October Songs... When October Goes

& when October goes

The snow begins to fly

Above the smokey roofs

I watch the planes go by

The children running home

Beneath a twilight sky

Oh, for the fun of them

When I was one of them

& when October goes

The same old dream appears

& you are in my arms

To share the happy years

I turn my head away

To hide the helpless tears

Oh how I hate to see October go

I should be over it now I know

It doesn't matter much

How old I grow

I hate to see October go

Manilow/Mercer

1984

He is one of my very favorite lyricist. In his last year, as he was dying of bain cancer, Johnny Mercer became extremely fond of Barry Manilow, in part because Manilow's first hit record was Mandy which was the name of Mercer's daughter. After Mercer's death, his widow arranged to give some lyrics never used he to Manilow to possibly develop into complete songs. Among these was When October Goes. Manilow applied his own melody to the Mercer lyric.
 
I sang this heartbreaking song when I performed with a jazz trio in the 1990s. It somehow fit my voice technically & emotionally. It was actually cathatric to give voice to it. I sang When October Goes at a gig in late October 1998 & I remember The Husband saying: "You really have the most amazing voice, most people don't know what you can do." I simply glowed; The Husband is a tough critic.
 
Don't you find it heartbreaking?