A new guitar to pass the time
Regrets
…
I think that all the silence is worse than all the violence
Fear is such a weak emotion that’s why I despise it
We scared of almost everything, afraid to even tell the truth
So scared of what you think of me, I’m scared of even telling you
Sometimes I’m like the only person I feel safe to tell it to
I’m locked inside a cell in me, I know that there’s a jail in you
Consider this your bailing out, so take a breath, inhale a few
My screams is finally getting free, my thoughts is finally yelling throughIt’s so loud Inside my head
With words that I should have said!
As I drown in my regrets
I can’t take back the words I never said
Words I never said – Lupe Fiasco
The verse above is from the one song that caught my attention from Lupe’s music.
He’s quite right. Sometimes the biggest regrets I have aren’t about things I’ve said or done but rather not having said or done things when I really should have. When considering this, then I do have many regrets – some of them are quite recent.
As lame as it sounds, this song has inspired me to stop shutting up, to stop being diplomatic, to start speaking out, to start expressing myself and to be controversial if the situation warrants it. If this makes others feel uncomfortable then I’m sorry but I can’t keep quiet when I witness things that are not acceptable.
In my lifetime I’ve heard some racist comments, I’ve seen people get teased, bullied. I’ve seen people get abused, worse yet, I’ve let myself be abused (verbally) by others. Well at 26 years of age, I say “f**k that!”.
There are things I can’t tolerate and I will no longer keep the peace by being quiet. Our only weapons against wrongdoings are our thoughts and our voice. I choose to now speak up on issues I care about and defend those who need assistance. I can never be proud of myself for not acting when I should. I don’t mean we should all impose our views onto others but we should step in when things aren’t right.
Fear is what’s holding us back. So instead of keeping thoughts and opinions to myself and not acting when I should, I will now act in accordance with my own personal values and morals. Sorry if you don’t like it but I don’t want to live with these regrets any longer. As the song says I can’t take back something I never said in the first place.
Changes, it all changes
things on the surface change
things profound also change
the way of thinking changes
in this world everything changes
With the years, the climate changes
a shepherd changes his flock
and as everything else changes
It is not strange that I too should change
The finest diamond changes
it’s shine as it’s passed from hand to hand
the nest of a bird changes
and so too the feelings for a lover change
the direction of the traveller changes
despite the harm it may cause
and as everything else changes
it is not strange for me too change also
Changes, it all changes
Changes, it all changes…
the sun changes it’s course
as the night persists
the plant changes
and dresses itself spring green
an animal’s skin changes
so too does the hair of an elder
and as everything else changes
it isn’t strange that I change too
But my love doesn’t change
no matter how far away I am
nor the memories or the hurt
of my town and its people
and what changed yesterday
will again change tomorrow
just as I change
in these remote and distant lands…
But my love doesn’t change
no matter how far away I am
nor the memories or the hurt
of my town and its people
and what changed yesterday
will again change tomorrow
just as I change
in these remote and distant lands..
changes, everything changes
changes, it all changes.
-Julio Numhauser (author of this song)
Original version: here
Slower cover version: here
Punk Rock cover version: here