A BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER

I was standing in my kitchen Saturday morning preparing lunch for myself and my husband, in reverie chopping celery and spring onions to toss in a salad when a record starts playing on the radio. 

Immediately I was transported back to when I was 16 years old standing in my first ‘serious’ boyfriend’s room where he had just put on Simon and Garfunkel’s record, A Bridge Over Troubled Water.

This was a very strong memory for me because it was the first time I had been alone in a room with a young man without any adults around – his parents were out for the afternoon.

I thought he was very cool because his parents had allowed him to convert their basement into his own ‘pad.’  He had a sofa, table, chairs, something to make drinks with and his OWN record player.

He asked me if I’d heard this record before and I think I’d replied I had heard it on the radio.  He asked me if I had ever listened to the lyrics.  I had never really actually listened to the lyrics of a song before.  I’d always known I’d liked the tune, liked the chorus but had never given it the attention it actually deserved. 

That one question stayed with me throughout my life and since that day I have always made of point of actually listening to the lyrics. 

When you're weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I will dry them all

I'm on your side
When times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you [ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/s/simon+and+garfunkel/bridge+over+troubled+water_20124580.html ]
I'll take your part
When darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Sail on Silver Girl,
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way

See how they shine
If you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind

If my memory serves me right from all those years ago I think we listened to that record over and over again in those very happy couple of hours in his basement.

So thank you Peter for that truly amazing gift.