Finding Meaning in Song Lyrics

In 2010, I happened to come across a documentary on PBS about a senior citizen singing group called Young@Heart who sang current songs, but in a different way. The movie was very inspiring, and two scenes stood out for me: one was when the group visited a prison and a sang "Forever Young," and the other was when a gentleman sang "Fix You."

The latter song was originally written and performed by Cold Play (a band I like). However, the first time I heard the song it was sung by Fred Knittle and the Young@Heart chorus.


Prior to singing with Young@Heart, Mr. Knittle was a World War II machine-gunner who spent most of his working life as an executive at The Clarke School for the Deaf in Northampton, Massachusetts. 


In the documentary, he needed to use an oxygen tube due to problems from his congestive heart failure. Despite that, he delivered a heartbreaking rendition of "Fix You."

What made the song especially touching was that Mr. Knittle was supposed to sing the song as a duet with his friend Bob Salvini. Mr. Salvini is seen throughout the movie during rehearsals, but died shortly before the concert finale.

When I saw this documentary, it was shortly after my dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. This song spoke so deeply to me at that point as I - and my entire family - watched Alzheimer's take a firmer grasp on my dad...and we were left helpless as to how to fix the situation.

In reality, we couldn't fix him or the situation. We could only try to comfort and reassure him through this stressful and anxiety-producing journey.

These are the lyrics that I found (and still do) quite meaningful...

When you try your best, but you don't succeed

When you get what you want, but not what you need

When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep

Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face

When you lose something you can't replace

When you love someone, but it goes to waste

Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home

And ignite your bones

And I will try to fix you

And high up above or down below

When you're too in love to let it go

But if you never try you'll never know

Just what you're worth

Lights will guide you home

And ignite your bones

And I will try to fix you

Tears stream down on your face

When you lose something you cannot replace

Tears stream down on your face

And I...

Tears stream down on your face

I promise you I will learn from my mistakes

Tears stream down on your face

And I...

Lights will guide you home

And ignite your bones

And I will try to fix you

If you would like to see the video, it's here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_n0zvoHlVk

The other song I liked from the Young@Heart documentary was one called "Forever Young" originally written by Bob Dylan. The group sang the song at a prison, and the inmates clearly were affected by the lyrics.

The lyrics are exactly the message I want Sophia and Olivia to hear and carry with them through life:

May God bless and keep you always

May your wishes all come true

May you always do for others

And let others do for you

May you build a ladder to the stars

And climb on every rung

May you stay forever young

Forever young, forever young

May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous

May you grow up to be true

May you always know the truth

And see the lights surrounding you

May you always be courageous

Stand upright and be strong

May you stay forever young

Forever young, forever young

May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy

May your feet always be swift

May you have a strong foundation

When the winds of changes shift

May your heart always be joyful

And may your song always be sung

May you stay forever young

Forever young, forever young

May you stay forever young.

If you would like to see the video of Young@Heart singing at the prison, it's here: http://www.viddler.com/v/ab13efc0