21 December 2012 ~ A Month of Reflection

What were your favourite songs? [Author: Kaileen Elise]

I love music. And lyrics. And this love reaches far and wide and somewhere on BEyond that, too. I listen to music, a wide variety, all of which deLIGHT me, some at certain times, and some more than others…

My favourites, however, have been that for a Very Long While.

I notice when I start thinking to “name” them, there are others who are popping up saying Pick ME!! Pick ME, too!!!

BUT…

I’m going with For Good, from Wicked. It really speaks to the arc of 2012.

Goodbyes.

Letting Go.

Turning new corners.

I love this little video of a For Good rehearsal and the song’s backstory: http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=IwpKB-sj7GI&feature=endscreen

And here, the lyrics:

(Elphaba):

I'm limited

Just look at me - I'm limited

And just look at you

You can do all I couldn't do, Glinda

So now it's up to you

For both of us - now it's up to you...

(Glinda):

I've heard it said

That people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led

To those who help us most to grow

If we let them

And we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true

But I know I'm who I am today

Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit

As it passes a sun

Like a stream that meets a boulder

Halfway through the wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you

I have been changed for good

(Elphaba):

It well may be

That we will never meet again

In this lifetime

So let me say before we part

So much of me

Is made of what I learned from you

You'll be with me

Like a handprint on my heart

And now whatever way our stories end

I know you have re-written mine

By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from its mooring

By a wind off the sea

Like a seed dropped by a skybird

In a distant wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you

(Glinda):

Because I knew you

(Both):

I have been changed for good

(Elphaba):

And just to clear the air

I ask forgiveness

For the things I've done you blame me for

(Glinda):

But then, I guess we know

There's blame to share

(Both):

And none of it seems to matter anymore

(Glinda):

Like a comet pulled from orbit

As it passes a sun

Like a stream that meets a boulder

Halfway through the wood

(Elphaba):

Like a ship blown from its mooring

By a wind off the sea

Like a seed dropped by a skybird

In a distant wood

(Both):

Who can say if I've been

Changed for the better?

I do believe I have been

Changed for the better

(Glinda):

And because I knew you...

(Elphaba):

Because I knew you...

(Both):

Because I knew you...

I have been changed for good...

Music heals. It encourages. It sets me straight.

Songs reach inside me. Take me places I might NOT BE brave enough to go myself. Safely.

This one does that. Every time I hear it.

Even though it’s essentially sad, I love this song. It doesn’t pretty things up or tear them down.

It speaks from their heart.