I wrote this song nearly 30 years ago. At the time, I was not yet a lyricist, and was playing in a band where we had 3 lyricists. This song was adopted by a female band member who wrote lyrics that were nothing I felt for this melody and progression. Again, fast forward a couple of decades and in writing lyrics, I've now re-purposed this song to better represent my sentiments, which are love, loss, and finding peace.
lyrics
The Promise
Writing is done in invisible ink.
No time to believe, too blind to think.
The last one to know, we were set on the brink,
Now hoist that rag, come pour us a drink.
There’s no end to this sad old tune
It’s cadence has fallen, and memory too
Where’s that promise I made to you
Dearly departed, my love so blue.
Limited means, holes in our dreams,
life from the road, it glitters and gleams.
Soul is worn, all tattered and torn,
carries the load as he’s humming the theme ...
There’s no end to this sad old tune
It’s cadence has fallen, and memory too
Where’s that promise I made to you
Dearly departed, my love so blue.
Moonbeams, false dreams, wishing on stars
Pain in this heart cries make a fresh start
Long to remember much simpler times
Laugh and singing familiar old rhymes
There’s no end to this sad old tune
It’s cadence has fallen, and memory too
Where’s that promise I made to you
Dearly departed, my love so true
credits
from To Be Young Again,
released April 7, 2021
N Jay Burr: piano, e-bow, vocals. Dave Johns: upright bass. Geoff Ball: cello. Oliver Wiwcharuk-Burr: violins. Simon Wiwcharuk-Burr: violins.
Stories unfold by a professional musician turned songwriter. I play a lot of instruments. In the Covid19 summer and winter of 2020 and 2021, I performed and recorded these songs for my 2 solo albums. I hope you enjoy.
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