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Dar Williams — I Am the One Who Will Remember Everything
Album: In the Time of Gods
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1392









Released: 2012
Length: 3:28
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Oh, what have we here, he must be three or four
Checking out of the booth on his way back to war
And he's not looking for a father or a mother
Just a seven year old brother
On this match line border camp of refugees

I am the one who will remember everything
I am the one who will remember everything

So where are we now, he must be five or six
Just running around, hungry kids, sharpen sticks
And he will grow with pain, and fear, and jealousy

Taken in by school of zealotry
Who trained orphans to make orphans evermore

I am the one who will remember everything
I am the one who will remember everything
I am the one who will remember everything
I am the one who will remember everything

We drink the smoke, we ride the noise
We drink the smoke, we ride the noise
And you say it's necessary
And you forget the ordinary

But I say, on the wheel of time,
Scour the Earth and find the
Orphans of forgetting, all the orphans of forgetting,
Give them stars for math and praise for good play,
Here's a Band-Aid, happy birthday,
Yes of course I did remember,
I remember everything.

Oh come over here, kid we've got all these books to read,
With the turtles and frogs, cats and dogs who civilize the centuries,
And in a world that's angry, cruel and furious,
There's this monkey who's just curious,
Floating high above a park with bright balloons.

I am the one who will remember everything.
I am the one who will remember everything.
I am the one who will remember everything.
I am the one who will remember everything.
Everything…
Comments (99)add comment
This one always brings tears to my eyes. 

4 wks later. I'm crying again.
 Stingray wrote:

PRETTY BAD!


This POS troll again...glad he's gone from these here parts...we're better off for his disappearance...
"schools of zealotry who train orphans to make orphans" is such a maddeningly accurate description of the forces that run our world
 MattRudely wrote:

The music needs to have *something* about it which makes me want to listen to the lyrics. Not just the same old strum.


irony lives!
I enjoy this song very much every time I hear it.
Brought tears to my eyes - again. Tragic. Beautiful.
If it does this to me, my old 8 isn't enough. Moved it up to a 9.
When I heard Jamie Raskin refer to his friend Dar Williams, this somehow mattered almost as much as other things he said. With friends like this he is on the right side of history. His presentations confirmed that, but to hear Dar Williams referred to in such a setting was amazing to me.
The music needs to have *something* about it which makes me want to listen to the lyrics. Not just the same old strum.
 joempie wrote:

Housewife music indeed. Nothing against housewifes, but not on my radio please.
 

If this song is Housewife music, BRING IT ON!

Ich bin ein hausfrau!  
 joempie wrote:

Housewife music indeed. Nothing against housewifes, but not on my radio please.
 
Since when the fuck is this YOUR radio? I don't think your name is Bill or Rebecca. 
 TerryS wrote:

Those who have cloth ears are condemned to listen to schlock for eternity.
 
Had not heard that phrase before.  Thanks.  An interesting etymology, that.
 Crumblebum wrote:
As I start to wake, a vision of Dar driving the Shawn Colvin bus over to The Nields House of Ho-hum appears before me, and back to sleep I go.....


Not The Magic Bus then.

Never heard of Dar Williams, but this is a very moving and beautiful song. Solid 8/9
I gotta hang out with Dar, I can't remember s***!
This one gets a straight 10 from me: 7 for the music a 10 for the lyrics and a bonus 13 for the social engagement. Do the math..
 fotd wrote:
I didn't pay much attention to this song for a long time then, one day, I happened to catch some of the lyrics.  Now, when it is played, I can't help dropping my work to listen.  Wow.
 

I KNOW! Me too. Just bumped it to an 8. I love her voice.

I have former RP'er that I remember everyday I listen to RP. I pray that she is still listening, though I know she has cancelled her account. I f'd up in a bad way. FWIW, I was beginning to develop bipolar and I was not medicated yet. Not a good excuse, but at least I didn't lose my family. This is for Catey, whenever I may find her again.
The first word of the second line has got to be "taken." And it is brilliant.  

LouseGrouse wrote:
"And he will grow with pain, and fear, and jealousy
Taking in by school of zealotry
Who trained orphans to make orphans evermore..."

