Memories of Dad - Tara's Version

All my life, we have grown up singing. My dad had been a huge influence in that process. He was exceptionally talented. Grandma Natal would take Ed with her to sing at the Saturday night dances. He sang at weddings and funerals and every church function possibly conceivable. We have heard stories of Dad being the top tenor in Arizona. He sang Peter’s Lament in the Arizona Easter Pageant on the temple grounds. But there is one event that just could not happen if Dad did not sing… That would be Christmas. Christmas is not Christmas with out Oh holy night sung by Uncle Eddie. I can not tell you how many people have told me that. There have been years when Dad has tried to have everybody else sing it, help sing it or not do it at all. However, he just has to sing it.

One Christmas in particular, I remember being at Grandpa Wilber Murdock’s old house on 9th Drive (I think). One of Dad’s brothers and sisters was not able to be at our Murdock Extended family Christmas celebration. So instead of just singing it, somebody...possibly Aunt Cherie shoved a recording device in front of Dad’s mouth to record his melodious voice. Aunt Moneta was at the piano and there was a single lamp on giving off a yellow light, putting Dad in a shadow, as he was in front of the piano. I remember Dad protesting at first and trying to make someone, anyone else sing it with him. But his sisters persisted in having only Eddie sing it. They were then going to send the tape to the long lost who could not be present.

This song was and still is the epitome of Christmas. Long lay the world in sin and error pining… till he appeared, and the soul felt its worth. This song has such great words and the tender feelings that come from it are made extra special by the beautiful tenor voice that carries the tune to my ears and into my heart. My Dad will always be the one and only man to sing that for Christmas. Everyone else has a great time singing it too, but it will always be Uncle Eddie’s song.