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Sylvie and Jack

28 · Aug · 2002

I started writing this song about my own experience of meeting someone who was entirely wrong for me that I found immensely charming and attractive. I am probably equally split in my personality concerning matters of romance.

One side of me imagines a man proposing to me in front of the world because he wants everyone to know about our great love! He miraculously knows me, inside and out; and his kisses leave me feeling happily drugged. But the other half of me is highly skeptical.

I meet men that, as I said, I find attractive in appearance and wit, but I don't even bother to get to know them because I figure I've seen enough of what heartache love can bring. I've left too many parties without even having carried on a conversation with the one man in the room I was interested in.

Anyway, as I continued on with the song, it took on an odd Irish feel. I could picture my great grandmother and my grandfather going through the same things I have. What if we all never took a chance on love? The fear of failure has got to be the most used excuse for single persons who wish they weren't. The only way anyone ever finds romantic love, is if they put themselves out there.

Right. That is my flimsy excuse for this song. I like to think of it as new Irish folk music. Maybe someday, we'll all get together and sing it around an old piano while we smile rosy smiles and slap each other on the back. I can hope, can't I?

_________________________________________

Sylvie & Jack


sylvie was pretty, the dark raven kind
'Twas said her love's more potent than wine
and jack, he was quick with his wit and a smile
though getting the girl, always took him a a while

a friend of a friend, a game and some drinks
enough time to admit what they really think
on the tip of her lips was the truth in a joke
but the hint can't be caught by any old bloke

(chorus)
she sang
i am cool water and you are calm
i could be with you but not for long
just a comfort to know you're not alone
i want to stay, but maybe i'll just go home

he lit a smoke he had tucked by his ear
she was feeling her drink, but what should she fear?
there's no logic sometimes, in desires we feel
and it's hard to say which ones are for real

there was something about the soft tone of his voice
how the cricket's outside were no longer noise
the space between them grew thin and alive
he tried to gain strength by closing his eyes

he prayed
(chorus)
i am cool water and you are calm
i could be with you but not for long
just a comfort to know you're not alone
i want to stay, but maybe i'll just go home

well you know the rest, or you think that you do
cause this little story's familiar to you
they loved and they lost and gave up the ghost
cause in love you think there's no reason to hope

yes, gave up- they did, on running away
dear jack and sylivie found reason to stay
fifty years on, they sing the songs of their youth
altered a bit, for what's now the truth

(chorus)
i am cool water and you are calm
i will be with you forever, for long
such a comfort to know we're not alone
i want to stay, now that i am home

there's no logic sometimes, in the things that we feel
and those who run can't know what's real

fa la la
fa la la la la la
fa la la
fa la la la la la

penny rene'

Posted by Penny Rene at August 28, 2002 09:49 PM