In the song adaptation of H. C. Dodge’s poem “If,” we’re invited into a reflective meditation on the passage of time, the pursuit of wisdom, and the often ironic nature of love and life. The original poem, written with a touch of dry wit, imagines a world where a man could live a thousand years — long enough to gain wealth, wisdom, and the clarity to choose a true partner. But in reality, life is short, debts pile up, and relationships often begin before understanding has a chance to bloom.
If a man could live a thousand years,
When half his life had passed,
He might, by strict economy,
A fortune have amassed.
Then having gained some common-sense,
And knowledge, too, of life,
He could select the woman who
Would make him a true wife.
But as it is, man hasn't time
To even pay his debts,
And weds to be acquainted with
The woman whom he gets.
The song preserves Dodge’s verses word-for-word, allowing their timeless message to shine. Around them, a haunting indie rock arrangement builds a mood of introspection and quiet longing. The added chorus and bridge expand on the poem’s themes, emphasizing how time slips away and how we often love “halfway” — not out of lack of feeling, but because we’re still learning who we are and what we need.
The outro brings the message home: we live on borrowed time, chasing dreams and missing signs, and in the end, we love the ones we grow to understand — not always the ones we thought we were choosing.
This song is not just a reflection on romantic relationships, but a broader commentary on how life unfolds — unpredictably, imperfectly, and beautifully human.
Married in Arkansas 