Groundhog Day

[bnewman]

Groundhog Day is an American folk-tradition which is a worn-down remnant of an older European tradition which, while not directly related, occupies the same slot in the year-wheel as the Celtic Imbolc.  It's also a surreal movie in which Bill Murray plays a disaffected weatherman who must live the same day over and over.  This song pulls the concept of the movie together with the themes of Imbolc — the turning of winter towards spring, the stirring of the frozen heart towards hope.

lyrics and music by Benjamin Newman

listen to this song

/ G - C D / / / /

 

If I had this day to live over

I don't know how I'd spend the time

A weather-watcher who's sick of the weather

Soul snowed in by this frozen clime

 

But if I had this day to live over

I might help others as chance affords

What's the cost of just one kind gesture?

I surely can spare a few friendly words

 

/ C - D Em / C - - D / 1st / C G D G /

 

When I woke up I looked at my shadow

Rolled over once and went back to sleep

But now, though snow still covers the meadow

There's something waking up way down deep

 

If I had this day to live over

I could spend it learning to play

Songs that stir my soul to remember

The hopeful spark of the brightening days

 

And if I had this day to live over

I could be be beamish instead of just nice

Spreading joy to my brothers and sisters

Carving wonder out of the ice

 

I think I must have been scared of my shadow

I almost decided to stay in bed

But now, though snow still lies thick on the meadow

Seeds are sprouting inside my head

If I had this day to live over

I would spend it all with you

Light comes back from the darkness of winter

Hearts come back to a love that's true

 

Once I used to be scared of my shadow

Shut my doors and stayed safe inside

Now snow lies bright on the moonlit meadow

I run to the windows and fling them wide