Song Lyric Sunday – “I’ll Be Watching Over You” – Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Clearly, it’s not Sunday, but today I stumbled upon Helen Vahdati’s blog, “This Thing Called Life One Word at a Time”, where she hosts Song Lyric Sunday. I really love the idea of this challenge, so even though it’s now Wednesday, I’m adding my two cents to this week’s theme: Dream.

When most people think of prog rock supergroup Emerson, Lake & Palmer, they think of flamboyant, theatrical stage shows featuring ELP’s trademark musical blend of classical, jazz, and rock. Some are drawn to Keith Emerson’s virtuoso organ and synthesizer performances, often highlighted by his flying piano and physical abuse of his Hammond organ. Others are drawn to Palmer’s powerful extensive drum solos. Not me. When I think of ELP, I think of Greg Lake’s beautiful voice singing Peter Sinfield’s literate, esoteric lyrics. One of my favorite Lake/Sinfield songs is “Watching Over You”, a tender lullaby written for Lake’s daughter. The definitive studio version is on the 2017 Remastered version of their 1977 Works Volume 2 album, but as far as I’m concerned, nothing beats this live performance:

“Watching Over You”
Good night, good night….
Look at that moon shine so bright.
And tonight he smiles
Especially for you.

Sleep tight, sleep tight.
Know everything is alright.
And tonight I will be here
Watching over you.

For tonight I will be here watching over you.
Tonight I’ll be here watching over you.

Sweet dreams, sweet dreams.
It is never as real as it seems.
And in the morning when you wake up
I will be right here.

Sleep on, sleep on.
For no matter how dark or how long
It may seem that your night is
I will still be here.

I will still be here watching, watching over you.
So sleep, little darling, sleep on through.

So be still, be still
For you know that I always will
Tonight and forever
Be watching over you.

For tonight and forever, be watching over you.
So sleep, little darling, sleep on through.

I will be watching over you.