The Universe Expands
I wrote this song when my son was born. What an honour to perform ‘The Universe Expands’ with George da Silva on piano. A great musician and also my son’s grandfather :)
The universe expands
It all began not with a bang
But with a faint and feeble flutter
Trillions of light years away
We rely on science and our mind's eye
to make visible the wonder day by day
Poppy seed, lemon, eggplant, watermelon
The universe expands
We're sitting around the crib
Like pre historic men
Who have discovered the first fire
Emptied we wait to receive
Every heaving of his chest it's like
The vast and ageless universe is breathing
He opens his fist
With every gesture we take turns
Interpreting its meaning
The answer to all of life's mysteries
Does it lie in the patterns of the branches and the leaves
Cause when I hold you in my arms and you
look up from underneath a tree
The wonder in your eyes
Your complicit, gentle smile
Hold that thought for when you're ready to report
Meanwhile vowels are formed and explosive consonants
The universe expands
The universe expands and moves through rooms
Where you must learn
To drink from cups and tie your shoe lace
Hang your coat on the hook with your name
I'm led into the last room
chairs have grown to twice the size
It feels so sudden
What an all embracing force
I want you close for evermore
As the universe expands
With you
My son
