The Random Thoughts of Henry Holloway
One of the familiar characters of my childhood wa a little man called 'Happy Jimmy'. One's childhood memory is apt at times to get a little blurred and the picture I have of this little man is not too clear. I do remember that he had a barrel-organ drawn by a donkey. He was accompanied by, I think, his wife, who collected the coppers while he sang.
Nothing much to look at, as I remember him, he had a rather raucous voice and, as he turned the handle he used to sing to the 'tinny' music of the organ. Two of his favourite tunes were: "Where is my Wandering Boy To-Night?" and "Count Your Blessings". I could mimic, much better than I can describe, the way in which he used to intersperse with the music his remarks to the children who used to annoy him. In the middle of "Count Your Blessings", you would suddenly hear: "Keep yer hands off the donkey", and back he would go to the blessings again. I have often wondered since whether 'Happy Jimmy' lived up to his favourite tune and whether he had any blessings to count.
The hymn 'Happy Jimmy' used to sing was the product of a revival campaign and is familiar to most people but the theme of it has been woven into a modern song which has become very popular.
Part of it runs like this:
Count your blessings while you may
For we are here but little time to stay:
All around are hearts sincere and true,
Lovely things abound just waiting for you
Count your blessings while you may
The big or small whichever comes your way
For then you'll find this world a place of love -
If you will count your blessings from above
The modern song has the modern ring about it and the revival hymn has the marks of its origin but both agree in suggesting that all the blessing of life come from above. And that is a philosophy of life which is dynamic and creative. We have had quite a bit of talk about the need for more houses and that is only a small part of the programme we all want to see - better houses and more houses, shorter working hours and more leisure, more pay for honest work done, education for our children and the kind of chance that we never had when we were young. But, you know, you can't have the blessings without God. Jesus said once, 'Man shall not live by bread alone'. Well now, before you go to sleep tonight just count up all the blessings you have had and remember how they came to you and say a wee word of thanks.
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