Words and music © 2007 by Tom Maynard
Tom Maynard: Vocal, guitars
As the lock down began in 2020, I think we all were holding the question of how the COVID 19 pandemic would change our lives. Not since the influenza pandemic in the early part of the 20th century had we as a society been through such a time. A fellow singer-songwriter, Teri Canty, posted the prompt “On The Other Side”. And we are still stand on the threshold between a Now that is dark and threatening, and a future in flux and hidden shadow. So this is still relevant, and provides a question that can still hold hope that our imagination and inspiration might lead us to a world where we live in harmony with each other and our Mother the Earth.
Lyric
Through a glass darkly
We strain to see
Our shadows stretch starkly
Obscuring what’s to be
It’s a vague vision
A future unformed
We can hear thunder:
The approach of the storm
Refrain
What will we find
On the other side?
What will we find
On the other side?
What’s real and illusion?
How can we know
What to hold onto
And what to let go
The center cannot hold
The weight of these years
Of short-sighted choices
So blinded by fears
Refrain
What will we find
On the other side
What will we find
On the other side?
Bridge
The infinite points
Of possible promise
Each vying for being
All swirl and spin
What can we imagine
How can we begin
To call for for a vision
For all kith and kin?
Instrumental
A path through the darkness
Some star to guide
Our hopes and best angels
A thing not yet tried
What will it be?
What will we choose?
With love and compassion
We invoke our muse
Refrain
What will we find
On the other side
What will we find
On the other side?
Tom Maynard 