Barbra Streisand

If I Could

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If I Could Lyrics

If I Could
I'd protect you from the sadness in your eyes
give you courage in a world of compromise
yes I would
If I could
I would teach you all the things I've never learned
and I'd help you cross the bridges that I've burned
yes I would
if I could
I would try to shield your innocence from time
but the part of life I gave you isn't mine
I've watched you grow
so I could let you go
if I could
I would help you make it through the hungry years
but I know that I can never cry your tears
but I would
if I could
if I live in a time and place where you don't want to be
you don't have to walk along this road with me
my yesterday won't have to be your way
if I knew
how I'd try to change the world I brought you to
and there isn't very much that I can do
but I would
if I could
if I could
I would try to shield your innocence from time
but that part of life I gave you isn't mine
I watched you grow so I could let you go
if, if I could
I would help you make it through those hungry years
but I know that I can never cry your tears
but I would
if I could
yes I would
yes I would
if I could

Submitted by

ice On Jul 09, 2001

The Way We Were

Woman In Love

I've Got A Crush On You

Stoney End

I Finally Found Someone

If I Could 
I'd protect you from the sadness in your eyes 
give you courage in a world of compromise 
yes I would 
If I could 
I would teach you all the things I've never learned 
and I'd help you cross the bridges that I've burned 
yes I would 
if I could 
I would try to shield your innocence from time 
but the part of life I gave you isn't mine 
I've watched you grow 
so I could let you go 
if I could 
I would help you make it through the hungry years 
but I know that I can never cry your tears 
but I would 
if I could 
if I live in a time and place where you don't want to be 
you don't have to walk along this road with me 
my yesterday won't have to be your way 
if I knew 
how I'd try to change the world I brought you to 
and there isn't very much that I can do 
but I would 
if I could 
if I could 
I would try to shield your innocence from time 
but that part of life I gave you isn't mine 
I watched you grow so I could let you go 
if, if I could 
I would help you make it through those hungry years 
but I know that I can never cry your tears 
but I would 
if I could 
yes I would 
yes I would 
if I could

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When in doubt, ask the crowd

Not sure what they’re singing in that fuzzy bridge? Drop a question in the comments and let the music nerds swarm. Someone always knows.

Ice

Submitter

2001-07-09 12:57:47

1 Meaning

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by DutchieF

12y ago

For me, the meaning of this song is so obvious, it didn't surprise me there weren't interpretations put here.. My mum always listens to it, and she sent it to me when I was feeling very down (my horse died) and she said: 'oh if I could, I would take all your pain and misery away, and carry it, but I can't..' In my interpretation, it is about someone you love unconditionally, and you would do anything for him/her to make the pain/grief less/better. So it can be a parent-child, but of course also lovers towards each other.

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