Be Brave and Say Goodbye

I often get asked what inspires me to write a certain song. Whether the words are genuinely telling my story, or just works of generic poetry. Although some songs are more genuine than others, they all have some root in my life. I wrote "Be Brave and Say Goodbye" as a result of a relationship I had. It is written in the voice of a lover who knows the relationship is doomed for failure, even though the two lovers care for each other very much. When I shared these lyrics with a friend, he made a very interesting point: that without knowing the back story, one could assume that the song is a eulogy. Looking back at the lyrics again, I realized he was exactly right! The lyrics appear to be sung by someone who knows that they are dying, even though that is not what I intended. Perhaps that is the mark of a good song, however. Instead of providing a back story, sometimes it is better to let the listener use their imagination.
(Written on May 13, 2010)

There's no avoiding the words I'm gonna say.
I'd always hoped to be here forever.
I was hoping perhaps there was a way,
but now I see that I was much too clever.

We dream about the future,
but it's never what we claim.
We know the day is coming,
but we dread it all the same.
So when we go our separate ways,
Don't cry.
Be brave and say goodbye.

But please believe that this won't be the end,
And know that we'll have better things waiting.
Know that someday you will love again.
And your life will go on without me.

If you just do this,
We'll never be apart.
Though you'll never see me,
I'm alive within your heart.
So don't feel all alone
or wonder why.
Be brave and say goodbye.

Please remember me as I am.
Remember the happy times.
I'll remember you as you are,
Your eyes, one with mine.

And heal if you must,
If that will make you well.
And know that I love you
like words can never tell.
But when it's so, then let me go.
Don't cry.
Be brave and say goodbye.

Be brave and say goodbye.

Hold Your Breath

After a ten-month writer's block, I revisited this chorus I wrote in 2009 to see if I could finish it. I started out envisioning an inspirational song, with the singer just giving a pep talk to a forlorn friend. As I went back to write verses, I realized a way to change it up a little: don't just have the singer be a friend, but a longing love interest. Changing the direction of the song in the last few moments is a trick I love, and have utilized in other songs like "One More Day". I'm happy with how the song turned out.
(Chorus written June 22, 2009, verses written April 9, 2010)

Life is going on all around us.
Goodness and happiness have found us.
And there you are again.
Sitting in the corner all alone.
It breaks my heart to see it.

It's your life.
Please don't let it pass you by.
There's the sun.
See it rising in the sky.
It's time for you to try.

Chorus:
Hold your breath.
Say a prayer
that your lucky day
is really waiting there.
Greet the day.
Say Hello.
How to stand strong
is all you really need to know.
Stand up tall.
Close your eyes.
The feeling never dies,
It's waiting there for you.
Maybe there's someone waiting too.

Promise me
That today will be the day.
Promise me
That you'll throw your fears away.
It's the only way.

(Repeat chorus)

And at sundown,
What a sight.
Go into the night.
It's all that's left to do.
I'll be waiting there for you.