Both Sides Now

I was again reminded of how nice this song is when I heard it over the radio in the bus on my way to work yesterday. Feeling like humming the song myself, I searched for the lyrics this evening. I came upon this site which gave the lyrics of the song with some comments from enthusiasts. This post from Aseem Kaul just hit the right spots...

"...But most of all, this is a song that even read aloud has a voice all its own. It's the voice of a generation that grew up too quickly, the voice of cynicism, the voice of tiredness. But it is also the voice of hope - of the spirit's struggle to reclaim lost wonder, of an acceptance of one's own limitations that is both humility and joy. It is at once the voice of our defeat and the voice of our renewal."

Both Sides Now

Rows and flows of angel's hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feathered canyons everywhere
I've looked at clouds that way

But now they only block the sun
They rain and they snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way.

I've looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, but still somehow
It's cloud illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all.

Moon and Junes and Ferris wheels
That dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way.

But now it's just another show
You leave them laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know
Don't give yourself away.

I've looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, but still somehow
It's love's illusions I recall
I really don't know love at all.

Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at life that way

But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they say I've changed
Well something's lost, but something's gained
In living every day.

I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose, but still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all.
-- Joni Mitchell