Infinite Joys
I started voice lessons a few weeks ago, with a friend of mine. He is having me sing a song that I’d never heard before. Last week he asked me to write out the lyrics (or find them online) and read through them apart from the music.
“Goodness is rewarded”
“Hope is guaranteed”
“Laughter builds strong bones”
“Right will intercede”
- things you’ve said I often find I need, indeed.
I see the world through your eyes. What’s black and white is colorized
The knowledge you most dearly prized I’m eager to employ.
You said that “Life has infinite joy”
Your heart, your glee haunt me – your words strike suddenly. They’re obvious, but wise.
I see the world through your eyes and possibilities expand.
The one thing I don’t understand is how you kept your poise when Life has infinite joys.
Life has infinite joys, infinite joys.
Your face, your voice – rejoice! To have you back with me is such a fine surprise.
I see the world through your eyes – I taste lemon on my lips. I marvel at the sailing ships of well-dressed girls and boys
And life – life has infinite joys, has infinite joys. Life has infinite… infinite joys.
The song is “Infinite Joys” from William Finn’s Elegies, and until I just pulled up the MySpace page and listened to the first song I hadn’t though I’d heard anything from it before. But anyway, I certainly hadn’t heard this song. I looked up a few versions on YouTube (I have a recording by Liz Callaway that I purchased from iTunes), and was amazed that I was picking up on some of the things that Eric told me not / to do.
Anyway.
This was just an excuse to post in the blog. I’ll admit it. But aren’t the lyrics lovely? You know when you say something, and hear your mother or your father or your grandparent’s words coming out of your lips? That’s kind of what the song is about, I feel – the pieces of life where you suddenly catch yourself doing or thinking of something that someone else taught you, and how that can trigger a flood of memories.
/random.
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