"Puddles" by Kelly Pardi - Tucson Girls Chorus performing

Puddles - Song Background

One of the fatally injured victims of the January 8, 2011 tragedy was 9-year-old Christina Taylor-Green of Mesa Verde School in Tucson.

Christina was one of the "Faces of Hope" babies featured in a 2002 book highlighting fifty children born on September 11, 2001. Next to Christina's picture on page 41, appear the following wishes for a child's life: "I hope you help those in need," "I hope you know all of the words to the National Anthem," and, "I hope you jump in rain puddles."

In his January 12, 2011 address given at the University of Arizona, President Obama eulogized Christina, referring to the last of these three passages saying, "If there are rain puddles in heaven, Christina is jumping in them today."

This song imagines the story surrounding the wish. It is intended to capture a child's sense of wonderment. Most importantly, this song strives to give comfort to the family and young friends of Christina.

Lyrics:

Once the rain fell on the school grounds
I stayed inside and could not play
I watched as the wind blew
And I wished it was a sunny day

Now the clouds cleared and the sun beams
God's light is shining down on me
It's warm out and the birds sing
There are puddles everywhere I see

Children running, children jumping
Splashing water all around
The air fills with their laughter
And all the joy that they have found

If the rain falls and you're lonely
Just wait a while patiently
And when you see those puddles
I hope you'll stop and think of me

Jumping in puddles
I feel so free
Jumping in puddles
Come along and jump with me

Words and music by Kelly Pardi, 2011
Performed by Tucson Girls Chorus
Marcela Molina and Chris Fresolone directing;
Arranged by Samantha Feldman
Recording Engineer: Gary Ray
Producer: Robert Current
From the Album "Can We Get Together?" available April 12, 2001

Category:

Music

Tags:

• tucsongettogether

[KellyPardi]

Thank the lovely and talented young ladies of Tucson Girls Chorus and Sammi for her arrangement!

[coolanddark]

Beautiful song! Nice Chorus singing!