Some called the radio station demanding they throw them out of the studio.
Others called to brag about their talents, their arrangements, their sass.
Boswell sisters had been singing together since their Vaudeville days as teens.
Connee played sax and trombone,
Vet played banjo and guitar and Martha held down the piano.
They were popular in their hometown of New Orleans, playing with big bands.
Dorsey Brothers, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman all knew them.
These sisters blended “blackness” and “whiteness”, natural for them.
They loved to rework and rearrange popular songs; they were musicians.
They appeared in a film with Bing Crosby and Cab Calloway.
This led to thirteen appearances on the Bing Crosby Show.
Ella Fitzgerald patterned her style after Connee Boswell.
As did the Andrew Sisters a few years later.
The Boswells had a profound effect; incorporating scat, jazz and swing.
Doctor Sam Johnson
In London one day
Cried out, “ ‘Twould be awesome
To look up a word, in a book say,
In order to ensure that the spellings are right
Of all of the words that are written these days.
(Not that I need it, but Boswell you might).”
And so he set out to write one, and so it arrived,
Revolutionary, resplendent, in the
Year of Our Lord, seventeen hundred and fifty five.
The Swan
Sophie Boswell
A picture of elegance; a master of the pond
While bringing about calmness, like a magician’s wand
That transforms a scene; she can mesmerize
All those around her, bringing tears to their eyes
Tears of happiness; tears of delight
As she glides right by, so pristine, so white.
oOo
The Rose
Sophie Boswell
Smoother than velvet; softer than a dove
A magnificent flower; the flower of love
The rose is a messenger; one without words
That speaks to people, animals, and birds
She enhances her surroundings with her perfume
From the time she’s a bud through to full bloom.
oOo
START
Take off your Mask
Sophie Boswell
What do you live for? Was a question put to me
By a gentle loving person, who aimed to set me free
I couldn’t answer his question, thirty years ago
So I moved in the wrong direction, not knowing where to go
I was born to be an artist; to love creativity
But this bothered others, who wouldn’t let me be
People-pleaser, then, was my main aim
While seeking out pleasure, and shying away from pain
What a silly way to live - putting on a mask
Such a waste of time and such a tiresome task
Some lessons come slow; some come fast
But one lesson worth learning is not to live in the past.
END
START
Michael ©
Sophie Boswell/BuntyBisharah
A new star now shines for us; the brightest in the sky
Since Michael, you had to leave us and bade this world goodbye
You were a great entertainer, on this planet Earth
Who shared a wonderful gift, given to you at birth
Michael, your song and dance, live on eternally
This world was way too cruel for you, but now you’re free
‘Light of foot’, you skimmed across the floor
As your audience clapped and cheered and cried for more
And when you sang, so beautifully
You bared your soul for all to see
Michael, your song and dance, live on eternally
This world was way too cruel for you, but now you’re free
Your light and energy touched everyone
Each time you stood on the stage and sang
You made this world, a much better place
You were an inspiration to the human race
Michael, your song and dance, live on eternally
This world was way too cruel for you, but now you’re free
Just before you left us, you sang a song called “Smile”
And you sang it like an angel; you had such style
It was like a lovely dream about a perfect day
You left the world something that will never go away.
END
Yes We Can ©
Sophie Boswell
Let’s paint America purple, by mixing red with blue
Let’s rebuild this mighty country, with a different hue
By using our integrity, instead of weakness and greed
Why don’t we help one another, and all those in need?
Yes, we can; yes, we can
If we all pull together, yes we can
Let’s all resolve our differences; why don’t we all mature?
By broadening our minds; opening our ears, and help to find a cure
For the many imbalances, spread all over the world
It’s easy to see when you look around, how fury’s been unfurled
Yes, we can; yes, we can
If we all pull together, yes we can
Let’s all rebuild America, by starting with our minds
By focusing on the positives, as well as being kind
To all those souls around us, here and abroad
Why don’t we sing in harmony, one mighty loud major chord?
Yes, we can, yes, we can
If we all pull together, yes we can.
oOo
START
The Lay of the Land
Sophie Boswell
The lay of the land in the Snowy Mountains
Where a blue serpent slides and creates icy fountains
Is a picture in my mind, so vivid, so clear
And one that will always remain dear
The cerulean blue sky that colors the earth
And together with the sun, brings about birth
To all the mountain creatures that manage to survive
Where, quite often, humans fail to thrive
You need to be tough to live up here
Tough in body and mind, that is, and free from fear
You need to know the lay of the land
From the tip of the mountain to the river sand
And should you get lost on a day out trekking
Which I can assure you, can be nerve wrecking
Since these hills and mountains are riddled with snakes
And there is no fresh water when away from the lakes
But by understanding the lay of the land;
Which way the wind blows, by licking your hand;
Being well prepared to hike the new trails,
And praying to the Spirit if all else fails.
END
START
Poplars
Sophie Boswell
Golden poplars grace this land; this parched and sunburned land
When autumn breezes turn the leaves and seeds fall on dry sand
While poplars stretch their leafy arms, as if waving goodbye
Perhaps to another year or the drivers passing by
Having put on a show of brilliance that stands out for miles around
And bringing a whistling song when there usually is no sound
A row of poplars, at their best, will lighten any heart
Especially at sunset when their gold is quite apart
From the usual bush colors - ocher, beige and brown
And their coat of fluttering leaves becomes a magical gown
That leaf by leaf gently flutters back to earth
The sacred place of their birth.
END
START
An Untamed Land
Sophie Boswell
In a faraway continent, south of the equator,
Lies an untamed land
Where much of it has not been touched
By the human hand
This rugged wilderness beneath an azure sky
Lies in the Snowy Mountains
Where the purest water springs from
Underground fountains
‘Heaven on Earth’ some people call it
For it replenishes the soul
Since climbing to the summit, is for some
A lifelong goal
The wilderness (or the ‘Never Never’)
Is the home of the Aborigine
Where nomadic tribes have left behind
Australia’s unique history
These first inhabitants
Of this inhospitable country
Believe they belong to the land
The untamed land, where they feel free.
END
FROM the MOUNTAIN to the SEA
Sophie Boswell
Life is like a journey from the mountain to the sea
A struggle through many layers to finally feel free
Free to go out and see the wonders of the world
Where, in the process, one is often hurled
This way and that, through the good and the bad
Where emotions are flung lose to the point of driving you mad
Sometimes, when I'm down, and feel worn out
And everything around me seems to be in doubt
My vision is blurred; my judgment is haywire
And my demons rejoice in putting out my fire
I think about the journey from the mountain to the sea
By the light of the moon; a heavenly place to be
This place, in the mind, will always set me free
to be the happy wanderer I was meant to be
Gathering and searching in peaceful solitude
Where time and nature can alter my mood
And the Spirit of Life will breathe inside me
As I journey from the mountain to the sea.
oOo