James William Somerville (born June 22, 1961) is a Scottish pop singer and songwriter.
He sang in the 1980s with the pop groups Bronski Beat and The Communards, and has also had a solo career. He is known in particular for his falsetto singing voice and that he was openly gay during a period of increasing socio-political debate and conflict in the UK regarding lesbian and gay rights.
IF I COULD TELL
Lyrics by Jimmy Somerville
TIME WILL SAY NOTHING BUT I TOLD YOU SO,
TIME ONLY KNOWS THE PRICE WE HAVE TO PAY;
IF I COULD TELL YOU I WOULD LET YOU KNOW.
IF WE SHOULD WEEP WHEN CLOWNS PUT ON THEIR SHOW,
IF WE SHOULD STUMBLE WHEN MUSICIANS PLAY,
TIME WILL SAY NOTHING BUT I TOLD YOU SO.
THERE ARE NO FORTUNES TO BE TOLD, ALTHOUGH,
BECAUSE I LOVE YOU MORE THAN I CAN SAY,
IF I COULD TELL YOU I WOULD LET YOU KNOW.
THE WINDS MUST COME FROM SOMEWHERE WHEN THEY BLOW,
THERE MUST BE REASONS WHY THE LEAVERS DECAY;
TIME WILL SAY NOTHING BUT I TOLD YOU SO.
PERHAPS THE ROSES REALLY WANT TO GROW,
THE VISION SERIOUSLY INTENDS TO STAY;
IF I COULD TELL YOU I WOULD LET YOU KNOW.
SUPPOSE THE LIONS ALL GET UP AND GO,
AND ALL THE BROOKS AND SOLDIERS RUN AWAY;
WILL TIME SAY NOTHING BUT I TOLD YOU SO?
IF I COULD TELL YOU I WOULD LET YOU KNOW.