Thursday, April 14, 2011

The Living Years

A popular song in the '80s, written by Michael Rutherford (Genesis) and B.A. Robertson, performed by Mike & The Mechanics. 

Every generation
Blames the one before
And all of their frustrations
Come beating on your door

I know that I'm a prisoner
To all my Father held so dear
I know that I'm a hostage
To all his hopes and fears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years

Crumpled bits of paper
Filled with imperfect thought
Stilted conversations
I'm afraid that's all we've got

You say you just don't see it
He says it's perfect sense
You just can't get agreement
In this present tense
We all talk a different language
Talking in defence

Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye

So we open up a quarrel
Between the present and the past
We only sacrifice the future
It's the bitterness that lasts

So Don't yield to the fortunes
You sometimes see as fate
It may have a new perspective
On a different day
And if you don't give up, and don't give in
You may just be OK.

Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye

I wasn't there that morning
When my Father passed away
I didn't get to tell him
All the things I had to say

I think I caught his spirit
Later that same year
I'm sure I heard his echo
In my baby's new born tears
I just wish I could have told him in the living years

Say it loud, say it clear
You can listen as well as you hear
It's too late when we die
To admit we don't see eye to eye

10 comments:

tips wisata murah said...

saya sangat prihatin dengan yang barusan anda alami..semoga semua lekas baik baik saja.dan lebih semangat lagi untuk menjalani hari esuk.. semoga posting di atas ini hanya goresan puisi untuk melepas kesedihan sahabat terbaikku

Unknown said...

Tips Wisata Murah,
Terima kasih atas simpati anda yang saat ini memang saya butuhkan.
Sebagai manusia normal ada saatnya kita harus menghadapi kenyataan yang pahit. Tapi kehidupan harus terus berjalan.

colson said...

Beautiful lyrics. And appropriate.

It's moving evocation of the special relation between fathers and sons. A typical "man thing". Sometimes tough,sometimes awkward, sometimes tender, but always loving.

Yari NK said...

Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi roji'un.

Deep condolences go to you and your family. I know it is so hard to lose your loved ones it is beyond words. I don't know what else to say since I don't want to make you feel worse.

Yes, the lyrics from Mike and The Mechanics are beautiful. Truth be told I don't know the music but however it is like if it is beautiful and if it can ease up your sorrow I would be happy too.

sawali tuhusetya said...

nada liriknya bener2 menyentuh nurani, mas harry. semoga Tuhan memberikan yang terbaik buat semua hamba-Nya yang bersikap sabar dan tawakal dalam menghadapi musibah.

Unknown said...

@Colson,
Beautiful lyrics that strangely depict a situation almost as it is.

@Yari,
Thanks for the condolence and sympathy.

@Sawali,
Terima kasih, memang pada akhirnya kita harus menerima hidup ini apa adanya.

deeahzone said...

The Living Years,, yeah i agree it's such beautiful lyric Harry! Thanks for share us.. Happy Blogging and always keep on spirit.

Unknown said...

Deeahzone,
I am glad that you like the lyrics

rayhanzhampiet said...

I like GENESIS very much..!! Mike is a great song writer.

Unknown said...

Rayhanzhampiet,
I am glad that you like Genesis and Mike.