You Are In Integrity

“You are in integrity when the life you live is an authentic expression of who you are.” — Alan Cohen

 

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“For Good” From the Musical “Wicked”

I love the Broadway musical Wicked. For those readers unfamiliar with the story, it is based on the best-selling novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory McGuire which runs parallel to the classic novel by L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Wicked tells the story of Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West and her relationship with Glinda, the Good Witch of the North. Their friendship causes them to face their opposing personalities and viewpoints, rivalry over the same love-interest, their reactions to the Wizard’s corrupt government and ultimately, Elphaba’s public fall from grace. The plot is set mostly before Dorothy’s arrival from Kansas and includes several references to well-known scenes and dialogue in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz as a back-story.

Wicked was here in the Phoenix metro area at Tempe’s Gammage Auditorium throughout the month of July, 2009. Tucson area residents will see Wicked in January, 2011 at Centennial Hall. Find out if Wicked is coming to your area and check this musical out.

In the meantime, I wanted to share the lyrics to a song from Wicked.  “For Good” is sung between Elphaba and Glinda, just before the finale.  I’ve shared the lyrics to Defying Gravity from Wicked in an earlier post.

The Purpose of Our Relationships

This song has inspired me at a time when I have felt challenged by my relationships.  Some of my relationships seem static and difficult.  This song reminds me to begin to wonder if it would be in the best interest of both of us to move along.

For Good

(Elphaba)

I’m limited
Just look at me – I’m limited.
And just look at you
You can do all I couldn’t do, Glinda.
So now it’s up to you
For both of us – now it’s up to you…

(Glinda)

I’ve heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true
But I know I’m who I am today
Because I knew you

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

(Elphaba)

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You’ll be with me
Like a hand print on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend…

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a sky bird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better?
But because I knew you

(Glinda)

Because I knew you
(Both) I have been changed for good

(Elphaba)

And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the thing I’ve done you blame me for

(Glinda)

But then, I guess we know
There’s blame to share

(Both) And none of it seems to matter anymore

(Glinda)

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood

(Elphaba)

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a bird in the wood

(Both)

Who can say if I’ve been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better

(Glinda)

And because I knew you…

(Elphaba)

Because I knew you…

(Both)

Because I knew you…
I have been changed for good.

Corner of the Sky – Pippin

Sometimes, when I just can’t find the words that fit my emotions; blogger’s block I call it, I’ll post a video and lyrics that seem to fit best.

Everything has its season
Everything has its time
Show me a reason and I’ll soon show you a rhyme
Cats fit on the windowsill
Children fit in the snow
Why do I feel I don’t fit in anywhere I go?

Rivers belong where they can ramble
Eagles belong where they can fly
I’ve got to be where my spirit can run free
Got to find my corner of the sky

Every man has his daydreams
Every man has his goal
People like the way dreams have
Of sticking to the soul
Thunderclouds have their lightning
Nightingales have their song
And don’t you see I want my life to be
Something more than long….

Rivers belong where they can ramble
Eagles belong where they can fly
I’ve got to be where my spirit can run free
Got to find my corner of the sky

So many men seem destined
To settle for something small
But I won’t rest until I know I’ll have it all
So don’t ask where I’m going
Just listen when I’m gone
And far away you’ll hear me singing
Softly to the dawn:

Rivers belong where they can ramble
Eagles belong where they can fly
I’ve got to be where my spirit can run free
Got to find my corner of the sky

Come to Me (Peace) By Mary J. Blige from her “Growing Pains” Album

I have been wanting to share this track from Mary J. Blige’s “Growing Pains” CD.  By far my favorite song (this week, OK – this month!).  Following are the lyrics, which got me hooked first, then listen to the song.  Enjoy!

Come to Me (Peace)

That was love
That was then
That was us, miracles
I changed you
You changed me
This is how these things go
I was broke
And you were scared
But you stayed by my side, yea

I was yours
You were mine
It seemed we’d last forever, oh yea
I’d be the one you need
You would be the one I marry
And I’m just trying to invite my way back in your heart
And I’m telling you to…

[Chorus:]
Come to me
I’ll restore freedom
I’ll carve away the worries in your heart

Your heart is missed
I’m a mess, what happened to second chance
This is now, this is how easy things can get out of hand
We were cold, and we were slow then, now we end faster than light, than light

And I’m not ashamed cause my love ain’t changed
I’m prepared to beg you back the whole way
Bring me your arms, I’ll bring mine too
And we will heal, mend, me and you, telling you…

[Chorus:]
Come to me
I’ll restore freedom
I’ll carve away the worries in your heart
I’m telling you to…

Come to me
I’ll restore freedom
I’ll carve away the worries in your heart
And I’m here to make peace, peace, peace
I’m here to make peace, peace, peace
I’m here to make peace, peace, peace
I’m here to make peace, between u and I

Through my doors, and take my hand
Replace our love beyond this land
This is just too much to give away
I love you baby, so why don’t you stay

Let the air of your voice dry my tears
Let “I love you”, fall on my ears
I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you
I want you to just…

[Chorus:]
Come to me
I’ll restore freedom
I’ll carve away your worries in your heart
And I’ll be here to make peace
I’m here to make peace peace peace
I’m here to make peace peace peace
I’m here to make peace peace peace between you and I

Wanna make peace with you baby
I don’t wanna fight, I just wanna do everything right
Show me how to make peace with you
I do wanna make peace with you