Both Sides Now

I was talking to a friend this morning and this song popped into my mind. In a way, the perspective is the opposite of that in Carly Simon's "Anticipation." Much of this song deals with the past (as opposed to the future). Yet in both cases, the songs express an unknowingness about life but a hopefulness in living every day.

Rows and flows of angel hair And ice cream castles in the air And feather canyons everywhere Looked at clouds that way

But now they only block the sun They rain and they snow on everyone So many things I would have done But clouds got in my way

I've looked at clouds from both sides now From up and down and still somehow It's cloud illusions I recall I really don't know clouds at all

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels The dizzy dancing way that you feel As every fairy tale comes real I've looked at love that way

But now it's just another show And you leave 'em laughing when you go And if you care, don't let them know Don't give yourself away

I've looked at love from both sides now From give and take and still somehow It's love's illusions that I recall I really don't know love Really don't know love at all

Tears and fears and feeling proud To say, "I love you" right out loud Dreams and schemes and circus crowds I've looked at life that way

Oh, but now old friends they're acting strange And they shake their heads and they tell me that I've changed Well something's lost, but something's gained In living every day

I've looked at life from both sides now From win and lose and still somehow It's life's illusions I recall I really don't know life at all

It's life's illusions that I recall I really don't know life I really don't know life at all