MY OLD FRIEND JIM (Version 2)

So many years living between the virtual and the real
A friend request born in talks of Polynesia’s feel
After all this time, the laughter, the nights we shared
It’s real, isn’t it, old friend Jim? Yeah, it’s always been there
An American, a little Irish in your soul
Discovering France, letting life take control
Snails and frog legs you once dared to try
No complaining, just a grin in your eye
The south, Provence, flavors on your plate
Cities and villages, every turn felt great
A family that chose you, opened the door
The Tuamotus whisper secrets still calling for more

What a hell of a friendship after all these years
Through distance, screens, laughter, and tears
Your damn accent never changed a tone
Two hearts living here and back home
Yeah, a hell of a friendship, strong and true
Old friend Jim… this song is for you

And me, discovering America, the one of my dreams
The one I carried for half my life, or so it seems
Graceland and my king, Elvis in the light
Nashville’s songs keeping cowboys alive
Kentucky mornings, beauty everywhere
Amish legends, golf carts, pajamas, no cares
Florida heat, crocodiles by the bay
Baseball nights and hotdogs far away
Hawaii’s wonders, turtles in the sea
Exotic fruits, dances, sunsets setting me free

What a damn good friendship after all these years
Through real life dreams and digital tears
Different roads, different skies
Same damn heart, same fire in our eyes
What a damn good friendship, strong and true
Old friend Jim, my brother, I walk this road with you

A beautiful bond, a new father I found
New plans every week, never time enough around
Isn’t that right, old Jim?
Archangel Michael likes to play his games
Always watching, always the same
Little signs here and there
Mysteries leaving us breathless, standing bare

You work so hard just to talk the best you can
That cruel damn app gives you hell, my friend
But you live with your heart, as big as the sky
Here… and over there, never asking why
Virtual Christmas, champagne in our hands
Virtual birthdays at our shared “chez nous” land
True friends around us, highs and the lows
Music gives us faith, you already know
French wine flowing on some long nights
Keeping our spirits warm and light

Thank you for standing through wind and storm
For watching over me, keeping me warm
For calming the anger when dark days rise
For teaching me things school and life denied
Final Chorus
What a hell of a friendship after all these years
Written in laughter, sealed with tears
Your damn accent still makes me smile
Across oceans, across every mile
Yeah, a hell of a friendship, tried and true
Old friend Jim… this song is for you

One day Michael will whisper low
That old friend Jim is gone, I’ll know
But I’ll keep in my heart, as long as I live
These damn precious moments…and our laughs
And the biggest adventures i never had in my all life
This old ex-soldier will never forget.