cat guthrie
"The ideas Cat puts to music are both extremely personal and extraordinarily universal." -- Karen B, MA
cat guthriecat guthrie1. MOTHERS WHO LOVE TOO MUCH * put on your jacket, brush your hair * make sure you wear clean underwear * i hear these voices in the air * from the mothers who love too much * too much, too much * from the mothers who love too much * you're going to make me lose my mind * don't make me come smack your behind * don't touch yourself or you'll go blind * say the mothers who love too much. too much, too much * say the mothers who love too much * is it mother love, or smother love, mothers who love too much * where do these words come from? * lord, strike me dumb * am i a mother who loves too much? * you try and try to get away * from the endless tapes stuck on replay * but strange words still pop out each day * are you a mother who loves too much--too much, too much * are you a mother who loves too much * so women if you're at all like me * you repeat your family history * just make a phone call * the numbers are 1-800-m-o-t-h-e-r * for the mothers who love too much, too much, too much * the mothers who love too much.
I wrote this one morning when I heard how I was talking to our son and thought, "Omigod, it's true! I've become my mother!"
2. MARY JANES * my first pair of mary janes were shiny and black * but the best thing of all was that the straps could go back *.mama said, "you're too young--put those shoes on right -- straps on the arches, now you buckle 'em tight." * i said, "mama please--i'm a big girl now." *mama's foot was tapping as she raised a brow *and she said, * "honey dontcha know that it's a downhill slide *.first the shoes, then the top down ride *.honey cantcha see that it's a slippery slope * soon you're necking with the boys, even smoking that dope *gotta listen to your mama when she say-- keep those mary janes on the right way.*did i listen to my mama--no sir, no way *had those straps pulled back the very next day *at the age of twelve, just to see how it feels *i was sneaking out the back door in my sister's high heels. *with my platforms on, at seventeen years * in the backseat, my mama's words still rang in my ears *.when she said * "honey dontcha know that it's a downhill slide *.first the shoes, then the top down ride * honey cantcha see that it's a slippery slope * soon you're necking with the boys, even smoking that dope * gotta listen to your mama when she say -- keep those mary janes on the right way * well, i took the slippery slope * hit the downhill slide *mama didn't like it *but oooh what a ride. *she had it right all along *it ain't the curves or the curl *it's just plain fact, the shoes make the girl. *
3. WHEN I LOOK IN HIS EYES * when i look in his eyes, i glimpse a road not taken. * when i look in his eyes, every sure belief is shaken. * those parts of me long lost * warming sun on morning frost, * is what i find when i look in his eyes. * when i hear his voice, it strikes a chord so deep * parts of me awaken from a long and restless sleep. * a whispered evening prayer * a melody so rare * all echo in me when i hear his voice. * who cares what all the world may say * how can they know us anyway? * we'll build a new world, day by day. * when i take his hand, i find the strength to face the past * and who i am in this world makes some sense to me at last * an angel's healing touch * a love i've missed so much * all these are mine when i just take his hand. * who ever thought old souls as this * could join again in one more kiss? * i think i knew when i looked in * it's all i knew when i looked in * it had to be once i looked in his eyes.
An old beau of hers came to visit my mom after my father died. Both in their 80's, they sat close on the couch, so mom could see him with her mostly blind eyes, and he could hear her with his mostly deaf ears. He said to her "Catherine, I have always loved you." They married a year later. I wrote this for her.4 MONSTER OF THE MONTH * people run, it's getting nearer * the time we hate and loathe and fear her * get the calendar, check the date * omigod, day 28! * who's that growling in the mirror? * who's that groaning? what's that grunt? * even i have come to fear her * she be the monster of the month * one month she is sylvia plath * her work no good, her life a mess * she whine, she cry, she wail all day * who left the gas on? let me guess * one month she become medea * she rage at this, she rage at that * kick the dog; scare the children * hang the husband; microwave the cat * monster, monster, in the mirror * monster, monster, of the month * children, back! don't get too near her * she be the monster of the month * medusa with her snaky coif * whatever you do, don't piss her off * look at her wrong, you turn to stone * it's a bad hair day. just leave her alone! * one month she is lady mac beth * when she show up, she scheme and plot * she fret, she scrub, she clean, she rub * hear her cry "out, out, damned spot!" * tough to live with? yessiree * but just imagine being me * every month to have to wake up * with another scary monster's make-up *.john's head was lost to salome * samson's hair? delilah crop it * think they had it bad? just wait - lookout! * here come lorena bobbitt * monster, monster, in the mirror * monster, monster, of the month * even i have come to fear her * she be the monster of the month * lizzie borden took an ax * it was a pms attack.
