Songs for the journey

There are songs for every purpose: celebration, mourning, easy listenting, reflection, inspiration, and so on. But then there are songs that become memorable or special, often because they say something simply or profoundly and they just come by at the right time for us to really understand. And then we find that we go back to that song maybe to recall that moment or idea, like a friend who understands. They are songs we recommend, quote and refer to people in the journey of life. They become "songs for the journey".

A few weeks ago I was flipping through my iPod on shuffle listening various tunes, mostly just playing with the stereo dock we had just purchased. I had just turned my attention to somehing else when my 6-year-old daughter turned around and said, "Hey, I like that song. Can you play it again?" So we shared the song, again and again. Later, we found the lyrics so we could memorize them. For now, at least, it has become "our song"--one that I will definitely pack for the journey, and I think she will, too. It's "Cry (if you want to)" by C. Scott, performed by The Holly Cole Trio. Look it up--you might like it...

Cry if you want to
I won’t tell you not to

I won’t try to cheer you up

I’ll just be here if you want me

It’s no use in keeping a stiff upper lip

You can weep you can sleep you can loosen your grip

You can frown you can drown and go down with the ship

You cry if you want to

Don’t ever apologize venting your pain

Its something to me you don’t need to explain

I don’t need to know why

I don’t think it’s insane

You can cry if you want to

The windows are closed

The neighbours aren’t home

If it’s better with me than to do it alone

I’ll draw all the curtains and unplug the phone

You can cry if you want to

You can stare at the ceiling and tear at your hair

Swallow your feelings and stager and swear

You could show things and throw things and I wouldn’t care

You can cry if you want to

I won’t make fun of you

I won’t tell any one

I won’t analyze what you do or you should have done

I won’t advise you to go and have fun

You can cry if you want to

Well it’s empty and ugly and terribly sad

I can’t feel what you feel but I know it feels bad

I know that its real and it makes you so mad

You could cry

Cry if you want to I won’t tell you not to

I won’t try and cheer you up

I’ll just be here if you want me to be

Near you

So...tell me...what are some of your "songs for the journey"?