New Lyric – When you were born

Boys Graffham dark niceSong writing is cathartic. It’s a spiritual journey and things build over time until there is no way a songwriter can resist the pull to see a lyric through. Many years ago I wrote the song Only Son – it started its journey as a song called Herne’s Apprentice, but it gradually morphed into the song about a parent moving on from this world, talking to their son about the love they have for them. I love the song, but it never said all of the things that I feel for my own two sons. For a start there is no ‘only son’, there are two, loved equally, with their own stories and lives. Very different birth experiences.

Anyone who has a child should know the overriding, overpowering love a parent feels for their child. It’s that power I wanted to write about. It’s a personal song, but I hope that, if you have children of your own, you will identify with some of the words. They grow up so quickly, every moment is precious, and no matter how old they are, they will always be our children.

I haven’t managed to play it through without tears yet…

When you were born – Damh the Bard 2014

Verse 1
When you were born,
The days were getting longer, and I knew I must be stronger,
Than I had been.
When you were born,
Looking forward to your chatter, and the gentle pitter patter,
Of your feet.
Son I heard your heart stop,
And the silence felt forever,
I called out to the land the sea and sky,
I held my arms out to you,
I’d hold you close forever,
Fell to my knees when you opened your eyes.
Verse 2
When you were born,
The lessons from your brother, to me and to your mother,
Kept you safe.
When you were born,
You looked so unconcerned, like you had just returned,
To this place.
Hand prints on the walls,
Little pictures home from school,
Are gone in the blinking of an eye,
But there’s no love that’s stronger,
No love that lasts longer,
You’re my sons, until the day I die.
Verse 3
Time moves on,
Falling grains of sand, I let go of your hand,
And watch you go.
Time moves on,
From the day that you were born, to the men that you’ve become,
I’ve watched you grow.
Your hearts they may break,
And you will make mistakes,
Life it can be hard it’s true.
But when your baby cries,
And you look into their eyes,
You’ll know the love I felt for you, I feel for you.

7 responses to “New Lyric – When you were born”

  1. It touched my heart so deeply, it made me cry. Your words mean so much. Very beautiful. Thats a very touching song. Your song only son also touches my heart. You have a special gift with the way you use words.
    Blessed Be
    Tatyana

  2. The new song is beautiful like when my children were born. I have two sons and a girl the words represent all my kids, life is a wonderful gift. I have made mistakes & so have my kids but we survived to carry on. Blessed Be xxx

  3. Having two sons of my own, one just finding out he will be a father, this really hit a chord with me. still have tears in m eyes.

  4. I’ve tried so many times myself to get my poetry to convey the love I have for my son and I too just end up dissolving in tears! Beautifully written and you’re right, they’ll only truly know our love when they have children of their own, that’s the bit that got me… *wobbly lip*
    Thank you for sharing your love with us xx

  5. So beautiful. Feelings of such love which surface when your child is born and which are always there when they are adult. ‘Lump in the throat’ lyrics! Blessings.

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