I've been thinking about little green apples lately. It's because of a song that keeps running through my head with lyrics that say ...God didn't make little green apples...
Yet my soul screams that the words aren't true. God did make little green apples, and yellow ones, and red ones, too. I hum and mumble through the chorus for a day or two, straining to think of the words until I hit upon a line about it never snowing in Minneapolis. Right. Like that's true. Finally, I go on-line and search out the lyrics because I need to put the words into proper context.
The song, Little Green Apples, was originally written by Bobby Russell for Roger Miller, who released it in 1968. Amazingly, the song was released by at least 8 recording stars that same year, and several more artists in the following years including Frank Sinatra, The Temptations, and lately Robbie Williams and Kelly Clarkson. The song has staying power regardless of the age and genre. In 1969 it won a Grammy Award for Song of the Year as well as the Grammy Award for Best Country Song.
But why does it say that God didn't make little green apples?
Listen for yourself in this YouTube version where it's sung by Glen Campbell who is accompanied by his daughter, Debby Campbell. Since the words are captioned across the bottom of the screen, you can read the lyrics or even sing along with Glen Campbell's smooth voice at https://youtu.be/o9MKF5YBAo0
Although the line that God didn't make little green apples is used in the song, it's used along with other true facts to illustrate that the man singing the song believes his wife loves him because all the things mentioned are true. This love song is like a romance novel. We feel the warmth of her love because she shows it in every smile and gesture. And to those who would say he's a male chauvinist because he expects her to drop what she's doing and run to him, my answer is that we don't know what she's thinking. I truly wish this song had been written as a duet so that we hear what each believes, instead of her simply repeating his words, but it wasn’t so I will accept it as a beautiful love song that stays in my memory.
However, I'd like to point out that this is what happens when you hear...remember...or say something out of context. For one thing it probably doesn't make sense, but for another, you're missing an important part that may save you aggravation down the road. (Especially if you thought it was about you.)
For my part, I remembered one line that didn't make sense until I read it in the body of work that it was written. Some people take verses out of the Bible and use them out of context, confusing those who don't know the truth. Am I showing Christ in every aspect of my writing, or only when I think the story needs it? Will the reader need to re-read the story to remember the take-away value? Food for thought.
Are you familiar with the Little Green Apples song? Which version?
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Anita Mae
Draper's historical romances are written under the western skies of the
Saskatchewan prairie where her love of research and genealogy yield fascinating
truths that layer her stories with rich historical details. Anita's short story, Here We Come A-Wassailing, was a finalist for the Word Guild's
2015 Word Awards. Her novellas are included in Austen
in Austin Volume 1, The American Heiress
Brides Collection, and The Secret Admirer
Romance Collection. Readers can check out Anita's Pinterest boards for a
visual idea of her stories to enrich their reading experience. Discover more at: 
