14 - What It Is

This is my “I didn’t get a folk award nomination and it nearly destroyed me” song. But it’s not a lament, it’s a song of realisation. It represents the moment that I realised that by chasing awards, and by feeling like all was lost when they didn’t materialise, that I’d completely missed the point of music! Life is far, far too short to chase goals without enjoying the journey.

That moment of realisation was an actual moment, sitting in Bude Folk Festival, surrounded by singers of songs and champions of the tradition. Those people, the audiences, the folk clubs, the singers of songs, the folk community. They are the beating heart of folk.

Let it be what it is for the grieving
Is more than the time that you have
And coming is more than the leaving
It is more to have love than to have

Whatever may be make it welcome
Whatever may go let it pass
For time it is precious, and seldom
will your time be well spent on the past

It’s all in a day my dear
For time it is all that I shall fear
When the world has left you cold
Take time, be bold
    
Let it be what it is for the grieving
Is more than the time that you have
And coming is more than the leaving
It is more to have love than to have

Whatever may be make it welcome
Whatever may go let it pass
For time it is precious, and seldom
will your time be well spent on the past

It’s all in a day my friend
For tomorrow is yesterday’s end
When all you have worked for it is gone
Take time, be strong

Let it be what it is for the grieving
Is more than the time that you have
And coming is more for the leaving
It is more to have love than to have

Whatever may be make it welcome
Whatever may go let it pass
For time it is precious, and seldom
will your time be well spent on the past

So let it be what it is for the grieving
Is more than the time that you have
And coming is more for the leaving
It is more to have love than to have

Whatever may be make it welcome
Whatever may go let it pass
For time it is precious, and seldom
will your time be well spent on the past