Song Making
The full text of the poem that inspired John's Song, Drawn from a conversation with John Dair.
Fifty years ago
A lovely girl became my lovely wife
You are still beautiful
You are my life
I'm still your loving John
But some things that we had are gone
My wife is fit, fit as a fiddler's flea
I'll sit on the bath as she pours water over me
What day is it today
You've got to laugh
What day is it today
Again and again, the same refrain
You be my body, darling
Let me be your brain
You are still beautiful
I'm still your loving John
But some things that we had are gone
She's fit, still brews a cup of tea
I canna draw breath but she'll pull on my socks for me
What day is it today?
The dance of death
What day is it today?
We'll sing the same refrain
You be my body, darling
Let me be your brain
What day? Thursday means five fingers
I was her toy boy, how the sweet memory lingers
Has anyone seen John?
Our fading joy
The John you knew has gone
But I'll still sing his song
You be my body, darling
We can do no wrong
You are still beautiful
I'm still your loving John
But some things that we had are gone
What day? Where did I put my comb?
You spent the money that I saved for going home
You never lent it me
It isn't funny
My darling is confused
So little left to lose
Down the line
I'll be your brains, my love
Fretting the long night through
What did I have for lunch today?
No clue. There's nothing bloody wrong with you, she'll say
What time is it?
Enough's enough
For the past fifty years
I never brushed a shoe
Or ironed a shirt, never
Stopped loving you
You are still beautiful
I'm still your loving John
But some things that we had are gone
Pass me my mask, please turn on my air
If you knew what it takes to get up from this chair
Who ate my donuts?
It was you
Where's John? Where's his power?
He's in the garden, photographing flowers
John's up the pub, she'll say
Same mantra, hour after hour
What day is it today?
The old refrain
You are my body
I'm your brain?
Fifty years ago
A lovely girl became my lovely wife
You are still beautiful
You are my life
I'm still your loving John
But some things that we had are gone
