What's It All About, Alfie? <---<<< Link to the song sung for the movie by Cilla Black. Made more popular by Dionne Warwick (https://youtu.be/_GahH4j48HM) this song is beautiful and somewhat unusual in it's "message" and musical composition, perhaps being written for the motion picture of the same name. But the 1960's were an unusual decade. Society was less tolerant of today's banality. Perhaps it was a reaction to the truly banally inspired second world war. Here are the Lyrics by Hal David and my comments in brackets: [...] (The lyrics are posted uninterrupted below this post).
"What's it all about Alfie?
Is it just for the moment we live?"
"What's it all about
When you sort it out, Alfie
Are we meant to take more than we give
Or are we meant to be kind?"
[Really profound! Right to the bottom line. Life has to be sorted. Take more than give? Implied: We could give more than take, couldn't we? Who asks these kind of questions? Fools, yes? No?]
"And if, if only fools are kind, Alfie
Then I guess it is wise to be cruel
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie
What will you lend on an old golden rule?"
[Again a profound analysis of the controversy. If it is so, who will risk being good? Nice guys finish last, yes? You wouldn't even put it out at interest. "Do unto others. FULL STOP."]
"As sure as I believe there's a heaven above
Alfie, I know there's something much more
Something even non-believers can believe in..."
[... but now WAIT, we have, this has been wrong. We have missed the meaningful, including faith, heaven and SOMETHING...]
"I believe in love, Alfie
Without true love we just exist, Alfie
Until you find the love you've missed
You're nothing, Alfie..."
[Even the Doobie Bro.'s sing "Without Love where would you be now." It must be at the least HALF the world is seeking something real and true and good. Love is here extolled, exalted, even worshipped for without it ... you're NOTHING? A bit of a slap.]
"When you walk let your heart lead the way..."
[Hmmm... Good advice for a good heart, dangerous advice for a fool.]
"And you'll find love any day Alfie... Alfie..."
[Wistful hope for Alfie? Love? Any day? Any day now? Soon? Everyday? Do I remember the movie ending in an anti-climax? Are we "Dust in the Wind?" Or are we in God's hands?]
I remember being moved without really hearing the lyrics beyond the first two lines when the song came out.
"What's it all about Alfie?
Is it just for the moment we live?"
I wasn't 20 years old then. Now after 40 years believing Jesus I am still moved by the song and more now having read the lyrics. The Church was very much stronger as an influence in England and America in 1966, 57 years ago. And should we note Hal David was Jewish? So was, so is Jesus who gave us the "old golden rule" and inspired Solomon to write: "The oppressor of the poor insults his maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.." Proverbs 14:31
God IS love. And love is of God.
What's It All About, Alfie?
Lyrics by Hal David
What's it all about Alfie
Is it just for the moment we live?
What's it all about
When you sort it out, Alfie
Are we meant to take more than we give
Or are we meant to be kind?
And if, if only fools are kind, Alfie
Then I guess it is wise to be cruel
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie
What will you lend on an old golden rule?
As sure as I believe there's a heaven above
Alfie, I know there's something much more
Something even non-believers can believe in...
I believe in love, Alfie
Without true love we just exist, Alfie
Until you find the love you've missed
You're nothing, Alfie...
When you walk let your heart lead the way...
And you'll find love any day Alfie..
Alfie...
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