“Rockin’ of the Cradle” by Rodney Atkins, contributed by James Bergstrom (2025)
“Rockin’ of the Cradle” by Rodney Atkins
I want to live with no excuses
And love with no regrets
Take the bad with the good
And know I did my best
Walkin’ in the sunshine
And dancin’ in the rain
From the rocking of the cradle
To the rolling of that long black limousine.
From Rock-A-Bye Sweet Baby
Until I hear the angels sing
From momma’s tender kisses
Until I board that glory train
I want to love the life I’m living
And live the life I dream
From the rockin’ of the cradle
To the rolling of that long black limousine.
I can’t mend this world with nothin’
And that’s how I’ll leave someday
And all that I’ll take with me
Is the love I gave away
And it’s love that makes a difference
From a pauper to a king
From the rockin’ of the cradle
To the rolling of that long black limousine.
From Rock-A-Bye Sweet Baby
Until I hear the angels sing
From momma’s tender kisses
Until I board that glory train
I want to love the life I’m living
And live the life I dream
From the rockin’ of the cradle
To the rolling of that long black limousine.
So roll on, roll on
Tell the story, turn the pages
Roll on, roll on
Children of all ages
From the first breath that we take
’Till our last one takes us home
Let love be the rock we’re standin’ on.
From Rock-A-Bye Sweet Baby
Until I hear the angels sing
From momma's tender kisses
Until I board that glory train
I want to love the life I'm living
And live the life I dream
From the rockin’ of the cradle
To the rolling of that long black limousine.
From the rocking of the cradle
To the rolling of that long black limousine
I want to live with no excuses
And love with no regrets.
I was inspired to select this song by our conversation in section last week about who would speak at our funeral. As I considered whom I would like to speak at my funeral, I pondered how I want to be remembered, which brought this song to mind. Although this song is not about a loss yet experienced, it is a powerful reflection on loss to come. Not the loss of a loved one, but the loss of oneself. To my mind the scariest form of loss. It is also interesting to consider that we spend our life preparing for our death, so it is important for us to “do our best,” “live the life we dream,” and probably most importantly remember “And all that I'll take with me / Is the love I gave away.” I would say working hard and working towards the life you desire are both important. But I am particularly struck that all that will be left after our body is buried or cremated is the impressions we left on others and the joy or pain we brought them. To me this is a profound imperative to be our best selves, and bring as much joy to others as we can. It may not help as much once the loss has happened, but I hope that this song helps us be prepared for our own loss.