This is a quote from an old song called “The Impossible Dream (The Quest)” performed by Andy Williams.
It is insanely corny, but also insanely inspiring.
I first learned about it through a Honda commercial a few years back – click here for the clip – and loved the soaring vocals set against the tongue-in-cheek, moustache-sporting protagonist in the advertisement.
I downloaded the song on iTunes, and, occasionally, for fun (like tonight), I play that song loud, and sing along in my best Andy Williams voice.
Tonight, my wife thought I had gone crack-a-lackin’ crazy, and said as much in as many words to my offspring.
(True love.)
But here’s the thing.
The song talks of impossible dreams, quests, and challenges that are seemingly too large to overcome.
Despite all this – or perhaps, because of it – the character in the song feels that they will only die peacefully and feel truly at rest if they continue to strive to reach the unreachable star.
I take such delight in moments such as this, and see a lot of myself in that scorned, scar-covered man.
I promise you all, I will strive – with my last ounce of courage – to reaaaaaach …. theeeee unnnnnnnreaaaaaaaachaaaaaaaaaableeeeeee … (deep breath) … STAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
(Drop curtain. Fade out. Audience applauds politely, stands, and files calmly out of the theatre.)
With love, strained vocal chords, and a heavy dose of irony and comedic intent,
Israel. xo
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The Impossible Dream (The Quest)
To dream … the impossible dream …
To fight … the unbeatable foe …
To bear … with unbearable sorrow …
To run … where the brave dare not go …
To right … the unrightable wrong …
To love … pure and chaste from afar …
To try … when your arms are too weary …
To reach … the unreachable star …
This is my quest, to follow that star …
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far …
To fight for the right, without question or pause …
To be willing to march into Hell, for a Heavenly cause …
And I know if I’ll only be true, to this glorious quest,
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm,
when I’m laid to my rest …
And the world will be better for this:
That one man, scorned and covered with scars,
Still strove, with his last ounce of courage,
To reach … the unreachable star …
Music Composed by Mitch Leigh
Lyrics by Joe Darion