Dites-moi

I've become a little obsessed with South Pacific recently. I'm not sure why, though I know Brian Stokes Mitchell helped start it. It's raised thoughts on many issues--some personal and some that are quite intriguing. I've included the lyrics from some of the songs--all sung by Brian Stokes Mitchell's role, of course.

I've been thinking of how some people can love so deeply and be so optimistic and then, after so much buildup, are setting themselves up for inevitable heartbreak. The heartbreak is so scary to me. I suppose I am not the optimist for this reason--they can love without any bounds.

I've also been thinking of how race is an issue that has been fought for a long time. It's funny how Obama is seen as someone who has broken racial lines. Perhaps he has, but it only emphasizes how much we, as Americans still care about the color of peoples' skin. I suppose I'm no exception. I see other skin colors and I'm more drawn to them because they're different. It's not exactly a negative thing, but it's shows how race is still recognized. As long as people are able to distinguish skin colors, race will be an issue. At some point, it'd be really great if we all got rid of that one chip for race that's on our shoulders. None of my favorite songs even mention race, but when I think of South Pacific now, I can't help but think of these racial issues.

And lastly, I've been thinking of how life can be so beautiful in its simplicity. Maybe I think too much and am too critical and analytical. I like reasons and I like to be able to explain things in a logical way. But I'm trying to see things a little more simply. I'm trying to see how beautiful and happy life can be with love. As my favorite four liverpudlians say, "All you need is love." I wish it's something that someone could tell me and I'd just implement, but change doesn't come that easily. I'll try to be more optimistic about it though the idea still scares me.

Dites-moi

Dites-moi pourqoui la vie est belle
Dites-moi pourqoui la vie est gaie
Dites-moi pourqoui chere mademoiselle
Est-ce que parce que vous m'aimez?

This Nearly Was Mine

One dream in my heart,
One love to be livin' for,
One love to be livin' for
This nearly was mine.

One girl for my dream,
One partner in paradise,
This promise of paradise
This nearly was mine.

Close to my heart she came
Only to fly away,
Only to fly as day
flies from moonlight

Now, now I'm alone,
Still dreamin' of paradise,
Still sayin' that paradise
Once nearly was mine.

I'll keep rememberin' kisses
From lips I've never owned,
And all that lovely adventures
That we have never known.

One dream in my heart,
One love to be livin' for,
One love to be livin' for
This nearly was mine.

Close to my heart she came
Only to fly away,
Only to fly as day
flies from moonlight.

Now, now I'm alone,
Still a-dreamin' of paradise,
Still sayin' that paradise
Once nearly was mine!

Some Enchanted Evening

Some enchanted evening
You may see a stranger,
you may see a stranger
Across a crowded room

And somehow you know,
You know even then
That somewhere you'll see her
Again and again.

Some enchanted evening
Someone may be laughin',
You may hear her laughin'
Across a crowded room

And night after night,
As strange as it seems
The sound of her laughter
Will sing in your dreams.

Who can explain it?
Who can tell you why?
Fools give you reasons,
Wise men never try.

Some enchanted evening
When you find your true love,
When you feel her call you
Across a crowded room,

Then fly to her side,
And make her your own
Or all through your life you
May dream all alone.

Once you have found her,
Never let her go.

Once you have found her,
Never let her go!

--all by the amazing Oscar Hammerstein

beck