The Greatest Love Song Ever Written

 Like any hopeless romantic, especially one who writes and loves the power and strength of words, I've collected what I thought were great love songs over the years.

And also, as a romantic and a writer, I dabbled in lyric writing from time to time. I'd say I'm "Not Bad." I'm no John Hiatt but I'm not embarrassing either.

I think, somewhere in the back of my mind, I thought I'd write the perfect love song one day. One that said it all, said it perfectly, and made people wipe away a few tears when they heard it.

Somewhere around 1991 I found out that the perfect love song had been written. 

Marc Cohn wrote it. It was the last song on his debut album, the one best known for "Walking in Memphis." (Itself an indescribably wonderful song.)

He wrote these lyrics and when I heard them for the first time, I knew..."Nobody will ever write a song more perfect than this." This says it all. 

The burden was lifted. Turns out I didn't have to write the perfect love lyric. I just had to find the girl in this song.

I did. And maybe one day, if God permits, she'll see me in her heart when she hears this song. And she'll feel the same way I feel.  And the perfect love song will become the perfect love.

Until then...

True Companion

-Marc Cohn

Baby, I've been searching like everybody else
Can't say nothing different about myself
Sometimes I'm an angel and sometimes I'm cruel
And when it comes to love, I'm just another fool
Yes, I'll climb a mountain
I'm gonna swim the sea
There ain't no act of God, girl
Could keep you safe from me
My arms are reaching out
Out across this canyon
I'm asking you to be my true companion
True companion
True companion

So don't you dare and try to walk away
I've got my heart set on our wedding day
I've got this vision of a girl in white
Made my decision that it's you alright
When I take your hand
I'll watch my heart set sail
I'll take my trembling fingers
And I'll lift up your veil
Then I'll take you home
And with wild abandon
Make love to you just like a true companion
You are my true companion
I got a true companion
Oh, a true companion

When the years have done irreparable harm
I can see us walking slowly arm in arm
Just like that couple on the corner do, 'cause
Girl I will always be in love with you
When I look in your eyes
I'll still see that spark
Until the shadows fall
Until the room grows dark
Then when I leave this Earth
I'll be with the angels standin'
I'll be out there waiting for my true companion
Just for my true companion
True companion
True companion