A Love That Will Never Grow Old

A Love That Will Never Grow Old
Music by Gustavo Santaolalla; Lyrics by Bernie Taupin

Go to sleep, may your sweet dreams come true
Just lay back in my arms for one more night
I've this crazy old notion that calls me sometimes
Saying this one's the love of your life.

Refrain:
Cause I know a love that will never grow old
And I know a love that will never grow old.

When you wake up the world may have changed
But trust in me, I'll never falter or fail
Just the smile in your eyes, it can light up the night
And your laughter's like wind in my sails.

(Refrain)

Lean on me, let our hearts beat in time
Feel strength from the hands that have held you so long.
Who cares where we go on this rutted old road
In a world that may say that we're wrong.

(Refrain)

_ _ _ _

It's rare that a seemingly minimalistic song, as outlined in the above lyrics from the song, "A Love That Will Never Grow Old," from Brokeback Mountain, can hit someone so hard and so precise right between the chambers of one's heart. Written by the scorer of the movie's soundtrack, Gustavo Santaolalla, with lyrics by frequent Elton John lyricist Bernie Taupin, such a song could have been turned into syrupy schmaltz. But by turning to one of this country's, or any country's, premier lyrical interpreters, Emmylou Harris, it has become at once both a haunting ode to what could have been and an undying love for the ages.

Can you really tell, upon listening, if the lyrics are true to the story and that the love cannot grown old, or if it can't grow old because it is forever young? Or are we even supposed to know? I asked a friend this question tonight and his response was that it's undetermined and we should make up our own minds.

I suppose for me, it depends on my mood at the particular time I hear it. I have balled my eyes out, when feeling especially lonely, and I have sung along with gusto when things don't seem so gloom. But then when you revisit your thoughts on the movie, you pretty much come to that conclusion as well.

I have seen Brokeback once, and plan on seeing it again this week. My memories of the film, and my fascination with its soundtrack, have engulfed me in the experience that is Brokeback. Oddly enough, as much as the lyric in this song speaks to me, it is the only song among those on the soundtrack that I can't place in a particular spot in the movie. I need to know that.

UPDATE, FEBRUARY 22, 2006

So I saw Brokeback again. And I saw the spot where the song is played, and it's quite fitting. To stray from the song for a bit, I need to vent about where I saw the movie -- Reston, Virginia. While no one got up and walked out of the movie, based on the very audible reactions from many in the theater, folks were not pleased. Gasps, giggles, EWWWs, and even a "oh no, man don't touch another man like that!" What were they expecting? That after all it was not a movie about a romance between two men? Good lord. (The experience of reminded me of the second time I saw "Titanic" during its initial run. I saw it at the Union Station theater in DC, and during the sinking scenes, there was more laughter, serious guffaws, as each person fell to their deaths. Such experiences tend to ruin moviegoing.) I must say though, by the end of the movie, when Ennis finds the two shirts, you could hear a pin drop. That scene is one of the most emotionally wrenching I've ever seen, and beautifully acted.