Sunday, August 24, 2008

Poetry Train Monday - 63 - You've Got a Friend


My friend Lisa has arrived from Cobourg, Ontario, to spend some East Coast time with me - *jumping for joy*

This is a picture of the two of us taken in Toronto over New Year's when I was there for my father-in-law's passing. I took an afternoon to myself, and Lisa took the train into the city to be with me and give me a boost so I could be strong for my family. As you can see, it worked wonders.

We've been friends for 20 years. She's very precious to me. So today's Poetry Monday offering is a song about us that Carole King wrote, strangely without ever having met either of us.
















You've Got a Friend


When you're down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest nights.

You just call out my name,
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running
To see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall,
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there.
You've got a friend.

If the sky above you
Should turn dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind should begin to blow
Keep your head together and call my name out loud
And soon I will be knocking upon your door.
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running
To see you again.
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you got to do is call
And I'll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Hey, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend?
People can be so cold.
They'll hurt you
And desert you.
Well they'll take your soul if you let them.
Oh, but don't you let them.

You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running
To see you again.
Don't you know that
Winter, spring, summer or fall,
All you've got to do is call.
Lord, I'll be there, yes I will.
You've got a friend.
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend.
You've got a friend.

- Carole King, 1971

10 comments:

Unknown said...

It's great you have such a close friend! Friends make life easier to swallow.

Amy Ruttan said...

Yep, having great friends like that is the best, even though me and my friend (who just got married) haven't been friends that long (well almost ten years), it's nice to have someone like that.

M. said...

*twilight zone music*
I drove through Cobourg with my family mere hours ago, was struck with amazement at the impossibly picturesque and charming downtown main street, and began spinning fantasies of retiring there in a couple of decades. Also, the pizza was good!

Akelamalu said...

I love Carole King and that song is just lovely.

It's great when you have friends like that!

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

I have never had this sort of friend. I'd be lying if I didn't say I envied you.

R.G. ALEXANDER said...

I love that song :)

Joy Renee said...

that James Taylor song was a fav of mine in jr high. i remember singing it to the radio with a dear friend.

you're gonna think my poem post was inspired by yours but i swear i was putting it together sunday. lol

hope your visit with your friend was everything you hoped and more

Dorothy said...

I like that song. You're very blessed to have such a close friend for so long.

Karina said...

One of my favorite songs Julia! I haven't been that great of a blogger in terms of visiting my favorite blogs lately (or even in terms of blogging myself, to be honest). I miss you and your posts though. I'm going to stick around for a bit tonight and do some catching up!

Jill said...

Well, even if the song itself is not really my style, I really like the lyrics!