I want to live like a bird in the air
Like the wind running through her wings
Free as the sky, free as the clouds
Not to think about anything
Glide through the days, and pass through the time
And forget what to do, and forget what to sing
I want to live like a bird in the air
Like the wind running through her wings.
I want to be like the tree in my yard
Live each day like the only one
Strong are the roots that dig through the ground
Branches shading the morning sun
Casting across as you drift through the days
Days that will end when the days are done
I want to live like the tree in my yard
Live each day as the only one
I want to hold you close in my arms
And forget everything I see.
I want to watch as you close your eyes
Because you know that you're safe with me
If I could hold our time in my hand
I wouldn't know what to do, I wouldn't know where I should be
I want to hold you close in my arms
And forget everything I see.
I want to live like a bird in the air
Like the wind running through her wings
Free as the sky, free as the clouds
Not to think about anything
Glide through the days, and pass through the time
And forget what to do, and forget what to sing
I want to live like a bird in the air
Like the wind running through her wings
Commentary
Ok, now I'm setting records here.
I wrote the first two verses in 1993, and for many years I didn't consider it done because I felt there should be a third verse. But I couldn't think of another analogy. It was for that reason that I didn't put it on my mid-90's compilation tape, "More Pencil Songs". I would play the song occasionally, but never got over the feeling that it wasn't really "done".
This afternoon I realized that the reason I didn't have a third analogy is because I was never going to have one, that what the song lacked was a reason for being written.
What follows is the story of how this song became known as "Song For Jonas":
In the summer of 1994 I took a boat over the English Channel to Belgium, and kept my guitar out of the ship's storage so I could play for people. I was playing for a group of people and I was asked to play one of my own songs, so I played this one. It was the first time I had played it for anyone, and it went over well.
A young man (probably about 18) named Jonas asked me if I was a "published songwriter". To this day I wonder how he knew the perfect question to ask. I said "no", he said "you should be". What a compliment!
Jonas was on his way back home with his cello after performing with an orchestra in England. After we docked, he had a few hours before his train, I could leave anytime since my train left every hour, so I asked if he wanted to get something to eat. I seem to think he was going to Studtgart, but I could be remembering that incorrectly. "I would," he said, "but I have no Belgian money". I said, "It's OK, my treat" and we went to a McDonald's in the town square (I forget the name of the town). We sat and had Big Macs and he talked and talked, and I listened. He would bring up a topic and ask me a question, I would answer and he would talk excitedly about his opinion. Jonas was delightful. Rarely have I ever been with someone who was so excited and happy to just be in my company.
Afterward we went to the train station, it was about half an hour before his train and one I could take was about to leave. I looked at Jonas to say goodbye, and he was crying. We exchanged addresses (I have his full name and address somewhere, of course the address is from 1994 but I hope that someday I can send him a link to this story), I told him we would see each other again someday even though I knew that probably wouldn't be true. We hugged and I kissed him on the cheek, and left.
Several years later I resurrected this song, it still didn't have a name. I knew the perfect name. Thank you Jonas for the happy memory and the song.
