John Lennon/Beatles

With Fond Remembrance

1981
by Sheri L. McGathy

Four young lads planned a siege
in a time geared up for change
armed with nothing but their songs
the invasion had been waged

The revolution was safely launched
alas, we knew that they had won
with lyrics that flowed at a frantic pace
they captured our hearts with sweet love songs

Time marched on, and with it came
a new eras beginnings at an old ones end
bye and bye, the lads wanted change
for it seemed, they had grown to men

Sail on, sail on, across the ocean blue
all our love we gave to you
we laughed, we sang, we won't forget
all their precious and lasting gifts

There were two who wrote as one
who in time chose separate ways
each hoping to create a special place
that wouldn't reflect on yesterday

One, he chose to ride the waves
rising he hoped to a pleasing height
the other wanted to show the world
how to live a peaceful life

Sail on, sail on, across the ocean blue
all our love we gave to you
we laughed, we sang, we won't forget
all their precious and lasting gifts

What the man of peace could have done
at this time, we can only guess
for violence crossed his path one night
striking fast, and leaving death

The people had clung to secret dreams
that the four would rise again
but like all things that come and go
all good times will finally end

Sail on, sail on, across the ocean blue
all our love we gave to you
we laughed, we sang, we won't forget
all their precious and lasting gifts

We laughed, we sang, we cried with them
but most of all we remember them
by subtracting one, it left us three
if only now we could let them be

The music lives, it stills plays on
kids today still play their songs
within our hearts he still lives on
with fond remembrance to a man named. . . John.