If I could
I finally found it today. I should say, to be exact, I finally remember. It is 1927's If I Could.
If there is a song that is about him and me, then it is 1927's If I Could.
"D...I like this song. I'll sing this for you?"
"Sing? But you are not a singer." I said.
"Well, let me read you the lyrics then."
"That is a great alternative. Reading is good." I said.
"Ok, so here goes...."
He read.
"Oh really? paint my portrait? Write me a book? When are you going to start?" I said.
"One day."
"But I would rather you play up a storm." I said.
"If I could."
"Funny."
"I have to stay true to the spirit of the song, D."
"I am not getting my portrait, book or storm?"
"If I could."
"Hahaha....stupid song!"
"I can write you a.....b....an IOU?"
"Stop! I am going to get stitches. Maybe you should just sing and kill me."
Many years have passed since. Who he is to me hasn't changed, but those memories are fading. I couldn't even recall that song. But if judgement day is going to come tommorrow, it would be my darkest day. I could only regret that I was not in my best christian behaviour then. I could only blame my iniquities that I am now still worried about his salvation.
If I could.
That song was forgotten. There was a faint memory of it. However, I refreshed it today, making it so crystal clear, so fresh that I am now helplessly swallowing hard a huge lump that is forming at my throat.
Then one year, years later, for a few months, I had this recurring nightmare that he was knocked down by a car while crossing the street to meet me. That got me crying for many nights, seeing him breathing his last, knowing that he would be trampled upon during end times, knowing no amount of prayers would change anything then. My eyes were puffy everyday from too much crying. I stocked up on eye creams. Little pots of eye creams are now stacked away nicely on my shelves.
There were other songs, mainly U2, because he was such a huge fan.
"No band could give me such a high like U2. Great Lyrics."
"Ok," I said.
"You know D, they are releasing their latest album. Finally. Such a long wait. I am really happy."
"Ok."
Years later, on the phone
"Hi" I said.
"Hello," He said.
"Bad." I said.
"How can I help?" He said.
"I am stuck. Get me out." I said.
"Hmmm...let me read you the seven habits of highly effective people."
"Hahaha...sure...you think one of the habits can get me out of this sh*t?"
"Let me start reading" He flipped the page. "So, first habit..."
I am still praying, if I could still pray.
As for that song, I will blog it before it fades away again.
IF I COULD
by 1927
If I could paint
I'd paint a portrait of you
The sunlight in your eyes a masterpiece of truth
And a single tear like a silent prayer
That's shining so much brighter than a diamond ever dared
If I could do anything at all, I'd do it for you
If I could write
I'd write a book for you
A tale of hidden treasures with an I.O.U
And a million words couldn't say a thing
That won't be said in three words
Where love's the central theme
If I could do anything at all, I'd do it for you
Chorus
Darling can't you see
What you mean to me
Anything that I can do I'll do it for you
And darling don't you know
Just how far I'd go
Anything that I can do, I'd do it for you
Sometimes I feel so second-rate
Seems loving you was my greatest mistake
I know I'm insecure
And love don't keep score
But I wish I could give you more
If I could play
I'd play up a storm for you
A raging sea of passion that you never knew
Every whispered sound would touch your heart
And maybe for a moment I could be your favourite star
If I could do anything at all
If I could, I'd give you more
If I could do anything at all…..I'd do it for you
If there is a song that is about him and me, then it is 1927's If I Could.
"D...I like this song. I'll sing this for you?"
"Sing? But you are not a singer." I said.
"Well, let me read you the lyrics then."
"That is a great alternative. Reading is good." I said.
"Ok, so here goes...."
He read.
"Oh really? paint my portrait? Write me a book? When are you going to start?" I said.
"One day."
"But I would rather you play up a storm." I said.
"If I could."
"Funny."
"I have to stay true to the spirit of the song, D."
"I am not getting my portrait, book or storm?"
"If I could."
"Hahaha....stupid song!"
"I can write you a.....b....an IOU?"
"Stop! I am going to get stitches. Maybe you should just sing and kill me."
Many years have passed since. Who he is to me hasn't changed, but those memories are fading. I couldn't even recall that song. But if judgement day is going to come tommorrow, it would be my darkest day. I could only regret that I was not in my best christian behaviour then. I could only blame my iniquities that I am now still worried about his salvation.
If I could.
That song was forgotten. There was a faint memory of it. However, I refreshed it today, making it so crystal clear, so fresh that I am now helplessly swallowing hard a huge lump that is forming at my throat.
Then one year, years later, for a few months, I had this recurring nightmare that he was knocked down by a car while crossing the street to meet me. That got me crying for many nights, seeing him breathing his last, knowing that he would be trampled upon during end times, knowing no amount of prayers would change anything then. My eyes were puffy everyday from too much crying. I stocked up on eye creams. Little pots of eye creams are now stacked away nicely on my shelves.
There were other songs, mainly U2, because he was such a huge fan.
"No band could give me such a high like U2. Great Lyrics."
"Ok," I said.
"You know D, they are releasing their latest album. Finally. Such a long wait. I am really happy."
"Ok."
Years later, on the phone
"Hi" I said.
"Hello," He said.
"Bad." I said.
"How can I help?" He said.
"I am stuck. Get me out." I said.
"Hmmm...let me read you the seven habits of highly effective people."
"Hahaha...sure...you think one of the habits can get me out of this sh*t?"
"Let me start reading" He flipped the page. "So, first habit..."
I am still praying, if I could still pray.
As for that song, I will blog it before it fades away again.
IF I COULD
by 1927
If I could paint
I'd paint a portrait of you
The sunlight in your eyes a masterpiece of truth
And a single tear like a silent prayer
That's shining so much brighter than a diamond ever dared
If I could do anything at all, I'd do it for you
If I could write
I'd write a book for you
A tale of hidden treasures with an I.O.U
And a million words couldn't say a thing
That won't be said in three words
Where love's the central theme
If I could do anything at all, I'd do it for you
Chorus
Darling can't you see
What you mean to me
Anything that I can do I'll do it for you
And darling don't you know
Just how far I'd go
Anything that I can do, I'd do it for you
Sometimes I feel so second-rate
Seems loving you was my greatest mistake
I know I'm insecure
And love don't keep score
But I wish I could give you more
If I could play
I'd play up a storm for you
A raging sea of passion that you never knew
Every whispered sound would touch your heart
And maybe for a moment I could be your favourite star
If I could do anything at all
If I could, I'd give you more
If I could do anything at all…..I'd do it for you
posted by eternal bough at 12:57 AM
4 Comments:
U2 is also his favorite...
I love the song too!
i want to listen to this song... anyone has a copy?
I have not heard this song for ages. Frankly, I never paid much attention to it, thinking it was really candy pop-filler but your blog showed me the deeper themes in the song.
BTW, I remember you like Tom Waits. You might be interested in downloading the podcast of Episode 154 of Coverville at www.coverville.com which features 40 mins of covers of Tom Waits songs. There is even Tom Waits covering a James Brown song live. Check it out. (I listen to coverville religiously)
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