Anytime (I am there) and other dying wishes

The memory of a song that I’d heard arose in my mind a few days ago. Or maybe it was a few weeks ago. WTF. It arose, OK?

I didn’t remember the name of the song. I vaguely remembered the subject. I did remember that it was part of a musical performance that Speakeasy Theatre in Boston had done when Dana was Production Stage Manager.

I remembered a song about Steve Buschemi and a Thanksgiving Day celebration. I remembered that it had something to do with 9/11.

Never fear. My Google-fu is strong, and shortly I’d found the name of the production: “Elegies, a song cycle”) by William Finn, and of course, someone had uploaded the soundtrack to YouTube.

The song is Anytime (I Am There), and the link is to the Genius.com lyrics site.

The song is from the perspective of someone who died when one of the towers collapsed on 9/11. Even though they are gone, they’ll still be there.

I love the song, and I want to share it with you (and Future Me, so it doesn’t get lost again.)

I plan to organize my memorial service. Knowing me, I’ll procrastinate too long. So if I don’t get around to it, and you are involved in setting it up: please note: I want this played.

I also want Amazing Grace by Dropkick Murphys.

Below are links Any Time on YouTube, the lyrics to Any Time, and following that, a live performance and the album track for Amazing Grace.

These are my dying wishes because all my wishes are dying wishes because I’m dying—though very slowly, and not completing the process for many years.

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```Any time you laughAny time you cryAny time you hear a soundWhen you’re on the grassLying on the groundAny time you wash your handsI’ll be around

I’ll be there on the baseball fieldThough I’m well concealedI’ll be out there cheeringI’ll be there in the books you readIt is guaranteedI’m not disappearing fastAnytimeNo, not any time

And I am there each morningI am there each fallI am present without warningAnd I’m watching it allYes I’m watching it allOh oh oh oh oh

And I am there in musicI am there in skyI don’t why this thing did happenBut this much is clearAnytime or anywhereI am there

Any time you prayAny time you fightAny time you’ve gained a poundAny time it’s dayAny time it’s nightAny time the earth movesI’ll be around

I’ll be there in the maple treesI’m a summer breezeOn a perfect eveningI’ll be there when you celebrateWhen the world seems greatI’ll be waiting by your sideAnytimeYes! Anytime

And I am there each morningI am there each fallI present without warningAnd I’m watching it allYes I’m watching it allOh oh oh oh

And I am there in flowersI am there in snowI don’t know why this thing happenedBut this much is clearAny time you cryAny time you singFor anythingI’ll be thereEach morningI’ll be there each fallI don’t why this thing happenedBut this much is clear

Be awareI am thereI am thereI am thereI am there

I am thereI am thereI am there`

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