Some Fantastic Place
(Difford/Tilbrook)
She gave to me her tenderness
Her friendship and her love
I see her face from time to time
There in the sky above
We grew up learning as we went
What a voyage our life could be
It took us through a wilderness
Into the calmest sea
Her smile could lift me from the pain
I often found within
She said some things I won’t forget
She made a few bells ring
So simple her humility
Her beauty found in grace
Today she lives another life
In some fantastic place
She showed me how to raise a smile
Out of a bed of gloom
And in a garden sanctuary
A life began to bloom.
She visualised a world ahead
And planned how it would be
She left behind the strongest love
That lives eternally
I have the hope that when it’s time
For me to come her way
That she’ll be there to show me round
Whenever comes that day
Her love was life and happiness
And in her steps I trace
The way to live a better life
In some fantastic place
I’m not sure how many Squeeze songs have featured in school assemblies but this one did on a very sad occasion at a school where I was a governor. A very popular teaching assistant and fellow governor died from a brain tumour only 5 weeks after first being taken ill with ‘flu like symptoms. The death occurred on a weekend and the head, who is a long standing friend, was struggling to find something, a poem or some text, appropriate for a special assembly. This song was playing in the background as I read her email asking for help and ideas. The lyric is perfect, the tune sympathetic and the vocals are sublime. The head is not a Squeeze fan so I was in two minds as to whether to suggest it, emailing her the lyrics first. Well, it did get played on that Monday morning and there wasn’t a dry eye in the hall. I can’t say I converted anyone to Squeeze but everyone agreed it was a fitting tribute to her. Rest in peace, Iona, you’re sadly missed but remembered with fondness.
Hi Tygre,
Just read your comments and its such a great song and probably one of my all time favs. Another song, although not by Squeeze is Frank Turners “Long Live the Queen” about a friend who he knew that died of cancer and the song is a celebration of her life – but it works in so many ways – just like Some Fantastic Place does – Check out the song on YouTube – there is a great video to go with it.
Cheers
Snip