
We have cleared off the table
The leftovers saved
Washed the dishes
And put them away
I have told you a story
And tucked you in tight
At the end of your knockabout day
As the moon sets its sail
To carry you to sleep
Over the midnight sea
I will sing you a song no one sang to me
May it keep you good company
You can be anybody that you want to be
You can love whomever you will
You can travel any country where your heart leads
And know I will love you still
You can live by yourself
You can gather friends around
You can choose one special one
But the only measure of your words and your deeds
Will be the love you leave behind when you’re gone
Some girls grow up strong and bold
Some boys are quiet and kind
Some race on ahead, some follow behind
Some grow in their own space and time
Some women love women
And some men love men
Some raise children, and some never do
You can dream all the day, never reaching the end
Of everything possible for you
Don’t be rattled by names, by taunts or games
But seek out spirits true
If you give your friends the best part of yourself
They will give the same back to you
You can be anybody that you want to be
You can love whomever you will
You can travel any country where your heart leads
And know I will love you still
You can live by yourself
You can gather friends around
You can choose one special one
But the only measure of your words and your deeds
Will be the love you leave behind when you’re gone
Oh yes, the love you leave behind when you’re gone.
(
Performed by The Flirtations:
Wow! I like this song. I’ve never heard of this group before. Thank you for introducing me to this wonder.
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Such beautiful poetry… and voices.
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I had never heard that one
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Love this song! I was a big fan of the Flirtations back in the day and had all their albums. Saw them perform once at the Winnipeg Folk Festival in 1994.
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We have all their albums, too, and saw them live 3 times. The LGBT chorus I was part (and president) of opened for them when they performed in Albany.
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