INDEX OF SONGS & LYRICS “D”
Darn That Dream
Day in-Day Out
Deed I Do
Deep Song
Detour Ahead	4 versions
Did I Remember?
Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me	4 versions
Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans	3 versions
Do Your Duty
Don’t Explain	8 versions
Don’t Worry ’bout Me
Dream of Life

39. Darn That Dream (1939)

Lyrics by Edgar De Lange
Music by Jimmy Van Heusen

Darn that dream
I dream each night
You say you love me
And you hold me tight
But when I awake
You’re out of sight
Oh, darn that dream

Darn your lips
And darn your eyes
They lift me high
Above the moonlit sky
Then I tumble out
Of paradise
Oh, darn that dream

Darn that one track mind of mine
It can’t understand that you don’t care
Just to change the mood I’m in
I’d welcome a nice old nightmare

Darn that dream
And bless it too
Without that dream
I never would have you
But it haunts me
And it won’t come true
Oh, darn that dream

(long bridge)

Darn that dream
I dream each night
You say you love me
And you hold me tight
But when I awake
You’re out of sight
Oh, darn that dream

Darn your lips
Darn your eyes
They lift me high
Above the moonlit sky
Then I tumble out
Of paradise
Oh, darn that dream

Darn that one track mind of mine
It can’t understand that you don’t care
But just to change the mood I’m in
I’d welcome a nice old nightmare

Darn that dream
And bless it too
Without that dream
I never would have you
But it haunts me
And it won’t come true
Oh, darn that dream

Notes

From the show Swingin’ the Dream; it ran just 13 days.

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40. Day in-Day Out (1939)

lyrics by Johnny Mercer
music by Rube Bloom

Day in-day out
The same old hoodoo follows me about
That same old pounding in my heart
Whenever I think of you
And darling I think of you
Day in-day out

Day out-day in
I needn’t tell you how my days begin
When I awake I awake with a tingle
One possibility in view
That possibility of maybe seeing you

Come rain come shine
I meet you and to me the day is fine
Then I kiss your lips
And the pounding becomes
The ocean’s roar
A thousand drums
Can’t you see it’s love
Can there be any doubt
When there it is
Day in-day out

(very long bridge)

Day in-day out
The same old hoodoo follows me about
That same old pounding in my heart
Whenever I think of you
And darling I think of you
Day in and day out

Day out-day in
I needn’t tell you how my days begin
When I awake I awake with a tingle
One possibility in view
That possibility of maybe seeing you

Come rain come shine
I meet you and to me the day is fine
Then I kiss your lips
And the pounding becomes
The ocean’s roar
A thousand drums
Can’t you see it’s love
Can there be any doubt
When there it is
Day in-day out

Notes

From BH long-play Songs for Distingué Lovers.

 

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41. ‘Deed I Do (1926)

lyrics and music by Walter Hirsch & Fred Rose

[stereo recording]

Do I want you
Oh my do I
Honey ‘deed I do
Do I need you
Oh my do I
Honey ‘deed I do

I’m glad that I’m the one who found you
That’s why I’m always hanging around you
Do I love you
Oh my, do I
Baby ‘deed I do

(bridge)

I’m glad that I’m the one who found you
That’s why I’m always hanging around you
Do I love you
Oh my, do I
Baby ‘deed I do

 

Notes

It was recorded by influential clarinetist and bandleader Benny Goodman as his debut recording in December 1926.

 

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42. Deep Song

George Cory & Douglass Cross

Lonely grief is hounding me
Like the lonely shadow hounding me
It’s always there just out of sight
Like a frightening dream on a lightening night
Lonely wind cries out my name
Sad as haunted music in the rain
It’s born of grief and born of woe
But I hear it call and I’ve got to go

 

Where can I be headed for?
The blues crawled in my door to lick my heart once more
Love lives in a lonely land
Where there’s no helping hand to understand
Why does it bring this ache to me?
Why it don’t matter why
I only know misery

Has to be part of me
Never hope to count on love
To be a partner of that heaven up above
Never hope to understand, love is a barren land
A lonely land
A lonely land

Notes

Lyrics above was kindly revised by my friend Diarmuid O’Hanlon from Dublin, Ireland (7/2014).

