I’m so lucky to get much musical assistance from Dr Mabesgate; he even has the very good humour and patience to accompany me on guitar! At his house recently to rehearse, I reminisced about an old ELP song – off the very first album I ever bought, I think in 1972. We quickly found it online; hearing it again got me thinking.
I’ve always liked FTB musically; but ever since first hearing it, always thought more could be done with the lyrics. Anyway going down for a swim yesterday I already had a first line in my head and, naturally, had my recorder… After lots of juggling and revising this morning, yer tez!
With apologies and acknowledgements, of course.
Based on Emerson Lake & Palmer “From The Beginning” (Album: Trilogy)
NB simpler structure: this is just [Verse + Chorus] x 4
A break in the weather –
Push your worries aside,
Throw the door open wide.
A sprinkle of sunlight,
After all of the rain:
Into the outside again, | Breathing green.
Chorus
And when the time has gone, you’ll be glad you had fun –
Seizing the day.
Long distance train –
You could just read a book,
Sit by the window and look.
But perhaps there’s an eye to catch:
Start the words flowing well,
You never can tell | Where they’ll go…
Chorus
Voyage by sailing ship –
Tradition revived,
Give back the ocean its size.
Top of the mast,
Share the watch with a girl:
Best view in the world, | Near and far.
Chorus
Act as some never will –
Have faith in yourself,
But know the value of help.
Do as you would be done:
That’s a very good rule,
Selfishness is for fools, | So lend a hand.
And when the time has gone, you’ll be glad you had fun –
Seizing the day,
Seizing the day,
Seizing the day,
Seizing the day. © Christopher Jessop 2023
