If I Could Tell You — A Poem That Keeps Singing

Some words stay with us for years. Not because they never change, but because we meet them differently as we change.

Many years ago, I recorded this reading of W. H. Auden's If I Could Tell You. Returning to it today, I found myself hearing the poem with new ears.

This version is not a replacement for the original recording, but another meeting.

The narration is accompanied by new music, and as the spoken words come to an end, the poem quietly continues as a jazz-inspired song, with Auden's own words becoming its lyrics.

Some poems are not finished when the reading ends. They simply continue singing.

*Music co-created by Child of Silence and AI.

Transcript

Time will say nothing. But I told you so. Time only knows the price we have to pay. If I could tell you. I will let you know. Who is should we? When clowns put on their show. You wish you stumbled. When musicians play. Time we've seen that thing. Like I told you so. There are no fortunes to be told. Because I love you more than I can say. If I could tell you. I will let you know. The wings must come from somewhere when they blow. There must be reasons. Why the leaves decay. Time we say nothing. I'd have told you so. Perhaps the roses really won't grow. Prevention. Seriously. Intends to say. If I could tell you, I would let you know. Suppose, Odd lions. Get up and go. And all the brooks and soldiers run away. We time say nothing. But I told you so. If I could tell you. I will let you know. Time will say nothing, But I told you so Time only knows the price we have to pay If I could tell you, I would let you know I would let you If we should weep when clowns put on their show If we should stumble when musicians play Time will say nothing, But I told you so I told you so There are no fortunes to be told Because I love you more than I can say If I could tell you I would let you I would let you know The winds must come from somewhere when they blow There must be reasons why the leaves decay Time will say nothing, But I told you so I told you so Perhaps the roses really want to grow. The vision seriously intends to stay If I could tell you, I would let you know I would let you know Suppose the lions all get up and go When all the brooks and soldiers run away Will time say nothing but I told you so? If I could tell you, I would let you know I would let you know I would let you

Reviews

Your voice is very sweet and soothing! Thank you for sharing this beautiful meditation ❣️

Beautifully read and perfect song by Enya in background! Ty!

Touched me deeply, tears, all good. Thank you.

A very pleasurable experience, thank you.

Beautiful! Thank you.❤️🙏🏽