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Borrowed Words: Nightswimming by REM

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I’m giving this another try. Borrowing words from REM’s Nightswimming.

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A photograph reveals the moon

Caught reckless, pining for the sun

Forever drawn, a quiet breath

Swims every light

A reminder, a quiet night

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Nightswimming – REM

Nightswimming deserves a quiet night

The photograph on the dashboard taken years ago,
turned around backwards so the windshield shows.
Every street light reveals a picture in reverse
Still it’s so much clearer

I forgot my shirt at the water’s edge
The moon is low tonight

Nightswimming deserves a quiet night
I’m not sure all these people understand
It’s not like years ago
The fear of getting caught
The recklessness in water
They cannot see me naked
These things they go away
Replaced by every day

Nightswimming, 
remembering that night
September’s coming soon
I’m pining for the moon
And what if there were two
Side by side in orbit around the fairest sun?
The bright tide forever drawn 
Could not describe nightswimming

You, I thought I knew you
You, I cannot judge
You, I thought you knew me
This one laughing quietly
Underneath my breath
Nightswimming

The photograph reflects
Every street light a reminder
Nightswimming
Deserves a quiet night
Deserves a quiet night

15 thoughts on “Borrowed Words: Nightswimming by REM”

      1. yes, that would be exciting– but unfortunately, no new book for this Ren. however, your enthusiasm for me was so inspiring, i now feel like i’ve let you down. *note to self: write new book! ❤

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    1. Thanks. Yeah, this song is a gem. I read that Stipe heard the melody once and then the next take he sang the lyrics as if a stream in consciousness. That first take of lyrics is the same as the final version. Pretty amazing story.

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