I grew up in a family of 5 daughters. With my mom, that made 6 women with "synchronized periods". Some days in that house were just plain scary.5. EVERY OUNCE OF STRENGTH * ladies, can you tell me * has this ever happened to you? * you're doing your thing * your life's in full swing * pack the lunch, drive the kids, pta * when somebody, somewhere * comes and messes with your head * it's a look, a scent, a shake of his head * the way he walks, or something he said * we may be wives * we may be moms * but hell, we ain't dead * and it takes every ounce of strength * not to check his muscle tone * it takes every ounce of strength not to jump his bones * it takes me every ounce of strength * not to act on this jones * not to hone in on his erogenous zones * then you start to talking * he says he's twenty-five * you're old enough to be his mother * jesus, sakes alive…still it takes every ounce of strength * not to check his muscle tone * it takes every ounce of strength not to jump his bones * it takes me every ounce of strength * not to act on this jones * not to hone in on his erogenous zones * call the volunteer firemen* tell them fill up their hose* gotta put out a big fire* cuz i'm smoldering to my toes* there's just one little problem* it's all inside my head* if he came walking this way* i'd run on home instead* so let me keep my fantasy* let me have my creation* cause though i'll never roam* can't beat my sweet imagination* now you know i'll do the right thing* gonna bring it on home today* if my man asks me "hey, what's new?"* i just might even say* it took me every ounce of strength* not to check his muscle tone* it took me every ounce of strength not to jump his bones* it took me every ounce of strength* to ignore his pheromones* not to hone in on his erogenous zones* it took me every ounce of strength* not to act on this jones* took me every ounce of strength* took me every molecule of strength* took me every iota of strength* but hey honey--i'm home.
The lyrics say it all: "we may be wives, we may be moms, but hell -- we ain't dead."6 THE BEACH * i found my first love at the beach * as the moon glistened just past our reach * and the infinite sky held the lessons he'd teach * under stars, at night, on the beach * we were innocent then * each kiss something new * each look full of passion * each touch was a clue * to the wonders of love * we thought that we knew * as we spent our nights on the beach * the first time we swam in the sea * the waves and his arms carried me * and the ocean's surge hinted at pleasures to be * under stars, at night on the beach * we were innocent then *each kiss something new * each look full of passion * each touch was a clue * to the wonders of love * we thought that we knew * as we spent our nights on the beach * now the years have gone quickly * they weren't always kind * the lost loves the passions * the dreams left behind * can only come haunt you * with each love you find * and still, we go down to the beach * the moon with its pull on the tide * the oceans of tears left uncried * the waves of lost love and the * heartaches denied * all wash ashore on the beach
When my son started being interested in girls, I thought of the long hard road that love can be, and remembered my Dad's only advice was, "You can't turn a boy on and off like a light bulb." I trust we gave our son a little more useful guidance than that7 I NEED A WIFE * i need a wife (uh huh) * that's all there is to it * i need a wife (oh yeah) * someone to help me through it * so much to do, so little time * kids are hungry * covered with grime * kitchen's a mess * bedrooms are too * house is beginning to smell like a zoo * cut me in half, split me in two * and i'll do all i have to do * but i need a wife (um hmmm ) * a personal assistant * i need a wife (oh yea) * make my laundry stain resistant * husbands are fine, husbands are great * they give you some things you can't duplicate * and one more plus, they never menstruate * but pms or not * i need a wife (yea,yea) * i just can't take it * i need a wife (uh huh) * someone to shake and bake it * she needn't be smart, she needn't be fair * laugh like a horse, what would i care * and as for…you know, we won't even go there * but s-e-x or not i need a… *.if i had a wife, everything would be peachy * the house would smell pretty, all downey and bleachy * she'd always know just what to do * and she'd keep a tidy toilet, too * yes if i had a wife, she would always cook dinner * she'd never say, "wear the black. you look thinner" * and when we watch the boob tube * she'd say, "honey, what would you like to see * i wonder what's on lifetime tv? *"i need a wife * that's all there is to it * i need a wife * i just can't do it *.so little time, so much to do * the laundry's in piles * the dishes are too * presents to buy, presents to wrap * and all i can think of is i need a nap * cut me in half, saw me in two * and i'll do all i have to do… * i need a window washer and a chauffeur * nanny, plumber and a gofer * housekeeper, gourmet chef *full-time gardener, playtime ref * dog walker, party planner * floor cleaner, and miss manner *laundry woman, secretary * babysitter. tooth fairy * not to mention apothecarian, veterinarian,disciplinarian ,doctor, nurse, manage the purse * veggie chopper,personal shopper * children's tutor trouble shooter * omigod! i really need a wife!
