We're Staying With Jack (It's Not Over By Half, Joan Shelley)

Bernard: You said you'd never leave the Island, if you wanna go with Locke, I'll be right behind you.
Rose: I'm not going anywhere with that man.
- The Beginning of the End

I'm dipping my toes back into filking with Rose and Bernard, who might be my favorite couple on LOST but who have far too little time in the spotlight.  Joan Shelley's gently transcendent vocals and the sense of serene hope that pervades her beautiful ballad felt fitting for Rose's deeply spiritual nature and the way she acknowledges the darkness without letting it overtake her.

We're Staying With Jack

You took your shot, a guard with a gun.
The Others were scattered with your ammo.
And you've forgotten my mantra for you, hon.
You're a dentist, and you are not Rambo.

Oh, sweetie, why must you always do and not be?
For now I am healthy, and for now we are free.
Hurley's in pain, and he gave a good speech,
But if you ask me, he's made a big blunder.

Bernard, we're staying with Jack
'Cause the look in Locke's eyes makes me think he's a quack.
We follow him and we're on the wrong track.
No, we're not going; we're staying with Jack.

At Niagara Falls, with a timid grin,
You promised to love me through thick and through thin.
So although I had cancer, my heart sang a hymn
Thanking God that He got your attention.

Bernard, we're staying with Jack
'Cause the look in Locke's eyes makes me think he's a quack.
We follow him and we're on the wrong track.
No, we're not going; we're staying with Jack.

Here on this Island, I'm happy with you,
But rescue will bring us serenity, too.
Remission reversal may well ensue;
It won't matter, 'cause we'll be together.

Bernard, we're staying with Jack
'Cause the look in Locke's eyes makes me think he's a quack.
We follow him and we're on the wrong track.
No, we're not going; we're staying with Jack.

It's Not Over By Half

Hope (Be Still, Isaac Slade)

Rose: It's a fine line between denial and faith. It's much better on my side.
Charlie: Help me.
Rose: Baby, I'm not the one that can help you...
- Whatever the Case May Be

Once I finally started writing LOST songs again, Dad started sending me song suggestions, and this is one of those.  I was especially touched when I read the story behind this gentle song of encouragement; the songwriter's brother called him in the middle of the night, unable to sleep, and after their conversation, this song came to him organically as a response.

It made me think of Rose's efforts to motivate and comfort Charlie in Whatever the Case May Be, some of my favorite scenes in the series.  While she is there for him, she points him in the direction of a higher help he seems to have given up on...

Hope

I still have hope, and you can, too.

I still have hope Bernard is near.

I still have hope, and you can, too.

Things aren’t that bad, you know.

A monster came upon you.

Though Claire is gone, you’re not to blame.

I still have hope, and you can, too.

Just call upon God’s name.

You almost wish that you were dead.

You’ve never felt this low.

But don’t give in to gloom and dread.

Things aren’t that bad, you know.

This isn’t the finale.

Though the story may get darker still,

The Lord of Light will help you see.

He will, He will, He will.

Reach out for help, and faith will grow.

Before your life began,

The Lord was preparing to guide you.

He always has a plan.

I still have hope, and you can, too.

He always has a plan.

Doing Construction (Eve of Destruction, Barry McGuire)

"Construction site coordinator. Uh... I'm not sure that's a good match." - Rose, The Substitute

John Locke is a man who knows what he wants, and he is not easily swayed from his position. But in The Substitute, Rose manages to cut through his hard-headedness and convince him to apply a little practicality. Here's Rose to the tune of Barry McGuire's Eve of Destruction.

Doing Construction

I look at you. You’re in a wheelchair.
Maybe you don’t think that we’ll care.
I understand your need for righteous zeal there.
I know when I object, you’ll flash an icy steel glare.
I’m ready to hear you yell that it doesn’t feel fair.
But I’ll tell you over and over and over again, my friend,
That I don’t think you are fit for doing construction.

You don’t need to mention your animal type.
I wouldn’t disagree that’s a load of tripe.
I will patiently wait while you sit here and gripe.
Though you don’t have much tact, I will cut you some slack.
You will never hear me mock your anguish, Mr. Locke,
But I’ll tell you over and over and over again, my friend,
That I don’t think you are fit for doing construction.

