Dolly Parton Sing My Song - Please
By Sheryl Letzgus McGinnis
I wrote this song for Dolly Parton and for all women of “a certain age,” myself included. I am not a musician and I’m certainly not a “real” songwriter. . Actually I wrote the lyrics because I don’t have a clue as to how to write music. I can hear the tune in my head though and it’s snappy and it just lends itself to Dolly Parton’s sweet voice.
You don’t know me, and you probably never will. In fact you won’t see me, even if you’re looking directly at me. Apparently I’m the Invisible Woman. Oh, you may notice the clothes I’m wearing should we pass by each other on the street, or stand next to each other in the elevator, but you won’t see me.
Just one quick scan of my face is all you think you need to determine if I have any worth or if I might be someone you might want to get to know. It may not even be a conscious decision on your part, but rather a snapshot that you take that develops instantly showing you the visage of… an older woman.
Unlike that one dimensional photographic image, there is much more to me. I am multifaceted with brilliant layers that have been added to my persona from many years of living and I do mean living with a capital L.
Yes, I’m old…in your eyes. I can’t even claim Baby Boomer status. I’m a War Baby. That’s World War II, not the Korean War or the Viet Nam war. Heck, I’m older than dirt! No, I go way back but please understand when I tell you that I’m not old.
I’m reminded of the Paul McCartney song, some of the lyrics of which are “Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I’m 64?” I am now 64. Those words ring so true to me now. Who will care about me, who will need me now that I’m of a certain age? My family will but society won’t.
Some of my favorite actresses are now sexagenarians. Julie Christie is a prime example of a woman who, chronologically, meets the definition of an older woman. But is she old? I don’t think so. She’s still beautiful, still vital, still giving her talents to the world.
There is hope on the horizon though. It’s now being said that sixty is the new forty. Some women are discovering new careers, digging up latent talents and exercising their right to be a major voice in society.
But none of this will happen if people can’t look beyond the wrinkles, the hooded eyes, and the sagging jawline. We still have many years left. So sing along with me. Don’t worry about not knowing the tune. Make up your own. Be bold, be daring. Embrace your maturity. Enjoy it…just as you enjoyed your youth. After all, this is just our older youth now!
I’M TOO YOUNG TO BE THIS OLD - lyrics by Sheryl Letzgus McGinnis
Skinny jeans and belly shirts
They tell me I shouldn’t wear
’cause once you pass a certain age
some parts you shouldn’t bare
But I look good for my age
So I’m often told
So why do I feel this rage?
Because I’m too young to be this old.
Chorus
Too young to be this old
Too old to feel this young
And if the truth be told
I’m still havin’ lots of fun
’cause women of a certain age
have many talents untold
So come on sisters sing with me
We’re too young to be this old
Too young to buy new shoes
For fit instead of style
Too young to sit at home
Instead of goin’ out and goin’ wild
Too young to be ignored
And put into a mold
Too young for you to cast me aside
I’m too young to be this old
I wanna wear my clothes too tight
And skirts slit up to there
Just like I did years ago
And nobody seemed to care
But now you look at me
Like silver instead of gold
Where oh where did my life go?
I’m too young to be this old
Chorus
Too young to be this old
Too old to feel this young
And if the truth be told
I’m still havin’ lots of fun
cause women of a certain age
have many talents untold
So come on sisters sing with me
We’re too young to be this old
I still think and feel the same
My desires have not gone cold
A good lookin’ man still turns my head
Because I’m too young to be this old
Too young to be this old
Too old to feel this young
I need more time to live my life
My song has not been sung
So come on sisters sing with me
Let’s rise up and be bold
We’re valuable and beautiful,
And we’re too young to be this old
Too young to be this old, too young to be this old
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Sheryl Letzgus McGinnis is the author of the book “I Am Your Disease (The Many Faces of Addiction)” published by Outskirts Press. You can read about, and purchase the book at http://www.iamyourdisease.com I am a retired medical transcriptionist and radio DJ who also did voiceovers for TV. Married, with one living son, having lost my youngest son Scott, who was a paramedic and an RN to the disease of addiction. Happily married for 40 years to Jack, 8th grade science teacher. My oldest son Dale is soon to be a graduate student in Environmental Sciences. We live in Palm Bay, Florida. I am originally from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and am a citizen of both Australia and the US. We are owned by one dog and two cats! |
