One of my favorite songwriters is Chip Taylor, Jon Voight's younger brother who is best known for writing the songs Wild Thing and Angel of the Morning. Chip wrote a gorgeous song called Could I Live With This which, I feel, epitomizes the whole group-think dilemma faced by JWs. I have printed the lyrics below, and shared a YouTube link to a performance of the song by Chip and Lucinda Williams. I hope you can appreciate the significance of the lyrics.
I’m only a body. One heart. One mind.
But ‘only’ is only one of a kind.
Oh, but that’s what I am here for. That’s why I exist.
And if I give in now to the roar of the crowd,
Could I live with this?
I’m only one petal that falls to the ground.
I’m only one bell. I can make just one sound.
But that’s what I’m here for. That’s why I exist.
If I change what’s true to sound more like you,
Could I live with this?
And though I’m not sure what life’s all about,
I’ve got my feelings.
And if that’s what I choose to figure it out,
Well, that’s a good thing.
And when I look in the mirror to see what I’ve become,
Will my eyes rest easy, or will I turn and run?
Will I accept my salvation with a forgiving kiss?
Like a thief who’s been caught, or a judge who’s been bought,
Could I live with this?
Can I accept my salvation in a forgiving kiss?
Like a thief who’s been caught, or a judge who’s been bought,
Could I live with this?
Could I change what’s true to sound more like you?
Could I live with this?