Story Behind The Song

Written after the death of a young friend

Song Description

1948

Lyrics

Before you came to us, the dreams would roll through us
The more to un-do us, and open our hearts
But for all that we tried it, our hopes were so quiet
Our silence denied it, and it kept us apart
And it kept us from dancing and singing our song
And it kept us from making a start
We were praying and hoping the silence would be broken
For the dreams, still unspoken, stayed locked in our heart.

First a ripple, then a rumor, then a subtle sense of humor
For we never expected that you'd come along
But the silence was broken, you broke it wide open
the silence was broken and filled with your song.
And it was filled with your laughter, and filled with your light
And you blessed us as we moved along
For the silence was broken, you broke it wide open
The silence was broken and filled with your song.

So, we all made a promise, we thought that we could honestly
Keep our love sheltered and safe and confined
But the promise was broken, you broke it wide open
the promise was broken when you left us behind.
but you left us your dancing, and you left us your song
Now won't you bless us as we fall apart
For the promise was broken, you broke it wide open
The promise is broken now, and so is our heart.

(Instrumental)

And now that you've parted, we've gathered open-hearted
and we know that you're happy and singing your song
So won't you help us remember that we might as well surrender
this love is so tender, and our love is so strong
And it'll keep us all dancing and singing our song
And it'll bless us as we move along
For our dear hearts are broken, you broke us wide open
We're empty and open, and we're singing our song
We're empty and open now.....and singing our song.