Lyr Add: 'Til the Circle Is Complete (Al Grierson)

Subject: Lyr Add: 'TIL THE CIRCLE IS COMPLETE (Al Grierson)
From: Amos
Date: 31 Dec 05 - 06:12 PM

On the occasion of the New Year and some sense of hope for improvement in any areas, I would like to forward the following lyrics of Al Grierson's to Mudcatters everywhere, as my New Year's wish:

'TIL THE CIRCLE IS COMPLETE

Both the turning of the season and the ticking of the clock
Say the planet's one year older -- so are you.
But I'll leave the speculation and the silly idle talk
For another time and someone else to do.

There'll be a celebration at the end of every street,
When we claim our bread and roses, and the circle is complete.
So if destiny should drag you down, or dress you up in style,
May you never be too weary
To walk another mile.

And may you never cease your growing,
And your learning as you grow;
May the things that you discover
Be the things you want to know
May you gain in strength through sorrow,
And may all your love be true;
May you turn your hand to something
That you really want to do.

May your friends encounter fortune,
And your comrades find release
Though they see the hopes of others disappear
May your parents die contented, and your children live in peace,
Though the hands of desperation hold them near;
Should the future find you lying with a lover by your side
Or left alone with broken arms, and all your dreams denied
May your footsteps ring like rifles through the darkness of defeat,
May your spirit never falter,
'Til the circle is complete.

And may you never cease your growing
Your learning as you grow.
May the things that you discover be the things you want to know.
May you gain in strength through sorrow,
And may all your love be true;
May you turn your hand to something
That you really want to do.

May your life be like a love song in the act of every breath,
Be a poem to the purpose that it serves;
May you set your shoes to dancing in the hour of your death
And meet it with the courage it deserves;
May your shadow pass in pirouettes of such amazing grace
That the tears of those who mourn you disappear without a trace.
In the smoke that shapes their sorrow to the fading of your feats
In a ring around the rainbow,
Where the circle is complete.

And may you never cease your growing,
Your learning as you grow.
May the things that you discover be the things you want to know.
May you gain in strength through sorrow,
And may all your love be true;
May you turn your hand to something
That you really want to do.

May you turn your hand to something
That you really want to do.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Al Grierson--'Til The Circle Is Complete
From: Severn
Date: 01 Jan 06 - 09:03 AM

Thanks for the good wishes, the usual uncanny ear for a good song, and for keeping Al's memory and spirit alive in the process.

The best wishes for a good year back atcha!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Al Grierson--'Til The Circle Is Compl
From: open mike
Date: 01 Jan 06 - 06:19 PM

this reminds me (now that many of the rivers in this area are flooding)
that Al was swept away in a flash flood in 2000. I am going to start
a thread with memories of him...

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Al Grierson--'Til The Circle Is Compl
From: GUEST,vrdpkr
Date: 01 Jan 06 - 06:41 PM

Saw him in Dewey, AZ around 97 or 98. His CD is a treasure. Huge loss. Still do "The Soldier and His Own True Love". Thanks for the lyrics.

Verde Picker

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: 'Til the Circle Is Complete (Al Grierson)
From: Amos
Date: 04 Jan 06 - 10:58 PM

A strange life, an honorable exit, in retrospect seeming to be the kind he would have chosen, somehow. Helping others in the midst of serious trouble is not a bad way to go.

A

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: 'Til the Circle Is Complete (Al Grierson)
From: GUEST,Avera
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 09:27 AM

I'm sorry but those "Circle is Complete" lyrics still need a bit o' work. I have his 2 cd's...and will look to see if the lyrics are published on the liner notes...and include them if so.........

No one was like Al....no one writes like that....he moves me like a quiet thunderbolt.......a yearly reunion concert should be held for him in LOTS of places.......

His songs make the listener think that they could write like that....with enough quiet meditation and clear sight!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: 'Til the Circle Is Complete (Al Grierson)
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Feb 11 - 10:47 AM

Well I checked and you guys were right and I was WRONG!!! I should of done a bit more work!
He did repeat that verse (about working lol) .....and I shouldn't have been surprised listening to other Al Grierson songs.......that he wouldn't end a song like that (about life) with a verse about death......!
Apologies for being presumptuous... ;=)
Al rocks....I'll never ever get tired of his sound and inspiration!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: 'Til the Circle Is Complete (Al Grierson)
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Feb 11 - 11:18 AM

Tune?

~S~

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: 'Til the Circle Is Complete (Al Grierson)
From: open mike
Date: 16 Mar 19 - 11:28 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TnXDfur6Xw&fbclid=IwAR0Yp94tQ0K6XIn9mh6UeEnbKrhmoee76YqJEmGiWm3X0ZGHEF4NcmpnhPM

'Til the Circle is Complete by Al Grierson (video in honor of Jon Fromer)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: 'Til the Circle Is Complete (Al Grierson)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 17 Mar 19 - 02:56 AM

Did anybody ever hear Amos sing this song? I think he would have done a wonderful job of it. It brought tears to my eyes.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: 'Til the Circle Is Complete (Al Grierson)
From: Janie
Date: 17 Mar 19 - 05:33 PM

Joe, he sang it to Kendall at Kendall's birthday party in 2017. I could kick myself not catching more of it on video. The 30 second snippet is up on the Mudcat FB page.