I used to play “Swans on the Lake” as a boy taking piano lessons. I thought it was a pretty song, but paid little attention to the lyrics. In my years of studying piano, I went through the entire John Thompson series and beyond.

The one song that has stayed with me all these years from the Thompson books is “Long, Long Ago” from the same book. I can still sit down and play that one from memory even today after not touching the keyboard in ages.

Thank you for this post about “Swans on the Lake”. It fortified some distant fond memories for me. I also enjoyed reading everyone’s comments about the song and the Thompson piano books.

Ah, me too. Fondly remembering those silly but sweet lyrics prompted me just now to “do a search” to see if others still alive remembered them as well.

My family bought a piano when I was 6 or 7, and I taught myself to play piano using that book. That John Thompson book with its illustrations for finger placement plus knowing where Middle C was were all you needed. It felt so empowering!

It’s a pivotal memory in my long life.

The only piece I remember from that book! I am now 75 years young and the last phrase still repeats in my head frequently. What a great earworm! I love it that others remember and enjoy it.

The first and only song I learned to play with two hands…about 60 years ago….and I STILL remembered the lyrics!

I couldn’t remember anything but the first two stanzas. Thanks for finishing it for my memories