2007-12-4 04:49:00
These are songs I have written using actual female names.
This first one was written when I was in England on an LDS [Latter-Day Saint | Mormon] mission in 1965. I didn't have any romantic relationship with this lady. When visiting her and her family she complained to me that no one had ever written a song using her name. I thought about that and figured that Hazel would be a good name for a song and a few days later I gave her one. She was flattered indeed.
Verse 1
I met a strange girl
Hazel was her name
And in a strange way
She set my soul aflame.
I met her in a strange land
Many miles away
I don't know if I'll ever
See my true love again.
When I first went to that strange land
I knew I wouldn't be there long
But even though I do everything I can
I know its with you I belong.
I don't know why
Why I ever left that girl
She's about as far away
As anywhere in the world
Your eyes compel
And your heart draws me near
And when I shut my eyes
I can see you, my dear.
Verse 2
Hazel had green eyes
And the moonbeams made them shine
The way she looked at me
Bought this heart of mine.
Then the way I said goodbye
It made her cry and cry
I said I had to go
That I wouldn't see her anymore.
Oh why, oh why oh why why why why
Do you have eyes like the moon?
And why, oh why oh why why why why why
Did I have to leave you so soon?
The way you looked
When I last touched your hand
Makes me think of you
In that strange land.
My heart yearns
Over all time and space
I hope to see you
And meet you face to face.
Verse 3
I left a strange girl
Hazel was her name
And in a strange way
She set my soul aflame.
I left her in a strange land
So many miles away
I don't know if I'll ever
See my true love again.
When I first left that strange land
I didn't think I'd be gone for so long.
But even though I do everything I can
I can't get back where I belong.
I don't know why
Why I ever left that girl
On the other side
Of this big wide world
Your eyes compel
And your heart draws me near
And when I shut my eyes
I can see you, my dear.
CODA
I don't know why, why I ran away
And left you so far in the world.
-- End Of Lyrics --
I met this next girl in college at the University of Idaho in 1967. I really liked her a lot but my soul revealed that she was not to be my mate.
Shannon, Oh, Shannon
I'm in heaven when I'm with you
Shannon, Oh, Shannon
How could I ever forget you?
When you touch my hand
All the rest the world fades away
And when you understand
Our love grows deeper every day.
You mean the world to me
And the world would mean nothing without you
How can I ever show to you
That I mean our love to be true.
Never look into a mirror
Until you vanquish all your fears
Just put your trust in me
And watch your worries disappear
If you come stay by my side
No one but you and I
You'll be with me where you belong
If you'll just come wish with me
And hope with me and want with me
We will be together before long.
-- End Of Lyrics --
I met this lady in 1969 and had just a brief relationship. I can't even remember her first name, but her last name was Luellen and I thought it would make a good song.
Miss Luellen when will I see you again?
Miss Luellen why did you go and say goodbye?
Miss Luellen mm-mm Sweeter than mm-mm
Miss Luellen mm-mm. Why did you go and say goodbye?
Miss Luellen how did you win my love anyhow?
Miss Luellen what for, did you go and open up the door?
Miss Luellen mm-mm Sweeter than mm-mm
Miss Luellen mm-mm. Why did you go and say goodbye?
Do you remember when the world was made of you and me?
And something happened then - so our love could never be.
Time brings change, minds don't stay the same
Let us start anew, a world for me and you.
Miss Luellen can you remember how you felt so long ago?
Miss Luellen try to remember things only your heart knows.
Miss Luellen mm-mm Sweeter than mm-mm
Miss Luellen mm-mm. Why did you go and say goodbye?
-- End Of Lyrics --
The year was 1969 in Portland, Oregon. I really wanted to marry this girl but again my inner self said it was not to be. It's probably good that I did not marry her for she was a nice person but strong in the LDS church and I may have been so contented with her that it would have been difficult to break off from orthodoxy.
Rhea - How could I live without you?
How could I ever leave you, Rhea?
Your name is spoken by the wind,
I mistake the raindrops for your tears.
Rhea... Rhea... Rhea
Your eyes are seen by the sun
I'm not the only one - Rhea.
Can you read my heart and mind?
Tell me what you find, Rhea?
I have searched the whole wide world through
Looking for a girl the likes of you;
But no where else on earth have I found
Another girl quite as sound as you... as Rhea.
I know that I can trust in you
That's what I'll always do, Rhea.
I can see the way is clear
If you'll just follow me my dear, Rhea
-- End Of Lyrics --
This last girl was the opposite of Rhea -- free spirited, not religious and interested in the mystical the way I was. I met her in Colorado when I was a traveling salesman in 1970. I really liked her and if she hadn't lived so far away from my home in Idaho something more might have happened.
I keep seeing Gretta
How can I forget her?
She's always on my mind
How can I leave that girl behind?
How can I leave that girl behind?
I keep seeing Gretta
How could I ever let her
Ever slip away
And take away the day?
And take away the day?
Kind of need her
And I want her
Bring her to me
And Godspeed her
Kind of need her
And I love her
I need her
I keep seeing Gretta
I'm going back to get her
Will things ever be the same
When I see her again?
When I see her again?
Copyright © 2007 by JJ Dewey, All Rights Reserved