lisa...solid, inspirational and wonderful story
And part of your history too..so you have a wonderful story and moral to hand down to your own kids and grandkids...all the more powerful for being part of their own lives.
So big bd from me
If writing ever becomes work I think I'm going to have to stop
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490
Top 20 Poster
|
OP
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490 |
Hi Bill, You know, I never thought to write about her feet before! She was born in the last 1880s, and passed away at 99. She and my grandfather were prominent in the Chinese community in Baltimore and they helped people who had newly immigrated, being immigrants themselves. My grandfather taught Chinese Classics at Johns Hopkins. My mom has memories of visitors staying with bound feet. She said these little ladies would run around okay on these little feet, though it remained painful and bloody throughout their lives. And I agree with you -- I edited her feet out of the ending -- I think that was a good call -- thanks so much! I got carried away! Regarding my name...it's supposed to be pronounced the way that "Lisa" is always pronounced, but my grandma could never pronounce the "s" sound. Her English skills were dismal, though my Chinese skills were worse! I grew up with her living in my home so communication was always VERY interesting! Thanks for your nice visit, Bill! Lisa
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490
Top 20 Poster
|
OP
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490 |
Hi Summer,
Thanks so much! My grandma was as close to an angel on earth as you'll ever find!
The people who picked her up off the street were actually Methodist missionaries, and they ran a school/orphange type of thing. That's where she was raised. The missionaries were aware of who her parents were, so they got in touch with the parents and over the years, my grandmother was able to visit with her family. After the fire they were, apparently, plunged into real poverty, along with 18 other farmers who lost their fortunes in the fire too.
Thanks for your great visit!
Lisa
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490
Top 20 Poster
|
OP
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490 |
Hi Stan,
I don't know if it's true, but the story I've heard is that a Chinese empress way back when had big feet and didn't like her big feet and so it became the rage to have small feet. I don't know how that translated into torturing young girls with the binding, but the intent was, apparently, to make them more beautiful, with small feet! It makes me shudder to think of it! As I mentioned to Bill, their feet stay painful and bloody throughout their lives!
Thanks so much for your really nice visit and kind words!
Lisa
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490
Top 20 Poster
|
OP
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490 |
Hi John,
After reading your note last night, I printed the lyric out and handed it to my son, telling him that it's about his great grandmother. He immediately started singing it! It was really helpful to hear it, because he stumbled over certain places and now I'm going to go back and rewrite the places where he stumbled! He then asked me to sing it and, well, his reaction...I've never been so insulted in all my life -- LOL!
I'm delighted that you enjoyed this -- thanks so much!
Lisa
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490
Top 20 Poster
|
OP
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490 |
Hi Calvin,
Well thank you very much! It's funny that I couldn't write this without lapsing into broken English, the way my grandma and I always communicated! I had to make her English far better in the song than it was in real life and I thought she'd be smiling over that.
I'd spend hours reading to her, because she always wanted to learn English better. I'd read a page from a picture book, then she'd read a page. On and on we'd go. I never felt like my teaching efforts never bore much fruit, but she seemed pleased enough!
Thanks for your very nice visit!
Lisa
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,325
Top 10 Poster
|
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,325 |
A very touching story Lisa!Interesting to know about the feet too.Sounds like she was a special lady!Mike
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 852
Top 500 Poster
|
Top 500 Poster
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 852 |
nice heart felt reading here. You approached it nicely good write.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 12,264 Likes: 4
Top 10 Poster
|
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 12,264 Likes: 4 |
A poignant story Lisa, pleased you shared this one however sad it was Travis
We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. Oscar Wilde
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,712
Top 30 Poster
|
Top 30 Poster
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,712 |
A very unique story and lyric!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,411
Top 200 Poster
|
Top 200 Poster
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,411 |
Very lovely write, Lisa. It seems just a tad long...if you're thinking commercially...would be good if the bridge could be 4 lines instead of 6.
Betty J. Holt
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,411
Top 100 Poster
|
Top 100 Poster
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,411 |
Hey Lisa A very heartfelt lyric, and beautifully written. A fine tribute to your grandma.
Peace Joe
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,325 Likes: 4
Top 40 Poster
|
Top 40 Poster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,325 Likes: 4 |
powerful and moving lisa. very well done IMMHO.
douglas
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490
Top 20 Poster
|
OP
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490 |
Hi Mike,
Thanks so much and yes, she was very special!
Lisa
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490
Top 20 Poster
|
OP
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490 |
Hi Brandon,
I'm glad you liked it -- thanks for your nice visit!
Lisa
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490
Top 20 Poster
|
OP
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490 |
Thanks, Travis! I'm glad you liked it too! -- Lisa
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490
Top 20 Poster
|
OP
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490 |
Hi Betty,
You've got me gnawing like a dog with a bone on that bridge -- I'm trying to see how I can shorten it! Thanks for your visit and help!
Lisa
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490
Top 20 Poster
|
OP
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490 |
Hi Joe,
THANKS very much for your nice review!
Lisa
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490
Top 20 Poster
|
OP
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490 |
Hi Douglas,
Well, I think I'll just go crack open a beer and reflect upon your nice words! Thanks!
Lisa
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,670 Likes: 2
Top 100 Poster
|
Top 100 Poster
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,670 Likes: 2 |
Fascinating to read this part of your history, Lisa. I'm suddenly reminded of a wonderful book I read a few years ago. 'Snow Flower and the Secret Fan' by Lisa See. (I note you share a first name. ) The book is poignant and extremely informative, dealing as it does with - among other things - the binding of feet. If you've not already done so, I can highly recommend reading it. Donna
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490
Top 20 Poster
|
OP
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,490 |
Hi Donna,
Thanks for stopping by! I've never heard of that book, but now I'm definitely going to have to read it! I googled it and it looks like it was made into a movie a couple of years ago, too. If a book is really good, though, the movie's usually a disappointment -- I'll try the book!
Thanks! Lisa
|
|
|
We would like to keep the membership in Just Plain Folks FREE! Your donation helps support the many programs we offer including Road Trips and the Music Awards.
|
|
Forums117
Topics125,717
Posts1,160,950
Members21,470
|
Most Online37,523 Jan 25th, 2020
|
|
"If one man can do it, any man can do it. It is true. But the real question is, if one man did it, are you willing to do what it takes to do it as well?" –Brian Austin Whitney
|
|
|
|