Superman? Wonder Woman? The Fantastic Four? Who needs them if you can get a mom & wife?8 A COUNTRY LIFE * we wanted a country house * we wanted a country life * he'd be a country husband * i'd be a country wife * so we searched for just that perfect house * that perfect plot of land * mortgaged ourselves to the heavens * just the way we planned * and we moved out of the city into nature's loving hand * oh i'm just a country wife * and i love the country life * seventeen hours * after we moved in * there was not a drop of water * where the water once had been * now we hadn't done the laundry * hadn't even taken showers * so tell me how a well runs dry * in under twenty hours? * and why do those damn deer come by * each night and eat my flowers? * oh i'm just a country wife * and i love the country life * we wanted a country house * we got a country mess * how the septic overflowed * is anybody's guess * but then the heat went out, the boiler blew * the termites came in strong * a hailstorm blew off half the roof * and took the car along * and i'm thinkin' that we got this country living stuff all wrong * oh i'm just a country wife * and i love the country life * in the city, we took a lot for granted * water came up through the pipes * the other stuff went down * in new york city, it's true not much was planted * but you'd have dinner on the table in 30 minutes flat * indian, thai, chinese, what do you think about that? * and you walked all day so you never got fat * oh i'm just a country wife * but i miss the city life * he wanted a country house * he wanted a country wife * now my country husband couldn't fix * a thing to save his life * we've got mice in the attic * we've got squirrels in the garage * our oasis in the country's nothing more than a mirage * and all the things that still need fixin' *come at us in a barrage * oh i'm just a country wife * and i love the country life * oh i'm just a country wife * i love the country, really love the country * i love the country * (i get dyspeptic, just thinking about that septic) * but i love the country, really love the country * (i'll take a manhattan) * hell, i love the country life.
We were so excited when we moved up from NYC to our new house in the country. We didn't know anything about septic systems or wells, or all the minor miracles a building superintendent did to keep things running.9 HOW WAS I TO KNOW* my father worked too hard* he sometimes yelled too much* his views on things were dated* and often out of touch* he never was the sort of man you'd call a doting dad* but still he was my father, the only one i had* so tell me how was i to know* how was i to know* how was i to know i'd love him so?* i was born the youngest of five kids you see* and just another girl in that all female family* all the years of growing up* i never heard a word of praise* i moved away at eighteen* and we went our separate ways* but tell me how was i to know* how was i to know* how was i to know i'd love him so?* one night, years later* he came to hear me sing* i didn't think much of it i didn't expect a thing* the next day he said as he pulled me aside* "you were extraordinary last night."* i almost died* looking in his eyes i realized he'd become* the dad i'd always wanted* since i was very young* the dad i always knew he had hidden deep inside* in no time he was gone again* in one short year he died* but tell me how was i to know* how was i to know* how was i to know i'd miss him so* cleaning out his papers in a bottom dresser drawer* i came across a box of things i'd never seen before* it was old and faded* he'd saved it all for years* the box had my name on it* i read it through my tears* a poem that i had published* when i was in fifth grade* a penguin out of clay* first thing i'd ever made* every play, every recital* all the ways i'd lived and grown* i saw again through his eyes* and the dad i'd never known* so tell me how was i to know* how was i to know* how was i to know he loved me so?