 

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43. Detour Ahead (1947)

Lou Carter & Herb Ellis & Johnny Frigo

Follows 4 versions of the lyrics

Smooth road clear day
But why am I the only one
Traveling’ this way
How strange the road you love
Can be so easy
Can there be a detour ahead

Wake up slow down
Before you crash and brake your heart
Gullible clown
You fool, you’re heading
In the wrong direction
Can’t you see the detour ahead

The further you travel
The harder to unravel
The way he spins around you
Turn back while there is time
Can’t you see the danger sign
Soft shoulders surround you

Smooth road clear night
Oh lucky me that suddenly
I saw the light
I’m turning back away
From all that trouble

Smooth road, smooth road
No detour ahead

 

Detour Ahead – 2nd version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1951	MT	218	Billie’s Blues	14	3’03”

Smooth road clear day
But why am I the only one
Traveling’ this way
How strange the road you love
Should be so easy
Can there be a detour ahead

Wake up slow down
Before you crash and brake your heart
Gullible clown
You fool, you’re heading
In the wrong direction
Can’t you see the detour ahead

The further you travel
The harder to unravel
The way he spins around you
Turn back while there is time
Can’t you see the danger sign
Soft shoulders surround you

Smooth road clear night
Oh lucky me that suddenly
I saw the light
I’m turning back away
From all that trouble
Smooth road, smooth road
No detour ahead

The further you travel
The harder to unravel
The way he spins around you
Turn back while there is time
Can’t you see the danger sign
Soft shoulders surround you

Smooth road clear night
Oh lucky me that suddenly
I saw the light
I’m turning back away
From all that trouble
Smooth road, smooth road
No detour ahead
No detour ahead

 

Detour Ahead – 3rd version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1951	LR	76	Lady Day Live	4	2’18”

(introduction by Hentoff)

Smooth road clear day
But why am I the only one
Traveling’ this way
How strange the road you love
Can be so easy
Can there be a detour ahead

Wake up slow down
Before you crash and brake your heart
Gullible clown
You fool, you’re heading
In the wrong direction
Can’t you see the detour ahead

The further you travel
The harder to unravel
The way he spins around you
Turn back while there is time
Can’t you see the danger sign
Soft shoulders surround you

Smooth road clear night
Oh lucky me that suddenly
I saw the light
I’m turning back away
From all that trouble
Smooth road, smooth road
No detour ahead

The further you travel
The harder to unravel
The way he spins around you
Turn back while there is time
Can’t you see the danger sign
Soft shoulders surround you

Smooth road clear night
Oh lucky me that suddenly
I saw the light
I’m turning back away
From all that trouble
Smooth road, smooth road
No detour ahead
No detour ahead

 

Detour Ahead – 4th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1951	LR	87	Perfect Complete Collection v.4	19	2’22”

Smooth road clear day
But why am I the only one
Traveling’ this way
How strange the road you love
Can be so easy
Can there be a detour ahead

Wake up slow down
Before you crash and brake your heart
Gullible clown
You fool, you’re heading
In the wrong direction
Can’t you see the detour ahead

The further you travel
The harder to unravel
The way he spins around you
Turn back while there is time
Can’t you see the danger sign
Soft shoulders surround you

Smooth road clear night
Oh lucky me that suddenly
I saw the light
I’m turning back away
From all that trouble
Smooth road, smooth road
No detour ahead
No detour ahead

Notes

The original lyrics compare love’s progress to a motor trip – the perfect metaphor in 1950s America (Wikipedia). I do not recommend any of the 4 versions (N/A).

