I generally write my own lyrics, but have occasionally collaborated with other lyricists. My most regular lyrical collaborator is Anita Burns, who is based in Plymouth. Our most notable collaboration would have to be CAN’T LOOK BACK, for which singer Brigita travelled to London from her native Slovakia to record.
The lyrics of SILENT SCREAMS, which was to become my first published song, found their roots in a poem I received from a friend, Krista Aaltonen, from Finland. The song combines two quite separate pieces of music, and it was only after I had finished the second piece, that I had the idea of combining the two. The completed music lay idle for some time, until it occurred to me to use Krista’s poem as the basis for the lyric.
I have always liked the concept of combining music and poetry, and, to this end, quite a few of my songs have poetical connections. LOVE IN HER SUNNY EYES was inspired by a 17th century poem by Abraham Cowley, though the theme of my song is somewhat removed from what the author originally intended!
Charlotte Bronte’s ‘Stanzas’ literally brought a tear to my eye when I first read it, and I felt compelled to write music to that as well. On that occasion I was meticulous in ensuring I retained all the pertinent points of the original poem, though I introduced a chorus to convert it to song format, and re titled the piece IF YOUR LOVE WERE LIKE MINE.
If Your Love Were Like Mine
Lyrics adapted from ‘Stanzas’ by Charlotte Bronte – Music by Dave Charles © 2007
Wait a while if you are in a lonely place;
Just linger there as evening bends her placid face.
If just one hour’s calm is yours,
As darkness falls recall one moment that was ours and…
You might find, in that dark lane when all is still,
There near the elm, a sacred gloom its boughs will fill.
When peace and calm are all you see,
Whisper my name and darling close your eyes one moment – think of me!
For if your love were just like mine
How blessed that hour would seem;
You would recall the past
And relive that early dream.
But often in your arms I’ve lain
And seen your dark eyes shine
And saw their shifting gaze
Tell of some other love than mine.
I feel such anguish, such pain and sorrow,
For my love beats so strong and true.
It would be rapture could I feel that you
Had known such anguish too. (Repeat)
In that place, that sacred place, just bring to mind
A memory, look up towards the heav’ns and find
That golden light up in the sky.
Open your heart and listen for a sound, a step, a voice, a sigh.
For if your love were just like mine
Then you would share this pain,
And long for fate to bring
Those sweet moments back again.
But I was just your transient flower;
You were my god divine.
The flame of love will burn
Forever in this heart of mine.
In my last moments it would be heaven
If you should touch me tenderly;
And oh how sweet my final rest would be
Beneath that churchyard tree.
In my last moments it would be heaven
If you should touch me tenderly,
And sound my sleep if your heart could yet beat
One pulse still true to me……still true to me.
