If You Go Away

IF YOU GO AWAY

I was in Grade 6 when my younger brother Nelson( I have three brothers and Nelson came after me, so we were playmates and partners in many activities like swimming , singing , feeding the pets, fishing and many more ) asked me:
" Did you memorize this song. Will you give me a copy of the lyrics? Right Away please "
I asked in return:
" What Song ? and why in a hurry ? "
He smiled :
" I will sing it in our class Valentines Program" . Can I borrow your guitar ? " He added.
He was in Grade 5 and I was in Grade 6. My three older sisters bought me a guitar as my birthday gift that year. They saved their allowance and pitched in to buy me a guitar. My older sisters are my darlings, Lindy, Helen and Eve.
Actually, Eve is my forever Hero. Along with the guitar was also a Song Hits small paperbook , and my brother Nelson who loves to be called NEIL knew that I had a Songhits , so he assumed I had a copy of the song. We always heard the Song every Sunday over the Radio as one of the Top Hits. I memorized the song already when my brother asked.

It was a man's song not a lady song but I love its tune and its lyrics as well as the high notes that I can easily reach ...in other words I love it too.

In the afternoon of a Sunday, Nelson and me were singing this Neil Diamond Song
"If You Go Away".
Nelson has a very beautiful baritone and everyone in the house was paying attention to him singing.
Papa joined us and also he strummed the guitar and sang the song too. So, it was the family song of that day or night actually.

The following day, Valentines Day, my brother brought with him my guitar to sing in his classroom activities. He was the teachers favorite. He was best in Math, Music and English subjects and Excel in Sports especially Basketball and Swimming.Oh..Math is my weakest point while Nelson his favorite.

In the evening while we gathered for dinner , Nelson announced : " Thank You for the guitar. Everyone loves my song. There is one special girl that I like in school and she is now my girlfriend because of that song."
"What ? " We chorushed.
He laughed with so much happiness to have a girlfriend at age 11.
He replied :
" It is a puppy love. She is my crush . She told me I am his crush too. So we are girlfriend and boyfriend. She said that " No holding hands.No kiss . No going together just the two of them as her parents are strict. But, we are for each other. Yehey "!
We were all laughing and had a joyful dinner of fish and vegetables with boiled corn grits.
I asked him " Why that song ? "
Then , Nelson's face turned sad.
"Because she will study High School in America. Her parents are already there and is coming home next year to bring her there"
" Oh "
We chorushed again.
Nelson informed us :
"But we made a promise to write each other. That is okay." He smiled.
"Very Good " we chorushed again.
It was a night to be treasured in my heart forever. It was a song that bonded two very young hearts and a song that inspires my brother Neil to be very successful in life.

My brother did not marry her when they both became professionals and they have families of their own yet they remained friends. When she visited the Philippines , she introduced her husband and her children to all of us and the wife of my brother Neil who is a very good cook and a very gracious and lovely lady invited her family to dine with Nelson's family, meaning Nelson, his wife and three children. Up to this writings they all remain good friends.
In honor of that very beautiful friendship I am writing the lyrics of this song as a documentary.

If You Go Away
By " Neil Diamond"
Written byJacques Romain Brel and Rod Mckuen
1959

If you go away on this summer day
Then you might as well take the sun away
All the birds that flew in a summer sky
When our love was new and our hearts were high
When the day was young and night was long
And the moon stood still for the night birds song
If you go away, if you go away, if you go away

Refrain :
"But if you stay, I'll make you a day
Like no day has been or will be again
We'll sail on the sun, we'll ride on the rain w
We'll talk to the trees and worship the wind. "

And if you go I'll understand
Leave me just enough love
To fill up my hand
If you go away, if you go away
If you go away...

If you go away and I know you must
There'll be nothing left in the world to trust
Just an empty room, full of empty space
Like the empty look I see on your face
Can I tell you now as you turn to go
I'll be dying slowly till next hello
If you go away, if you go away, if you go away.

2nd refrain
" But if you stay, I'll make you a night
Like no night has been or will be
again.
I'll sail on your smile, I'll ride on your
touch
I" ll talk to your eyes
That I love so much."

But if you go , go I won't cry
For the good is gone from goodbye
If you go away
If you go away
If you go away....