in 1994, henry kreiger and i were commissioned to write a song for the opening ceremony of gay games iv here in new york city … lillias white brilliantly performed it on the columbia playing field as the torch was lit … the organizers liked it so much they had lillias repeat it for the closing ceremony at yankee stadium … now the song has been adapted as the official anthem of the gay games and will be performed this month in sydney, australia for gay games vi …
i was lost in dark confusion
and thought i’d have to stay
you had to fight
for your own bit of light
but you held it high to light my way
now thanks to you, my friend
i can see this tunnel’s end
and i’ll repeat till my dying day
what you’re no longer here to say
take the flame and pass it on
spread your light and share the dawn
grab your chance before it’s gone
take the flame and pass it on
you lit up the night with a bold design
you set us ablaze and allowed us to shine
your love left a spark to build upon
take the flame and pass it on
our light will shine
no matter who
tries to extinguish the flame
this light of mine
will burn for you
so the world will remember your name
it’s a whole new game
we’ll stake our claim
the past is over and gone
let’s take the flame
and pass it on
take the flame and pass it on
spread your light and share the dawn
grab this chance before it’s gone
take the flame and pass it on