Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Living on the Bright Side of Life

Drinking Coffee in the Garden
19th century engraving 

This song was written in 1899 and made popular in 1920. It has been a staple of American culture for over a century, through wars, depressions and crisis of all kinds.

There's a dark & a troubled side of life
There's a bright, there's a sunny side, too
Tho' we meet with the darkness and strife
The sunny side we also may view

[cho:] Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side,
Keep on the sunny side of life
It will help us ev'ry day, it will brighten all the way
If we'll keep on the sunny side of life

The storm and its fury broke today,
Crushing hopes that we cherish so dear;
Clouds and storms will, in time, pass away
The sun again will shine bright and clear.

Let us greet with the song of hope each day
Tho' the moment be cloudy or fair
Let us trust in our Saviour alway
Who keepeth everyone in His care


Click on for a larger view of the music and the words. Once the larger view appears, right click to print.






(More on this subject, to come)

7 comments:

amulbunny's random thoughts said...

If you can find it, there's a wonderful version of this in the movie, "O Brother, Where Art Thou?". Also in this is a wonderful version of " I'm Going Down to the River to Pray".

Lydia said...

I have put that song on my playlist a few weeks ago. You have to scroll down to the end area to see it. http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL81B0531BA9465F79&feature=mh_lolz

Mrs. B. said...

Along this line of encouragement, I would like to thank you. Some time ago you recommended the movie "A Man Named Pearl." Well, we were finally able to get a copy via inter-library loan! Wonderful! Such a great story. I can't wait to share it with my children.

Anonymous said...

I can't believe this - just yesterday we were in a long road trip and we were listening to the group sing this that made it famous - and wrote it - the Carter Family. Johnny Cash was married to Mother Mabel's daughter.
Anyway, I told my husband I've got to learn to play this song on my guitar! Thanks for the words!
blessings - carol

Lydia said...

Carol, I was not able to find the Carter version without an ad so I made do with this one. Maybe our moods are similar. I just "felt" this one was what I wanted to hear today.

Anonymous said...

Like amulbunny, I also first heard this on "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" I enjoyed the old-time gospel songs in that movie. Even the ones I had never heard before reminded me of the songs I grew up with in the 70s at my grandmother's backroads country church. I didn't know this song had been around quite so long. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

thank you so much for this, mrs. sherman. I had a bad day today, since my dreams aren't coming true like I wanted them to. This cheered me up, and I am grateful for it.