Newly discovered lyrics written by John Lennon while a member of the Beatles may now be made into a finished track. The song, titled “Tell Her Now,” features two verses plus a chorus written by Lennon, but does not contain any musical accompaniment. Currently, the handwritten lyrics are on display in Liverpool as part of the new exhibit at The Beatles Story, White Feather: The Spirit of John Lennon.
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Lennon’s son Julian Lennon said, “If the time was right, if it felt right, then I would consider looking at the lyrics and maybe trying to work with them and write something. But obviously only in honour of Dad.”
If the lyrics do make it into a song, this would be the second John Lennon song completed posthumously. In 1994, the three surviving members of the Fab Four completed “Free As a Bird,” which featured Lennon’s vocals and piano.
In trying to determine precisely when the lyrics were written, museum curator Ann Darby states, “When the lyrics came up for auction over ten years ago, the auctioneers Sotheby’s estimated they were written in 1966, based on the fact that some of the lyrics are written on a note sent to George Harrison by some Japanese fans.” The Beatles played in Japan in June and July of 1966. If this is the correct year, the girl mentioned in the lyrics might even by Yoko Ono, as the two met in November of 1966.
The complete lyrics to “Tell Her Now” are as follows:
“Little girl I’ve come to stay/And this time I just have to say/I love you/If she turns you down and you’re rejected/Try again the best you can/Call to see her when you’re least expected/Tell her now she’ll understand.”
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