as another poem on this site says, we’ve pretty much opted out of christmas … but the holiday is unavoidable and a new year does lead to reflection …
so, in the spirit of the season, i’m posting a buddhist inspired lyric … this is from “up in the air” — a musical adaptation of a japanese fable about a tree-climbing frog i wrote with composer henry krieger … the show was conceived by amon miyamoto and premiered at the kennedy center in d.c. last year …
this is the lyric to the closing song … boonah, the tree-climbing frog, has returned after a harrowing experience where he nearly died … having visited thailand earlier this year, i’ve only grown more interested in buddhism — a religion which seems to celebrate life rather than being obsessed with death …
i have been
on top of the world
been as low as i could go
i have seen
the clouds as they swirled
part and show the sun aglow
i have felt
the rhythm of life
heard the silence of decay
i hope to find
the music inside
a song for one more day
who can know
what tomorrow might be bringing?
nobody can say
joy or woe
i will keep on singing
a song for one more day
i have felt
the angel of death
pass me by as i lay low
i’ve been spared
while holding my breath
from the wrath of my worst foe
i have known
great loss and great grief
when my loved ones could not stay
yet i’ve found
the gift of relief
a song for one more day
if you fear
that your ending might be nearing
don’t cry in dismay
shed a tear
then rejoice in hearing
a song for one more day
life is within and around
comprised of all
who’ve gone before
we may not win or astound
but we’re all part
of evermore
who can know
what tomorrow might be bringing?
nobody can say
joy or woe
i will keep on singing
a song for one more day
sing a song for one more day
