Albert West, became first known through his involvement in the band The Shuffles (1963-1973) when they scored a worldwide hit with 'Cha la la, I need you'. But already soon in the 60s he went solo and became one of the most popular singers in the Netherlands in the early 70s.
The last years he is also known as presenter for Dutch radio and television.
He died 4 june 2015 as the result of a car accident a week before.
Memory Of Life
Albert West Lyrics
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And I know around
I'm coming back after so many years
Oh, yes, this is my hometown
It all looks the same
All these things I remember so well
Friends that I played with, the tree that I climbed
And then I don't know what to say
'Cause there are things my memory of life
I see them all and I hear them call
I hope they don't see the tears in my eyes
But wait (Wait), I hear your voice (I hear your voice)
And I see your eyes
Oh, it's so good to be back in your arms
And to feel you so close by my side
So, come and take my hand (Hand in mine)
Just to lead me away (Me away)
To the fields where we wandered and where we made love
Because I got so much to say
My hands are getting cold
'Cause now they hold my memory of life
I hear you call, yes, I hear it all
I hope you don't see the tears in my eyes
And then what do I feel?
Someone touches my hand
Hey, wake up, buddy, get into your home
'Cause they start that shooting again
And then without something to say
You drift away, my memory of life
No one to hold, no-one at all
No one to see the tears in my eyes
The song "Memory of Life" by Albert West is a soulful ballad that captures the sentiments of revisiting one's childhood home after many years. It is a song that reflects the bittersweet emotions of nostalgia and homesickness as the singer walks through the streets of his hometown, recognizing the familiar sights and sounds of his past. He remembers the friends he played with, the tree he climbed, and the times he fell, yet there are some things from his "memory of life," things too intense to express.
The singer's melancholic thoughts are interrupted by the sound of a familiar voice and the sight of the person he loves. The return of his beloved is a joyous moment, bringing a hopeful sense of homecoming. He pleads with his love to take his hand and lead him away to the fields where they roamed and loved before, as there is so much he has to say, expressing his profound love for his partner as his memories of life remain with him.
Line by Line Meaning
I walk through the streets
As I traverse the roads of this town
And I know around
I am aware of my surroundings
I'm coming back after so many years
Returning to my birthplace after a lengthy period
Oh, yes, this is my hometown
Indeed, this is the place of my origins
It all looks the same
Everything appears unchanged
All these things I remember so well
I recollect each and every one of these details
Friends that I played with, the tree that I climbed
The companions with whom I frolicked, the tree up which I scaled
And the hundreds of times that I fell
And the myriad occasions on which I stumbled and collapsed
And then I don't know what to say
Subsequently, words elude me
'Cause there are things my memory of life
Due to events of my existence fixed in my mind
I see them all and I hear them call
I perceive and discern them all
I hope they don't see the tears in my eyes
I pray that they do not observe the tears in my eyes
But wait (wait), I hear your voice (I hear your voice)
However, hold on, I detect your voice
And I see your eyes
And I catch a glimpse of your eyes
Oh, it's so good to be back in your arms
How delightful it is to be reunited in your embrace
And to feel you so close by my side
And to sense you so near to my person
So, come and take my hand (hand in mine)
Accordingly, approach and clasp my hand
Just to lead me away (me away)
Simply to guide me elsewhere
To the fields where we wandered and where we made love
To the meadows where we roamed and where we engaged in intimacy
Because I got so much to say
For I possess so much to express
My hands are getting cold
My hands are becoming chilled
'Cause now they hold my memory of life
Due to clenching my recollections of my existence
I hear you call, yes, I hear it all
I apprehend your summoning, indeed, I grasp everything
I hope you don't see the tears in my eyes
I hope that you do not notice the tears in my eyes
And then what do I feel?
And subsequently, I experience what?
Someone touches my hand
Somebody grasps my hand
Hey, wake up, buddy, get into your home
Hey, rouse yourself, friend, and retreat to your abode
'Cause they start that shooting again
Since they have resumed their gunfire
And then without something to say
And then, with nothing to articulate
You drift away, my memory of life
You depart, my many reminiscences of existence
No one to hold, no-one at all
No one to embrace, not a single individual
No one to see the tears in my eyes
Nobody to observe the tears in my eyes
Contributed by Jayce G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
maacrl
Dit was het eerste plaatje dat ik kocht, ik heb het grijs gedraaid, zo'n prachtige stem, een fijne integere man, bedankt voor alles R.I.P lieve Albert
Yvonne Rozemond
Een heel lieve sympathieke man is niet meer. Sterkte voor Joke en dochter en schoonzoon en kleinkinderen. R.I.P. Albert.
Carine Petit
We zullen je missen je was een schat van een zanger ik zal je missen veel sterkte aan de familie rust zacht
Ronald Roelandt
Het ga je goed Albert, waar je ook bent...
saskiahoekstra
Verdrietig om te lezen dat je bent heen gegaan R.I.P Albert
Bas Voets
Leuk je ooit ontmoet te hebben.