Face to Face
by:  Gary Ehrlich c 10/94

(Dedicated to FilkOntario 4 and all the new friends I made 
there)

    C                 Am                  F           G
The first time that I met you was through my computer screen
  Dm               F               Bb                G
I soon got used to seeing you each day when I logged on
     C              Am            F                 G
Your humor and your stories, your laughter and your tears
   F               Dm                Bb               G
Compelled me to respond and tell you all my hopes and fears
  C              Em              F             C
Desiring to make contact I would dial up every day
   F                Dm               Bb            G
To see what you had posted, tell you what I had to say
  C                Em              F              C
I soon found I was wishing I could travel to your town
   F                   Dm           Bb           G
To make its sights and culture as familiar as my own

           C                 Am         F               C
     And I know that you are out there across a glowing screen
       F              Bb                   Dm               G
     I often hope our paths will cross and we might finally meet
         F                    C              F                C
     And when at last we come face-to-face I hope that I will see
          F              Am        Dm     G      C
     That you will be as lovely as I have always dreamed

Then one bright day I set out on the journey to your home
The chance to meet more folks like me gave me the urge to roam
Our melodies and refrains through night-time and through day
Filled halls with music sweet that seemed as if by magic made
When we met that first evening and got off to happy start
You did not know that there would be a need to lift my heart
But from the dark you pulled me, back up to the light above
I brought back memories that were of fun and song and love

     And I knew that you were out there across a glowing screen
     I often hoped our paths will cross and we would finally meet
     And when at last we came face-to-face I was surprised to see
     That you were much more lovely than I had ever dreamed

Once more I'm at my desk now, once more it's time to connect
There was no way I could forsee one weekend's deep effect
No longer can I settle for just a few hours ride
To find the sounds and souls I know will fill the voids inside
I pray that nothing keeps me from the things I long for most
To travel and seek common chords on distant shores and coasts
And I will look for chances when we both can meet again
With all that we have shared I know that I'll call you my friend

     And I know that you'll be out there across a glowing screen
     I know our paths will often cross and many times we'll meet
     And whenever we come face-to-face I know that I will see
     That you'll be just as lovely as I knew you would be