I hope you dance...

We've been watching American Idol (I know, I know, but it's not just getting all 3 of us sitting down at the same time, I actually like it now...) and I heard a few singers sing a song I'd never heard of - I hope you dance, by Lee Ann Womack (who I imagine is hugely famous, but I don't know her stuff either) I have to say, that I don't actually love the original version, though I do like that she's singing to her daughters, but I liked the lyrics, so here they are:

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)


Really, what a lovely blessing to ask for your children... or even yourself :)

With the wonders of the internet, I found that while Lee Ann Womack made the song famous, it was in fact written by Tia Sillers and Mark D. Sanders, and there is a version by Tia Sillers on itunes, which I like better than the Womack one - more gritty and sad...