Admin Note: Originally from the OLGA. Recovered with The Wayback Machine on Web Archive

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Date: 3/21/98; 3:15:31 PM
From: JohnWbanjo <johnwbanjo@aol.com>
Subject: "Childhood Memories" by Iris DeMent

Iris DeMent has the rare talent of being able to write songs that sound like
you've known them forever. I found this ballad immediately appealing for that
reason. It's similar in spirit to John Prine's "Souvenirs," but speaks more
directly to one's fondness for a time gone by. I play it in the key of E, but
being somewhat intimidated by having to finger an F#m, not to mention a B
[!!], I throw the capo on the 4th fret and play in C-shapes (C, F, G, Am, Dm).

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES by Iris DeMent
From her album MY LIFE
E                      A
Fireflies inside of a mason jar
B                           E
Acting big behind the wheel of Daddy's car.
Dm                             F#m
Playing church around the old piano stand.
G
You were quite a preacher and we sang so grand.
E                                    A
I remember every night what we would say and do:
     B                               E
"If you've forgiven me then I've forgiven you."
                                     A
And now when life begins to get the best of me,
   E    B                    E
I reminisce these childhood memories.

We built a raft and traveled all around the world,
And stopped for candy at the corner store.
You let me fly your kite and then I dropped the string.
I thought my life was over, but Mama rescued me.
When I was just a kid you taught my prayers to me,
Then you turned around and you told me about those birds and bees.
But come what may, you've been endeared to me
Because we share these childhood memories.

Time, it moves so fast those days are over now.
We've all gone our separate ways, but still somehow
I often need to telephone and talk to you
To see if you remember things the way I do.
It won't be too much longer till we'll be old and gray
And winding up our travels here on life's highway.
But no matter where I roam I'll have you here with me
When I reminisce these childhood memories.</johnwbanjo@aol.com>