Several years ago I wrote a piece called The Soundtracks of Life (https://joebroadmeadowblog.com/2020/02/19/the-soundtracks-of-life/) about how big a part music plays in our lives.

The songs I cherish are indeed the soundtracks of life. And while it may be those songs of our youth that have the biggest impact, it doesn’t mean we can’t add to our playlist.

With the arrival of Levi David Walkup, our grandson, I have continued to add to the list of songs I can sing—let’s say recite, to call it singing might be a stretch—from memory. Most of these new additions may not be new in the sense of recent hits on the radio (is there even such a thing anymore) but they are played over and over in the Broadmeadow household to entertain the smiling young lad as he giggles his way through our performances.

One song that often seems as if stuck on repeat is The Bare Necessities from Disney’s version of the Jungle Book. One particular stanza is on a continuous loop in my mind and rises to the surface in moments when my thoughts lay stilled and quiet.

… Now when you pick a pawpaw
Or a prickly pear
And you prick a raw paw
Well, next time beware
Don’t pick the prickly pear by the paw
When you pick a pear
Try to use the claw
But you don’t need to use the claw
When you pick a pear of the big pawpaw
Have I given you a clue?…

The Bare Necessities

When you think about it, these short ten lines of lyrics summarize an important life lesson… learn from our mistakes. It may not be as inspiring as a Mozart Sonata or a Paul Simon song (which I also use to entertain young Levi) but it is powerful.

And isn’t that what the great responsibility of grandparents comprises? Making our grandchildren smile and laugh and teaching them all the things they need to thrive.

And most importantly, to look for the bare necessities of life

Look for the bare necessities
The simple bare necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife
I mean the bare necessities
Old Mother Nature’s recipes
That brings the bare necessities of life
Wherever I wander, wherever I roam
I couldn’t be fonder of my big home
The bees are buzzin’ in the tree
To make some honey just for me
When you look under the rocks and plants
And take a glance at the fancy ants
Then maybe try a few
The bare necessities of life will come to you
They’ll come to you!
Look for the bare necessities
The simple bare necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife
I mean the bare necessities
That’s why a bear can rest at ease
With just the bare necessities of life
Now when you pick a pawpaw
Or a prickly pear
And you prick a raw paw
Well, next time beware
Don’t pick the prickly pear by the paw
When you pick a pear
Try to use the claw
But you don’t need to use the claw
When you pick a pear of the big pawpaw
Have I given you a clue?
The bare necessities of life will come to you
They’ll come to you!

Music and Lyrics by Phil Harris, Bruce Reitherman, Marcie Blane