Hold on to the smiles

Story Behind The Song

My youngest son, Jamie, died in an accident at the age of 11, at the beginning of the summer holidays in 2003, just 8 days after completing primary school. Amongst all the other many emotions of that time, I was very aware of the impact of Jamie's death on the children who had shared his life at school, from the oldest who had worked alongside him for 7 years, to the young ones just in their first years at the school. Thinking of the children returning for a new school year, I wrote Hold on to the smiles in the final week of the school holidays and when I showed it to the local minister and school chaplain he asked if the words of the song could be read to the children as part of the Remembrance Assembly that was held for Jamie on the second day back. Later that year, the children incorporated the song as the closing Happy Ever After to their Christmas performance of Cinderella. The song was designed with the option of being sung as a round, with the second voice entering after a delay of 2 lines. This is demonstrated in the sound file sung first time with voices in unison and then second time the voices taking it in turns to lead the round through the two verses and choruses once again. The song has since been performed in this form on a number of occasions by adult members of our village music club.

Song Description

Originally written with young children in mind, the song reminds of the lasting qualities of love, friendship and hope. It uses the imagery of the changing seasons and stresses the importance of remembering the good times after the (implied) death/loss of a close friend and companion. The music audio file is exported from Sibelius scoring software with a virtual instrument sound for the voice, so the words are not included.

Song Length 3:52 Genre Unique - General, Unique - Children
Tempo Slow (71 - 90) Lead Vocal Mixed Vocals
Mood Peaceful, Poignant Subject Hope, Recovery
Language English Era 2000 and later

Lyrics

Leaves grow and tears fall
Trees reach up to the sky
Sun warms and ice cools again
But while seasons lead on to the future
Love and friendship still remain
For ever

Hold on to the smiles
Hold on to the fun
Hold on to the times of laughter
Then sadness will fade
With the passing of days
But hope will stay
Ever after

Wind blows and rain falls
Mist drifts and flowers bloom
Birds fly and then they are gone
But while seasons lead on to the future
Love and friendship still remain
For ever

Hold on to the smiles
Hold on to the fun
Hold on to the times of laughter
Then sadness will fade
With the passing of days
But hope will stay
Ever after

[First time: sung in unison.
Second time (optional), repeated as a round, with 2-line delay before second voice enters]

Lyrics David Gasking Music David Gasking

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