This track was written as of Feb 14th, 2014 by Nicole Dionne (Peter's Daughter)
However that being said, I am Nicole and I would like to share that my dad actually wrote this song through me. I could actually hear his voice and his guitar randomly throughout a month.
It started when I saw a sticker of Mother Mary on the wind-sheild of my Dad's car after I parked at Rhode island Hospital to visit my mom. Something about the phrase on the sticker struck me. "If you knew how much I loved you, you would cry" and I thought that's strange shouldn't I be more comforted by the idea of love, and that's when I started to hear my dad sing in my head.
"If you knew how much I loved you - you wouldn't need to cry" which of course made me cry. I frantically searched for a pen and paper to write down the words. I tried to catch everything or as much as possibly. This was what I had been waiting for, an explanation, a sign from the heavens, a visit from his spirit. But I only got pieces with a whole chorus, before reaching my moms room. Not entirely sure what to make of it I didn't say anything about it, until My mom says to me, "Is it weird that I'm feeling like Dad is around me a lot lately? And I said, "Is it weird he was just singing a new song in my head that I never heard before?" Then within minutes we found out from the doctors that my mom needed to go through another surgery, the first one didn't take. I believe in my bones he was there, and he wanted to give us some comfort.
Over the next few weeks, more of the song would come to me. At the most inopportune times of course. In the shower, while driving, or during yoga. I'd race to my journal, add lines to a cardboard box or napkins in my car, or text myself. And eventually it felt complete. The words stopping coming. He even gave me most of the order. I was only stuck on the bridge. Ironically my boyfriend Joel Eckels is also great a musician, and happened to be in Rhode Island with me to record his current album. One night before Valentines Day I shared it with him, I wanted to have it to sing to mom. Within 10 minutes we worked it out and it finally felt complete. Couldn't get through the song without crying, so I read it to her. Mom said. "Oh my god, those are dad's words he is talking to us".
I dedicate this song to anyone who has every lost someone and needs some comfort and faith that those they love aren't gone forever. They will always be with us. Through a song, a sign on the road, a feeling you get walking into a room or a butterfly that dances around your head one random day. Whatever symbol you have shared with that person they will use it to communicate with you. That's what I believe anyway.
lyrics
If you Knew - aka Dad's goodbye
capo on 3rd
(Chorus) G D Em C
If you knew how much I loved you
You wouldn’t need to cry
If you knew how much I loved you
You wouldn’t ask me why
So go on and live life now
Don’t waste your years away
If you knew how much I loved you
You know I couldn’t stay
(verse) GD GD GD Em C
I lived hard
I loved strong
And sailed the blue Seas
I’ve flown through the skies
And made memories
I’ve lived a full life now
Though my years don’t seem long
My mind was getting weaker
but my body, my body held on
(Chorus) G D Em C
And If you knew how much I loved you
You wouldn’t need to cry
If you knew how much I loved you
You wouldn’t ask me why
So go on and live life now
Don’t waste your years away
If you knew how much I loved you
You’d dry those tears away
(verse) GD GD GD Em C
This is my goodbye now
I’m choosin to go
This cowboy soul
Wasn’t meant to get old
If you need me just look up
And smile at the stars
And talk to me girl
With this, this old guitar
(Chorus) G D Em C
Cuz, If you knew how much I loved you
You wouldn’t need to cry
If you knew how much I loved you
You wouldn’t ask me why
So go on and live life now
Don’t waste your years away
If you knew how much I loved you
You know I couldn’t stay
(BREAK )
(bridge) D Am D C Am D
Hear me singin’ this song for you
I’ll keep on tryin’ to wash away your blues
My son’s by my side, my heart is at peace
So don’t worry ‘bout me
I’m finally free
(Chorus) G D Em C
Cuz, If you knew how much I loved you
You wouldn’t need to cry
If you knew how much I loved you
You wouldn’t ask me why
So go on and live life now
Don’t waste your years away
If you knew how much I loved you
those tears away
(2nd chorus)
So I’ll go for now, I gotta fly far way
But I’ll be seenin’ you again one day
My hands are always open
When I’m ready to come
I’ll always be with you
To guide you, guide you along.
(2nd break w/slide solo)
(half chorus) G D Em C G
If you knew how much I loved you
You wouldn’t need to cry
If you knew how much Loved you
You’d dry your pretty eyes
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