WHEN WE WERE YOUNG THINGS
When we were angels
swimming in the stars,
we were but boy toys
hanging in the bars
When we were divas
dressed in les Diors,
we were with shlumps who
didn’t open doors
(Bridge)
Looking glass, tell me
When did the view change
Why not forever young
Rather than cue change
When we were sirens
singing from the cliffs
we were a jumble of
“whens” and “whys” and “ifs”
(Bridge)
Looking glass, tell me
When did the view change
Why not forever young
Rather than cue change
When we were young things
slinking down the street
we’d ne’er imagine
that ourselves we’d meet
Now we were older
greyer each season
Now we are bolder
We’ve found our reason
© 2013 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
We were asked, at Imaginary Garden With Real Toads, to write a song… a chanson, a lieder, anything that might be set to music. This is a slow waltz with a pause after the bridge (at “cue change”). Songwriting has long been my business, so I guess I’d better pen the tune now! Also “in the margins” at my poetic concert hall, Poets United. Peace, Amy
Sharp Little Pencil 
kaykuala
Oh, how nice Amelita! You’ve traced your life’s journey most succinctly with all the hues of fighting spirit highlighted at every step.Your songwriting prowess be made to be heard again, Ma’am, with this song? I remember you did that before! Yes, that would be fun. Brilliant word craft and a cutie lass to accompany same! Great!
Hank
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Hank. It was an old, slightly blurry shot, which I felt was appropriate for a group of young, slightly blurry-eyed women! I was one of those women, damn it, and I don’t regret a wrong move. Amelita
Pamela
Amelita, this has a great flow to it, as music should. We should never regret our past, only move on and grow, in my opinion. Good one.
Saludos,
Pamelita
Sharp Little Pencil
Ai, Pamelita, it’s true. Piaf: i regret nothing. It’s all about living life to its fullest while you are able to, then looking back and saying, “That was then.” Unfortunately, some of my women friends are stuck in Diva Mode! Paz, Amelita
brian miller
nice. love those last 2 stanzas amy….the meeting yourself…and then the boldness that comes when you are older….
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Brian. I added those two stanzas, deciding that ending the song with “Whens” and “Ifs” really didn’t cover the waterfront of our whole lives. I’m glad I decided to write more. Now to record it. Peace, my friend, Amy
georgefloreswrite
🙂 How well you describe it, Amy. And I love it that you don’t regret or apologize for the mistakes we made in our youth!
Sharp Little Pencil
I’m with Piaf… no regrets! Thanks, George. Peace, Amy
Roger Green
Yes, I WANT THE TUNE! But the lyrics are good, too!
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Roger!
sued51
I’m glad you posted this, Amy. I can certainly relate! I think you inspired me to do a post with lyrics to songs as wrote when I was young…
Sharp Little Pencil
POST ‘EM if you got ’em! I’ll come over and see if you did… peace, Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
“when we were angels singing in the stars”……I love this, Amy! I remember back then listening to Forever Young and feeling a prescience of aging and looking back. And now I’m doing it!
Sharp Little Pencil
Hey, you’re still making memories, too, so that Forever Young spirit is in you, Sherry. Amy
mybeautfulthings
What a delightful song echoing where we have all been and where we can get to. Would love to have the tune too. I sing with two choirs and have been trying to write a song but it’s much harder than it looks! I admire your talent! 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
It’s your typical jazz song, in 3/4 and slow… I’ll post it when it’s done. Thanks!
oldegg
How many of us stay the same? Very few I expect. When we finally mature we must not regret our mistakes but become effective human beings. Mind you I wouldn’t mind nipping back to change a few things.
Sharp Little Pencil
Ah, but remember the Star Trek Prime Directive: If you changed even one thing then, it would set a series of changes in motion, and you might not be the sweetheart you are today!
lmkazmierczak
Succinct and lyrical♫♪ My new Website: http://lauriekazmierczak.com/midwest-mania/
Sharp Little Pencil
Can’t wait to see yours, and thx for the URL! Amy
SaraV
Amy, there is definitely a stronger sense of self. Really enjoyed how you juxtaposed the reality with the more glamorous view. Very flowing and rhythmic, found myself swaying with it while I read 🙂 Happy to be me–dyed hair and all–*wink*
Sharp Little Pencil
Oh, Sara, back then I was what we used to call “suicide blonde” (“dyed by her own hand…”)! Thanks for the comment about the give and take; very nice of you. xo Amy
Kerry O'Connor
I’m so excited to know that you will be writing music for this song-like poem (or poem-like song). The theme of youth to age is certainly appropriate to the Romantic era, but I love the modern touches you have included which really makes your song part of now..
(PS. Your poem is not linked up at RT yet.)
Sharp Little Pencil
I know it was supposed to be in a different era, but the first phrase came to mind and I was off. Besides, this is sort of history!! I’ll post the full song once I complete music. Thanks, A
Susan
Bravo!!
Sharp Little Pencil
Grazia, Susan!
Kay, Alberta, Canada
Wonderful, Amy. I, too, am looking forward to hearing the music!
Although I have no musical talent of any kind, a song once came to me as I was driving, words and music and all. Pretty much as I did when I rushed home to “tell” my brother how to play “Wonderland by Night” on his trumpet, I rushed to the home of friends, he a musician and she a singer. They played and sang my song for me. It wasn’t much, but we all loved the fact that it came to me unbidden. Long time ago, but my friends still mention it sometimes.
K
Sharp Little Pencil
Kay, just as everyone has at least one book in them, so it is with songs. I was almost entirely self-taught musically, and I had to learn the “math” of music before I could write it out. Would love to hear your song someday! Amy
Susie Clevenger (@wingsobutterfly)
Fantastic! I am swinging this song!
Sharp Little Pencil
Unfortunately, I think it will be a 3/4 jazz song, slow, sort of lovelorn… but hey, swing away!! Amy
I HAVE A VOICE
terrific lyrics ! I can hear a most charming francais accent… beautiful !
Sharp Little Pencil
You are on the right track… I hear a melodian or accordion in the background, quite a French backdrop. Maybe a harmonica. 3/4 time, wistful. Thanks, A
ladynimue
totally amazing .. I so want to hear this from some one .. maybe you can record it for us Amy 😉
Sharp Little Pencil
Yeah, when I’m done getting major dental work done, otherwise, I’ll lisp through the whole thing!! A