George and Dhani

Inspired by and written for Song Lyric Sunday – thank you, Jim

There can be only one song for this week from me. My all-time number 1 track for decades. “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” was written and performed by George Harrison. Harrison was a musician and singer-songwriter who rose to fame with the Beatles. Often referred to as the quiet Beatle he embraced Indian culture and spirituality. From 1965 George Harrison wrote at least two songs per Beatle album, including “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” Harrison died in 2001 from lung cancer. His ashes were scattered in the Ganges and Yamuna rivers in India according to Hindu tradition.

Dhani Harrison is the only child of George and Olivia Harrison. He is a musician, composer, and singer-songwriter. In 2004 he appeared alongside Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, and Prince performing “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” to mark the post-humous induction of his father into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

I look at you all
See the love there that’s sleeping
While my guitar gently weeps

I look at the floor
And I see it needs sweeping
Still my guitar gently weeps

I don’t know why nobody told you
How to unfold your love
I don’t know how someone controlled you
They bought and sold you

I look at the world
And I notice, it’s turning
While my guitar gently weeps

With every mistake
We must surely be learning
Still my guitar gently weeps

I don’t know how you were diverted
You were perverted too
I don’t know how you were inverted
No one alerted you

I look from the wings
At the play you are staging
While my guitar gently weeps

‘Cause I’m sitting here
Doing nothing but aging
Still my guitar gently weeps

Dub the mic on the piano and quite low this
Just keep it in my maracas, you know
You know, those old pianos