This is brilliant bit of songwriting that rolls so well in the song. Awesome.

 

"And he will grow with pain, and fear, and jealousy
Taking in by school of zealotry
Who trained orphans to make orphans evermore..."

This is brilliant bit of songwriting that rolls so well in the song. Awesome.
 thewiseking wrote:
She takes herself very seriously

 
Not exactly a frivolous subject. 

Huh. I thought wise kings were known for their empathy. 
i wish i could remember her phone number . . .
{#Music}
I tend to remember a lot of stuff too. But I can't claim all that "everything" high ground, as does Ms. Williams. But Curious George peering through the ship's porthole and nearly drowning and stuff, after being snatched into slavery, well yeah, who doesn't remember that?! 
I see what you did there, Mr G.  Segue from Todd Hannigan (who worked with Jack Johnson) to this song.  Is the link Curious George?  Eh?

Related image
She takes herself very seriously
A FAB-ulous writer and singer. 
 
Haunting...
I didn't pay much attention to this song for a long time then, one day, I happened to catch some of the lyrics.  Now, when it is played, I can't help dropping my work to listen.  Wow.
 SECA_Alan wrote:
these lyrics speak to our time, it and they haunt me. particularly the verse about children's books.
 
And in a world that's angry, cruel and furious, 
There's this monkey who's just curious, 
Floating high above a park with bright balloons.

Gets me every time. Children deserve to have childhoods. They should never be forced to take up arms and go to war on behalf of some damn zealot. 
these lyrics speak to our time, it and they haunt me. particularly the verse about children's books.
I kinda burned myself out on Dar Williams about 10 or 15 years ago.  However, I really do like this ditty.  Thanks for sharing it, RP.  This current run of songs has been great!
First we watched TV, and I started to drink, and  she smoked.
Why exactly are we subjected to this song repeatedly?  Dar Williams is perfectly fine and she has done some good work.  Sadly, this isn't it.  More variety on this front?
Was just thinking how excellent this song is.   Then I saw I had it marked an 8.

What is the rest of the CD like? 
As I start to wake, a vision of Dar driving the Shawn Colvin bus over to The Nields House of Ho-hum appears before me, and back to sleep I go.....
raenvald wrote:
I want to listen to a music station that plays Dar Williams on a Monday morning. That would encourage and strengthen me for the week ahead. Anyone know where I can find that station?
 
Ehi, It's Monday, 11:38 am (RadioParadise MT) ! what else?! {#Cheesygrin}


 raenvald wrote:
I want to listen to a music station that plays Dar Williams on a Monday morning. That would encourage and strengthen me for the week ahead. Anyone know where I can find that station?
 
Its Monday, 11:58 (GMT). This is Radio Paradise. Lock it in & rip the knob off. You're home {#Laughing}
 joempie wrote:

Housewife music indeed. Nothing against housewifes, but not on my radio please.

 
The 2 of you (the comment this responds to is not obvious) deserve each other in your dismissal. Stingray, despite sometimes seeming to like interesting music, mostly dismisses the creative work of others. I generally ignore what are evidently snap judgments about music, but cannot imagine how this is considered "housewife music". Is this critical of housewives, music that has social consciousness, women with guitars? I attended a Dar Williams concert last week, and must note that whatever your definition of housewife, there were probably not many present. Apparently housewives like something other than this, according to your view!
 joempie wrote:

Housewife music indeed. Nothing against housewifes, but not on my radio please.

 
Those who have cloth ears are condemned to listen to schlock for eternity.
As a father of a small child, the line about the monkey who's curious resonated with me. Genius is in the details.
 skyguy wrote:
that is some solid song writing.

 
Absolutely.   

Are those cellos that just chimed in?  Nice.  
Curious George's favorite song.

PS saw her last year and a solid songwriter and performer she indeed is.
that is some solid song writing.
This song is so beautiful and heartbreaking.

GOOD segue...

Nice linking songs... Well Played.

If only we humans could forgive more easily... Some memories are never forgotten. Some acts are never forvgiven.
Age smooths the jagged bits of memory... but never-ever smooths or rounds the jagged desire for revenge or retribution that only comes with forgiveness.

