Song 3: "If I Never Knew You"
from the 1999 Disney film "Pocahontas"
written by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz
Note: this version of the song (especially the crescendo and the very last verse) is much more like the in-film version, which was re-released in the movie for the 10th Anniversary edition, than the more famous credits version.
I almost expected them to start singing this song the first time I beat the game. Especially Tippi's lead-in line, I don't know. It's just too perfect.
Dimentio the true executor of the prophecy, was defeated. And yet that was not enough to bring an end to the destruction that it ravaged. So, as Dimension Bleck quaked and began to cave in on itself, Count Bleck knew that there was only one thing to do.
"This way!" And with his might dimensional powers he summoned a great door, and lead all of his minions through it, and the heroes as well, and his beloved Timpani. Not Nastasia- tragically she gave her life to save his, and so could not join them.
When they crossed through the door, they were hit with a great white light, in contrast to the blackness of Castle Bleck. For a moment they were blinded, and the quake seemed to subside... slowly they were able to make out the features... a pale blue sky, great pillars, a marble alter...
"Hey, I remember this place," said Luigi as it all came into focus. The wedding alter where it all began.
Count Bleck turned to his love. "Timpani... Do you still... do you still love me?"
"Yes, Blumire. Of course I do."
"Then you must come with me."
No one was quite certain of his plans. "'Ey, Count! What're yeh doin'?" asked O'Chunks.
Count Bleck explained, "We will use the Pure Hearts again, this time to banish the Chaos Heart. All we need is true love..." he looked at Tippi, who even in her multicolored rainbow body seemed to blush. "And that is something I am lucky enough to posses." His smile faded, and he spoke to everyone now. "But... with the Chaos Heart gone, the Pure Hearts and those linked to them... they may cease to exist..."
Mimi gasped. "You mean you might go away?" Her lip quivered "B-but I don't want you to go!"
"All of this is my fault. The price is mine to pay." He winced. "I do not have long to live anyway. But you, Timpani..." He took her alight on his finger. "It pains me to know this may cut your game short... Still... there is no other way to end this.
"I know Blumire... I know."
"Timpani..."
"Don't say another word. As long as I am with you, nothing else matters."
The ground gave another almighty quake, signaling its impatience. It was time for this world to end, already!
"We must go, Timpani."
They flew off to the altar. Finally, after all this time, after all the secrecy of their whirlwind romance, the long separation, and the beautiful reunion... finally, it was time to commit their love to each other.
Count Bleck began. "There were so many things I wanted to say to you... but I could not find the words."
"Oh, Blumiere... Only one thing matters to me now. I never had the chance to return your question... Blumiere... Do you still love me as well?"
Count Bleck looked a bit surprised to be asked that question, after everything he'd done without her. "Of course," he said. "I have thought about you every moment since you disappeared... But I have caused you so much suffering." The unspoken question hung in the air: How is it that you still love me?
"Perhaps..." Tippi said thoughtfully, "... my life would have been more carefree without you, that is true..." She looked into his eyes, and found the real answer to his question. "But..."
If I never knew you
If I never felt this love
I would have no inkling of
How precious life can be
And all of a sudden, they ceased to be Count Bleck and Tippi, but for a moment, at least in their own world, they were Timpani the human and the young Lord Blumiere, together at the base of the cliff where they met.
And Count Bleck answered her
If I never held you
I would never have a clue
How, at last, I'd find in you
The missing part of me
In this world so full of fear
Full of rage and lies
I can see the truth so clear
In your eyes, so dry your eyes
And I'm so grateful to you
I'd have lived my whole life through
Lost forever if I never knew you
Tippi, the human, was looking in the stars in the sky on that night they were together, wishing for nothing else but for the night to never end. And that night Tippi was not the naive human girl who never met another strange creature before, but a caring young woman who loved all living things. Tippi's heart, too, had something to share.
If I never knew you
I'd be safe, but half as real
Never knowing I could feel
A love so strong and true
I'm so grateful to you
I'd have lived my whole life through
Lost forever
If I never knew you
But the peaceful nights didn't last. The anger, the outrage from the Tribe of Darkness was too great. The fear of letting a human contaminate the purity of the tribe, and the hatred of one of their own for allowing it to happen.
I thought our love would be so beautiful
Somehow we'd make the whole world right
She held on tight to Blumiere, willing him to protect her from the slings and arrows, and he held her in turn.
I never knew that fear and hate could be so strong
All they'd leave us were these whispers in the night
And yet, with determination,
But still my heart is saying we were right
The world, in the here and now, gave another horrible rumble, so much that it almost knocked everyone off their feet. Count Bleck held on to Tippi, and they gave one last affirmation of their love, one more thing to say, first Timpani and then Blumire, together, overpowering the chaos
For if I never knew you
(There's no moment I regret)
If I never felt this love
(Since the moment that we met)
I would have no inkling of
(f our time has gone so fast)
How precious life can be
(I've lived at last!)
"Everything's shaaaaaaking!" Bowser cried as even he, great tank that he was, lost his footing. "Are we too late?"
But suddenly, mercifully, the shaking stopped.
All was quiet.
Except... no, not everything was quiet.
"Wait... can you hear that?"
"I hear... bells!"
Princess Peach closed her eyes and smiled. "How lovely! The bells are giving their blessings to Tippi and Bleck."
This world faded out, but not in destruction. This time, it faded to bring the heroes back home.
So the Prophecy of Destruction was not to be, and all the worlds were saved. And Nastasia, in accordance with her name (and with the help of the Pure Hearts) rose again, and proclaimed both Tippi and Bleck to be alive, somewhere where they could live out their old vows and be happy.
Merlon wasn't certain, given the nature of the Pure Hearts, but Nastasia was sure of it. And if they had listened hard enough, they may have heard the last of the song, echoing from far across the worlds...
And I'm so grateful to you
I'd have lived my whole life through
Empty as the sky
Never knowing why
Lost forever
If I never knew you