If This Is Goodbye

I am a massive fan of Mark Knopfler. He is my favourite musician and in my opinion one of the most gifted songwriters of all time. Songs such as Money for Nothing, Romeo and Juliet, Sultans of Swings, Going Home (theme from Local Hero), Golden Heart, Sailing to Philadelphia and Remembrance Day are all examples of his landmark pieces of genius. I would list all the ones I like, but my fingers would get tired from all the typing!

Recently, he performed an intimate concert for the Prince's Trust, which was shown over Christmas on the Biography Channel

In it, he talks about one of the songs on an earlier album titled 'If This Is Goodbye'. Although, I have listened to it many many times over the last few years, what I didn't realise about it, was that writing this song was Knopfler's way of discussing 9/11. The song is basically about those phone calls made from the twin towers and the planes, and although completely tragic, what can be taken from those calls is that whatever happens to humans - whatever is thrown at the decent folk of the world, our ability to love will always triumph, and it is that which should be taken from the attack. This is the article written by Ian McEwan referenced by Knopfler in the video below.

I will never be able to listen to that song in the same way again.

Here are those lyrics:


My famous last words
Are laying around in tatters
Sounding absurd
Whatever I try
But I love you
And that's all that really matters
If this is goodbye
If this is goodbye

Your bright shining sun
Would light up the way before me
You were the one
Made me feel I could fly
And I love you
Whatever is waiting for me
If this is goodbye
If this is goodbye

Who knows how long we've got
Or what were made out of
Who knows if there's a plan or not
There is our love
I know there is our love

My famous last words
Could never tell the story
Spinning unheard
In the dark of the sky
But I love you
And this is our glory
If this is goodbye
If this is goodbye


From Oldielyrics.com

The performance is also available on YouTube