ARROW
“Arrow” is a song by Cheryl Wheeler. The story about the song is almost as good as the song itself. Cheryl got up in the middle of the night and wrote most of the song in one sitting. And it was almost never recorded. Cheryl was putting together a tape of songs to be considered for her first album. Her friend Patsy kept telling her she should add this one, but Cheryl didn’t think it would work. Finally, she added it to the tape just to prove to Patsy that it wasn’t that good of a song. Fortunately, it made it on to the album.
The version on Circles and Arrows is a “seriously remixed” variation of the version on Cheryl Wheeler, including Mark O’Conner’s beautiful violin. A live version of Arrow can be found on YouTube.
I wish I could fall in love
Though it only leads to trouble, oh I know it does
Still I’d fool myself and gladly, just to feel I was
In love, in love
I wish I could feel my heartbeat rise
And gaze into some gentle, warm excited eyes
And give myself as truly as an arrow flies
In windless skies
(Chorus)
Oh I remember you in the tv light
Holding you close to me where we lay
And now I wish I knew some of those softer nights
Whispering quietly, feeling you turn to me
Only last night in the winter dark
I dreamed of how you loved, in all your innocence
And I’ve never known a softer warmer feeling since, or a truer heart
Maybe these dreams are leading me
Maybe love is not as gentle as my memory
Maybe time and wishful half-remembered fantasy are the greatest part
(Chorus)
Wish I could feel my heartbeat rise
And gaze into some gentle, warm excited eyes
And give myself as truly as an arrow flies
In windless skies
I wish I could fall in love
Though it only leads to trouble, oh I know it does
Still I’d fool myself and gladly just to feel I was, in love