Special thanks to J.R. Sullivan.

SongNotes
Waltz of the Years
by Eamon Friel

SongNotes is a Blog series by Jamie O’Reilly, part of the Roots Legacy Project, telling the stories behind the songs she’s performed for over 40 years. Where possible she includes a recording of her own or provides links to inspiring versions.

J.R. Sullivan chose this sweet waltz ballad to end our mini-run of Chicago Bloomsday, a new telling of Ulysses in June of 2022 at Chief O’Neill’s Pub.

I needed a little distance from the song at first — so poignant were its verses — and far too-close for me with the kinds of losses and heartache I’d had in the last few years. It’s the story of a child watching their parents dancing in the kitchen, and summoning up the memory years after they’ve gone. It’s about the beauty of lasting love.

In time, I cast my longtime friends Rita and Bob Walsh in the Waltz story as I sang it. With their 60 Wedding Anniversary party looming, and me unable to attend, I wanted to sing and gift it to them.

Rita and I met in the cast of Sonrise (a version of Godspell) when I was 15, and she was in her mid-thirties, already a mother of four. She played lead guitar in the folk group, too. She had stories of the Chicago Folk scene of the 60s, famous clubs I’d only heard about. Places like Amazing Grace coffeehouse with headliners like Bob Gibson, who I came to know years later. Rita knew all the best folksongs. We became quite close.

Rita and Bob and family moved away in 1976. Headed to the health mecca of Boulder, Colorado. We stayed in touch, sharing visits and music over the years. Rita never forgets a birthday or Christmas, and as a skilled artisan, gifts me many lovely presents.

At some point Rita and Bob started country Western partner dancing — took lessons and competed. The 90s 2-step country dance craze was getting couples out on the dance floor, and from all reports Rita and Bob had a grand old time I decided to record Waltz of the Years and send it to them.

As I listen to the song now, I can’t help but think of my sister Beth Ann (we call her Bella). Were she still here she’d would no doubt come over to me at a party, stretch out her arms, nod toward the music and lead me in the waltz. Never one to leave you standing in the corner feeling sorry for yourself, our sister. Keeping good time. Unabashed and vibrant. Making memories.

Lyrics

Waltz of the years, ever so slow
Years come, years go
Stay in my arms, on through the years
through laughter and tears

It was just some old song he was singing
Soon they were waltzing away
Seeing my mother and father
laughing and dancing that day

There in the kitchen together
memories a child’s souvenirs
I didn’t know they were dancing
Dancing the waltz of the years

Waltz of the years, ever so slow
Years come, years go
Stay in my arms, on through the years
through laughter and tears

Darling soon enough the dancing is done
though the melody’s only begun
Look at the sunlight pour in through the open door
Our time to dance in the sun

And it’s just some old song that the’re playing
here on the radio knob
Me I was never a dancer
Maybe I’ll manage somehow

I’m so unsure but you’re with me
easing my doubts and my fears
Look at us now and we’re dancing
Dancing the waltz of the years

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Jamie will sing Waltz of the Years as part of her Songs of Resilience Series, July 15 at St. Giles Church courtyard in Oak Park and July 17 at Tre Kronor Swedish Bistro, in Chicago’s North Park.