If we all walked more softly and listened more deeply before we acted.
And others did the same with us...



I like this a lot.

as a species we'd all do well to remember we're all just...

"Monkeys with technology. Barely out of the caves and the trees
"
'Vanity' - New Model Army
I want to listen to a music station that plays Dar Williams on a Monday morning. That would encourage and strengthen me for the week ahead. Anyone know where I can find that station?
 Highlowsel wrote:
"Taking in by school of zealotry
Who trained orphans to make orphans evermore"

Powerful. 

I thought about that line while I was in Iraq.

Ranks right up there with the Pretenders "Middle of the Road" lyric...

"...when you own a big chunk of the bloody third world,
the babies just come with the scenery."

 

And that lyric came to mind in Abuja, Nigeria.

Along with Rachid Taha's "Barra Barra" it's a triptych from hell.
 Stingray wrote:
PRETTY BAD!

 
Housewife music indeed. Nothing against housewifes, but not on my radio please.
Profound knock-out song.
Thank goodness for PSD...
 WonderLizard wrote:

Okay, Stingy, you're going to have to define your terms here. Do you mean "bad" like so unbelievably awesome cool that I'm gonna die? Or do you mean "bad" like, gee, this is really awful and my tender ears are offended? BTW, did you make it outside today? In the last week? Month?

  I dunno, I'd say pretty bad-ass could be pretty accurate myself. 

Nice!
 Stingray wrote:
PRETTY BAD!

 
Okay, Stingy, you're going to have to define your terms here. Do you mean "bad" like so unbelievably awesome cool that I'm gonna die? Or do you mean "bad" like, gee, this is really awful and my tender ears are offended? BTW, did you make it outside today? In the last week? Month?
that was nice!
 bhallmark wrote:
Wow, heard this song many times, lyrics never made it into my head.  Heard them tonight and almost started crying.  Holy cow, what an evocative and sad sad song.  Count me as a fan.

 
I just had the exact same experience.  Agreed. 

And her voice rocks. 
"Taking in by school of zealotry
Who trained orphans to make orphans evermore"

Powerful. 

Ranks right up there with the Pretenders "Middle of the Road" lyric...

"...when you own a big chunk of the bloody third world,
the babies just come with the scenery."
Is this in reference to Kony's LRA?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord%27s_Resistance_Army

just doin' my little bit to piss off the radical right...

there's little worse than religious zealotry in the wrong hands.
Apparently Dar Williams knows my wife and wrote her a theme song.  I await the royolaties
PRETTY BAD!
Bill,  can't thank you enough for this one.
 ccjemmett wrote:
Curious monkey line is one of the best ever

anywhere 
 
I believe she's referring to Curious George - he was known to fly over the city using a bunch of helium balloons.  Quite a good song.
chills...
 ccjemmett wrote:
Curious monkey line is one of the best ever

anywhere 
 
And it's not in the 'Lyrics" page! .........  off to search 'le net du inter' .........   and I'm back with the missing lines, from Ms. Williams' official page, https://darwilliams.com.s16062.gridserver.com/

But I say, on the wheel of time,
Scour the Earth and find the
Orphans of forgetting, all the orphans of forgetting,
Give them stars for math and praise for good play,
Here’s a Band-Aid, happy birthday,
Yes of course I did remember,
I remember everything.

Oh come over here, kid we’ve got all these books to read,
With the turtles and frogs, cats and dogs who civilize the centuries,
And in a world that’s angry, cruel and furious,
There’s this monkey who’s just curious,
Floating high above a park with bright balloons.

I am the one who will remember everything.
I am the one who will remember everything.
I am the one who will remember everything.
I am the one who will remember everything.
Everything… 
Devastating.
In Syracuse this Friday night!

