From the recording Mrs. Eldredge's Arm

<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I heard this story from child psychologist Ned Hallowell and, with his permission, turned it into a song.&nbsp; It is a tribute to the tenderness of one of his elementary school teachers who, to her six-year-old students, seemed quite imposing.&nbsp; I have no idea if the real Mrs. Eldredge wore her glasses on a cord around her neck, but my mother did when she taught second grade, so into the song went that detail.<br /><br /><br />Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer produced another recording of this for me in February of 2007 -- one which featured the great singer-storyteller Tom Paxton.&nbsp; That single is still available on iTunes searchable through the title, or look for the yellow cover among Mr. Paxton&rsquo;s albums searching with his name. &nbsp;It is also accessible through a number of streaming services including Spotify.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;"><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">The version here is my demo of the song.<br /><br /></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;"><em><strong>&copy; 2006</strong><strong> Steven E. Cutts</strong></em></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">a Studio C recording, <strong>Summer/Fall 2006</strong></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;</span></span></p>

Lyrics

<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">The other kids in first grade were ahead of me</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">When it came time for &ldquo;Look, look, look, run, run, and see.&rdquo;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Those stories about Dick and Jane</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Seemed awfully simple, clear, and plain</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">When they would read,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">But when I tried, the words would all collide</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">And twist and jumble as they pleased.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">Our teacher Mrs. Eldredge was not young or thin;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">Beneath her powdered cheeks she had a triple chin.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Plump and round as she could be;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">My mom politely said that she was &ldquo;Heavy-set&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">She peered at us through spectacles that sometimes dangled&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">From a chain around her neck.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; She seemed so stern</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; No question: you were in her class to learn!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; But Mrs. Eldredge very quickly earned</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; My gratitude and trust.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">My classmates never quite got &lsquo;round to teasing me,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">But I could feel them sitting there impatiently.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Those letters that to them made sense</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Confused me and made me feel tense</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">And want to cry,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;I never quite got &lsquo;round to tearing up</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">And there was a good reason why!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The time would arrive</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; For reading group, and I&rsquo;d feel terrified,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Then I&rsquo;d calm down if I sat side-by-side</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Mrs. Eldridge&rsquo;s arm.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">If I was having trouble with the words that day</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">Mrs. Eldredge reached her arm around me, as if to say,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &ldquo;Take your time; I know it&rsquo;s hard</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; You&rsquo;re just as smart as the others are,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I have no doubt.&rdquo;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">That made me bold, the story would unfold,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">And words began to tumble out.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span></span></em></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">I&rsquo;d really try;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">I&rsquo;d lean against her and feel much less shy;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">My confidence shot up surrounded by</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">Mrs. Eldredge&rsquo;s arm.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">When summer came, I still was stumbling when I read.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">Away from school there was no comfy arm; instead</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I&rsquo;d take a deep breath and pretend</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I was inside of her arm again;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That&rsquo;s all it took.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">That comfort of her arm is still a lucky charm :</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">I make my living writing books!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;">The other kids in first grade were ahead of me</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: small; font-family: 'book antiqua', palatino, serif;"> When it came time for &ldquo;Look, look, look, run, run, and see.&rdquo;</span></p>