Sweet Lorraine: A Love Song from the American Heartland

Dewey From Detroit ^ | 9-22-2013 | Dewey From Detroit

[NOBO2012]

In a world that is increasingly shaped and formed by Hollywood’s version of love, i.e., sex; and where celebrities have redefined “forever” to mean until something better comes along, behold Fred Stobaugh.

At 96 he’s of an era where “till death do us part” meant till death do us part. His story embodies everything good and decent in America’s heartland, where people face life with stoic determination and heartfelt emotion need not be overwrought. 

Here is Fred’s life story, summarized in one simple song that he wrote for his deceased wife commemorating their 75 years together. In a world where “relationships” barely last 75 days this is an edifying story of love, commitment, loyalty and remembrance.

If you can watch this and remain dry-eyed, you’re probably not from around these parts.

 

 

Love like Fred and Lorraine’s is like a thousand layer cake: deceptively simple when all is said and done.

 

Life is not like a box of chocolates, more like a mille-feuille

But in reality it has been carefully constructed over a long time, one delicate layer after another, each overlaying the last. It’s a very labor intensive, often tedious, endeavor.  The final product is a sweet concoction that stands tall, a homage to the dedication,  commitment and work put into it. And even when you’ve added the last layer, you yearn to add just one or two more, to make it just a tad taller. To forestall that inevitable moment, when…it’s all gone in what seems like a millisecond. To linger in your memory forever.

P.S.  “Sweet Lorraine” is available on iTunes

Posted from: Dewey from Detroit

[Chode]

i thought it was about...

Sweet Lorraine - Uriah Heep

[madison10]

Thanks. The one I tried to post yesterday didn’t work right.

[madison10]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3069598/posts

Also here.

[Zeneta]

Most amazing find.

Thank you for sharing it.

Love, honor and humility is very rare these days.

The desire for popularity of what is real and the desire for the expression of a raw truth cuts against itself for respect, meaning and thoughtful consideration.

Let me be, but please understand, I’ve got something to say.

Leonard Cohen - Famous Blue Raincoat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pXBisteRms

[Fiji Hill]

Here is my favorite version of the tune. The uncredited vocal refrain is performed by the prolific baritone Franklyn Baur.

Sweet Lorraine--Johnny Johnson & His Statler Pennsylvanians (1928)

[Pentagon Leatherneck]

Nice. The kind of people who built the America we’re allowing to be destroyed.

TC

[Girlene]

very sweet, thanks for posting this.

[greene66]

I’m guessing this gent’s version is a different concoction than the old standard. And speaking of the old standard, one of my favorite versions of that tune was a jazzy instrumental done by Joe Venuti in the early 1930s.

[88keys]

Thanks for this beautiful find - touches my heart, and renews my faith in people! AND, reminds me that ALL the “younger generations” have great “role models” to emulate...if we ignore their example, or fail to pass on their values, we do it at our own peril. What a wonderful story! (Yes, I had a tear in my eye...I must be from “around these parts” - ha!)

[raybbr]

Nice song but not worthy of the adulation.