 

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44. Did I Remember? (1936)

lyrics by Harold Adamson

music by Walter Donaldson

Did I remember to tell you I adore you
And I am livin’ for you alone
Did I remember to say
I’m lost without you
And just how mad about you I’ve grown
You were in my arms
And that was all I knew
We were alone we two
What did I say to you
Did I remember to tell you I adore you
And pray forevermore you’ll be mine

(bridge)

You were in my arms
And that was all I knew
We were alone we two
What did I say to you
Did I remember to tell you I adore you
And pray forevermore you’ll be mine

Notes

From the film Suzy, a 1936 drama film starring Jean Harlow, Franchot Tone, and Cary Grant. The composers were nominated in the category, Best Music – Original Song for the song “Did I Remember” at the 1937 Academy Awards.

 

 Did I Remember (Jean Harlow in Suzy)

 

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45. Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me (1943)

lyrics by Bob Russell

music by Duke Ellington

Follows 4 versions of the lyrics

(intro)

Do nothin’ till you hear from me
Pay no attention to what’s said
Why people tear the seams of anyone’s dream
Is over my head

Do nothin’ till you hear from me
At least consider our romance
If you should take the word of others you’ve heard
I haven’t a chance

True I’ve been seen with someone new
But does that mean that I’m untrue
When we’re apart the words in my heart
Reveal how I feel about you

Some kiss may cloud my memory
And other arms may hold a thrill
But please do nothin’ till you hear it from me
And you never will

True I’ve been seen with someone new
But does that mean that I’m untrue
When we’re apart the words in my heart
Reveal what I feel about you

Some kiss may cloud my memory
And other arms may hold a thrill
But don’t do nothin’ till you hear it from me
And you never will

Do nothin’ till you hear from me

(track continues to I’ll Get By – LR #16)

 

Do nothin’ till you hear from me – 2nd version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1944	LR	17	Perfect Complete Collection v.1	15	2’56”

(intro)

Do nothin’ till you hear from me
Pay no attention to what’s said
Why people tear the seams of anyone’s dream
Is over my head

Do nothin’ till you hear from me
At least consider our romance
If you should take the word of others you’ve heard
I haven’t a chance

True I’ve been seen with someone new
But does that mean that I’m untrue
When we’re apart the words in my heart
Reveal how I feel about you

Some kiss may cloud my memory
And other arms may hold a thrill
But please do nothin’ till you hear it from me
And you never will

True I’ve been seen with someone new
But does that mean that I’m untrue
When we’re apart the words in my heart
Reveal what I feel about you

Some kiss may cloud my memory
And other arms may hold a thrill
But don’t do nothin’ till you hear it from me
And you never will

Do nothin’ till you hear from me

 

Do nothin’ till you hear from me – 3rd version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1955	MT	255	Complete in Verve v.3	17	5’00”

Do nothin’ till you hear from me
Pay no attention to what’s said
Why people tear the seams of other one’s dream
Is over my head

Do nothin’ till you hear from me
At least consider our romance
If you should take the word of others you’ve heard
I haven’t a chance

True I’ve been seen with someone new
But does that mean that I’m untrue
When we’re apart the words in my heart
Reveal how I feel about you

Some kiss may cloud my memory
And other arms may hold a thrill
But please do nothin’ till you hear it from me
And you never will

(long bridge)

True I’ve been seen with someone new
But does that mean that I’m untrue
When we’re apart the words in my heart
Reveal how I feel about you

Some kiss may cloud my memory
And other arms may hold a thrill
But don’t do nothin’ till you hear it from me
And you never will

 

Do nothin’ till you hear from me – 4th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1956	MT	281	Complete on Verve v.7	9	4’12”

Do nothin’ till you hear from me
Pay no attention to what’s said
Why people tear the seams of anyone’s dream
Is over my head

Do nothin’ till you hear from me
At least consider our romance
If you should take the word of others you’ve heard
I haven’t a chance

True I’ve been seen with someone new
But does that mean that I’m untrue
When we’re apart the words in my heart
Reveal how I feel about you

Some kiss may cloud my memory
And other arms may hold a thrill
But don’t do nothin’ till you hear it from me
And you never will

(bridge)

I’ve been seen with someone new
But does that mean that I’m untrue
When we’re apart the words in my heart
Reveal how I feel about you

Some kiss may cloud my memory
And other arms may hold a thrill
But don’t do nothin’ till you hear it from me
And you never will
Do nothin’
Do nothin’

 

Notes

It originated as a 1940 instrumental (“Concerto for Cootie”) that was designed to highlight the playing of Ellington’s lead trumpeter, Cootie Williams. Russell’s words were added later (Wikipedia).