Oh, I know you’re mad, and you don’t want to hear it.
I don’t intend to break your spirit.
And purposelessness? You’re very right to fear it.
Still, this construction thing, if you venture near it,
Is not gonna work, so I hate to clear it.
But hey, sit-down jobs can also have merit.
I bet we’ll find something that is a clear fit.
And I’ll tell you over and over and over again, my friend,
That I don’t think you are fit for doing construction.

Just accept your lot. Yes, that is the answer.
It’s what I’ve had to learn since I was struck with cancer.
I know it’s your right to grumble and stew
And think of the things that you’d rather do,
But dwelling on your dreams won’t make them come true.
Don’t waste any more time. Find new goals to pursue.
Mr. Locke, it’s your life. I leave the choice up to you.
I’ll tell you over and over and over and over again, my friend,
I don’t think you are fit for doing construction.
No, no, I don’t think you are fit for doing construction.

Rose and Bernie (Cracklin' Rosie, Neil Diamond)

Rose and Bernard are, in many ways, my favorite couple on LOST. Unfortunately, they have a nasty habit of disappearing for long stretches of time, leaving their devoted fans completely hanging. This was especially egregious in seasons three and five. Now, though we've seen them in Sideways world, we're once again left to wonder what has become of them on the Island. Here, to the tune of Neil Diamond's Cracklin' Rosie, I voice the frustration my fellow Rose and Bernard lovers and I feel.

Rose and Bernie

Oh, Rose and Bernie,
Where’d you go?
Why in the world did you vanish from the show?
We gotta know!
We think it’s low
Making us love you then disappearing!
Did you want to run away,
Go someplace private and thrive there, just you two?
Give us a clue
Because without you
We’re aching inside every time that the credits roll.

Oh, we miss Bernard and Rose.
They are the Island’s perfect couple.
Our affection for them grows.

Bernie and Rose,
You were separated,
But now you’re together and we’re elated.
We hope you come back soon, for we’ve waited so long!

Show up now, show up now.
Show up, Rose and Bernie.

Rose and Bernie, happily wed,
You show us wisdom instead of all this angst,
So can we say thanks?
The romantic ranks
Fall into line right behind your brilliance, yeah.

Oh, we miss Bernard and Rose.
They are the Island’s perfect couple.
Our affection for them grows.

Bernie and Rose,
You were separated,
But now you’re together and we’re elated.
We hope you come back soon, for we’ve waited so long!

Show up now, show up now.
Show up, Rose and Bernie.

Rose and Bernie, happily wed,
You show us wisdom instead of all this angst,
So can we say thanks?
The romantic ranks
Fall into line right behind your brilliance…

Never Too Old (Run for the Roses, Dan Fogelberg)

I'm very much missing Rose and Bernard on LOST. I understand they will be returning before the end of the season; it's been way too long. They're such incredibly decent people, and I think their story is very romantic. While they're certainly not old, they're older than most folks you see falling in love for the first time, especially on television. Of course, I loved them before I knew they were newlyweds too, but that just adds a nice touch. If they'd just show up a little more often, they could be my favorite LOST couple. Here's a reflection by Bernard just after he learns that Rose is alive and well, to the tune of Dan Fogelberg's Run for the Roses.

Never Too Old

Boy, was I silly
To get up and leave
And not wait until we
Struck land. I have grieved.
I thought that she died;
I'm so glad I was wrong,
I feel I should burst into song.

All those long, anxious mornings
And nights full of pain.
I wish I'd been with her
The moment the plane
Crashed down through the air.
What a thrill when they said
That my darling Rose isn't dead!

And I wonder how Rose is.
Does she miss her man?
I'd hate to outlive her;
I won't if I can.
We're advanced in our lifetimes,
But my life's been enhanced,
For you're never too old for romance.
You're never too old for romance.

I'm tired, so tired
Of days when I brood,
So mired in despair
I may come off as rude.
How sweet to soon regain
The greatest love I have known,
To thrive with her, never alone!

And I wonder how Rose is.
Does she miss her man?
I'd hate to outlive her;
I won't if I can.
We're advanced in our lifetimes,
But my life's been enhanced,
For you're never too old for romance.
You're never too old for romance.