Inspired by the poem “Back To Beige”, by West Yorkshire poet Gaia Holmes, this song says that, although I am advancing in years, I have a great many things still to do, to experience, and to achieve, before settling for a quieter, gentler life. It’s partly about “growing old disgracefully”, yes, but also about daring to be what you have in you to be, despite the knocks.

Beige Can Wait

You have to have lived a lot, died a little,

laughed a lot and cried a little,

darkened some doorways, lit up a stage

before you settle for beige

You have to have dined on your vices,

mopped up the juices,

chosen wine over camomile tea

You have to have danced with your demons,

slandered your angels,

slid right to heaven on your knees

You have to have been through your paces,

lost all your pieces,

made and repeated your mistakes

You have to have loved a lot,

maybe lied a little,

before you settle for beige

You have to have tangoed in the road

when the red man glows,

kissed under the mistletoe in June

You have to have sung out of tune,

played “Claire de Lune” backwards,

bamboozled every muso in the room

You have to have been through your paces,

lost all your pieces,

made and repeated your mistakes

You have to have seen through your blindfolds,

walked over the barbs,

chosen music over money

and starved

Music and Lyric by Dave Gill, inspired by the poem “Back To Beige”, by poet Gaia Holmes, in Lifting the Piano with One Hand, Comma Press 2013