Background of this song:
At the beginning of the 90s I saw the dream where the dying tree stopped me and asked me to console her. The first thing in the morning when I still remembered my dream I opened my recorder and sang the story on the tape by accompanying myself on the piano. After the instant music session I did only a few corrections in the lyrics and added the intro which served also as an interlude. I gave the song name Ystävä voisitko kasvoni pyyhkiä (My Friend Could You Wipe My Face).
In 1996 I made a Music Album, Hiljaisia lauluja (Tranquil Songs) with a Finnish musician and my good friend Jouni Juola. Because the theme of the album was “Perishableness ja calmness” Ystävä voisitko kasvoni pyyhkiä was like it has made for it. Jouni sang the songs on the album but the instruments are played together. Also Jouni’s songs are on the album. This autumn (2014), when I translated the lyrics in English, I omitted the words My Friend from the title. Video is published 6/23 2013.
I included in this post both the lyrics and notes of the song. It takes more room on the screen but I am sure that those of you who like to follow also notes will appreciate this effort. Now they don’t have to click to the other home page in order to see them.
Could You Wipe My Face (Yellling Rosa)
1.
Once upon a time when I saw the dying tree
that gently touched my hand and said with the husky voice:
“Could you take your T-shirt off and wipe my wet face with it,
could you help me and wipe my face dear friend.
I spread my boughs towards the blue sky but I can’t breathe.
There is no longer oxygen left for me.”
I shrugged and briefly told her:
“I am not the sun, and certainly not the wind that clears the air.
I am nothing more than an oil stained dirty streamer in this time.
I’m only fumes of pollution. I’m just an oil stained dirty streamer
in this time. I’m only fumes of pollution.”
2.
“It doesn’t matter what you are because you can stay
and be my companion tonight when this pilgrimage
everlasting makes it back to the beginning,
when this wandering gets back to the beginning.”
All night long I heard the agonizing rattle
but lastly the tree collapsed with the huge grumble.
When she weakly lifted her head up once and for all
and thanked me for being her guardian, I gave her my hand.
Thus it was easier for her to go away,
easier to vanish away Sure I held her hand tight
so it was easier for her to leave from here for good.
Final
Sure I held her hand tight so it was easier
for her to leave from here for good.
Sure I held her hand tight so it was easier
for her to leave from here for good.
Music and words © Yelling Rosa
Hiljaisia lauluja: Yelling Rosa and Jouni Juola, 1996
Finnish music sheets
I hope that you enjoy listening to this song and perhaps think how much nature needs gentle love from us in order to feel better and survive as long as the last human beings and even longer.
