From the recording If I Should Fall Behind
My son Ben and his beautiful new bride Lisa made the lyrics of this song part of their wedding ceremony. It's a truly wonderful lyric by Springsteen who probably remains more famous for his live shows ( I should know, I've been to 48 of them!) than being recognised as being one of the great poets of his generation. If you took the lyrics to, for example, the much loved 'Dancing In The Dark' (which Ben sang on stage - video will probably be doing the rounds shortly :) ) and played the song very slowly with just an acoustic guitar a very different song completely emerges. It's the essence of a great writer.
This beautiful song speaks of trust, friendship, distraction, life, patience, forgiveness and love. Yeah, that about covers all the bases right? :)
Anyways. I am kicking myself for not doing this for Ben & Lisa before the wedding. The thought only occurred to me the day after the wedding (duh!) so I got myself back in front of the recorder asap and put this together.
This is for Ben and Lisa and if they follow the sentiment of the words here as best they can they will have a long and happy life together
Lyrics
"If I Should Fall Behind" (B.Springsteen)
We said we'd walk together baby come what may That come the twilight should we lose our way If as we're walking a hand should slip free I'll wait for you And should I fall behind Wait for me We swore we'd travel darlin' side by side We'd help each other stay in stride But each lover's steps fall so differently But I'll wait for you And if I should fall behind Wait for me Now everyone dreams of a love lasting and true But you and I know what this world can do So let's make our steps clear that the other may see And I'll wait for you If I should fall behind Wait for me Now there's a beautiful river in the valley ahead There 'neath the oak's bough soon we will be wed Should we lose each other in the shadow of the evening trees I'll wait for you And should I fall behind Wait for me Darlin' I'll wait for you Should I fall behind Wait for me