From the recording Family Portraits (Volume 2)
Much like the novel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez which inspired the title of the song ("Love in the Time of Cholera"), "Love in a time of Contagion" examines the apparent paradox of love during the current Corona-virus/COVID-19 pandemic: on the one hand, fear amplifies the already human need for proximity, touch and love; on the other, reaching for it -- across social distancing measures -- might be the very thing that compromises you or your loved one. But just as the pandemic has changed all our lives, behaviours and perceptions, so might it change our understanding of love. Here, it's love that finally triumphs.
My kids live away from me. In writing this song, I thought predominantly about them, with all my love.
Stay safe out there!
Lyrics
"Love in a time of Contagion"
In the streets, not a soul
In the shop windows
Silhouettes of
Of myself
Amongst the empty shelves
I look like a ghost
Hurrying home
Back to safety
Avoiding humanity
But in my head
You’re all I think about
“Cos I love you
I can not touch you
But I can see you
Through a flickering screen
I try to reach
I hear you whispering
Oh how I miss you
In a time of contagion
I’m waiting for you
I stay in my room
All on my own
With only the phone
For company
Trying to reach you
The paradox of love
is needing very much
The one thing I can’t give
Human contact
I can’t touch you
But I can see you
Through a flickering screen
I try to reach
I hear you breathing
Please don’t leave me
In a time of contagion
Please stay with me
Stay with me
(Your fingers on the screen)
Please stay with me
(Your fingers on the screen)
Please stay with me
(Your fingers on the screen)
Though I can see you
I cannot touch you
Through a flickering screen
I try to reach
But I promise to find you
Come to your rescue
When this time of contagion
Is through
Once more hold you