“Smile” by Charlie Chaplin

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it’s breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You’ll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near

That’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what’s the use of crying?
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

That’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what’s the use of crying?
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

“Smile” is a song based on the theme song used in the soundtrack for Charlie Chaplin‘s 1936 film Modern Times.

When my son was young, his great-aunt, Karen, was often his protector against his abusive biological mother and grandmother. He said his Aunt Karen would sing “Smile” to him when he was scared or depressed.

After he moved in with me, he sang the ballad a lot. Basically because it was the only song he knew. I would hear him singing the song to Logan, the cat, and Flyer, the dog.

A week before he went into his last few days where he was non-communicative, he sang this song in a wispy, exhausted voice.

Tonight, at Schuster Center, for the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra’s Tony Bennet tribute, the program will close with “Smile.”

Ahhh…

Here is Nat King Cole’s version.