The living years
Russell Watson [Tenor] Lyrics

Every generation blames the one before
People often criticize their predecessors for the problems they face

And all of their frustrations come beating on your door
Those frustrations and problems can, at times, fall on your shoulders

I know that I'm a prisoner to all my father held so dear
Your upbringing and relationship to your parents can have a strong hold on you and your beliefs

I know that I'm a hostage to all his hopes and fears
You can feel trapped by the expectations and fears of those who came before you, particularly your parents'

I just wish I could've told him in the living years
It's important to express yourself and your feelings while you still have the chance

Oh crumpled bits of paper filled with imperfect thoughts
Communication can be difficult, and sometimes all we have are incomplete thoughts on paper

Stilted conversations I'm afraid that's all we've got
Even when we try to communicate, it can feel awkward and may be insufficient

You say you just don't see it he says it's perfect sense
Miscommunication can lead to misunderstandings and disagreements

You just can't get agreement in this present tense
Current situations can be tricky and it can be difficult to find common ground with others

We all talk a different language, talking in defense
People often have different ways of expressing themselves, and can be guarded when it comes to discussing certain topics

Say it loud, say it clear
Be open and honest when communicating so that there's no confusion or misunderstanding

You can listen as well as you hear
Communication is a two-way street, so it's essential to both speak and listen

It's too late when we die
Time is of the essence, and it's important to express yourself while you still have the chance

To admit we don't see eye to eye
It's difficult to reconcile differences once someone has passed, so it's important to address disagreements while still alive

So we open up a quarrel between the present and the past
The past can influence the present, and discussions can spiral out of control if not approached carefully

We only sacrifice the future it's the bitterness that lasts
Focusing too much on the past and present can negatively impact the future and lead to lingering resentment

So don't yield to the fortunes you sometimes see as fate
You have agency in the decisions you make, and shouldn't leave everything up to chance

It may have a new perspective on a different day
Situations can change and there may be a different way of thinking about something in the future

And if you don't give up and don't give in, you may just be okay
Perseverance is important, and it's possible to overcome challenges if you don't let them defeat you

I wasn't there that morning when my father passed away
Sometimes you may not have the opportunity to say everything you want to say before someone passes

I didn't get to tell him all the things I had to say
Regret can be difficult to deal with, particularly when it comes to things left unsaid

I think I caught his spirit later that same year
Even though someone has passed, their influence can still be felt

I'm sure I heard his echo in my baby's new born tears
Family connections can extend beyond one's own life and be felt by future generations

Say it loud, say it clear
Repeating the message multiple times, in various settings and to different people, can help ensure that it's heard and understood

Say it loud, say it clear
It's better to say what needs to be said rather than holding back and potentially regretting it later

Say it loud, say it clear
Communication is key to understanding and working through difficult situations

Say it loud
Be bold and confident in expressing yourself