The Precarious Act of Songwriting - The Divers

I put my pen to the paper

And try to put my words into other people’s mouths

I put my hand to the instrument

And then I flesh out a tune

That should make men of war cry

And the young maidens swoon

Because the power of a song is mighty indeed

So I put my pen to the paper

And try to put my heart into other people’s words

I gather note upon note

And then I wrap words ‘round emotion

I try to sing of truest love

And deepest devotion

Because everyone I know loves a good song

Should I sing from the heart

Should I sing from the mind

Should I marry the two and sing in double time

Should I use metaphor or simile

Should I sing about you

Or just sing about me?

La la la…

So I put my pen to the paper

In attempts to give voice to the movement of my heart

I chuck a stone down the well of my soul

And I try to disturb deeper waters

Though all poets are thieves

And every minstrel a marauder

Compelled and obsessed I follow the muse once more

Should I sing from the heart

Should I sing from the mind

Should I marry the two and sing in double time

Should I use simile or metaphor

Should I sing about what all of this singing is for?

La la la…