Everything Possible (Fred Small)

Singer-songwriter Fred Small wrote this song in 1983 for a lesbian friend of his, who wanted a lullaby to sing for her son. I first encountered the words as a child, reading my way through Rise Up Singing (1988), the folk song anthology edited by Annie Patterson and Peter Blood. Many years later I learned the tune, and perform it with singer Rebecca Maxfield as part of our show "Have A Gay Old Time," an exploration of LGBT+ themes in traditional and trad-adjacent songs. Lyrics: We have cleared off the table, the leftovers saved, Washed the dishes and put them away, I have told you a story and tucked you in tight At the end of your knockabout day. As the moon sets its sails to carry you to sleep Over the midnight sea, I will sing you a song no one sang to me; May it keep you good company. Chorus: You can be anybody you want to be, You can love whomever you will, You can travel any country where your heart leads And know I will love you still. You can live by yourself, you can gather friends around, You can choose one special one, And the only measure of your words and your deeds Will be the love you leave behind when you're gone. There are girls who grow up strong and bold, There are boys quiet and kind, Some race on ahead, some follow behind [I sing: "some wander and watch"] Some go in their own way and time. Some women love women, some men love men, Some raise children, some never do; You can dream all the day never reaching the end Of everything possible for you. Don't be rattled by names, by taunts, by games, But seek out spirits true -- If you give your friends the best part of yourself, They will give the same back to you. (Chorus)

Added 23 Aug 2026