Lament
Bernadette Peters Paul Gemignani Lyrics
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Couldn't you listen?
Couldn't you stay content?
Safe behind walls, as I could not
Now you know what's out there in the world
No one can prepare you for the world, even I
How could I, who loved you as you were
No matter what you say
Children won't listen
No matter what you know
Children refuse to learn
Guide them along the way
Still they won't listen
Children can only grow
From something you love
To something you lose
The lyrics of Finale of "Into the Woods" by Bernadette Peters and Company is a reflective piece on the struggles of parenthood and coming of age. It is sung by the character of the Witch, who regrets being unable to shield her daughter Rapunzel from the world. The first verse of the song highlights the futility of shielding a child from the world and the desire to protect them from the dangers of the outside world. The Witch sings of the walls that she erected around Rapunzel, and how content she was within them. However, she acknowledges that it was futile and that Rapunzel had to see the world for herself, despite how terrifying it can be.
In the second verse, the Witch reflects on the transitory nature of parenthood: children grow up and leave. She laments how no one can prepare a child for the world and that even she, who loved her daughter, couldn't shield her from the difficulties she encountered. The chorus speaks to the hard truth about the resilience of children to the lessons we try to impart upon them. No matter what parents say, children won't listen and no matter what they know, children refuse to learn. Despite this, parents still have a duty to guide and love their children as they grow from something to love to something that you lose.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the world I meant
This is the kind of world I wanted to create
Couldn't you listen?
Why didn't you pay attention to me?
Couldn't you stay content?
Why couldn't you be satisfied with what you had?
Safe behind walls, as I could not
I wish I could have been protected from the world like you were
Now you know what's out there in the world
Now you have experienced the reality of the world
No one can prepare you for the world, even I
No matter how much I tried, I couldn't fully prepare you for the world's challenges
How could I, who loved you as you were
I cared for you just the way you are, and yet,
How could I have shielded you from her or them?
How could I have kept you away from the hurtful people and experiences in the world?
No matter what you say
Regardless of what you tell children
Children won't listen
They will not always heed your words
No matter what you know
You can have all the right information
Children refuse to learn
But children might still disregard wisdom
Guide them along the way
Lead them towards the right path
Still they won't listen
But they may not always listen to your guidance
Children can only grow
Kids can only mature
From something you love
Parents raise them out of love
To something you lose
But kids grow up and go their own way, making parents feel like they are losing them
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: J J JOHNSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind