Smile

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♥

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it’s breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you’ll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You’ll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what’s the use of crying?
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

[Instrumental interlude]

That’s the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what’s the use of crying?
You’ll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

 

The critical side of me looks at these lyrics and feels pushed. It says hey, if you’re sad just go with that, don’t tell me to ignore it and pretend I’m happy when I’m not!

The melody was composed by Charlie Chaplin for the movie Modern Times (1934). The words by John Turner and Geoffrey Parson came almost twenty years later in 1954.

It’s a heart breaking (heart opening) melody and the words I have decided fit just right. It reminds the listener that the situation of sadness is temporary. It encourages the listener to consider that although dwelling on the sadness is understandable, it is not the end of everything.

It points out that by allowing happiness into your experience, allowing the light of joy into your experience, the sad moments are kept in balance. They are honored without any overwhelm.

So, although the words by themselves might seem a bit Pollyanna-ish, the music, by bringing such a rich, melancholy feeling of hope and nurture helps the song deliver quite a supportive and loving message.

The song is about heartbreak and tears.

Tears of joy and release bring healing. And I’ve decided that a broken heart can be a transition to a bigger, grander more loving heart. It breaks open because it’s growing, and so has a greater capacity for love.

A heart that is filled with memories and experiences and love is a big, generous, caring heart.

By keeping our attention on the goodness and grandness of a loving life, a simple smile naturally finds its way onto our face. It is the glow of a knowing, loving heart. A kind soul.

 

If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You’ll see the sun come shining through for you