Years Ago
by @musicsongwriter · @paulhenry
Liner Notes
Here is our random collaboration. I really enjoyed collaborating with @paulhenry I sent to Paul my piano track and an idea for potential vocals. Paul created his beautiful and moving lyrics and sang our song beautifully putting his heart and soul into every phrase.
@paulhenry: Nadia and I had a very nice back and forth on the tune. It's always a challenge to write a lyric that the music suggests. Great fun and we had a good time working together.
"Years Ago" © 2026 Nadia Cripps and Paul Henry S. Music, piano by Nadia Cripps; Lyrics, vocals by Paul Henry S. Demo by Nadia Cripps and Paul Henry S. Image by RosZie on Pixabay: pixabay.com/illustrations/love-harvest-drawing-tree-of-life-7188730/
Lyrics
Verse One:
years ago there we stood and there we made our vow We hoped it would be something good. from that day until now.
Verse Two:
and now I know from where we are the path from there to here Its been so far and not so far as long as you are near
Chorus:
It was years ago We thought we knew it all, but we had to learn what it meant to fall— fall in love fall from grace and we made a little space to grow.
Verse Three:
love is not just a thing we do We choose it every day we share. we fight make love at night we break apart. we stay.
Verse Four:
Poets say come live with me and joy will be our goal. then they explain that without pain the heart will not be whole.
Chorus:
It was years ago We started with a hope We had to fight it through to make the dream come true what we choose what we lose after the "I dos", after the “I dos” are said.
Bridge:
There were the times we felt betrayed Slept in the lonely beds we'd made. Only when we were unafraid to fight for each other again and again
Final chorus:
It was years ago We’ve made it to today Things are not the same but we found a better way We'll remember our love we'll remember our vow
Years from now
Comments
![[pic]](/static/img/avatars/vday/14.png){kind=avatar}
Aw, love this sentiment.
![[pic]](/static/img/avatars/vday/21.png){kind=avatar}
This is really cool. I LOVE the second chord in the verses stanzas and the way it sits with the song. It would have been easy to find something sweet and diatonic there, but you found something magical! The chorus really sings.
Some gems in that lyric, Paul. "Fall from love, fall from grace" really struck me. The dichotomy and the way the "fall" at the end of the prior line tied both together. Choose and lose in the same spot of the next chorus and betrayed/made/unafraid in the bridge also were high points for me.
Really strong write, both of you. I enjoyed it.
![[pic]](/static/img/avatars/vday/10.png){kind=avatar}
This is touching. Nadia’s music is always inspiring and this is another lovely song. Full of emotion. I like how the lyric goes deep into a relationship and is delivered with a heartfelt vocal. Great stuff!
Getting a kick out of Nadia's collaborations--hearing some new folks this way. Nice to meet you, @paulhenry. Great collaboration! ❤️
![[pic]](/static/img/avatars/vday/19.png){kind=avatar}
this is reminiscent of the sophisticated pop songs that one time ago were played on top 40 radio along with the teenage music. it would fit nicely into contemporary broadway musicals such as rent. i really enjoyed this collab, having been a fan of nadias for over a decade and just now hearing paul for the first time.
![[pic]](/static/img/avatars/vday/09.png){kind=avatar}
Guys. See, real love is work. It's good, but it's something that gets worked on.
I enjoyed seeing that represented here. Acknowledging that there are dark times is a true thing.
In the delivery, I liked the tempo changes a whole lot, this has a showtunes vibe to it that I'm into.
Well done you two.
![[pic]](/static/img/avatars/vday/30.png){kind=avatar}
This is really nice. Almost sounds like it belongs in a musical, perfect for that one scene of wistful conflict. Lovely vocals and instrumentation.
![[pic]](/static/img/avatars/vday/25.png){kind=avatar}
Love the chord progression, especially those starting chords on the verses. Great lyrics and feels so honest and vulnerable with the vocal delivery and that crescendo ending. Great collab!
![[pic]](/static/img/avatars/vday/05.png){kind=avatar}
The piano has such a deeply emotional feel, and the tender, equally emotional lyrics and vocals have the perfect touch of heartfelt reflection and hard-earned wisdom. What a wonderful collaboration!
![[FAWM]](/static/img/ukulelecorn.svg)
Nadia creates a seemingly endless (and enviable) stream of good music. I find that it's difficult to write lyrics to a pre-existing piece of music, but Paul Henry has succeeded where I stall. Excellent results!