“Now son, I’m only telling you this because life can do terrible things.”

I often wonder if lyrical songwriting as an art form - songs about the great intricacies of love, the pains of the human condition, and raw experiences that can only be lived through to become written - had become a sort of dying craft. It seems like Mayday Parade proves me wrong on this fear. Seriously, if you have four minutes to spare, watch this video and take in the incredible reality presented in this song.

By the time I was your age I’ve give anything
To fall in love truly was all I could think
That’s when I met your Mother, the girl of my dreams
The most beautiful woman that I’d ever seen

She said, “Boy can I tell you a wonderful thing?
I can’t help but notice you staring at me
I know I shouldn’t say this
But I really believe that I can tell by your eyes that you’re in love with me”

Now son, I’m only telling you this because
Life, can do terrible things

Now most of the time we’d have too much to drink
We’d laugh at the stars and we’d share everything
Too young to notice and too dumb to care
Love was a story that couldn’t compare

I said, “Girl can I tell you a wonderful thing
I made you a present with paper and string
Open with care, now I’m asking you please
You know that I love you, will you marry me?”

Now son, I’m only telling you this because
Life, can do terrible things
You’ll learn one day, I hope and I pray
That God, shows you differently

She said, “Boy can I tell you a terrible thing?
It seems that I’m sick and I’ve only got weeks
Please don’t be sad now, I really believe
You were the greatest thing that ever happened to me.”

Slow, so slow, I fell to the ground on my knees

So don’t fall in love, there’s just too much to lose
If given the choice then I beg you to choose
To walk away, walk away
Don’t let her get you
I can’t bare to see the same thing happen to you
Now son, I’m only telling you this because
Life, can do terrible things.

Terrible Things by Mayday Parade

PRETTY. DARN. STOKED. Getting a Clover-brewed Blue Java Indonesia. Beans are blue tinted! (at @Starbucks)