Better or Worse

Gerald Brennan—composer, lyricist, pianist, singer

“…for better or worse…”
What an odd thing to say. It’s like they sneak that into the wedding vows and it’s easy to ignore, but it can end up being realer than a heart-attack.
A lot of people I know are divorced and they don’t like this song. The guy here really wants her back and is willing to completely forgive and forget if only she will do the same. He thinks back to their beginnings and can’t believe that things have ended this way.
He has no room in his heart for blame; just longing. Come back and we’ll start over. After all — for better or worse — that was their vow.

Even if you don’t love me,
even if you don’t care,
I can still make you smile,
just whistle and I’ll be there.

I begged you to fly away with me,
and marry me like you should.
You kissed me and smiled,
and said that you understood.

I remember your off-white wedding gown
and the vows that we spoke that day.
“For better or worse” –
such an odd thing to say.

Nobody sees the truth of it
as two hearts grow their separate ways.
There’s no one to blame,
I know it’s just a phase.

Everyone wants to have it all –
a castle atop the mountain.
But the walls blow down
and the rain floods in,
washing it all away,
washing it all away.

Even if you don’t love me,
and you put everything above me,
I can still make you smile,
just whistle and I’ll be there.

All these mem’ries I have are delicate,
like the gossamer ivory lace
that pinned in your hair and
drifted across your face.

I don’t care where you went, I want you back.
I don’t care what you did, I need you back.
For better or worse,
come back to me and stay.
Come back to me and stay.
Come back to me, and stay.