Debbie Friedman was one of the most popular and influential creators of Jew… Read Full Bio ↴Debbie Friedman was one of the most popular and influential creators of Jewish music in North America in the past 30~35 years. Born in 1952and raised in Minneapolis, Debbie began song leading at Reform Jewish youth summer camps in the late 1960s including the National Federation of Temple Youth national leadership camp in Warwick, NY. Her style brought the traditional Jewish spiritual practice of singing Biblical verses and sacred phrases of liturgical prayer into the popular contemporary American folk-rock musical genre. Over the years, she produced a tremendous output of enormously popular pieces, many of which have been adopted into the regular prayer practice of hundreds, even thousands, of synagogues so that many in the younger generation don't recognize them as innovative at all but think of them as "the tradition". Debbie Friedman performed in thousands of concerts all over the world. She was also a teacher and cantor at the New Reform Congregation in Los Angeles, California, as well as being involved in the multi-faith center of worship that has risen out of the ruins of the World Trade Center area. She directed the music program at the Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, creating an annual songleading and music workshop there entitled Hava Nashira. Friedman inspired dozens of younger proteges and influenced an entire generation or more of North American Jewish music.

While she often performed concerts both solo and with a trio at the national conventions of major Jewish organizations, in synagogues, schools, youth camps and festivals, she also appeared at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, where she recorded a live CD in 1996. "Mi Shebeirach", a song of healing, is one of the most beautiful numbers that have appeared on some 20 Friedman releases.

Sadly, Debbie passed away on January 10, 2011.

The Promise
Debbie Friedman Lyrics

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Say goodbye
Why, I can barley say goodbye
If I can hardly take my eyes from yours
How far can I go?

Walk away
The thought would never cross my mind
I couldn't turn my back on this spring of hope

Your smiling stubborn

When I say always
I mean forever
I trust tomorrow as much as today
I'm not afraid to say
I love you
And I promise you
I'll never say goodbye

With dances on a crowded floor
While other dances live from song to song
Our music goes on, on, and on
And if I never leave your arms
I really will have traveled everywhere
For my world is there

When I say always
I mean forever
I trust tomorrow as much as today
I'm not afraid to say
I love you
And I promise you
I'll never say goodbye

How could I ever say goodbye?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Debbie Friedman's "The Promise" express a deep sense of commitment and love between two individuals. The singer is torn between the desire to stay with their partner forever and the fear of the unknown future that lies ahead. The singer cannot even imagine saying goodbye and leaving their beloved, as the mere thought of such a separation brings immense pain.

The singer believes in the power of promises and pledges to love their partner always, meaning forever. They trust that their love will endure and that they will remain devoted to each other, no matter what obstacles life may throw their way. The singer is unafraid to declare their love and commitment to their partner, as they promise to never say goodbye.

The imagery of dancing on a crowded floor and the idea that their music will go on and on suggests a sense of confidence and security in the love that they share. The singer feels that as long as they are with their partner, they have everything they need in the world. Their love is enough to sustain them, and they feel that they have traveled everywhere if they remain in each other's arms.

Overall, the lyrics of "The Promise" express a deep and abiding love between two individuals who are committed to each other forever, no matter what challenges they may face.

Line by Line Meaning

Say goodbye
Admitting the possibility of parting ways

Why, I can barley say goodbye
Being emotionally attached to the other person

If I can hardly take my eyes from yours
Being deeply in love with the other person

How far can I go?
Not being able to imagine leaving the other person

Walk away
Leaving the relationship

The thought would never cross my mind
Not considering leaving the relationship

I couldn't turn my back on this spring of hope
Being hopeful about the future of the relationship

Your smiling stubborn
Acknowledging the other person's enduring and resolute nature

When I say always
Making an unwavering promise

I mean forever
Promising loyalty for eternity

I trust tomorrow as much as today
Believing in the stability of the relationship

I'm not afraid to say
Expressing honesty and vulnerability

I love you
Sharing intense feelings of affection

And I promise you
Making a sincere commitment

I'll never say goodbye
Ensuring to remain together forever

With dances on a crowded floor
Enjoying each other's company in any situation

While other dances live from song to song
Not being able to appreciate the love that the other person offers

Our music goes on, on, and on
Being in love that keeps on growing

And if I never leave your arms
Being deeply content with the current relationship

I really will have traveled everywhere
Feeling fulfilled and complete just by being with the other person

For my world is there
Finding meaning and purpose in the relationship

How could I ever say goodbye?
Reiterating the inability to leave and bid farewell

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN BERGMAN, DAVID L. SHIRE, MARILYN BERGMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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