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Waterfall
words and music by Paige Powell ©2022 Paige E. Powell
1. I have inside of me a glass you never see
And it isn’t full and it’s not empty
It needs to be refilled with love that can rebuild
And fill the glasses of the others ‘round me
Ask the day I’m retiring after serving many years
“How does it feel to hear the loud thunder
Of applause filling your ears?”
Love — daily in amounts so small,
can rush back like a waterfall
2. The sadness of the class, which is the teacher’s last
Is turning into smiles and faces nodding
The auditorium is pounding like a drum
From everyone so thankfully applauding
Ask the teacher who’s leaving after serving many years
“How does it feel to hear the loud thunder
Of applause filling your ears?”
Love — daily in amounts so small, can rush back like a waterfall
Bridge: See the many faces, smiles on every one
Taking this in is like when we try to look at the sun
3. The heroes on the train, the soldier in the rain
Are running out into the place of danger
The courage that they had, created good from bad
Deciding they would rescue every stranger
Ask when they’re at the White House
Recognized for facing fear
“How does it feel to hear the loud thunder
Of applause filling your ears?”
Love — instantly you gave your all, (and) it rushed back like a waterfall
Love rushed back like a waterfall!
Inspired by the final scene in the movie, "Mr. Holland's Opus" this song asks, "How does it feel to hear the loud thunder of applause filling your ears?" It's quite a jolt if you've never experienced that much love from an audience, like a "Waterfall"!
Perhaps people who give love in small portions over long lengths of time, such as teachers or kind, civil servants rarely receive thanks, at least until maybe the day they retire. At that time, all the years of their loving work can sometimes come together in a celebration, where all their coworkers, friends and family gather and applaud their years of service. To receive all that adulation and applause in one moment can be unnerving and unsettling, like a “Waterfall”. It’s overwhelming, like when we “try to look at the sun”. Here’s a song to our heroes, whether they are national or local. May they withstand the waterfall of love they deserve.
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