capri0mni | So -- I *think* I've finally finished that gift song...

So... been working on that New Year's/Yule "it really is all about the presents" song, trying to write a verse on the goodness and importance of receiving. The other day, I came up with three possible verses here, but wasn't really happy with any of them.

Yesterday, however, a lightbulb flashed in my brain: the whole song is basically an Thou and I song. I don't actually use the word "thou," because it just sounds wierd to modern ears, but the song is structured around an intimate, loving relationship between two people.

In the three previous attempts at that pesky verse, I switched from one-on-one to talking about people in the abstract, and I think that's why it sounded pedantic and preachy. So I went back and rewrote the verse as singly personal.

Here is the whole song, behind a cut, with the new verse in bold:

This year is quickly fading in the night
With all the joys and sorrows that we knew.
A new year comes, with promises so bright.
And so, with hope, I give this gift to you.

I give this gift to you: a simple little thing.
And yet, I hope you feel the love that I've tied up with string.

There is a new light shining in the dark,
As fragile as a candle in the snow.
Yet one small flame can light ten thousand sparks;
When passed from hand to hand, the Light will grow.

I give this gift to you: a simple little thing.
And yet, I hope you feel the love that I've tied up with string.

It's easy, in the night, to feel forlorn,
And lock my heart against the storms of Fate,.
And dwell upon the sor-rows I have borne,
Forgetting you, my friend, outside my gate.

You bring this gift to me: a simple little thing.
Yet, most of all, I feel the love that you've tied up with string.

So when I fear the cold and darkness, too,
And sorrows seem to gather 'round my door,
I'll open up my heart to love from you
And it shall light my way forevermore.

You bring this gift to me: a simple little thing.
Yet, most of all, I feel the love that you've tied up with string.

So hang your shining garland in the hall,
And let your candle burn against the night,
And celebrate the gifts from one and all:
Each tied with string, and wrapped in paper bright.

And so, we give our gifts, just simple little things:
Each one a token of our love that we've tied up with string.

This year is surely fading fast away
With all the joys and sorrows that we knew.
And what the future holds, no one can say
But courage and our love will see us through.

And so, we give our gifts, just simple little things:
Each one a token of our love that we've tied up with string.