 

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46. Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?

Eddie DeLange

Music by Louis Alter

Follows 3 versions of the lyrics

(piano only version)

Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans
I miss it each night and day
I know I’m not wrong
The feelings getting stronger
The longer I stay away

Miss the moss covered vines
The tall sugar pines
Where mockingbirds use to sing
And I’d like to see the lazy Mississippi
A hurry in to spring

The Mardi Gras memories
Of Creole tunes that fill the air
I dream of oleanders in June
And soon I’m wishing that I was there

Do you know what is means to miss New Orleans
When that’s where you left your heart
And there’s something more
I miss the one I care for
More than I miss New Orleans

 

Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans – 2nd version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1946	LR	35	Perfect Complete Collection v.2	6	1’44”

(Louis Armstrong Band version)

Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans
I miss it each night and day
I know I’m not wrong
The feelings getting stronger
The longer I stay away

Miss the moss covered vines
The tall sugar pines
Where mockingbirds use to sing
And I’d like to see the lazy Mississippi
A hurry in to spring

The Mardi Gras memories
Of Creole tunes that fill the air
I dream of oleanders in June
And soon I’m wishing that I was there

Do you know what is means to miss New Orleans
When that’s where you left your heart
And there’s something more
I miss the one I care for
More than I miss New Orleans

 

Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans – 3rd version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1947	LR	41	Perfect Complete Collection v.2	5	2’13”

(Louis Armstrong singing)

Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans
I miss it most night and day
I know I’m not wrong
The feelings getting stronger
The more I stay away

Miss the moss colored vines
The tall sugar pines
Where mockingbirds seem to sing
And I’d like to see the lazy Mississippi
A hurry in to spring

Oh, the Mardi Gras the memories
Of Creole tunes that fill the air
I dream the oleanders in spring
That’s when I’m wishing that I was there

Do you know what is means to miss New Orleans
When that’s where you left your heart
And there’s one thing more
I miss the one I care for
More than I miss New Orleans

(Billie Holiday singing)

Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans
I miss it each night and day
I know I’m not wrong
The feelings getting stronger
The longer I stay away

Miss the moss covered vines
The tall sugar pines
Where mockingbirds use to sing
And I’d like to see the lazy Mississippi
A hurry in to spring

The Mardi Gras memories
Of Creole tunes that fill the air
I dream of oleanders in June
And still I’m wishing that I was there

Do you know what is means to miss New Orleans
I miss it each night and day
And there’s something more
I miss the one I care for
More than I miss New Orleans

Notes

It was first heard in the movie New Orleans, a 1947 musical drama featuring Billie Holiday as a singing maid and Louis Armstrong as a bandleader; supporting players Holiday and Armstrong perform together and portray a couple becoming romantically involved. During one song (Wikipedia).

  Billie Holiday (New Orleans)

 

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47. Do Your Duty

Wesley ‘Sox’ Wilson

If I call three times a day
Come and drive my blues away
When you come be ready to play
Do your duty

If you want to have some love
Give your baby your last buck
Don’t come quacking like a duck
Do your duty

I heard you said you didn’t love me
Numb as Mrs. Brown
I don’t believe a word they say
She’s the lyinest woman in town

When I need attention at home
I’ll call you on the phone
Come yourself
Don’t send your friend Jones
Do your duty

(short bridge)

If my radiator gets too hot
Cool it off in a lot of spots
Give me all the service you’ve got
Do your duty

If you don’t know what it’s all about
Don’t sit around my house and pout
If you do you’ll catch your Mama tipping now
Do your duty

If you make your own bed hard
That’s the way of life
I’m tired of sleeping by myself
But you too dumb to realize

I’m not trying to make you feel blue
I’m not satisfied with the way you do
I’ve got to help you find somebody too
Do your duty

Notes

NC

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48. Don’t Explain

Billie Holiday & Arthur Herzog Jr.

