The Book of Life by Susan Lea Murray (aka Serene Murray-Denton)

A song written by my mother for me when I was small and she was young. (lyrics from memory)

Audio of me singing it on Soundcloud:

nobledesign · The Book of Life by Susan Lea Murray

It's about my mother's awakening to the fact that women don't have to live within the confines of ristrictive gender roles. That they could branch out and make their lives about what mattered to them without any limitations. It was an important lesson for me to get when so young.

I read the book of life,

as it was given to me.

And in many ways,

I was the princess.

I saw the dream.

and I was in it.

And in many ways,

I was the princess.

Now, you ask me,

to read you this book.

One I thought I knew so well,

One I should should believe in.

One that I should want to tell you,

When the only way I'm different,

from you, my lovely one,

is to know.

To know to throw that book away,

and go live your own.

Go do your own smiling,

and go make your own play.

Why play a lonely princess,

with only one line to say.

Go do your own smiling,

and go make your own way.