Stars in My Crown

Hear that?

Might say I was raised on that song.

Hearing it takes me back...

back to the old times when I was young,

Back to Walesburg.

According to the song,

we're promised a city of gold in the hereafter.

I used to think that was a long time to have to wait.

But I know now that there is a city of gold

right here on earth for every one of us,

the city of our youth.

Walesburg's only one name for it; that's all.

Walesburg not as it is now, but as it used to be.

I just have to shut my eyes, and I'm there.

Nothing's changed. Even I haven't changed.

I'm always a boy in Walesburg.

And there at my side, just as he'll always be, is the parson.

Parson Gray.

Passing before me are all the people who were a part of my growing up,

People like Mrs. Belcher, who took in boarders,

and her niece, Faith Samuels, the district schoolteacher.

Sweet, pretty miss Samuels.

Did you hear that, John?

Granny Gailbraith, who could remember seeing George Washington.

Thad Carroll, who had served as drummer boy at the first Bull Run.

Lon Backett, who kept the general store and had a finger in every pie.

Even Chloroform Wiggins.

His ma had never heard of chloroform until he was born,

and she thought it was a mighty pretty name.

And all the others,

Walesburg people...

Gone now, most of them,

and yet as close to me still as people in a favorite story...

A story that had its beginning before I was born,

on the day the parson arrived in our town.

This wasn't much of a town then

in those first hard years that followed the war between the states,

but it suited the parson.

Right from the minute he stepped off the train

and started to look around.

He must have attracted plenty of attention

as he walked down main street for the first time

in his brand-new black pulpit coat

and faded gray cavalry breeches

and his big old Bible in his hand.

But he just kept on walking till he got to.

Jerry Higgins' saloon.

He didn't have to call for quiet.

It just followed him through that room like a hound dog.

Boys, I'm your new preacher,

and I aim to give my first sermon right here and now.

Thanks.

Now, seeing that this is as new to me as it is to you...

I reckon we'd best begin at the beginning.

"In the beginning was the word,

"and the word was with God.

And the word was God."

From that day on,

Walesburg and the parson kind of grew up together.

He preached around in back rooms,

and he prayed in parlors,

and he led the singing in barns.

* Shall we gather at the river *

* Where bright angel feet have trod *

* With its crystal light forever *

* Flowing by the throne of God *

* Yes, we'll gather at the river *

* The beautiful, the beautiful river *

* Gather with the saints at the river *

* That flows by the throne of god *

And by the time work started on the parson's church,

his victory was won.

Just about everybody in Walesburg took a hand in that church building.

And if ever a house of god or man was put together with loving hands,

this one was.

Yes, the parson's church is one of the nicest parts of the parson's story.

And now I was in the story, too.

Had been ever since I could remember.

My parents had died when I was small,

so I'd come to live in the parson's house,

sharing the parson's heart with the parson's wife,

who was my aunt Harriet.

What's this? Dinner not ready yet?

Garfield, we better get a new cook.

Enjoy the service this morning, Harriet?

Well, now I'm glad to hear that.

Everyone else was saying what a good service it was, too.

John Kenyon, you know

you don't have to do everything the parson does.

Yes'm.

You know, to tell you the truth, I found it pretty good myself.

- Don't you laugh at me, Mr. Gray. - Why, Harriet, honey,

what gives you the idea I'm laughing at you?

I am standing around with a big smile on my face

just 'cause I feel good, and you- Yes, well, all I have to say is:

You should be ashamed of yourself.

I was brought up to believe

that a man who broke his solemn promise to a lady

was a pretty poor sort of a man.

Oh, Harriet, I guess you found me out.

I am a pretty poor sort of man.

I was intending to mention it sooner. Something always came up.

This morning was just the last straw.

You promised me time and time and again

that as long as I played the organ for the services,

I could choose the hymns.

So I have.

Yes, and promise is all you do.

Never mind what I want to sing;

What anybody else in Walesburg wants to sing.

Oh, no, week in, week out,

it's that old "stars in my crown".

I like "Stars in my crown".

Oh, I know you do, Mr. Gray.

I assure you, it's common knowledge.

Never hear the last of it in this world.

And if you have your way, it'll be the same in the next.

John, you put those shoes and stockings right back on.

They make my feet hot.

I don't care. You're not going barefoot on the Sabbath.

It isn't respectful.

- Aw, Garfield. - Language?

Now, John, do exactly as your aunt Harriet says.

Any woman who can bake a chocolate cake as good as this

deserves all the consideration she can get.

Now, Harriet, honey, about this hymn business.

It's for you to say what you want done and for me to do it.

Don't be shy about expressing your desires.

Just speak right up, and I won't open my mouth...

except to do the preaching.

If the day comes when you don't open your mouth...

That's my last word, Harriet- except to do the preaching.

* Will there be any stars *

* Any stars in my crown *

* When at evening the sun goeth down *

* When I wake with the Blessed *

* In those mansions of rest *

* Will there be any stars in my crown? *

After the parson and my aunt Harriet,

the most important people in my world

were Uncle Famous Prill and his old dog Belle.

Uncle Famous knew everything about hunting and fishing,

and I don't guess there was a boy or man in Walesburg

who hadn't had him for a teacher.

* Any stars, any stars in my crown *

* when at evening the sun goeth-*

Hello, John.

Hello, Chloroform.

Hello, uncle Famous.

Chloroform.

Where are y'all going?

Fishing.

That's where I thought you was going.

Well, good-bye, John.

Bye, Chloroform.

Bye, Uncle Famous.

Chloroform.

Boy, possess yourself. Leave Mr. Frog be.

He ain't gonna help you catch no fish.

Oh, they ain't biting today.

Maybe they ain't, and maybe they is,

but I just seen a big old catfish come sneaking this way.

I know just what he's thinking. He's thinking,

"Uh, that old man, he's too smart for me,

"but that boy, he's so taken up with Mr. Frog,

I'm gonna grab his dough ball and just scat away."

Now, how'd you know he was thinking that?

I been on close terms with catfish

ever since I was big enough to scratch myself with my left hand.

If I don't know what they's thinking, who does?

- Where'd he go to? - He didn't say.

Oh, there he is now!

Get out the way.

Oh, that's a big one. Stand back, now, stand back.

Well, bang my time.

I done spake in pride,

and the lord had his ear out and heard me.

Go on home. Your mammy wants you.

Famous, I'd like to talk to you.

Howdy, Mr. Backett.

Hot.

Yes, sir.

Famous, got some good news for you.

You know that mica vein I've been working on my 60 acres near your place?

And making a mighty good thing out of it, too.

Well, that vein has run smack-dab into your property line.

Found out about it this morning.

Now, what do you say to that?

Well, sir, I don't know. I don't see it's anything to do with me.

Why, it's your property, ain't it? It ain't my property.

If I don't get title to that land, I'll have to close down the mine.

So, here I am with a little proposition.

60 cents an acre, cash in hand, or you can take it out in credit at the store.

Done?

- Sell my land? - That's the ticket.

Well, sir, thanks all the same, but

I been making out on that place a sight of years now.

Yes, but that isn't what I asked you.

Yes, sir. What I mean is that...

Well, I reckon I'm just too old to make a change.