It took me awhile to prepare this post, primarily due to all the detail in the February 10th journal entry. And I admit to spending more time than probably necessary trying to find just the right images and just the right information to fill in the blanks. I feel a bit like I’ve been time traveling with my great grandparents. And I am grateful – all over again – for the gift of her journals.
February 9, 1931
It’s storming fierce out, large flakes but it’s warm out.11-15 p.m. o’clock Tuesday.The little yellow canaries[1. Mary raised yellow canaries.] sung at 4 wks old.Continue reading →
Dick O’Connell Jr. came back from Rochester Feb 3rd and next day he died.First to die from 12 children, a baby died in infancy.It’s snowing out to-nite.My Aunt Louise Specht died Jan-28 in No. Vernon, Indiana.She was born 1843, was 88 yrs old.[1. Louise – I believe her maiden name was “Misse” or “Missi” – was born in Indiana and was married to John Specht, a brother to Mary’s mother’s Eva.]Joe Meagher (Lillie Schenck’s husband) died of a broken appendecitis Feb 5 at Gt. Falls, Mont.[2. Lillie was the sister of Mary’s first husband George. She was only 47 when her husband Joe died. Joe had worked in the coal and silver mines since at least age 18. He was 48 when he died.]
For several days now, Mary had been referencing songs she was dedicating over the radio to several family members. On Saturday, January 31, 1931, she dedicated two songs to her grandchildren, Shirley and Buddie Dalin. Here is the journal entry.
Journal #1, January 31, 1931
For Shirley Dalin, Dance of the Wooden Soldier and for Honor Dalin, My Buddie.
NOTES
Shirley and Buddie circa 1930
At the time this journal entry was written, Shirley was almost 9 years old and Buddie – Mary called him “Honor”[1. It took me awhile reading Mary’s journal to figure out that she was referring to my father, Cid “Buddie” Dalin Jr., when she wrote about “Honor”. My Aunt told me once that it was common for the first born grandson to have that nickname.] – was almost 4 years old. This photo of the two of them was probably taken about 1929 or 1930.
I believe the first song Mary was referring to was actually “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers”. Time wise, the closest version I could find on YouTube was this 1923 recording by Paul Whitman and His Orchestra.
The second song, “My Buddy”, was first published in 1922. It was written by Walter Donaldson, with lyrics by Gus Kahn. Click here for the 1922 version recorded by Henry Burr.
For Bretta [1.Spelled either “Breta” or “Brita”, she was the mother of Mary’s son-in-law, Cid H. Dalin Sr.] Dalin (GrandMother) The Wedding of the Birds, & I Am Alone Because I Love You.
“I’m Alone Because I Love You”: a piano roll released in March 1931, just a few months before this journal entry; and this wonderful version by Sweet Emma. It was fun to discover that this jazzy little tune has been recorded by many others over the years, including Lead Belly, Nat King Cole, the Everly Brothers, Ray Price and Fats Domino.
And just for fun, here are the lyrics to “I’m Alone Because I Love You”:
I’m alone because I love you
Love you with all my heart
I’m alone because I had to be true
Sorry, I can’t say the same about you
Yesterday’s kisses are bringing me pain
Yesterday’s sunshine has turned into rain
I’m alone because I love you
Love you with all my heart
I’m alone because I love you
Love you with all my heart
NOTES
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