Dar Williams
I’m going through a phase of listening to Dar Williams (again) in my car. I don’t have that many CDs, so I listen to them in shifts (over and over until I’m sick of it for a while).
There’s a song that has the line, “Am I the habit you’re too tired to break?/ I want you to love me with every step you take.” This used to mean a lot to me. I worried about this with Magnus, before we were engaged. Was he just too used to our relationship to leave it? I wanted him to love me in a deliberate, intentional sort of way. This line used to make me get a lump in my throat sometimes. Anyway, I heard it again today, and all I felt was happy. I don’t worry about that anymore. I know he’s here because he wants to be. I know he loves me on purpose.
The other song that really struck me on that CD is called “The One Who Knows.”
Time it was I had a dream
And you’re that dream come true.
If I had the world to give
I’d give it all to you.
I’ll take you to the mountains,
I will take you to the sea.
I’ll show you how this life became a miracle to me.
You’ll fly away, but take my hand until that day.
So when they ask how far love goes
When my job’s done you’ll be the one who knows.
All the things you treasure most
will be the hardest won.
I will watch you struggle long
before the answers come.
But I won’t make it harder,
I’ll be there to cheer you on.
I’ll shine the light that guides you down
The road you’re walking on.
You’ll fly away, but take my hand until that day.
So when they ask how far love goes
When my job’s done you’ll be the one who knows.
Before the mountains call to you,
before you leave this home,
Wanna teach your heart to trust
As I will teach my own.
But sometimes I will ask the moon
Where it shined upon you last
And shake my head and laugh and say
It all went by so fast.
You’ll fly away, but take my hand until that day.
So when they ask how far love goes
When my job’s done you’ll be the one who knows.
My mom sang that song at my grandma’s memorial service, and it means even more to me know when I think about the baby. I wish I had even a tolerable singing voice so I could sing it as a lullaby.
Samantha Tengelitsch said,
September 20, 2006 at 7:46 am
This is a lovely song. Thank-you for sharing. It would make a nice lullaby.
Auntie Pat said,
September 29, 2006 at 3:25 pm
Since I heard the song, I have thought it exemplified your mom. She’s the mom I’d want to be. As it is, I’ll just be that kind of aunt if I can. Your little boy (yes, she told me) is lucky to have you and Magnus to love him. Love you.
Mom said,
October 3, 2006 at 6:02 am
Thanks, Pat,…
It’s so strange that you should make that posting, Kate. I was just thinking about Nana yesterday. She had tried to knit me a pair of mittens…the last thing she ever knit…to have a passtime, while she was staying here. She only got one done and realized that she was getting too confused to finish the other one. I thought about all the wonderful things she knit for me and for you and got out that mitten and pressed it to my cheek. She was a wonderful mom. The first person to really believe in me….
Kate said,
October 4, 2006 at 10:12 am
Yes, I think there really isn’t much I can improve on when it comes to Mom’s mothering skills. I love that I have her to share all of this with and to give me advice and support. I’ve been thinking about all the great qualities my baby will inherit from the members of our family. It’s lucky to have Mom as a grandma and Auntie Pat as an Aunt!