Hand Prints on the Wall

-Brian Mendonça

Days go by so quickly

Summer turns to fall,
Seems like only yesterday
That you began to crawl.
So don't be afraid to take that step
I'll catch you when you fall,
I don't mind if you leave behind
A few hand prints on the wall.

Kenny Rogers ‘Hand Prints on the Wall’ (1981)

Song writers: Nelson Blanchard and Scott Innes

As a budding guitarist, I cut my teeth on the triad, viz. ‘Lucille’ (1977), ‘Gambler’ (1978) and ‘Coward of the County’ (1979). These tunes of the early Kenny were easy for me to sing and play on my guitar.  The ballad form had just three chords, a strong story line and a sedate beat.

Kenny Rogers sang about family, fidelity, and faith in the defeated. He idealized love in many hits.  But there are many other songs that attest to his versatility. Here are some great tracks to listen to on YouTube:

1967. ‘Elvira.’ Songwriter – Dallas Frazier. ‘My heart’s on fire for El-y-ra.' With The First Edition.

1969. ‘Ruby Don’t Take Your Love to Town.’ With The First Edition. Songwriter – Mel Tillis. Pleads with his woman to stay with him, even though he is paralyzed in the war effort.

1970. ‘Washington Woman.’ Writer - A.I. Owens. He pines for the Washington woman and their child, though he spurned her for another from Arkansas.

1976. ‘Love Lifted Me.’ With Dolly Parton. Songwriters -Howard Smith and James Rowe.

1983. ‘Molly.’  Songwriter - Alex Harvey. This is a song about a daughter in a disturbed family. ‘Her mom stayed sick and her dad stayed drunk,’ go the lyrics.

1985. ‘Tomb of the Unknown Love.’ Writer - Michael Smotherman. He drives to Mexico and learns the story of a smiling waitress at the border.

1985. ‘Morning Desire.’ Lyrics – Dave Loggins. He wants to be with his woman in the morning midst the rain and thunder – but has to go to the ranch with the other cowboys.

1986. ‘Twenty Years Ago.’ Writer - Dan Tyler and Michael Spriggs. Nostalgia for the past and the good times that were enjoyed. Songs like these, include references to the wars the men went to fight for, and from which they never returned, or were maimed. (‘Ruby’)

1989. ‘Planet Texas.’ Songwriter - John Andrew. Inter-stellar stallions who ride in from the skies. Set in Texas, the place of Kenny's birth. (Houston)

1990. Past his 50^th year he sang, ‘In Our Old Age.’ Songwriter - Randy Hardison et al. The lyrics look forward to the companionship of a spouse in the grey years.

1999. ‘The Greatest.’ Writer - Dan Schlitz. A little boy playing with his baseball bat and ball.The boy fails at first but later exceeds his own expectations.

2009. ‘Goodbye.’ Songwriters - Ricardo Khayatte, Jessica Lowndes and Ben Rogers. 'And so, I have to say / I’m just glad you came my way.'

2017. ‘You Can’t Make Old Friends.’ With Dolly Parton. Writers – Caitlyn Smith and Dan Schlitz. Kenny Rogers Farewell Concert.

Kenny Rogers (1938-2020), American singer and songwriter had a message in every line. His life is an inspiration. In a Farewell video to his fans in 2015 he says, ‘Not many get to see the end of the rainbow in their lifetime and I think I have.’

He was satisfied. He was grateful. He was ready to go - in a blaze of glory.

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Published in Gomantak Times Weekender, Panjim, Goa on Sunday, 29th March 2020. Image of promotional photo of The First Edition with Kenny Rogers. 1968. Courtesy wikipedia.