From the recording Life, Love, and Philosophy
The original name for this was “Simple But True” with complete words, but chords that had never been written down. I found it on one of my songwriting cassette recordings. It started out as a rather maudlin ballad. I experimented with some alternate tunings, and then decided to try reggae. The message is straightforward: Reminiscing is fine, but if you really want to go back to a better time, then you really must not like where you are today, so be truthful with yourself, and focus on changing where you are today.
Lyrics
Truth ©2022
-Art Wildish Music Group, LLC- Capo 2 D-Tuning Intro: D Dsus2 D - 4x
D Dsus2 D G Gm D Dsus2 D
Got a letter from an old friend, many years ago.
D Dsus2 D G Gm D Dsus2 D
Reminiscing ‘bout the old days, I could feel his sorrow.
Bm F#m G Gm7
It seemed he wanted to go back in time, and re-live memories.
D Dsus2 D G Gm7 D Dsus2 D - 2x
But that’s not living, that just wishing, wishing to be free.
D Dsus2 D G Gm D Dsus2 D
In the years from then that followed, I made some big mistakes.
D Dsus2 D G Gm D Dsus2 D
I found that I was reminiscing, in much the same way.
Bm F#m G Gm7
For my life had been imprisoned, tho I couldn’t see.
D Dsus2 D G Gm7 D Dsus2 D
I wasn’t reminiscing, I was wishing, wishing to be free.
G A Asus2 A D Dsus2 D Bm G A Asus2 A D Dsus2 D Bm
But wishing and wanting won’t make dreams come true. Making your choices is all you can do.
G A Asus2 A D Dsus2 D Bm G A Asus2 A D Dsus2 D - 2x
Living the past will not save you from you. ‘Cause I found the answer in truth.
Solo: D Dsus2 D G Gm D Dsus2 D - 2x, Bm F#m G Gm7, D Dsus2 D Gm Gm7 D Dsus2 D
G#dim7 Am7 F#dim7 G Gm7 D Gm7 A7
Changing the past, is a game that we all play, but it makes us avoid, living in today.
D Dsus2 D G Gm D Dsus2 D
Set your goals and then you reach them, lose some things along the way.
D Dsus2 D G Gm D Dsus2 D
Lose a few that’s so much better than living yesterday.
Bm F#m G Gm7
Like a sailboat on the ocean, the winds may blow then fade.
D Dsus2 D G Gm7 D Dsus2 D
It takes some effort to stay the course and make your way.
G A Asus2 A D Dsus2 D Bm G A Asus2 A D Dsus2 D Bm
‘Cause wishing and wanting won’t make dreams come true. Making your choices is all you can hope to do.
G A Asus2 A D Dsus2 D Bm G A Asus2 A D Dsus2 D - 3x end on D
Living the past will not save you from you. ‘Cause I found the answer with you.