My dad ran a Dairy for 50 years. He had fought in the Pacific in WWII, now he lived with 6 women. Which was tougher? How was he to know how to cope with us? Life doesn't come with an instruction booklet.10 JUST SAY NO* there it goes again* the phone rings off the wall* every day and every night* the volunteer vultures cal* li used to just say yes, yes, yes * i always went along *til my life became a mess, mess, mess* now i just sing this song* let me give you some advice my friend* just say no* the reward's not worth the price my friend* just say no* if you think that you should do it* call me up i'll talk you through it* all you need is just three little word…no, no, no* they call me for the bake sale* or for the church bazaar* they call me to drive here and there* they say, "it isn't far." * i volunteered for that* i volunteered for this* now each time the vultures call* i tell them what to kiss* never say yes, my friend* you'll never guess, my friend* just how much trouble those three letters bring* not y-e-s, my friend* reduce your stress my friend* listen to the words of the song i sing* oh no is such a pretty word* so little and concise* you can use it every day* don't think twice.
When you work freelance, people seem to think that means you never have to be anywhere or do anything, so you must have plenty of time to lavish your talent & time on them. (Many days it's true, and when it involves your kid, well, that makes it damned near impossible to "just say no".)11 BITTERSWEET* seemed like such a simple thing* yet we remember it so well* when our son was six weeks old* he had this silly toothless grin* couldn't help but shed a tear* when his first tooth came in* bittersweet--each phase he goes through* bittersweet---each height he grows to* bittersweet--too soon we know he'll be gone* with one hand we hold him back* and the other we let go* and we say, slow down, slow down, slow down* it was our first real encounter with a parent's paradox* with his first unsteady step* he left a footprint in our mind* though we loved each new step forward* we missed things he'd leave behind* bittersweet---each phase he goes through* bittersweet---each height he grows to* bittersweet----too soon we know he'll be gone* with one hand we hold him back* and the other we let go* and we say…slow down, slow down *just stop and let us catch our breath* as you change before our eyes* there's so much more to growing up* than we can ever make you realize* now we look into his eyes* and see the boy he's busy being* we see the man he will become* we see the child who'll soon depart* and the baby we held in our arms* all held safe within our hearts* how i loved holding him in my arms* now keep him safe* always safe* hold him safe* within my heart.
One day I went to the car wash and noticed, cleaning out the back where my son sat, there was nothing but sports equipment. No more toys, not one action figure. It made me so sad.12 A MOTHER'S CONFESSION * it's bedtime now; let's go find a book * how 'bout winnie, or alice? * let's go take a look * eb white or william joyce * looks like we have quite a choice * oh no, not again, don't make me read that * how often must i read the cat in the hat? * green eggs and ham, will drive me nuts * so i say, no, ifs, ands or buts * i will not read them, no, not i * not easter, or fourth of july * the singsong patterns drive me mad * that rhyming * makes my eyes go bad * and one more thing, oh yes, i wish * i'd never heard red fish, blue fish * of horton, whoville, or the grinch * and that darn cat still makes me flinch * i will not read them, no, not i * not easter, or fourth of july * i will not read them, nossirree * not on a bike or in a tree * oh look at me, look at me * look at me now! * the thoughts that i'm thinking aren't my thoughts somehow * i'd rather be crucified or mother goosified * anything's better, i hate being seussified * i'd rather be dunked * i'd rather be drowned * i'd rather be hung by the heels upside down * i'd rather be tickled * i'd rather be spanked * i'd rather be prickled * or had my hair yanked * i'd rather be spat on or poked in the eye * i'd rather be sat on or baked in a pie * i'd rather be froze, i'd rather be kicked, or * squoze up and down by a boa constrictor * what's that you say? you can't go to sleep? * oh honey, please, don't ask me--i'll weep * just one more time? oh, what's the use? * hand me the book, i'll read dr. seuss.
After I wrote this song, my son and one of his friends heard me singing it in the living room. He threw a bread roll at me, ran in and said, "You stink, Mama, You don't like Dr. Seuss? You stink". I absolutely loved reading to my boy at bedtime. However, for me, the Seuss books never made it past the 56th reading.