This is why i love RP, thanks for the great tune.
I make everyone I know listen to this.  I tell them I consider it a "perfect song".
Curious monkey line is one of the best ever

anywhere 
Hmmm.... 7 for sure.  Maybe higher next time I hear this. This is very good.
 Sugarman wrote:
Oh. Ver. Played.

 
like it--but agree with the Sugarman...
Oh. Ver. Played.
Playing in the background at work.
Dar's distinctive voice begins to waft from the speakers.  As usual, her lyrics are strong, gripping.  The more I listen to her music, the more I am amazed with her gifts and talent. Jeez o' Pete - what an incredibly brilliant songwriter.
Oh, what a heart breaker!
Love the lyrics.
Thanks for another fine tune, Dar............{#Cowboy} 
And on this note, it is time to check on my little guy, whew.
This song always brings tears to my eyes.
 bhallmark wrote:
Wow, heard this song many times, lyrics never made it into my head.  Heard them tonight and almost started crying.  Holy cow, what an evocative and sad sad song.  Count me as a fan.

 

Hello, we may have found the one who carries the torch onward for Cynaera. This would be a very good thing
Yes, a touching look at war through the eyes of kids.  The circle of violence returns ...
Wow, heard this song many times, lyrics never made it into my head.  Heard them tonight and almost started crying.  Holy cow, what an evocative and sad sad song.  Count me as a fan.
 MediaGrrl wrote:
Dar must be seen live, she gives such great insight into her lyrics, stories and thoughts. Before I saw her in London in October, I would have given this a 7, after hearing it live, it is now at 8.5.

and Bill, a little more Dar would be very welcome on RP! 
 
i used to love going to hear Dar live. the last time i went to a show of hers was a year or two ago, and she totally lost me as a fan. some of her comments were very irritating . sadly, i'd rather just listen to her recordings now.
I saw Dar once. I was probably one of five guys in the audience but no one seemed to care. She gave a great show and sang like an angel. Brilliant song writer, fabulous voice....all good by me.  Same venue I saw Beth Orton but luckily the bass obsessed sound man must have been sick or something because Dar's show was excellent.
Dar must be seen live, she gives such great insight into her lyrics, stories and thoughts. Before I saw her in London in October, I would have given this a 7, after hearing it live, it is now at 8.5.

and Bill, a little more Dar would be very welcome on RP! 
..poignant artistry..
Working elsewhere, this song draws me to my speakers every time. Beautiful f'ing song.
 anotherlistener wrote:
I just pushed this up to a ten.  This song reduces me to a blubbering puddle of tears.
 
Like.  :-)

It's amazing the power that music can have on us.  (Plus, Dar is awesome)
I just pushed this up to a ten.  This song reduces me to a blubbering puddle of tears.
 joelbb wrote:
The geezer vote: a great protest song in the tradition of "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" and "Universal Soldier". I hope such a person exists and, like Madame Defarge, has the opportunity to act on all he/she remembers.
 
Agreed
The geezer vote: a great protest song in the tradition of "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" and "Universal Soldier". I hope such a person exists and, like Madame Defarge, has the opportunity to act on all he/she remembers.
I agree, it has some cowboy junk feeling.

 
DeeCee1109 wrote:
I hear some Margo Timmons ....
 


{#Hearteyes}
 lily34 wrote:
this gets a lower rating every time i hear it. we're at a 2.
 
just the opposite -it grows on me.
I hear some Margo Timmons ....
Dat dar is a pretty good song. 
growing from 7 -> 8


this gets a lower rating every time i hear it. we're at a 2.
pushed this up to a 9
I find so many of this genre sound like Natalie Merchant - not a bad thing, just an observation...
Lovely


Sometimes find myself wondering why "loads of water" attracts and seduces me, the music produced by this charming and excellent singer (and extraordinary communicator!), Dar Williams .... and after a review of the various songs over the years, which the answer is easy: simplicity, honesty, message, effort, conviction, all placed at the same time, in the voice of Dar. Another aspect that strikes me in a certain level of singer-songwriters, is the fact that frequently present themselves to the audience, " naked and raw", without artefacts to support content, only his voice and guitar (Acoustic). Like say "Cotton never deceives" (im sorry, is an idiomatic phrase, I'm not sure if it will have application in the English language) :))



I took my wife to see Dar on her current tour.  Wonderful new CD.  Not only a great singer-songwriter, but also quite funny as well. 
No mistaking that voice, and with something I hadn't heard before. Thanks Bill!
Glad to hear something new from Dar!