Departure

2013
For a number of years I was a member of a writers group in Diss U3A. Whilst the others were producing short stories and poetry I would usually write a song and I must say that I enjoyed the challenge of fashioning a song from a random source. It is more natural for me to be motivated by a compulsion to write a song, often being provided, in my imagination with a music or a lyrical phrase. On rare occasions I get an almost complete song.
The subject of departure brought to mind parting which, naturally, brought to mind Romeo and Juliette. I knew that in the Turkish language the different roles in parting, that is, leaving and staying, give rise to a different verb. I later learned that many languages make the same distinction.

Chorus

Sweet sorrow in the airport

Sweet sorrow on the train

Sweet sorrow at the quayside

Sweet sorrow and pain

‘til we meet again

Verse 1

Leaving each other feels bad

Like your heart burst from your chest

“Parting is such sweet sorrow”

Shakespeare said it best!

Sweet sorrow…

Verse 2

So said the Bard of Avon

Through the lips of Juliette

Or were the words from Romeo

Trust me to forget!

Sweet sorrow…

Verse 3

Departure is half of parting

Which would be worse for you?

Staying at home to worry, or

Being on the move?

Sweet sorrow…

Verse 4

Many a foreign family

Deal with it in this way

Home bids the traveller “Swift return”

The answer: “Stay home safe”

Sweet sorrow…