Follows 8 versions of the lyrics

(Toots Camarata Orchestra version)

Hush now, don’t explain
I know you raise Cain
I’m glad you’re back
Don’t explain

Quiet, don’t explain
You mixed with some dame
Skip that lipstick
Don’t explain

You know that I love you
And what love endures
Nothing rates above you
When I’m so completely yours

Cry to hear folks chatter
And I know you cheat
Right or wrong, don’t matter
When you’re with me sweet

Hush now don’t explain
You’re my joy and pain
My life’s yours, love
Don’t explain

You know that I love you
And what love endures
Nothing rates above you
When I’m so completely yours

Cry to hear folks chatter
And I know you cheat
But right or wrong, don’t matter
When you’re with me, sweet

Hush now, don’t explain
You’re my joy and pain
My life’s yours, love
Don’t explain

 

Don’t explain – 2nd version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1944	MT	180	Complete on Decca v.1	7	3’21”

(Bob Haggart Orchestra version)

Hush now, don’t explain
Just say you’ll remain
I’m glad you’re back
Don’t explain

Quiet, don’t explain
What is there to gain
Skip that lipstick
Don’t explain

You know that I love you
And what love endures
All my thoughts are of you
For I’m so completely yours

Cry to hear folks chatter
And I know you cheat
Right or wrong, don’t matter
When you’re with me, sweet

Hush now, don’t explain
You’re my joy and pain
My life’s yours, love
Don’t explain

You know that I love you
And what love endures
Nothing rates above you
For I’m so completely yours

Cry to hear folks chatter
And I know you cheat
Right or wrong, don’t matter
When you’re with me, sweet

Hush now, don’t explain
You’re my joy and pain
My life’s yours, love
Don’t explain

 

Don’t explain – 3rd version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1947	LR	42	Perfect Complete Collection v.2	13	2’34”

(BH self intro:
“Thank you very much, Ladies and Gentlemen,
and now I’d like to sing a song that I wrote
its title is Don’t Explain”)

 

Hush now, don’t explain
I know you raise Cain
I’m glad you’re back
Don’t explain

Quiet, don’t explain
You mixed with some dame
Skip that lipstick
Don’t explain

You should know I love you
And what love endures
All my thoughts are of you
For I’m so completely yours

Cry to hear folks chatter
And I know you cheat
But right and wrong, don’t matter
When you’re with me, sweet

Hush now, don’t explain
You’re my joy and pain
My life’s yours, love
Don’t explain

 

Don’t explain – 4th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1954	LR	114	Perfect Complete Collection v.7	5	2’40”

(BH self intro:
“Thank you very much, Ladies and Gentlemen,
and now I’d like trying sing for you a song that I wrote, its title is Don’t Explain”)

 

Hush now, don’t explain
I know you raise Cain
I’m glad you’re back
Don’t explain

Quiet, don’t explain
You mixed with some dame
Skip that lipstick
Don’t explain

You know I love you
And what love endures
All my thoughts are of you
I’m so completely yours

Cry to hear folks chatter
And I know you cheat
But right and wrong, don’t matter
When you’re with me, sweet

Hush now, don’t explain
You’re my joy and pain
My life’s yours, love
Don’t explain

 

Don’t explain – 5th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1956	LR	157	Perfect Complete Collection v.9	18	2’41”

(BH introduces next song:
“Thank you very much.
And now, another little tune I wrote
its title Don’t Explain. I do hope you like it”)

 

Hush now, don’t explain
I know you raise Cain
I’m glad you’re back
Don’t explain

Quiet, don’t explain
You mixed with some dame
Skip that lipstick
Don’t explain

You know that I love you
And what love endures
All my thoughts are of you
For I’m so completely yours

