Velveteen (feat. Taylor Hutchison)
(from Margery Williams's The Velveteen Rabbit)

​LYRICS:
I told the others dancing is all foolishness,
That sitting still is wise;
Well, truth be told, I’ve never danced a moment in my life,
But how I long to dance tonight.


So here I sit, still, waiting for my wisdom now,
But met alone here in the dark by foolish pride.
You told me once that I was real,
And I believed you at the time,
But tonight I think I’ve never known less of life,

‘Cause now you’re gone, and I’m so lost,
And I’m longing to be seen.
For a time I felt alive, but has it all been just a dream?
Well, am I real or am I velveteen?


The wise one told me being real is such a simple thing,
But it’s as hard as hell.
Well, what’s the use of being loved if it only ends like this?
It’s only worn away the walls of my citadel.

And now you’re gone, and I’m so lost,
And I’ve been longing to be seen.
I played at life to die here in fire and lies;
Oh, let it all be just a dream!
Well, am I real or am I velveteen?


Peace, my child―oh, you restless child―
You are more alive tonight than you might fear.
The road you’ve travelled here has broken your heart
And brought you to life in love through laughter and tears;
So, let your heart keep aching,
Breaking open, pouring love,
Teaching all the world to dance, to weep,
To laugh, to come alive,
Because your heart is beating now;
So, let your heart keep beating.

(Use the player above to listen, or find this song on your favourite music streaming app.)

LINER NOTES:
If you haven't read The Velveteen Rabbit, I'm so sorry. Probably just go to the library now and come back for this later. Or just listen to a reading of it on YouTube. Once you've read the story, you'll know I need say nothing more. ​

​Performers:
daniel couper - Vocals, Ukulele 
Taylor Hutchison - Vocals 
Colin Jeffress - Cello 
Justin Short - Drums 

Words & music by daniel couper 
Produced, mixed, and engineered by daniel couper 
Recorded at Hopwood Christian Church and The Keep

​(cc) 2017 The Kept Collective

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