Requiem for Bill
by @berni1954
Skirmish: If I could.... (@richardmasters)
Liner Notes
A month or so ago, my best friend here in Catalonia died after complications set in after a kidney transplant. He had been on dialysis for two years, which meant he could not leave town for more than a day. When he got the new kidneys he was over the moon. He had plans for foreign trips and a really positive outlook. At first, in the two weeks after the operation, he was going from strength to strength, but then he had a high fever and was taken into hospital. A week later he was no longer with us.
He and I were a duo on the local bar scene here. He playing bass, while I played acoustic guitar or ukulele and sang. I still can't believe we'll never do another gig together. He was like a brother to me.
The prompt for this skirmish reminded me of all the things I thought about him, but never told him and now I never can. Mortality is a bitch!
INSTRUMENT 3/4 Spanish Guitar by Hora of Romania
Lyrics
INTRO: (F) (E) (Am) (CAPO 3)
(Am) Your warmth and smile, your (G) lack of guile Your (F) open heart, set (E) you apart A (Am) friend in need, yes a (G) friend indeed The (F) things you'd (G) state, were (Am) always straight
(C) If I could tell you (G) now What (F) I never told you (E) then (C) If I could turn back (G) time I could (F) warn you (E) how it would (Am) end (G) If I could change your (Am) fate I (G) wouldn't hesi(Am)tate But (F) "ifs" are food for (E) fools In the (Am) realm where mortality rules
(Am) Your fine bass lines, in (G) tune with mine Your (F) funny jokes, near (E) gave me strokes Close (Am) not arm's length, you (G) gave me strength (F) Generous and (G) kind, what is (Am) left behind
CHORUS
Comments
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Indeed Jane. I have been so affected by his death that I have made a point of telling people how much they mean to me.
@val @billwhite51 @jerrypettit @jongoldie @kahlo2013 @coolparadiso @paul_pedersen @marthie @wynia @iveg @raspberry33
Thank you all for your condolences about the death of my friend, Bill. It was so sudden that even a month on from his funeral it all seems unreal. Una abraçada a tots des de Catalunya 😘😘😘😘😘😘😘
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Sorry about your friend. Mortality does bite us all in the ass eventually, and it sucks. I was actually thinking yesterday, of my circle I wondered which one of us is going to go first. It's crap way to think, but it crept in. This is a great tribute though. Somehow I feel like your friend knows all these things you wanted to tell him.
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But "ifs" are food for (fools In the realm where mortality rules
That line is so true and so well put. Unfortunately, this song resonates harshly with me. Ive lost a dozen of my closest friends this year, and it feels like the life we all led is lost to the amnesia of time. right now a guy who i have played with since high school is fighting stage 4 liver cancer and he is maintaining an optimistic front, but I cant share that optismism since my wife died a cruel death from that same malady.
Yes, at our ages, many, if not all of the generation above us, are gone. We are now in what some poet called "the waiting room". In the case of my friend, he was just unlucky. I read that a case like his only occurs in 2% of transplant cases. 😢
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Condolences. This episode DID inspire a lovely, lovely song. Keep 'em coming! ❤️
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Sweet and simple tribute Bernie. Hits hard in the heart. Cheers
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Oh, I’m so sorry about the death of your friend. This is such a lovely and heartfelt tribute to him and expression of your feelings. It flows beautifully. It is full of admiration and love.
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Hard times mate! i hope time reminds you of all the fun and good times! Beautifully put togetehr and fine tribute for all of those we have lost! of course a growing number for those of our age! excellent song
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A lovely tribute to a friend and fellow musician. I can feel your loss. I think Bill would be proud of your heartfelt song.
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Eternal song. Sorry about your loss. Music brothers are different than blood: stronger. And you deliver it in such a sweet way which makes it even more powerful.
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I’m very sorry for your loss, that has to be so hard, huge hugs. This is a lovely heartfelt ode. The good ones seem to go too soon, and it is absolutely not fair 💔
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Sorry to hear your friend died. Nice tribute - sounds like he was a kind, funny person.
A reminder to tell the people we love that we love them, and why... because some day we won't be able to.
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Heartfelt - he must have been a good friend. So sorry for your loss; and I've been thru that trauma with former bandmates, too. Sadly, mortality increasingly rules as we get older. This is a great tribute - lovely vocals and guitar.
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What a wonderful friend you had. So very sorry you have lost him, and glad you have such good memories. A reminder to tell our friends before we lose them.