Cry to hear folks chatter
And I know you cheat
But right and wrong, don’t matter
When you’re with me, sweet

Hush now, don’t explain
You’re my joy and pain
My life’s yours, love
Don’t explain

 

Don’t explain – 6th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1956	LR	167	Complete on Verve v.8	9	2’26”

Hush now, don’t explain
I know you raise Cain
I’m glad you’re back
Don’t explain

Quiet, don’t explain
You mixed with some dame
Skip that lipstick
Don’t explain

You know that I love you
And what love endures
All my thoughts are of you
For I’m so completely yours

Cry to hear folks chatter
And I know you cheat
But right and wrong, don’t matter
When you’re with me, sweet

Hush now, don’t explain
You’re my joy and pain
My life’s yours, love
Don’t explain

 

Don’t explain – 7th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1958	LR	200	Perfect Complete Collection v.12	5	2’50”

Hush now, don’t explain
I know you raise Cain
But I’m glad you’re back
Don’t explain

Quiet, don’t explain
You mixed with some dame
Skip that lipstick
Don’t explain

You know that I love you
And what love endures
All my thoughts are of you
For I’m so completely yours

Cry to hear folks chatter
And I know you cheat
But right and wrong, don’t matter
When you’re with me, sweet

Hush now, don’t explain
You’re my joy and pain
My life’s yours, love
Don’t explain

 

Don’t explain – 8th version

rec date	type	#	discography	tk	rec time
1958	LR	204	Perfect Complete Collection v.12	8	2’47”

[stereo recording]

Hush now, don’t explain
I know you raise Cain
But I’m glad you’re back
Don’t explain

Quiet, don’t explain
You mixed with some dame
Skip that lipstick
Don’t explain

You know that I love you
And what love endures
All my thoughts are of you
For I’m so completely yours

Cry to hear folks chatter
And I know you cheat
But right and wrong, don’t matter
When you’re with me, sweet

Hush now, don’t explain
You’re my joy and pain
My life’s yours, love
Don’t explain

(applauses)

Notes

Another song written by Billie, this time in cooperation with Herzog. It is said Billie wrote Don’t Explain after her husband, Jimmy Monroe, came home one night with lipstick traces on his collar. As a curiosity, note that on some versions, Billie introduces herself to the song.

 

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49. Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me (1939)

Lyrics by Ted Koehler
Music by Rube Bloom

Don’t worry ’bout me
I’ll get along
Forget about me
Be happy my love

Let’s say that our little show
Is over and so
The story ends
Why not call it a day
The sensible way
And still be friends

Look out for yourself
Should be the rule
Give your heart and your love
To whomever you love
Don’t be a fool

Darling why should you cling
To some fading thing that used to be
If your can forget
Don’t worry ’bout me

(bridge)

Darling why should you cling
To some fading thing that used to be
If your can forget
Don’t worry ’bout me

 

Notes

From the show Cotton Club Parade, (World’s Fair Edition). Cab Calloway was the first to sing.

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50. Dream Of Life

Carmen Mc Rae & L. Henderson

My life was empty when you went away
Even the blue skies above had turned gray
But now that you’ve come back
My dream of life is here to stay

Those little quarrels that tore us apart
Oh gee I can see
They were wrong from the start
But now that you’ve come back
My dream of life is here to stay

I can’t seem to see just what you see in me
I guess love is really blind
This world seems so grand now that you understand
It’s you I adore It’s you I live for

Life is sublime now that you’re here with me
Please keep it mind dear and don’t stray from me
For now that you’ve come back
My dream of life is here to stay

(bridge)

I can’t seem to see just what you see in me
I guess love is really blind
This world seem so grand now that you understand
It’s you I adore It’s you I live for

Life is sublime now that you’re here with me
Please keep it mind dear and don’t stray from me
For now that you’ve come back
My dream of life is here to stay

 

Notes

Lyics revised by Daniel Bédard (2021)

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