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I Still Need to Say It

from Finding My Balance by Jen Midkiff

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about

This song (written during FAWM 2023) is inspired by remembering an anecdote of author Madeleine L'Engle, in a memoir on writing: her husband would sometimes hand back one of her drafts with the comment "It's been said better before". To which she would reply, "But *I* need to say it". And there is validity in that: that the way one person phrases things may not catch a particular listener's attention, but be someone else's favorite quote of all time. So this song sounds silly and lighthearted, but the message is simple: Make the thing. Say it your way. You never know what will connect you with someone else.

lyrics

I Still Need to Say It

It’s been said better before
I know it’s been said better before
But though it’s been said better before
I still need to say it

It’s been said better before
you might not want to hear it no more
so I’m sorry if this is a snore,
but I still need to say it.

We all have our favorite lines
That we quote from time to time
And maybe someone will hear mine
And say “that’s so true”

It’s all been said, you could say,
So what’s the point anyway?
But I’m gonna say it my way
To be someone’s go-to

It’s been said better before
I know it’s been said better before
But though it’s been said better before
I still need to say it

It’s been said better before
I know you just wanna give me what for
but though listening may be a chore
I still need to say it.

“There’s nothing new under the sun”
Some say “don’t bother, it’s all been done”
And yet someone’s writing another one
To say it as only they can

So keep saying what you need to
In the way that belongs to only you
Someone will hear it and say “Me too!”
Their inspiration, you fan

It’s been said better before
I know it’s been said better before
But though it’s been said better before
I still need to say it

So it’s been said better before
And though you may want to show me the door
My version’s unique and therefore
I’m still gonna say it.

Don’t get yourself in an uproar
I still need to say it.

Quoth the raven “Nevermore”
I still need to say it.

Don’t stomp like a dinosaur,
I still need to say it.

Don’t start another Trojan War—
I’m still gonna say it.

Don’t get mad at this troubadour,
I still need to say it!

credits

from Finding My Balance, released November 3, 2023
Jen Midkiff: harp, vocals, recorder, kazoo
Sunnie Larsen: ukulele, backing vocals
Lauren Oxford: banjo, backing vocals
Eric Distad: bass guitar

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Jen Midkiff (she/her) Noblesville, Indiana

Harpist and singer Jen Midkiff is a performer and educator in the Indianapolis area. From early music to folk to pop standards, Jen has too many musical loves to pick just one!

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