SAN DIEGO—All of the songs selected for today deal loosely with the things men do, according to the songwriter's daughter, Harriet. To hear any of the songs below,, please click on the titles above the lyrics. To hear songs that have previously been published on San Diego Jewish World, please visit Hal's archive page by clicking here.


#238 -- Men of Strength
#93 -- Son Day
#219 -- Happy Birthday, Duarte


#238, Men of Strength

Men of strength are free to cry,
Let feelings flow and not deny
Their masculinity.
Men of strength don’t hide their tears,
For in their strength they have no fears
Of setting feelings free.

Men of strength can cry--
Yes, brother, you and I.

Men of strength are free to weep,
They have no need to hide or keep
Their hearts in ball and chain.
Men of strength can empathize,
Are always free to recognize
Human hurt and pain.

Men of strength can cry--
Yes, brother, you and I.

Men of strength are not machines,
Macho cold and lacking means
To do what humans can.
Men of strength have strength that's real,
Strength that makes them free to feel,
To truly be a man.

Men of strength can cry--
Yes, brother, you and I.

(c) 2009 Estate of Hal Wingard. August 9, 1994. First and last stanzas--composed at dinner, March 31, 1993, at Hotel Central, Traben-Trarbach, Germany--were stimulated by song on radio as I was on my way that day to Bernkastel: Auch Männer machen Tränen. Melody and middle stanza written August 9, 1994 at Eleventh Annual Summer Seminar for Foreign Language Teachers, UCSB, Aug 6-12, 1994.

#93, Son Day

Sunday, Sunday—
That’s my fun day,
Day when I’m with you.
Sunday, Sunday—
It’s the one day
When I feel like new.
Mondays, Tuesdays—
Common blues days,
Days when I feel lame.
Thursdays, Fridays—
Make me cry days,
Saturdays, the same.

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Ev’ry weekday
Is a bleak day,
Never is worthwhile
Only Sunday—
That’s the one day
You will see me smile.
Now it’s Sunday—
My one fun day.
Sunday has begun.
Sonny Sunday—
It’s the one day
I’m with you, my son.

(c)2009 Estate of Hal Wingard, March 26, 1980




#219, Happy Birthday, Duarte

Duarte, Duarte,
Ev'ryone's sweetheart.
Ev'ryone's in love with Duarte.

(Let me tell you.)

Duarte, Duarte,
Ev'ryone's sweetheart.
Ev'ryone's in love with Duarte.

For you're the one whose vision
Perceives what must be done,
Who turns each act of doing
Into unexpected fun.

And you're the one whose humor
Can make a statue smile,
Whose energy drives others
Who'd rather rest the while.

Chorus

And when it comes to caring,
Oh, most attentive man,
You show concern for others
As others seldom can.

You're thoughtful, bold, courageous,
Creative, kind, and smart.
That's why today we wish you
A Happy Birthday. . .

Chorus


(c) 2009 Estate of Hal Wingard.To Duarte Silva. March 6, 1992. Words completed March 5, 1992, on a USAir flight from San Diego to San Francisco, while traveling to meet with Duarte, Shirley Hazlett, and Fred Tempes in Sacramento.

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Hal Wingard died May 25, 2009 at age 83 in San Diego. He was an educator who specialized in methodologies for foreign language teaching and had served on the California State Curriculum Commission. His wife, Eileen, a retired symphony violinist and occasional contributor to San Diego Jewish World, survives him, along with three daughters and a son.