Still Waiting (2016) soprano + piano; text by Judith Spencer, music by Kyle Hovatter

Still Waiting text by Judith Spencer

"Couldn’t wait to grow up,

So I could play with the big kids

Mummy said “wait“.

You’ll get there.

Couldn’t wait to start school,

Ride on the bus like the big kids.

Mummy said “wait“.

You’ll get there.

Couldn’t wait to wear lipstick,

Maybe eyebrow pencil like the popular girls.

Mother said “wait“.

You’ll get there.

Couldn’t wait to get a driver’s license

So I wouldn’t have to wait for the Parents

To retrieve me from the dance.

Mother said “wait“.

You’ll get there.

Couldn’t wait to go “away” to college,

New world, no Parents, no curfew.

Mom said “wait“.

You’ll get there.

Couldn’t wait to get a job,

Share an apartment,

Maybe loose my virginity.

Friends said “wait“.

You’ll get there.

(Didn’t ask Mom)

Couldn’t wait to marry my guy,

Have children, become a real woman.

My guy said “wait“.

We’ll get there.

Couldn’t wait for the youngest child to start school,

So I could pick up on a career.

My guy said “wait“.

We’ll get there.

Could ‘t wait to finally retire, my guy and I,

To see some of the bigger world and discover ourselves in it?

My guy said “wait“.

We’ll get there.

Well, life happened and he passed on before me.

I wish he could have waited.

But I’m still here

And I can’t wait for this day to open itself to me.

Don’t worry.

I’ll get there."

recorded live at Holy Innocents San Francisco

May 5, 2018 by Jane Spencer Mills, soprano + Ian Scarfe, piano

Program Note:

This piece was written for and commissioned by Jane Spencer Mills. The text was written by Jane’s mother Judith Spencer.