The Heart Of The Matter
I'm rather partial to Don Henley's performance. You can listen to, and view, his rendition on Anna’s blog, or you can enjoy India Arie’s splendid cover below. Trust me, both artists find their way to the heart of the matter.
I got the call today, I didn't wanna hear
But I knew that it would come
An old, true friend of ours was talkin' on the phone
She said you found someone
And I thought of all the bad luck,
And all the struggles we went through
How I lost me, and you lost you
What are all these voices outside love's open door
Make us throw off our contentment
And beg for something more?
I've been learning to live without you now
But I miss you sometimes
The more I know, the less I understand
All the things I thought I knew
I'm learning them again
I've been tryin' to get down
To the Heart of the Matter
But my will gets weak
And my thoughts seem to scatter
But I think it's about...forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore
These times are so uncertain
There's a yearning undefined...
And people filled with rage
We all need a little tenderness
How can love survive
In such a graceless age?
And the trust and self-assurance
That lead to happiness
Are the very things we kill, I guess
Pride and competition
Cannot fill these empty arms
And the work they put between us
You know, it doesn't keep us warm
I've been trying to live without you now
But I miss you, baby
The more I know, the less I understand
And all the things I thought I'd figured out
I have to learn again
I've been trying to get down
To the Heart of the Matter
But my will gets weak
And my heart is so shattered
But I think it's about...forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore
Oh, the people in your life who've come and gone
They let you down, you know they hurt your pride
Better put it all behind you; cuz’ life goes on
You keep carryin' that anger, it'll eat you up inside...
I wanna be happily ever after
And my heart is so shattered
But I know it's about...forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me
I've been trying to get down
To the Heart of the Matter
Because the flesh gets weak
And the ashes will scatter
So I’m thinking about...forgiveness
Forgiveness
Even if you don't love me anymore
Even if you don't love me anymore
* * *
posted by Jonas | 10/17/2007 12:51:00 AM
8 Comments:
This is one of my favorites, too.
I too have always loved that song. Another good one which uses the same lyrics as your title is "Omaha" by the Counting Crows - a good song about the cycle of life, death, and love. Also, I do apologize for my tardiness on the subject, but thank you for your supportive comment the other dayu :)
I LOVE LOVE India Arie!
I'm delighted whenever music stirs the soul...anyone's soul. The arts are an expression of the good within us, and we need that constant infusion of beauty, empathy and wonder to maintain some sort of balance in this turbulent and increasingly destructive world.
I'm not at all surprised, Flutter.
It's a pleasure to have you drop by, ET. I appreciate your song recommendations. They've all been winners. The Counting Crows occupy a unique niche...story-telling minstrels, they are.
Ah, Laurie, a kindred spirit.
I'm not familiar with Indie Arie. Thank you for introducing me to her and to her version of this song.
Thank you, Anna. I hope you're...surviving...coping...
forgiving...healing.
I have been reading a book by Iyanla Vanzant called "One day my soul just opend up". In it she says "Forgiveness is a release. Letting go. The process of removing errors from the mind in pursuit of harmony... Most people believe that when you forgive someone, you are doing something for them. The truth is, when you forgive, you are doing it for yourself."
That last part has stuck with me. I never tell my kids anymore to "tell your sister/brother your sorry". Because forgiveness is not for the one who hurt the other, but for the person who was wronged.
That's an intriguing quote, Jay. I always felt that forgiveness is good for both souls. To forgive a transgressor is to shed one's own pain or humiliation, to be forgiven is to shed one's guilt. Both are necessary because, over time, we all will need to forgive...and be forgiven.
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