Subject: DTCorrect: What's the Use of Wings (Brian Bedford)
From:
Joe Offer
Date: 02 Aug 22 - 03:26 AM
Wikipedia says Artisan was an English vocal harmony trio from Yorkshire, England, who sang a cappella from 1985 to 2005. They consisted of songwriter Brian Bedford, his wife Jacey Bedford, and Hilary Spencer.
The Digital Tradition lyrics are from the recording by the John Wright Band, but it would seem that Artisan would be the most accurate interpreter of a Brian Bedford song. The uncorrected Digital Tradition lyrics are on the left, and the lyrics from Artisan on the right, with differences highlighted in italics.
WHAT'S THE USE OF WINGS? (DT Lyrics)
(Brian Bedford)
"I could have been a giant" said the bonsai tree
"But someone bound my roots and held me down."
"I could have reached the Heavens" said the snowy owl
"But they clipped my wings and kept me on the ground."
"I think I heard them tell me that they loved me
That they'd care for me--without them I would die
But what's the use of roots if you can't spread them?
What's the use of wings if you can't fly?"
"I could have been a singer" said the Myna bird
"But they caged me and told me what to say."
"I could have run forever" said the pony
"But they bridled me and made me go their way."
"I think I heard them tell me that they loved me
That they'd care for me forever so it seems
What's the use of voices without freedom?
What's the use of living other's dreams?"
Why do people cage the things they love the most?
Is it simply that they fear to be alone?
If you give you're love it's freedom, it will stay awhile
If it leaves you, it was never yours to own
"I could have found adventure" said the angelfish
"Now my world's so small there's nowhere left to go."
"I could have ruled a kingdom" said the lion
"Now this land inside my head is all I know."
"I think I heard them tell me that they loved me
That they'd care for me, and tell me it's alright
But what's the use of life without adventure?
What's the use of strength if you can't fight?"
Why do people cage the things they love the most?
Is it simply that they fear to be alone?
If you give you're love it's freedom, it will stay awhile
If it leaves you, it was never yours to own
"I know I heard them tell me that they loved me
That they'd care for me, without them I would die
But what's the use of roots if you can't spread them?
What's the use of wings if you can't fly?"
This is from the album "Other Roads" by the John Wright Band. | WHAT'S THE USE OF WINGS? (from Artisan)
(Brian Bedford)
"I could have been a giant" said the bonsai tree
"But someone bound my roots and held me down."
"I could have reached the Heavens" said the snowy owl
"But they clipped my wings and kept me on the ground."
"I think I heard them tell me that they loved me
They would care for me--without them I would die
But what's the use of roots if you can't spread them?
And what's the use of wings if you can't fly?"
"I could have been a singer" said the Myna bird
"But they caged me and then told me what to say."
"I could have run forever" said the pony
"But they bridled me and made me go their way."
"I think I heard them tell me that they loved me
They would care for me forever, so it seems
But what's the use of voices with no freedom?
And what's the use of living others' dreams?"
Why do people cage the things they love the most?
Is it simply that they fear to be alone?
If you give your love its freedom, it may stay awhile
If it leaves you, it was never yours to own.
"I could have found adventure" said the angelfish
"Now my world's so small there's nowhere left to go."
"I could have ruled a kingdom" said the lion
"Now the land inside my head is all I know."
"I think I heard them tell me that they loved me
They would care for me, and tell me it's all right
But what's the use of life without adventure?
And what's the use of strength if you can't fight?"
Why do people cage the things they love the most?
Is it simply that they fear to be alone?
If you give your love its freedom, it may stay awhile
If it leaves you, it was never yours to own.
I know I heard them tell me that they loved me
They would care for me, without them I would die
But what's the use of roots if you can't spread them?
And what's the use of wings if you can't fly?
This is from the album Wings by Artisan. |
filename[ USEWINGS
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Recording by Artisan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws6riWd_OlI
Live 2010 performance by Artisan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hq_ejZ06kVE
The one really cringeworthy line in the Digital Tradition is "If you give you're love it's freedom, it will stay awhile." The ghost of my late mother the English teacher wouldn't let me allow that to pass by. And the one word I can't understand is - If it leaves you, it was never yours to own (could it be loan?)
Here's an interesting music video from another generation, by Jackie Oates and Megan Henwood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s03uFdnwMi4
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