Arts & Entertainment

'Ballad of Sandy' Nets State Award for Long Valley Women's Club

Some good came from devastating storm that swept through Washington Twp. nearly a year ago.

Super Storm Sandy was so devastating, so catastrophic, so memorable, it won't soon – or ever – be forgotten by Washington Township residents.

For those who choose to have a short memory of the storm from just a year ago, however, the Long Valley Women's Club penned an entire song, with lyrics, emphasizing and rehashing the struggles residents faced throughout the two-week powerless aftermath of the disaster.

The song was performed by 10 members of the Club which led to a first place finish in the Highlands District N.J. State Federation of Women’s Club Performance Day held in March. 

Below, courtesy of the Women's Club, is the entire song in performance method: 

The Ballad of Sandy, Super Storm
(Verses in italics sung  to the tune of “Down in the Valley”).

Introduction:

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While not to minimize the devastating effects that last year’s storm had on many parts of New Jersey, we, in Long Valley, would like to share with you some of the many inconveniences that affected our sanity during the storm.  With that in mind, some of our very talented members wrote and will perform for you today, “The Ballad of Sandy – Super Storm”.  (Verses below in in italics are sung by all.)

On the night after the big blow we find a group of friends gathered around a pot bellied stove at the only home on the block with a working generator. Sadly it just ran out of gas! Flashlights are quickly engaged.

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Curtains open:

When troubles are heavy and people are frightened, by sharing our stories, our hearts may be lightened!

Down in the Valley, Long Valley N.J., weather men warned of a storm on the way.

We heard the wind blow dears, we heard it all night; when we awakened, we had quite a fright.

Early on Monday, we felt the storm’s power, electricity went out in the very first hour.

All through the night, in the cold and the dark; trees took the lines down, with a crack and a spark.

Land lines and TVs all were shut down, cell phones were spotty all over town

The road crews were busy but progress was slow; with so many roads closed, there was no place to go.

First night was romantic, candles aglow, next day was a nightmare reality show

Those who were shivering to friends  they would drive, hot showers convinced them they still were alive.

Schools were all dark, kids were all home, no cable or computers, we felt all alone.

Our local Dee Jays kept us informed, told us the places where we could get warm.

People phoned in, information was shared; other folks’ stories were told and compared.

We love our comfort and warmth we did seek; without our generators we’d be up the creek

Microwaved meatloaf, microwaved dogs, we survived a strange diet and lighted the logs.

Generators were chugging, burning up fuel, gasoline was rationed, the pump lines were cruel. We waited for hours or went to Pa., for gas was so precious this price we must pay.

Back in the Valley the water was high, power was fleeting, nothing was dry.

Trying to diet got kind of tough; cooking at all was generally rough.

All that was easy was not on the plan, avoiding the junk food and soup in a can.

Weight Watchers meetings were hard to get to, cooking a challenge, what could I do?

Fire up the grill and cook what I could, tried to stay focused, eat what I should.

Using my wood stove, heating my meal, learned pioneer ways, what they did feel

I was resourceful, I soon learned the knack, but I’m so happy to have my stove back! 

Breakfast at Bobby’s sure was a treat, friends from the valley could gather and eat.

Couldn’t do laundry or cook a good dinner, somehow we hoped at least we’d get thinner!

Looked high and low for a  power truck; but when it was absent, , we felt out of luck.

12 long days later the roadways were cleared; then 2 days later our power reappeared.  (sing: Hallelujah!  5 times.)

We learned to live simply, but for power we were famished; but we really learned one thing: to appreciate the Amish!

No TV or cell phones, no computer to tweet, no Halloween candy or parades down the street.

 Lessons were learned and folks showed how they care; the few that had power were willing to share.

Some did our laundry; some cooked us meals, Wi-Fi at the library made days less surreal.

Roses love sunshine, flowers love dew; we love the people who helped us pull through.  When seeing the damage we all were alarmed, but we were the lucky ones who came through unharmed.

Everyone:

Now this is our story and this is our song, bad things will happen and things will go wrong

But when storm clouds threaten and things fall apart, remember to keep a song in our hearts!

All in all it was an uphill fight, but we all pulled together to make Long Valley right!


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