From the recording LP9 BRIEF ENCOUNTER
The idea behind the song is that during our lives we cannot predict what will happen and how meeting someone will change. This does not have to be a love song - on the contrary it is about how meeting someone with similar interests (for example a musical collaboration) can bring about changes. The metaphor of the jigsaw puzzle is used to show differences in ages and experiences, and the idea of the railway station as the place where someone gets off by chance and then leaves again is inspired in the song title by the famous old film, Brief Encounter. I tried to get a feeling of longing, nostalgia and optimism in the song. If we are open enough we can grow from such encounters, and find new pieces to put in the jigsaw puzzles of our lives. I have done versions of this song in English and German.
Lyrics
[Introduction}
It was a big box containing many pieces
A picture which looked easy to assemble
The family scene, background in sunshine
Quintessential harmony. Beginning and end.
[Verse 1]
But he could never finish the puzzle
New pieces appeared with strange colours
Shapes that didn’t fit any more, images unclear,
Morphing into new chances
A picture changing.
Storm clouds appeared.
Disturbing the harmony.
Bringing winds of change.
[Verse 2]
Hers was a vision more youthful - not ravaged by time
Or damaged by the uncertainties of constant change
Pieces more uniform, backgrounds recognizable
But tinged with longing for something more
Fewer pieces, something unpredictable
But with hope of something in front of her
Whole life beckoning
[Verse 3]
Their journeys came together by chance
Pieces shared, not seen before
Brought from different places to the same door
Creating new pictures not envisaged, outcomes uncertain
A flickering flame until the light went out
Leaving darkness and quiet, but something remains
Changing their direction for ever
On their separate journeys
[Verse 4]
It was a brief encounter, nothing more
But that moment opened a door
Intuitive connection, words unspoken
Enduring bond that cannot be broken
As they go their separate ways
Like trains on different tracks
Maybe one day stopping at the same station
By chance
[Outro: fade out]
Just a brief encounter
Two trains at the same station
For a moment
But connecting
And maybe connecting again